26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

PAGE 2—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 

From left: Chairman, Jakande Kasan Housing Estate, Lekki, Eti Osa Community 

Development Association (CDA), Mr. Suleiman Kazeem, Industrial Sewing Machine 

Winner in Glo Recharge and Win Big promo, Mr. Femi Salami Jimoh, and 

Secretary of the CDA, Mr. Adebara Demola, at the Community Prize Presentation 

ceremony held at Jakande Market, Lagos. 

Imo: How Supreme Court erred in 

computation of results 

*Declared more votes than accredited voters 

*Failed to interrogate petitioners’evidences 

*Avoided mentioning figures in written judgment 

By Oke Epia 

Facts have emerged that 

the Supreme Court 

failed to do a thorough mathematical 

computation of the 

results of the election but relied 

only on the wrong computations 

submitted by Sen. 

Hope Uzodinma to declare 

him the duly-elected governor 

of Imo State. 

Our correspondents who 

obtained a copy of the certified-true-copy 

of the record 

of the appeal filed at the Supreme 

Court by Sen. Uzodunma 

and the All Progressives 

Congress (APC), issued 

by Nwana Ejike, Registrar of 

the Court of Appeal, Owerri, 

emanating from record originally 

compiled by Ibrahim 

Garba, the Secretary of the 

Election Petition Tribunal in 

Owerri, there were obvious 

mathematical and factual 

inconsistencies which the 

apex court waved aside. 

It should be recalled that at 

the state’s Governorship Election 

Tribunal, Sen. Uzodinma 

had from pages 9 to 27 of his 

petition drawn up table of 

votes allocation which he 

claimed were the figures obtained 

from the duplicate 

copies of Forms EC8A handed 

over to his party agents at 

the 388 polling units where 

he claimed results were excluded 

from the overall result 

of the election. 

From the table he compiled, 

there were 252,452 registered 

voters, who gave the APC 

213,695 votes and 1,903 to 

Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the 

governorship candidate of 

the People’s Democratic Party 

(PDP). 

The table did not indicate 

the total number of accredited 

voters, nor the number of 

invalid votes and the votes 

allocated to the remaining 

68 candidates that contested 

the election. 

However, an analysis of the 

duplicate Forms EC8A tendered 

by PW54, Deputy Commissioner 

of Police (DCP), 

Rabiu Hussein, there were no 

fewer than six polling units 

where more votes were recorded 

over the registered 

voters. 

For instance, on figure 

number 69 which indicated 

votes cast at Eziama/Okpala 

(Umualum Village Square, 

Eziama), the total registered 

voters was 492, whereas the 

table showed that the APC 

scored 819 votes and PDP, 7 

votes, giving a total of 334 

votes more than the registered 

voters, without including the 

votes allegedly polled by the 

other candidates at the election. 

Also, at page 22 of the petition 

on polling unit 282, the 

registered voters was 591, 

whereas the tabulation 

showed that APC polled 586 

votes and PDP 9 votes, with a 

total of 4 votes more than the 

total registered voters, not including 

votes scored by the 

other candidates. 

Similarly, at the same page 

22 of the record, polling unit 

285 (Obudi/Aro, Central Assembly 

Square, Unusable 11) 

with 449 registered voters, 

APC was credited with 780 

votes and PDP with 4 votes, 

providing a total of 335 votes 

above the actual total registered 

voters at the unit. 

In addition, figures obtained 

from page 79 of the 

record of appeal earlier stated 

and under item 384, APC 

scored 526 votes, while PDP 

was credited with 2 votes with 

total votes cast totalling 526, 

which is two votes above total 

registered voters in the 

area. 

Both the EPT and the Appeal 

Court dismissed the petition 

for lacking in merit 

But in a unanimous judgment 

delivered on 14th January 

and the 45-page written 

judgment read by Justice 

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunmbo 

Kekere-Ekun, the 

Supreme Court upturned the 

two lower courts’ decisions 

and declared Sen. Uzodinma 

and the All Progressives Congress 

(APC) as duly-elected 

governor of Imo State. 

The court said that votes 

from the disputed 388 polling 

units were wrongly excluded 

from the scores ascribed 

to Sen. Uzodinma, 

which was then added. 

By relying on the faulty tabulation 

made by Sen. Uzodinma, 

the Supreme Court arrived 

at a figure of 950,952 

total votes cast at the election, 

which is more than the total 

votes cast at the election totalling 

823,743. This gave 

rise to 127,209 excess votes 

at the election as affirmed by 

the Supreme Court, which all 

through avoided mentioning 

figures regarding the votes 

cast for the disputants or the 

total registered voters and 

valid and invalid votes in the 

judgment. 

However, in the second order 

made in the judgment, 

Justice Kekere-Ekun declared: 

“It is hereby ordered 

that the appelllants’ votes 

from the 388 polling units 

unlawfully excluded from the 

appellants’ score shall be 

added to the figure declared 

by the 3rd respondent 

(INEC)”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 3


*FASHINA’S BURIAL: From left :Barr. Adetunji Fashina, Dr. Oladipo Fashina, Mrs. 

Adejoke Fagbohun (nee Fashina), Mrs. Aderounke Elegbede (nee Fashina), Mrs. Yetunde 

Arebi (nee Fashina), Deputy Women Editor Vanguard Newspapers, during the Order of 

Funeral Service for Mr Emmanuel Adewunmi Adeyinka Ayinla Fashina, held at Cathedral 

Church of St. Jude Ebute-Metta, Lagos. 

NIGER: Bandits on the rampage; kidnap, rape, 

kill – Senator Musa 

By Henry Umoru 

FOLLOWING alleged 

fresh attacks on his constituents 

yesterday by armed 

bandits, Chairman, Senate 

Services Committee, 

Senator Mohammed Sani 

Musa, All Progressives Congress, 

APC, Niger East, has 

appealed to President Muhammadu 

Buhari, the state 

governor and Service Chiefs 

to, as a matter of urgency, 

come to the aid of his people. 

In a statement, Musa said 

armed bandits launched 

what he described as a successful 

mayhem in five 

different communities of Shiroro 

local government on 

Friday night and into the early 

hours of yesterday, saying 

that there was however no 

security presence in the area. 

According to him, innocent 

families in Kudodo, Galapai, 

Dnakpa; Makera and 

Dnalagwa were attacked, 

raped, kidnapped, displaced, 

killed and community 

members straddled in a 

state of despair. 

The lawmaker said, 

“Armed bandits successfully 

attacked in five different 

communities of Galapai, 

Dnakpa; Makera and 

Dnalagwa in Shiroro local 

government this morning 

and no security was there for 

rescue. 

“Innocent families have 

been displaced, killed, raped, 

kidnapped and community 

members straddled in a state 

of despair. As the attacks continued, 

more villagers in my 

constituency are awaiting 

their fate as no sign of succour 

comes their way. 

“ It is confirmed that the 

bandits are attacking all 

through the night to this afternoon 

and most communities 

are in grave danger, as 

bandits have plagued most 

local governments of Niger 

East for over four months 

now. 

“Please: I want to again 

wish to appeal to Mr President, 

the Commander-in- 

Chief of the armed forces, 

President Muhammadu Buhari, 

to come to the aid of my 

people. This is not the first 

time I am making this kind 

of passionate appeal but not 

much has been done to address 

the situation. I pray that 

his Excellency would hear my 

appeal this time and use his 

power in this regard. 

“The havoc wreaked by 

bandits on my people in the 

past few months is immeasurable 

and the pains indescribable. 

“It is truly a sad situation 

that has continued to pull 

tears to my eyes seeing my 

people being put through 

such a torturous and inhumane 

treatment in the hand 

of a godless people supposed 

to give all concerned cause 

to worry. 

“For this unwarranted situation 

I had to cut short my 

trip and return this morning 

after I received the report of 

fresh attacks on five communities 

in Shiroro local government 

area, which include 

Zongoro, Kwaki, Magami, 

Masuku and Maguga as well 

as other communities in 

Munya local government 

area. The village Head of 

Masuku was killed and his 

More debt accumulated under Buhari 

than in 40 years before 2015 – Prof. Anya 

P 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

ioneer Chairman of the 

Nigeria Economic 

Summit Group, Prof. Anya O. 

Anya, yesterday, said that the 

Federal Government has accumulated 

debt of N14 trillion 

in four years than in the 

40 years before 2015. 

Speaking at a programme 

tagged: ‘The Nigerian Economic 

Outlook, NECO 2020: 

Nigeria’s Fragile Economy; 

Developing Strategies for 

Exponential Growth,’ organized 

by the Men Ministries 

of the Assembly of God 

Church, Surulere, Lagos, 

Anya said: “The national debt 

was approximately N12 trillion 

in 2015. By the end of 

2019, the debt crept up to approximately 

N26 trillion. In 

other words, in four years, an 

additional N14 trillion had 

been added to the debt stock. 

Kaduna confirms case of Lassa fever 

By Ben Agande, Kaduna 

Kaduna State govern 

ment has confirmed a 

case of Lassa fever in Chukun 

local government area of the 

state. 

In a statement, the state 

Commissioner for Health, Dr 

Amina Mohammed Baloni, 

said the patient was being 

treated at the designated Infectious 

Disease Control Centre. 

This came at a time the 

Nigerian Army Reference 

Hospital Kaduna was on 

high alert and restricted access 

to civilian patients except 

family members of service 

“What is disturbing in this 

scenario is the fact that much 

of the loan was not for capital 

projects that can earn returns 

but recurrent expenditure 

such as paying salaries. 

What is more disturbing is the 

fact that some experts have 

drawn attention that we may 

be spending up to 60 percent 

of our revenue to service debts, 

that is, to pay interest not to 

pay down the loan! When and 

from what resources do we expect 

to repay the loan/” 

On unemployment, Anya 

said: “The level of unemployment 

is said to be a little over 

23 percent, by the Nigerian 

Bureau of Statistics. Some 

experts estimate the unemployment 

level to be over 30 

percent and if you factor in 

the high level of underemployment, 

it rate can be as 

high as 50 percent. This obviously 

hides the contours of a 

•FASHINA’S BURIAL: From left: Ms. Dolapo Majekodunmi, Mrs. Charity Eziegbo, Mrs. 

Sekinat Ajani, Mrs. Yetunde Arebi, Mrs. Funmi Ajumobi and Dr. Omolola Omoteso, also 

during Mr Fashina’s burial. 

son abducted in the attacks 

which has lasted since 14th 

of January. I have also gathered 

that not less than 30 people 

have so far been abducted 

by the bandits.” 

hidden time bomb which 

could detonate in youthful 

rebellion with consequent violence 

and potential upheaval 

verging on anarchy overtaking 

the nation in the nearest 

future. 

“Up until the immediate 

past civil war years, the poverty 

level in Nigeria was below 

30 percent. Presently it is 

reckoned to be above 70 percent 

level. Apart from the insurrection 

of the North East, 

which expectedly has devastated 

vast areas of that region, 

the North West, the political 

advantaged area of the 

Northern Nigeria posts the 

highest level of poverty. It is 

not surprising that it is being 

ravaged by banditry and 

armed robbers in the midst 

of an illegal mining syndicate 

that pursues a thriving and 

profitable mining of gold in 

the midst of the emerging 

chaos”. 

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, flanked by the Commissioner for Finance 

and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner of Commerce 

and Industry, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe; SSA on Commerce, Ms. Sola Arobieke; Consultant on 

Media, Mr. Lanre Alfred; Pradeep Pursnani, CEO of Konexa; Simon Meier, Senior Vice 

President, Partnerships and Impact of Konexa at an investment meeting in UK. 

personnel. 

According to the Commissioner, 

tests confirmed 

that the patient is a 36-yearold 

male. 

She assured that the State 

Ministry of Health had supplied 

the “Infectious Diseases 

Control Centre with necessary 

commodities and our 

health personnel are ready to 

manage any case that may 

arise.” 

‘’The Epidemiology Unit is 

monitoring the situation 

closely, and all health facilities 

are on alert for prompt 

referral of suspected cases,” 

Mohammed-Baloni said. 

The Commissioner reiterated 

the ministry’s appeal 

to the public “to maintain the 

highest standard of individual 

hygiene and to report any 

suspected cases promptly to 

the nearest health facility. 

“Suspected cases should be 

reported to the State Epidemiology 

Unit on 

08036045755 or 

08027396344 or contact the 

nearest Local Government 

Health Authority official.” 

The statement further stated 

that all government 

health facilities were on alert 

to look out for cases of the 

disease. 

1,292 students gets Speaker’s N8.2m 

scholarship in Katsina 

By Bashir Bello 

ot fewer than 1,292 stu 

Ndents have benefited 

from N8.2 million scholarship 

disbursed by the Speaker 

of Katsina State House of 

Assembly, Tasi’u Musa 

Maigari. 

Maigari, who distributed 

the scholarships to the students 

in his Zango Constituency, 

said the gesture was 

borne out of desire to support 

the students to attain their 

educational pursuits. 

He urged the students to 

rededicate themselves to their 

studies in order to excel. 

The Speaker further assured 

of his continuous support 

to his constituents for the 

development and advancement 

of the area and the state 

in general. 

FG acquires six training 

airplanes for NCAT 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

As part of its commit 

ment to implement the 

national aviation roadmap, 

the President Muhammadu 

Buhari-led government has 

acquired six new state-of- theart 

aircraft for the Nigerian 

College of Aviation Technology, 

NCAT, Zaria. 

Speaking while inspecting 

the aircraft in Austria, Aviation 

Minister, Hadi Sirika, 

Governor Aminu Bello 

Masari said the gesture was 

a welcome development. 

Masari commended the 

Speaker’s effort and called 

on others to emulate the gesture. 

He said government had 

made education its priority 

and, for years, had gotten 

huge shares in the state budget 

saying this manifested in 

the excellent performance of 

final year students’ in the 

state. 

Breakdown of the scholarship 

shows that 13 master’s 

degree students were supported 

with N15,000 each, 317 

undergraduates got N10,000 

each, 2 HND received 

N7,000 each, 792 NCE, 13 

ND and 113 OND as well as 

42 health-related courses students 

got N5,000 each. 

said the new training airplanes 

were to be delivered 

within 3 weeks. 

“In our effort to catch up 

with technology in line with 

our approved roadmap, we 

have acquired six new aircraft 

for training at NCAT Zaria”, 

he said. 

“Our efforts has earned 

Zaria the status of ICAO regional 

training center of excellence.” 

Lagos to reward 20 best teachers with 

vehicles 

By Adesina Wahab and 

Glory Olojo 

wenty outstanding teach 

Ters in public schools in 

Lagos State will be acknowledged 

and rewarded with 

brand new vehicle each as 

part of efforts to motivate 

teachers in the state. 

The State Governor, Mr 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said 

this on Saturday during the 

formal launch and graduation 

ceremony of EKOEX- 

CEL teachers professional 

development and training 

programme in Ikeja, Lagos. 

The governor, who promised 

that the selection process 

would be transparent, said 

there was nothing too big to 

motivate teachers with and 

that their reward should not 

be left to be got in heaven only. 

He said :”The teacher’s reward 

will not be when they 

retire alone, we want you to 

be examples of such reward. 

I am going to identify the best 

teachers in all the 20 LG’As 

after going through a transparent 

process of selection. 

Then we are going to provide 

vehicles for each of those 

teachers who excel to motivate 

them.” 

While reiterating the commitment 

of his administration 

to the revamp and promotion 

of education in the 

state, Sanwo-Olu opined that 

EKOEXCEL was designed to 

drive excellence in learning 

and redefine education to 

meet up with best global practices, 

and noted that his administration 

was poised to 

improve education, review 

school curriculum and upgrade 

infrastructure in the 

state. 

Prof Aderinto to chair UI’s inaugural 

lecture 

The Faculty of Social 

Sciences, Department 

of Sociology, University 

of Ibadan will on Thursday 

January 30, host the 

482nd Faculty of the Social 

Sciences Inaugural Lecture, 

to be delivered by one of the 

institution’s research guru, 

Professor Adeyinka Abideen 

Aderinto. 

The lecture titled; “On the 

Fringe of Society” is based 

on research work by Professor 

Aderinto whose main 

area of teaching and research 

are Deviance, Social problems 

and Criminology at the 

University of Ibadan and in 

this inaugural lecture he will 

discussing the disadvantaged 

position of those vulnerable 

population in our society. 

Professor Aderinto who is 

currently the Head, Department 

of Sociology, University 

of Ibadan is an active researcher 

and has been part of 

many collaborative research 

programmes. He was coordinator 

adolescent sexuality 

study, social sciences and reproductive 

health research 

network, funded by the Ford 

foundation, Coordinator, strategic 

leadership in HIV/ 

AIDS prevention and control.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 5 

Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left), with the President of the 

Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, when the latter led some 

eminent Jurists in the country to pay a courtesy call on the governor, at the Government 

House, Enugu, yesterday. 

By Dayo Johnson, Rotimi 

Ojomoyela, Adeola Badru, 

Sina Abubakar & Ebun 

Sesou 

The move to provide the 

legal framework for 

Operation Amotekun 

has started as the Attorneys 

General of the six South-West 

states met and mandated 

those from Lagos, Osun and 

Ogun States to produce the 

joint draft bill for the security 

outfit. 

The joint draft bill, if 

approved by the six Attorneys 

General on February 6 when 

their next meeting holds, will 

be presented to the governors 

in the zone and therefore to 

their respective state Houses 

of Assembly to be passed into 

law. 

Ondo State Attorney 

General and Commissioner 

for Justice, Kola Olawoye 

(SAN), said, yesterday, that 

the job of producing the 

Amotekun draft bill was 

given to the Lagos, Osun and 

Oyo Attorneys Generals at a 

meeting of the six South-West 

Attorneys General held in 

Ibadan last week. 

The Federal Government 

and the governors of the six 

South-West states had, on 

Thursday, agreed that a legal 

framework should be 

provided for Operation 

Amotekun before the 

regional security outfit could 

be considered legal. 

The deal followed the 

pronouncement by the 

Attorney General of the 

Federation and Minister of 

Justice, Abubakar Malami 

(SAN), that the 1999 

Constitution does not allow 

any regional security 

arrangement. 

Malami added, however, 

that the Federal Government 

would not oppose a working 

arrangement with the 

institution established by the 

Constitution for the provision 

of security, especially the 

police. 

Vice President Yemi 

Osinbajo said after the 

meeting with the six South- 

West governors: “Having 

regard to the need for all 

hands to be on deck in 

addressing the security 

concerns across the country, 

it was agreed that the 

structure of Amotekun 

should also align with the 

community policing strategy 

of the Federal Government. 

“It was also agreed that 

necessary legal instruments 

will be put in place by each of 

the States to give legal 

backing to the initiative and 

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, with French Ambassador to Nigeria 

and ECOWAS, Mr. Jérôme Pasquier, during a meeting in Abuja. 

AMOTEKUN LEGAL FRAMEWORK: 

S/Wes 

est t kicks 

kstar 

arts process, bill 

ready in two weeks 

address all issues concerning 

the regulation of the security 

structure.” 

Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu, who is the 

Chairman of the South-West 

Governors Forum, led Ekiti 

State Governor Kayode 

Fayemi, Osun State 

Governor Adegboyega 

Oyetola, Oyo State Deputy 

Governor Rauf Olaniyan and 

Lagos State Deputy Governor 

Obafemi Hamzat to the 

meeting. 

Akeredolu, who described 

the meting as “fruitful”, said: 

“We have rubbed minds and 

all of us have agreed on the 

way forward. The most 

important one is that we are 

going to have legal 

framework to back this 

Amotekun. And this legal 

framework is going to be one 

which we all are going to look 

at and will be sure to go 

without any hindrance”. 

Ondo Attorney General and 

Justice Commissioner, 

Olawoye, told Sunday 

Vanguard, yesterday, that the 

six Attorneys, General of the 

region met in lbadan and 

discussed extensively on the 

mandate given to them by to 

draft a legal framework for 

the establishment of 

Amotekun. 

“ We have also asked our 

Directors in the Justice 

Ministries across the six states 

to go to work on the draft. It 

would then be forwarded to 

three state Attorney Generals 

to further perfect”, he said. 

“ The three Attorney 

Generals and Justice 

Commissioners of Lagos, 

Osun and Ogun States would 

draft the legal framework. 

They are to report back to us 

(six Attorneys General) on the 

6th of February where we will 

fine tune the draft and 

thereafter present it to our 

individual principals in the 

states”. 

Ondo: Lawmakers 

awaiting bill 

Also speaking to Sunday 

Vanguard at the weekend, a 

member of Ondo House of 

Assembly who spoke 

anonymously, said, “There is 

no stopping Amotekun. The 

Conference of Speakers met 

on Thursday and agreed on 

giving legislative backing to 

the security outfit. 

“ Now that our governors 

have agreed to work on the 

legal framework for 

Amotekun, the state House of 

Assembly will go on with the 

ground work in readiness for 

the bill expected to be 

forwarded to us by the state 

executive arm of 

government. 

“Once we receive the bill, 

we will get cracking and it 

would be thoroughly 

debated, scrutinized and 

passed without wasting time. 

We won’t waste time on this 

bill because of its importance 

to the security of our people. 

“ The outfit wouldn’t be put 

on hold. We have to move fast 

before it is scuttled by those 

opposed to it. There are 

many people who are not 

pleased about this concept 

but there is nothing they can 

do about it; this security outfit 

has come to stay. 

“ We the lawmakers across 

the region are on the same 

page with our governors and 

we are going to pull this 

through. 

“ The Conference of 

Speakers has asked the state 

governors to forward the bill 

to the House of Assembly. So 

we are waiting for them”. 

Oyo: We will do justice 

to bill 

On the part of Oyo State 

House of Assembly, the 

Chairman of its Committee 

on Information, Hon. 

Quzeem Olayanju, said the 

assembly would speedily 

consider the Amotekun bill. 

“The South-West Speakers 

also held conference on it 

some days ago and also 

agreed. As we reconvene from 

recess next week Monday, it’s 

going to be our first 

assignment.” 

“Oyo State House of 

Assembly will not delay the 

bill, as the security outfit is a 

welcome development. It is 

our duty as lawmakers to 

enact laws for the benefit of 

our state. And we are going 

to do justice to the bill to 

make Amotekun 

operational.” 

Osun: We won’t delay 

The Speaker of Osun State 

House of Assembly, Timothy 

Owoeye, said the parliament 

would not delay any bill 

brought to it by the state 

government. 

“It is clear that the 

Attorneys-General of the 

states in the region have met 

and constituted a committee 

to draft a bill that would give 

legal backing to the outfit,” 

Owoeye said. 

Ekiti: House will meet 

on Tuesday 

Meanwhile, the Leader of 

Government Business, 

Ekiti State House of 

Assembly, Hon. Gboyega 

Aribisogan, said the 

House was yet to take a 

decision on the matter. 

But, according to him, the 

House will meet on 

Tuesday to decide the next 

line of action. 

“We have agreed to meet on 

Tuesday at plenary so that we 

can plan on how best to go 

about the job, but you can be 

rest assured that Ekiti 

Assembly will do the needful 

by giving all necessary 

support to the South-West 

governors. 

“The governors have taken 

a bold step through the 

establishment of Operation 

Amotekun and it is the duty 

of all of us to rally round 

them. 

“We cannot fold our arms 

and allow bandits to kill 

us all, we have to do all that 

is required under the law 

to protect our people.” 

Lagos: Common 

interests 

Hon. Tunde Braimoh, 

Chairman of Lagos State 

House of Assembly 

Committee 

on 

Information, Strategy and 

Security, said what is 

happening is not about 

whether Amotekun is legal 

or illegal. 

“It is allowed by the 

Constitution. We have 

cited Section 40 and some 

of other parts of the 

Constitution talk about 

safeguarding common 

interests. We have cited the 

duty of respective 

governors to safeguard 

their respective domains. 

But it is important that the 

operational framework is 

detailed in a legal 

document”, he said. 

FRSC order 

ders s seizure of trailer 

ailers s carrying container 

ainers s without 

when they fall on the 

proper latching 

highways or any part of the 

By Victor ‘Tunde Oso 

he Federal Road Safety 

TCorps, FRSC has ordered 

immediate seizure of vehicles 

carrying containers without 

proper latching. 

In a press statement by the Bisi 

Kazeem, Corps Public 

Education Officer, the Corps 

Marshal, Dr Boboye 

Oyeyemi in a bid to get such 

dangerous trailers off the 

By Ola Ajayi 

yo State Chapter of the 

ONational Union of 

Local Government 

Employees (NULGE) has 

issued a stay-at- home order to 

its members following the 

protracted crisis rocking local 

government administration in 

the state. 

A resolution signed by State 

Secretary of the union, Chucks 

M. Nwankwo, dated January 

25, 2020 and made available 

to newsmen in Ibadan after an 

emergency meeting of the State 

Executive Committee (SEC) of 

NULGE, stated that the 

directive takes effect from 

January 27, 2020 and that it 

affects all NULGE members 

in the local governments and 

local council development 

areas across the state. 

The NULGE leadership, in 

the resolution read to 

newsmen, stated that the 

decision became imperative 

road has cemented a 

partnership with the 

Nigerian Ports Authority to 

ensure that such vehicles are 

not allowed to leave the Ports 

in the first instance unless on 

the condition of full 

compliance of the latching 

and with other maximum 

safety standards. 

Speaking on the dangers of 

such to other road users, 

Oyeyemi said that apart from 

the dangers to lives and 

properties, these containers 

road; can easily lead to 

unnecessary road 

obstruction that will cause 

undue hardship to motorists 

who will have much of their 

travelling time wasted on the 

road before the obstruction is 

cleared. 

“In order to avert this and put 

a stop to further recurrence, 

the Corps Marshal has 

directed the Operatives of the 

Corps to be on red alert and 

impound at sight, any of such 

NULGE directs members to down tools in Oyo 

following the posturing of Mr. 

Abass Alesinloye Abass, 

directing dissolved members 

of ALGON to return to the local 

governments as duly elected 

chairmen of councils despite 

their sack and the appointment 

of 68 caretaker chairmen by 

Governor Seyi Makinde. 

The resolution directed all 

NULGE members in all the 33 

local governments and 35 

Local Council Development 

Areas to stay away from work 

until the issue of local 

government leadership is 

resolved. 

The NULGE leadership 

explained that it took the 

position to prevent its members 

from becoming victims of 

violence and uncertainty the 

coming days. 

The body hinged its directive 

on the rising tension and state 

of uncertainty in Oyo, noting 

that its members should stayat-home 

to avoid being caught 

up in the tension and 

impending crisis that could 

follow attempts to take over the 

local governments by the 

dissolved local government 

chairmen. 

The statement, in part read: 

“This is to bring to the notice of 

our members i.e. workers in the 

trailers found in the act”, the 

statement said. 

He also revealed that the 

Corps will achieve this in 

friendly collaboration with 

other law enforcement 

agencies and urged members 

of the public to take 

advantage of the National 

Traffic Radio 107.1 FM or the 

toll free 122 numbers 

09067000015, 0805 299 

8090 to report any of such 

trailers seen on the highways 

without proper latching of 

containers. 

Local Government Service of 

Oyo State, the decision of an 

emergency State Executive 

Council (SEC) meeting held 

today, 25 January 2020 on the 

unfolding leadership feud in 

the local governments of Oyo 

State.


•The Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Dr R. L. Ogbon JP, flanked by 

Olorogun Moses Taiga, President-General, Olomu Kingdom and UPU, and 

others while handing over car keys to Comrade Ufuoma Aganre, the 

Chairman Olomu Vigilante group. 

CBN’s CRR DECISION: Different views greet 

declaration on banks’ cash reserves 

By Victor ‘Tunde Oso 

THE decision of the 

Monetary Policy 

Committee (MPC) of Central 

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 

to raise the cash reserve 

ratio by 500 basis points 

to 27.5 per cent, from 22.5 

per cent, while leaving all 

other policy parameters 

constant last Friday, has 

continued to generate different 

reactions from economists 

and financial sector 

analysts. 

The CRR is used to determine 

the minimum deposit 

commercial banks 

must hold in reserves with 

the CBN rather than lend 

out. It influences funds 

available at the bank’s 

disposal to create loans. 

CBN Governor, Godwin 

Emefiele had also said after 

the meeting that 

“Maintaining the monetary 

policy rate at its 

present level is essential 

for sustainable support to 

growth before any possible 

adjustment.” 

Most analysts had predicted 

that the CBN would 

leave rates unchanged. 

Razia Khan, Chief Economist 

for Africa and the 

Middle East at Standard 

Chartered Bank said the 

“Announcement is still a 

tightening of liquidity and 

near-term, we would expect 

market interest rates 

to adjust to this.” 

Inflation stood at 

11.98% in December, rising 

for the fourth straight 

month, worsened by Nigeria’s 

border closure in August 

to fight smuggling. 

The CBN said inflation 

was outside its band of 6% 

to 9% and that it wanted to 

curtail inflationary pressure. 

Firing the first salvo, development 

economist, 

Odilim Enwegbara, who 

lambasted the pronouncement, 

said if you increase 

cash reserve ratio (CRR), 

you are automatically reducing 

liquidity availability. 

“By this action you are 

reducing the lending ratio 

to the real sector.” 

According to Enwegbara, 

“this, I call the blind 

fighting of inflation, which 

is at a high cost to the real 

sector economy. Of course, 

liquidity crunch only compounds 

a country’s economic 

problems especially 

a country that is in need 

of promoting investment, 

jobs and prosperity that 

lifts millions of its citizens 

out of poverty. That is why 

as high cash reserve ratio 

puts more pressure on interest 

rates, it automatically 

pushes inflation up.” 

“So, rather than achieving 

the main reason for 

mopping, which is to reduce 

inflation, high cost of 

borrowing increases inflation. 

This defeats the earlier 

monetary policy goal,” 

he said. 

A former President, Association 

of National Accountants 

of Nigeria 

(ANAN), Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, 

said the increase in 

Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), 

from 22.5 per cent to 27.5 

per cent, would only reduce 

banks’ funds and 

make them have less to 

lend investors thereby reducing 

money in circulation. 

The former ANAN boss 

stressed the need to combine 

Monetary and Fiscal 

Policies; as well as tackle 

insecurity to ensure a drastic 

reduction in inflation. 

From left: Nancy Ameh, Nollywood Actress; Brand Manager, Hollandia Evap 

Milk, Chi Limited, Bose Ogunyemi; Brand Ambassador Hollandia Evap Milk, 

Mercy Johnson Okojie and Brand Manager, Operations and Activation, Chi 

Limited, Godspower Utawure during the Hollandia Evap Milk Consumer engagement 

at the movie premiere of ‘The Legend of Inikpi’. 

However, Mr. Ambrose 

Omordion, the Chief Operating 

Officer, InvestData 

Ltd., said rising inflation 

concern made the 

committee to vote for adjustment 

in CRR. 

Omordion said that the 

decision was in order to 

curtail consumer price index 

that stood at 11.98 per 

cent in December. 

He noted that the apex 

bank’s unconventional 

monetary policy targeted 

at economic stimulation 

was yielding the expected 

result apart from spike in 

inflation figure. 

“Higher CRR will reduce 

money in the system and 

trigger assets repricing 

that may lead to slight upward 

adjustment in interest 

rate because of competition 

in the money mar- 

Senate probes alleged CBN Non-Remittance of 

N20 trillion Stamp Duty 

By Henry Umoru 

THE Senate is investigat 

ing alleged failure by 

the Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, to remit stamp duty 

of over N20 trillion into the 

Federation Account. 

Chairman, Senate Committee 

on Banking, Insurance 

and Other Financial Institutions, 

Senator Uba Sani, All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

Kaduna Central, who disclosed 

this, however, warned 

against inflammatory and 

potentially damaging comments 

on the issue. 

Sani said the committee 

had received petitions on the 

allegation against the CBN, 

however explaining that, in 

the past six months, the Red 

Chamber had been investigating 

the matter. 

The senator who, pleaded 

with members of the public, 

especially critical stakeholders, 

not to be in a hurry in 

coming to a conclusion that 

the CBN has actually erred, 

stated that since he and other 

members of the Committee 

2023: Any Igbo man thinking of 

presidency is living in a fool’s 

paradise — Prof. Okolie 

By Ikechukwu Odu 

THE National President 

of Nigerian Political 

Science Association, NPSA, 

Prof. Aloysius-Michael Okolie, 

has said that no Igbo man 

can emerge as the President 

of Nigeria come 2023 due to 

the blatant deprivations the 

people of the region continue 

to suffer from some ethnic 

groups in the country. 

Okolie, a professor of political 

science also said that 

going by the denials the Igbo 

have suffered from the political 

structures of Nigeria, no 

Igbo man is genuinely interested 

in contesting to become 

President. 

The don, who spoke in 

Nsukka yesterday, called on 

the Igbo to think home and 

harness their ingenuities towards 

achieving a secured 

geo-political zone free from 

were inaugurated, the issue 

of non- remittance of stamp 

duty by the CBN had been on 

the front burner and that it 

had been receiving requisite 

attention at the Committee 

level. 

He disclosed that the Senate 

Committee had obtained 

records of other agencies of 

the Federal Government investigating 

or familiar with 

the matter, saying, “It is much 

more complicated than what 

most Nigerians know. However, 

what I can say for now is 

that from what we have been 

able to sieve out from documents 

available to us as well 

as the depositions we have 

infiltrators. 

He alleged that the umbrella, 

which is supposed to be 

protecting all the ethnic 

groups in Nigeria and initiating 

developmental agenda 

at all fronts, appears to be 

advancing insecurity 

through its machineries and 

thriving on deprivations. 

He called on all geo-political 

zones in the country to 

replicate the South-West’s security 

outfit, Operation 

Amotekun. 

He said, “I don’t see any 

Igbo man emerging as President 

in 2023 and I think Igbo 

people are no longer interested 

in that thing you call presidency.” 

He advised the Igbo to 

come home and build their 

communities, pointing out 

that the insecurity in the country 

seemed to be sponsored. 

taken, it is clear that so many 

forces are confusing Nigerians 

on this issue. 

“With the evidence contained 

in the plethora of documents 

the CBN has supplied 

to my Committee, it can easily 

be deduced that the total 

stamp duty unremitted can 

not be over N20 trillion as 

being alleged. For one, from 

records available to us, the 

total deposit in the Deposit 

Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria 

as of 2016 was only 

about N18 trillion; so how 

then can Stamp Duties alone 

be N21 trillion as being 

claimed by some petitioners?”


Prologue 

People Power 

•How Yoruba joined forces to uncage leopard 

By Charles Kumolu, 

Deputy Editor 

If there is any time a section of Nigeria came close to 

challenging the country’s faulty federalism since the end 

of the civil war, it is now. 

This was precipitated by the declaration of the recently 

inaugurated South-West security outfit, Operation 

Amotekun, as illegal by the Attorney General of the Federation 

(AGF) Abubakar Malami. 

The message had come through terse press statements, but 

its implications are reverberating. 

The South-West geopolitical zone, seen by other parts of the 

country, to be in a long time political romance with the north, 

surprisingly lost its cool with the centre. 

Spectacles 

and speeches 

Hitherto discordant voices, found a common tone in their 

opposition to the move, (mis)interpreted to have the imprimatur 

of a section of Nigeria even though some from the area 

disagreed with AGF. 

From the political leaders, academics, statesmen, traditional 

rulers to commoners, the Yoruba put aside partisan and personal 

differences to protest in a manner never seen. 

In one accord, they challenged what seemed like an affront 

to the race. 

The spectacles and speeches from Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo, 

Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti, and Lagos, were not just reminiscent of the 

June 12 protests, they also provided an insight into what the 

fusion of people power and political strength results in. 

People power 

People power, a political terminology meaning the populist 

driving force of a social movement, invokes grassroots authority 

and willpower. 

It brings about different forms of social change by forcing 

governments to completely surrender. 

This is what Sunday Vanguard believes the 13—day wrath of 

who is who and peasants in the South-West and beyond over 

Amotekun implied. 

In this scenario, it was not just the people alone, the South- 

West governors in a rare display of guts in a system with much 

allegiance to the centre, provided the political boost. 

The meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Malami 

and the state chief executives may have reduced tensions, but 

the debate over the real intent behind AGF’s earlier position 

continues. 

The discourse focuses on whether what was considered 

as an attempted stoppage of Amotekun was truly for 

national or sectional interest. 

That said, unlike previously when concerns about the 

federal system were just mere rhetoric, Amotekun seems 

to have pushed the boundaries of Nigeria’s federalism. 

Thus, more disturbing questions about the federal 

structure have popped up with the scenario. 

Shunned 

partisanship 

One is that the rate of insecurity in the land makes 

state or regional police inevitable. 

Of course, Item 45 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, 

authorises the Police and other federal security services to 

maintain law and order. But as rampaging herdsmen 

and kidnappers become above the law, Nigerians daily 

lose confidence in the ability of federal government alone 

to protect them. 

With the situation at hand, any alternative to the 

conventional security structure appeals to people. 

That is what the growing popularity of Amotekun even 

beyond the South-West suggests. 

This accounts for the unprecedented outpouring of 

support for the governors of Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, 

and Lagos states, who shunned partisanship for the 

common good. 

In Amotekun, the Yoruba political elite, elders, and interest 

groups particularly, joined forces to question a system that had 

long deprived components of the federal structure their rights 

in federalism. 

The federal government didn’t realise it provided the region 

the needed ground to stoutly challenge centralisation of power 

and interference with affairs of state governments-two practices 

that largely undermine other elements in the system. 

Status quo 

A better way of understanding how Amotekun intensely 

confronted the status quo is through the timeline of 

events since January 9, 2020, when it was launched. 

January 9, 2020 

Realising that it would amount to abdication of 

responsibilities if they failed to act in the face of rising 

insecurity, state governors inaugurated the outfit in 

Ibadan. 

The security network seeks to complement the police 

and other state security agencies in the zone and not 

replace them. 

Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, rightly 

explained it thus: “Amotekun is a complement that 

will give our people confidence that they are being 

looked after by those they elected into office. 

“So, we do not want this to create fear in the mind of 

anybody as we are not creating a regional police force 

and are fully aware of the steps we must take to have 

state police. We do not want anybody to misconstrue 

the concept of Amotekun.” 

January 8 

The inauguration of the outfit in Ibadan took place 

after South-West governors were reportedly summoned 

by the Presidency on January 8. 

A few hours after the formation, the Northern Youth 

Council of Nigeria, NYCN, kicked against it, describing 

the outfit as the military wing of Oodua Peoples 

Congress, OPC. 

National President of NYCN, Alhaji Isah Abubakar, in a 

statement issued in Kaduna, urged President Muhammadu 

Continues on page 11


Mr Yinka Odumakin, 

spokesperson for 

Afenifere, says those who 

are afraid of Amotekun are 

criminals. 

Now that it has been decided that 

the state Houses of Assembly 

should enact laws to legalise 

Amotekun, you think that settles 

the matter? 

They will do it definitely but it doesn’t 

settle the matter because when you 

listen to some of our compatriots, 

even if you are talking about Hisbah, 

these are sectional laws; not 

everyone who lives in Kano and 

everywhere you have Sharia is a 

Muslim. We are talking about 

Amotekun to protect Yoruba, 

Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, anyone 

living inside South-West. 

You say some people are 

afraid; those who are 

afraid are criminals in 

the South-West. If you 

are not a criminal, 

you have nothing to 

be afraid about 

Amotekun. Now, 

one comrade 

was raising 

questions 

about general 

establishment, 

t h o s e 

questions 

a r e 

unfortunate because there is nobody 

who will say he is not aware of the 

security challenge we are facing in 

the South-West for several months 

now. Some days ago, Pa Fasoranti 

was lamenting that the Federal 

Government has stopped 

investigation into the killing of his 

daughter, six months after, not even 

one word from the police. Women 

are being raped, people are being 

kidnapped; ransoms are being paid 

all over the place. In the midst of all 

these, our governors said we are in 

an emergency, let us have Amotekun. 

The federal authorities have failed 

us. Some three months ago, I went 

to see Baba Alaafin of Oyo and he 

was telling me that when Oyo was 

becoming ungovernable, he set up a 

Insecurity and the move to stem 

it using apparatus other than the 

one controlled by the Federal 

Government has been an issue. 

Where do you stand? 

Simply because the police aren’t 

doing what they are supposed to do 

doesn’t mean you have to create 

another police. Certain initiatives 

have been taken by some states to 

complement the work of the police. 

I know some states where bodies 

have been created to help in traffic 

control and I know of states where 

bodies have been established to 

detect and prevent crime. Our 

expectation is that the Federal 

Government should take a greater 

initiative by increasing the number 

of policemen, train them and equip 

them to do the job. 

State governments are investing 

a lot in the police because of the 

inadequacy in equipment and 

personnel. Only last week after a 

meeting with his security chiefs, 

President Buhari restated his 

belief in community policing. So 

why do we have furore over 

Amotekun, a regional security 

outfit just created by South-West 

governors, since the goal of 

everyone is security in the face of 

increasing banditry, kidnapping 

among other crimes in the land? 

Community policing has been 

with us for quite some time. But the 

truth of the matter is that the number 

of policemen we have and the 

training is insufficient. Cairo, the 

Egyptian capital alone, has about 

one million security men tackling 

crime there. And Egypt is about half 

the population of Nigeria. We have 

over 200 million people in this 

country and the number of 

policemen we have is in the range of 

300, 000, 400, 000. This is grossly 

insufficient to deal with the security 

situation on the ground. 

Why do we have furore over 

Amotekun? 

Police are an essential part of our 

security network. This is an outfit that 

can be utilised for the good or bad. 

And our position is that it should not 

be used for the bad purpose. And to 

allay the peoples’ fear, any 

organisation to be used for policing 

should be established within the 

•Odumakin 

vigilante group which arrested 

several herdsmen, there were even 

one of them who removed someone’s 

genital, they were caught and the 

police could not charge anyone of 

them to court. It is in the midst of this 

situation that our governor had to 

do something. And what they have 

done, they have not violated any law. 

They said security is on exclusive list; 

that is a lie from the pit of hell. 

Security is not on any list. As an 

individual, you can get a security 

guard for your house. 

I think there is a need for people 

to understand that what is on 

exclusive list is defence and not 

prism of the law. The issue in the 

South-West has been that they are not 

happy with what is happening and 

therefore they should put together an 

outfit to protect lives and property. 

But you have to put into 

consideration the procedure of 

establishing such an outfit. Let me 

give you a typical example of Kano 

State. When the state found that the 

number of policemen was not 

sufficient to meet its security needs, 

they decided to establish Hisbah. And 

when they did that, they went through 

all the processes that were required. 

A law was made within the state by 

the Kano House of Assembly to set 

up the outfit, and the law was even 

further amended. This was 

challenged by the Federal 

Government thinking the state was 

now creating an outfit to do the 

AMOTEKUN: 

Whether exclusive or concurrent, 

security is not on any list 

security. Having 

said that, I think 

one of the issues 

that have come 

up on Amotekun 

is that people do 

not understand 

the operational 

guidelines of the 

security outfit... 

There is 

nothing that 

—Odumakin 

Amotekun is 

doing than to 

secure lives and 

property, to fill the gap that the police 

cannot fill. Police are just on the 

• Says those who 

are afraid of outfit 

are criminals 

Someone said 

there was a time 

that the OPC in 

the South-West 

was used against 

Igbo traders living 

in the zone. I am 

not aware of any 

time the OPC 

went after Igbo 

traders in Lagos 

police work. But the condition was 

that Hisbah was not going to carry 

arms. They were to help the police in 

intelligence gathering and detecting 

crime. Even then the Federal 

Government and the Inspector 

General of Police were not happy with 

it. And the case went to the Supreme 

Court and it was decided by the apex 

court that Hisbah was legal. But in 

the case of the South-West governors’ 

initiative, they have put together a 

security outfit that has no backing of 

the law, nobody knows whether they 

are going to carry arms or not 

because they say they are going to 

fight herdsmen and herdsmen, 

according to them, carry guns. So 

within this context, people that may 

be targeted will entertain fear. 

History is very important. You will 

recall that when the Oodua Peoples’ 

Congress (OPC), led by Gani Adams, 

was allowed to operate, what did 

they do? Police work. At the end of 

the day, what happened? They 

started chasing Igbo traders in 

Lagos. Anything that 

did not align with 

what they wanted, they 

unleashed terror, 

highways, stopping 

vehicles; Amotekun 

members have the capacity 

to go into the forest, to know 

what is going on there and 

get information. 

The last time the 

National Assembly tried to 

amend the Constitution in 

favour of policing across 

the country but that didn’t 

succeed. And governors 

should be able to call a 

security meeting with the 

President and they can talk 

about all these things and 

address them frontally. But 

that hasn’t happened. How 

do we know that our 

leaders are not playing 

politics with all of these 

things? 

What operates in Nigeria 

at the moment is command 

and control. Someone said there was 

a time that the OPC in the South- 

Hisbah legal, Amotekun illegal 

—Sufi, former Senior Lecturer, Bayero University 

•Dr Sani Sufi 

Dr Sani Sufi, a former Commissioner for Education in Kano State and 

one time Senior Lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, explains why 

Hisbah, the Sharia police, is legal and Amotekun illegal. 

harassing people. 

Fears are always 

there. What is to be 

there is to allay the 

fears, reassure the 

people that the goal is 

to ensure security for 

everyone. People say 

we should not forget 

the primary reason 

for establishing such 

outfit. There have 

also been places 

where the state had a 

legal framework and 

there was a tussle 

with some 

stakeholders and 

the federal 

authorities. In 

Benue for instance, 

the state 

government made 

the Anti-grazing 

Law and there was 

a problem with it. 

Some people said 

the law was 

discriminatory 

whereas the state 

government said it 

was to protect 

everyone in the 

state. So is the law 

really the problem 

or the fears of the 

people? 

Both! We are living 

within the context of 

a sovereign nation. 

And the Constitution 

is the guiding 

document. Once you do something 

outside of the Constitution, certainly 

Once you allow 

ethnic bigots to 

take over the 

responsibility of 

the constituted 

authority, we 

may be in 

danger of 

creating a 

monster that 

will be difficult 

to control 

West was used against Igbo traders 

living in the zone. I am not aware of 

any time the OPC went after Igbo 

traders in Lagos. The only time there 

was a problem between OPC and the 

Hausa community in Lagos, it was 

under President Obasanjo and the 

Hausa were the aggressors. OPC 

merely acted in self self-defence. But 

you know what Obasanjo did? He 

arrested Gani Adams and the late 

Frederick Faseun and took them to 

Abuja. I went to see them in Kuje 

Prison. Obasanjo didn’t address any 

Hausa man even if they were the 

aggressors. What Obasanjo was 

trying to do was that as President of 

Yoruba extraction he was not taking 

sides with the Yoruba. 

On pro-Amotekun protests, they 

held in all the South-West state 

capitals but not in Lagos. Are all 

the governors united on the issue 

of Amotekun? 

There is no division at all. All these 

little protests that you see here and 

there are just the beginning of this 

matter. The South-West has made it 

clear that nobody is going to stop us 

from protecting ourselves. We are not 

against anybody. The young people 

who protested, that is their own way 

of saying there is no going back on 

Amotekun. Amotekun is the only way 

to protect ourselves; we don’t have 

history of harassment against 

anyone. Live and let live has been 

our philosophy. We have history of 

accommodating everyone. 

the Federal Government or the 

agency in charge must react. What 

is happening now is that the South- 

West governors launched probably 

the largest police support initiative 

without a law establishing it. 

If there was a law establishing 

Amotekun, will you still have 

problem with it? 

Oh, there will be no 

problem absolutely 

The AMOTEKUN file 

because we will now 

have the required 

framework and we will 

know what it can do and 

what it cannot do. 

How do you think the 

issue of fears can be 

addressed such that 

every Nigerian feels 

secure in any part of the 

country? 

The issue of security 

of lives and property 

should be allowed to be 

handled by the 

constituted authority 

(the Federal 

Government). Once you 

allow ethnic bigots to 

take over the 

responsibility of the 

constituted authority, we 

may be in danger of 

creating a monster that will be 

difficult to control. 

Timeline 

•January 9: South-West governors launch Amotekun in Ibadan, Oyo State capital 

•January 10: Justice Minister Malami declares outfit illegal 

•January 10: Chairman of South-West Governors Forum counters Malami’s claim 

•January 19: Yoruba World Congress announce protest plan 

•January 21: Pro-Amotekun rallies across South-Western states 

•January 23: FG, South-West governors strike deal 

Objectives 

•Zero tolerance for crime in South-West 

•Collaborating with the police and other security agencies to fight crime 

Personnel 

•Local hunters, members of vigilante groups 

•Members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence corps 

•Members of OPC 

•1, 320 militiamen 

Weapons 

Dane guns


Aare Onakakanfo of 

Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, 

in this interview, says the 

solidarity protests held across the 

South-West states for the region’s 

security outfit, Amotekun, indicated 

that Nigerians are ready to defend 

themselves. 

By Dapo Akinrefon, Deputy 

Regional Editor, South- 

West 

On Tuesday 

rallies were 

held across 

the South- 

West in 

solidarity 

w i t h 

Operation 

Amotekun... 

The protest 

is a welcome 

development 

although 

•Gani Adams 

our group, 

O o d u a 

People’s 

Congress, OPC, was not involved. When 

you refuse to allow people to protect 

themselves according to their wish and 

they foresee danger, they will use 

everything at their disposal to tell 

government that they are not happy. People 

have registered their displeasure over 

policies of government. The protests that 

took place across the South-West were 

peaceful but, unfortunately, Africa has not 

learned its lesson. The issue of Amotekun 

Amotekun has gone beyond 

threatening Yoruba —Gani Adams 

had been in the pipeline for 

long. It started on June 12, 

1993 and it has dragged for so 

long. When the President 

recognised the late Chief MKO 

Abiola and June 12, we hailed 

him because that was one of 

the demands of Nigerians. We 

have been talking about 

restructuring and what people don’t know 

is that state police and Amotekun are some 

of the components of restructuring. We are 

not even asking for state police, what we 

are after is the protection of our people. 

Since the South-West governors launched 

Amotekun, the crime rate has reduced 

drastically in the region. 

The protests last 

Tuesday were signals that 

the people of the South- 

West are not happy. It 

should serve as a call on 

We have been 

talking about 

restructuring 

and what people 

don’t know is 

that state police 

and Amotekun 

are some of the 

components of 

restructuring 

government to do the 

needful as quickly as 

possible. 

Local government 

police 

We have seen reactions 

from each of the geopolitical 

zones in the 

country. A former 

presidential candidate 

from the North-East threw 

his weight behind state 

police, local government 

police, and regional 

police. Although he is not 

in power, he continues to 

preach what he 

campaigned for. So many 

groups in the Niger Delta, South-East, 

Middle Belt and some reasonable people 

from the North have supported the outfit. 

The Chairman of North-West Governors 

Forum, Alhaji Bello Masari, said they 

would invite South-West governors to 

show them how they packaged Amotekun. 

Middle Belt governors said they have 

started the process of coming up with their 

outfit. So what is the President still waiting 

for? I commend the organisers of the 

protests. They were timely and it had sent 

a message to the world. 

Call for arrest 

They are entitled to their opinion, they 

are not government. They can come out 

and say anything they want. On what 

grounds will you arrest people who have 

not committed any offence? In a 

democracy, you are entitled to say what 

you want. When the military was in power, 

we said what we wanted, especially on 

restructuring. When people don’t know the 

importance of democracy, they make 

statements that are not relevant to 

governance. Amotekun has gone beyond 

threatening a section of the country. It is 

now a global issue. I can tell you 

authoritatively that Yoruba people in the 

diaspora are more determined than those 

of us in Nigeria regarding Amotekun. 

No serious country will joke with 

security issues. The purpose of 

government is to secure lives and property. 

My daughter’s murder 

is pointer that we need 

Amotekun —Pa Fasoranti 

By Dayo Johnson, Akure 

ATIONAL leader of the Yoruba socio- 

group, Afenifere, a 

Npolitical 

nonagenarian, Reuben Fasoranti is 

definitely sad. Six months after his 58- 

year-old daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunri, 

was murdered while travelling on Ore/ 

Lagos expressway axis of Ondo State, 

the Presidency, according to him, has 

directed security agencies to discontinue 

the investigation of the killing. 

Recall that after the nationwide 

criticism that greeted the murder of the 

mother of two girls, the police high 

command deployed a special police 

outfit from the Office of the Inspector 

General of Police to complement the 

efforts of the state police command to 

unravel the killing. 

In fact, political leaders, including the 

former President Goodluck Jonathan 

and the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, 

serving governors, former governors, 

National Assembly members and state 

lawmakers, thronged the ljapo GRA, 

Akure residence of the old politician to 

pay condolences. 

And the Federal Government vowed to 

bring the killers to book. In this interview, 

Pa Fasoranti says he is saddened by the 

purport directive of the Presidency to halt 

the probe of the murder. He also pleads 

with the six South-West governors not to 

back down on Amotekun no matter 

intimidation and threat, saying the 

people of the region are watching them. 

Excerpts: 

It is about six months since your 

daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunri, was 

murdered by suspected herdsmen on 

Ore/Lagos road. What’s the situation 

now? Any information on the killers? 

The family made a request to the Federal 

Government that an enquiry should be 

conducted but the authorities said it 

should not be done. Nigerian government 

said it shouldn’t be done. I wouldn’t know 

why they said that. I was embarrassed. The 

family asked the police to do something 

about it but they came back to tell us they 

were asked not to do it. They told us they 

were asked to stop investigation into the 

death of my daughter. I probed further but 

they kept repeating the same thing that 

they were directed not to investigate the 

murder any further. The first sign we got 

that there was no attempt to launch any 

serious investigation into the murder was 

when the car in which she was killed was 

released to the family from Ore Police 

Station the day after the murder without 

forensic investigation into the most 

prized evidence at the scene of the 

crime. 

It was when we engaged the 

police high command that 

they came to pick the car 

six days later. The car 

was returned to the 

family with no report 

on the examination 

report. Indeed there 

was no attempt to 

carry out any 

autopsy on the 

corpse until we 

also demanded 

one from the police before burial. One was 

carried out and only that report was given 

to the family when my people went to 

collect the car. 

Beyond this, the police 

have not made any briefing 

to the family on their 

investigation into this 

dastardly act. 

There are other bizarre 

developments that worry us 

on the police investigation 

of this murder. It has shown 

that it is what they want done 

that is done. In the case of 

my daughter, they normally 

should have done 

something very quickly, but 

the police said they were 

asked not to do it. We were 

very enthusiastic that the 

police would do something 

about it, but they came 

back to tell us that they were 

asked not to do it. This is 

very sad. 

What is the next step to 

be taken by the family? 

There is nothing we can 

do because I got in touch 

with the Presidency and I 

got a definite no; and that is very 

disturbing. If the Presidency can say a 

thing like, knowing full well that a lady 

•Pa Fasoranti 

The governors 

have made it 

clear during 

Amotekun’s 

launch that it was 

not meant to 

divide Nigeria but 

to complement 

the existing 

security 

apparatus in the 

country 

was killed without any defence, they 

should know our feeling about it. 

Normally, they should allow an enquiry 

to be carried out but they said 

no. I must confess to you that 

we feel very bad and very 

hopeless. 

Let’s talk about the raging 

controversy over the 

security outfit codenamed 

Amotekun formed by the six 

South-West governors... 

Amotekun is a welcome 

development, but they were 

being asked not to do it. The 

governors, however, have 

insisted that they would go 

ahead with the concept. We 

are in full support of the 

formation of Amotekun by 

governors from the region. 

They have our backing, they 

should go ahead and do it in 

the interest of our people; we 

cannot leave ourselves 

helpless in the face of 

incessant onslaught. The 

governors should go ahead, 

even if they want to send all 

of us to prison, we are not 

bothered. The AGF made a 

pronouncement, thinking he was talking 

for himself or someone. I think he was 

talking for somebody. He was speaking 

the mind of the Presidency, that’s what they 

want. It confirms the suspicion that they 

are trying to protect some interests here 

in the South-West. I agree with that too, so 

that they can go on and do what they like 

with impunity. It is unfortunate. What 

needs to be done should be done; our 

governors should go ahead with 

Amotekun. It is very bad to leave our 

people helpless, defenceless and without 

protection. 

Is this the position of Afenifere? 

Afenifere as a group has not met on this 

but I am speaking their mind; their mind 

is that the governors should go ahead 

with the implementation of Amotekun. 

The governors should 

speak with one voice and 

go ahead. I am speaking 

for the Yoruba elders too, 

they should go ahead. We 

are happy that it is not an 

ethnic fight targeted at 

other regions. The 

governors have made it 

clear during Amotekun’s 

launch that it was not 

meant to divide Nigeria 

but to complement the 

existing security 

apparatus in the country. 

I even heard the 

Chairman of the South- 

West Governors Forum, 

Rotimi Akeredolu, saying 

that the outfit is not 

targeted at any non- 

South-West group and that its benefits are 

to be reaped by all Nigerians irrespective 

of ethnic or religious placements. 

Governor Akeredolu also made it clear 

that Amotekun was initiated to 

complement the efforts of the 

conventional internal security agencies 

that appear to have been hampered by the 

absence of local intelligence gathering 

architecture and that, when fully 

operational, it would serve the purposes 

of local information and intelligence 

gathering for processing and usage by the 

conventional security agencies. That is to 

show to pessimists and critics that 

Amotekun is merely supportive and not a 

replacement for the nation’s security 

agencies. That alone should allay the fears 

of those agitated about its formation. 

Meanwhile, community policing is 

similar to Amotekun as it was 

recommended in the 2014 Confab Report 

and any attempt to rubbish it further will 

fail. The Federal Government can go 

ahead to do whatever they like, but the 

people will defend themselves. I think 

government should know that the people 

cannot leave themselves defenceless in 

this kind of situation. So, our governors 

should not back down; they should go 

ahead by carrying out their decision. The 

six governors should ensure they push this 

through for posterity sake. Our people are 

watching them. End


AMOTEKUN AS SECESSION ARMY: 

Yoruba are not 

distracted by 

fictional claims 

—Prof Banji Akintoye 

Professor Banji Akintoye, a historian of note and second republic 

senator representing Ekiti Central, is the leader of the Yoruba World 

Congress which organised the pro-Amotekun protests across the six 

South-West states on Monday. Akintoye says the Yoruba will not back 

down on the controversial security outfit 

Amotekun has been a 

k n o t t y 

issue. Why? 

The people running the Federal 

Government have no feeling at 

all for our difficulties. They 

know that since 2014 our land 

has been again and again 

attacked, invaded actually, by 

people from other parts of 

Nigeria. And they have actually 

made statements to the effect 

that they are coming to kill, to 

maim and to destroy, to take our 

land and bring their kinsmen 

from other parts of West Africa 

to occupy our land. And the 

Federal Government has done 

nothing about that. And the 

Federal Government has done 

even nothing as far as cautioning 

those people making the 

statements and those people 

doing those things to us. It has 

come to a point that our state 

governors decided to step 

forward to take action. And we 

are most grateful to them. 

So the action is against those 

who said they want to invade 

South-West 

What usually happens when a 

country is being invaded is that 

local criminals also rev up their 

activities, to hide under the 

invasion and do whatever they 

have to do on a larger scale. And 

so we have seen in the western 

zone that as the invaders come, 

attack, destroy villages, farms, 

kidnap for ransom – as we saw it 

in Chief Olu Falae’s case, whose 

farm was attacked and he was 

actually kidnapped - rape 

women, kill people on the 

highway, local 

criminals have 

joined them with the 

mindset that they 

can’t leave this thing 

to the invaders alone 

“as we too can take 

advantage of the 

situation to make 

money for 

ourselves”. 

Are you planning 

Oduduwa Republic? 

What has this 

(Amotekun) has to 

do with Oduduwa 

Republic? Our safety, 

•Prof Banji Akintoye 

We are not 

backing down. 

It is a process. 

The making of 

the law is part 

of the process. 

There is no 

backing down. 

We are moving 

forward 

p r o t e c t i n g 

ourselves, our 

people, how does 

that have any link 

with Oduduwa 

Republic? 

But that is what 

some people who are 

uncomfortable with 

Amotekun are saying, 

that the Yoruba are 

planning Oduduwa 

Republic. 

They are not 

comfortable? I am 

sorry for them for not 

being comfortable. They had 

better become comfortable 

because this (Amotekun) is what 

we are going to do. We are not 

going to be distracted by people 

who want to drag other things 

along to dissuade us from doing 

the right thing. We will protect 

our own. Of all the major 

sections of Nigeria, we are the 

only people who never said we 

want to secede. And if we want 

to secede, the whole world will 

know but this is not it. We want 

to protect our people. 

So there is no plan for 

Oduduwa Republic... 

No. If there was a plan for 

Oduduwa Republic, a lot of us 

will know and I do not 

know of any such plan. 

Concerns on 

Amotekun and 

enabling law 

The Houses of 

Assembly are going to 

take action. When the laws 

are made, more details 

on the outfit will be 

known. What bothers us in the 

South-West is the special 

treatment being accorded some 

parts of the country. As we have 

pointed out, there is a vigilante 

group in existence in the North. 

We in the South-West are being 

called secessionists because we 

are doing exactly as they have 

done. I think it is time we have a 

sense of fairness in this country. 

We have been unfairly treated. 

So you are backing down until 

the laws from the Houses of 

Assembly are in place... 

We are not backing down. It is 

a process. The making of the law 

is part of the process. There is no 

backing down. We are moving 

forward. 

The idea of policing in 

Nigeria, is there anything 

conflicting? 

First, let me emphasise that my 

expertise on security is risk 

management. So a lot of time 

when I am asked a question like 

this, I approach it from risk 

management. I have looked at 

the various responses, the 

Federal Government’s response, 

the South-West governors’ 

response and the response by 

stakeholders. Yes, in the area of 

policing, there are various levers 

of support but what we have in 

Nigeria is federal policing unit 

and the Constitution has given 

recognition for that. However, in 

practice, there is no state in 

Nigeria that does not have one 

security outfit or the other in 

form of vigilante or 

neighbourhood watch 

arrangement and funded with 

the taxpayer’s money. That is the 

reality but the constitutional 

provision is the federal policing 

system that we are all used to. 

Meanwhile, some state 

governments have even gone 

ahead to pass laws that allow 

them to create security outfits. 

However, this is the first time in 

our recent history that we will 

have regional arrangement and 

I think that is why we are seeing 

this kind of reaction. From a risk 

management perspective, the 

major challenge with Operation 

Amotekun is the fact that the 

South-West governors and the 

Development Agenda for 

Western Nigeria (DAWN) and 

other stakeholders involved in 

the process have not made the 

operational guidelines clear. So, 

as a risk management expert, if 

I am asked to assess the outfit, 

how do I assess it when I do not 

•Adamu 

know the operational 

guidelines? Unfortunately in the 

midst of that are issues around 

stigmatisation and profiling. So, 

already, there are fears and I am 

sure you have heard the 

contributions by groups like 

Miyetti Allah and other who are 

afraid of that stigmatisation and 

profiling. Something like that 

happened in Zamfara where the 

state government created a 

vigilante body, and, 

unfortunately, that body, using 

profiling and stigmatisation, 

targeted the same ethnic group 

that is crying foul right now. The 

result is what we are seeing in 

STIGMATISATION, PROFILING: 

How bad example 

was set in Zamfara 

— Adamu, security expert 

Kabiru Adamu is a security expert. He speaks on the 

controversy surrounding Amotekun. 

Zamfara today. So from the risk 

management 

perspective, their 

fears are genuine. 

If we know the 

operational 

guidelines of 

Amotekun, we will 

be able to assess 

the security outfit. 

But the 

objectives of 

Amotekun, zero 

tolerance for 

crime in South- 

West and 

collaborating 

with the police 

and other 

security agencies 

to fight crime, do 

they constitute 

any form of threat 

to the federal 

concept of 

policing? 

No. But as far as 

I am concerned as a risk 

Something like that 

happened in 

Zamfara where the 

state government 

created a vigilante 

body, and, 

unfortunately, that 

body, using 

profiling and 

stigmatisation, 

targeted the same 

ethnic group that is 

crying foul right 

now 

management expert, those are 

structures. 

Objective will 

reel out what 

Operation 

Amotekun is all 

about, step-bystep, 

especially 

what it hopes to 

achieve. The 

other one is the 

size of Amotekun. 

What is the 

recruitment 

process going to 

be? Already we 

heard a group in 

the South-West 

complaining 

about the 

inclusion of birth 

certificate and 

state affiliation. 

Lack of 

transparency in 

the operational 

guidelines and 

the objectives 

give cause for concern. 

On Hisbah, Sharia police, and 

Amotekun 

For now, Amotekun 

operational guidelines are not 

known to anyone. I challenge 

anyone to make public the 

operational guidelines of 

Amotekun. But we know the 

operational guidelines of 

Hisbah, irrespective of our 

various interpretations. And 

there is a state law (Kano) 

backing it. I don’t want to go into 

the debate of which one comes 

first, the hen or the chicken. The 

reality of our situation is that the 

Constitution recognises federal 

policing and, as a risk 

management expert, if 

Amotekun is going to become 

operational, I expect the South- 

West governors to pass laws in 

their various state assemblies, 

explaining clearly and in a very 

transparent manner, what the 

operational guidelines are, what 

the recruitment process is, and 

then we can now interpret the 

body effectively.


LEGAL FRAMEWORK: 

Hisbah, the Sharia 

police, ‘lesson for 

Amotekun’ 

By Abdulmumin Murtala 

Concerning the 

composition and 

functions of Hizbah 

Corps in Kano State, Deputy 

Commander of the Corps, 

Muhammad Albakari Mika’il, 

told Sunday Vanguard that its 

mandate is to ensure the 

implementation of Sharia law. 

He said: “The bill 

establishing Hizbah Board 

was signed into law in 2004 

following the Sharia reforms 

in the state. Hisbah is an 

Arabic word meaning an act 

performed for the good of 

the society. The Hisbah 

Corps operates under the 

jurisdiction of the Hisbah 

Board and the Board is 

composed of government 

officials, conventional police 

officers and religious leaders. 

“The Board is also 

decentralized with 

local units 

supervised by 

committees. It is 

composed of 

officials and 

citizens in the 

communities where 

it operates. 

“Hisbah can 

prosecute before 

the Sharia court on 

arrest and officers 

are armed only with 

non-lethal weapons 

for self-defence, 

such as batons. 

“Their duty is to 

police the Sharia 

implementation 

which restricts their job to the 

adherents of the Sharia. As a 

result, it has functions and 

structure. 

“Part of the 

Their duty is 

to police the 

Sharia 

implementation 

which restricts 

their job to the 

adherents of 

the Sharia. As 

a result, it has 

functions and 

structure 

function is to 

assist the police 

by putting an 

eye on issues 

that are related 

to the violation 

of the Sharia 

law, which 

i n c l u d e 

drinking and 

selling of 

alcohol, drugs 

and other 

intoxicants as 

well as 

prostitution and 

similar acts 

considered as 

violation of the 

Sharia law. 

“It reconciles and serves as 

*Hisbah operatives on patrol 

an arbiter in voluntary and 

domestic family disputes and 

others. It also helps non- 

Muslims recover their 

property in cases where a 

Muslim might have cheated 

on the non-Muslim. 

“Hisbah officers are also 

trained to assist in disaster 

response operations. 

“Hisbah also provides 

security during Friday 

prayers at mosques across the 

state and also looks after 

orphanages as well. 

“Hisbah officers also preach 

to those on first arrests and 

remind them of their duties as 

citizens and believers in 

Shari’a.’’ 

Continued from page 7 

Buhari not to allow what he 

described as “unconstitutionality.” 

On the same day, governors of the 

North-West states said they were 

ready to copy their South-West 

counterparts by launching a joint 

security operation to checkmate the 

growing state of insecurity in the 

region. 

Chairman of the governors of 

the region, Alhaji Aminu Masari, 

made the disclosure during a media 

chat in Katsina. 


There was an outpouring of 

support from Ohaneze Ndigbo on 

January 10. 

Ohanaeze said Amotekun was 

necessary because the country has 

the armed forces controlled by 

officers from one ethnic group who 

ought to have retired from service. 

On January 11 

On January 11, Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPoB, hailed South-West 

governors, arguing that the launch 

of Operation Amotekun, was akin 

to an idea its leader initiated in the 

South- East which Igbo leaders 

condemned. 

Similarly, Convener of Northern 

Elders’ Forum and former Vice- 

Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello 

University, Zaria, Prof Ango 

Abdullahi, commended the 

governors. 

He said the inauguration of 

Amotekun was a welcome 

development considering the 

current wave of insecurity across the 

country. 

He promised to support any cause 

that would enhance security. 


A few days after the launch, 

precisely on January 14, the federal 

government declared Amotekun 

illegal, saying it was not backed by 

any law. 

The AGF made the position of the 

government known in a statement 

by his Special Assistant on Media 

and Public Relations, Dr. Umar 

Gwandu. 

“The setting up of the paramilitary 

organisation called “Amotekun” is 

illegal and runs contrary to the 

provisions of the Nigerian law. The 

People Power 

Constitution of the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has 

established the Army, Navy, and 

Airforce, including the Police and 

other numerous paramilitary 

organisations for the defence of 

Nigeria,” the statement said. 


In a manner, displaying firm 

resolve to go ahead with Amotekun, 

the governors, on January 15, said 

they were not backing down on 

account of federal government’s 

opposition. 

Chairman of South-West 

Governors Forum, Mr. Rotimi 

Akeredolu, who made the position 

known, said Amotekun was legal, 

saying they were ready to defend the 

continued existence of the security 

network. 

Wole Soyinka 

The governors spoke on the same 

day with Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole 

Soyinka, who urged them to ignore 

Malami and not waiver in their 

commitment to protecting lives and 

property. 

He said those opposed to 

Amotekun were sleeping when 

Nigerians were being killed. 


The following day, pan-Yoruba 

socio-cultural organisation, 

Afenifere, urged the governors to 

ignore Malami. 

Leader of the body, Pa Reuben 

Fasoranti, whose daughter was 

murdered last year in the region, 

stated this in Akure. 

“I want them to go ahead and do 

it in the interest of our people. We 

cannot leave ourselves here, and be 

helpless in the face of incessant 

onslaught,” he said. 

Also, on January 16, herders under 

the auspices of Miyetti Allah Kautal 

Hore, asked South-West governors 

to dump Amotekun or risk the 

chance of producing the next 

President in 2023. 


That was followed by calls by the 

same group on January 17, for the 

arrest of Yoruba leaders promoting 

the outfit. 


President of Middle Belt Forum, 

Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said governors of 

Middle Belt states would replicate 

Amotekun. 


On January 19, the Organised 

Labour supported the security 

initiative, saying such outfits were 

the way to go for the nation to 

surmount her security challenges. 


There were solidarity 

protests for Operation 

Amotekun across the six states 

in South-West region. 

78 socio-cultural groups 

under the aegis of Yoruba 

World Congress (YWC), led by 

Prof Banji Akintoye, facilitated 

the rally. 


National Leader of All 


Bola Tinubu, broke his silence 

on the issue on January 22, 

saying Amotekun constituted 

no threat to national security 

as being claimed by 

antagonists. 

In another statement on 

January 23, the AGF restated 

his position on Amotekun, 

describing it as illegal. 

He reiterated the stance 

before going into a meeting 

with Osinbajo and governors 

of the South-West states, who 

after the gathering agreed that a 

legal framework should be put in 

place for Amotekun. 

Osinbajo, after the meeting, said: 

“It was fruitful and unanimous 

resolutions were made on the way 

forward at a meeting with South - 

West governors, the Attorney 

General of the Federation and the 

Inspector General of Police over the 

controversy surrounding the 

Amotekun Initiative. 

Structure 

of Amotekun 

“The meeting was at the instance 

of the governors who had asked to 

see President Muhammadu Buhari. 

It was agreed that the structure of 

Amotekun should also align with the 

community policing strategy of the 

federal government.” 

Briefing State House 

correspondents, after the forum, 

Akeredolu said, they agreed on the 

way forward, noting that a legal 

framework would be established to 

back the initiative. 

Legal framework 

He said: “We held a very fruitful 

discussion, the governors of the 

South-West were there. The meeting 

was presided over by the Vice 

President, the AGF was there 

and the Inspector General of 

Police. 

“We have rubbed minds 

and all of us have agreed on 

the way forward. The most 

important thing is that we 

are going to have the legal 

framework to back this 

Amotekun. And this legal 

framework is going to be one 

in which all of us will look at 

and we will be sure that it 

goes without any 

hindrance.” 

On whether the agreement 

meant that the outfit would 

be put on hold until the legal 

framework was developed, 

he said the regional outfit 

would remain. 

He said: “No. What I 

believe about our resolution 

is that Amotekun is there, you 

know the federal 

government is starting 

community policing. In essence, it 

is about community. So, we are 

going to work together to see the 

community policing and Amotekun 

work in a way.”


COMMUNITY POLICING: 

Seven things you didn’t 

know, by Colonel Stan-Labo (ret.) 

• ‘Prerequisites for changing current security narratives’ 

The Federal Government wants South- 

West governors promoting Amotekun 

to resolve insecurity in their states to 

look in the direction of community policing 

just like their counterparts in the North- 

Central who, last week, embraced the 

strategy. Colonel Hassan Khalifa 

Stanislous-Labo (ret.), a former Head, 

Training Division, Army Peacekeeping 

Centre and Chief of Staff (Brigade level), 

with operational responsibility over several 

joint security platforms serving as the hub 

for coordination and implementation, in a 

piece entitled, ‘PREREQUISITES FOR 

CHANGING THE CURRENT SECURITY 

NARRATIVES’, diagnoses community 

policing among other issues. 

Descent 

Despite concerted efforts by the military 

and law enforcement agencies, the 

prevailing security situation in the country 

continuous to suffer a progressive 

degeneration and slant that leaves the 

impression of a national descent into 

anarchy. The additional burden of 

abductions, kidnapping, banditry, cattle 

rustling, herdsmen and farmers clashes has 

further exacerbated the challenges of 

internal security with a nation-wide spread. 

This unacceptable security situation calls 

for some ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking in search 

of solutions to unravel the mystery behind 

these developments. In line with this 

thought, Five (5) major imperatives would 

need to be quickly addressed amongst other 

compelling actions. These are: 

a. Funding. 

b. Manpower. 

c. Equipment / Logistics. 

d . Training. 

e . Welfare. 

FUNDING 

Funding of the National Security/Defence 

Sector cannot be left exclusively to the 

national budget alone. To do this would 

amount to the Security sector competing 

with other vital sectors for the limited 

resource on the table. Additional source of 

funding outside the budget must be 

identified and exploited. 

Suggested Solution: 

a. The establishment of a National 

Security Trust Fund. 

Establish a National Security Trust Fund 

and cultivate the participation of corporate 

bodies, the informal sector and general 

public to contribute One per cent (1%) of 

their gross earnings in to the fund. 

Contributions in to the fund would enable 

the citizenry buy into the security situation 

on ground and take ownership of it. The 

Lagos State Security Trust Fund is a typical 

example of a success story that could be 

replicated at the Federal level. It would be 

surprising how much the Federal 

Government would raise from the 

following segments: 

i. The Oil Sector. 

ii. The Banking Sector. 

iii. Major Corporate bodies. 

iv. The Organised Private sector. 

v. Civil Servants. 

vi. The informal Sector. 

b. The establishment of Military 

Industrial Complex. 

The current effort by the Nigerian Army 

under the incumbent COAS, Lt Gen TY 

Buratai in the areas of vehicle 

manufacturing and combat protective 

equipment could be further expanded 

harnessing all instrumentalities of national 

power to build our own 

Military Industrial Complex. 

MAN POWER 

The manpower deficit 

currently suffered by both the 

Military and Police remains 

a major impediment to any 

infestation plan required by 

own force in countering the 

freedom of action and 

domination currently enjoyed 

by the belligerent insurgents 

and bandits in the forest. 

While troops are required for 

fighting purpose, they are 

also needed for embedding 

roles in communities and 

other rear area activities in 

conjunction with civil 

authority. Meeting the man 

power requirement for these 

field activities, places much 

pressure on the highly 

limited manpower resource 

of the Army. 

To address this deficit, we 

must first come to the reality 

of accepting that our country, 

Nigerian, is at war. Therefore, our force 

generation effort must reflect that required 

sense of urgency needed in meeting Man 

power needs in the field. 

Suggested Solution: (Short Term) 

a. Recall all reservists on a fresh reengagement 

contract deal. 

i. Recall all service personnel (on the 

Reserve) that left the military in the last 0- 

5yrs. This recall exercise should not include 

The level of 

official complicity, 

indifference, 

tolerance and 

relaxed 

disposition that 

characterise 

security activities 

at our land 

borders, negates 

border protection 

principle 

officers as there are enough officers in the 

field to command the men. 

ii. Attach good incentives to the recall 

directives if the aim must be archived. 

iii. Select the physically fit among 

them. 

iv. Get them to sign a 3-5yrs reengagement 

contract deal. 

v. Take them through a 6-8 Weeks 

robust re-training package specific to 

needs. 

vi. The fresh contract deal must come 

with an attractive package if the aim and 

purpose must be archived. 

Looking back at history, it would be 

recalled that the first wave of 10,000 troops 

inserted in to Afghanistan by the United 

States were from the Reserve pool. We have 

a swell strength on ground that could be 

regarded as our reserve. We could fall back 

to it in the National interest. 

Suggested Solution: (Long Term) 

i. Establish additional training depots 

in the North, East and South- 

South with a holding capacity 

of not less than 3, 000 recruits 

each. 

ii. The Nigeria Police 

should also establish 

additional training colleges 

with a view to meeting the C- 

in-C’s directive on the 

recruitment of 10,000 men in 

to the Police. 

EQUIPMENT AND 

LOGISTICS 

Technology today rules the 

world. With adequate 

technology comes good 

economy of time and human 

effort with better results. Part 

of the major problems here 

have always been the 

following: 

i. The absence of 

technological integration in 

our processes. 

ii. Shopping for wrong 

equipment (not fit for 

purpose). 

iii. Outright shortage of 

vital equipment in the field. 

iv. The insensitivity of the 

Procurement policy to military exigencies. 


The following must be borne in mind: 

i. The National Procurement policy 

should be amended to adequately 

accommodate exigencies flowing from the 

Security/Defence sector. 

ii. End-users should be carried along 

in all military procurement process. 

iii. Patronage of robust manufacturers 

readily disposed to favourable terms. 

iv. Patronage of well-informed 

Vendors with eyes for details. 

v. Equipment should be user friendly 

and of right configurations. 

vi. Equipment should be fit for 

purpose, specific to weather, terrain and 

ground conditions. 

vii. Procurement packages should be 

well negotiated to accommodate training, 

servicing, spares, upgrading and prelaunch 

challenges in the field. 

TRAINING 

Adequate training is a prerequisite for 

success in the field. A well trained soldier is 

an asset to his Commander. Joint training 

in facilitation of the Higher Commanders 

intent should be put in place. As at date, 

we are yet to attain our desired End-state 

in Joint Force Integration in the field. Our 

training focus must therefore address this 

deficit at both the Tactical and Operational 

levels. 


i . Training facilities should be 

expanded to accommodate more troops for 

greater participation. 

ii. Training facilities should be 

equipped in line with training needs. 

iii. Doctrine and Curriculum in use 

should be needs specific. 

iv. Training facilities should be 

adequately manned by our best hands and 

brains, who are knowledgeable and 

experienced. 

v. Instructors should be adequately 

motivated with the right welfare packages 

to enhance commitment and focus. It 

should be made a thing of pride to be posted 

as an instructor. 

vi. Training institutions should not 

serve as dumping grounds for disgruntled 

and indiscipline officers or officers who 

have falling out of favour with the 

establishment. 

WELFARE 

Troops’ welfare conditions must be 

prioritised and adequately addressed to 

enable the soldier in the forward lines 

concentrate on the task before him. He must 

continually live with the reassurance that 

his family left at the barracks, in the rear, is 

well catered for, his kids have not been 

thrown out of school due to school fees 

palaver nor his pregnant wife having 

challenges accessing ante-natal care at the 

Unit MRS with no show of concern from 

authorities. 


A far reaching review of troops’ welfare 

template is highly suggested to include the 

following amongst others: 

i. Soldiers’ daily operational 

allowance to be upgraded to N5, 000 daily. 

ii. Soldiers on operation to be placed 

on double salary per month, one paid 

directly to his wife in the rare, and the 

second to his personal salary account. The 

practice of double salary was in place in 

the Moroccan Army all through their 

border war with The Saharawi Democratic 

Republic which lasted well over 30 years. 

The practise provides adequately for the 

soldier’s domestic family needs in the rare, 

without the fear of disruptions to his 

planned savings. 

iii. The Nigerian Army Welfare 

Insurance Scheme (NAWIS) package 

should be reasonably enhanced in line with 

present day realities. 

iv. Soldiers with up to 25 years of 

service should be entitled to a home 

befitting their status on retirement, at a 

location of their choice. This could be 

enabled through a soft mortgage facility 

attracting a source deduction of 5% per cent 

from their monthly pension only. 

v. The NHIS should be expanded to 

cover every ailment of the serving or retired 

personnel rather than the present selective 

practice in which hundreds of retired 

personnel with severe body organ issues 

(heart, liver, kidney, lungs, pancreas etc.) 

have become technically eliminated from 

the scheme to face the ultimate 

consequences of fate. 

OTHER COMPLEMENTING LINES OF 

ACTION 

THE BORDER PROTECTION FORCE 

Nigeria has the most extensive land 

border in Africa traversing over 3,000 

communities, 105 LGAs, 21 States and over 

1571 foot paths leading in to the Maghreb 

Region of North Africa. The level of official 

complicity, indifference, tolerance and 

relaxed disposition that characterise 

security activities at our land borders, 

negates border protection principle with 

severe consequences for our internal 

security. 

The unhindered influx of small arms and 

light weapon, unchecked movement of 

illegal immigrants, herders, bandits, cattle 

rustlers and armed insurgents hell bent on 

taking advantage of the porous nature of 

our borders must be halted. 

Read more on 

www.vanguardngr.com

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 13

PAGE 14— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 

I have decided to 

get bigger bum 

—Christabel Egbenya 

Next time you see stunningly 

beautiful Enugu-based 

Nollywood actress, 

Christabel Egbenya, you may have 

a hard time recognizing her, 

particularly in the gluteal area. In a 

recent post on her Instagram page, 

the Chief Executive Officer of Labell 

Beauty World in Enugu has 

promised herself to do whatever is 

necessary to get a bigger bum. 

Christabel posted a video of a 

woman with massive backside and 

followed it up with her concern over 

big butt, which she said is a big rave 

among women at the moment. She 

said since every girl is getting big 

butt (surgically) she has also decided 

to have her own and warned that 

hers will be much bigger. 

“ All you girls doing body just wait 

for my own. I heard working on your 

body and ass is the in-thing now. I 

have decided to do my own ass too. 

My doctor says it will cost N10 

million. They must notice me, since 

everybody loves over big ass now,” 

she said. 

She made the statement in 

December of last year but it appears 

she hasn’t made good her promise, 

at least, up till now. 

However, many of her followers 

reacted to the post in different ways. 

One was particularly surprised the 

light-skinned actress was 

contemplating butt job when, 

according to her, God had blessed 

her with a very good one. 

“But Christabel you already have 

I’m a difficult 

ficult 

person to love 

—Chinenyen Ulaegbu 

hen a woman declares she’s a difficult 

Wperson to love, the first reaction is to have 

a second look at her. But really, a second look at 

budding Nollywood actress, Chineyen Ulaegbu, 

doesn’t reveal much other than she’s beautiful, 

smart,with a look of a person on a mission. Her 

mission is to conquer the movie industry, other 

than that there’s no trace of any meanness about 

her. But she’s far from being a cold fish. 

“I think about myself a lot. It’s always about 

me, me, me. That’s what they all say. I spend 

my time on working hard to be independent, 

being financially stable, my brand, my carrier 

that I forgot how to entertain a man. So, they 

don’t last trying to convince me that they are 

the one. And I frankly don’t care,” she said, 

reacting to the question if she could date a 

fellow actor. 

“ I’ve not dated an actor. I’m a difficult 

person to love,” she had added. 

“I believe there’s a woman for every guy 

and a guy for every woman. You just have 

to find the right person who can understand 

what you do and also love you more for 

the career path you have chosen. 

But the girl from Enugu has nothing 

against falling in love. In fact she 

still adores the memory of her 

first love and wouldn’t mind 

to relive the experience again 

with the same person, or another 

if the person can fit the description 

of what she terms ‘the chosen one.’ 

“Yes I have fallen in love before, when I was 

a lot younger, it was a teenage love. He taught 

me how to kiss and he never took advantage 

of my naivety even when he could have. It was 

selfless and unconditional. It was not about 

money or sex because we were both young . It 

felt good and genuine. I still miss him. We never 

broke up, we just grew apart. I got into school 

and left the north, he graduated and moved to 

the States . If we get reunited again, hopefully he 

will be the one. 

Chinenyen Ulaegbu grew up in the north. She’s a 

graduate of banking and finance from IMT, Enugu. 

Her first movie role was a led character in an Igbo 

film titled ‘Onuma’. She has since featured in many 

others and presently hot in demand in the industry. 

a better one, natural and no surgery. 

Please, don’t go for any 

surgery, the doctor may 

even make a mistake and 

the beautiful natural one 

you have will 

disappear,” said one 

Cynthiazebs. 

The Edo State-born 

beauty has always 

had compliments 

pouring her way for 

her beauty and 

curvy figure. 

Curiously, in a 

past interview 

with Vanguard 

three years ago, 

she affirmed 

that her butt is 

her major 

selling point. 

“ I used to say 

my boobs but not 

anymore,” she had said 

when asked what her selling 

point was. 

“Now, I will say it’s my bum. About 

four years ago, I noticed it just 

popped from nowhere. I didn’t do 

any implants, they just popped out 

of nowhere,” she had said. 

Christabel hit the limelight after 

her exploits in “Room 202”, 

“Kingdom of Pleasure” and 

“King’s Throne”. 

•Christabel 

•Chinenyen 

All women are indecent 

—Moyo Lawal 

Feisty and fierce Nollywood actress, 

Moyo Lawal who is well known for 

her ‘no holds bar’ lifestyle and 

approach to life has made a rather 

loud and bohemian case for sexy 

women. According to her, sexy 

women and those who expose 

their skin should not be seen as 

promiscuous. She was 

particularly bothered that it is 

women who are oftentimes 

guilty of the crime. 

“Why do women call ‘sexy 

women names and just 

assume they are 

promiscuous. These days, 

majority of women are 

having sex with married 

•Danny Boy 

•Moyo Lawal 

men, and cheating while married. So, 

why do you think you are better than 

women who show skin, who ironically 

(most times) are not even as half as 

promiscuous as women who hardly 

show skin,” she said. 

Then she dropped the bombshell: “You 

better accept, we are all indecent 

together” and she added “hypocrites”. 

The Badagry-born actress is always an 

eyeful menu on the Instagram, posting 

all sorts of sensual pictures, generously 

displayed. She’s fearless and would take 

on anything or anyone. She became 

popular as Chinny in the rested M-Net 

soap opera, Tinsel but has since hit the 

big times. She has a million followers 

on Instagram. 

Danny Boy set to dazzle music 

fans with new release ‘Feel Am’ 

Julius Daniel Ogah, known by stage name Danny Boy, has 

dropped the first visuals for his highly anticipated 5 

track EP OG, New Single titled FEEL AM. The EP was 

carefully selected tunes from the talented act formerly 

known as DBoy. 

Danny Boy, an acolyte of Afro Dance All music genre 

and signed to Signed to SMMHK, makes his musical 

debut in 2019. With the good impressions so far, 

Danny Boy says he’s not slowing down this year. 

With his new release already dazzling the airwave, 

the 25-year-old singer has the potential of being 

among top upcoming artistes to make waves in the 

Nigerian music industry this year. 

Thus far, the EP has received generally positive 

reviews from music critics, who applauded its 

production. 

“I am glad with the reviews I have gotten so far. It 

shows fans are already ‘Feeling am’. My music is 

sensational and will always turn-up moods to a 

state of utter elation.”


Nollywood’s sexiest 

romantic comedy movie 

‘Dear Affy’ 

presents male cast 

On February 14, 2020, Nigerian 

cinemas will receive a new visual 

visitor to the delight of viewers. 

Described as the sexiest 

Nollywood movie ever, ‘Dear Affy’ 

showcases the creme-de-la-crème 

of Nollywood’s best collection of 

male role interpreters. 

They include Timini Egbuson, 

Eyinna Nwigwe,Williams 

Uchemba, Ali Nuhu, Uzee Usman 

, MC Lively, Kolawole Ajeyemi, 

Chinedu Ikedieze, Jide kosoko, 

Chiwetalu Agu and Odunlade 

Adekola 

Dear Affy movie, directed by 

media mogul, Samuel Olatunji. Is 

a romantic comedy with an 

excellent plot. It succinctly tell the 

igerian actress, Anita Keyss is set to 

Nrelease her movie, ‘Dry Tears’ which 

addresses the lives of celebrities. Dry 

Tears is the third major production from 

Anita, the first two are, Beauty of the 

Mind, and Silver Spoon. In a chat with 

Broadway TV Anita speaks on a number 

of things happening in the industry, 

especially the crave among celebrities 

to bare it all on social media. 

She said, “For me, I think it’s crazy, 

you don’t have to expose your body for 

you to be popular. It doesn’t make sense 

to me, If you believe in yourself you know 

We must begin to think Nigeria 

first for our creative industry 

—Omotola 

ollywood star actress, Omotola 

Jalade-Ekeinde has reacted to 

Nthe newly amended NBC 

•Omotola 

story of a 

beautify 

damsel who is 

passionate 

about her 

career, she is 

set to get 

married to the 

man of her 

dreams before 

life suddenly 

happens and 

scuttles her well 

laid out plan. 

She is faced 

with the 

proverbial choice between the devil 

and the red blue sea. She must fight 

all forces that wants to deny her of 

Don’t believe in your nakedness to make it —Anita Keys 

you have the talent, you don’t have to expose 

your body just to get fame. Look at the likes 

of Omotola, the likes of Genevieve, they 

didn’t open their selves to get fame, they 

worked hard and it’s paying off, so I don’t 

think you need to expose your body when 

you just feel, “oh mehn I am not relevant 

anymore”, the next thing you do is just to 

stay nude on Instagram just to be popular, 

its crazy for me, that what’s they call 

depression. We call that attention 

seekers…that means you don’t believe in 

your talent, you believe in your nakedness 

to make it out there, to give you that fame.” 

the life she desire so much. 

These men lead ‘Dear Affy’ to the 

cinemas from February 14, 2020. 

Broadcast Code, which reviews fines to 

be paid by erring broadcasting stations 

from N500,000 to N5 million for 

breaches relating to hate speeches, 

inciting comments and indecency. 

She said, “ “This is a good 

development for the content industry. 

We are all in this together and we must 

protect our local industry with practices 

that empower the stakeholders more. 

We must begin to think Nigeria first for 

Speaking further she said 

celebrities should not live 

their lives just to please the 

fans 

“I don’t think celebrities 

should live for their fans, it’s all 

about you doing what you feel you 

are comfortable with, it’s just about 

believing in yourself and you doing 

what you are comfortable with, in 

this world you can’t please people, 

so it’s about you pleasing yourself 

and doing what you feel,” she said. 

our creative industry and work together 

to make this work.” 

Omotola made her comment via a 

WhatsApp group, consisting of creative 

industry practitioners named FILMIC. 

The platform was founded by Charles 

Novia, CEO of the newly established 

Teen Africa TV. FILMIC, since 

inception in June 2019, has held 

monthly screenings of films by 

producers, alongside two unique events 

namely: FILMIC Mini-Colloquium 

and FILMIC Old School Evening. 

How Michael Jackson 

inspired my music career 

•Hanujay 

M 

—Singer, Hanujay 

ichael Jackson may have long been dead, buried but 

not forgotten. As the King of Pop, his spirit keeps 

defining evolution of music and one of Nigeria’s brightest 

stars, Aghogho Hanu Agbodje A.K.A Hanujay has the 

Wacko Jacko to thank for awakening the sleeping giant 

of music in him. Hanujay has barely been on the scene 

but already has drop two EPs to show how creative, 

dynamic and talented he is. He has released over 20 

songs plus over 100 unreleased, still in the pipeline. To 

date, he has also dropped 4 professional music videos 

plus a fleet of viral and promotional contents. 

On MJ’s connection in his life, he said “I got into music 

because I saw Michael Jackson on TV and I was like 3-5 

years of age at the time. It was totally amazing and exciting 

at the same time, seeing what he could do and how 

people loved him. In fact I fainted and died for 

him and I want people to do that for me too. 

The beginning was alright , the process 

was great . I learnt for a couple of years, 

went to music school, before making 

music then I realized I was the real 

McCoy,” he said. 

But things didn’t start to get on the 

up and up for him until 2018 when 

he released his first EP and the 

second next year, to announce his 

intention on the music scene. 

“In 2018 I released the ‘Vibes’ 

EP’ which consists of 8 songs: 

namely; Dance; Special; Dodo; 

Fine Wine; Rock Well; Skit; No 

Smoking Zone; and Good Love. 

That was in January of 2018. 

Then I released another EP, in 

•Anita 

December of 2019 titled ‘Let’s 

smoke and Fuck” with 5 

tracks: namely; Uber, 

Magic, Love, Guyman 

and Vibration. They 

were all produced by 

Patricia Studios. 

There are so many 

more unreleased 

singles. Just watch 

out for Hanujay,” 

he said.

PAGE 16 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 

ADETUTU AUDU 

08023849036, 

08112662587 

•Francis Atuche 

Funke 

Akindele’s 

ex-husband’s 

latest move 

Francis Atuche 

finds a new thing 

Francis Atuche, the former Managing 

Director of the defunct BankPHB, has 

found a new thing outside the banking 

industry. 

The retail store, Hubmart, which he 

recently established, 

has become a 

Mecca for 

shoppers 

in Lagos. 

The mall boasts of 

exquisite range of products, 

including renowned local 

and international brands, 

and it is built in choice 

locations deliberately to 

offer customers 

world-class 

shopping 

experience. 

Not only 

this, 

Atuche, who is the Senior 

Adviser, Homeland Real 

Estate Company, is also a 

big player in the real estate 

industry. 

In 2009, BankPHB, led by 

the Delta State born ex-bank 

chief, was declared 

distressed and the Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission (EFCC) 

arrested him. 

Subsequently, he was 

detained at the Ikoyi office 

of the Commission and 

arraigned alongside his 

wife, Elizabeth, and Ugo 

Anyanwu, a former chief 

financial officer of the bank. 

The EFCC also sealed off 

several houses traced to 

him. The trial lasted about 

ten years. 

Ifeanyi 

Aderafasin 

a proud mom 

Ifeanyi, the wife of Senior Pastor, 

House on the Rock,Paul 

Adefarasin, is a proud mom. 

Her son, Alvin, made her proud as he 

bagged a master’s degree in international 

business with merits. 

The elated mother couldn’t hide her joy and she 

shared it on her social media page. 

According to her, “it is good to watch your children 

grow and to reap the harvest of your years of labour 

and sacrifice. Thankful 

to God for watching 

and keeping Alvin 

and causing his 

ways to be 

prosperous”. 

Property merchant, Kehinde Oloyede, of 

the Kendoo Investment, fame has 

launched himself back to political reckoning. 

The son of one-time Iyaloja of Oshodi and 

ex-hubby of Nollywood screen goddess, Funke 

Akindele, is eyeing the number one seat in 

Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos 

State. 

Before this latest political move, he has 

aspired twice to become a House of 

Representatives member in the same zone. 

Oloyede may clinch his party’s ticket as 

sources said he is hobnobbing with the 

powers-that-be in the area. 

•Kehinde Oloyede 

Seyi Tinubu expectant 

This is definitely one of the best home front. 

moments for the CEO & President of The father of one is expecting his second 

Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi Tinubu. child. 

Apart from garnering accolades for his The tiny-tot, sources squealed, is billed 

job, the son of a former governor of Lagos to arrive in the middle of the year. 

State and National Leader of the ruling Seyi married Layal Holm in Italy in 

party at the federal level, APC, Asiwaju 2016. The couple already have a threeyear 

old daughter, Bola Tinubu, is not lagging behind in the 

Noella. 

•Seyi Tinubu

Two tributes in one – 

Ajibola and Attah 

“Lives of great men remind 

us that we can make our lives 

sublime. And departing, 

leave behind us; footprints on 

the sands of time” - HW 

Longfellow, 1807-1882, 

VANGUARD BOOK OF 

QUOTATIONS. 

For me, this is already 

a happy year. Most 

newspapers now have 

annual awards for various 

individuals for different reasons. 

I have been opposed to 

the idea when it first started. 

To some extent, I am still very 

much in doubt regarding 

whether we are doing the 

right thing. Mainly, I object 

because the criteria, just like 

those of the National 

Awards, are not often clear. 

Individuals with absolutely 

atrocious or questionable 

records of achievement have 

been honoured. Governors 

are the most notorious in 

this regard. Some of the exgovernors 

who made the list 

in the past are now in jail for 

embezzling public funds. 

Easily debunked ‘Unusual 

Transformation’ in a particular 

state has not stopped a 

propagandist from receiving 

encomiums as a great 

achiever. Certainly, annual 

awards have been abused 

and the history of Nigeria 

distorted. We have given 

honour to several who are 

not due. 

“Heroism is a special 

quality reserved only for a 

few” - Ken Jones, VAN- 

GUARD BOOK OF QUO- 

TATIONS, VBQ, P 90. 

Heroes are always very few 

in any country. Politicians 

come ten naira a dozen – 

and most are bloody nuisances. 

Great wars are 

fought infrequently now. So, 

conquerors seldom emerge 

as often as they once did. The 

heroes of the 20th century 

and the new millennium – 

Ghandi, Dr Martin Luther 

King Jr, Mandela and our 

own trio of Ahmadu Bello, 

Awolowo and Azikiwe (in alphabetical 

order) - were not 

warriors. Ahmadu Bello, 

Awolowo and Azikiwe are 

not celebrated today for 

their political acumen – because 

the First Republic disintegrated 

on account of 

their mismanagement of 

events. Millions of Nigerians 

lost their lives. Judged 

strictly on the outcome of 

their politics, our fathers 

would be regarded as failures. 

But, they got us independence. 

That made them 

heroes. It is now up to us 

what we do with the Republic. 

James Madison, 1751- 

1836, one of the fathers of 

the US, was asked after the 

Constitution of America 

was completed, “Sir, what 

have your wise men recommended 

for us?” His answer 

was “a republic if you can 

keep it.” We did not keep the 

First and Second Republics 

in Nigeria. We are on the 

Third and in mortal danger 

of losing that one also. We 

are deficit in heroes. 

That said, there are some 

recipients of awards who in 

any society will qualify to 

receive the esteem due to all 

those who have served well. 

This year VANGUARD 

served up two of such individuals 

who, if only Nigerians 

have not lost the reading 

habit, would be accepted 

as genuine heroes when 

they read about their contributions. 

I have written so 

many times about Attah; it 

is only fair for me to start 

with the other authentic legal 

hero. Whenever somebody 

undertakes to write a 

history of Nigeria’s Ministers 

of Justice and Attorney 

Generals of the Federation, 

AGF, it is unlikely that he will 

find any other appointee in 

that role whose record of 

achievements come close to 

those of Prince (Justice) Alhaji 

Bola Ajibola, CFR. In 

fact, it was Prince Ajibola 

who got me to start taking a 

Which way, Nigeria? 

“If you can't fly then run, if 

you can't run then walk, if you 

can't walk then crawl, but 

whatever you do you have to 

keep moving forward.” ? 

Martin Luther King Jr. 

One in every 13 chil 

dren born in the 

world by 2050 will 

be a Nigerian. So, how do 

we ensure that that the Nigerian 

child is provided for 

and prepared for the future. 

Forward planning is key 

and they say if you fail to 

plan, then you plan to fail. 

In thirty year's time, it 

would be a comfort to know 

that the Nigerian child is 

prepared for the future. 

Right now, not much investment 

has been made to provide 

for the present,talk less 

of the future. 

In a country where 80 million 

of its population is existing 

under a dollar a day 

and in abject poverty, it will 

be a pipe dream to think, 

that subsequent government 

have put the interest of the 

nation ahead of their selfish 

interest, alas, it is not the 

case. 

We only have ourselves to 

blame if we think that everything 

will come out in the 

wash and magically it will 

turn out fine. Time to snap 

out of this pipe dream, it is a 

fantasy and idle wish. 

The facts are there for everyone 

to see, time to remove 

the blinkers and take a reality 

check. The children of 

Nigeria has never had it so 

bad. Their development has 

stunted over the decades, the 

abuse of the most vulnerable 

section of the population 

is beyond the pale of decency. 

The cruelty and abuse of 

young people by adults is 

abysmally shocking and we 

wonder why we have maladjusted 

adults. The cycle of 

deprivation will continue 

until the commitment to 

change the narrative and 

second and deep look at the 

President (General) Ibrahim 

B Babangida, IBB, regime. I 

was on my way to the Ministry 

of Justice Library at Marina, 

Lagos in search of the 

Company and Allied Matters 

Act, CAMA, Decree 20 

of 1990, when I read a statement 

by Vice President Osinbajo 

to the effect that no 

government, including Babangida’s 

own, had done as 

much as Buhari had done for 

Nigeria in the first two and a 

half years. I knew Osinbajo, 

like just about everybody in 

Buhari’s government, was 

not telling the truth. 

Divinely, an avalanche of 

evidence tumbled in less 

than one hour after reading 

the VP’s declaration. I asked 

the attendant for 1990 Decrees, 

but, she brought 1989 

Decrees. I was going to send 

it back when it occurred to 

me to read the 1989 decrees 

and the institutions that were 

created that year. Despite 

being an adult who prided 

himself on reading widely, I 

was surprised about my ignorance 

regarding the 

achievements of IBB’s regime 

and the key role played 

by Ajibola in crafting those 

decrees. I asked for a photocopy 

of the list of 1989 Decrees. 

Shortly after, 1990 Decrees 

were brought and I suddenly 

realised that most of 

us had been most unfair to 

IBB. Time did not permit me 

to go through other decrees 

passed from 1985 to 1992. I 

later spent several weeks in 

the libraries in Abuja and 

Lagos. I began to shortlist 

those needing special attention. 

Nearly 50 pages of my 

book, IBRAHIN B BA- 

BANGIDA 1985-1992: LET- 

TING A THOUSAND 

FLOWERS BLOOM, were 

already written, and I had 

gathered sufficient materials 

for a book 1000 pages 

long, based on the decrees 

passed and the institutions 

created by the time I met Babangida 

for the first time. 

Unlike most other books 

written on the subject, this 

one was completed without 

seeking an interview with 

Babangida. The facts will 

speak for themselves. 

In the book under reference 

on pages 39 to 41, the 

following was written on Ajibola. 

Space did not permit 

me to write more. Perhaps, 

one of these days, I will, at 

my own expense, write an 

entire book on Justice Ajibola. 

For now please accept 

this summary and you can 

understand why this honour 

break the cycle. 

Nigeria is the third most 

populous nation in the 

world and so what can be 

done to prepare our young 

for the future? 

First, it has to redouble its 

commitment and dedication 

to protect and promote 

the rights of children, it has 

to ensure that every child has 

access to the basic essential 

care; housing, food, health 

care and education. This is 

the very least but very important. 

Investment in children 

services and specialist 

trained enforcement agencies. 

The next decade should be 

dedicated to the needs and 

promotion of the Nigerian 

child. Invest more in schools, 

education, training, employment, 

housing,social and 

health care. Help families 

that are struggling and provide 

help and assistance for 

those who need guidance 

and education on how to be 

good parents or carers. One 

the most positive developments 

in Nigeria today is 

that people are beginning to 

report to authorities whenever 

there is a case of cruelty 

or domestic violence. It 

has helped saved lives and 

help send messages to abusers 

that they will be reported 

and they will face the full 

weight of the law. 

We have to change our 

If anybody deserves 

a Medal of Honour for 

almost working 

himself to death 

during the Babangida 

years, it must be the 

Minister of Justice 

and Attorney General 

One the most positive 

developments in Nigeria 

today is that people are 

beginning to report to 

authorities whenever 

there is a case of 

cruelty or domestic 

violence. It has helped 

saved lives 

is deserved. I need to add 

that till today, I have never 

met the man. I hope to see 

him on the award night and 

“prostrate” before one of my 

own heroes. 

“PRINCE BOLA AJIBO- 

LA, SAN, - Minister for Justice 

and AttorneyGeneral. 

If anybody deserves a 

Medal of Honour for almost 

working himself to death 

during the Babangida years, 

it must be the Minister of 

Justice and Attorney General. 

“Omoba Bolasodun Adesumbo 

Ajibola, CFR, SAN, 

Justice of the International 

Court at the Hague, was 

born into a Royal family in 

Abeokuta, Ogun State on 

22nd March, 1934. lt would 

not have occurred to his parents 

that their son was going 

to play a major role in 

transforming Nigeria and 

helping the entire world as 

well. 

“He attended Owu Baptist 

Day School for his primary 

education and naturally 

proceeded to Baptist Boys' 

High School for his secondary 

school education. 

“Baptist Boys High School 

will rank high among the 

secondary schools whose 

alumni played significant 

roles in shaping Nigerian 

history in the twentieth century. 

Among its alumni 

were: General/President 

Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief 

M.K.O. Abiola, etc. [ Abami 

Eda Fela Ransome Kuti or 

Anikulapo too]. 

“He went abroad and received 

his law degree at Holborn 

College of Law, University 

of London and was 

called to the English Bar at 

Lincoln's Inn in 1962. He 

returned to Nigeria to practice 

law, specialising in 

Commercial Law and International 

Arbitration. 

“Once again, with the ben- 


efit of hindsight, it was not • President, Nigerian Bar 

surprising that Babangida Association. 

appointed someone highly • Judge, Constitutional 

experienced in commercial Court of the Federation of 

law and arbitration to head Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

the Ministry of Justice. The Sarajevo. 

changes IBB had in mind • Judge, World Bank, Administrative 

Tribunal. 

called for a great deal of mediation 

between various • Member, Governing 

contending stakeholders in Board, International Maritime 

Law Institute of the In- 

the "Nigerian Project" at 

home and abroad which the ternational Maritime Organisation, 

United Nations. 

Military President envisaged 

at the time. Ajibola was "Granted, some of these 

a tested hand at forging appointments were made 

compromises when competing 

interests were at stake government. But, they con- 

after he left Babangida's 

and none having absolute firm the extra-ordinary qualities 

of the man who drafted 

right on its side. How Babangida 

got to know about the decrees to back up the 

him remains a mystery till numerous measures taken 

today. But it was akin to during the years under consideration 

in this book. No 

searching for a lost coin on 

a sandy beach. 

Minister of Justice and Attorney 

General had come 

“Only a lawyer who understood 

that the customary adversary 

situation which ocments 

at home and abroad.” 

close in terms of achievecurs 

in most legal disputes “On no account should 

could not operate at that anyone go away with the 

point in time in order to idea that everything about 

move the country forward Justice Ajibola had been 

and that mediation was paramount 

could help us. This time and space constraint at 

summarised. I was under 

was not the conflict between the time of writing the book. 

right and wrong, which is That was all I could tuck in. 

easily settled. Most policy I apologise for that”. 

changes being considered FOR OBONG VICTOR 

involved deciding between ATTAH, THE LAURELS 

various claims to "rights" - JUST KEEP COMING 

however defined. Some of “What are millions of 

those "rights" had for historical 

reasons been accepted not had a single hour like 

men, who all their lives have 

almost as justified. The his compared to this one 

change being proposed by man” - Wilhelm Heinse, 

the economic technocrats 1749-1803, German Philosopher, 

VANGUARD BOOK 

and the International Monetary 

Fund, IMF, were calling 

into question stakehold- 

2. 

OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 

ers' entitlements to those Obong Attah has had several 

days in life; the VAN- 

rights which, in any case, 

were no longer affordable GUARD Award Day on 

for a nation in financial distress. 

them. He deserved all the ac- 

March 20, 2020 is one of 

“The legal aspects of Babangida's 

social and eco- 

more. I have reasons to becolades 

he had received and 

nomic transformation lieve he will get more. Real 

called for a law-giver with cream rises effortlessly to the 

the sagacity of Solomon or top. The recognition this 

Suleiman. Nigeria had only year by VANGUARD is just 

Bola Ajibola to turn to. like pouring more on a cup 

“Listed below are some of running over. So, now, I have 

the accomplishments which another mission. It is to invite 

all the well-wishers of 

this one personality packed 

into a lifetime. Most people Obong (Dr) Victor Attah to 

would have regarded themselves 

accomplished if they same time, I must stress that 

the Award Night. At the 

achieved only ten percent of since he is not the only recipient 

of the awards, the 

them. 

• Arbitrator International 

Court of Arbitration of Therefore, those wanting to 

invitations will be limited. 

ICC, Paris 

be present at the occasion are 

France. 

requested to get in touch 

• Legal Consultant, Masons 

Solicitors & Co., Lon- 

Seats will be allocated strict- 

with me as soon as possible. 

don. 

ly on a first come and first 

• Exxon Houston, Texas, served basis. There is no 

USA 

need to bother Obong about 

• Association of Arbitrators 

of Nigeria. 

same page. I thank you 

this matter. We are on the 

all. 

mind-set that we have children 

because we have a 

source of income but that 

we have them because we 

want to love and care for our 

children. This is no pipe 

dream. We need some radical 

change because the lives 

and the future of Nigerians 

depends on it. 

The federal government 

are making some movement 

in the right direction 

but not nearly enough;0.6 

%of its GDP on education 

and public health. It is not 

enough, nowhere near. 

Accessing all the areas no 

matter how remote is the key 

to ensuring that no child is 

left behind, investment in a 

child means unlocking the 

potential of every child is 

transformative and a benefit 

to the child and the country. 

Let’s start with 2020 to 

2030 being the decade of the 

Nigerian child. 

A man without ambition 

is dead. A man with ambition 

but no love is dead. A 

man with ambition and love 

for his blessings here on 

earth is ever so alive - 

US Visa and birth tourism 

Trump administration has 

decided after three years of 

issuing a travel ban on seven 

Muslim majority countries, 

it is planning on expanding 

the ban to include 

four more countries including 

Nigeria. 

The administration has 

not looked favourably at 

Nigeria , was described with 

such derogatory terms, not 

one that I will repeat here. 

They cast aspersions and 

tarred all Nigerians with the 

same brush, they as well pull 

up the welcome rug and tell 

us that Nigerians are not 

welcome. Thousands of Nigerians 

have made the US 

their home and have contributed 

to the economy and 

progress. So why do Nigerians 

feel the lure to go to 

the states? Actually why not. 

You would hope that Nigerian 

dollars is as good as anyone, 

wouldn’t you? 

Some have come to expect 

that no matter how much insults, 

the Nigerian will dust 

it away and move on regardless. 

When someone says 

you are not welcome and 

you say you will go anyway. 

There must be something in 

America that keeps Nigerians 

going regardless. 

Nigeria accounts for the 

third highest number of US 

visa overstayed last year. The 

visa application is more 

stringent; even after indefinitely 

suspending its visa 

interview waiver for Nigerian 

applicants (the waiver 

allowed frequent travellers 

renew their visa without going 

through in-person interviews 

each time), the US also 

raised visa application fees 

for Nigerians by including 

additional “reciprocity 

fees” ranging from $80 to 

$303 depending on the class 

of visa. And even though the 

Nigerian government immediately 

slashed visa application 

fees for American 

applicants in a bid to get the 

US to reverse its price increase, 

the reciprocity fees 

remain in place. The clampdown 

measures have resulted 

in Nigeria recording the 

largest global drop-off in 

visitors to the US. 

There is more to come: 

stopping the US birth tourism 

and whatever the US 

administration may come 

up with next, it is up to Nigerians 

to make up their mind 

if the infringements will be 

enough to find a different 

country to go to.


BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE, Umuahia 

As Afaraukwu kinsmen of the 

leader of the Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi 

Kanu, prepare for the burial of their 

traditional ruler, Eze Okwu Kanu, and his 

wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, there are 

speculations on whether Kanu will return 

home from the United Kingdom (UK) to 

pay his last respects to his parents. 

It is customary in Igbo land for children 

living outside the community to return 

home for the burial of their parents. 

There are fears, however, that the 

Federal Government may arrest the IPOB 

leader over his agitation for Biafra for 

which he is being prosecuted for treason. 

Following his arrest and detention for 

treason, he was arraigned before an Abuja 

High Court which granted him bail before 

he disappeared when troops stormed his 

community only to resurface in the UK. 

A British/Nigerian, he claimed there was 

a plan by the Nigerian authorities to kill 

him. 

Although Afraukwu is calm when 

Sunday Vanguard visited the community 

last week, there were fears that any 

attempt to arrest Kanu if he returns home 

for the burial may cause another round 

of trouble. 

Sunday Vanguard gathered that since 

after the military invasion of Kanu’s home 

in September 2017, the police had 

maintained a security post at the entrance 

of Afaraukwu through Factory Road, 

Umuahia. 

Afaraukwu hosts Abia Government 

House, Ojukwu Bunker, state police 

headquarters as well as the headquarters 

of other security agencies in the state. 

Residents expressed the hope that the 

Federal Government would allow Kanu 

to return home to bury his parents in line 

with custom. 

But the Kanu family, through their 

spokesman, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, said 

the family had not taken any decision on 

whether the pro-Biafra group leader will 

come home for the burial or not, stressing 

that even if he does not come, their parents 

would be given befitting burial. 

IPOB also, through its Media and 

Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, 

stated that it will disclose whether Kanu 

would be coming home for the burial or 

not. 

PARENT 

ARENTS’ BURIAL ON FEBRUAR 

ARY 14: 

1 

Kinsmen divided 

over Nnamdi 

Kanu’s return 

But the Commissioner of Police (CP) for 

Abia State, Mr. Ene Okon, has vowed to 

arrest Kanu if he steps foot on Abia soil 

for the burial. 

The CP explained that the police would 

need no further order from the court to 

arrest the IPOB leader since he had 

already been declared wanted by a court 

of competent jurisdiction. 

In an interview with Sunday Vanguard, 

some chiefs of Afaraukwu said they would 

have loved Kanu to return as is customary 

so that he could take part in the burial 

rites for his parents. 

Others warned that his return may 

trigger another crisis that could lead to 

another invasion of the community by 

security agencies. 

They noted that the community was yet 

to recover from military invasion of 

Kanu’s home which allegedly claimed 

over 20 lives in September 2017. 

A native of Afaraukwu, Chinwe 

Abaraikwu , said that as the first son of 

the family, it will be a taboo for the IPOB 

leader to be absent from the burial of his 

parents. 

His words; “Nnamdi Kanu is our 

beloved son. As the first son of his parents, 

custom demands that he should be 

around during the burial of his parents. 

His father was a traditional ruler of the 

community, and tradition demands there 

are certain rites he, as first son, should 

perform. 

•Deceased parents 

“But the issue is whether the Federal 

Government will not 

arrest him if he comes 

back for the burial. You 

know the police have 

been threatening to 

arrest him anywhere 

he is sighted. 

“Last time, the police 

even came to search 

the palace believing 

that Nnamdi Kanu 

was back.” 

Others believed it 

was better for Kanu to 

remain abroad than to 

return for the burial 

and get arrested 

which may lead to a 

repeat of the mayhem 

witnessed in 2017. 

“He was declared 

wanted by the court 

and the police have 

been threatening to 

arrest the IPOB leader 

if he returns to Abia. It 

will be better that 

Kanu to stay wherever 

he is, for the sake of peace in Afaraukwu. 

If he returns for the burial, the police and 

A native of 

Afaraukwu, 

Chinwe 

Abaraikwu, said 

that as the first son 

of the family, it will 

be a taboo for the 

IPOB leader to be 

absent from the 

burial of his 

parents. 

•Nnamdi Kanu 

army may use it as 

an excuse to kill 

more people during 

the burial”, one of 

those who spoke to 

Sunday Vanguard 

anonymously said. 

“Seeing what 

happened when 

soldiers invaded his 

house, how would 

anybody ask 

Nnamdi Kanu to 

return home for his 

parent’s burial? Let 

those at home bury 

the dead, than the 

IPOB leader coming 

home and get into 

trouble”. 

Meanwhile, a youth leader of one of the 

pro Biafra groups who preferred 

anonymity said arrangements had been 

concluded to mobilize youths to provide 

security for Kanu if he returns for the 

burial. 

“Nnamdi Kanu is the people’s general. 

We will provide security for him if wants 

to come for the burial. He should come 

home, no harm will come to him”, he said. 

“We the youths of Biafra have concluded 

arrangements to protect should be return 

home for his parent’s burial and nothing 

will happen to him. Kanu has not done 

anything that could warrant his being 

declared wanted.” 

The Afraukwu community appears 

confident that despite whatever action the 

military or police may take if the IPOB 

leader comes home for the burial, they 

will turn out en masse to give their 

monarch a befitting burial.


BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF APGA: 

A: 

I am the legitimate 

National Chairman 

—Njoku 

Chief Edozie Njoku was elected as the 

National Chairman of All Progressives 

Grand Alliance, APGA, in Owerri, last 

year, but was stopped from assuming 

leadership by court injunctions. In this 

interview, he speaks on the decision of 

the person, who instituted the suit 

leading to the injunction, Victor Oye, to 

discontinue his case. Njoku also speaks 

on his plans to rebuild the party. 

By Levinus Nwabughiogu 

ast week, it was reported that you have 

Lreturned as the National Chairman of 

APGA. Can you tell us what transpired? 

APGA conducted two parallel conventions. 

One was done in Owerri and another one held 

in Awka. APGA agreed to hold the convention 

in Owerri on May 31, 2019. This decision was 

made in 2018. Congresses took place in May. 

The results of the congresses nationwide were 

completely against Oye. He decided to 

schedule an emergency National Executive 

Committee, NEC, meeting. They excluded 

many BoT members like Bianca Ojukwu and 

Chief Victor Umeh. After the convention in 

Owerri, Oye’s tenure should have ended on 

June 6, but on June 5, he filed a case in Abuja 

to restrain me from carrying out my functions 

as national chairman. 

Did you win at the convention? 

I won and emerged as the national 

chairman. At the convention, we had 

legitimate delegates. Why did he obtain an 

injunction that I should not be recognised? 

He withdrew the case when he saw he could 

not substantiate his claim. Didn’t he know I 

am now the legitimate national chairman of 

APGA when he withdrew the 

case? 

Have you met with 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, and what are they 

saying? 

This thing just happened last 

Thursday. We would write to 

them. 

What about some other 

stakeholders of the party? Are 

they aware? 

All the stakeholders of the 

party believed that justice 

would prevail and we are glad 

the controversy is over now. 

APGA is controlling only 

one state, Anambra. Has the 

governor also been put on 

notice? 

The governor is the leader of 

the party. He is our BoT 

Chairman. A lot of discussions 

are ongoing. I wouldn’t like to speak about 

them. 

You were quoted to have said that you 

would bring back all who left the party. How 

do you intend to achieve that? 

I said I would ensure those who left return to 

the party. 

I mentioned the name of Ugo Agbala as an 

example. He is from Enugu State. Someone 

asked if I would work to bring back Chekwas 

Okorie and I said yes. I don’t think the party 

treated him fairly. I haven’t had any discussion 

with Peter Obi. He is an old member of APGA. 

It would be very nice if he returns to the party 

as an old member. Let us conclude the work 

we started in APGA, but I think Peter Obi is 

quite comfortable in PDP. 

Have you had a one-on-one with people 

like Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu? 

Yes, we have had many discussions but she is 

not happy with so many things that happened. 

I don’t think she has any problem with the 

party. Her real grouse is about the person who 

paraded himself as the party chairman, who 

she considered incapable. 

Do you think the judgement of the court or 

the lifting of those injunctions has actually 

gone down well with the other faction? 

I think that because of the way Oye joined 

the party, he feels being the national chairman 

is a right. It is a privilege that should be given 

by members. If members of the party decide 

that they don’t want you or decide that they 

don’t want me to be their national chairman 

one of us should be honourable enough to 

give up that position. Whether he is happy or 

not, he should look at the way things are. You 

can’t force yourself on people. 

Have you met with the members of your 

faction after the last court ruling? 

Yes, we have been having meetings. We are 

actually touring all the zones starting from 

next week. In all the six geopolitical zones, 

national officers are going around to know 

what really is on the ground because we cannot 

really take anything for granted. 

All the 

stakeholders of 

the party 

believed that 

justice would 

prevail and we 

are glad the 

controversy is 

over now 

•Njoku 

Talking about structures on the ground, 

most people feel APGA is 

as good as dead. They seem 

not to be happy with the 

relationship with the ruling 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC… 

APGA is more or less a 

sleeping giant and it is 

unfortunate that we didn’t 

have the right leadership 

when people wanted to 

rebuild APGA. The party was 

not really formed just for the 

Igbo cause. It was formed for 

the marginalized. Wherever 

you find that you needed a 

platform to express yourself, 

APGA is the answer. 

Isn’t the party subsumed 

in APC now? 

No, it is not subsumed in 

APC. I don’t have any 

problem with parties 

merging or having an 

understanding, but it should 

be done with the blessing of 

the party faithful. A few people at the top just 

decided that they were going to support the 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 

administration of Goodluck Jonathan. That 

was how APGA started supporting the PDP. It 

was also done in the Buhari era. Similarly, in 

this era, a few people just got up and decided 

to support the APC. 

Does APGA stand a chance in future 

elections? 

Every party stands a chance if the right thing 

is done. When you have no plan nothing will 

happen. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. We 

do not plan in APGA. We have to rebuild the 

party without sentiments. We should look for 

the best without sentiments and we will have a 

party that does primaries. If we succeed in 

doing that, many people who may want to 

join the PDP or APC will come to APGA. 

Do you also subscribe to the idea that all 

election matters should be concluded before 

swearing-in? 

I think it is a very good idea. For example, 

what happened in Imo State is going to affect 

the state because a lot of projects were actually 

awarded by former Governor Emeka 

Ihedioha. Now, what would happen to the 

Read more on 

www.vanguardngr.com 

Ojukwu gave me staff of 

office in Chekwas Okorie’s 

presence —Ukaegbu 

All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, 

chieftain, Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu, 

speaks on the crisis rocking the party 

and the call for election in Abia North 

among other issues. Excerpts: 

BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE 

•Ukaegbu 

our party, APGA, has been torn apart by 

Ycrisis. What is the way forward? 

APGA has no elected official across the 

federation. There was an attempt albeit 

illegally to organize congresses to elect 

national, state, local government and ward 

officers of the party which was apposite to the 

APGA Constitution. The tenure of the last 

executive expired on the 15th of May 2019. A 

High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State ordered thennational 

executive of the party to hold a 

national convention and other congresses on 

or before 15th of May, 2019 which was their 

last day in office. Under the APGA 

Constitution, only the sitting executive 

committee can conduct elective congresses. 

The APGA Constitution also envisages a 

situation whereby the executive 

may not be able to conduct 

elective congresses within its 

tenure. In such instance, the 

Constitution provides for 

convocation of a national 

convention solely for the 

purpose of extending the tenure 

of the executive committee by 

not more than 90 days. In this 

instance, this was not done, the 

party waited for the expiration 

of their tenure. But rather than 

seek for extension after their 

tenure, they proceeded to 

organize congresses after a 

court had found that their tenure 

had expired. Another court in 

Kwale , Delta State, struck out 

the congresses they held. And as 

of today, APGA has no valid 

ward, local government, state, 

zonal and national officers. 

Anybody parading himself as 

such is fake and deceiving the 

public. Conversely, owing to the 

order of court in Abia State, I 

remain in office pending the determination 

of the substantive suit we filed. The order of 

the court pronouncing me Chairman is now 

subject to a suit at the Court of Appeal. Until 

this order is set aside, I remain in office. 

Therefore, I’m the only remaining officer of 

APGA across the federation. Other offices have 

expired by effluxion of time. I am technically 

the Acting National Chairman of APGA and I 

have written to INEC informing them about 

the state of affairs in the party as well as my 

desire to proceed to convene the relevant 

congresses and convention to elect new officers 

of the party. 

Way forward for APGA 

The way forward is to return to the APGA 

Constitution and the visions of the founding 

fathers of the party. I’m in touch with most of 

the founding fathers of APGA, they are not 

happy with the sordid state of affairs in the 

party. Some of them have left, but I have a 

special covenant with APGA, and without risk 

I hold the sacred 

‘ofo’ of the party 

given to me on the 

17th of January, 

2004 by Dim 

Chukwuemeka 

Odumegwu- 

Ojukwu at Ikot 

Ekpene 

of contradiction, I hold the sacred ‘ofo’ of the 

party given to me on the 17th of January, 2004 

by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu 

at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State and 

witnessed by the founding chairman of APGA, 

Chief Chekwas Okorie and Chief Onwuka 

Ukwa. That ‘ofo’ resides with me till date. I 

can’t abandon it for anything; this is why I 

remain in APGA. And this is why I am 

committed to putting the party back on track 

on the vision of its founding fathers. 

On Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Gov. Willie 

Obiano 

I leave him to be judged by history. If he is 

doing well, it is up to him. If he is paying 

Ojukwu in good coin, it is also up to him. 

Why has APGA not won any state beside 

Anambra? 

This is not true. APGA won Imo State in 

2011. In 2015, we were on the verge of winning 

Abia before the forces of darkness truncated 

that victory. It is still the same forces of 

darkness that had kept the party in limbo. The 

struggle for the soul of APGA and to reposition 

the party started after the 2019 elections .I 

know before the 2021 polls in Anambra, we 

will get our acts together. APGA will show why 

it is a mass oriented party. We are sure of not 

only retaining Anambra, but also overriding 

the South-East. 

Abia North no longer has representation 

in the Senate following the imprisonment of 

Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. What is your take on 

the matter? 

There is nothing strange in Abia North not 

having a representative at the Senate. I rely 

on the pronouncement of the Federal High 

Court, Lagos Division while ruling on Kalu’s 

application for bail. One of the grounds Kalu 

relied for bail was that he ought to be allowed 

to go and represent his senatorial district who 

voted for him. And the judge reminded him 

that his senatorial district knew he was under 

trial and they also knew the likelihood of his 

conviction and voted him. So, the senatorial 

district knew the risk they were taking by voting 

and this can no longer be used as an excuse 

for bail. The senatorial zone took the risk and 

now they are suffering it. The only unique thing 

in the case of Kalu and Abia North is the 

reluctance of the Senate to apply the basic 

laws under Sections 66 and 68 of the 

Constitution which talk about the issue of 

eligibility for membership of legislative 

houses in Nigeria. From December 5th when 

he was convicted, Kalu ceased to be a member 

of the Senate. This is the law of 

the land. Under which law are 

people saying he should be 

allowed to exhaust his right to 

appeal? Those canvassing such 

views are relying on the 

provisions of the Electoral Act, 

but they forgot that the 

Constitution supersedes the 

Act. The provision of the law 

that an elected member will 

remain in office until he 

exhausts his right of appeal 

only relate sto the challenge to 

the seat which he occupies, not 

when it rests on his 

qualification to assume office. 

The Nigerian Constitution 

provides qualification for a 

person to be a member of the 

Senate or the House of 

Representatives. One of the 

qualifications is that you must 

not be under a sentence from 

any court in Nigeria 

bordering on fraud or 

financial misappropriation. Therefore, with 

his imprisonment by the court, Kalu has lost 

the qualification to continue to sit in the 

Senate or receive allowances. This is the 

position of the law. It was not made to 

victimize Kalu, it was stated clearly in our 

law books. 

Are you not worried that the matter took 

more than eight years before conclusion? 

I am not worried; the issue is that in Nigeria 

we are yet to determine if we really want to 

fight corruption or condone it. And the APC 

led Federal Government is guilty of double 

standard in the anti graft war. If government 

is really committed to fight corruption, the 

Senate won’t have said they will continue to 

pay Kalu’s salaries and allowances until he 

exhausts his right of appeal. In America, would 

a convicted senator remain in his position 

Read more on 


PAGE 20 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 

Embarrassing moments that make you cringe with shame! 

What happens when 

your seemingly 

well-laid plans for a 

mind-blowing quality time 

with your partner goes awry? 

It is the worst nightmare even 

for the brave hearted. Here are 

some hair-raising experiences 

gathered for your delight, of 

some of the brave victims of intimacy 

plans gone wrong! “I’d 

met a lovely girl at a bachelor’s 

eve,’ said Steven, a 29-yearold 

information technologist; 

and she invited me into the 

house when I gave her a lift. 

One thing led to the other and 

we were going at things hammer 

and tongs. Mid-passion, 

her bedroom door flew open - 

and there barged in a horrified, 

middle-aged woman. “Mum,” 

the poor girl was petrified. Her 

mum made me get dressed and 

marched me, shame-faced out 

of the house. Needless to say, 

I never saw the girl again.' 

For all of you out there whose 

mobile phones now rule their 

love lives, Kate’s experience 

might make you a bit more cautious. 

“My boyfriend and I 

have the most sophisticated of 

mobile phones,” she recalled, 

“and we were into sextexting.” 

We still do, but since 

an incident some nine months 

ago, we’re more careful. I’d 

been transferred from head office 

to relieve another colleague 

some 100 kilometres 

away and the only time we 

could be together was over the 

weekend. Naturally, I missed 

him like crazy, especially our 

sizzling love life. 

“During one of our precious 

times together. Ken, my boyfriend, 

suggested we took 

some saucy photographs, with 

his mobile to remind him of 

how beautiful I was. One thing 

led to the other and we both 

stripped off and he started 

snapping,recording every 

steamy second of our love-making. 

Later in the week, Ken 

sent the photos to my mobile, 

with raunchy, explicit captions. 

It was really a turn-on. I tell 

you. 

“After that, we constantly 

took saucy photos, then sent titillating 

texts. Our exciting secret 

certainly kept our love alive. 

Ken then bought me another 

sophisticated mobile and my 

mum wondered if she could 

have my old one. I thought of 

Ken’s naughty messages in the 

memory and quickly assured 

mum she could have the phone 

after I’d cleared the memory. 

She would flip if she read any 

of the messages. So I deleted 

the lot and handed over the 

phone to her. A week later, my 

sister who still lived at home 

called me up. She was laughing 

hysterically. “I think you’d 

better get your phone back from 

Mum’, she said between 

laughs. ‘You might have deleted 

all of Ken’s texts, but you forgot 

about those photographs/ 

My heart nearly popped out of 

my chest. I was horrified. I 

had completely forgotten to 

delete the raunchy pictures. 

And now, my poor mum had 

seen x-rated photos of Ken 

and me making love-all in 

pornographic close up - and 

with the raunchy captions too. 

Mortified, I phoned Ken. 

‘God, no!’ he screamed. I will 

never be able to face your 

mum again. So what about 

me? I said, still flustered, I 

knew then I had to get my 

phone back right away. When 

mum let me in, her face was 

like granite. ‘Is there anything 

in there you want to 

save?’ she said, her voice 

clipped, handling the phone 

like it was poison. I wished I 

could disappear into thin air! 

I quickly took the phone off 

her and left. Poor mum, she’d 

never been quite open about 

sex, and to now be confronted 

with her ‘nice’ girl’s sexual 

exploits must have made her 

cringe. 

‘’That was nine months ago 

and she’d never referred to it 

since then. When Ken and I 

get together these days, our 

mobiles are well and truly 

switched off. From now on, our 

steamy lovemaking sessions 

are for our eyes only. 

The Boss's Wife (Humour) 

Jill was a very attractive girl 

who was also an excellent secretary. 

Her employer’s wife, 

however, considered Jill’s appearance 

an unnecessary hazard 

and instructed her husband 

to sack her. The husband 

reasoned with his wife that the 

girl was a competent worker 

and that he had no wish to lose 

her. But the wife, who was a 

director of the company, was 

adamant. 

“If you don’t sack her, I will”, 

she stated finally. And she did. 

On hearing the news, Jill grew 

very angry. “You’re only sacking 

me because I am better 

looking than you!”, she told 

the boss’s wife. And added: “I 

know that I’m better looking 

than you because your husband 

told me so.” 

The wife made no reply, and 

Jill made a final crack. “And I 

can kiss better than you - so 

there!” The wife couldn’t contain 

herself any longer and 

asked: “I suppose my husband 

told you that too?” 

“No, Jill replied sweetly,” “It 

was your chauffeur”. 

Y 

OUR column to express your loving 

thoughts in words to your 

sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow 

and let him or her know how dearly you feel. 

Write now in not more than 75 words to: The 

Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, 

Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: 

sundaylovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark 

your envelope: “LOVE NOTES" 

Moving on 

When we define love for ourselves 

What did we leave out? 

We reach the limit with the end unseen? 

I see me in your eyes 

And I look almost like you 

Does loving me mean loving you? 

In your eyes, we move as one 

Love goes on as we go away… 

Moving on, loving on, our many ways. 

Kingsley Alumona 

kingsley.alumona@yahoo.com 

The lonely lady 

Why are you so lonely? Why 

the bottled happiness? The 

beautiful flying butterfly has 

flowers’ nectars to suck. Why 

don’t you fly your heart to suck 

my heart’s nectar. It is time to 

be happy again.It is time to 

have zest for life because you 

have a friend in me. 

Percy Vwes. 

romanticblack13@outlook.com 

07054349513


S p o n s o r s h i p / 

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DISCLAIMER! 

Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in 

or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does 

so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking. 

Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of 

requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore 

request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to 

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COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVEL 

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By Josephine Agbonkhese 

08054650907 

Email: jossynovia@gmail.com 

AYO BASSEY: 

Her beauty 

entrepreneurs 

The CEO of COC Beauty School, Ayo Bassey, is a multi-talented cosmetologist and herbologist 

vast in the production of skincare, haircare, makeup products and perfumes. 

A serial entrepreneur and business coach, the UK, US, India and Spain-trained has, in the last 

ten years, raised over 100 beauty entrepreneurs in over 10 countries. She tells more on how 

she’s raising a generation of beauty entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond. 

What propelled the birth of COC 

Beauty School? 

It’s a long story. While in my final 

year in the university, I decided I wanted to 

own a cosmetic brand. I wanted a wide range 

of safe, luxurious and nourishing cosmetic 

products alongside a clothing line. I looked 

for where to learn production in Nigeria but 

couldn’t find. It was of concern to me because 

I found where to learn fashion designing for 

my clothing line dream but never found a 

cosmetic product formulation institute. I was 

tempted to give up but at some point, I got 

motivated. I chose to take a bold step to travel 

out and learn. 

I met my first instructor, Perry Romanowski, 

a US-based cosmetic chemist; I learned a great 

deal from him. I desired more, so, I enrolled 

in Institute of Natural & Modern Cosmetics 

in India and then Sandir Perfume School in 

Spain, and later, Formula Botanica in the U.K. 

I did other short courses here and there. 

After all the learning, I decided to launch 

my first product line. While developing my 

product line, my heart told me to launch a 

school, and not a product line, and that was it! 

I thought about all the people that were in 

my shoes and couldn’t find where to learn. 

What if they give up? I felt, why keep so much 

knowledge within when you can use it to build 

others? I invested the money for my product 

line into setting up COC Beauty School and 

I’ve never looked back. 

Tell us about the school? 

COC Beauty School is a Nigerian-based 

institute that teaches cosmetic product 

formulation from scratch. We teach how to 

make a variety of products in skincare, hair 

care, makeup and perfumery (creams, soaps, 

serums, scrubs, shampoos, conditioners, 

lipsticks, eye shadows, body mists, perfumes, 

etc.) 

We raise beauty entrepreneurs. We do this by 

imparting them with required formulation 

skill before giving them business direction on 

how to launch beauty businesses and selling 

the products that they learned to make 

What are the top three skills required 

before one can venture into the business of 

cosmetology? 

First, the ability to visualise the end from 

the beginning. One has to have a clear 

direction of what one wants to achieve and 

why. 

Second, formulation skill. One needs to 

understand how formulation works so that 

innovation can step in. One also needs to know 

and understand the ingredients, how they 

work, how they are used and what to expect 

when used. 

Third, business skill. The cosmetic industry 

is unique and very competitive. Getting ahead 

requires mastering top cosmetic business 

•Ayo Bassey 

secrets and strategies. 

A good thing is that we help 

our students develop all of these 

skills. 

What risks do you currently 

face as a cosmetic formulator 

operating in Nigeria? 

Having to shop from some 

of our local suppliers is the 

major risk that comes to mind; 

the risk of purchasing raw 

materials without knowing if 

they have been tampered with 

or not. A lot of our local 

suppliers currently adulterate 

their ingredients and this has 

an adverse effect on products 

created. Most of the time, we 

can only determine an 

ingredient’s authenticity 

during production and that’s a 

challenge because by then, you 

must have already purchased 

it and spent a lot while using it 

for formulation. 

What differentiates a trained 

beauty entrepreneur from one 

that is self-taught? 

Trained beauty entrepreneurs are blessed 

because they don’t have to make all the 

mistakes others make. We’ve made all the 

mistakes for them, all they need do is follow 

the laid down pathway to success. 

They are also well-grounded formulators. 

They understand the human skin, the human 

hair, how they work, what ingredients they can 

take safely and what they cannot take. They 

understand what ingredients proportions to 

use based on skin type, race, climate and 

more. They can detect issues and give ideal 

solutions that are healthy. They 

understand the required tests that 

products must undergo before 

selling and they stick by it. 

From example, our curriculum 

at COC follows FDA (Food and 

Drug Administration) standards 

of making products and because 

of that, products from our 

alumni can compete anywhere 

in the world. 

Well-trained beauty 

entrepreneurs make the safest 

and most effective products. 

Our alumni are not 

roadside mixologists or 

pro-mixers. They 

know why each 

ingredient is 

used and why 

every 

We raise beauty 

entrepreneurs. We 

do this by 

imparting them 

with required 

formulation skill 

before giving them 

business direction 

on how to launch 

beauty businesses 

and selling the 

products that they 

learned to make 

single step is taken in 

production; they are 

scientifically sound 

formulators.” 

Do you offer any career 

services or job placement 

assistance to those who 

pass through COC? 

We find that we attract 

students that simply want 

to learn, then go on to own 

businesses. For that, we 

help teach them the 

necessary skills and 

provide coaching support 

through the process. 

Last year, we opened up 

opportunities that 

witnessed the recruitment 

of some of our past 

students as instructors. 

This year, we’ll be 

travelling out for two 

major beauty trade shows in Dubai and 

Istanbul, strictly with past students so they can 

exhibit their products, meet buyers, stockists, 

get new clientele and expose their products to 

the international market. 

We also plan on taking advantage of local 

trade shows in Nigeria and other countries in 

Africa. 

Aside the trade shows, we have 

developed a new exciting 

support product that would 

advance the careers of our 

graduates; that’s our beauty 

resource magazine which 

we hope to launch in a few 

weeks. 

We also have a beauty 

tour slated for next 

month, February 1 to 11 

precisely, in which we 

will be travelling with 

10 amazing students to 

the city of Dubai. 

This will enable 

them explore the 

cosmetic industry from 

an international 

perspective. 

During this tour, 

students will be learning 

from three of U.A.E’s 

experts in the field of 

soap making, 

perfumery and scented 

candles. They will be 

exploring Dubai’s raw 

material market, 

luxury packaging 

options and aesthetics. 

They would explore the 

history of Arabian 

perfumery from the 

archives that have been set 

up in the Dubai perfume 

museum. Imagine learning 

formulas from generations 

before us just by reading their 

notes stored in a precious 

place. 

This tour will be a total 

exposure to the billion dollar 

cosmetic industry from a 

different light. 

Why Dubai? 

We chose Dubai for a number 

of reasons. 

First, it’s easy to get a visa for a 

group, no long requirements and the city 

is beautiful. 

Second, perfumery is part of the UAE culture. 

Their knowledge is wide in the art of 

perfumery. So, getting our formulators to tap 

from their knowledge is a big deal worth 

celebrating. 

Third, they have an accessible market where 

one can get a variety of raw materials in 

abundance. Great packaging, great 

ingredients and very understanding sellers that 

would be willing to ship to any participant’s 

base often. 

As an entrepreneur, what is non-negotiable 

to you? 

First, my values. I don’t compromise on my 

values and I have a lot of them. An example is 

quality over quantity; I’ll rather work with one 

solid thing than a bunch of mediocre things. 

Second, failure is not an option. Either we 

win or we figure out a way to win, then win. 

Failure is not in my dictionary. 

Also, I can never negotiate on client 

satisfaction. I do everything humanly possible 

within my principles to ensure a client is 

satisfied and gets whatever value promised.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 23 

He gave his friend’s fiance a mind-blowing wedding gift! 

Agroup of us was hav 

ing this heated con 

versation about 

how fickle men really were 

and how ready they always 

were to have a fling whenever 

the opportunity presented 

itself, no matter how 

serious their current relationship 

was. Phil disagreed 

but was reluctant to 

discuss details in front of 

so many listeners. So I cornered 

him later. What happened 

to him all those 

years ago, he smirked, still 

leaves a dirty smile on his 

face whenever he remembers. 

His story; “I’d always 

envied Festus in spite of the 

fact that we were good 

friends. He had the good 

looks that girls easily went 

for, on top of which, he was 

a co-owner of a finance 

house in the era of the proliferation 

of finance houses. 

His two cars were none of 

your tokunbo variety and he 

also had a bevy of sexy girlfriends 

to boot. 

“Most of them were in the 

banking business like 

Festus whilst I worked in a 

Federal Ministry. But we’d 

been friends since our university 

days and our relationship 

worked. He liked 

the flashy lifestyle and I was 

happy to tag along with 

him. In spite of his string of 

girlfriends, he made the effort 

to introduce me to Lola 

soon after they started dating. 

“She was very cute with 

glossy skin, an impressive 

height and a curvaceous 

body. I smiled, thinking this 

relationship would soon go 

the way of the others and it 

was usually Festus that 

gave the girls the boots. 

But a few months later, it 

was obvious that Lola was 

special to him. He didn’t 

hop around girls as he 

used to and even Maria, 

the ex-girlfriend we were 

all familiar with and 

who’d always had sex with 

Festus on and off through 

his many relationships, 

was off the scene. He 

didn’t hang out with us 

much on Friday nights 

though we still had a few 

nights out now and then. 

“When Festus confided 

in me that they would soon 

be getting married, I was 

actually jealous. I know 

that sounds inconsiderate, 

but Festus was my best 

friend, and through him, 

I’d met a few friends of his 

gorgeous girlfriends. Now 

he would be too busy planning 

and saving for the 

wedding to have time for 

his friends. So when the 

Easter period came and 

we planned the usual holiday 

in a neighbouring 

country, I was pleasantly 

surprised when Festus 

agreed to come with Lola. 

Well, that was better than 

not having him around at 

all as he often picked up 

a few tabs. I would have 

to forget about meeting 

any girl through him even 

though I was in-between 

girlfriends, and Lola 

wouldn’t be bringing any 

friends. 

“The first night was 

great as we relaxed by the 

pool of the hotel we 

lodged at and went to the 

night club later. The next 

day, Festus came down 

with a nasty diarrhoea 

and couldn’t do much. But 

he urged me to take Lola 

with us for the much advertised 

Easter Sunday 

bash. Up till then, I’d fancied 

her and we’d flirted 

outrageously, but that was 

it. I never thought for a 

moment that anything 

would ever come of it. At 

the Easter party, we 

started off ok, but as the 

wine flowed, so did flirting. 

When Festus was 

around, it was just fun, without 

him, the tension became 

real. There was the 

feeling that we just might 

end up in bed together. I 

couldn’t believe my luck! I 

knew I should put a stop to 

things right then, but I also 

realized I couldn’t. 

Chances like this didn’t 

come my way that often. 

The other couples left and 

I asked Lola to drink up so 

I could drive her back to 

the hotel. 

“By this time, we’d both 

had too much drink. In the 

car, I tried to talk about the 

impending wedding, but 

when I mentioned it, Lola 

grabbed my crotch. I was 

shocked. I should have put 

a stop to things right then 

but when she suggested we 

parked somewhere quiet, I 

didn’t hesitate. As she 

made a play for me, it was 

the invitation I was looking 

for. She giggled mischievously 

as I reclined the 

seat of the roomy car and 

the sex that night was the 

most incredible of my life. 

The fact that I was having 

a bit of the forbidden fruit 

just made the turn-on better. 

The blow job she gave 

me was out of this world 

and she knew just when to 

slip a condom on me, talking 

real dirty and telling 

me she’d never had such a 

mind-blowing sex. That 

boosted my ego no end-for 

once, I was doing something 

better than Festus. 

“It was incredible luck 

that we never got caught as 

we both came very loudly. 

When it was over, I was suddenly 

sober and hugged 

her, hoping we could do it 

again. But Lola was obviously 

feeling guilty and terrified 

I’d tell Festus. She 

apologized over and over 

again, saying she shouldn’t 

have lost control like she 

did. I promised I wouldn’t 

tell Festus and I meant it. I 

felt guilty too but never 

would I regret that kind of 

sexual experience. 

“We were awkwardly 

quiet on the drive back to 

the hotel and I felt sorry for 

Lola. The sex was just flirting 

that got out of hand after 

too many booze, and I 

was sure the experience 

was bound to affect my 

friendship with Festus. He 

noticed the atmosphere between 

us the next day and I 

lied that we hadn’t got on 

that well on our own - that 

we didn’t have that much 

in common. My friend was 

too conceited to suspect 

any thing that happened. 

Deep down, however, I knew 

Lola fancied me, and that 

last night she’d wanted me 

more than her fiance. That 

gave my ego a real boost! 

“As the day of their wedding 

drew near, I saw much 

less of the two of them. Even 

on the few times I was 

alone with her, neither of us 

mentioned our night of 

passion or flirted. After they 

got married, Lola avoided 

me. I wasn’t jealous, Festus 

married her - afterall, I 

knew only too well what 

Lola could get up to behind 

his back. I was relieved 

when Festus chose his 

younger brother to be best 

man. If I’d been chosen, 

heavens only knew what 

type of speech I would have 

delivered...” 

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 

By Joshua Adeyemo joshuaadeyemo@yahoo.com 

ABOUT THE MOON 

Periods of the Moon’s fluctuation as given here-under, 

are when unexpected frustrations and disappointments 

are possible .And those are the times when other people 

should not be taken for granted. Any period with hysteric (*) 

should be handled more carefully. However if I write 

that such periods/days favour you, you have no cause 

to worry. Therefore you are advised to plan your week 

carefully. Such periods/days are: 

12 mid-night to 12.46am of Sunday (same day) 

2.10am to 12.52pm of Wednesday (same day) 

4.11pm of Friday to12.29am of Saturday 

.During the week, Moon will go through Aquarius, Pisces, 

Aries and Taurus. 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) 

BUSINESS; It is important you take advantage of your very 

active mind. 

MONEY; Both your efforts and support from others’ll bring 

success. Utilise Monday. 

LOVE; Desire for money may not allow free flow of romantic 

feelings. Utilise Saturday. 

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 19) 

BUSINESS; If you appear too soft, others’ll be willing to 

intimidate you wrongly. 

MONEY; Much’ll depend on your actions and/or inaction. 

Wake up from slumber 

LOVE; Think about your image, immediate and far future 

before important decision. 

ARIES ( Mar 20 – Apr 19) 

BUSINESS; You’re a born fighter in many ways. Exhibit your 

positive talents. 

MONEY; Your initiative will bring you good results, especially 

on Friday. 

LOVE; Social activities may provide better opportunities from 

Thursday to Saturday. 

TAURUS ( Apr 20 – May 20) 

BUSINESS; Your popularity is soaring up but you will need 

to beware of avoidable accident. 

MONEY; Tuesday’ll bring both challenges and good result. 

Keep your secrets on Friday. 

LOVE; Take seriously some friends who are trying to play 

role of good intermediaries 

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) 

BUSINESS; To succeed, you’ve got to resist temptation of 

mixing business and pleasure. 

MONEY; Friday can be said to be best of good days of this 

week for you. Be smart. 

LOVE; Your spouse may exhibit resentment if much of your 

attention is given to strangers. 

CANCER (June 21 – July 22) 

BUSINESS; Many of you’ll show ambitious urge to excel 

along your career/business line. 

MONEY; If you can ignore distraction on Thursday you’ll 

record needed financial success. 

LOVE; Stranger and/or foreigners may become your sources 

of attraction. Be more careful 

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22) 

BUSINESS; You’ll need to be as practical as possible to 

avoid minor but costly mistakes. 

MONEY; Whatever happens you’ll smile broadly on Thursday. 

Say no to bad agreement. 

LOVE; Early part of the week’ll bring excitement. Make sure 

you don’t step on sensitive toes. 

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) 

BUSINESS; Partnership business looks deceptively attractive 

but not really the best for now. 

MONEY; If you can keep your secrets as you go after your 

desire, you’ll smile on Friday 

LOVE; Pleasure indicated early in the week but, your 

finances’ll be made to pay for this. 

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 22) 

BUSINESS : Your mind is active yet, romantic thought may 

affect your concentration at work. 

MONEY; Tuesday’ll bring success to those of you working 

harder. Be serious minded. 

LOVE; Love attractions at work’ll prove difficult for many to 

resist. Enjoy this Sunday. 

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21) 

BUSINESS; Urge to work harder’ll descend on you after 

Tuesday. Think about your health. 

MONEY; Going around with physical money’ll prove to be 

a bad mistakes. Be wise. 

LOVE; Passionate week indicated for young at heart. It is 

impossible buy real love with money. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec21) 

BUSINESS; Aggressive approach on your part may offend 

others at your base of operation. 

MONEY; Moderation on your part is what can prevent unexpected 

financial trouble on Friday. 

LOVE; Desire for romance may bring excitement but no 

pleasure after the mid-week panorama. 

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) 

BUSINESS; After mid-week, there’ll be pressure within 

your base of operation. 

MONEY; Gambling of any type can only bring painful results 

on Friday. 

LOVE; The very best for you is to seek total peace at home. Be 

family minded. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELING 4 LOVERS 

ARE THEY COMPATIBLE ? 

Kindly check these two horoscopes and tell me if they are 

compatible or not. My daughter was born October 28, 1997 

the man’s date is January 1, 1982. What days of the week were 

they born ? 

Salamotu 

Auchi 

Dear Salamotu, 

She was born on a Tuesday and the man was born on Friday. 

In terms of love and/or relationship ; to summarise her comprehensive 

Solar horoscope is to proclaim her a potential 

GOOD WIFE who must be in total control of both her husband, 

home and social activities of all. Equally she is a powerful 

protector of everything and all that are dear to her heart. 

Yes, he is aggressive, passionate and once her mind is made up, 

on matters-of-the-heart, it will prove very difficult to have a 

change of heart. Thus she desires very stable home and conducive 

domestic affairs. She can be the pillar of stability needed 

by a successful marriage. 

On his part, to understand him a bit I will give meanings of 

the three most important influences that shows both what he 

knows about himself and some of his sub-conscious self. Here 

I am writing about placement of his Natal Sun (basic self 

hood) in business minded but cool and patient Capricorn, Moon 

(sub conscious him) in compassionate Pisces and Stallion (another 

indicator of a person characteristics) in peace loving 

Libra. That is to say basic characteristics of the said three Stars 

are highly pronounced in him.

PAGE 24 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 

It’s been 50 years since the Nigeria civil 

war ended. What is your take on the 

subject matter, ‘Never Again?’ 

Well, I have a personal experience with the 

civil war. I was 16 years old and I lived in 

Gboko, Benue State at the beginning of the 

war. The war started in Benue. Nigerian troops 

entered Biafra territory through Benue, my 

community as a matter of fact and soldiers 

were stationed in Makurdi and Gboko 

principally because yo can enter northern 

Cross River State from Gboko, so I saw it. But 

more than that, there was a build-up to that 

war. In that build-up, there were some issues. 

There were riots in then-Western Nigeria 

and the present day Benue State. 

There was a controversial census 

in 1963 and the boycott of the 1964 

general elections by the East which 

produced the government. The 

build-up to the 1966 coup had to do 

with certain issues that probably even 

predated independence; maybe some people 

felt that the way government was formed after 

independence and even after the 1964 

elections was not satisfactory. Crisis 

sometimes do not happen overnight. There is 

a build-up and if you do not manage that buildup 

very well, crisis can explode into something 

that is not good for the society. So, we had the 

1966 coup. There was a pattern of that coup 

that some people suggest was responsible for 

a counter-coup against the Igbo, and that led 

to the decision by then-governor of Eastern 

Region, Colonel Emeka Odumegwu- 

Ojukwu to take the region out of Nigeria. Of 

course, there was some attempt at a 

conference in Aburi. So we had the civil war 

which started from the federal side as police 

action. But after a while, it became civil 

war. And when we talked about lessons 

learned, if what led to that war was a 

problem of the national question, maybe 

we have not done enough to address that 

question. 

But the other point is also that in a 

country of more than 600 ethnic groups, 

when you talk about justice, fairness and 

equity, it must apply to all, not just one 

particular group. To some of us who 

are nationalists, therefore, all ethnic 

nationalities in Nigeria are entitled to 

fairness, equity and justice. 

In your own estimation, do you 

think those things have been well 

addressed? 

Well, in measures. For example, 

when then-Head of State, General 

Yakubu Gowon, created 12 states 

at the beginning of the war, he 

seemed to have addressed the 

agitation for creation of more 

regions. You know we started 

our Nigerian federation 

with three regions but, by 

1963, we had the 

Midwest Region 

created out of Western 

Region but there were 

agitations for more 

states. In northern 

Nigeria, there was 

agitation for a region 

in the north-east 

spearheaded by the 

Borno Youth Movement and there was also 

an agitation in the middle-belt region 

spearheaded by the United Middle-Belt 

Congress. And in the Eastern Region, you had 

agitation for Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers Region. 

But, more than that, when we had 

constitutional government under military rule 

in 1979, there was an attempt to introduce 

into our Constitution certain principles like 

the federal character principle. Some people 

said that principle attempts to address 

lopsided representation in national 

governance but it also has the tendency to shortchange 

competition. That is an argument 

which persists. I think that agitation continues 

for greater equity, greater fairness and greater 

justice in Nigeria and one can see where that 

is reasonable because there have been 

questions of fiscal federalism for example: 

what happens to the resources of Nigeria? Do 

we have too much of those federally generated 

or appropriated resources going to the Federal 

Government? I believe we can give more 

resources to states and local governments. 

How far are we implementing federal 

character? Maybe attempts at 

implementation have not been good enough; 

so there are all these questions. But injustice is 

not something that can be said to be meted 

out to only one section of the country. I don’t 

want to talk about my community. We have 

done a lot for this country but they pretend as 

if we don’t exist or they think we don’t have the 

capacity to threaten secession. But people from 

my community, about 60% of them, fought 

the civil on behalf of Nigeria but people 

pretend that that sacrifice is not important. 

We are nothing. 

Looking at the Aburi Accord that eventually 

failed and other issues that culminated into 

the civil war; would you say Ojukwu was 

right in calling for that secession? 

I saw an opinion piece written by an Igbo 

person blaming Ojukwu for not listening to 

Zik among others. He said Ojukwu was 

possibly so upset with the killing of the Igbo in 

other parts of Nigeria and how the crisis turned 

out to be that he was not rational at that time. 

I like to put myself in his shoes and wonder 

what I would have done; it is 

very difficult to suggest that 

somebody would have been 

rational with those things that 

happened and I think whatever 

it was that started those things, 

it is possible that they could also 

go overboard. I think the 

counter-coup was probably a 

military thing. So, if it was a 

military affair, maybe it was 

enough but now spilling over 

to the communities and the 

massacre of people was ugly. 

•Professor Yima Sen 

The Igbo still feel shortchanged 

in Nigeria 50 years 

after the war. Can that be 

justified? 

This idea has been 

sensationalized. War is not 

good and when a war ends and 

you lose, you cannot celebrate. 

I want to give an example. The 

bombing of Nagasaki and 

Hiroshima remains a problem 

in Japan up till today. There 

are the effects of those bombs 

as we speak. Germans lost the 

First World War and they were very badly 

treated by the victors. They were made to pay 

reparations for losing the war and, because of 

that maltreatment, Hitler led Germans into 

the Second World War and that Second World 

War was even worse than the First World War 

for Germany, Italy and Japan. Although 

Germany is a very strong economy in Europe 

and has very industrious people, they are very 

accomplished people. If you look at the five 

decision makers for peace and security 

I think that we 

should be 

able to 

convert some 

of these 

things which 

are seen as 

threats into 

issues for 

national 

development 

matters in the world, I am talking about the 

permanent members of the United Nations 

Security Council (US, UK, France, Russia and 

China), those are the mates of Germany in the 

world. Germany should be there but they are 

not. The UN system emerged 

after WW II. After the civil war 

in the United States, the 

southern part of the America 

did not produce a President 

until the Jimmy Carter 

presidency. During the first Gulf 

War, Iraq invaded Kuwait and 

some allies from the West 

attacked Iraq. Iraq withdrew 

from Kuwait but those who 

attacked Iraq from the West 

were not satisfied and there was 

a second Gulf War and Iraq was 

virtually destroyed and the 

leader, Sadam Hussein, killed. 

Iraq has not recovered from the 

war. What I am saying is that 

war is not nice but I think 

Gowon 

deserves 

commendation for his three Rs 

(Reconciliation, Rehabilitation 

and Reconstruction) and the 

‘no victor, no vanquished’ 

principle. 

But have the Igbo actually 

been properly reintegrated? 

I know that some military 

officers from the Biafra side were reintegrated 

into the Nigerian armed forces. I know that in 

some communities, certain people who left 

their properties came back and people gave 

the properties back to them then they came 

back. And during the first democratically 

constituted government of Nigeria after the 

civil war, an Igbo person (Alex Ekwueme) was 

the number two person in government and he 

was most likely going to succeed President 

Shehu Shagari. 

2023: 

Specifically, what did you take away from the 

gathering of ‘Never Again’ in Lagos? 

What I took away from the gathering in Lagos 

was a sobering of reflection on the war. Of course, 

there were one or two emotional voices but I was 

impressed with some of the main contributors who 

were calling for reasoning but one of them talked 

about wars in history and this was an Igbo person 

and how nasty they have been to people who were 

defeated. One should never call the aftermath of a 

war as good but, to an extent, it has been because 

people are vindictive. Germany has not recovered 

from the two World Wars. 

The South-West just came up with Amotekun, a 

regional security network, to police their 

environment. There has been this debate as to 

whether it is legal or not. Is it a thing to be 

commended? 

I will answer that question like an ordinary person 

who is concerned about security all over Nigeria, 

not just in any part of Nigeria. If you look at the 

North-East, they have had to employ hunters to assist 

the armed forces to deal with Boko Haram. The 

question is who are these hunters? There have been 

all sorts of vigilante groups around Nigeria. Why 

do we need vigilante groups? There are countries 

across the world where you hardly need policing; 

you can just go about your businesses and not be 

afraid of crime. The level of insecurity in Nigeria 

today has reached a level where if people engage in 

self-help, you cannot blame them. Insecurity is no 

respecter of ethnicity or religion. I know of Fulani 

men who have been kidnapped by Fulani bandits 

in the bush and they are not interested in your 

religious or ethnic pleadings. So, if a community 

says “look, we can police our community” and if 

what they are doing is within the law or the 

Constitution, I am not opposed to that kind of 

arrangement. 

But the Federal Government through the 

Attorney General has declared it illegal? 

Well, I don’t know. I am not a member of the Federal


How the North will decide 

Buhari’s successor 

—Sen, NEF leader 

• ‘Nnamdi Kanu is the main stumbling block to Igbo’s chances' 

P 

rofessor Yima Sen is the Director-General of Northern Elders Forum, NEF. In 

this interview, Sen says successive governments’ inability to secure lives and 

property is giving rise to self-defence among other issues of national interest. 

Government but I think the person who made 

that statement is the Attorney General, who is 

a lawyer. I am not a lawyer, I am just talking 

about my reaction as an ordinary citizen of 

the country that if you bring to me the logic of 

self defence which is allowed in decent and 

civilized societies, it will be very difficult for 

me to oppose a well organized vigilante group 

which can also be monitored by security 

agencies. 

I have read statements by some people who 

said this is a prelude to secession or that it is 

an attempt to raise an army or all of that. I 

am not sure if I will go with that kind of 

reasoning. I have lived in the Yoruba 

communities in Nigeria and I don’t think 

they are really interested in a war in this 

country. 

The region is insisting that they 

will go on with Amotekun... 

It is obvious that something led 

to the formation of Amotekun. If 

you want that mechanism to be 

discontinued, has the situation 

improved? Has the insecurity 

which they are responding to 

been removed? I think 

Amotekun is to respond to a 

weakness in government’s 

ability to secure lives and 

property. So, if you have not 

improved on your ability 

to do that, do you really 

have a reason to 

discourage them? 

Do you think Nigeria is a failed state? 

Not at all! Nigeria is a traumatized state 

but not a failed state at all. What has happened 

really is that Nigeria has not lived up its 

potential. The potential of Nigeria to be a great 

nation is enormous for it to perform the way it 

is now and, this year, Nigeria will be 60 years 

as an independent country. You want to 

compare Nigeria with Rwanda and what 

Rwanda has done in the last 15 years, then 

you can say Nigeria has underperformed, it 

hasn’t failed. Maybe if you have a better 

quality of leadership, you would do better. 

How do you rate successive governments 

since after independence? Do you think they 

have also tried in putting Nigeria on a better 

pedestal? 

Nigeria has not seen his best. 

Do you hope for best? Do you think it will 

ever come? 

There are potentials for leadership in 

Nigeria. The problem, really, is that there is a 

class that has come to dominate power and 

politics in Nigeria by taking over the economy 

and governance and creating hegemony and 

this hegemonic bloc has not been able to 

provide the kind of leadership that you have 

seen produced in Kaigame’s Rwanda or in 

Morocco or maybe in Algeria or in Ghana or 

maybe in Botswana and in few other places in 

Africa. 

In specific terms, how can Nigeria actually 

reclaim its place; move to prosperity? 

You need a counter hegemonic power 

arrangement where you have progressive, 

enlightened, proactive and patriotic 

leadership. That has not happened in Nigeria 

yet. I am giving you a combination of factors. 

Some people may be patriotic but they may 

not have the capacity in Nigeria. Some people 

may be committed to leading Nigeria but they 

may not have the ability to do so but they will 

not believe you and then you have to deal with 

this question of power blocs, people that are 

called cabals. It is not only during this present 

period that you have them. They always come 

and hijack power for selfish and personal 

interests. Political scientists call that kind of 

politics prebendal politics and it has to do with 

politics and until we get rid of prebendal 

politics, we will not take Nigeria anywhere. I 

think what Kaigame has done in Rwanda is 

that, yes, you will not give him an A in human 

rights or give him an A in probity but you 

certainly will give him an A in development. 

So you have to give something to the people 

because we know that, as humans, you must 

be deficient in one thing or the other but what 

you give to the people must be in excess of 

what you take from the people. 

Going back to the issue of Amotekun, the 

governors of the south western states are the 

ones spearheading this and most of them are 

of APC and the Federal Government is also 

led by APC; do you see a clash coming? 

Where they disagree with the Federal 

Government, what do you think will happen 

eventually? 

This question suggests that the problems of 

Nigeria transcend partisan politics and I told 

you earlier about this class dynamics of Nigeria 

and politics. The people who are behind the 

scenes of power in Nigeria and are wealthy 

and are in the commanding heights of the 

Nigerian economy and the people who are the 

frontline politicians can be aggregated into 

one class called the ruling class. Now, they have 

common interest and this interest goes beyond 

partisan politics and when they are threatened 

or when their communities are threatened and 

they put pressure on them and the pressure 

that is put on them is pressure that threatens 

privileged positions, they will have to appease 

their people and protect their interest. 

Miyetti Allah has warned the South-West 

that if they don’t drop the idea of Amotekun, 

2023 presidency may elude them. How may 

you react? 

Is Miyetti Allah a political party? They are a 

community group. They are engaged in 

pressure group antics. 

Where do the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, 

stand on Amotekun? What is their position? 

The organization has not taken a stand on 

the issue. If it is discussed, you can be sure that 

my opinion will be that if government, the 

Federal Government in particular and of 

course state governments, has failed to provide 

security for the people, then they should not be 

averse or should not oppose community 

initiative so long as it is not unconstitutional 

and I think that there have been those types of 

initiatives by various communities. I am 

talking about hunters in the North-East; I am 

talking about Hisbah police. There are all sorts 

of private security guards around the country 

that are protecting people’s businesses and all 

of that; I think they are registered with 

government. And Amotekun, if it is constituted 

by state governors, I imagine that they will 

find legal framework to backup what they are 

doing and I also believe that the Nigerian 

security and defence forces should be in a 

position to monitor what these people are 

doing. I think that we should be able to convert 

some of these things which are seen as threats 

into issues for national development. 

President Buhari recently pledged to exit 

office in 2023 but was silent on which zone 

to support although there are agitations and 

interests. How do you read that? 

The issue of going away after 2023 is 

constitutional. He is just stating the obvious. 

But on whether he can determine which zone 

or who succeeds him, you ought to look at 

whether he has the interest or whether he can 

actually do it or whether that is really his 

responsibility, we have to look at those factors. 

From my own analysis, 2023 is open. Now, 

there are people who will lay claim to the 

principle of zoning that it should come to 

them. I know that there is a strong claim 

coming from the South-East but the problem 

with the claim of the South-East is that we 

have to deal with whether they are going to 

listen to Nnamdi Kanu or to politicians from 

that community. Because that is a major 

distraction or it creates a lot of confusion. Of 

course, the presidency of the country has 

stayed in the North for a long time either 

military or non-military, either elected or 

unelected. There are people who would say 

that with the presidency staying in the North, 

what has the North benefitted from the 

presidency staying in the North? The bigger 

question really is that does the ethnicity or 

the state of origin or even the religion of the 

president matter? If the person is objective, 

caters for all and he is seen as the father of the 

nation, do you know that Paul Kaigame, the 

Tutsi President of Rwanda, that his people 

constitute only 16% of that country and in the 

civil war, the Tutsi were the target of the 

genocide, they were called cockroaches? And 

like I said somewhere else, today a cockroach 

is leading that country and the people who 

were in the forefront of this attack were the 

Hutus who were the 82% of the 

population of that country. That 

is an overwhelming majority. 

There is no group in Nigeria that 

is 82% of this country, yet in 

Rwanda, a minority has been 

accepted by the whole country 

and he is leading that country to 

prosperity. 

The NEF is an important 

group going by its name but it 

does appear that these elders 

have not actually spoken up 

when it comes to 2023 politics 

and the presidency; why 

haven’t they spoken? 

No, it is too early but certainly 

we shall speak on that but we 

cannot speak on that until we 

consult with our people and we 

do plan we will have a major 

assembly which will discuss that 

kind of issue. It was planned for 

early this year and when it does 

hold, we will take a stand on 

these kinds of issues. 

Do you see the forum 

supporting the South-East or do 

you want to retain power in the North? 

I shouldn’t pre-empt things. 

But what is your own position? 

I am not opposed to it but there are 

problems of how you organize yourself for 

leadership of a country of this nature and the 

present problem from the South-East and, as 

I said earlier, we don’t know if the voices of 

secession will overwhelm the voices that want 

to be integrated into Nigeria. 

I know that there 

is a strong claim 

coming from the 

South-East but 

the problem with 

the claim of the 

South-East is that 

we have to deal 

with whether they 

are going to 

listen to Nnamdi 

Kanu or to 

politicians from 

that community 

•Professor Yima Sen 

Assuming the National Leader of APC, 

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, comes up to contest 

for President in 2023, would you buy into his 

ambition? 

I am looking forward to a leader of Nigeria 

that will give Nigeria qualitative leadership 

irrespective of where the person comes from. I 

am concerned about the failure of Nigeria to 

develop up to its optimum since independence. 

As a scholar and an analyst, I have written 

so much about that, that I am even tired talking 

about it. But, personally, I am a revolutionary 

and I believe that and I have inferred during 

this discussion that the class that has led Nigeria 

since independence has failed to maximize or 

convert the quantum of the resources of 

Nigeria into prosperity for the citizens of 

Nigeria. 

The other problem is that the alternative 

forces, let’s say, for example, leftists or 

socialists, are also not well organized, so we 

have a problem there. 

PDP leaders recently staged a peaceful 

protest against the Supreme Court ruling that 

sacked former governor of Imo State, Emeka 

Ihedioha, and brought in APC leadership in 

the state; what would you read of that 

Supreme Court judgment because many 

historians, analysts, critics are saying that 

no, they didn’t go in the right direction. You as 

a person, how would you read that and then, 

the attendant protest? 

I can only talk about that as a layman. The 

legal argument, sometimes, you have legal 

acrobatics and, sometimes, 

ordinary logic is superseded by 

legal logic. I think even some 

lawyers are also confused about 

this issue because, sometimes, 

the law is interpreted by certain 

lawyers differently; a judge may 

interpret it differently from a 

lawyer. So this is a whole new 

legal mystery. At old age, I am 

not going to read law. I am not 

interested. I have seen the 

arguments for and against that 

and I think it looks a bit weird. I 

know I am not competent to 

comment on it professionally 

because that is not my 

profession. I am amazed at what 

has happened but, in law, they 

will set their precedent, they will 

say this has happened before 

and this interpretation was 

introduced and all of that. So I 

will leave that to lawyers and to 

other analysts. But in terms of 

the reactions to it, I think people 

are just exercising themselves 

within the ambit of democratic 

practice. I don’t know whether it 

is medicine after death or 

whether maybe it is political 

masturbation. 

But as far as I am concerned, democracy in 

Nigeria, as I see it, has not fulfilled the people’s 

yearning for progress and prosperity. And you 

asked me earlier whether Nigeria has failed, 

Nigeria has not failed, maybe the practice of 

democracy in Nigeria is failing, I think really 

my concern is that Nigeria has 

underperformed.


Edo politicians: Remember 

Lassa Fever 

In a typical society, 

particularly a democ 

racy, there are two 

sides to what is generally 

known as the Social Contract 

Theory. The two sides 

are the government and the 

people. Whereas it is the 

duty of the people to perform 

civic duties such as 

voting at an election, payment 

of taxes and engaging 

in community development 

schemes; government on its 

part is to protect the people 

from every harm such as 

diseases and crimes. Government 

is also expected to 

organize policies that 

would improve the living 

standards of the people. 

Where these roles are pragmatically 

played, society 

develops rapidly but in 

many societies that are described 

as developing or underdeveloped, 

government 

is usually unable to be people-oriented. 

Instead, persons 

who find themselves in 

public office are often selfconcerned 

and as such appropriate 

societal wealth to 

only themselves. In most 

cases, the said people in 

government more known as 

the political class are always 

at war with themselves 

in the fight for material 

wealth. For long, that has 

been the fate of Nigeria. 

In Edo State, the advent 

of an egalitarian Governor, 

Godwin Obaseki gave 

many, some hope that our 

commonwealth may no 

longer be spuriously 

shared. Many policies were 

generated to create a new 

culture of governance and 

Obaseki soon got nicknamed 

‘wake and see’ governor. 

This did not go down 

well with those who had always 

fed fat on the state at 

the expense of the people. 

Contrary to the pretensions 

of Obaseki’s opponents, our 

people know that the current 

political tension in the 

state is essentially caused by 

the plan to compel the governor 

to either return to statusquo 

or get removed. 

Painfully, in all that has happened 

so far, the main victim 

is the people. Our political 

class does not seem to 

remember the Social Contract 

Theory and the expedience 

of protecting our 

people from harm, disease 

and crime; rather the state 

agenda has been dominated 

by politics. Interestingly, 

the crisis is within the 

ruling party which confirms 

that the fight is about personal 

gains. 

Only last week, some 

members of the APC in Fugar, 

Etsako Central Local 

government area were at 

war, leaving at least 7 people 

hospitalized. Media reports 

reveal that the crisis 

was between two groups - 

one in favour and the other 

opposed to the governor’s 

reelection. In what seems a 

direct response to the situation, 

Philip Shaibu, the 

Deputy Governor had to 

publicly reassure the people 

of the state that “despite 

gimmicks of detractors, the 

multi-sectoral progress 

and development witnessed 

across the 18 Local 

Government Areas of the 

state will not be put on reverse.” 

Shaibu, who spoke 

with journalists in Benin 

City, the Edo State capital, 

was quoted to have said 

that the state government 

will continue to stand for 

the collective interest of her 

people adding that the administration 

will not relent 

in building infrastructure 

and enacting policies that 

would facilitate the emergence 

of a productive and 

vibrant economy in the 

If the dangers of 

distracting 

government are not 

too clear to many 

politicians, those 

from Edo North 

should be different at 

this point in time, 

bearing in mind that 

Lassa Fever which 

occurs more in their 

area is back again 

state. If the dangers of distracting 

government are 

not too clear to many politicians, 

those from Edo 

North should be different at 

this point in time, bearing 

in mind that Lassa Fever 

which occurs more in their 

area is back again. 

Some two months ago, the 

epidemic reportedly 

claimed two lives in Abia 

and Edo states as the country 

approached the peak 

season for outbreaks of the 

deadly disease. 

According to the World 

Health Organisation 

(WHO), Lassa fever is 

known to be endemic in 

Nigeria usually between 

December and June. Latest 

figures from the Nigeria 

Centre for Disease Control 

(NCDC), confirmed 10 new 

cases of the disease in five 

states which included Edo, 

where one person had died. 

Indeed, the disease is now 

spreading. So far it has allegedly 

killed two doctors, 

with 18 other patients in 

parts of the country feared 

dead. The doctors, a consultant 

Anesthesia and 

House Officer reportedly 

died a few days after operating 

a pregnant woman, 

at the Aminu Kano Teaching 

Hospital (AKTH) in 

Kano, who was suspected 

to be a primary carrier of 

the disease. Although the 

situation has been slightly 

under control in Edo this 

year, it is simplistic to think 

all will be well considering 

that last year, 327 cases of 

Lassa fever were reported 

across 20 states and the 

Federal Capital Territory, 

with the largest number of 

cases (108) attributed to 

Edo. At the beginning of 

2018, the fever killed no 

less than eleven persons in 

the state. 

From what we have said 

so far, political leaders in 

Edo State ought to be more 

concerned at this point 

about the health of the people 

instead of fighting to 

materially shortchange the 

same people. One way of 

doing this is for all arms of 

government to collaborate 

rather than some distracting 

others. This is where the 

unfortunate crisis in the 

Edo State House of Assembly 

points to atomistic politics. 

With only 10 legislators 

instead of 24 on duty, 

the possibility that ample 

oversight would put the relevant 

societal institutions 

on their feet would be hard 

to achieve. What if we may 

ask, would be the fate of an 

infected local area whose 

representative is at large? 

Here, the point must be 

made that our elected legislators 

who may have had 

what they consider a good 

case against their adversaries 

have probably inadvertently 

betrayed their constituents. 

Midnight inauguration 

and Speakership tussle 

etc. may in due course 

not justify what is obvious- 

ly an abdication. How I 

wish they could still return. 

We must however commend 

two of our leaders 

among others. One of them, 

Frank Okiye, the Speaker 

of the State House of Assembly 

will go down in history 

as a great politician 

and statesman. A less endowed 

personality would 

have found it hard to coordinate 

an over-worked legislature. 

But Okiye has admirably 

held on, accomplishing 

all that a full team 

would have done. He has in 

earnest given to the state a 

consistent law-making 

body which in the past was 

essentially rancorous. We 

must also laud Governor 

Godwin Obaseki for keeping 

the flag flying in spite 

of incessant distractions. 

He has organized a vibrant 

sensitization programme 

on preventing Lassa fever 

through his formidable information 

outfit and the 

use of local council chairmen- 

an effort which we 

hear is directly led by the 

Deputy Governor. 

We are also aware that the 

government made generous 

provisions for the subject. 

Only 4 days ago, she 

donated 200 Personal Protective 

Equipment (PPE) to 

the Irrua Specialist Teaching 

Hospital, as part of efforts 

to curb the spread of 

the viral disease in the state. 

The state Commissioner 

for Health, Dr. Patrick 

Okundia, who personally 

presented the items explained 

that the donation 

was to arrest the spread of 

Lassa fever for the benefit 

of Edo people, and to protect 

caregivers from being 

affected. As this is the time 

for governance and not political 

schemings, we can 

only applaud officials who 

are committed to the welfare 

of our people. 

PhD,Department of 

Philosophy, 

University of Lagos 

08116759758 

Imo: Where are the 

philosopher-kings?(2) 

Moreover, Rochas 

Okorocha (now a 

senator…can you 

imagine that?) literally turned 

Imo into his family estate or 

familiocracy. As if he took a 

cue from the example of President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

he appointed members of his 

family, in-laws, and cronies to 

high positions in the state. For 

example, Uche Nwosu, Okorocha’s 

son-in-law by virtue of 

being married to his first 

daughter, Ulomma, was his 

Chief of Staff and Commissioner 

for Lands and Housing 

at different times, whereas 

Mrs. Ololo mentioned earlier 

served as Deputy Chief of 

Staff and Special Adviser on 

Domestic Affairs to the governor. 

The person Okorocha 

nominated for the Federal 

Executive Council (FEC) to 

represent Imo State, Prof. Anthony 

Anwukah, is the father 

of Uzo, who is married to his 

second daughter, Uju. In July 

2017, Okorocha appointed 

Christiana, Prof. Anwukah’s 

spouse, as the President, Imo 

State Customary Court of 

Appeal. That is not all. According 

to media reports, Geraldine, 

one of Okorocha’s sisters 

allegedly supplied food to 

Imo Government House from 

her fast food joint, while his 

elder sister allegedly through 

a proxy, collected market tolls 

in the state. Instead of investing 

scarce resources wisely to 

improve Imo State University, 

Okorocha spent billions on 

a white elephant project, a 

new university called Eastern 

Palm University at his hometown, 

Ogboko. For civil servants, 

his eight years in office 

were an existential nightmare. 

Government workers were 

regularly owed salaries for 

over eight months at a stretch: 

at some point, he unilaterally 

reduced their salaries and 

asked them to start farming 

without adequately incentivising 

his shambolic go-backto-the-farm 

initiative or programme. 

Overall, notwithstanding 

the inane propaganda 

of the former governor and 

his acolytes, the eight yearsfrom 

2011 to May 28, 2019, 

can be aptly described as a 

Dark Age in the history of Imo. 

Therefore, it was not a surprise 

that the electorate in Imo 

rejected Okorocha’s anointed 

replacement, his son-in-law 

Uche Nwosu, in last year’s 

governorship election. Emeka 

Ihedioha of the People’s 

Democratic Party (PDP) was 

declared winner by the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission (INEC). According 

to INEC, Ihedioha scored 

the highest numbers of votes 

– 273,404 – amongst all the 

contestants and met the constitutional 

requirements to be 

elected governor. Uche Nwosu 

of Action Alliance (AA) 

came second with 190, 304 

votes, whereas Ifeanyi Araraume 

of All Progressives 

Grand Alliance (APGA) and 

Hope Uzodinma, candidate 

of the ruling All Progressives 

Congress (APC), were third 

and fourth respectively with 

114,676 and 96,458 votes. 

Just as Ihedioha was gradually 

settling down to confront 

the arduous challenge of rebuilding 

the state devastated 

by Okorocha, the Supreme 

Court, in a unanimous judgment 

penultimate week, toppled 

the apple cart by accepting 

the appeal filed by Uzodinma 

against the judgement 

of the Appeal Court which reaffirmed 

Ihedioha’s victory. It 

must be noted in passing that 

since Ibrahim Tanko became 

the Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

the Supreme Court is gradually 

acquiring notoriety for delivering 

“unanimous” judgements 

even in highly controversial 

matters for which exactitude 

leading to unanimity 

of conclusion is virtually 

impossible. In the Ihedioha 

versus Uzodinma case, it is as 

if none of the justices found 

any iota of merit in the fourto-one 

majority decision of the 

Appeal Court in November 

19, 2019, which upheld the 

judgement of the governorship 

election tribunal that had 

earlier dismissed the petition 

of Uzodinma. In the light of 

serious anomalies identified 

by Ihedioha’s lawyers in the 

documents presented by prosecution 

witnesses when the 

matter was adjudicated before 

it got to the Supreme 

Court, could all members of 

the election tribunal and the 

appellate court judges who 

ruled in favour of Ihedioha 

have been so mistaken to the 

extent that there was no dissenting 

voice at the apex 

court? 

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the 

Supreme Court who delivered 

the verdict on behalf of her 

colleagues did not give an exhaustive 

justification for the 

startling unanimous judgment, 

especially for accepting 

the uncertified, INEC-rejected 

result sheets from 388 polling 

units. She claimed that 

Whereas President 

Buhari and APC 

stalwarts praised the 

judgment, the PDP and 

a broad section of Imo 

people dismissed it as a 

hideous and 

reprehensible travesty 

of justice 

those very results were unlawfully 

excluded from the overall 

collated results. Further, 

she stated that results from the 

cancelled polling units 

amounted to 213,295 votes, 

which meant that Ihedioha 

was deemed elected based on 

a wrong computation of results. 

By implication, the 

INEC-discredited results tendered 

by Uzodinma are valid 

and should have been accepted 

by the electoral body. If that 

was done, Uzodinma, not 

Ihedioha, would have been 

returned as the duly elected 

governor. Expectedly, the judgment 

has elicited mixed reactions. 

Whereas President Buhari 

and APC stalwarts 

praised the judgment, the PDP 

and a broad section of Imo 

people dismissed it as a hideous 

and reprehensible travesty 

of justice. Being an indigene 

of the state, I cannot stand 

aloof without contributing to 

the debate because the future 

of my state is at stake. But some 

intellectually lazy people have 

argued that only lawyers can 

have a valid opinion on the 

matter, which is totally unacceptable. 

What is at stake is 

not just about hair-splitting 

technicalities of law. There are 

core moral issues that rear up 

in every controversial judgment, 

especially one that 

seems, ab initio, to contravene 

the principles of natural justice, 

equity, and good conscience. 

Moreover, as a logician 

I know that any law or 

judgment that contradicts 

well-established principles of 

valid reasoning or engenders 

inconsistent results in practice 

or leads to manifest absurdity 

cannot withstand the searchlight 

of rationality no matter 

its grounding in pure legalism. 

It follows that when lawyers 

disagree about a particular 

judgment, as in this instance, 

that is an opportunity to critically 

examine extra-legal considerations 

that might have 

influenced those who made 

the judgment. 

Now, the legal team of Emeka 

Ihedioha has been criticised 

for not filing a cross petition 

at the apex court challenging 

the discredited results 

from the three hundred and 

eighty-eighty polling units, 

which are the linchpins of 

Uzodinma’s petition. However, 

there is a trending post in 

the social media from the legal 

team of Ihedioha by Rotimi 

Peters Esq., which requires 

attentive reading. According 

to available information, the 

issue of authenticity of the results 

paraded by Uzodinma’s 

witnesses was exhaustively 

dealt with at both the election 

tribunal and at the Appeal 

Court against the petitioner 

because his lawyers failed to 

meet the stringent conditions 

stipulated by relevant provisions 

in extant Electoral Act 

and decided cases from the 

Supreme Court to give probative 

value to the results tendered 

which tilted the outcome 

in favour of the APC 

candidate. Indeed, it appears 

that the Supreme Court did 

not give adequate weight to 

decisions of the election tribunal 

and the appellate court 

as to whether the contentious 

results contained in bags and 

sacks presented by Uzodinma’s 

witnesses actually reflected 

valid votes cast during 

the election. This suspicion is 

corroborated by the fact that 

under cross examination during 

one of the trials, polling 

agents in twenty-eight out of 

the over three hundred contentious 

polling units and 

prosecution witness admitted 

that the result sheets they identified 

either were not legible 

or did not contain the scores 

of all political parties that 

contested the election. They 

also agreed that those purported 

result sheets had no 

entry to show the number of 

ballot papers issued to the corresponding 

polling units, and 

the number of ballot papers 

used and unused in those units. 

Moreover, the names and signatures 

of the presiding officers 

were omitted in many of 

the documents, while some 

had dates that were before or 

after the election day proper. 

To worsen matters, one of the 

prosecution witnesses confirmed 

that there was evidence 

of over-voting in some of the 

results he brought forward 

during cross-examination. 

Clearly, if the information presented 

above is correct, the insinuation 

that Tanko and his 

cohorts were merely rubberstamping 

a script already 

crafted by the so-called cabal 

in Aso Rock to increase APC’s 

foothold in Igbo heartland 

using a very vulnerable governor 

may not be as farfetched 

as it might appear at first sight. 

It is quite understandable 

that, in their negative triumphalism, 

Hope Uzodinma 

and his supporters would 

praise the judgment while 

Emeka Ihedioha and his 

group are now in the slough of 

despond. But from my interactions 

with several Imo people, 

there is a general feeling 

of despondency and disenchantment 

across the state 

because of the abrupt truncation 

of the small restorative 

steps Ihedioha had taken already 

since he became governor 

and the unflattering reputation 

of Uzodinma. 

To be continued

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020,PAGE 27 

The return of 

By Chioma Obinna 

The continuing invasion of 

Nigeria by Lassa Fever, an 

acute febrile illness leaves 

much to be desired. The latest 

outbreak in the country has 

become a major source of worry for 

many Nigerians. Findings have shown 

that after the December 2016 outbreak, 

Nigeria has witnessed an 

unprecedented outbreak of the disease. 

As at the time of filing this report, the 

country has recorded a total of 398 

suspected cases, 169 confirmed cases 

in 32 Local Government Areas,LGAs, 

in nine states with a total of 24 deaths. 

The statistics emanated from the 

Nigerian Centre For Disease Control, 

NCDC. 

Experts say authorities should braze 

up for an inevitable increase in the 

number of cases even from new states 

as the disease thrives in dry season. 

Most cities across the country are 

almost overrun by refuse coupled with 

poor level of hygiene (personal and 

environmental. 

The outbreak of Lassa Fever in January 

2019 would remain evergreen in the minds of 

many Nigerian families whose loved ones were 

either affected or lost their lives. 

NCDC Weekly Report revealed that the 

number of new confirmed cases in 2020 rose 

from 64 to 81 in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Taraba, 

Plateau, and Bauchi states. 

As of today, nine states have confirmed new 

cases. History seems to be repeating itself as 

many Nigerians were admitted to the hospital 

due to Lassa Fever with most of the patients in 

advanced stages of the disease. 

Cases of Lassa Fever have been confirmed 

in Ondo, Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi, Edo, Plateau, 

Bauchi and Taraba, and Abia states. 

Contain the outbreak 

In Ondo State where Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu in a broadcast, expressed fears that 

the disease has continued to ravage his people 

despite the state government’s efforts to contain 

the outbreak, a total of 16 persons have died 

and over 84 persons are affected including 

medical officers. 

Just like last year, medical facilities in Owo 

and Akure were already being saturated with 

patients. 

According to him, the outbreak had been 

occurring regularly over the decades but 

increased in magnitude in the last few years. 

Lassa fever was discovered in the Nigerian 

town of Lassa in 1969 when two missionary 

nurses died. 

It is caused by multimammate rat and 

spreads through human to human 

transmission. 

In the views of a renowned Virologist, Prof 

Oyewale Tomori, Nigeria has not seen 

anything following the trend of the outbreak 

since 2018. 

According to him, since 2018, Lassa fever 

has not relented in its ruthless severity and 

“federal character” spread. 

LASSA FEVER 

“As individuals, we must protect ourselves 

•3 weeks of 169 cases, 24 deaths 

•Prepare for the worst – Experts 

He said: “In 2018, Nigeria reported 3498 

suspected Lassa fever cases, of which 633 were 

confirmed and 171 died in 23 states. In 2019, 

the disease roared with 5057 suspected cases, 

833 confirmed, and 174 deaths. We thought 

2018 was the worst year for Lassa fever until 

2019 came and already 2020 is showing us 

that the worst may yet to come.” 

Today, it is no longer news that there is an 

increasing movement of people into 

unplanned cities, coupled with the inability of 

people to keep clean environments. 

Getting 

filthier 

Many concerned stakeholders are of the 

view that sanitation has gone to the dogs and 

the country is getting filthier and filthier by 

the day. 

The cities are now refuse dumps and 

garbage heaps. Sadly, rodents love such an 

environment. 

According to experts, the 

rodents with hairless tails, 

large ears, small eyes, pointed 

snout and seven to 12 pairs of 

teats, mature sexually early in 

life. 

According to them, with a 

gestation period of 23 days, 

they can have 12 litres per year, 

that is, every month, with 9-13 

baby mastomys per litter. 

In real-time figures, one 

mother Mastomys can 

produce between 98 and 156 

babies in one year. 

In the friendly environment 

of filth created in the cities, 

these rodents can easily overrun 

cities, invading kitchens, 

restaurants, offices and 

contaminating every space 

with their Lassa virus-laden 

excreta. 

Medical experts have traced some of the 

reasons the outbreak keeps reoccurring to the 

unhygienic environment and poor level of 

personal hygiene as well as government 

unwillingness to do the needful. 

NCDC Weekly 

Report revealed 

that the number 

of new 

confirmed 

cases in 2020 

rose from 64 to 

81 in Ondo, Edo, 

Delta, Taraba, 

Plateau, and 

Bauchi states 

Controlling 

Lassa Fever 

In this regard, Tomori said Nigerian 

governments between 1969 and 2015 cared 

little about controlling Lassa Fever. 

He said:”Nigerians must use all possible 

platforms to call the attention of our President, 

governors, minister, and legislators to the 

danger posed by Lassa Fever. We must remind 

them that none of them is free from getting 

Lassa Fever. Therefore, they must provide 

adequate resources for Lassa Fever control, 

including surveillance, laboratory diagnosis 

and research into drugs for treatment and 

vaccines for prevention. 

“We must tell them that they should not wait 

until Lassa Fever takes away the life of a 

legislator, minister, or someone living in Aso 

Rock or governors’ lodges before they take 

positive action. 

” We need to seriously institute and 

maintain other control 

strategies for the prevention of 

Lassa Fever. This demands a 

proper understanding of the 

mode of transmission and risk 

factors. 

Rodent control 

‘’We must focus on rodent 

control because it is nearly 

impossible to eradicate them. 

This requires that we limit as 

much as possible, the access of 

the Mastomys rodents to our 

food, residence and place of 

work. 

“A regular surveillance for the 

multimammate rats has to be 

part of our strategy. Rodents can 

be kept under control by 

keeping a clean environment 

and using rodenticides, 

different types of traps and 

natural enemies of rodents. 

There is a special need to stress the importance 

of community and environmental hygiene as 

an effective measure to prevent contact 

between rats and humans. 

by avoiding contact with rodents, the natural 

reservoir of the disease. We must keep our 

environment clean so that rodents will not visit 

and take permanent residence in our homes. 

Thus, we limit or avoid rodents contaminating 

food with their blood, urine and feces. We must 

keep our food in sealed in metal containers, 

not plastic bags or containers that rodents can 

nibble through with their sharp teeth.” 

Level of hygiene 

Giving further reasons the outbreak has 

persisted, Chairman, Nigerian Medical 

Association, NMA, National Committee on 

Protocol & Programs- a Community/ Preventive 

Health Physician, Dr. Imedimfon Okon, 

identified the dry season, relaxation of the index 

of suspicion, the practice of standard precautions 

and level of hygiene among Nigerians. 

Okon explained that while more cases are 

recorded during the dry season, there is a need 

for the country to reinforce its defence by 

“making sure our health facilities are well 

equipped and also enforcing standard 

precautions by all categories of health care 

workers, especially during this period.” 

To stop the outbreak and prevent further 

spread, she recommended that the 

government must create awareness on the 

mode of transmission, symptoms, signs and 

prevention. 

Okon urged government to provide health 

facilities with enough materials and 

equipment for Infection Prevention and 

Control, IPC. 

“Disease surveillance is an on-going 

systematic collection, collation, interpretation, 

analysis, and dissemination of data for 

appropriate action. It is meant to be ongoing,’’ 

he added. 

Prevention 

Okon advised Nigerians to avoid direct 

contact with urine, feces, saliva or blood of 

infected rodents, ingesting food and drinks 

contaminated with the above, contact with 

objects or surfaces contaminated with urine, 

feces, saliva or blood of infected rats. 

“Also, person to person contact with blood, 

urine, feces, vomits and other body fluids of an 

infected person can be dangerous. People 

should embrace regular hand washing as a 

habit. Doctors who have direct contact with 

patients’ fluids should observe high standard 

precautions always. There is a need to use the 

appropriate protective measures always. With 

the number of health workers that have been 

affected in such a short time, many hospitals 

are improving their IPC practices.”


CAROLINE MOORE: 

Driven by hatred for 

poverty, suffering 

By Charles Kumolu,Deputy Editor 

Caroline Moore is the Convener of Why I am Alive initiative and the CEO of Eureka 

Productions Ltd - a media production organisation that specialises in content creation, 

media buying and public relations among others. She is driven by the passion to ensure 

people find their purpose in life. She has done numerous projects that bordered on helping 

individuals discover their purpose of existence. Moore, who has partnered with renowned 

individuals and organisations like WIMBIZ, RCCG National, Glazia, Tara, and Trany 

among others, tells her story. 

How did you come about Why I Am 

Alive Initiative? 

It began when I started asking myself this 

question: Why am I alive? I had to go 

through a self-discovery phase. I would walk 

through life, drive through the driveway and 

see children under the bridges begging. 

Whenever I saw young able-bodied people 

running around hawking food items, I 

wondered if that is the reason they are on 

earth. I also wondered if this all they are 

going to do and then die. I would further 

wonder why I was privileged to be in a 

home where I could get the support I needed 

to facilitate my dreams. Why am I in a car 

and they are on the streets? I did not get the 

answers immediately but as I went through 

life, it gave me the strong belief that every 

living being is alive for a purpose. 

I hate poverty and suffering. That is why I 

felt I needed to use my passion and my 

greatest tool being my voice to fight it in 

creative and exciting ways. I decided to use 

my platform to pursue this through the 

contents we create. 

In other words, the Why I Am Alive 

Initiative came to be when I discovered 

myself and my purpose which is to support 

as many people as possible in discovering 

their life purposes. I was driven by the 

passion to see every person find his or her 

purpose in life and succeed at it. 

You often say that you believe 

everyone on earth is here for a 

purpose… 

Not just every human being but everything 

on earth is for a purpose. 

For instance, the purpose of a mobile 

phone is to eliminate the barrier of distance 

during communication. Water has various 

purposes, one of which is to aid digestion in 

plants and animals 

including man. Even waste 

products serve various 

purposes and the list goes on. 

Anything which does not 

serve a purpose is usually 

tagged useless and discarded 

or eliminated. If non-living 

things can serve purposes, 

man should as well. It is a bit 

different for man because he 

sustains the earth and 

possesses a consciousness. 

Therefore, he serves a bigger 

purpose. This is why every 

human comes to a point 

where his consciousness 

becomes restless because it 

can only be satisfied once 

that purpose is discovered 

and fulfilled. 

At what point does one 

realise he has a 

purpose? 

I would say every day. 

Purpose is not some massive 

things far away. It is the 

question we ask and answers 

daily, weekly and monthly. As 

soon as you gain 

consciousness of life, you would understand 

that being alive is a privilege. Therefore, you 

would desire to make it purposeful. 

Living purposeful lives 

As a parent, the easiest way to assist your 

child in living a purposeful life is to live by 

example and start living purposefully. 

Children watch and imitate their parents 

I hate poverty 

and suffering. 

That is why I felt I 

needed to use 

my passion and 

my greatest tool 

being my voice 

to fight it in 

creative and 

exciting ways 

consciously or unconsciously. Parents should 

watch their children closely and discover 

what their desires are. They should also 

understand how happy their children are 

when they engage in things that are of 

interest to them and support their dreams, 

goals and potentials. Doing that would 

encourage the children to live purposefully. 

Honourable field 

I will use myself as a classic example 

to answer this question. My father did 

not really support my career, I had to 

work hard and show him that it is an 

honourable field. Today, he is happy I 

fought for my passions, goals, and 

desires. He later became fully in 

support of it. I would advice youths to be 

diligent, hardworking and prove those 

who do not support their choices wrong 

but in the most decent and respectful way. 

It would take time. It would be difficult 

knowing that you love these people and 

expect them to be your top cheerleaders. At 

this point, you would have to be your 

number one cheerleader because if you can 

bring yourself up mentally, then, nobody can 

make you feel less. 

Since the birth of Why I Am Alive, what 

are the difficulties you have encountered 

and a few achievements you believe are 

worth celebrating? 

I am proud to say that the challenges we 

have encountered did not deter us from 

succeeding with the projects, instead, they 

made us realise that we are on the right 

path. Some of the challenges included 

getting benefactors to support the projects 

and a few financial constraints. But in 2019, 

we went to secondary schools and 

universities among others and empowered 

them through seminars, workshops and 

even provided some of 

them with scholarships. 

These scholarships covered 

fees for books, cost of 

feeding and of course, 

school fees. Our Market 

Women Empowerment 

Project, Why I Am Alive 

Masterclass and our just 

concluded Why I Am Alive 

Campaign: Nigeria Story 

Party, are considered great 

achievements. 

Support system 

In reference to one of the 

questions you just asked, 

family upbringing hinders 

the discovery of one’s 

purpose, being brought up 

in a family where other 

things except your purpose 

account for your success in 

life can be disheartening. 

Environment is also 

another one. Does your 

environment encourage 

what you want to do? Lack 

of support system can also 

discourage one from 

discovering his life purpose, when there is no 

source of encouragement or hope. Wrong 

mindset is dangerous. It kills dreams, goals, 

and potentials even before they are birthed. 

Bad relationships or associating with the 

wrong set of people usually lead to lack of 

support system and wrong mindset as stated 

earlier. 

Overcoming obstacles 

•Caroline Moore 

You need to 

open yourself up to content that would 

empower your mind consistently. Your mind 

is your greatest tool, be intentional for your 

mind to be empowered. Buy books, attend 

seminars and masterclasses, watch and 

listen to TV and radio shows, build the 

necessary relationships that will develop 

your mind positively and align with the 

purpose you desire to fulfill. 

To live a purposeful life or fulfilling one’s 

purpose, you need to discover your purpose, 

believe in it, have faith, pursue it relentlessly 

and keep the dream fresh. 

How has Why I Am Alive helped its 

participants so far? 

Why I Am Alive has helped challenge 

participants to be focused and intentional 

about achieving their life’s purpose. We keep 

tabs on our participants by asking them for 

feedback on the steps they have taken. The 

responses have been impressive. I am so 

happy about how many lives we have 

impacted. Once you have an encounter with 

us on any level or platform, you will never 

be the same again, except your village 

people have a hand in your matter. 

What do you have to say to those 

who believe financial security is a 

necessity for achieving one’s 

purpose? 

It is true but it is not the first thing neither 

is it the most important thing. Financial 

security may not come at first but if you 

discover your purpose, believe it and do not 

hesitate to go after it, the earth will surely 

respond to you. 

Leaders in Nigeria do not inspire 

citizens into fulfilling their 

purpose… 

They should create platforms such as Why 

I Am Alive Campaign that helps people 

achieve results. These platforms should be 

open at low or no cost at all. They also need 

to constantly serve as examples of how 

reliable these platforms are by being among 

the participants, not necessarily board 

members. When people see this, they would 

want to follow suit. 

Apart from ensuring purposeful 

living, what are your other areas of 

interest? 

I love creativity. It is undying and ever 

fresh. Every day, new things spring up due 

to creativity. We either appreciate them 

immediately or learn to understand them 

before appreciating them. 

I also have great interest in success. 

Who doesn’t want to be successful? It is 

jaw-dropping when those once referred to 

as hopeless eventually become successful. 

I am a huge fan of abundance. Whoever 

puts his or her skills or into use, 

abundance follows. I have always loved 

to produce and be in front of the camera 

as well as behind the camera, hence, the 

establishment of Eureka Productions. 

Why I Am Alive in 2020 

Up next is this year’s Why I Am Alive 

Masterclass. The speakers would be 

announced soon and it promises to be 

awesome. I am encouraging everyone 

who reads or hears about it to be a 

participant. 

With the huge success of the first 

edition, we would be having the second 

edition of Why I Am Alive Party by the 

end of this year. Also, the Why I Am Alive 

films and our TV shows would all be epic.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020,PAGE 29 

EXECUTION OF CAN CHAIRMAN: 

They tell us B/Haram is gone 

but everyday Nigerians are 

killed —Omobude, PFN President 

• ‘Those who are benefiting from the system will deny that there’s no suffering 

but you and I know that the common man is going through pains’ 

By Sam Eyoboka 

REVEREND Felix Ilaweagbon 

Omobude, the National President of 

the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria 

(PFN), speaks on the execution of the 

Michika local government area of Adamawa 

State Chairman of Christian Association of 

Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Lawan Andimi, by Boko 

Haram among other issues. Excerpts: 

On Andimi 

The killing of the CAN Chairman for Michika 

local government area of Adamawa State is 

tragic, condemnable, callous and a devilish 

act. Boko Haram has left no one in doubt that 

the Church is their main target and they had 

continued to push this since inception. The 

cases of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, aid 

workers as well as several unrecorded cases 

are fresh in our memory and yet they have 

continued in this evil expedition. But the PFN 

is certain that good must overcome evil; no 

matter how dark the night is, light will conquer 

darkness. We cannot hold the government 

blameless on the issue of this fallen man of 

God because government has the 

responsibility to the citizens of this nation, 

irrespective of tribe or tongue or religion, and 

they failed to deliver; they should not believe 

that the people will keep quiet. Government 

wants us to believe that they have decimated 

Boko Haram; Boko Haram has been 

tactically defeated...and there has not been 

peace. Every week, these people either ravage 

a whole village and abduct whoever they want 

to abduct; they even confront army formations, 

so why are they lying to people that Boko 

Haram has been decimated? Without doubt, 

they still have all it takes to seize weapons 

from our military. With all due respect, I 

respect the efforts of our military men but let’s 

face the situation and do not let the world 

believe that the war against insurgency is over. 

It is not! The callousness of these people and 

by what they are doing, the issue for them goes 

beyond ransom. They actually wanted to 

execute the CAN Chairman and they 

accomplished their mission. 

We are not certain yet what the Adamawa 

governor did after he heard the appeal of the 

abducted CAN Chairman in a video sent to 

him and the Federal Government..... 

I don’t want to believe that the governor 

didn’t do anything: whether what he did was 

enough is another thing. Whether he did it 

when they needed it is another thing. At times, 

when you look at the scope of these things, it’s 

beyond a state government. I don’t think the 

Federal Government can wash their hands 

off this and put the blame on the state. It’s a 

national issue. It’s a national war. The people 

are out to cause mayhem to discredit the 

government of the day. They want to prompt 

religious disharmony among the people. And 

no responsible government should fold its 

hands and watch this happen. 

It’s an understatement to say whether the 

Federal Government is aware of what’s 

happening and they know the enormity of the 

task. They know the viciousness of Boko 

Haram or ISWAP. A government that engages 

in deceiving the people, making us feel that 

there’s nothing when there’s something calls 

for major concern. It’s the concern of the 

Church. We will understand if government has 

failed and says they have lost control of security 

and tell Christians to move out; but they tell 

us this place is safe and everyday people are 

killed. We heard about four seminarians who 

were abducted a few days ago at the Good 

Shepherd of Kakau Major Seminary along 

Kaduna-Abuja highway. These things keep 

happening and, whenever they happen, you 

condemn them. It’s not about condemning 

alone. It’s not enough! We need action. 

What’s the Church doing to engage 

government? 

At various fora we have made our stand 

known. We have made representations. CAN 

has presented our position a number of times 

to the Presidency. We have made state-of-thenation 

addresses and we have at various 

opportunities...We are Nigerians and we love 

the country. We are patriotic. We don’t want to 

make things terrible for everybody. What they 

are trying to cause is an ill-wind that will blow 

nobody any good. No one has monopoly of 

violence. We are trying to control our young 

people and pacify them and we expect 

government to do the needful by getting these 

people to account for their sins. Many of them 

are out-of-school and there are no jobs for 

them, so what do you expect? The Church 

cannot pick up arms. We cannot call for 

uprising to cause more trouble in the land. So 

we continue to hold our elected officers 

responsible because they swore to an oath to 

protect the lives of Nigerian people. And this, 

they have failed. The Church will continue to 

speak out. 

Should the Church just continue to pray 

without exploring other options? 

You suggest to us. Are we going to cause 

violence? Will that be the best for everyone? I 

still believe there’s nothing better in this 

circumstance than prayer and engagement 

of government. We engaged in inter-religious 

dialogue even as we engage the traditional 

institutions. For now, that appears to be the 

limit of what we can do. Whether government 

listens or not, the beautiful thing is that 

democracy gives a people a time-frame. 

Although democracy has not matured in 

Nigeria, you can’t fool the people for ever. If a 

party comes to the people and promises to 

give security, power and water and, at the 

expiration of their term, they didn’t deliver on 

any of these, democracy provides an 

opportunity for the people to revolt with their 

votes. So, if anybody thinks they can deceive 

Nigerians forever, buying them bags of rice, 

wrappers thinking that will solve their 

problems, Nigerians are getting wiser. 

As a Christian leader, will you say that there 

are elections in this country? 

In all frankness, I will not say that the results 

of elections in Nigeria reflect the will of the 

people. But it is a step forward. The days that 

one man will hold on to power with the gun 

and without recourse to the 

Constitution are over. We 

all now must begin to 

enlighten our people and 

fight the social ills. People 

buy their way to power and 

circumvent whatever laws 

that were made for the 

sanctity of elections and, 

going by recent 

happenings, people are 

beginning to lose faith in 

the judiciary. But, to me, it’s 

all part of the process. We 

are getting there but very 

slowly. 

Do you agree with the 

school of thought that the 

increasing wave of 

insecurity is part of the 

plan to Islamize the 

country? 

I think that people 

Every week, these 

people either 

ravage a whole 

village and abduct 

whoever they want 

to abduct; they 

even confront 

army formations, 

so why are they 

lying to people 

that Boko Haram 

has been 

decimated? 

overemphasize this 

Islamization thing as if the 

Church is weak or afraid 

and lacks capacity. That’s not the case. The 

Church is not sleeping. Muslims have a right 

to evangelise if they will do it peacefully, just 

as Christians have a right to do same and we 

are doing that in our own way. Let me remind 

you that many attempts have been made in 

the past and to some extent they didn’t yield 

the fruits that the enemies expected. While I 

will not ask the Church to go to sleep, we 

should not have sleepless nights over 

Islamphobia. I don’t think that that day is 

soon, if it will ever come. The Church is not 

sleeping. We are still working, praying 

because Nigeria belongs to all 

of us. In this country, OIC 

came and people thought that 

overnight it would bring a 

cloud over us. Then Sharia 

came; even when we cannot 

claim total victory yet, those 

who are enemies of the 

Church know it is not a 

walkover in Nigeria. 

But they appear to be 

making inroads... 

We are also making 

inroads, not through 

bow and arrows, not 

through violence 

but we are 

making inroads. 

The Church is the 

g r e a t e s t 

nightmare of 

Islam. I think we 

should also 

harness our 

strength. That 

Constitution thing 

fell like a pack of cards and whatever they 

have raised up... If there still be a Goliath, 

God still has a David. 

Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah 

made a profound statement, comparing the 

Federal Government with Boko Haram and 

saying the only difference is that terrorists 

use bomb to achieve their aims. Do you 

agree? 

I respect Bishop Kukah. I hold him in high 

esteem. I believe he’s more knowledgeable 

than me especially in this area. So, I don’t 

take his words with a pinch of salt. I didn’t 

read that statement but it’s up to government 

to tell the world that they are not what the 

Catholic Bishop described. Nigerians today 

are wise enough to know the truth. We voted 

this government into power in what we 

supposed was a civilized method. And if the 

government is not measuring up, the people 

have the prerogative to voice their grievance 

in whatever way they can. I think that’s what 

Bishop Kukah has done. It’s a language of 

dissatisfaction with government. 

Is that sinking down to the 

generality of Nigerians 

because we also saw the 

attempt by Omoyele Sowore 

to lead a protest against 

government and what 

happened to him eventually? 

I can tell that there are 

challenges that developing 

countries face. We have to 

fight totalitarianism and the 

people need to be enlightened 

and someone must pay the 

price for it, like the one 

Sowore has had to pay. It also 

underscores the point that no 

matter how strong you are, the 

voice of the people will be 

heard. To your question, when 

this government came into 

power, the Naira was 

exchanging for dollar at N170 

or so and they promised to 

make it to exchange at one to 

one. But instead, they devalued 

it and, today, you need about 

N360 to buy one dollar whereas wages have 

not insignificantly increased. The people have 

been under severe pain as new people are not 

being employed while every year thousands 

of graduates are turned out of schools. Those 

who have served for 35 years in the civil service 

are being retired but new ones are not 

employed. You can ask questions...do you turn 

your water tap and you see public water 

running? Everyone is sinking borehole 

everywhere. These are indices. Go to the 

hospitals or the schools...in most states of the 

country, pupils are sitting on the floor...more 

•Rev Omobude 

and more people are buying power 

generators. That’s the situation. Majority of 

Nigerians are in pains. Those who are 

benefiting from the system will deny that 

there’s no suffering but you and I know that 

the common man is going through pains. 

But shall we continue like this? 

Honestly, I know that even in developed 

countries they have their challenges and, at 

times, the dimension is great. I believe that if 

we fail to do the right thing, we may not 

automatically be like Britain or America but 

attempts to do the right thing will move us 

forward. To the credit of this government, they 

launched a war against corruption which is 

what every Nigerian needs to support if it’s 

wholesome. Because corruption has set us 

behind in no small measure and it is still 

reigning in this country despite all that is being 

said or done. Even in the public service, you 

don’t need to go too far before you see it. It’s a 

problem that we all must deal with decisively. 

How do you score this government’s 

economic programme in the last five years? 

As far as I am concerned, the nation’s 

economy is worse than what it was in 2015 

when they came in. That’s the way it seems 

and in every area. When they came in, petrol 

was selling for N87 per litre but now it’s selling 

for N145 and they say they are still subsidizing 

the product. You are in Lagos while I live in 

Benin City, there’s no difference in electricity 

which is worse than what obtained when they 

came in. On agriculture, I can give them credit 

because during this Christmas Nigerians ate 

made in Nigeria rice. That is a positive thing: 

we must go back to the land. Nigerians should 

consume what she produces. That’s a positive 

thing to do and I only wish that they improve 

on it. 

We are increasing taxes and borrowing 

more. Is that a positive thing too? 

I am not an economist and I cannot talk 

much on the borrowings and all the rest but I 

can tell you that you can borrow and borrow 

until you become a slave to the lender. That’s 

in the Bible. The painful thing is that there’s 

no nation that people don’t pay tax. We should 

encourage our people to pay taxes, but the 

people also want to see what their taxes are 

used for. Anywhere you go, you see 

governments upgrading their airports and 

infrastructural facilities and people are happy 

to pay their taxes because they can see what 

governments are using their taxes for. But the 

Benin-Lagos highway has been under 

construction since the Olusegun Obasanjo 

administration, President Goodluck Jonathan 

inherited it, it outlasted him and the Buhari 

government’s first term is over and the portions 

that were completed when it started have 

spoiled. So, what do you say?

PAGE 30 – SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 

co.uk 

•Bishop Emma Isong 

•Rev Father Joseph 

Opelema 

•Bishop Egbebo 

By Emma Amaize, Regional 

Editor, Niger Delta, Sam 

Oyadongha, Emma Una, Ike 

Uchechukwu, Ozioruva Aliu 

and Chancel Sunday 

CHRISTIAN leaders in the South-South 

region have warned that Christians 

were not animals to be slaughtered on 

daily basis by Boko Haram and other 

insurgents in the North, saying enough is 

enough and Federal Government should stop 

the bloodshed. 

While the National Publicity Secretary of 

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, 

Bishop Emma Isong, who spoke at Calabar , 

Cross River State, said the latest killing of a 

CAN leader in Adamawa State, Reverend 

Lawan Andimi, was part of the plot to islamize 

Nigeria, Bishop of Bomadi Catholic Diocese, 

Delta State, Hyacinth Egbebo, said it was a 

strategy by Boko Haram to provoke 

Christians to retaliate so as to launch into a 

full-scale war. 

Isong, in a chat, said the beheading of 

Andimi was barbaric and the most degrading 

human act ever, saying that Christians should 

be allowed to protect themselves. 

His words: “We have been shouting about 

the islamization of Nigeria and it seemed as 

if it was crying wolf but it is gradually playing 

out. 

“The killing of a Christian in any position is 

barbabaric and a further proof that 

islamization is real. 

“And it is a fact that the Federal Government 

has overwhelmed. All these and more are all 

steps to islamize the country. Christians must 

stop talking that talk and carry out action, 

time for talking is over. 

“The Federal Government must expunge 

self-defense from our Constitution if they 

cannot allow Nigerians to defend themselves. 

“The beheading of the CAN leader in 

Adamawa is the height of barbarism and a 

step-by-step approach to islamize Nigeria” 

Also speaking, Ekwok, Chairman, PFN, 

Cross River State, said: “The slaughtering of 

the CAN Chairman in Adamawa is 

unacceptable. The Church in Nigeria must 

not accept this. It is one killing too many. 

“Christians have become endangered 

species in Nigeria. It is time for the Church 

leadership to act before it becomes too late. 

“We do not even know the situation with 

Leah Sharibu and other Christians that were 

captured earlier. 

“Why should Christians be made to live and 

worship their God in fear in their own land? 

Why should Christians be captured and 

murdered like animals? Why should 

Christians be rounded up in churches and 

massacred? Why should Christians be set 

ablaze in their homes in their sleep in a country 

that has democracy? 

“There is something seriously wrong 

somewhere. I suspect a conspiracy. But the 

Church must not fold her hands. The Church 

We aren’t animals 

to be slaughtered 

...S/South Christian leaders 

react to CAN chief’s execution 

must do something now”. 

On his part, the Bishop of Bomadi Diocese 

of the Catholic Church, Egbebo, told Sunday 

Vanguard: “It is unfortunate that this CAN 

Chairman was killed. This is a high-profile 

killing and it is one of the many killings of 

Christians by Boko Haram. 

“This killing is part of the strategy of Boko 

Haram to inflame the process of their 

campaign to provoke Christians to action, 

even though it is out of character with the 

Christians to fight. 

“As painful as these 

killings are, we should 

not see it as Muslims 

against Christians. Boko 

Haram is just a stray 

group from the Muslim 

world unleashing this 

havoc on humanity. 

“The Federal 

Government has not been 

seen to be doing enough 

in terms of security. To 

allow only the security 

agencies to engage in this 

fight, the Federal 

Government has missed 

the point. 

“They need to engage 

religious and civil groups 

in this fight as well 

because Boko Haram is 

recruiting from the 

civilian population. 

“The Federal 

This killing is part 

of the strategy of 

Boko Haram to 

inflame the 

process of their 

campaign to 

provoke 

Christians to 

action, even 

though it is out of 

character with the 

Christians to fight 

Government should 

engage religious leaders 

to preach peace. All 

hands must be on deck to 

save this country, we need 

peace in Nigeria. 

“Even this Amotekun 

talk, though it was not 

done very well, it should 

be spread out to all regions to help support 

the fight against insecurity. We need 

intelligence, we need prayers in this fight 

against insecurity in the land”. 

Vice Chairman of CAN in Bayelsa State, 

Rev Father Joseph Opelema, also speaking 

on the murder, said: “I received the news of 

the execution of Andimi with anger, 

frustration and disappointment. 

“It saddens the heart to hear about 

abduction and execution of Christians almost 

on a weekly basis in a country that professes 

to be a secular state. 

“I am deeply worried that after the long 

battle against insurgency in the North-East, 

the level of insecurity, especially for Christians, 

is still very high. 

“Right now, four seminarians of the Good 

Shepherd Senior Seminary in 

Kaduna are in the custody of 

their abductors. I pray that they 

release them unharmed. 

“I am calling on the President 

to rise to the occasion to prevent 

this country from drifting into 

war. 

“Enough is enough. 

Christians are not cows to be 

slaughtered every day. We have 

our lives to live and we have the 

right to practice our faith in 

freedom just as those of other 

faiths have”. 

In Edo State, the Bishop of 

Akoko-Edo Diocese of the 

Anglican Communion, Rt Rev 

Jolly Oyekpen, said: “We want 

to believe that we are not 

degenerating as a nation into a 

state of anarchy because what 

we are seeing is almost like the 

Christians have become 

endangered species in our 

country, which is not supposed 

to be. 

“We are pleading with 

government to look into this 

matter with all urgency so that 

we will not degenerate to a state 

of war and anarchy in our 

country. 

“The leaders have a very big 

role to play and they must rise 

to play the role, not just by making comments, 

to make comments in the media is not 

enough, we need action. 

“The state of security in our country is 

becoming a cause for concern for everybody. 

You are travelling, you don’t know whether 

you will get to your destination, you are at 

home, you don’t know who will pounce on 

you, it has become so bad that we are pricing 

human beings instead of commodities and 

our leaders are not doing anything. 

“If you ask me, there should be a general 

overhaul of the security apparatus in our 

country. The people at the helm of affairs of 

our security agencies are too old, they should 

retire, let them go home and let our young 

and vibrant people take over. 

“In the computer age, we still have old men 

who cannot open ipad as our security chiefs, it 

is a problem”. 

To Rev Olu Aderigbigbe, a leader of CAN in 

Edo State, the murder of the Adamawa CAN 

leader is a sign of the end times as Christians 

are being targeted. 

He said the Federal Government was 

responsible for the killing of Indinmi with its 

slow response to raising the ransom demanded 

by his abductors. 

“Andimi’s killing is a product of the 

carelessness on the side of government because 

that man cried out that that they should help 

him to pay the money; if they had paid that 

money, his captors could have released him 

and that is why this Amotekun issue is good, it 

should be allowed to stand since everybody 

has to defend himself. “The states should 

organise such security outfits to protect lives. 

I see it as a way of islamising this country, it 

has gone beyond the issue of Book Haram, 

we now have ISWAP. 

“We used to have Bakassi in the South-East 

and they were doing well until politicians 

hijacked it. Now that some governors have 

put heads together to secure their people, it is 

okay. 

“The Bible says time like this will come. We 

are not doing enough in the South. We want to 

be Paul and Silas by miracle but we don’t want 

to be Paul and Silas by stoning. 

“Christians in the North-East are the ones 

facing persecution; we are in end time, it is in 

the North today, it may be in the South 

tomorrow because information has it that 

these people are already in the forests of the 

South-South, even in Edo State. 

“So, everybody has to be vigilant, prayerful 

because this is the time to know who are 

Christians and not about television miracles. 

“Let Christians come together, pray together 

and be united”.

Jesus, is all you need 

rethren, in a couple or 

Bdays, we’ll say bye to 


With a bit of reflection, those 

of us alive will have cause to 

thank God. Why? It is because 

many have been passed on to 

the great beyond either as a 

result of natural death or as a 

result of disasters caused by 

fellow human beings. We 

pray that God comforts the 

bereaved families. 

You and I alive, to what extent 

do we appreciate God. 

Many of us have commenced 

the usual hassle for the year 

but are we also making greater 

efforts to move closer to 

God? Brethren, you just have 

to move closer to God. 

The reality of life is that the 

journey of life is filled with 

bumpy rides. Many get consumed 

on the road as a result 

Joyfulhomes2015@gmail.com 

of accidents and others survive. 

Did I hear you say everyone 

must die? That is true but 

some deaths are avoidable. 

I’ll share with you the testimony 

of a Pastor in a popular 

Pentecostal Church in Lagos. 

The Pastor and his driver were 

travelling from Lagos to Osun 

state. Suddenly, something 

happened and the next thing 

he knew was the car in which 

they were travelling began to 

somersault. The Pastor began 

to shout Jesus! He shouted 

twice and the car somersaulted 

twice. The third time 

he shouted, the car was on its 

four wheels balanced. People 

rushed to the scene to pull 

them out and help them out 

but to their surprise neither 

the Pastor nor his driver were 

injured. 

To the surprise of everyone, 

they continued their journey 

and that same car conveyed 

them to Osun state. 

It sounds hard to believe but 

it is true and that is why it is a 

miracle. 

Brethren, no matter how religious 

we are, the devil and 

his agents will try to test our 

faith. 

God tests faith, the devil 

also tests faith, the difference 

for overcomers is Jesus. The 

level o the word in your life 

also makes the difference. 

John 14 vs. 1 tells us “ Let 

not your heart be troubled: ye 

believe in God, believe also in 

me”. 

As Christians, we are encouraged 

not to fear. As human 

beings we may be troubled 

but we should always 

bear in mind that we have a 

Saviour who is ever ready to 

save us. 

Challenges consume those 

who fear challenges. A good 

Christian must stand on his 

feet and crush challenges 

with the word of God. 

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020,PAGE 31 

Our Lord Jesus gave us an 

assurance in John 14 vs. 26 & 

27 “ But the Comforter, which 

It is better to let 

Jesus into your 

heart. With Jesus in 

your life, you a 

bound to overcome 

any challenge 

is the Holy Ghost, whom the 

Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your 

remembrance, whatsoever I 

have said unto you. 

Peace I leave with you, my 

peace I give unto you; not as 

the world giveth, give I unto 

you. Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid”. 

In other words, the Lord Jesus 

simply tells us not to be 

intimated by challenges. In 

this passage, he called the 

Holy Ghost a new name, “ The 

Comforter”. Only those who 

are troubled need to be comforted. 

This Comforter according 

to our Lord Jesus will do more 

than comfort. Physically, 

speaking, your see comforters 

besiege a home where a family 

is bereaved. All they have 

come to do is to sympathize. 

Some even come to see if the 

family is pained or not. In all 

cases, they cannot reverse the 

situation, neither are they able 

to give the bereaved heart the 

Peace of the Lord. 

Only Jesus can give the bereaved 

heart Peace. 

Let me give an example. A 

woman lost her only son at 

about the age 9. As usual people 

comforted her but to their 

surprise, this lady, didn’t weep 

before anybody. Rather, she 

was bold enough to tell them 

that God knows why it happened. 

Within a year, she conceived 

and gave birth to a baby boy. 

The new baby bore all the 

marks on the body of the son 

she lost. How can science 

explain that? 

We didn’t know God had not 

finished with her. The new 

baby was barely two years old 

when God gave her a set of 

triplets, two boys and a girl. 

Isn’t our God awesome? 

Brethren, the name Jesus 

gives us peace from all challenges. 

With Jesus, you will 

be so much at peace that people 

will wonder if it is true you 

have challenges. 

Once you have Jesus, you 

have the Comforter. 

To be in Christ and be con- 

nected with the Holy Spirit, 

let the word of God in Hebrews 

3 vs. 7-10 “ Wherefore 

(as the Holy Ghost saith, Today 

if ye will hear his voice, 

Harden not your hearts, as in 

the provocation, in the day of 

temptation in the wilderness: 

When your fathers tempted 

me, proved me, and saw my 

works forty years. Wherefore 

I was grieved with that generation, 

and said, they do always 

err in their heart: and they 

have not known my ways”. 

It is up to you to open your 

heart to him or shut him out 

of your heart but it is better to 

let Jesus into your heart. With 

Jesus in your life, you a bound 

to overcome any challenge. 

A member of a popular 

Pentecostal church gave a testimony 

of how he was God 

freed him from the bondage 

of debts. 

He wrote, “ I owed the bank 

a huge sum of money. This was 

not only giving me concern, it 

caused restlessness and depression 

for me. To the glory 

of God, as at today, all the 

debts have been paid and I am 

a happy person”. 

Brethren, whatever is making 

you unhappy will give way 

once you let Jesus into your 

heart. 

Take a decision to do so today 

and you won’t regret it. 

Shalom! 

The disturbing trail of terrorism 

and Boko Haram 

It was distressing to hear the 

news of the murder of the 

Christian leader, Rev. Lawan 

Andimi by members of the notorious 

terrorist group, Boko 

Haram. This has once again 

brought to focus on the Nigerian 

government’s self-praising 

efforts in improving security. 

It also highlights doubt 

on the claimed eradication of 

the terrorist group. It is a figment 

of the imagination of the 

Nigerian security officials, 

who had not long ago boasted 

of this feat. 

A few honest officials played 

the "clever by half" game stating 

that although the original 

terrorist group had been defeated, 

there are remnants still 

parading. It sounded humorous 

at the time, but it makes 

sense in light of the recent attacks 

in the north-eastern part 

of the country. The reality is 

that Boko Haram, the original 

or the splinter group, was 

at no time defeated. It is much 

like cutting the tail end of a 

snake and afterwards claim 

that you have killed it. 

I should not be alarmed as 

much as I am right now with 

the turn of events. Yet, as much 

as I tried downplaying the 

comeback, I struggle to come 

Monarch urges Urhobos in diaspora to identify with Nigerians 

T 

he Orovworere (tradi 

tional ruler ) of Effurun 

Otor Kingdom, HRM Rotarian 

King Duku 11 has urged 

the Urhobos in Diaspora to 

always identify with the 

Urhobo nation, Deltans and 

Nigeria. 

The monarch gave the 

charge while playing host to 

Akpere- Olomu-born United 

States-based Professor Duke 

Ophori at his palace in Effurun 

Otor last weekend. 

He commended Professor 

Ophori for his assistance to 

the Urhobos, Deltans and Nigerians 

seeking for university 

admission in the United 

States and for his passion for 

the affairs of Urhobo Progress 

Union (UPU), America. 

" I never knew him ( Professor 

Ophori ) but his goodness 

to the Urhobos, Deltans and 

Nigerians in the United 

States attracted him to me. 

His passion for the affairs 

Urhobo Progress Union, 

to terms with the many 2015 

election promises of the All 

Progressives Congress (APC). 

The most remarkable was the 

"vow" to clear Boko Haram 

and put a stop to their rapacious 

activities. The presidential 

candidate, Muhammad 

Buhari, did not mince his 

words. He was unequivocal in 

the promise that the terrorist 

group would become history 

if elected president. 

Before the elections, Buhari 

in an interview with The 

Guardian UK on 26th February 

2015 said “Nigeria will 

return to its stabilising role in 

West Africa and no inch of 

Nigerian territory will ever be 

lost to the enemy because we 

will pay attention to the welfare 

of our soldiers in and out 

of service. We will give them 

adequate and modern arms 

and ammunition to work 

with. We will improve intelligence-gathering 

and border 

patrols." These were reassuring 

and believable words 

from a retired army general. 

Buhari frowned at the government 

in power for sustaining, 

rather than plan to defeat 

the terrorists. He said the 

Goodluck Jonathan's administration 

did not produce any 

America, is commendable 

"He is an academician of 

world repute . When he speaks 

on water management, the 

world would respond. Such a 

distinguished personality deserves 

to be honoured " 

The traditional ruler then 

urged other Urhobo in diaspora 

to borrow a leave from 

his royal guest in his goodness 

to Nigerians and patriotism 

to Urhobo Nation. 

In his response, Professor 

Ophori who is of the Department 

of Earth and Environmental 

Studies, Montclair 

State University, Upper 

Montclair, New Jersey,USA, 

thanked the traditional ruler 

for hosting him, noting it was 

the greatest honour in life . 

While promising that the 

honour would spur him to do 

more for Urhobo nation, Delta 

State and Nigeria, he called 

for the unity of the Urhobos. 

He stated that if the 

Urhobos are united, they 

would get what they want. 

The Okobaro ( traditional 

ruler) of Ughievwen Kingdom, 

HRM Owhawha 11 and 

other distinguished guests 

who spoke at the occasion, 

praised the Effurun Otor monarch 

for honouring Prof. 

I imagine what goes 

on in the minds of 

these political leaders. 

Do they genuinely care 

for these people? Do 

they shed genuine 

tears for the murdered 

Nigerians? I doubt 

"efforts towards a multi-dimensional 

response to this 

problem, leading to a situation 

in which we have become 

dependent on our neighbours 

to come to our rescue.” All is 

history. Buhari got elected as 

the president. 

Terrorism has become a 

major quandary in global affairs. 

Nigeria has obtained its 

fair share. The population in 

the north-east of the country 

has been under constant attacks 

by the ruthless band of 

irresponsible individuals who 

parade as religious champions. 

They invade villages and 

towns at will and take residents 

captive. The story of the 

276 school girls kidnapped 

on 14 April 2014 is still fresh 

in our memories. Some of 

them are still missing till date, 

despite the global awareness 

of their plight. They got taken 

from their hostels and 

marched to the "headquarters" 

of Boko Haram - Sambissa 

Forest. 

Things have not been the 

same for residents of these 

areas since Boko Haram 

made their inglorious entry 

into Nigerian history. There 

is no official statistic on lives 

lost in the various attacks, yet, 

a conservative estimate will 

be in thousands. Terrorism 

might be alien to Nigeria in 

the past, but the last decade 

saw many unfortunate attacks. 

These attacks altered the political 

dynamics of the northeast 

area making terrorism a 

currency in the general elections. 

The situation became 

excruciatingly embarrassing 

for all Nigerians, home and 

in the diaspora. News networks 

led daily with news of 

attacks by Boko Haram. The 

situation was dire and Nigerians 

looked forward to the 

conquest of the terrorists. The 

expectations were excessive 

when Buhari assumed office. 

They felt it was time for him 

to put his words into action. 

But unfortunately defeating 

terrorists was not a hot burner 

issue as fighting corruption. 

The president's approach to 

terrorism would be a bit innovative. 

Nigerians learnt of this approach 

in comments in an interview 

with the CNN. He 

had, during a visit to the United 

States of America (USA), 

signalled the intention of his 

government to negotiate with 

the terrorists. He had said: “If 

we are convinced that the 

[Boko Haram] leadership 

that presented itself can deliver 

these girls safe and sound, 

we’ll be prepared to negotiate 

what they want.” 

It is imperative to grasp the 

thoughts of Buhari. As a retired 

army general and a reformed 

democrat, negotiating 

with the terrorists did pay 

off. A considerable number of 

the kidnapped schoolgirls 

and many captured by Boko 

Ophori with the hosting. 

While noting that the honour 

would spur Urhobos in 

Diaspora to emulate Professor 

Ophori, they urged Professor 

Ophori to sustain his 

good works for Nigerians and 

humanity. 

The Okobaro ( traditional ruler ) of Ughievwen Kingdom, 

HRM Owhawha 11; Professor Duke Ophori; HRM Rotarian 

King Duke 11, the Orovworere ( traditional ruler ) of Effurun 

Otor Kingdom; Chief ( Mrs.) Onajite Noah ( nee Ophori ), 

and Surveyor Terry Noah, after Professor Ophori was hosted 

by the Effurun Otor monarch at Effurun Otor. 

Haram got released. We cannot 

verify if it was a hefty price 

to pay, but it kept the terrorists 

away for some time. 

In the last decade, we learnt 

that terrorism transcended 

borders. I will buy a part of 

the Nigerian government story 

that the comeback of the 

terrorists in the North East is 

the influx of citizens from 

neighbouring countries, especially 

the failed Libya. However, 

this is where the seriousness 

of the government should 

be questioned. If intelligence 

reports suggest that foreign 

citizens are invading a part of 

the country, naturally you will 

expect a determined government 

to deploy adequate resources 

to man the porous 

borders. 

Terrorism is evolving. Territories 

once regarded as safe 

had become recruiting 

grounds for wannabe terrorists. 

It is no longer a regional 

or continental problem. It is 

worldwide. From Europe to 

Africa, the Middle East to 

Central America and Russia, 

the fear of terrorism is the beginning 

of wisdom. Europe, 

for example, witnessed many 

attacks on its front yards. 

These attacks were all 

“home” coordinated by citizens 

of the countries. This development 

is blamed on the 

conflicts in various parts of 

the world. They have radicalised 

many people, especially 

the disillusioned younger generation. 

They have the impression 

that destabilisation in 

some countries represents the 

handiwork of the western 

world. 

Responsible governments 

have set up counter-terrorism 

agencies to ensure attacks are 

foiled. We may say that, despite 

the measures, terrorism 

Delta APC chieftain, Daubry 

lauds Keyamo at 50th 

has not faded. It may be practically 

impossible to eradicate 

terrorism because of the massive 

scale of operations, but 

the reduction in fatalities is a 

success. This is achieved by 

the deployment of appropriate 

security personnel to gather 

intelligence and make use 

of them at the right time. 

Governments have various 

priorities and responsibilities 

to their citizens. But the provision 

of adequate security, food 

and infrastructure are top in 

priorities. In any forwardlooking 

society, security is the 

most important. This is reflected 

by the resources allocated 

to ensure all is well and 

good in the land. This is understandable 

because an unsecured 

society can never develop. 

I sympathise with the families 

of Andimi. Same also goes 

to all the families that are affected 

by the activities of terrorists. 

The pattern of the attacks 

has been the same since 

the foray of Boko Haram to 

the country’s playground. 

Christian towns and villages 

are targeted for wipeout while 

the residents are kidnapped or 

massacred. 

The question is, how responsive 

is Nigeria's security and 

intelligence officials? It's not 

just about claiming success for 

the negotiated release of the 

kidnapped schoolgirls, but for 

citizens to recognize that security 

remains a priority of the 

government. I often marvel at 

how residents of these areas 

feel about the government and 

the officials. And flipping the 

coin I imagine what goes on 

in the minds of these political 

leaders. Do they genuinely 

care for these people? Do they 

shed genuine tears for the 

murdered Nigerians? I doubt. 

Aformer member of 

Delta State House 

of Assembly and 

chieftain of All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in 

Delta State,Hon. Kennedy 

Daubry, has congratulated 

Chief Festus Keyamo , 

Minister of State for Labour 

and Employment on 

his 50th birthday. 

Daubry, in a statement issued 

by his Media office, 

noted that Chief Keyamo, at 

50 had made remarkable 

contributions and sacrifices 

for the peace, stability and 

development of Nigeria. 

According to the former 

APC aspirant for Burutu 

Federal Constituency, Burutu 

local government, "Keyamo 

is a worthy Deltan and 

patriotic Nigerian, and I 

urge the Minister to continue 

with his laudable committment 

towards the less 

privilege in the society, particularly 

the recent empowerment 

programme for over 

1,500 youths and women in 

Delta State through National 

Directorate of Employment". 

He said, " the Ijaw APC 

leaders and family in Delta 

State, joined Deltans 

and Nigerians to celebrate 

Chief Keyamo SAN, Minister 

of State for Labour 

and Employment, on his 

50th birthday. We wish him 

more of God's blessings, 

good health and wisdom".

PAGE 32 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26 , 2020 

AS CORONA VIRUS RAGES... 

We are prepared to 

handle disease – NCDC 

By Sola Ogundipe 

As global attention remains focused 

on the outbreak of the novel 

Coronavirus strain (2019nCoV) 

that has continued to spread across the 

world, the Federal Government says it is 

well positioned to handle cases of 

Coronavirus in the in the unlikely event that 

it is detected in Nigeria. 

The Head of Research and Knowledge 

Management of the Nigeria Centre for 

Disease Control, NCDC, Dr Chinwe Lucia 

Ochu, who disclosed this in Lagos, said 

Nigeria has put enough measures in place 

to tackle such cases. 

“The NCDC is well positioned to handle 

any case of Coronavirus 

that comes into the country. 

We are better prepared to 

manage Coronavirus if it 

comes to Nigeria than we 

were during the Ebola 

outbreak. Our system has 

been tested by other 

infectious diseases over time, 

and lessons learnt from 

theses outbreaks has further 

strengthened our capacity.” 

Ochu, who spoke on a live 

Channels TV Sunrise 

programme “State of the 

Nation”, said there is 

collaboration between 

China and the Nigerian 

government especially 

through screening of 

incoming travelers. 

“We are working closely 

with the Federal Ministry of 

Health Port Health Services 

to screen passengers at 

airports. We are confident 

that the Ports Health’s 

Service Division in the 

Federal Ministry of Health 

of Nigeria will be able to 

detect these cases on time.” 

Travelers 

from Nigeria 

to Wuhan, 

China, are 

advised to 

avoid contact 

with sick 

people, 

animals (alive 

or dead), and 

animal 

markets 

Further reassuring 

Nigerians of government’s preparedness 

and the measures in place to prevent 

importation of the virus into Nigeria, Ochu 

stated: “We are coordinating a multisectoral 

group in collaboration with the Federal 

Ministry of Health of Nigeria Ports Health 

Service and partners to monitor the 

Coronavirus outbreak in parts of the world 

and developing preparedness measures.” 

In the views of Dr Olaolu Aderinola, Head 

of Response Division, NCDC: “No case of 

Coronavirus has been detected in Nigeria. 

We are working closely with the Federal 

Ministry of Health Port Health Services to 

screen incoming travelers at airports and 

seaports. As information on the novel 

Coronavirus is rapidly unfolding, the world 

is working together on this. 

“Symptoms of Coronavirus includes 

coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties. 

Our message to Nigerians is to report 

immediately to the nearest health facility if 

you notice any of these symptoms. 

“Health care workers should adhere to 

standard precautions at all times to ensure 

they protect themselves and 

that preparedness measures 

for the novel coronavirus is 

a collective responsibility.” 

According to the NCDC, 

the case fatality rate from 

the novel Coronavirus 

outbreak in parts of the 

world is very low. 

“There has been no case 

of CoronaVirus recorded in 

Nigeria. No travel 

restriction has been placed 

by WHO. Our advice to 

Nigerians is to limit contact 

with animals if you must visit 

China and ensure good 

personal hygiene at all 

times.” 

On Thursday in response 

to the outbreak in Wuhan, 

China, the NCDC issued a 

public health advisory 

placing the Port Health 

Services unit of the Federal 

Ministry of Health in 

Nigeria on alert and 

heightened screening 

measures at points of entry 

Into the country. 

In the advisory, travelers 

from Nigeria to Wuhan, China, are advised 

to avoid contact with sick people, animals 

(alive or dead), and animal markets. 

“Travelers from Wuhan to Nigeria, may 

be asked questions upon arrival by the Port 

Health Services unit at points of entry about 

symptoms of illness and travel history, and 

are advised to report immediately to 

NCDC, if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan.” 

The advisory said the Federal Ministry of 

Health through NCDC and its partners are 

fully committed to strengthening 

preparedness and response to infectious 

disease outbreaks and that information will 

be shared with the public as it becomes 

available. 

Meanwhile, WHO’s Regional Office for 

Europe has officially been notified of the 

first novel coronavirus cases in Europe. 

Three cases have been confirmed in 

France and WHO is in contact with the 

relevant authorities. WHO encourages 

countries in the European Region to 

continue to prepare. 

The NCDC noted that as this is a new 

virus, and new information is emerging 

every day, this advisory will be updated as 

new information and research on the virus 

and its impact on populations become 

available. 

It noted that the first case of the novel 

coronavirus strain (2019nCoV) was 

confirmed in China on the 7th of January, 

2020. 

“Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning 

they are normally transmitted between 

animals and people. A novel coronavirus 

(nCoV) is a new strain of the virus that has 

not been previously identified in humans. 

The World Health Organization 

(WHO) convened its Emergency 

Committee on Thursday and said it was too 

early to declare the outbreak a “Public 

Health Event of International Concern” 

(PHEIC). 

Symptoms 

This new coronavirus, 2019nCoV, appears 

to cause mild to severe respiratory 

symptoms like cough and breathing 

difficulties. From current evidence, it 

appears that death is a rare outcome, and 

occurs mostly in patients with underlying 

illness. 

Treatment 

There is no specific treatment for disease 

caused by the novel coronavirus yet. 

However, many of the symptoms can be 

treated. Therefore, treatment is based on 

the patient’s clinical condition. In addition, 

supportive care for infected persons can be 

highly effective. 

Nigeria’s 

preparedness 

and response 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control 

(NCDC) is currently coordinating a 

multisectoral technical group that is 

assessing and managing the risk of 

importation to Nigeria. NCDC is in close 

communication with the World Health 

Organization (WHO) who is closely 

monitoring the situation globally. WHO is 

in direct communication with the 

Government of China and other affected 

countries, and has released technical and 

travel guidance. 

The Port Health Services unit of the 

Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria has 

been placed on alert and has heightened 

screening measures at the points of entry. 

In China, exit screening measures have been 

enhanced for travellers from Wuhan city at 

the Points of Entry (PoE) (airports and 

ground transport stations) since the 14th of 

January, 2020. This includes temperature 

checks combined with provision of 

information and masks to passengers with 

fever, as well as directing symptomatic 

passengers to health facilities for follow up. 

Nigerians are advised to remain calm. 

Travelers from Nigeria to Wuhan, China, 

are advised to avoid contact with sick 

people, animals (alive or dead), and animal 

markets. 

Travelers from Wuhan to Nigeria, may be 

asked questions upon arrival by the Port 

Health Services unit at points of entry about 

symptoms of illness and travel history, and 

are advised to report immediately to NCDC 

if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan. 

How to 

protect 

yourself 

To reduce the risk of spread of 

coronavirus, members of the public are 

advised to adhere to the following measures: 

• Wash your hands regularly with soap 

under running water. 

• Cover your mouth and nose properly 

with handkerchief or tissue paper when 

sneezing and/or coughing. You may also 

cough into your elbow if a handkerchief is 

not available. 

• Avoid close contact with anyone 

showing symptoms of respiratory illness 

such as coughing and sneezing. 

• Avoid self-medication, report to the 

nearest health facility when you experience 

any of the above-mentioned symptoms. 

• Healthcare workers are always advised 

to observe standard infection prevention 

and control measures when attending to 

patients and take a travel history.


One of the newly acquired cancer treatment machine at 

the newly established cancer centre at LUTH. 

CERVICAL CANCER ON THE LOOSE: 

28 women 

die daily 

...girls who have sex early risk disease 

very January, the world marks Cervical 

ECancer Awareness Month. It is designed to 

create awareness and highlight the need for 

Human Papillomavirus, HPV, Vaccines for this 

kind of cancer which experts refer to as ‘crisis in 

the cervix’. 

According to estimates from World Health 

Organisation, WHO, in 2018, 570 000 women 

were affected worldwide and about 311 000 

died from the disease. 

Sadly, findings have shown that 

cervical cancer which could be 

100 percent preventable is fast 

disappearing in the western 

world. But there is an upsurge 

in mortality from 26 deaths to 

28 daily. Sunday Vanguard 

reports that poor access to 

treatment, routine screening, 

early diagnosis and absence of 

a comprehensive cancer centre 

remain the bane to the reduction 

of deaths caused by any type of 

cancer in Nigeria. 

By Chioma Obinna 

When 26-year-old Lena 

Spotleson sought 

treatment for 

unexplained stomach pain, she 

was shocked to learn she had 

late-stage cervical cancer. 

The intensive treatment 

Lena received at Mayo Clinic 

eliminated it. 

Before she was diagnosed 

with cancer, Lena, a basketball 

player, and a high school 

basketball coach was fit and 

athletic. Her annual physical and 

gynecological exams were routinely normal. 

But in November 2005, she began 

experiencing stomach pain and cramping. 

Each morning, Lena would wake with pain 

that lasted throughout the day. 

When the pain started, she sought help from 

a number of medical specialists and received 

a series of tests, including MRI and endoscopy. 

But they didn’t find anything. Lena’s search 

Apart from 

the fact that 

the cost of 

treatment 

remains out of 

the reach of 

Nigerians, the 

country has 

no 

comprehensive 

cancer centre 

for answers led her to a gynaecologist. An 

examination revealed a mass, which was 

biopsied. When the biopsy yielded no answers, 

Lena’s gynaecologist referred her to Mayo 

Clinic where she was treated. 

Today, in an effort to help others, she is 

sharing her cancer story. 

While Lena’s case continues to inspire others 

around the world, how many Lenas do we have 

in Nigeria today? Why are we not having more 

Lenas in Nigeria? 

Cancer survivors 

These are more are 

questions that have 

continued to re-echo in the 

minds of the affected, their 

relatives and other 

concerned Nigerians. 

Today, in Nigeria, though 

an insignificant number of 

cancer survivors still shield 

themselves and their 

treatment in secret 

apparently to avoid stigma, 

cancer treatment remains a 

big challenge. 

Nigeria lacks the facilities 

for optimal treatment of 

cancer. Apart from the fact 

that the cost of treatment 

remains out of the reach of 

Nigerians, the country has 

no comprehensive cancer 

centre and has only a few 

functioning radiotherapy 

machines. 

It is no longer news that 

across the country, social 

media and the mainstream 

media are awash with 

stories of fundraising for patients due to the 

absence of strategic government programme 

for the prevention, early detection, and 

treatment for the disease. Scores of these 

helpless Nigerians die without treatment. 

The number of cancer survivors continues 

to soar high in the western world. Statistics 

show that in 2018 alone, Nigeria recorded 

about 116,000 new cases of cancer and over 

70,000 deaths. 

116,000 new cases 

In the views of the Executive 

Secretary, National Cervical Cancer 

Prevention Programme, NCCPP, Dr. Abia 

Nzelu, Cervical cancer caused by HPV which 

is sexually transmitted, is one cancer that 

epitomises the cost-effectiveness of investing 

in preventive health care and easiest of all 

cancers to prevent. Unfortunately, according 

to her, there is an increase in cervical cancer 

deaths from 26 to 28 deaths daily in Nigeria. 

She said Nigeria according to WHO data 

had a reduction in cervical cancer deaths from 

26 daily to 22 daily between 2008 and 2012, 

adding that it rose to 28 deaths daily in 2018. 

Nzelu told Sunday Vanguard that the rise 

could be as a result of increasing awareness 

and diagnosis without commensurate 

increase in access to preventive interventions. 

“The statistics are alarming given the fact 

that cervical cancer is virtually 100 percent 

preventable and is a disappearing disease in 

the western world,” she added. 

Prevalence and mortality 

A few years back, the federal government 

launched the country’s $250 million National 

Cancer Control Plan with the goal of reducing 

the cancer prevalence and mortality rates. 

The programme was designed to improve 

treatment by increasing the number of cancer 

treatment centres that can offer radiotherapy 

treatment for cancer patients. 

Recently, government procured 

radiotherapy machines at the National 

Hospital, Abuja and the new cancer centre at 

the Lagos University Teaching hospital, 

LUTH. 

However, Nzelu lamented that most women 

were not aware of the need for cervical cancer 

screening. 

She said most have never had cervical cancer 

screening in their lifetime. As a result, cervical 

cancer kills about one woman every hour in 

Nigeria. 

“The rural Nigerian woman is worse off, 

because of the absence of adequate medical 

facilities for screening, diagnosis and followup. 

Cervical cancer is the commonest cause 

of cancer-related death in women in parts of 

Nigeria,’’ she added. 

First sexual intercourse 

She explained that the risk of cervical cancer 

is higher in women who had their first sexual 

intercourse very early, especially before age 

18 and those with multiple sexual partners 

and a sexual partner who has multiple sexual 

partners. 

“Infection with other sexually transmitted 

diseases like HIV also increases the risk. 

Smoking which could be first hand or second 

hand also increases the risk of cervical 

cancer.” 

Nzelu noted that child marriage contributes 

to a higher incidence of cervical cancer. 

“There is increasing awareness but we can 

do better as there is also an increase in the 

incidence and death rate. We need to increase 

access to vaccination against Human 

Papillomavirus (HPV), access to screening and 

access to treatment of the precancerous 

changes as well as optimal treatment 

of established cancer,’’ 

Nzelu said. 

She declared 

that there is 

hope for 

Nigerian 

women, adding 

that the National 

C a n c e r 

Prevention 

Programme 

(NCPP), a nongovernmental 

initiative of mass 

medical mission 

spearheaded 

community-based 

cervical cancer 

screening in 2007 

and has screened, 

vaccinated and 

treated over 200,000 

people. 

Prevention 

On prevention, she 

recommended the 

vaccination of 

both males and 

females from the 

causative virus 

HPV which is the 

most common 

sexually transmitted 

infection globally. 

Since it takes up to 

20 years for cervical 

cancer to progress 

from infection to fullblown 

cancer, regular 

screening can pick up 

the precancerous 

stages and prompt 

treatment of the 

precancerous changes 

when picked up to halt 

the progression to fullblown 

cancer. 

Treatment 

She dismissed fears 

about cervical cancer 

treatment and the womb saying that 

women do not need to remove their wombs 

because of precancerous changes. 

Corroborating her views, the Founder of 

Cancer Care Organization. Prevention 

Enlightenment, COPE, Mrs. Ebun Anozie, who 

urged the government to use its political will 

to establish a Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 

regretted that presently, cancer treatment is 

relegated to the background. 

Anozie stated that it takes the grace of God 

for one to survive cancer in Nigeria due to the 

abysmal treatment received and the exorbitant 

prices of cancer medications and treatments. 

Breast cancer 

He said:”For instance, we have drugs that 

cost as high as half a million Naira and you 

are required to go through 13 courses. Where 

is one going to get the money from in a country 

where the Health Insurance Scheme does not 

cover cancer treatments? Can one confidently 

say there is hope?” 

“With the blessings God has bestowed on us 

in Nigeria, nothing stops the government from 

having a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in 

all the 36 states. 

“I also assume that our exposure to hospitals 

abroad will endear our leaders to replicate 

what they experience back home in order to 

know what a Comprehensive Cancer Centre 

really is. It is heartbreaking that we have 

brilliant doctors but no adequate tools to work 

with. We need to provide the necessary health 

tools for the primary health centres to avoid 

unnecessary congestion in secondary and 

tertiary health institutions. 

“The people should, therefore, make 

government accountable. Furthermore, our 

prayer is to imbibe and inculcate a sound 

maintenance culture in order not to run down 

the NSIA-LUTH project. It will give Nigerians 

great joy to have cancer treatments 

subsidised.”


Men have all the opinion 

Candid View 

With 

MagnaFaith Krimi 

+1 (202) 718-9278 

magnafaithmedia@gmail.com 

Ifound that the Nigeri 

an woman doesn’t 

have a choice to work, 

not work, have kids, not 

have kids. There is a systematic 

attempt to erase every 

glimpse of hope that opinions 

should not be down to 

the individual. 

You see, the woman who 

understands her role, place 

and status within society often 

finds herself in situations 

where she is seen as a rebel. 

A woman can be a wife to 

a man, mother to children, 

daughter to parents and 

possess an immensely strong 

disposition. That woman 

can be beautiful, highly independent 

and be the kind 

of woman who dances to the 

tune of her own drum. In Nigeria 

today, when a woman 

is a non-conformist and 

refuses to be treated like crap 

she is vilified, but when a 

man does the same, he is 

cheered on by society and 

dubbed as a trailblazer. In 

other cases where women 

are not vilified, they are objectified, 

some are stigmatized 

and even ostracized 

from society for issues that 

would be okay if it were related 

to men. 

Do we take up weapons to 

begin to defend ourselves or 

do we leave our fate to the 

men who so disregard and 

sometimes despise us. 

A case in point would be 

how Roman writers portrayed 

Cleopatra as a harlot 

and cast as someone who 

manipulatively used her 

sexuality to control powerful 

men like Julius Caesar 

and Mark Antony. She was 

hardly referred to or mentioned 

in terms of her intelligence 

and excellent capability 

as a politician. I mean 

this woman was ruling one 

of the most powerful kingdoms 

in history and yet was 

mostly spoken about in 

terms of her sexuality. While 

they wrote about her from a 

condescending perspective, 

Cleopatra strove to protect 

her territory and her country. 

Amotekun: The way to go 

When the Yoruba na 

tion launched the 

southwest security 

network, code-named 

Amotekun everybody knew it 

was a project that would stand 

the test of time. At its formative 

stage, no noise was made 

about it. Discussions were 

quietly done, recruitment and 

purchase of vehicles were 

done quietly until the project 

was ready to be launched and 

everybody across party lines 

was involved including traditional 

rulers, the elites and ordinary 

people. There was unity 

of purpose and almost all 

the Yoruba agreed to it. 

Even other ethnic groups 

concurred and some muted 

the idea of coming up with 

similar project. 

The voices of dissent that 

rose from the centre were swallowed 

with evidence of civilian 

JTF and Hishbah police 

that operate in the north. Even 

the Attorney General had to 

swallow his words. 

At the end, Amotekun is here 

to stay. 

And just at the time 

Amotekun got a positive nod 

from the federal government, 

something sinister happened: 

Popular trado-medical practitioner, 

Alhaji Fatai Yusuf 

popularly known as Oko 

Oloyun was murdered.He 

was killed on Thursday when 

his convoy was attacked on 

the Igbo-Ora-Eruwa road by 

gunmen. 

The attackers reportedly 

shot at his convoy from thick 

forest, resulting to his death 

Nigeria accounts for 50% of 

glaucoma cases in Africa — TCF 

A 

By Michael Eboh and 

Fortune Eromosele 

medical foundation 

and eye hospital in Nigeria, 

the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, 

TCF, has raised the 

alarm over the rising incidences 

of glaucoma and other 

eye diseases in the country, 

stating that Nigeria accounts 

for 50 per cent of Glaucoma 

cases in Africa. 

Addressing newsmen in 

Abuja, the foundation also 

stated that Nigeria holds the 

record for the largest number 

of patients with eye cases in 

Africa. 

Strong women with high 

levels of self-esteem are consistently 

portrayed as temptresses. 

They are not appreciated 

for their desire to fulfill 

purpose, intelligence and 

work ethic. Women have tolerated 

decades of smear 

campaigns, as their male 

counterparts seek to discredit 

them in the struggle for authority 

and dominion whether 

within work environments 

or family settings. 

Women who are intelligent 

and scholarly have unnaturally 

and unfortunately become 

a threat to society. 

Some communities are 

working to change the narrative, 

some communities 

have begun cheering women 

on, of course not a high 

percentage. Howbeit, a good 

percentage of society now 

understand where a woman 

might be coming from and 

are supporting to allow 

changes made to the existing 

structure. Mainly government 

structure. 

The changes that are so 

desired by working women 

around the world may not 

entail the complete disruption 

and the radical change 

of the status quo. However, 

very many purposeful women 

are aiming at generally 

improving the political and 

social conditions of all women 

within their microcosmos. 

Women who are pragmatic 

and take advantage of 

their beauty and appearances 

where needed should not 

be nailed to the cross as 

good-looking people enjoy 

from injuries sustained from 

the bullet. 

Amotekun is a project that 

came in season. 

Somebody asked if the Igbo 

could come up with a similar 

thing and I said no, that the 

Igbo don’t have that kind of 

unity of purpose and don’t 

ever agree on anything. The 

person reminded me that the 

southeast governors claimed 

the Yoruba stole the idea from 

them and had even operated 

Bakassi Boys across the southeast 

states. I told the person it 

must be a slip of tongue to say 

Amotekun was stolen from 

southeast governors as the 

Igbo don’t agree on any issue. 

In fact, I made it clear that 

the Igbo cannot be as discreet 

as the Yoruba as they would 

have blown it open from the 

formative stage and create 

room for sabotage of the 

projects as some of the southeast 

governors and other 

groups would start paying 

Emphasizing the need for 

glaucoma care pathways for 

early detection and treatment 

to prevent blindness, spokesperson 

for the TCF, Dr. Deepak 

Kumar said it was estimated 

that 1.1 to 1.4 million 

adults in Nigeria have glaucoma, 

most of whom are not 

aware that they have the disease. 

He noted that the high prevalence 

and high rate of blindness 

confirm glaucoma to be 

of public health importance 

and should become a priority 

among healthcare planners 

and policy makers. 

Kumar maintained that one 

in every 20 Nigerians aged 40 

years and above has glaucoma, 

and one in five at risk of 

being blind, while he highlighted 

the fact that there are 

approximately 8,500 people 

aged 40 years and above with 

glaucoma per million population. 

According to him, 50% of 

glaucoma cases in Africa are 

from Nigeria and 8% of glaucoma 

cases was secondary, with 

over half of these following procedures 

for cataract, particularly 

couching, which is still widely practiced 

in Nigeria despite very poor 

visual outcomes. 

“This underscores the need for high 

quality, affordable and accessible 

eye surgical services,” he said. 

As parts of effort towards fighting 

the scourge of blindness, he stated 

that the foundation which opened 

its services on 15th January 2019 

and was formally inaugurated by 

His Excellency, President Muhammad 

Buhari, on 11th July 2019, had 

conducted over 124,000 free eye surgeries 

such as glaucoma and cataract. 

However, he noted that the foundation 

had treated 20,000 outpatients 

and offered up to 70 per cent 

free eye care services to the poor and 

less privleged. 

Also speaking, Director, Chanrai 

Group Advisor, TCF, Kannan 

Narayanan, said in an effort to reduce 

the rate of blindness and eye 

problems in Nigeria, TCF had conducted 

96 rural eye camps screening, 

adding that it has screened over 

14,000 persons. 

Women must be 

allowed to make 

decisions for 

themselves. Maybe 

with help and 

admonishment 

from the men in 

their lives 

an enormous social advantage 

in most societies 

around the world. 

Paul Mulwitz a Retired 

Electrical Engineer, Light 

Plane Pilot and an amateur 

Builder, stated in a response 

quote on that “Pretty people 

are spoiled from the first 

time they interact with others. 

They are the first chosen 

to be on teams on the 

playground. They are desired 

and treasured as 

friends by nearly everyone. 

School teachers call on the 

first and give them high 

grades no matter how poor 

their performance” 

Greg Holley, on the other 

hand, wrote that “Beauty 

pushed too hard becomes 

sex and sex can easily eclipse 

personality. Intelligence 

pushed too hard becomes 

elitism and elitism is aggressive 

and gross. 

We all try to look and 

sound as good as we can 

and use what we have to get 

We should protect 

ourselves and our 

people. That will 

reduce the burden 

off the federal 

government 

solidarity visits to Aso Rock 

to pledge their allegiance to 

Buhari and the security forces. 

Some will even interpret 

the motive as an attempt to 

sabotage Buhari’s regime. 

The governors did not disappoint. 

Their aides started issuing 

statements that every 

state in the south east has its 

own challenges and idiosyncrasies, 

offering several reasons 

why each state has to 

work alone to achieve its security 

needs. Yet, many a governor 

will claim that security 

challenges his state is facing 

are being transmitted from 

nearby southeast states. 

Talk of the Igbo question 

But whether we believe it or 

not, the emergence of 

Amotekun is a clear sign that 

things have fallen apart in 

Nigeria, we are no longer at 

ease since anarchy is loosed 

upon Nigeria. Kidnapping for 

ransom is still happening; 

Boko Haram is still in charge 

of the north and has added a 

new style to its modus operandi, 

beheading Christians in 

the North. Nigerians are more 

divided than ever. Everything 

is ethnicised and viewed along 

tribal and religious lines. 

Currently, Nigerians are 

more divided under the current 

government. So much 

hatred and hate speech exist 

in Nigeria. Even as Nigeria 

celebrated 50 years of end of 

civil war, indications are rife 

that we didn’t learn our lessons 

from the 1967-1970 war. 

The conflicting signals emanating 

from the different 

geo-political zones show that 

the Nigerian Project is gradually 

heading towards a precipice. 

What leaders like Obafemi 

Awolowo perceived Nigeria to 

be is becoming truer every 

day: that ‘Nigeria is not a 

nation, but a mere geographical 

expression? There are no 

“Nigerians” in the same sense 

as there are “English,” Welsh,” 

or “French”. 

Even as far back as then, Zik 

appeared to be the only true 

believer in the Project Nigeria. 

The then Prime Minister 

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa 

said that “since 1914, the British 

Government has been trying 

to make Nigeria become 

where we want to go. This 

involves balancing our attributes 

with each other, not 

promoting one to the detriment 

of all others.” 

Whether a woman is compassionate 

to the poor and 

a dedicated mother, she 

would be criticized. 

Gender is the reason why 

most talented women are 

chiefly vilified. No matter 

how efficient and effective 

they are in their roles. Strong 

women in leadership are 

seen to be tyrants. while, they 

are no more tyrannical than 

their male counterparts, regardless 

of how peaceful 

they strive to protect themselves. 

Women must be allowed to 

make decisions for themselves. 

Maybe with help and 

admonishment from the 

men in their lives. 

Author Martina Cole in a 

piece written by Natasha 

Harding for The Sun in October 

of 2019 on why she 

believes women are ‘vilified 

more than ever before’ stated 

that “she believes it’s not 

a great time to be a woman’’ 

“I like my single life, I’m 

selfish and the longer I’m on 

my own, the more selfish I 

become. When I was younger, 

I never wanted a fairytale 

wedding, I wanted a penthouse 

and a sports car. 

“I’ve kind of achieved my 

wishes.” 

Whether your views align 

with her perspective on life 

or not, Martina Cole does 

have a right as an individual 

to make choices for herself. 

Ebele Elue an Abuja based 

professional explained that 

the perspective of Nigerian 

Men on Nigerian Women 

varies she quotes “Their perspectives 

vary based on 

their upbringing, traditions, 

environment, exposure and 

the women they have come 

in contact with”. 

Helen Ebide from Jos stated 

that the response of society 

to women depends on 

the social class and exposure 

of individuals. She added 

that a woman would be 

perceived per the quality of 

the woman in question. 

Ebide asked questions like; 

“how much has that woman 

invested in herself” She went 

on to explain that the value 

of investment a woman has 

made on herself is directly 

proportional to how a man 

views her. 

History shows that great 

women who had invested in 

themselves tremendously 

had falsehood either exaggerated 

or completely invented 

although these women 

would put in so much 

work and heart into their 

pursuits to fulfil a purpose, 

their achievements, however, 

would be overshadowed 

by rumours about mundane 

things like their sex life and 

more. 

No matter what society 

believes, women the world 

over are capable in all 

spheres of life and will continue 

to pave the way for other 

women to achieve. 

one country, but Nigerians 

are historically different in 

their backgrounds, in their 

religious beliefs and customs 

and do not show themselves 

any sign of willingness to 

unite.” 

We are still on the same spot. 

When we take one step forward, 

we find ourselves taking 

several steps backward. 

But what the southwest has 

done is the way to go. I perceive 

it as restructuring, regionalization 

and that is the 

way to go. Each region should 

watch its own back and provide 

security. It is happening 

in the north where they have 

the Hishah police and civilian 

JTF. Now there is 

Amotekun in the southwest 

and maybe for once, the 

southeast will spring its surprise 

and do something. It is 

one region that all eyes are on 

to remove the plague from its 

people and will they? 

The Middle Belt or north 

central and the south-south 

should also come up something. 

We should not play with security 

issues. Our borders are 

now open to all manner of 

people. We used to have Boko 

Haram and herdsmen. Now, 

we have ISWAP and who 

knows, other new names that 

will crop up soon. 

We should protect ourselves 

and our people. That will reduce 

the burden off the federal 

government. 

NEXIM to host export enlightenment, engagement 

programme 

By Festus Ahon, ASABA 

HERE is beehive of ac 

Ttivity in Asaba ahead of Nigerian 

Export-Import Bank hosting of the Export 

Enlightenment and Engagement Programme 

for the South-South Geopolitical 

Zone slated to hold in the Delta State 

capital from Tuesday, 28th – Thursday, 

30th January, 2020. 

The program which is in furtherance of 

its mandate of promoting the diversification 

of the Nigerian economy and boosting 

non-oil exports, the Nigerian Export- 

Import Bank, will be hosting, would hold 

at the Dome Event Centre, Okpanam 

Road, Asaba, Delta State and declared 

open by the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi 

Okowa along other Governors from Edo, 

Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers 

States, seeks to bring together Exporters, 

Bankers, policy makers, top government 

officials and other operators in the 

non-oil export sector towards highlighting 

the non-oil export potentials of the 

south-south region and other pertinent 

issues that impact the contribution of the 

region to economic diversification. 

The theme of the conference “Maximising 

the Export Potentials of the South- 

South Region for Economic Growth” 

would be addressed by various high profile 

speakers, including the Chief Executive 

Officers of Nigerian Export-Import 

Bank, (NEXIM) Nigerian Export Promotion 

Council (NEPC), the Nigerian Incentive 

Risk Based System for Agricultural 

Lending (NIRSAL), the Small & Medium 

Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria 

(SMEDAN), the Nigerian Customs Service, 

the National Agency for Food & Drugs 

Administration and Control (NAFDAC) 

and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria 

(SON). 

Others include the Nigerian Agricultural 

Quarantine Service, the Nigerian Institute 

for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and 

the Raw Materials Research & Development 

Council (RMRDC). 

Also to speak at the event are various 

banking institutions led by the Central 

Bank of Nigeria,the Development Bank 

of Nigeria, the Bank of Agriculture and 

the Bank of Industry 

Exporters and prospective exporters will 

also have the opportunity to display their 

products, while various capacity building 

sessions will be organised, particularly for 

the benefit of the Small and Medium Enterprises.

RT. . HON. . PAUL NNAJIOFOR OR AT NKANU EAST: 

Ugwuanyi is a God-Fearing 

leader 

R 

t. Hon. Paul Osondu Nnajiofor, 

JP, (Ononaenyi Ndigbo), 

member representing Nkanu East 

Constituency in Anambra State 

House of Assembly and House 

Committee Chairman on Rural 

Development and CSDP, paid a 

solidarity visit to TC Chairman of 

Nkanu East LGA at the council 

headquarters in Amagunze. 

Nnajiofor told his hosts, including 

Supervisors and Special Advisers, 

that he was grateful to Governor 

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the choice 

of Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh 

as the TC Chairman and his team. 

He eulogised Ugwuanyi over what 

he described as the governor’s 

continued support to the people of 

the LGA as expressed through 

human empowerment, 

infrastructural development and 

appointments, describing him as a 

Isaba community 

denies abducting 

Aladja indigene 

THE people of Isaba 

Community, Warri 

South West Local Government 

Area of Delta State 

have denied allegation of abduction 

of one Mr. Michael 

Kevwe. 

In a statement protesting 

against the allegation, theydescribed 

it as a ploy to truncate 

the peace deal recently 

brokered by the state government. 

The statement signed by 

Mr. Henry Ofoleyon and Austin 

Deinfegha, Chairman and 

Secretary of Isaba Central 

Government respectively, 

while outlining events which 

transpired in the alleged abduction, 

called for the sustenance 

of the new found 

peace. 

The community in the statement 

titled, "Kevwe Michael 

Was Not Abducted by Isaba 

People", said: “Our attention 

has been drawn to a publication 

with the caption “Tension 

in Delta as Isaba Abducts an 

Aladja man” We wish to correct 

the erroneous impression 

and misrepresentation of facts 

deliberately fabricated in the 

said publication.'' 

father and a God-fearing leader 

The lawmaker urged the TC 

Chairman to maintain the peace in 

the People Democratic Party, PDP, 

and among stakeholders of the LGA 

and the entire people of Nkanu East 

irrespective of party affiliation. 

Nnajiofor assured the TC 

Chairman to count on his support 

at all times. 

Edeh, responding, thanked his 

guest for always standing by Nkanu 

East, calling him a quintessential 

leader. 

According to him, Nnajiofor is a 

vibrant lawmaker who made 

Nkanu East proud in the discharge 

From left; Dr Adesina Akinwunmi, President, African Development Bank and Guest Speaker; 

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Keynote Speaker; Pastor Joseph Obayemi, Chairman, Redeemers 

Men Fellowship and Pastor Charles Kpandei, Pastor in Charge, Lagos Province 11, Redeemed 

Christian Church of God at the Redeemer's Men Fellowship Lagos Regions Inspiration Conference 

2020 themed 'Galvanized for Geometric Growth' held in Lagos yesterday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele 

Construction of 11 new roads: Onuesoke e lauds Okow 

owa 

P 

By Festus Ahon, ASABA 

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) 

chieftain, Chief Sunny 

Onuesoke has commended the 

construction of eleven new roads in 

Delta State by Governor Ifeanyi 

Okowa is adhering to his promise 

of rehabilitation and saying it 

confirms he is a promise keeper, 

who is committed to even 

development of the state. 

He added that if there is one area 

among others in which the 

administration of Governor Ifeanyi 

Okowa has excelled, it is in the 

development of road and physical 

infrastructure in Delta State. 

According to Onuesoke 

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s road 

imprints are now seen everywhere 

across Delta State. In Asaba, the 

capital of Delta State we have lost 

count of the number of roads the 

Delta State government has 

constructed or refurbished. 

“Okowa’s administration has 

even advanced further by going into 

roads in the difficult terrains of 

Forcados and Burutu and some 

riverine areas of Warri South and 

Warri North. Places where princes 

feared to tread,” he stated. 

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 — 35 

of his duties. The TC Chairman 

promised that he will not disappoint 

the people of the LGA and 

Ugwuanyi. 

During the visit, the lawmaker 

inspected the site for Police Officers 

Quarters in the LGA which 

Nnajiofor expressed satisfaction 

with, saying the project will enhance 

security in the locality. 

He charged the Edeh and his team 

to do legacy projects and 

programmes that will complement 

the efforts of Governor Ugwuanyi 

to transform rural areas. 

Stakeholders present at the 

occasion include Hon Nnamdi 

Nwafor, Assistant State Secretary of 

the PDP, the Secretary of the party in 

Enugu East, and Hon Martins 

Ndubuisi Agbo (GLOBAL), a former 

SSA to Ugwuanyi. 

From left; Emeka Awagu, Head, Digital Commerce, Quickteller; Olawande Oyewole, Assistant 

Brand Director, DDB; Afeye Momoh, Digital Marketing Officer, Interswitch and Adedeji Layade, 

Product Marketing Manager, Quickteller Services at the reveal of the new Quickteller TV 

Commercial at the Interswitch Head Office in Lagos 

Onuesoke disclosed that one 

novel thing about the roads 

embarked upon by the Delta State 

government is that they seem to 

concentrate on roads that would 

positively affect the economic 

fortunes of the people in the affected 

areas. 

He explained that Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa interest in road 

MultiChoice Talent Factory 

(MTF), the creative shared 

value initiative of MultiChoice, 

is set to host Masterclasses on 

Acting for Camera in the West 

African sub-region. The 

Masterclasses will take place in 

Lagos on 28 January and in 

Accra, Ghana, on 30 January. 

The one-day Masterclasses will 

have as facilitator international 

award-winning director, Denny. 

Y. Miller 

Speaking on the Masterclasses, 

Femi Odugbemi, MTF Academy 

Ephraim Oseji 

08023542350 

•Nnajiofor and Hon. Edeh among others during the visit 

construction was borne out of the 

desire to open up the state for 

investors. 

“Beside making the communities 

accessible, the roads are 

concentrated in economic routes 

that are very vital to the socioeconomic 

development of our 

people. The roads will attract 

investors, create job opportunities 

and contribute to the development 

of Delta state,” he disclosed. 

He maintained that the 

Governor’s action is all-inclusive 

by carrying all regions along, 

adding that the aim of 

governance is to please all regions 

and not to pacify only your one 

region. 

FG executes 

N160m wat 

ater 

project in Jigawa 

Stat 

ate var 

arsity 

sity 

By Aliyu Dangida, Dutse 

The Federal Government has 

constructed a mini water 

plant worth N160 million at Sule 

Lamido University (SLU) in 

Jigawa State. 

Vice-Chancellor of the 

institution, Prof Lawan Taura, 

stated this during the 

commissioning of the project in 

Kafinhausa. 

He said the plant had immensely 

addressed the acute shortage of 

water experienced by staff and 

students in the university since its 


His words: “We are here today 

to witness the official 

commissioning of mini water 

supply scheme executed in the 

university by the Federal Ministry 

of Works and Housing.” 

He explained that the project 

includes drilling of five industrial 

boreholes, erection of 266,000 

liters surface tank and 133,000 

liters overhead tank on 15 meters 

steel tower. 

Others include the provision of 

a modern treatment plant, two 

sand filters, two inter-filter pumps 

and two 15 horsepower booster 

pumps. 

He, therefore, expressed 

profound appreciation to 

President Muhammadu Buhari, 

the Minister of Works and his 

staff, for citing the projects at the 

university. 

In his remarks, Director, Special 

Project Unit (SPU) in the ministry, 

Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, said 

the project was part of the 

ministry’s special projects across 

various sectors of the economy. 

Infinix Mobile to 

engage more 

consumers 

Infinix Mobility Limited, is to 

engage more Nigerians 

through a programme tagged, 

‘’The Infinix Adventure” designed 

to bring cutting edge technology 

to them and shaped how they 

interact and even do business with 

its smartphone. 

Commenting, PR Manager, Seyi 

Ajibogere noted that the Infinix 

adventure which started less than 

a decade ago, have been amazing 

and well endeared by Nigerians. 

He said: ‘’We have been at the fore 

of innovations, embracing the 

rapid technological advancement 

as well as the change in fashion 

trends and have combined both 

elements to give the best of both 

worlds. 

‘’We never know what to expect 

from this never-ending blissful 

adventure. What would we see this 

year? Nothing seems to be 

impossible for this brand. So, I’d 

say we’ll keep our fingers crossed 

and expect nothing but the best as 

we travel yet another year with 

Infinix Mobility.’’ 

He added, ‘’In the midst of all these 

releases, we’ve also seen series of 

initiatives that have catered to the 

basic needs of its target audience. 

MultiChoice Talent Factory to Host West Africa Masterclasses 

Director (West Africa) said, 

Miller, who won awards for 

directing Isibaya and 

Swartwater, will be at both 

masterclasses to teach 

participants drawn from industry 

groups in new techniques in acting 

for camera. 

Miller, who has been in television 

for over 25 years, started his career 

in the television and film industry 

at the age of 19 when he worked 

as part of the crew in Egoli- Place 

of Gold. Surrounded by notable 

talent in the industry and some of 

•Paul Nnajiofor 

the best technicians, he acquired 

experience that would leave him 

passionate about directing for 

television. 

Miller directed season one of 

Nigeria’s longest-running soap 

opera Tinsel, mentoring a cast 

and crew that had little or no 

experience in the genre. He was also 

the creative director and director on 

two seasons of Moments with Mo, 

a hit Nigerian talk show, and wrote 

as well as directed Kenya’s first talent 

search reality series, The 

Presenter. 

•Denny Y. Miller

PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 

Tecno launches Spark k 4 series 

•How it will help young Nigerians 

LEADING Chinese smart 

phone manufacturer, 

Tecno, has launched a new 

smart phone Spark 4 series, a 

latest addition to the 

company’s successor to the 

company’s globally acclaimed 

Spark series. 

A statement by the PR and 

Strategic Partnership 

Manager at TECNO Nigeria, 

Jesse Oguntimehin said: “The 

TECNO Spark 4 is built with 

an impressive screen size. 

The device comes with a 6.52- 

inch HD dot-In display and it 

guarantees users a 20:9 aspect 

ratio of great screen 

experience especially for 

movie lovers and gamers. At 

the same time, with ease, one 

can Netflix and Chill in traffic 

or when on a long commute. 

According to the phone 

company, TECNO Spark 4 

comes with lots of impressive 

upgrades when compared 

with other devices under its 

flagship line-up and some of 

the reasons given by 

consumers for its uniqueness 

is that the phone comes in 

four colour variants: Royal 

Purple, Vacation Blue, Misty 

Grey and Energetic Orange, 

which allowed for a number 

of choices for personal 

preference as well as it 

addressed everyone’s style. 

“For the first time on a Spark 

device, the Spark 4 spots a set 

of Triple AI Rear Cameras of 

13MP+2MP+AI. The 13- 

megapixel main camera is 

packed with features that 

ensure the images that are 

captured are vivid and sharp 

even in low-light conditions. 

The rear camera includes 

features such as eight scene 

modes, AR Stickers, custom 

bokeh, AI HDR, AI Beauty, 

and Panorama.” 

He explained further, ‘’the 

Smartphone also comes with 

an 8MP Selfie camera, 

accompanied by a pair of dual 

LED flash lights for low-light 

purposes. It is said that users 

also get to enjoy AI Beauty, 

Portrait and Wide-Selfie 

Mode. There are times you 

wish to enhance an image and 

you are required to download 

an app to make it happen. You 

do not need an extra app to 

make this happen on the 

Spark 4. The AI Beauty mode 

is all you need on the Spark 

4. 

“Evidently, with Spark 4, 

users won’t just be taking 

pictures but capturing 

memories in the brightest, 

warmest colours.” 

He noted that the unique 

thing about the Smartphone 

is that it is powered by 

MediaTek’s Helio A22 

(MTK6761) which guarantees 

sustained high-performance 

and reliable user-experience. 

Illustrating more, he said no 

matter the number of apps 

you have active per time, 

Spark 4’s performance will not 

slow down, and neither will 

the device start freezing up or 

hanging, and at the same time 

the chipset also allowed for 

power efficiency and topnotch 

privacy features like the 

fingerprint sensor. 

“Other interesting features 

includes, Bluetooth 5.0 which 

makes connecting one device 

to another easier and 

transferring file faster; 4G 

LTE capacities for smooth 

high-speed browsing, and an 

impressive 4,000mAh Battery 

allowing all day use following 

a single charge. 

“In terms of storage capacity, 

the Spark 4 is available for sale 

in a sizeable 2GB ROM+ 

32GB RAM and an 

expandable memory capacity 

of up to 128GB through an SD 

card. 

“In conclusion, the device 

comes with a lot of enhanced 

features for young Nigerian 

mobile users and is available 

for sales at all authorized 

retail stores nationwide,” he 

explained. 

WEDDING DINNER FOR GARBA SHEHU’S SON IN KANO 

The family of presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, organised a dinner for his son, Muhammad Garba Shehu and Zuwaira 

Usman Farouk in Kano. Photos by Abayomi Adeshida 

The bride, Zuwarai dancing with her groom, Mohammad 

Sisters of the bride and groom in a photograph with the aunt of 

the groom, Maria Kyawa (left) at the dinner in Kano. 

Father of the Groom, Mallam Garba Shehu 

(2nd left) receiving guests at home after 

the wedding Fatiha. 

Mother of the groom, Hajia Hafsat Garba 

Shehu (m) flanked by Aunties of the groom 

during the reception 

The bride, Zuwarai and her groom, Mohammad 

flanked by guests at the dinner

THE Nigeria Christian Graduate 

Fellowship (NCGF), a trans-de 

nominational Faith-based group 

of Christians intellectually equipped to 

positively impact our society and world 

at large has decried the controversies 

surrounding the first family, saying only 

last week the family added another controversy 

to its indecorous record with 

the news that the president’s daughter, 

Hanan Buhari, used the presidential jet 

to attend a private function in Bauchi, 

presumably at a huge cost to the nation. 

A statement signed by NCGF, Prof 

Charles Adeyinka Adisa and his General 

Secretary, Onyenachi Nwaegeruo, 

the faith-based group argued that President 

Muhammad Buhari and his family 

have of late, excelled in the art of 

generating national controversies, adding 

that there is hardly a day that passes 

without the first family being negatively 

in the news. 

“We have listened to the debate on 

this matter on the legality/illegality and 

propriety/impropriety of the action. We 

are of the opinion that legality alone 

should not be the issue. Rather, the 

unfortunate act should be interrogated 

from the viewpoint of expediency and 

morality,” the group said, adding that 

the Holy Bible says that all things are 

permissible, but all things are not expedient. 

According to the statement, “even if 

the law permits President Buhari to 

make available the presidential jet fleet 

to his family members, should discretion 

not have informed Mr. President 

that flying his daughter to Bauchi with 

the presidential jet is not cost effective, 

when flying even on first class on a commercial 

flight would not have in any 

way diminished the personality or status 

of the young, upcoming lady?” 

The NCGF said its members across 

the nation are “worried that Mr. Presi- 

The Voice of the Lord 

Contact Address: 

The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, 

The Garden of Victory,Old Ife Road,P.M.B 60, 

Agodi-Ibadan,Oyo State 

Telephones: 

0813 128 4001, 08186991467 

Email: ootpbsotsm@gmail.com 

& info@sotsm.org 

Website:www.sotsm.org 

facebook.com/franciswaleoke 

Twitter:@franciswaleoke 

Instagram:@franciswaleoke 

BISHOP WALE OKE 


The law of marriage 

Awoman is bound to her husband as 

long as he lives. But if her husband 

dies, she is free to marry anyone she 

wishes, but he must belong to the Lord (1 

Cor 7:39, NIV). 

Marriage was instituted by God Himself, 

for our joy in companionship, procreation, 

multiplied strength and fulfillment 

in every areas of our lives. The Bible, in 

several places says "Two are better than one," 

"Marriage is honorable in all, and it is not 

good for a man to be alone" (Ecclesiastes 

4:9-10; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 2:18). 

God, who instituted marriage has laid 

down His basic laws by which it should run 

to bring maximum happiness joy and fulfillment. 

This is fundamental to this: for 

this reason shall a man leave his father and 

mother, and cleave to his wife: and they 

twain shall be one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). 

These two shall be one flesh. When this 

rule is violated marriage runs into real trouble. 

It is like violating the manufacturer's 

rule of using your electronic appliance. 

When a marriage involves more than two 

people in conjugal union, there is fundamental 

crisis which only true repentance 

sam.eyoboka@gmail.com 

08023145567 (sms 

Hanan presidential jet saga: NCGF decries 

controversy over first family 

Parish Priest of St. Denis Catholic Church, Bariga, Lagos, Rev. Father Emmanuel 

Etta blessing members of Ejeaga family after the 25th memorial service in honour 

of the late Mr. Thomas Ejeaga recently. 

dent is not leading by example, neither 

is he living according to his profession. 

He presented himself to Nigerians as a 

man who is not given to frivolities. He 

exuded the picture of a stoic and ascetic 

personality who is not given to the 

epicurean lifestyle. 

“As an opposition candidate, he condemned 

the maintenance of a large 

presidential jet fleet and promised to 

reduce the size if elected, as a way of 

reducing the cost of governance. Also 

as an opposition candidate he criticised 

medical tourism and other extravagant 

trips outside the nation. 

“What the nation has witnessed in the 

last five years is the direct opposite of 

what Mr. Buhari professed. In fact, he 

has surpassed his predecessors in terms 

of frivolity within the sphere of governance. 

Had he presented himself as an 

can resolve. A woman is bound to her 

husband as long as he is alive. The same 

goes for the man. Violating this basic 

rule is what has filled our society with 

broken hearts, broken lives, broken 

homes, and delinquent children who 

carry their hurt into the next generation, 

with a calamitous band-wagon 

effect. The spiral results of lack of marital 

chastity is a stench in the nostril of 

God Most High. 

As a true believer in Christ who loves 

and fears the Lord, make sure you are 

faithful to God and your marital partner 

no matter the pressure to do otherwise 

and the Lord will bless your home 

in every way. 

If you have been unfaithful in any 

way, you should truly repent of the ugly 

sin, sincerely turn from your evil way, 

and live your life as a faithful believer 

in Christ henceforth. May you find the 

mercy of the Lord. May your home be 

truly blessed. 

Marriage is honourable in all, and 

the bed undefiled: but whoremongers 

and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 

13:4). 

•PASTOR IGHODALO 

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 , PAGE 37 

epicurean fellow Nigerians would not 

have been surprised at the emerging 

scenario,” the group contended. 

Continuing, the NCGF argued that for 

the president “to profess an aversion to 

wastefulness and go on to indulge in 

opulence is the height of hypocrisy and 

double standards, which is common with 

this administration. Obviously, controversy 

is bound to dog such hypocrisy.” 

According to the faith-based organisation 

President Buhari needs to learn 

from history and take a lesson from the 

late Sardauna of Sokoto. 

“In the days of the Northern Region, 

the government constructed air-strips 

for use of the Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello, 

in most of the provinces that made 

up the Northern Region, including 

Mubi, Jalingo, Wukari, Sokoto, Gusau, 

Minna, Azare, Gombe, Bauchi, Idah, 

*Ituah Ighodalo is 

the Senior Pastor, 

Trinity House, Trinity 

Avenue, Off Ligali 

Ayorinde Street, 

Victoria Island, 

Lagos. 

+234-808-895-6162 

info@trinityhouseng.org 

How seriously do you 

take your Christianity? 

12 

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, 

not as in my presence only, but now much more in my 

absence, work out your own salvation with fear and 

trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to 

will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 12- 

13 KJV 

God says “I am coming and I am coming soon”. 

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is 

with me, to give every man according as his 

work shall be. Revelations 22: 12 KJV 

2020 is time to stop playing religion. God is saying to 

us today, ‘enough is enough’. We have all been sucked 

into playing religion and many of us are enjoying it. 

Many of us have been distracted by religion and the 

semblance of it. 

A lot of us have been Christians for a minimum of five 

years and many for much longer, yet we still play religion. 

The word of God says that all of us will appear 

before the judgement seat of God. Why should you be 

cajoled and begged to serve God? Why must you be 

pushed or prodded into doing that which would bring 

you results and rewards? 

We serve and fear God because He is God, not because 

of titles that are attached to roles. Jesus said I go 

to prepare a place for you. Do you believe the words 

spoken by Christ? Do you know that there is eternity 

after death here on earth? Do you believe that you are 

going somewhere after your time here on earth? 

etc. Sir Ahmadu Bello had three small 

Cessna aircraft in his fleet. The administration 

and operation of the fleet of 

aircraft was supervised directly by an 

Assistant District Officer, ADO, in the 

Premier’s office. 

“His name was Alhaji Suleiman Gurin, 

a former teacher from Adamawa Province. 

One day, Sir Ahmadu Bello flew 

one of the aircraft in his fleet to Sokoto 

on a private visit. When he returned to 

Kaduna, the administrative headquarters 

of the region, the ADO, under the 

leadership of Alhaji Suleiman Gurin 

sent him a bill for his flight to Sokoto! 

“His explanation was that the Premier 

went on a private visit, using the aircraft 

that was strictly for official schedules. 

The importance of his request was 

that the Premier was owing the government! 

And therefore, should make the 

appropriate refund to the government’s 

treasury. Without any hesitation, Sir 

Ahmadu Bello, who was amused at the 

request, made the payment. 

“When he went public with details of 

his exchange with Alhaji Gurin, it was 

his way of commending the ADO, and 

setting his conduct as one that others 

should emulate. He wanted to further 

affirm the reality that everyone who 

served was a subject to the state, and to 

the laws that have been made to effectively 

govern that state. 

“When state actors, regardless of the 

privileges conferred on them by their 

offices, begin to assume superiority over 

the state itself, perdition is not far from 

that society. When subordinates respectfully 

hold their bosses up to these standards, 

the pillars that hold societies together 

remain firmly in place,” the group 

further argued, stressing that the whole 

saga became an unforgettable one for 

the ADO and his family? 

According to them, Mr. President 

would appear to be a man living in regret 

of his first (military) coming, making 

up for not maximally enjoying the 

perks of governance at that time. 

“Might he have suffered some degree 

of nagging from his immediate family, 

on account of which he and the rest of 

his family are now seemingly in a hurry 

to grab all the “grabables” this time 

around? If not, how would one explain 

the craze regarding the obvious materialistic 

tendencies of the first family? 

On our part, we can only call on Mr. 

President to live and lead in an exemplary 

manner,” they maintained. 

If we fear God, we will reap the reward 

and there will be no need for us 

who call ourselves Christians to be prodded 

into doing that which is right. God 

has placed the responsibility in our 

hands because He has told us to work 

out our salvation. 

There is revelation that comes out every 

day that many Christians will end 

up in hell. It is in our hands to work out 

our salvation individually. Is it offense? 

Then said he unto the disciples, it is impossible 

but that offences will come but 

woe unto him, through whom they 

come! Luke 17: 1 KJV. The bible says 

that offense will come, but instead ask 

yourself “what will Jesus do”? 

We need to wake up! A lot of us are not even 

thinking about our eternity. A lot have planned 

10 years ahead but the fact of it is that our 

tomorrow is not in our hands. We must come 

to terms with this, that our tomorrow is in the 

hands of God. So, the questions to ask ourselves 

when we wake up in the morning and 

last thing at night is, where will I spend eternity? 

The coming of Christ is almost here. There 

are 2 things here 

1. If anybody were to go today, they face 

their rapture 

2. If Jesus were to come today, would you 

be among those who would go with him? 

God is revealing a lot of things today, in 

dreams, vision, in gatherings because the time 

is near. The time is here. 

Think about it. If you have confessed Jesus 

Christ as Lord; then you are to be a Christian 

and not a religious person. Everything we have 

done good or bad will have its rewards. Christianity 

is not a joke, not a fad, not a social 

gathering. We are going somewhere because 

we are here for a while. Our eternity is most 

important. 

Until we are heavenly focused; there are 

many things we will not be able to do, many 

things we will not be able to accomplish.


The Wonders of Christ's 

Unstoppable Power to Save (4) 

By William Kumuyi 

All these should excite 

you about having a 

relationship with 

Jesus because it is a win-win 

venture. This should be reason 

enough to take it quite 

seriously. 

Perhaps you are over there 

masticating the thought that 

your goodly nature is enough 

and could strike a deal with 

God. But the fact is your goodness 

would hinder you because 

no sinner can be too 

good enough for God to the 

extent of not needing saving 

from the Saviour Jesus 

Christ. 

Better still, yours might be 

that because you are handsome 

and or very beautiful 

and since people trip over 

themselves at the very instant 

they set their gaze on you you 

have come to the conclusion 

that you are self-sufficient. 

And or it may be that because 

you now have a little 

of those paper money they 

call legal tender your head is 

beginning to spin into the 

abyss of pride. But byou forget 

so easily that riches certainly 

do not stay but make 

wings for themselves and 

very soon would fly away as 

eagles do toward the sky. 

Do not let anything God 

has given you come between 

you and the Giver. Rather top 

up and bring yourself to the 

height God has preplanned 

for you because what ever 

you may possess you cannot 

have enough until you connect 

to Jesus. This is because 

with Jesus there is something 

higher, better, bigger and 

greater. 

Today is your lucky break 

and as 

you connect 

with 

Jesus He 

will propel 

you to 

succeed 

even beyond 

your 

Pastor Kumuyi wildest 

dreams. 

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus 

beheld them, and said unto 

them, With men this is impossible; 

but with God all things 

are possible." 

But wait a minute. What is 

that thing that is hindering you 

today? Is it fear of man or your 

friends are the ones keeping 

you back from having an encounter 

with the Saviour? Or 

do you have a covenant with 

the occultic people and as a 

result of that agreement you 

are being barred from coming 

to Jesus? Forget about 

that: it should not trouble you 

because all those covenants 

with evil power cannot save 

you when danger comes 

knocking at your door. That 

is why you would need Jesus 

because when all else fails and 

when it matters most He will 

come and save the day. 

Do you belong to an association 

and it is doing all it 

could to stop you. Well, the 

truth be told. You have a problem 

that needs solving and 

they cannot solve it for you and 

that is where the Redeemer 

comes into play. You cannot 

afford to remain under the 

shackles and control of these 

people who are constantly 

feeding you with fear to the 

detriment of your freedom 

and soul. 

To be continued 

Rev. Emmanuel Awazie 

*Assemblies of God Church 

Nigeria, 111 Clegg Street, Surulere, 

Lagos. 

Manifesting the victories 

of Jesus Christ 

THE greatest challenge facing the Church today is seen 

in the seeming inability of the believer to make evident, 

in the particular circumstance, the victories of our Lord 

Jesus Christ. Our claims as the disciples of Jesus Christ, will 

always have to face up to the issues of our day to day living, and 

any failure will leave us with a question mark – "If you fall to 

pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place." 

Proverbs 24:10; and "If racing against mere men makes you 

tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall 

on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?" 

Jeremiah 12:5. The Lord Jesus Christ was easily and 

competitively triumphant when He physically walked on this 

earth, whether face to face with demons - "Seeing Jesus,...the 

evil spirits begged..." Matthew 8:29-31, death - "Then Jesus 

shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 And the dead man came out...." 

John 11:43-45, diseases - "... and many people followed him. 

He healed all the sick among them,..." Matthew 12:15, men - 

"...All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and 

his answers." Luke 2:46-47, or nature - "...Jesus...rebuked the 

wind and said to the water, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the 

wind stopped, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39, and as 

a disciple, you are meant to be like your Master - "A pupil is not 

superior to his teacher, but everyone [when he is] completely 

trained (readjusted, restored, set to rights, and perfected) will 

be like his teacher." Luke. 6:40 (AMP); we must learn how to 

take the responsibility that our heritage in Christ confers upon 

us 

Ṫhe example of the apostle Paul is worth our study. You see, 

we are apt to make excuses for ourselves, but Paul found the 

secret that validated his faith in Christ even in the midst of both 

worthy and trivial matters – "We live in such a way that no one 

will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our 

ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers 

of God...." II Corinthians 6:3-10. Personal experience has 

proved that any shift in focus from Jesus Christ spells doom for 

the believer. Life without Christ has nothing other than crises, 

and the apostle spelt it out for himself – "For I fully expect and 

hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be 

bold for Christ,... For to me, living means living for Christ, and 

dying is even better." Philippians 1:20-21. That, exactly, is the 

rule of life in this Kingdom; that is the will of God for all 

believers, that is the only access for the release of grace for the 

believer – "...of his fullness have all we received, and grace for 

grace." Jn. 1:16, that alone guarantees dominion in earth – 

"...they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of 

righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" Romans 

5:17; that is the only force that terminates all hostilities on 

earth and secures peace for the soul – "For unto us a child is 

born,...and his name shall be called...the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 

9:6; also read "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on 

religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover 

your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." Matthew 11:28. 

Welcome to the world of endless victories through Christ 

Jesus. 

Faith in the Redemptive names of God (30) 

JEHOVAH – ELOHEEKA 

(THE LORD THY GOD ) 

TEXT: EXODUS 20:2,5,7 

INTRODUCTION 

Exod 20:2 Easy English ‘I 

am the Lord your God. I 

brought you out of Egypt, out of 

the country where you were 

slaves. 

Exod 20:5 Easy English You 

must not bend down your head 

to a false god, nor worship it. I, 

the Lord your God, will be angry 

if you do not remember me. 

I will punish the children for 

the bad things that their fathers 

do. I will even punish the 

grandchildren and their children. 

I will do this to those who 

hate me. 

Exod 20:7 Easy English You 

must not use the name of the 

Lord your God in a wrong 

way. The Lord will be angry 

with anyone who uses his name 

in a wrong way. 

OD revealed Himself 

Gand illustrated this 

Name to the nation of Israel 

in the giving of the Ten Commandments 

to Moses in Exodus 

20. And these preceding 

verses expresses Him as “The 

LORD our GOD”. The Law 

was given by GOD -The Divine 

Being, who is the Supreme 

Legislator. This is an 

authoritative command of 

God to us, informing us that 

He is our Lord. Integral with 

this command are severe punitive 

measures for disobedi- 

• J.K. Akinola. (Senior Pastor) 

ence. As good as the Lord God 

is to us, we must also remember 

that He is a consuming 

fire. (Deut 4:24, Deut 9:3). It is 

a fearful thing to fall into the 

hands of the Living God. (Heb 

10:31). 

The need to stress the bringing 

of the children of Israel out 

of the land of bondage with a 

strong and a mighty arm is important 

to make them realise 

the awesomeness of God, and 

hence fully submit to His Lordship. 

THE IMPLICATIONS OF 

THE NAME JEHOVAH 

ELOHEEKA TO YOU 

1. Obeying His Word and 

All His Commands 

Jehovah Eloheeka means 

“The Lord thy God.” Here it is 

God Himself that was speaking 

and making this introduction 

about his relationship with 

the people he took and led 

from Egypt across the mighty 

Red Sea to the wilderness 

where they are to undergo a 

series of training that will 

make them understand the 

Deliverance from long term yoke (2) 

CATEGORIES ANDDE- 

GREES OF DELIVERANCE 

t is crucial to know that 

Ideliverance are in stages 

,thatis why in deliverance, 

there is need for caution and 

carefulness. In Luke 

11,Mt12:43-45,Jesus the deliverance 

master says in vs 43- 

45 ” When an unclean spiritgoes 

out of a man, he goes 

through dry places, seeking 

rest and finds none, Thenhe 

says ,I will return to my House 

from which I came ,and when 

he comes, hefinds it (EMPTY, 

SWEPT AND PUT IN 

ORDER),then he 

goes(summoned ,networked 

additional demons) and takes 

CHARLES ADESIDA A. 

The Redeemed Christian Church 

of God, (RCCG TOR, LP26) 

07032654681 

with him seven other spirits 

more wicked than himself 

,and they enter and dwell there 

and the LAST STATE of that 

man is worsethan the FIRST, 

so shall it be with this wicked 

generation” 

1. Incomplete Deliverance 

Mt 12vs 43-45 

2. Partial Deliverance-dealing 

with the leaves and not the 

Root, Jeremiah 8:11, the mystery 

of relief without redemption. 

Gideon in Judges 6:25- 

27, he destroyed the altars 

without crushing the idol 

powers of hisfather’s house, 

what was the result, in Judges 

8:24,he was relocated to back 

to square one. In Mark 8:22- 

25,Jesus Christ had to give the 

Lord as their God, so they 

won’t struggle to work in his 

statutes. God was speaking to 

the children of Israel as he 

gave them the guidelines of 

His commandment. This is 

when the children of Israel 

need to know the statutes of 

the God they claim to serve 

and worship so they can keep 

these statutes, because it is in 

keeping this statutes that 

makes God to be truly their 

God. This declaration is not 

just to the children of Israel 

alone, but also applies to you 

as a child of God today. 

In this Name, God declares 

Himself as the Lord our God. 

He is both Lord and holy; setapart 

and God only to those 

who have entered into covenant 

relationship with him. He 

gave Moses the Ten Commandments. 

This is where 

God is putting the order and 

the structure, and this is where 

you take absolute advantage 

to possess God and all his 

power. This is also where you 

have authority to exercise the 

Name of God and it will work 

for you because you have kept 

his commandments. These 

Commandments of the Lord 

are true and righteous all together, 

and are also not grievous, 

and therefore the need to 

give all the more earnest heed 

to all that He tells us in His 

word. 

2. Loving God with All Our 

Hearts. 

This is clearly spelt out in 

Deut 6:5. It is the first and most 

important responsibility of the 

one who belongs to God. God 

is the One who first loved us, 

by delivering us from the 

house of bondage, and bringing 

us unto Himself to serve 

Him. We become peculiar 

treasures unto Him alone. 

(Exod 19:4). It is this love that 

He has for us that will make 

us reciprocate in our love to 

Him. 

Exo 19:4-5 KJV 4 Ye have 

seen what I did unto the Egyptians, 

and how I bare you on 

eagles’ wings, and brought you 

unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if 

ye will obey my voice indeed, 

and keep my covenant, then ye 

shall be a peculiar treasure 

unto me above all people: for 

all the earth is mine: 

As you yield your lives to 

Him in implicit obedience to 

His words, His blessings will 

become yours eternally. In the 

next episode, we shall conclude 

on this Name as it is fulfilled 

in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

our Saviour from satanic 

bondage. 

J.K. Akinola. (Senior Pastor) 

The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), 

Living Word Cathedral, Oluyole Estate, beside Total Petrol 

Station, off Ring Road, Ibadan. (Telephone: 08033376660, 

08055405095) 

blind man a second touch before 

he could see clearly, the 

blind man first saw men as 

trees. Withoutthe second touch 

of Jesus, deliverance of that 

man would have been partial, 

yet his problem or yoke will 

still be in operation. It is always 

pertinent we listen to the 

voice of the Holy Spirit to ensure 

people’s deliverance iscomplete. 

Rom 12:12 

3. Fake Deliverance: 

Luke10:17,2cor 2:11,2cor 

11:13-15(Satan transforms 

himself to angel of light) 

4.Complete Deliverance:2 

kings 5:1-10,14(Naaman was 

completely delivered from thespirit 

of leprosy and reproach) 

5. Total Deliverance: John 

11:38-44 Jesus in contact withthe 

death of Lazarus, it was a 

total deliverance, Lazarus was 

already swallowedby death, 

his spiritual position was 

changed from life to death ,he 

was alreadycaptured in the 

yoke of death, maggots of 

death was already in operation, 

ministerof death was already 

in charge, prison warder 

of hades had already tiedlazarus, 

yet when Jesus Christ, 

the bondage breaker came 

,there was a change of story 

but demanded some revelation 

steps, first Jesus said ,take 

away the stones, Jesus needs 

your participation before your 

deliverance can be total, takeaway 

the stones of sin, doubt 

,unbelief, unforgiveness, hatred). 

When lazaruscame out, 

he was still bound in his hands, 

his legs and face and head 

with grave clothes. It would 

have been a disaster if Jesus 

our Lord stopped his ministration 

to Lazarus when he 

came out of the grave. It is not 

enough to come out of the 

grave, are your legs(dominion 

and motion),your 

hands(career and business) 

and head(destiny) free or still 

captured. Immediately after 

this, JESUS CHRIST commanded 

and said, LOOSE 

HIM AND LET HIM GO, the 

question here is, who was Jesus 

talking to, first the demons 

with invisible chains and 

clothes that captured Lazarus’ 

life. It's worthy to note that the 

destiny of Lazarus began tofunction 

well after this deliverance 

experience with 

JESUS. 

Land dispute delays work on Lord Chosen Crown University 


NDIGENES of Mgbidi in 

IOru West Local Government 

Area of Imo State represented 

by their traditional rulers 

are currently consulting 

among themselves to find an 

amicable ground out of the 

land dispute militating 

against the take-off of a private 

university proposed by the 

Lord Chosen Charismatic 

Revival Ministry for the community. 

The ground breaking ceremony 

of the 600 hectares of 

land to host the Lord Chosen 

Crown University was done 

last year in Mgbidi, a site not 

too far away from the church’s 

international crusade ground 

in the headquarters of Oru 

West local government area 

of Imo State, by the immediate 

past governor of the state, 

Owelle Rochas Okorocha. 

Shortly after the groundbreaking 

on April 10, 2018 by 

the then governor, the General 

Overseer of the Church, Pastor 

Lazarus Muoka pledged 

to immediately begin infrastructural 

development in 

place in readiness for necessary 

pre-registration works, 

but some land owners have 

put spanner in the wheel of 

progress, claiming they were 

not consulted in the land deal 

and cannot therefore cede 

their land for the development 

of the university. 

There have been several altercations 

between the community 

leaders, the church 

and other stakeholders including 

the Imo State Government 

but there have not been 

any appreciable headway to 

pave way for any infrastructural 

development on the land. 

At the just concluded Lord 

Chosen 2020 international 

crusade at Mgbidi, a couple 

of the traditional rulers representing 

the Mgbidi community 

were in attendance and 

religious correspondents covering 

the crusade used the opportunity 

to get an update on 

the crisis over the university 

land. 

His Royal Highness Eze A. 

Ogbuehi, Agbatuom Obinyere 

I, one of the eight traditional 

rulers from the Mgbidi 

community who spoke on behalf 

of those in support of the 

University project beginning 

with the relationship that exist 

between his subjects and the 

Lord’s Chosen Charismatic 

Revival Ministry vis a vis the 

university land. 

Responding to the journalists’ 

questions, Agbatuom 

Obinyere I said: “You can see 

Mgbidi is a peaceful community, 

we are not restive and that 

is why when they came to the 

community we welcomed 

them, and despite some skirmishes 

we are still going on 

and we will eventually conquer.” 

Continuing, he explained 

that the identified skirmises, 

he referred to, can be traced to 

some people that have no stake 

in the said land, but who have 

formed themselves into a 

group and called themselves 

Landlords Association while 

actually they are non-existent. 

“The update”, according to 

him, “is that we the traditional 

rulers of Mgbidi clan sought 

an audience with the executive 

governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha 

but could not secure 

appointment with him. We, 

however, had a meeting with 

former member of the House 

of Representatives, Hon. Uche 

Onyeagucha, who is the Secretary 

to the State Government, 

the engine room of government 

and he listened to us 

and eventually convened a 

meeting with all of us. 

“And in his wisdom he discovered 

that Mgbidi people 

actually need the university— 

-and despite a few individuals 

that constituted themselves as 

landlords—-he found out that 

what we presented was genuine. 

As a peaceful person, he 

made a pronouncement that 

he found out that we are in two 

groups, the people that welcomed 

the university and others 

who are yet to embrace it,” 

he stated, pointing out that the 

SSG then directed all parties 

concerned to amicably resolve 

their differences and 

maintain peace in the area. 

According to the traditional 

ruler, the process for amicable 

settlement is on, “the 

problem we have, the people 

are yet to comply. They don’t 

want that arrangement because 

they are not comfortable 

with it. But we are moving forward, 

we met yesterday, and 

the Interim Management 

Committee, INC chairman, 

summary of what transpired 

at the last meeting with SSG 

gives hope that we are moving 

forward.” 

The traditional ruler confirmed 

that four out of the seven 

traditional rulers in Mgbidi 

Community have resolved 

that the university has 

come to stay while the remaining 

three still have a little issue 

and “we are all awaiting 

the final decision of the governor 

who has promised to 

verify the process that brought 

them in.” 

According to the traditional 

ruler, the SSG has directed 

the Church to “negotiate with 

the people that have accepted 

and submitted their names to 

him and they should start 

work, but like I said the ones 

that do not have stake are organising 

protests as some 

have vowed that with N100 

trillion he will not donate his 

land.”


As a new believer, the 

Lord asked me one of 

his intriguing questions. He 

said: “Femi, would you like 

to be a prophet?” 

I did not answer. The last 

thing I wanted to be was a 

prophet. I saw no glory in it 

but problems and difficulties. 

Later, I addressed the question 

indirectly. I told the Lord 

I did not want the ministry of 

Isaiah. To me, Isaiah’s ministry 

is frustrating. He is called 

to preach to people who will 

not receive his word. 

God says: “Go and speak 

this message to the people: 

‘You will listen and listen, but 

never understand. You will 

look and look, but never see. 

Make these people stubborn! 

Make them stop up their ears, 

cover their eyes, and fail to 

understand. Don't let them 

turn to me and be healed.’” 

(Isaiah 6:9-10). 

Little did I know that Isaiah’s 

is the only ministry for 

preachers. 

Except you repent 

LUKE 13:1-5 says: 

“There were present 

at that season some 

that told him of the Galilaeans, 

whose blood Pilate had 

mingled with their sacrifices. 

2 And Jesus answering 

said unto them, Suppose ye 

that these Galilaeans were 

sinners above all the Galilaeans, 

because they suffered 

such things? 3 I tell 

you, Nay: but, except ye repent, 

ye shall all likewise 

perish. 4 Or those eighteen 

upon whom the tower in Siloam 

fell, and slew them, 

think ye that they were sinners 

above all men that 

dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell 

you, Nay: but, except ye repent, 

ye shall all likewise 

perish”. 

The above Scriptural 

verses are divine instruction 

expected to be obeyed by 

every being. God repeatedly 

instructed that people 

should make haste to repent 

or be destroyed. 

Every good preacher of 

the gospel knows that people 

don't like hearing about 

repentance, thus some are 

afraid to preach it because 

they don’t want to bring disturbing 

news to their audience. 

The truth is that the gospel 

is good news, but an 

awful news to the sinner. 

Therefore every preacher 

Lack of Credentials 

The calling of a prophet 

does not arise from a careers’ 

advisory council. The wise 

men asked: “Where is he that 

is born king of the Jews?” 

(Matthew 2:2). Jesus was not 

born: Jesus is born. He is born 

every day in the hearts and 

minds of his followers. 

Similarly, a prophet is born 

and not man-made. God says 

to Jeremiah: “Before I 

formed you in the womb, I 

knew you; before you were 

born, I sanctified you; I ordained 

you a prophet to the 

nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5). 

False prophets graduate 

from the schools of the prophets. 

They have scholarly degrees 

in Divinity. They are 

widely-accepted and welcome 

in Aso Rock. They tell 

the people and the powersthat-be 

what they want to 

hear. 

But the true prophets are a 

completely different kettle of 

fish. They have no earthly 

credentials. They learn at the 

feet of the Lord himself in the 

School of the Holy Spirit. 

This puts them inevitably at 

loggerheads with the establishment 

who question and 

challenge their authority. 

(Matthew 21:23). 

Amos says: “I was no prophet, 

nor was I a prophet's son. 

But I was a herdsman and a 

gatherer from sycamore 

trees. And Jehovah took me 

from behind the flock, and Jehovah 

said to me, Go, prophesy 

to my people Israel.” 

(Amos 7:14-15). 

that loves souls must preach 

about repentance, of salvation, 

because the word of 

God teaches that until one 

realizes that he is born in sin, 

thus bound for hell, that he 

has no hope, that God's 

wrath abides upon his head 

if he refuses to repent and 

except he repents he will not 

escape the wrath of God. 

Of a truth many do not like 

to be told they are sinners. 

They do not want to hear 

about repentance. They 

want to listen to sermon 

where they will be told that 

God is good and merciful. A 

good sermon as far as they 

are concerned is one where 

the preacher talks mostly on 

God’s goodness and mercy. 

They would like to be 

blessed as Abraham but are 

not ready to go by the righteousness 

of Abraham. 

Many people who claim 

they are Christians because 

they pay heavy tithes and 

give offering of big envelope 

but are into evil will not 

want pastor to preach 

against the source of their 

wealth. Some of them are 

smugglers, some have beer 

parlour and shares in breweries, 

some enriched themselves 

through bribery and 

corruption, some deal on 

contraband, alcohol, cigarettes, 

some are into robbery, 

fraud, kidnapping, extortion, 

The stripes of a prophet 

The earthquakes and 

tsunami floods are 

breeding grounds for 

many a prophet 

Training ground 

They are not all prophets 

that are prophets. Most of 

the so-called prophets of today 

are self-made. Jesus 

warns: “Watch out for false 

prophets! They dress up like 

sheep, but inside they are 

wolves who have come to attack 

you. You can tell what 

they are by what they do.” 

(Matthew 7:15-16). 

The prophet of God is emptied 

of self. Moses spent forty years 

cocooned in the wilderness. The 

Lord takes us through the fire so 

we would know we cannot be 

burned. He takes us through the 

waters so we would know we cannot 

drown. 

The earthquakes and tsunami 

floods are breeding grounds for 

many a prophet. A thousand may 

fall at our side and ten thousand 

at our right hand, but we are preserved 

for a special purpose in 

God. 

The true prophet is bereft of personal 

agenda. He is not allowed 

to have a life of his own. God instructed 

Hosea to marry a prostitute 

in order to send through him 

the message of Israel’s unfaithfulness 

and harlotry. Jeremiah was 

denied the comforts of marriage. 

Ezekiel was bereaved of his beloved 

wife as a sign to Israel. Isaiah 

also had his message written 

on the papyrus of his life. He says: 

“Behold, I and the children whom 

the LORD has given me are for 

signs and for wonders in Israel.” 

(Isaiah 8:18). 

while some are into wrong 

marriages, fornication, 

adultery and prostitution. 

And none of these sinners 

want their sin to be mentioned, 

otherwise the Pastor 

must be ?removed or 

they would leave the 

church. They have the 

habit of coming to 

church late and leaving 

before dismissal because 

they have to attend 

kindred meetings and 

other business appointment. 

Any attempt by the 

Pastor to admonish 

them will be met with 

stiff resistance. 

If you are among these 

categories of sinners, the 

Lord is bidding me to tell 

you today that except 

you repent from these 

sins, except you let go 

with your wickedness, 

you will surely perish. It 

does not matter your position 

in the church or society, 

if you refuse to give 

heed to the Lord’s warning 

on repentance today, 

you will likewise perish. 

God has set before us life 

and death, good and 

evil, and put us to our 

choice. Repent therefore 

from your sin otherwise 

you perish. God is not a 

respecter of person. He 

says that the soul that 

sins shall die. 

Proverbial Jonah 

One day, after reading 

the prophets far into the 

night, I finally told the 

Lord I was going to bed. 

But not before engaging 

him on the mind-boggling 

issue of Jonah. I 

said: “Father, how did 

you keep a man alive in 

the belly of a fish? Your 

ways are truly unsearchable.” 

I went upstairs into my 

bedroom. As soon as my 

body touched the bed, the 

heavens were opened. To 

my astonishment, I found 

myself under the sea-bed, 

enclosed in an air bubble. 

I watched as the procession 

of an incredible array 

of fishes of different 

designs and architecture 

floated past, all in supernaturally 

deep colours; 

brightly lit by incandescent 

light. 

There I was, a proverbial 

Jonah in the belly of 

a fish. The message was 

simple even though I was 

slow, as usual, on the uptake. 

When God calls you 

as a prophet to preach to 

Nineveh, you don’t decline 

and go to Tarshish 

instead. 

Healing stripes 

The life of a prophet is 

Pastor Oloruntimilehin 

Joshua Daramola 

N a fateful day a member 

Oof my ministry walked up 

to me, and wanted to know why I 

gave a gift to another member. I 

took time to explain the reason 

behind my action. I told him that 

I would always acknowledge, 

recognise and encourage any 

person that find space in his or 

her heart to render help to the 

needy or contribute to the development 

and growth of the ministry 

of Jesus Christ. 

While we were discussing, another 

member walked in and join 

in the discourse. Incidentally he 

mentioned the person in question 

deserved the gift because he 

had touched the lives of our needy 

members. It is imperative to talk 

and mention what people do and 

their positive contributions, so 

that others can learn and emulate 

them. 

There is reward for doing well. 

I also implore people doing bad 

things to desist; if they refrain 

from doing evil, then they would 

definitely reap its reward. It is just 

like how every inventor is never 

his ministry. God requires the 

two to be identical. He said to 

me: “Femi, nothing that will 

ever happen to you will be coincidental. 

Nothing will ever 

happen to you by happenstance. 

Everything that will 

happen in your life will happen 

for a reason.” 

Therefore, if a lady is called 

to a healing ministry, ask her 

what major sickness has ever 

befallen her. At any rate, there 

must have been a miracle healing 

in her life. If a man claims 

to be in a deliverance ministry, 

ask him how many demons 

came out of him. 

The prophet’s messages 

come out of his life. They are 

fashioned from his day-to-day 

experiences. They are the 

product of the strange, painful 

and exacting ways whereby 

God touches every facet of 

our lives and brings us to nothing. 

But more than anything 

else, a true prophet is a burden-bearer. 

We are weighed 

down by the transgressions we 

decry; frustrated in the knowledge 

that few will believe our 

report. 

Isaiah writes: “Surely he has 

borne our griefs and carried 

our sorrows; yet we esteemed 

him stricken, smitten by God, 

and afflicted. But he was 

wounded for our transgressions, 

he was bruised for our 

iniquities; the chastisement 

for our peace was upon him, 

and by his stripes we are 

healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5). 

This scripture is messianic. 

But it is also referring to 

the prophetic ministry in 

general. I used to read messianic 

scriptures and relate 

them exclusively to Christ. 

Until one day, the Lord 

spoke one directly to me. I 

thought: “But this is talking 

about Jesus.” But the Lord 

said to me: “Femi, it is also 

talking about you.” 

I presumed it meant I 

would travel the world as an 

itinerant preacher, but that 

was not the Lord’s intention. 

Fifteen years after I received 

the word, the World Wide 

Web came of age and I started 

writing articles of faith 

on internet posts. Suddenly, 

I discovered I could be an 

itinerant preacher even 

while sitting in my bedroom. 

If you are reading this, then 

this scripture the Lord spoke 

into my life is fulfilled in your 

hearing: 

“Listen, O coastlands, to 

me, and take heed, you peoples 

from afar! The LORD 

has called me from the 

womb; from the matrix of 

my mother he has made 

mention of my name. And 

he has made my mouth like 

a sharp sword; in the shadow 

of his hand he has hidden 

me, and made me a polished 

shaft; in his quiver he 

has hidden me. And he said 

to me, ‘You are my servant, 

O Israel, in whom I will be 

glorified’” (Isaiah 49:1-3). 

Why a Christian should be generous 

forgotten, whether a person 

does good or bad, he or she will 

be remembered in due time. 

The Bible tells us about a 

woman who was very generous 

to the needy in her world. 

(Acts 9:36-42). It says "In Joppa 

there was a disciple named 

Tabitha (which, when translated, 

is Dorcas); she was always 

doing good and helping the 

poor. About that time she became 

sick and died, and her 

body was washed and placed 

in an upstairs room. Lydda was 

near Joppa; so when the disciples 

heard that Peter was in 

Lydda, they sent two men to 

him and urged, "Please come 

at once!". Peter went with them, 

and when he arrived he was 

taken upstairs to the room. All 

the widows stood around him 

crying and showing him the 

robes and other clothing that 

Dorcas had made while she 

was still with them. Peter sent 

them all out of the room; then 

he got down on his knees and 

prayed. Turning toward the 

dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, 

get up." She opened her eyes, 

and seeing Peter she sat up. He 

took her by the hand and helped 

her to her feet. Then he called 

for the believers, especially the 

widows, and presented her to 

them. This became known all 

over Joppa, and many people 

believed in the Lord. Dorcas 

was filled with good deeds. 

But many people did not 

know she was doing good 

things. 

So, as a minister of God, I 

will always recognise people 

who lend a helping hand 

to the less-priviledged ones 

in the household of God. 

More so because the help 

rendered in house of God automatically 

means that they 

are helping me to make 

people stay in the church for 

God to glorify Himself in 

the peoples' lives. 

Brethren, we are created 

to help the needy among us. 

Whoever helps the needy 

does well and it won't be out 

of place to acknowledge or 

recognise people who do 

well. I am imploring every 

parent to teach their children 

to have generous heart 

of giving to people they 

know require assistance. 

Do not teach the children 

to be callous and reproach 

the needy. The woman, Dorcas, 

was remembered both 

in life and death. She was so 

compassionate and merciful 

that she was taken care 

of when she was ill, by the 

widows in Joppa. Her death 

was devastating to the widows 

that they started wailing 

and mourning uncontrollably. 

Prophet Ogundipe empowers 12 with motorcycles 

rophet Israel Oladele Ogun 

Pdipe of the Celestial Church 

of Christ, Genesis Global, Lagos, 

recently empowered some Okada 

riders 

The prophet made the presentation 

to Mr. Wasiu, who resides 

around Alagbado, a suburb of 

Lagos at the crossover night 

along with eleven others,saying 

that there is no better way to usher 

in the New Year than to put 

smiles on the faces of the needy. 

“What a way to start the year 

by giving and making someone 

smile and relieved of his pains 

forever, if we can,” he said. 

At the crossover service, the atmosphere 

of worship at the Celestial 

Genesis Global was electrifying 

with joy unlimited. 

Thousands of people flooded 

the gathering with enthusiasm 

and hope for the new year. 

According to him, God is 

*Wasiu, one of the 12 beneficiaries 

unpredictable and no one 

can search or know His will 

upon a situation except He 

deems it fit to reveal himself!


PASTOR PROMISE NNADIASO er work of the ministry, these 

are the characters of God you 

WISDOM OF GOD'S WORD EVAN- can sec in Jesus. ^ 

GELICAL MINISTRY INT'L 

1. He is Sovereign. A. God 

Area 2 plot 4, road 202 New Haven Estate, that is well arranged and organized. 

He loves truly and 

Igbihadun off Victory Estate by Summit 

Road, Iyana-School Bus Stop, Iba, Lagos. knows how to express his love 

:08028975996,08039248562 

and to display justice at the 

appropriate time. Ps. 42:2, 

Duet. 4:39. 

Identify spiritual weakness 2. He is righteous and morally 

perfect. As a pastor or a 

or death in the church 

believer, you need to be morally 

perfect ‘even when it’s not 

UNDERSTAND GOD IN family on earth and no one convenient for you. Ps. 48:10, 

IESUS CHRIST 

know where he came from as Jere. 23:6, 1 John 2:29. 

(The Mystery of God they never associated with 3. He is just arid it is impossible 

for him to be unfair 

Head) TEXT: HEB. 1:1-10, him, he went back as his plan 

Col. 1:14-16 

was to redeem man but he even to his enemies. Jesus 

What these topic could not accomplish his himself was just to the people 

mean is from Old mission on men that don’t that nailed him on the cross. 

Testament to New even want to associate with He prayed for them instead 

Testament. Everything written him and that is why plan of of cursing them. Rom. 1:18, 

in the Old Testament is fulfilled 

and summarized in changed, which gave room to 4. He is love and perfect 

man’s redemtion was Isaiah 45:21, Rom. 2:2. 

New Testament. In the Old the birth of Christ Jer. 9:5-6, in love. God himself even love 

Testament, God has never Heb. 2:16-17, 7:1, Rom. 1:4. his enemies that is why Jesus 

been bold to tell anybody his Jesus carries all the characters 

of God when we know full mies and pray for them. These 

told us to love even our ene- 

name but the people of God 

called him any name base on well that no son on earth can is why Jesus said until your 

the event that took place. God carry all the characters of his neighbour offend you seventy 

seven times a day then no 

called Moses and introduced father. The Father, Son and 

himself to him as “I am” because 

he has already intro- 

which is Jesus, this is why the son, these only shows that he 

Holy Spirit is compress in one more forgiveness for that perduced 

himself to the Israelites 

before as the God of Abratise 

in the name of God the record of offences but rather 

bible says that we should bap- 

does not want you to keep 

ham, Isaac and Jacob which Father, Son and Holy Spirit keep forgiving them, because 

all together is not a name. which is the same thing as no human being on earth can 

There is nobody as God and baptising in the name of be able to even offend you ten 

Jesus in different persons. Jesus. 

times a day. Just as God is 

Jesus is God. God became The Truth of God’s Word perfect in love, he wants you 

Jesus Christ in flesh for the Characters of God you can too to be also perfect in love. 

redemption of man with the see in Jesus 

John 16:17, I John 3:1, Eph. 

spirit of righteousness which “In the Old Testament 2:4, I John 4:7-10. 

is the spirit of God, which is wherever you see LORD you 5. He is eternal which 

the trinity. God understands will also see Lord e.g. “The means that he has always exist 

and he is still existing and 

that the only entrance to earth Lord said to my Lord sit here 

is through birth canal that is while I make your enemies he will still exist. This is why 

why he had to come in form your footstool.’ In Jeremiah, the biblc says “He is the same 

of man through birth canal he said he saw a stone move person who was and is and is 

to save mankind. No spirit from the rock and it became to come Ps. 9:7, 2, Rom. 1:8, 

can enter into the earth and a rock that saved others. Exodus 15:18, everything that 

live as man without being Who is Holy Ghost? He is we need on earth must not be 

born of a woman. the spirit of God, the spirit of provided by God all because 

Mechizedek was God himself righteousness-they are not there are some things you ask 

that came to the earth, he became 

highest priest and tithe creation God remain God, in the answer is in you~r hand. 

different person but one. In God and he looks at it that 

was paid to him by Abraham Jesus we move with him and The first plan of God is that 

but to every other person seeing 

that Mechizedek had no he live with us for the 

in the holy spirit 

God always 

prop- 

Otuaro tasks teachers on use of God's word 

DELTA State Deputy 

Governor, Deacon 

Kingsley Burutu Otuaro has 

expressed appreciation to 

teachers who, he said, were 

"rendering services to God 

and mankind", just as he 

urged them to "inculcate in 

students God's word which 

alone can truly transform 

lives". 

Otuaro spoke as Special 

Guest of Honour at a Capacity 

Building Seminar for Public 

Secondary School Teachers 

in Delta State which held 

penultimate Saturday, at 

KFT Place, in Warri. 

Held out as one of the sponsors 

of the programme by the 

organizers, Otuaro hailed the 

initiative of the Teens and 

Youths Ministry of the Christ 

Embassy Church, Warri Minsitry 

Centre, which organized 

the seminar for the teachers. 

"I must say the Teens and 

Youths Ministry of the Christ 

Embassy Church are on point 

for this retraining programme 

and has my support. 

As a state, the Senator Dr Ifeanyi 

Okowa-led Delta State 

Government places high premium 

on education. This informs 

why early in the administration, 

we established 

a Vocational and Technical 

Education Board. We have 

also planned a Teachers Professional 

Development Centre 

in Owa-Oyibu for the 

training and retraining of 

teachers to meet up with 

modern challenges of their 

assignment". 

"I want to thank you very 

much for your very challenging 

work. We are all products 

of teachers. Indeed, we can't 

thank you enough", Otuaro 

said, in his remarks to kickoff 

the seminar, adding: "I 

wish to however state that our 

children should also be 

brought up in knowledge of 

the word of God. This is because 

God's word alone has 

the capacity to transform a 

man from the inside out". 

Otuaro stressed: "Man is a 

spirit being. Man's fall is established 

in the adamic story 

in the Bible. We now have the 

issue of nature. A thief stole 

because of the nature in him 

which needs to be supplanted. 

This can only be achieved 

by the transforming power of 

God's Word". 

The Deputy Governor expressed 

worry over the rate of 

cultism and other vices 

among secondary school students 

and urged teachers to 

brace up, even as he tasked 

TIVO clubs, Christ Embassy 

outreach groups, to establish 

roots in all schools to continue 

to impact positively on society. 

NATIONHOOD: Leaders must build upon 

God’s foundation – Pastor Awojide 

The LAWNA Chair 

man & National Vice 

President of The Apostolic 

Church Nigeria, Pastor 

E.S. Awojide, has advised 

the leaders in the nation to 

build upon God’s foundation 

which is righteousness, 

saying that it is only the 

foundation of God that will 

stand. 

He gave the advice at the 

opening and dedication of 

The Apostolic Church 

Grammar School new hall 

dedicated to Pastor Samuel 

Gbadebo Adegboyega. 

In his exhortation titled, 

‘ Building together with 

God’, with Bible text taken 

from 1 Corinthians 3 verse 

9, Awojide said God is a 

builder and He wants everyone 

to be a builder adding 

that anyone that is not 

a builder is a destroyer. 

Highlighting four things 

a builder must know, he 

said a builder must have a 

plan and God’s vision to 

pursue the plan and anyone 

that does not have a 

plan will never build anything. 

He added that there 

must be a foundation the 

building is standing on 

which without, the building 

cannot stand. “God 

must be the foundation 

upon which everyone must 

build which is righteousness 

because it is the foundation 

that makes you see 

the structure and third, 

God must be the centre of 

what you build.”, the cleric 

said . 

“If the leaders of this nation 

make God the centre 

of what they are building, 

there will be no chaos, kidnapping, 

ritualists, paying 

for ransoms just to mention 

a few. Therefore, in all 

you build, let God be the 

centre”. 

Awojide on the fourth 

point said every building 

is for habitation and, therefore, 

every leader must allow 

God to have a place of 

habitation in his live, saying 

where God does not 

have a place, it will be 

empty and the building 

cannot stand. 

He prayed for the students, 

the nation and everyone 

present that God will 

make them leaders and not 

destroyers and particularly 

the teachers that God 

will make them good 

builders. 

In his speech, Board 

Chairman, Pastor P.F. 

Usman, said the ulta modern 

hall was conceived under 

Awojide, but the 

present board took up the 

vision to actualise it. 

Pastor Usman added 

that the hall is purposely 

put up for the use of the 

school and not a commercial 

venture, saying, 

though the school can not 

live in isolation because 

the school is within the society 

and so he cannot say 

if somebody wants to use 

it, the school can not offer 

it for their use but it is not 

purposely for commercial 

venture. 

Elder S.O. Ogunyemi, 

the school administrator, 

said he was grateful to God 

for witnessing the dedication 

of the new hall by using 

the hands of the fathers 

to put up the edifice. 

•From left: Pastor P. Usman, Board Chairman, The Apostolic Church grammar 

school, Pastor E. Awojide, National Vice president, TACN & LAWNA 

Territorial chairman and Pastor G.Uyeh, LAWNA Territorial Vice Chairman, 

during the official opening & dedication of Pastor S. Adegboyega Memorial 

Ultra Modern Hall at the Apostolic Church Grammar School in Lagos, yesterday. 

Photo: Kehinde Shonola 

Cross section of Delta State public secondary school teachers at a capacity building 

seminar organized by Teens and Youth Ministry of Christ Embassy Church, Warri, at KFT 

Place, Warri, recently. 

From left: Executive Director, Corporate Services, ANAMMCO Limited (AL), 

Mr. Uche Okeke, Minister of Labour, Sen. Chris Ngige, Business Development 

Manager, AL, Mr Ben Ejindu and Head of Sales AL, Mr Olaleka 

Sanyaolu,during an inspection tour of AL Dongfeng Trucks Assembly Plant 

in Enugu. 

CISLAC expresses concern over proposed travel ban 

on Nigeria 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

Civil Society Legislative 

Advocacy Centre, CIS- 

LAC, has raised concern over 

the planned travel ban by the 

United States government on 

four African countries including 

Nigeria. 

Speaking on the development 

in a chat with Vanguard, 

Executive Director of CIS- 

LAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, 

cautioned against the proposed 

move by the US. 

He said: “We believe that 

the travel ban is not yet operationalised. 

It is still not communicated 

to the Nigerian 

government by the American 

authorities. 

“However, if this travel ban 

eventually happens, it will 

have an effect on Nigerians 

who have legitimate businesses 

in the United States. 

There are so many Nigerians 

who are doing business in 

America and there are so 

many Americans doing business 

in Nigeria. 

“Both citizens will suffer as 

a result of this policy. Nigeria 

may also retaliate. We 

should not go to that extent.”


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, flanked by Deputy Governor, Dr. 

Obafemi Hamzat (right) and Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo 

during the formal launch of the EKOEXCEL (Excellence in Child Education 

And Learning) at De Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja, yesterday. 

ANDIMI’S EXECUTION: 

Christians tackle presidential 

spokesman over attack on CAN 

By Sam Eyoboka and 

Olamide Helen Ogunjimi 

hristians are angry with 

Cpresidential spokesperson, 

Pastor Femi Adesina, 

over what they described as 

his attack on the leadership 

of the Christian Association 

of Nigeria (CAN). 

The anger was in response 

to Adesina’s newspaper article 

titled, ‘Beheaded Adamawa 

Pastor: CAN got it mixed 

up’. 

A group under the aegis of 

Nigeria Christian Graduate 

Fellowship said it was surprised 

that Adesina, a pastor, 

could villify his brothers and 

fathers in the Lord “just to 

please his master on an issue 

that should have made him 

sober over the plight of his 

brethren.” 

Coalition of 25 Christian 

Non-Government Organisations 

also asked the Special 

Adviser on Media to President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

stop using his office to attack 

CAN leadership if he could 

not join in condemning “the 

ongoing Christian persecutions 

in the country”. 

Meanwhile, World Council 

of Churches (WCC), the International 

Christian Concern 

(ICC) and House Christians 

condemned the execution 

of a local CAN Chairman 

in Adamawa, Rev. Lawan 

Andimi, which prompted 

CAN’s reaction and Adesina 

riposte. 

In a statement by the Nigerian 

Christian Graduate Fellowship 

signed by Professor 

Charles Adisa, National President, 

and Mr Onyenachi 

Nwaegono, General Secretary,, 

the group said,”CAN 

said that Rev. Andimi stayed 

two weeks with his captors 

By Paul Olayemi 

A 

transporter, Paul 

Akpodiete, who was 

returning home in Sapele, 

Delta State from Ibadan, Oyo 

State where he had gone to 

deliver some goods has 

reportely been kidnapped by 

armed gunmen along the 

Benin-Lagos Road just before 

Gbogi, Edo State. 

A source explained how the 

kidnappers carried out the act 

“He was returning to Sapele 

after taking delivery of some 

goods in Ibadan and was 

almost close to Gbogi when 

they kidnapped him and one 

lecturer. We didn’t know he 

had been kidnapped, his 

family was waiting for him 

and when he did not 

come,they were worried”, the 

source said. 

“The kidnappers left his 

phone and a Siena car behind 

and called on government to 

come to his aid. Does it not 

worry Adesina that rather 

than take step to rescue the 

preacher, government was 

quick to send condolence 

message to the family. Which 

is more important? To rescue 

the victim or sympathize with 

the family”. 

On its part, the Coalition of 

25 Christian NGOs asked 

Adesina, “If CAN has become 

opposition to government, 

are the EU parliament and 

the US govermment which 

are also compaigning 

against Christians persecution 

in Nigeria playing the 

role of opposition?” 

It went on: “CAN’s demand 

for the overhauling of the security 

agencies with a view to 

balancing the religious factor 

of their heads, is a noble 

course and it is justifiable. 

Those who are slaughtering 

our members and those who 

are managing our security 

apparatus share same faith. 

We are aware that General 

Abayomi Olonisakin, the 

Chief of Defence Staff and the 

Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok 

Ekwe-Ibas are good Christians 

but they are minority at 

the Security Council of the 

country. 

“So, it is true that we have 

two Christians among the 

service chiefs but the Chief of 

Defence Staff has no troop 

while the Chief of Naval Staff 

does not command the soldiers 

fighting the terrorists. All 

the security agencies like the 

Nigerian Army, the Nigerian 

Police, the Nigerian Air 

Force, the State Security Services, 

the National Intelligence 

Agency, the Defence 

Intelligence Agency who 

are deeply involved in the 

war against the Islamic extremists 

are all headed by 

Muslims. Is Adesina ignorant 

of this truth or playing 

ostrich? 

“What CAN is asking the 

President to do is not new at 

all. We remember President 

Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger 

Republic, who sacked his 

security chiefs after 89 soldiers 

were killed by terrorists 

in January, 2020 but to the 

likes of Adesina, it is not a big 

deal. The fact that CAN is 

even calling for a total overhauling 

of the security architecture 

despite the fact that 

two Christians are among 

should not attract condemnation 

of a sane mind but applause. 

“Once again, we dare the 

Federal Government to publish 

names of all the security 

agencies including their religions. 

This will expose who is 

not sincere between the Federal 

Government and the 

leadership of CAN. Bishop 

Matthew Hassan Kukah has 

said it all about the common 

denominator between the 

government and the Boko 

Haram terrorists”. 

Let those who have ears 

hear. The reasons why the 

likes of Adesina will continue 

to attack the highest Christian 

body is because they are 

government appointees and 

also because none of their relations 

have a victim of terror 

attacks”. 

A statement by the WCC 

general secretary, Rev. Dr 

Olav Fykse Tveit, condemned 

the brutal act of violence and 

expressed his sincere condolences 

to Andimi’s family, 

community and church. 

“We have lost a brother 

who worked for peace, who 

worked for ecumenism, and 

whose life has been cut short 

by senseless violence,” said 

Tveit. 

Delta: Gunmen kidnap transpor 

ansporter 

er, , demand N15million 

ransom 

and it was the police who 

found the car and took it to 

Iguobazuwa police station 

and they used their phone to 

call a friend. For now, the 

lecturer’s family and ours are 

looking for money to pay the 

ransom. 

By Lawani Mikairu 

he Federal Airports 

TAuthority of Nigeria 

(FAAN) says a bush fire 

incident has been reported 

around the RESA of 36L, 

Murtala Muhammed 

International Airport 

(MMIA), Lagos. 

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, 

General Manager, 

Corporate Affairs, FAAN, 

who made the disclosure in a 

statement in Lagos on 

Saturday, urged airlines 

“The kidnappers have asked 

for a ransom of N15 million.” 

Efforts to reach the Police 

spokesman in Edo State, 

DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, to 

confirm the story was fruitless, 

but a police source confirmed 

it. 

Fire incident around airfield ield side 

at Lagos Airpor 

port 

operators and other airport 

users not to panic. 

The News Agency of 

Nigeria (NAN) reports that 

Runway End Safety Area 

(RESA) is defined as the 

surface surrounding the 

runway prepared or suitable 

for reducing the risk of 

damage to airplanes in the 

event of an undershoot, 

overshoot, or excursion from 

the runway. 

Yakubu explained that 

officers of the Air Rescue and 

Fire Fighting Services 

(ARFFS) were presently on 

ground and fire fighting was 

in progress. 

Director-General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASE- 

MA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu (right) and Lagos State Governor, Mr. 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left) during an interaction with victims of the Abule-Egba 

pipeline explosion at the Igando Relief Camp yesterday. 

From left: Director, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President 

on SDGs (SSOP-SDGs) Muhammadu Idris; Special Assistant to 

Kwara State Governor on SDGs Dr Jemila Bio; Kwara State Governor 

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; SSOP-SDGs Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; 

Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Special Duties Hon. Yinka 

Aluko; and Secretary of Programmes OSSAP-SDG Danjuma Dauda; during 

the governor's visit to OSSAP-SDG in Abuja, on Friday 

MURDER IN IBADAN:Lamentations over huge 

losses to Oko Oloyun’s allege Ponzi scheme 

By Adeola Badru 

THE gruesome murder 

of Ibadan-based 

traditional medicine 

practitioner, Alhaji Fatai 

Yusuf, fondly called Oko 

Oloyun, may leave many 

homes in perpetual pains if 

timely succour did not come 

their ways 

Those who will be biting 

their fingers are the ones 

demanding for their money 

invested in his purported 

Ponzi scheme, known as 

Option C. 

By Harris Emanuel 

iger Delta militants 

Nunder the aegis of 

Bonny Freedom Fighters 

have threatened to cripple 

the nation’s oil industry 

if the Federal Government 

fails to fish out and bring 

to book the killers of 

Assistant Commissioner 

of Police (ACP), Oliver 

Inioma-Abbey in 

Anambra State. 

Recall that Inioma- 

Abbey and his men were 

attacked, killed and their 

corpses burnt beyond 

recognition in Oraifite in 

Ekwusigo Local 

Government Area of 

Anambra State by 

suspected members of the 

Indigenous People Of 

Biafra, IpoB, on December 

2019. 

But the militant group, 

in a statement signed by its 

Scores of affected people 

who spoke with Sunday 

Vanguard narrated their 

experience even before Oko 

Oloyun’s death. 

An investor, Femi Oredola, 

said he invested over a 

million naira, but had not 

been paid before the 

unfortunate incident. 

“Where will I start from 

again? I invested my lifesavings 

on the Option C, 

hoping to get multiple of 

what I invested. I never knew 

it would end like this I am 

doomed,” he said. 

Another investor, Bunmi 

Akiolu, said: “I never told my 

husband before I ventured 

into this. My friend advised 

me to go for it instead of 

obtaining bank loan for my 

business. What will I do now? 

I can’t say what will happen 

if I inform my husband about 

this mess.” 

She, however, appealed to 

the family of the deceased to 

address the investment 

programme issue quickly, 

adding that it might lead to 

many deaths if urgent steps 

are not taken. 

MURDER OF POLICE COMMISSIONER: 

N/Delta militants threaten to destroy 

oil facilities spokesman, General 

Charles Hart-Abbey aka 

Last Don, called on 

security authorities to step 

up efforts at unmasking 

the perpetrators of the act. 

with a view to bringing 

them to justice. 

According to the group, 

the Federal Government 

was dilly-dallying and yet 

to provide any 

information regarding 

the reason(s) behind the 

gruesome murder of 

Inioma-Abbey, an 

indigene of Bonny, an oil 

producing area in River 

State. 

The statement read in 

part, “We condemn the 

killing of ACP Inioma- 

Abbey in strong terms. It is 

totally unacceptable and 

unjustifiable. It is not only 

barbaric, but also an 

enormous loss to the 

Ancient Kingdom of 

Grand Bonny, the Abbey- 

Hart Chieftaincy House, 

and the Nigeria Police 

Force. 

“The perpetrators must 

be identified and brought 

to justice, and receive 

p u n i s h m e n t 

commensurate with the 

crime they have committed 

against another Nigerian. 

We shall shut down all oil 

wells in the Niger Delta if 

this particular death is not 

probed to a satisfactory 

conclusion. 

“We are not unaware 

that we, as Ijaw people of 

the Niger Delta region of 

Nigeria, had made 

commensurable sacrifices 

in our quest to keep the 

Nigeria state as one; even as 

a lot of our serving officers 

were killed in a high-profiled 

conspiracies during this 

cause. We have not 

forgotten Major Isaac Adaka 

Boro and other patriots of the 

Ijaw extraction who were 

victims of this disgusting 

circumstances”.

Viewpoint 

By Victor Fagbulu As Ogun’s stellar cabinet takes off 

erhaps there can, at this 

Pmoment, be no better 

illustration of the Yoruba adage that 

“he who eats late does not eat 

worthless food than the cabinet that 

the Ogun State governor, Prince 

Dapo Abiodun, announced to big 

applause recently in the state. 

Nigerians are well aware of the fact 

that one of the banes of governance 

in this clime is poor cabinet 

formation. Because of political 

expediency, most of the people that 

occupy positions of authority as 

ministers, commissioners, board 

directors and so on have, over the 

years, tended to obtain the positions 

via considerations of political 

patronage rather than merit, 

competence and proven track 

records. 

At various times, Nigerians have 

been confronted with such 

incongruous situations as lawyers 

heading power ministries, engineers 

heading information ministries and 

agric economists heading health 

ministries or ministries such as 

Urban and Regional Planning. 

Now, Governor Abiodun having 

this at the back of his mind, and 

taking cognizance of the agenda he 

has set for the state not only in 

running an inclusive government but 

also giving opportunities for people 

to come and invest in Ogun State, 

To make the task 

easier, he consulted 

with political leaders 

and technocrats in the 

state, intimating them 

with his preferences: 

people with vast 

experience in their 

respective fields 

had to opt for the best brains—and 

Ogun definitely has these in 

abundance. There is no sphere of 

human endeavour where you will not 

find Ogun indigenes doing 

exceptionally well. To make the task 

easier, he consulted with political 

leaders and technocrats in the state, 

intimating them with his preferences: 

people with vast experience in their 

respective fields. And so when he 

finally unfolded his cabinet, various 

local government areas in the state 

had brought forward their best 

materials. The new cabinet in Ogun 

exudes youthfulness and experience, 

energy, vibe, creativity and finesse 

and, above all, sound intellect. 

For instance, the Commissioner for 

Health, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde ( 

B.Sc, MD, MBBS, MPH), 37, is one 

of the brightest young minds in the 

medical profession in the country. 

The Ijebu-Ife born physician 

attended the Olabisi Onabanjo 

University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State 

where, in 2009, he obtained a 

Bachelor’s Degree in Human 

Physiology with Second Class Upper 

Division. He was at the Windsor 

University School of Medicine, Saint 

Kitts and Nevis, West Indies in the 

Caribbean Islands where he got his 

second degree in Medicine and 

Surgery. He later proceeded to the 

University of Ibadan for his Masters’ 

Education and has since completed 

his Masters’ Degree in Public Health 

(Health Policy And Management). 

His counterpart in the Ministry of 

Budget and Planning, Olaolu 

Olabimtan (B.Sc. Accounting, MBA, 

FCTI, FCA, ACCA, CPA, CFE, CFAN, 

AICPA) is simply phenomenal. The 

Ilaro prince is a certified IFRS Expert, 

CMD Certified Management 

Consultant & Trainer) Managing 

Partner/CEO; Olaolu Olabimtan & 

Co (Chartered Accountants)/ 

Financial & Business Advisory 

Associates. Leading the practice on 

a full-time basis since 2009, Olaolu 

has led the team in serving Federal 

Inland Revenue Service, Osun State 

Internal Revenue Service and Lagos 

State Internal Revenue Service. The 

team has also provided tax advisory 

services to several companies. 

Femi Ogunbanwo, the Special 

Duties Commissioner, was called 

to the Nigerian Bar on the 16th 

December, 1992, with a Second 

Class (Upper Division) Degree from 

the Nigerian Law School. He holds 

the LL.B and LL.M degrees of the 

University of Lagos. On 23rd 

September 1999, he appeared for 

and with His Excellency, Asiwaju 

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then Executive 

Governor of Lagos State before the 

Lagos State House of Assembly 

Investigative Panel (Omoworare 

Panel). He was Special Assistant / 

Chief Legislative Assistant to Senator 

Tokunbo Afikuyomi between 1999 

and 2007. Femi is a prolific writer 

and public commentator. 

Enter the Commissioner for 

Finance, Oladapo Rahaman 

Okubadejo, fondly called Dapo. The 

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), 

Ile-Ife graduate served previously as 

Chief Economic Adviser to the 

governor of Ogun State and led the 

Economic Management team in the 

formulation and implementation of 

key economic policies of the 

administration. Formerly a Partner 

& Africa Head of Deal Advisory & 

Private Equity at KPMG, Dapo is an 

expert on corporate finance, mergers 

and acquisitions (M&A), project 

finance, investments, private equity 

and business transformation. With 

about 28 years of professional 

experience, he has acted as Corporate 

Financial Adviser to many foreign 

and local investors in Nigeria and 

across Africa. Starting his 

professional career in Arthur 

Andersen in 1992, he spent over a 

decade where he rose to the position 

of Senior Manager and consulted for 

more than 40 companies in oil and 

gas, consumer goods and financial 

services on many projects in 

assurance, business strategy and 

planning, financial restructuring and 

business transformation. 

The Commissioner for Women 

Affairs, Hon Olufunmilayo 

Akinyebo-Efuwape, a high profile 

philanthropist and gender activist, 

who has brought her administration 

excellence to bear in the governance 

at the grassroots, was educated at 

the Ogun State Polytechnic of Ilaro, 

where she holds an HND in 

Accountancy. 

•Fagbulu, a political analyst, lives 

in Ijebu -Ode, Ogun State. 

Read more on 


PAGE 42, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 

By Ajiri Obareta 

s Governor Yahaya Bello 

Acommences his new term in 

office at Lugard House in Lokoja, 

his ability to address the 

development challenges in Kogi 

state has been a subject of discussion 

among analysts across the country. 

Following various views over his 

management of the state’s finances, 

Bello has gone to great lengths to 

explain the efforts taken by his 

government to tackle several 

administrative challenges that he 

claims were inherited from previous 

governments. 

Throughout the campaign, he 

focused on key achievements of his 

government in the areas of 

administrative reforms, the 

provision of social and 

infrastructural development and a 

significant reduction in the state’s 

crime rate, even while he recognised 

that several issues remained to be 

tackled. It was the need to focus on 

these issues that his campaign team 

used as justification for his 

candidacy and to win public 

support. Now that he has secured 

second term, his ability to change 

the development narrative has 

come under focus once again. 

A look at the past four years of 

Bello’s administration gives an 

insight into his government’s 

Gov Bello’s next four years: Building on previous gains 

strategy for delivering on its 

development goals, and the tough 

task of navigating the rough terrain 

of public scrutiny that he is already 

used to. 

On the political front, Bello has 

been able to rebuild from scratch 

the political structure that the late 

former governor, Audu Abubakar, 

had sustained for four years as 

governor. Some observers in the 

state admit that Bello has been fair 

to all the districts in terms of 

distribution of political 

appointment. All the local 

governments have equal 

representatives in his cabinet. 

There is no doubt that what the 

party is in Kogi today is the result of 

Bello’s efforts. Having won the 

governorship elections, and an 

already secured State House of 

Assembly and National Assembly, 

Bello has proven his huge political 

mettle. 

On governance, Bello’s strategy 

clearly stands miles apart from the 

old patronage system that the state 

had been used to under some of the 

previous administrations. His 

antecedents show his willingness to 

take tough steps, Bello may have 

struck a raw nerve when he 

embarked on what has become 

perhaps one of the most effective 

•Gov. Bello 

reformative actions in the history of 

governance in Kogi state: the civil 

service reform. 

The action clearly dealt a severe 

blow to the covert scheme of political 

patronage through which the state 

lost billions every year. Bello’s 

supporters say the civil service 

reform blocked the channels for an 

extensive network of public funds 

embezzlement. It was reported that 

over 18,000 ghost workers or 

unintended beneficiaries were 

discovered, drawing the sum of 

N16.6b annually from 

government’s purse as salary for 

work they never did. 

The claims against him 

notwithstanding, Bello’s staff 

verification exercise, a key aspect of 

the civil service reform, has forced a 

change of attitude among workers 

in the state. The new attitude fostered 

by the exercise, some civil servants 

say, has seen real reduction in the 

use of forged certificates in 

applications for state jobs. 

Even with the criticisms he faced 

throughout the implementation of 

these reforms, Bello has succeeded 

in repositioning the state public 

service for better service delivery. 

This will surely ease administration 

in the state for his next four year 

term. 

Other gains that Bello would be 

expected to sustain are security, the 

development of infrastructure and 

provision of social services, 

obviously because he has recorded 

some very impressive results here, 

and very few people would deny that. 

Considering the situation in the state 

before his administration, with the 

series of kidnappings, robberies and 

even alleged attempts by suspected 

Boko Haram cells, Bello may have 

recorded one of the most significant 

successes of any state in the area of 

security. His far-reaching public 

health initiatives have also 

recorded significant improvements, 

but he is sure to extend the reach of 

these schemes for greater 

accessibility for the state’s residents. 

The arguments usually put 

forward by Bello’s critics seem to 

focus solely on salary delays. Perhaps, 

there is a general acceptance, among 

opponents to subtly avoid stretching 

the argument at the risk of exposing 

facts that may reveal the true 

intentions of Bello’s traducers. 

Bello’s advocates say that he is 

preoccupied more with redefining 

governance through respect for its 

constitutional framework rather 

than a transient system built on 

ephemeral political patronage and 

this is what will define his governance 

in the next four years. 

For most observers, only time will 

tell if Bello is able to sustain the gains 

he has recorded so far, or if existing 

social and economic challenges will 

overwhelm his government. 

However, with the steps taken so far 

in administrative reforms, social and 

infrastructural development, and in 

reviving a redundant agricultural 

sector that has seen the launch of one 

of Nigeria’s prime rice milling 

factories, the indicators of an 

economic boom are evident, and 

governor Bello sits on a major 

opportunity to change the narrative 

of governance in Kogi state for many 

years to come. 

By Akin Oyedele 

ears back when I was 

Y transferred from Edo State to 

Ibadan as the Oyo State 

Correspondent of The Punch 

newspaper, the gut reaction of my 

‘concerned’ colleagues was that I 

had been taken to Golgotha, a spot 

interpreted by the evangelists in 

Matthew 27:33 as “the place of the 

skull.” It was at Golgotha that the 

head of Jesus Christ was covered 

with crown of thorns; and forced to 

drink vinegar, mingled with gall as 

the denouement of his baptism of 

fire and crucifixion by the chief 

priests and elders of the Jews! 

I was barraged with questions 

such as ‘who did you offend, why 

did they transfer you to Ibadan? Did 

you know this is the hometown of 

the owners of The Punch? Have you 

heard about Dr Lekan Are? The 

summary of the issues raised by 

these Afeniferes was that Ibadan, 

nay Oyo State, was a dreaded and 

demanding beat, which turned out 

to be a myth in my reckoning. 

Although, the tale momentarily got 

me stupefied, but I later took it in 

my stride. 

I must confess that I had initially 

erroneously believed that the 

transfer could be punitive, given the 

boast of the media handlers of a 

former Edo State Governor, Chief 

Lucky Igbinedion, to ‘deal with’ 

me. They had, without plausible 

reasons, dubbed me a pain in their 

ass, because of what they termed my 

uncompromising stance in the 

reportage of issues and events in the 

DR LEKAN ARE: Foremost nationalist, respected Ibadan elder 

Dr. Lekan Are 

state. The last straw that broke the 

camel’s back in my not-too-genial 

relationship with the state officials 

was my exclusive report published 

in the August 1, 2005 edition of The 

Punch, which detailed how the 

N1billion loan the state 

government sourced from the 

capital market in 2000 was frittered 

away. The sprawling Iyekogba 

Housing Estate, for which the loan 

was collected, turned out to be a 

white elephant project, as it became 

home to reptiles and people of 

shady character five years after. (I 

doubt if successive administrations 

had revisited the project). 

An insider had confided in me 

that a petition was actually written 

against me by the government, 

alleging that I was being used by 

the opposition, defunct All Nigeria 

Peoples Party, to discredit the 

government. But, in 2008, I was 

vindicated when Justice Abdullahi 

Kafarati then of the Federal High 

Court, Enugu, found the exgovernor, 

with his Kiva 

Corporation Limited, guilty of 

soiling his hands with the 

patrimony of Edo people and was 

subsequently convicted. In a plea 

bargaining that saw him wriggle 

out of the Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission’s snare, 

Igbinedion was asked to pay N3.6m 

fine, as an option for going to jail. 

Although the court equally asked 

him to refund N500m and forfeit 

three houses, the punishment was 

considered a slap on the wrist by 

commentators. 

The EFCC also kicked, 

pronouncing it as “scandalous,” 

while celebrated author, Prof Okey 

Ndibe, described the bargaining as 

a “ruse of law.” 

Fast forward, I shook off the scaremongering 

about the rationale for 

my transfer, which in any way was a 

routine exercise in the newspaper, 

and settled down for business in 

Ibadan. In the second week of my 

arrival, I went to pay homage to Dr 

Lekan Are at Kakanfo Inn, where 

he called the shots as the chairman. 

I was awestruck by his palpable 

bonhomie and pleasantry, which 

was at complete variance with the 

narratives about him. Moments 

after the courtesies, Baba launched 

into the trajectory of Kakanfo Inn 

and Conference Centre, which, he 

said, he founded in 1988 to fill the 

void created by the dearth of 

standard hotels in Ibadan. To 

maintain its pristine ambience and 

facilities, Dr Are told me he ensured 

that they were given periodic facelift 

and replacements as a rule. Baba 

was also punctilious in providing 

ancillary facilities to attain high 

standards for the hotel. I should not 

forget to add that he promptly 

introduced me to the then Managing 

Director of the hotel, Mr Ajah Bawa, 

whom he directed to ensure that I 

was given lunch before leaving. It 

was altogether an exhilarating 

experience that belied Dr Are’s 

demonization by those that I 

believed could not cope with his high 

standards, which I found to be 

sublime rather than extraordinary. 

From what I gleaned from reliable 

sources about Dr Are back then, he 

loathes dishevelled appearance, 

dishonesty, lateness to any event he 

assigns you to cover and 

misrepresentation of his, or any 

newsmaker’s views or slanted 

reportage. Furthermore, I learnt that 

you must arrive at venues of his 

assignments at least 15 to 30 

minutes before the time specified. 

He does not suffer fools gladly and 

does not brook mediocrity or 

sloppiness. A stickler for panache, 

Dr Are wears his heart on his sleeve, 

because you always know where 

you are with him on any given 

matter. These were ideals he held 

dear to his heart and for which 

people could easily wormed their 

way into his affections. 

In my close to five years of 

reporting for The Punch in Ibadan, 

I enjoyed a very robust father-son 

relationship with Dr Lekan Are. He 

once called me to bring my wife to 

his hotel to have dinner as a treat. 

He was a lesson in honesty, hard 

work, integrity, patriotism, respect 

for one’s wife (he hardly attended 

occasions without Mama, whom he 

lovingly referred to as Bisi, (in tow) 

and devotion to a person’s 

birthplace. Dr Lekan Are was a 

venerated Ibadan elder, thrifty 

businessman, publisher, writer, 

educationist par excellence, 

welfarist, philanthropist and a man 

of sartorial elegance, known for his 

signature onile gogoro (tall) cap. 

By his departure, Ibadan has lost 

an eminent son, who was 

committed to the advancement of 

its course, while the country has lost 

an astute business man and 

patriotic citizen who invested his 

wealth of experience as an 

agronomist, as well as his wellearned 

resources in the country. 

•Akin Oyedele, a former Chief 

Correspondent with the Punch 

newspaper, writes from Ibadan. 

Read more on 


Viewpoint 

By Julius Oweh 

olitical scientists and 

Pconstitutional lawyers the 

globe over, agree that the primary 

purpose of governance is the security 

and welfare of the people. The 1999 

constitution, the fundamental law 

that underpins the current 

dispensation is also very emphatic 

on the importance of security and 

welfare of the people. The president 

is also the Commander- in -Chief of 

the Nigerian Armed Forces and by 

implication, the chief security 

officer of the nation. 

At the state level, the governors are 

regarded as chief security officers 

of the state even though cannot give 

order to the commissioner of police 

or any other security operative for 

that matter. That is the major flaw 

of our curious brand of federalism. 

It is not a matter of political 

conjectures or polemics that the 

Federal Government is 

overwhelmed with the security 

challenges of the nation. Armed 

banditry, virus of terrorism, 

kidnapping and the infamous 

rampaging herdsmen are the 

By Jones Nnaike 

t is now common knowledge that 

IThe Igbos of Southern Nigeria 

usually return enmass every end of 

the year to spend the xmas yuletide 

with their kith and kins at home. 

Several Communities of the region 

have since found a creative way of 

making use of the opportunities 

attendant upon such demographic 

mix to positively showcase their 

culture and advance development 

initiatives. 

One of such communities is 

Ekitiafor Abba in Nwangele Local 

Government Area of Imo State. 

Ekitiafor which is part of the larger 

Abba clan trace their origin as being 

descendants of the famous Abam 

warriors who were part of the 

military wing of the Aro trading 

system that exerted influence and 

suzerainty over much of Igboland and 

beyond for more than four centuries 

prior to the advent of formal British 

colonialism. However the current 

status of Ekitiafor as an autonomous 

entity has a recent origin that was 

achieved under the governorship of 

The politics of community policing 

The Minister is in the 

executive arm, saddled 

with the responsibility 

of implementing the 

laws and policies of 

government; he is 

clearly usurping the 

functions of the 

judiciary to interpret 

and adjudicate 

unfortunate trademarks of the 

nation. 

It is against this backdrop, that the 

recent launch of Western Nigeria 

Security Network otherwise known 

as Amotekun could be situated. The 

governors of these states believed in 

pulling their resources together to 

tackle the issues of insurgency, the 

clash between herdsmen and 

farmers, armed banditry and 

kidnapping. However, the Federal 

Government frowned at the 

composition of Amotekun and that 

its activities are illegal within the 

provision of the 1999 constitution. 

Speaking on the activities of 

Amotekun, the Attorney General of 

the federation and Minister of 

Justice, Abubakar Malami 

maintained the concept of the 

security outfit was strange to the 

1999 constitution. Said Malami: 

‘The setting up of the paramilitary 

organization called Amotekun is 

illegal and runs contrary to the 

provisions of the Nigerian law. The 

constitution of the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has 

established the army, navy and air 

force, including the police and other 

numerous paramilitary 

organizations for the purpose of the 

defence of Nigeria. As a consequence 

of this, no state government, whether 

singly or in a group has the legal 

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 43 

right and competence to establish 

any form of organization or agency 

for the defence of Nigeria or any of 

its constituent parts‘. 

While the honourable Minister of 

Justice is spot on but, he mixed the 

woods for the trees. The 1999 

constitution recognizes the three 

arms of government – the executive, 

the judiciary and the legislature. The 

Minister is in the executive arm, 

saddled with the responsibility of 

implementing the laws and policies 

of government. He is clearly 

usurping the functions of the 

judiciary to interpret and adjudicate. 

If the Minister is not comfortable 

with the establishment of the security 

outfit and believes that it abridges 

the functions of the executive arm, 

he should approach the court to test 

the functionality or otherwise of the 

security outfit. Ours is a democracy 

and not a monarchy, where the king 

or his surrogate wakes up and 

makes pronouncement. The 

statement of the minister is merely 

blowing the wind. 

Furthermore, this is not the first 

time that state governments are 

forming security outfits for the 

protection of their citizens. As you 

read this piece, Civilian Joint Task 

forces are in operation in the North 

East battling the Boko Haram 

insurgency. The Federal 

Government has even commended 

the efforts of this security outfit. 

Hisbah is an Islamic or state 

police very effective in the north, 

enforcing strict Islamic code of 

conduct. Hisbah is notorious for 

abusing human rights of people and 

the question of choice as for the 

consumption of alcohol. The 

Federal Government is living in 

denial of its existence. Hisbah is very 

visible in Kano State. In September 

2019, the Islamic police destroyed 

196,400 bottles of beer. According 

the Hisbah‘s Commander General, 

Sheik Aminu Daurawa, twelve 

million bottles of beer were 

destroyed in seven years. Yet this is a 

state that gets money generated 

from Value Added Tax VAT on 

alcohol. 

Ekitiafor Day celebration: When tradition aligns with modernity 

Chief Ihedi Ohakim and which got 

further revalidation during the reign 

of Chief Rochas Okorocha 

Perhaps it might be apt to say that 

the community has fared quite well 

with her new found autonomy if going 

by the peace, unity and progress that 

pervades there is the criteria to judge. 

It is also important to note that all 

these positive attributes would not 

have been possible if not for the 

internal restructural of its traditional 

institution and governance structure 

that was undertaken by the leaders of 

the community to align it with 

modern trends. It was such 

restructuring that gave rise to the 

creation of five prime offices and 

their occupation by highly qualified 

top achievers who work with the 

traditional ruler to give leadership to 

the community. Such offices includes 

the Lord Mayor, The Lord Chancellor, 

The Ambassador Extra Ordnaire, The 

Lord Pillar, The Lord Envoy and The 

Traditional Prime Minister. Another 

novelty in this restructuring is that the 

succession to these offices is by election 

conducted by the council of chiefs. 

Fundamentally all these reforms and 

other rules have been codified into a 

written constitution that is now used 

to direct the affairs of the community. 

Again the quality of top professionals 

that has ascended these positions 

attests to the efficacy of these reforms. 

Take for instance, the position of the 

Lord Mayor is occupied by Chief Chris 

Onwuzuruike, a successful American 

based Architect/Builder and business 

owner. The Lord Ambassador on the 

other hand Professor F.C. Dike is a 

SAN and Former Attorney General 

of Imo State. The Lord Chancellor 

Chief/Nze Ted Obialor is an American 

based pharmacist. The Lord Pillar 

Chief Uchenna Uzowuru is a 

successful Lagos based business man 

just as the Lord Envoy Chief 

Ugochukwu Nwoke is also a Lagos 

based IT/Phone Professional. This is 

not to mention the fact that the 

traditional ruler himself HRH (Hon) 

Eze B.I Ononenyi Uzoma is a former 

member of the House of 

Representatives. 

The attraction of high quality 

manpower into its leadership position 

and a general reform of its traditional 

institution and its adaptation to 

modern trends has given rise to not 

only the much needed peace and unity 

but also to a quantum leap in physical 

development. Evidence of this 

progress is not only the ubiquitous 

beautiful homes that are springing up 

everywhere in the community but also 

the tarred roads as well as well paved 

drainages that adorn its physical 

landscape. 

Perhaps the ultimate symbol of the 

progress that pervades Ekitiafor 

Abbah Autonomous Community is 

the superb organisation attendant 

upon the conduct of its yearly 

Ekitiafor Day Celebrations that 

holds on the second January of 

every year. This years version of 

the festival attracted numerous 

visitors from all parts of the 

country and the diaspora 

particularly from the United 

States of America, Canada, The 

United Kingdom and Asia. 

*Oweh, a journalist, Asaba, Delta 

State. 

Read more on 


At the festival venue proper 

which held at the primary school 

ground, many natives appeared in 

their most colourful dresses. There 

was also the endless stream of 

neighboring traditional rulers and 

their chiefs that enriched the crowd 

quality. Not to be left out though is 

the colourful displays by various 

masquerade groups of all kind of 

descriptions. There were the very 

fearful ones as well as the benign 

types. It is also good to mention 

the different cultural dance groups 

with their heart rendering choruses 

that competed for attention. 

In effect it could be said that the 

peace, unity and physical 

improvements which reign in 

Ekitiafor is in itself an offshoot of 

efforts at internal leadership 

improvement mechanism which 

has led to the alignment of its 

traditional institution with modern 

values. 

Read more on 


By Collins Adaka 

HE recent Supreme Court 

Tvictory of Governor Bala 

Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi 

State was a triumph for the 

hardworking people of Bauchi State. 

It is now time to face governance 

squarely without distractions after the 

highest court in the land had 

vindicated his claim to the executive 

seat. This was not the first time he 

had attained such a feat. Bala 

Mohammed did it when he was elected 

a senator representing Bauchi South in 

April 2007 against ex-governor Muazu, 

who contested for the same senatorial 

seat. 

Bala is a man of many parts. This 

could be attested to the skyscraper of 

his life built on the firm foundation,of 

boundless energy and health, quick 

mind and energetic spirit. He is such an 

amazing phenomenon. 

Bala Mohammed’s strides 

By Charles Adingupu 

or discerning minds, democratic 

Frule has remained the sine quo 

non for development in virtually all 

spheres of human endeavour. Hence, 

when the 4 th Republic was eventually 

enthroned after a prolonged military 

misrule, Nigerians were bursting with 

excitement. The popular axiom held 

by self styled apostles of democracy 

was that the worst brand of 

democratic rule is far better than the 

best military administration. But this 

aphorism has proved to be a mere 

paradox in the Nigeria’s clime. As 

almost two decades after the 

enthronement of the 4 th Republic, 

Nigeria and her people still grope in 

abject poverty in the midst of plenty, 

decaying social amenities, near 

extinct institutions, barefaced 

corruption and worst still, a justice 

system that is not sufficiently punitive 

for people who perpetrate crime. 

As Martins Luther King Jr. puts it, 

“history will have to record that the 

greatest tragedy of this period of social 

Bala Mohammed’s victory: Triumph for Bauchi people 

commenced when he was elected 

senator in April 2007. Remember, “the 

doctrine of necessity”, when the ailing 

President YarÁdua was in the saddle of 

the affairs of this great country, Nigeria. 

His then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck 

Jonathan could not become the acting 

President because of a lacuna in the 

constitution. Governor Bala Abdulkadir 

Mohammed, being a senator then was 

the first to call for declaring president 

Umaru Yar’Adua incapacitated and 

making Vice President Goodluck 

Jonathan, the acting President. This is 

because he believes in peaceful coexistence 

for national growth and 

security. He is highly detribalised and 

believes in due process. Moreso, he is 

free minded and has a zero tolerance 

for religion. Despite the numerous hues 

and cries from dissenting voices across 

the nooks and crannies of the country, 

he did it out of a conviction for the 

stability of the country in the obvious 

tense polity then. 

This, as the saying goes, “the things 

that get rewarded get done”. Due to this 

record, ex-President Goodluck 

Jonathan appointed him as the 

Minister of the Federal Capital 

Territory (FCT) on April 8, 2010 when 

Jonathan announced his cabinet. 

Amongst his achievements as the FCT 

Minister was his dogged approach to 

the twin problems of waste 

management and lack of portable 

water. 

Mr. Cliff Akora, co-publisher of the 

Nigerian Politician magazine, who did 

his NYSC with the governor in Plateau 

State, 1982/83 session, said Bala always 

made a difference wherever he finds 

himself. When they did their primary 

posting at the defunct mirage 

newspaper, published by Salama Press 

of Senator Tomas Yepwi from Lafia 

Darkness at Dawn in Niger Delta 

transition was not the strident clamour 

of the bad people but the appalling 

silence of the good people”. 

The advent of democracy in 1999 

was indeed the dawn of darkness in 

the states that make up the Niger 

Delta as successive governors in some 

of these states had left the states worse 

than they met them. Although 

available corruption data are 

fragmentary, and sometimes 

contradictory, and passions are still 

too intense and perspective too 

distorted to allow for broader 

generalization and firm conclusion. 

Though attempts by the federal 

government to intervene in the 

development of the region with the 

inauguration of the Niger Delta 

Development Commission (NDDC) 

had hit the brick wall. The 

commission is currently fraught with 

gross incompetence, unending 

conflicts, poor governance, nepotism, 

lack of transparency and 

dysfunctional management 

dynamics. The history of the 

Commission is littered with 

spectacular implosion of corruption 

and its attendant collateral damages 

to the oil rich region. 

Today, the NDDC which would have 

been a soothing balm to the people 

has become a cathedral of corruption. 

The current Minister of the Niger 

Delta and the immediate past 

Governor of Akwa Ibom state, 

Senator Godswill Akpabio, is 

overwhelmed by the large scale 

corruption he discovered in the NDDC 

upon assumption of office. Against this 

backdrop, the Minister threatened 

forensic investigation into the 

activities of Commission. Hell was 

let loose as politicians, contractors 

and traditional rulers went wild, but 

Senator Akpabio remained adamant 

in his resolve. 

However, while the Minister’s 

threat is being washed away with time, 

Senatorial district in present day 

Nasarawa state. It was a new tabloid 

then with Bala Mohammed, Emma 

Agu, former MD of champion 

Newspaper, late Sheikh Abutiate, 

formerly of The Guardian and Cliff 

Akorah, among the pioneer editorial 

staff. The Mirage Newspaper became 

an instant hit, which was largely the 

preferred choice of readers, as against 

the state owned newspaper, the 

Standard. Solomon Lar was the then 

Governor of Plateau state. Watching and 

reading about this iconic personality of 

Governor Bala Mohammed from afar, 

I cannot but admire his doggedness 

in what over he believes in. 

Governor Bala decisively presses 

on in Bauchi, amidst dwindling 

fortunes accruing to the federating 

units of the states, by applying 

prudence, self-discipline and love for 

the people, seen in his quality 

the current NDDC chairman, Mr. 

Aladasoadura recently opened 

another shocking vista of corruption 

in the commission. He dis closed that 

over twelve thousand paid contract 

running into trillions of naira were 

unexecuted. This staggering 

revelation has further compounded 

naysayers in the region. 

Despite the huge federal allocation 

and colossal amount of money 

accruing to the states as oil derivation 

funds, the states are still nothing but a 

shadow of their proud past. This ugly 

trend has forced the people of the 

Niger Delta to conclude that the 

region is jinxed. Though most political 

pundits stated that the continuing 

under development of the Niger Delta 

is gravitating between the state 

Governors who are in firm control of 

the total sum of monies accruing the 

states and the traditional rulers who 

now claim ownership of oil laden 

lands domiciled in their various 

programmes. 

In situations of dificulties 

occasioned by the recklessness of 

youths in one form of vices or the 

other, he marches on nonetheless. 

Governor Bala Mohammed’s zeal 

to set new standards and push new 

boundaries against all odds is worthy 

of emulation. 

His resolute mien and relenting 

faith in his vision and faith in the 

potentials of this country and state 

sets him far apart from his peers. 

The jubilation that greeted his 

Supreme Court victory across the 

entire length and breath of Bauchi 

state is a testimony to this fact. 

Governor Bala Mohammed 

observers and citizens hope will 

continue in his infrastructural 

development and other 

transformation advancement of 

Bauchi state in order to justify the 

confidence of the people. 

•Adaka, lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers 

State 

communities. 

Under this unholy arrangement, the 

Governors collect tax from the oil 

firms operating in the area of 

jurisdiction while the traditional rulers 

on the other hand, scamper to collect 

what they tag royalties on behalf of 

the people and the community. The 

scramble for royalties from the oil 

firms operating in the region had 

pitched the traditional rulers with their 

subjects on the one hand, and the 

governors and the traditional rulers 

on the other hand. Undoubtedly, the 

continuing civil unrest in the region 

had been traced to who gets what in 

the oil rich communities. 

Recent investigation has shown that 

most traditional rulers in the 

communities are richer than the 

communities they represent. It was 

alleged in certain quarters that some 

of the traditional rulers have become 

big time contractors to the oil firms 

while their subjects grope in abject 

poverty. 

Read more on 



Falana, others s kick against 

killings, detention of journalists 

By Chris Onuoha 

& Onozure Dania 

edia experts and 

Mhuman right activists 

in Nigeria are displeased 

with killings and illegal 

detention of journalists by 

state and federal 

governments. 

They spoke yesterday in 

Lagos at a public forum 

organised by the 

Committee of Media and 

CSO groups and activists 

under the theme: ‘State of 

Media and Citizens 

Freedom in Nigeria.’ 

The forum, coordinated 

by Mr Femi Falana, 

Senior Advocate of 

Nigeria (SAN) and human 

rights activist, had in 

attendance seasoned 

journalist, Khadaria 

Ahmed; Mr Lanre 

Arogundade; Nigeria 

Union of Journalist 

NUJ,Lagos Chapter 

Chairman, Dr. Quazeem 

Akinretin and Professor 

Bola Akinteriwa, among 

others, and deliberated on 

vital issues affecting the 

free practice of journalism 

in the country. 

Falana, in his speech, 

charged the media to 

direct attention more on 

the National Assembly, 

state and federal 

governments who, he said, 

were trying to shrink the 

freedom of expression of 

the media in the country. 

He cited the cases of Agba 

Jalingo and Omoyele 

Sowore who were detained 

for months and charged 

for terrorism and 

treasonable felony. 

Falana said that 

By Harris Emmanuel, 

Chioma Onuegbu and 

Chinazo Alozie 

INITIAL fears of tension 

that foreshadowed the 

supplementary polls in 28 

constituencies materialised 

in some areas, yesterday, as 

the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, concluded the 2019 

general elections. 

Apart from voters apathy and 

logistics challenges in some 

areas, some electoral officers 

were abducted with election 

materials in Akwa Ibom. 

However, they were rescued 

by the police who 

apprehended their 

abductors. A chieftain of the 

People’s Democratic Party, 

PDP, and Commissioner for 

Trade and Investment, 

Prince Ukpong Akpabio, 

alleged that election 

materials for six units in Ward 

5, Akpautong in Essien 

Udim’s rerun poll were 

recovered in a politician’s 

house in the area. 

Akpabio did not mention the 

name of the politician he 

alleged was a member of the 

All Progressive Congress 

Congress, APC, in the area. 

Akpabio spoke with 

newsmen after casting his 

ballot, saying that the 

hoodlums who carted away 

the election materials had 

been arrested and taken to 

the State Police Command, 

Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo. 

Ukpong disclosed that 

INEC’s Ad hoc officers 

including an Electoral 

Officer who were abducted 

with materials were released 

while the suspects were 

whisked away. 

journalists are the 

watchdog of the society 

and must hold 

government accountable 

for every of their action. 

He stressed that the list of 

journalists in detention 

was long and 

embarrassing, adding that 

the Governor of Kaduna 

State said his jurisdiction 

was not limited to his state 

alone. Akinteriwa spoke 

on the challenges facing 

journalists and suggested 

that the way forward was 

for the media to address 

the menace. 

He said the attitudinal 

disposition of the media 

counts in carrying out its 

duties, pointing out that 

the killing of journalists 

was not restricted to 

Nigeria alone but a global 

challenge. He, however, 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with the children of Late 

Dr Ferry Gberegbe , Khana Local Government Area PDP Governorship 

Election Agent, who was murdered by FSARs Operatives at the Bori 

Collation Centre, during a funeral Service in honour of Late Gberegbe at 

Betem town yesterday 

o 11 1 stat 

ates 

Lassa fever er spreads to 1 

support states in 

strengthening their 

preparedness and response 

•29 killed, 195 cases confirmed capacity. Over the last three 

T 

weeks, NCDC has deployed 

he Nigeria Centre for coordinate response ( WHO), United Nations 

Rapid Response Teams to 

Disease Control activities on the disease. International Children’s 

support five of the affected 

(NCDC) says 195 In a statement last night, the Emergency Fund 

states. The Honourable 

cases of Lassa fever have centre said the national (UNICEF), US Centre for 

Minister of Health, 

been confirmed and that 29 EOC which was set up on Disease Control, and other 

Dr.Osagie Ehanire led a 

deaths have been reported January 24, includes partners. 

high-level delegation to 

in 11 states as of January representatives of the It said two health workers 

Kano State on the 25th of 

24. 

National Emergency in Kano state have been 

January 2020, following 

The centre said of the Management Agency confirmed dead. 

the deaths of two health 

confirmed cases, 89% are (NEMA), federal ministry of The centre also said rapid 

workers infected with Lassa 

from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi. agriculture and rural response teams have been 

fever. In addition, NCDC 

The NCDC said it activated development, federal deployed to support five out 

has rapidly increased risk 

a national emergency ministry of environment, of the 11 affected states. 

communications and 

operations centre (EOC) to World Health Organisation “The NCDC continues to 

He said: “It took the 

strength of Nigeria Police to 

recover the stolen materials 

in the politician’s house. 

The Ad- hoc staff were 

abducted and forced to 

thumb print the ballot papers 

instead of the voters including 

one of the Electoral Officers 

assigned to the area. 

“Those arrested were too 

many such that the police 

called prison officials to 

transport them to the state 

police command.” 

It was gathered that four 

corps members were 

abducted by the suspected 

thugs. 

Sunday Vanguard saw the 

arrested suspected political 

thugs being conveyed in two 

prison trucks from Essien 

Udim to Police 

Headquarters, Uyo. 

The Police Public Relations 

Officer (PPRO) Nnudam 

Frederick, Chief 

Superintendent of Police, 

confirmed the arrest of some 

persons in Essien Udim. 

He said: “Some persons have 

been arrested for their 

involvement in electoral 

violence in Essien Udim local 

government area. And some 

persons are in custody as I 

speak to you. Investigation is 

ongoing. 

“You know, I am in the field 

with you, so I cannot 

categorize the number 

persons in custody 

undergoing investigation.” 

The CP however adjudged 

the exercise peaceful and 

orderly in all the polling units 

in the local government area. 

The poll was generally 

peaceful even as election 

results were being returned to 

the Collation Center at 

Ukana located at Methodist 

School, Ukana (Okop- 

Akama) as at the time of 

filing this report. 

In Imo, the Okigwe North 

Federal Constituency, the rerun 

elections witnessed a low 

turn out of voters. Only a few 

areas had a good number of 

voters. There was also late 

arrival of materials and 

commencement of polling in 

some areas. 

Areas that were hit with voters 

apathy in Isiala Mbano 

local government area 

included 013, Umuneke 

Village Anara; 001, 

Central school Eziama; 

community engagement 

activities to ensure that 

IMO, A/IBOM: Voter apathy, hitches, bickering 

mar supplementary polls 

•Police arrest thugs, allegedly recover election materials 

•Ad-hoc staff abducted, rescued by police 

T 

he management of 

Michael Okpara 

University of Agriculture, 

Umudike (MOUAU), Abia 

State has cleared the Vice 

Chancellor, Prof Francis 

Otunta, of allegations of 

sexual harassment levelled 

against him by a female staff 

member of the institution. 

It disclosed that the 

allegation was a product of 

frustration and vendetta by 

the said staff because she was 

disciplined in line with the 

extant rules of the University. 

In a statement signed by the 

Registrar and Secretary to 

Council, Mrs Jacinta N. 

Ogwo-Agu, MOUAU 

declared that Prof Otunta “at 

no time or place did harass 

physically or sexually anyone 

as he has no need to do so”. 

The university was reacting 

to allegations of sexual 

harassment by a staff 

member. 

stated that Nigeria media 

is the most vibrant in 

Africa despite the 

challenges it encounters. 

Khadaria Ahmed said that 

freedom of the press is 

non-negotiable, adding 

that the problem with the 

Nigerian media is focusing 

too much attention on 

government and ignoring 

the responsibility of others 

in the industry. 

“We have selfish media 

owners who makes money 

and do not protect their 

workers and it is important 

that we do it with nuance,” 

Ahmed said. 

“Nigerian media is not doing 

enough soul searching and 

that has not allowed us to 

agree on one thing. The 

media have been focusing on 

tribal and religious issue in 

the last six years, 

undermining cohesion.” 

008, Central school Anara; 

and 014 Dialum Hall. 

However, 002 community 

school Eziama witnessed a 

high turn out of voters. 

When Sunday Vanguard 

called on some stakeholders 

at Orlu/Orsu/Oru East 

Federal constituency, the 

story was different as many 

said that in some polling 

units voters fully turned 

out. 

In Njaba state constituency, 

it was same the story. It was 

mixed fortunes in terms of 

voters turnout. 

speaking on the turnout, a 

chieftain of the All 


Chinedu Iwuala, said: “The 

turn out is average because 

this is not our voting strenght. 

There were some hitches at 

the initial time. One of the 

card readers developed fault 

and they made a call to the 

INEC and the INEC brought 

another card reader.” 

MOUAU clears Vice Chancellor of sexual harassment allegation 

It explained that the 

accuser, alongside more than 

100 other staff, was recently 

“properly placed from her 

previous position in line with 

the approval given by the 

Council at its 21st emergency 

A 

tlantic Hall School, 

Lagos is set to launch N2 

billion fundraising initiative 

as part of the activities lined 

up to mark the 30th 

anniversary of its 


On February 1, distinguished 

men and women will 

assemble to give back to the 

school which nurtured the 

foundation of their success. 

The school was founded in 

1989 on the vision of five 

women, namely Chief Mrs. 

Taiwo Taiwo, Mrs. Eniola 

Fadayomi, Lady Gbeminiyi 

Meeting held from Monday, 

May 13 to Thursday May 16, 

2019”. 

It also disclosed that the 

accuser’s salary was 

“suspended after she 

travelled abroad and 

Atlantic Hall School launches N2bn fund 

Smith, Dr. Kehinde.O. Dina 

and Mrs. Olabisi Towry 

Coker, as well as other likeminded 

trustees. 

The institution has over the 

years produced trailblazers, 

inventors, care givers, 

educators, administrators, 

entertainers, and all-round 

achievers at the highest level 

of society both at home and 

abroad. 

It is against this background 

that Atlantic Hall School’s 

alumni will also embark on 

a five-year transformational 

agenda titled Charting a new 

path; an agenda driven by the 

absconded from her duties 

without due authorization. In 

line with the rules of the 

University, her immediate 

superiors reported her 

absence from duty”. 

notion “what got us here 

won’t get us there”. 

Activities marking the event 

are the unveiling of the 

Transformational Agenda, 

showcasing of the 

Ambassadors of the Decade, 

an anniversary gala finale 

and presentation of honorary 

awards to distinguished 

members of the alumni. 

The fund raiser’s school target 

are N300 million Atlantic 

Hall Endowment Fund, 

N200 million Solar Power 

Initiative and the new N1.65 

billion Multi-Purpose Hall 

for the school. 

Nigerians are aware of the 

risks of Lassa fever and 

measures to protect 

themselves,” the statement 

read. 

“There has been a decline 

in the case fatality rate of 

reported Lassa fever cases 

from 23.4% in 2019 to 14.8% 

this year. NCDC continues to 

support treatment centres 

across states in the country to 

effectively manage Lassa 

fever cases. 

“Nigeria is contributing to 

research and other activities 

for the development of a 

Lassa fever vaccine. NCDC 

and the three main treatment 

centres in the country- Irrua 

Specialist Teaching Hospital, 

federal medical centre Owo 

and Alex Ekwueme federal 

teaching hospital Abakalilkiare 

set to commence Lassa 

fever epidemiological studies 

that will provide data to guide 

research and response 

activities. 

“The Nigeria Centre for 

Disease Control remains 

committed to protecting the 

health of Nigerians. It is 

important for members of the 

public to practice good 

hygiene and take measures to 

protect themselves and their 

families.” 

*More Lassa Fever story 

on page 27 

Akinmade, others 

emerge as Ondo 

club gets new exco 

lub 66, Idanre, yesterday, 

Celected a new set of 

executives to pilot its affairs 

for the next few years. 

It elected the Chairman of 

Henry Pinner Glass Nigeria 

Limited, Chief Henry 

Olofingorite, as its new 

President. 

Also elected at the club’s New 

Year maiden dinner was the 

President 

of 

Telecommunications 

Association of Telecomms 

Companies of Nigeria 

(ATCON), Engineer Sola 

Teniola, as Vice President, 

while Hon Kayode 

Akinmade, a former 

Commissioner for 

Information in the state, 

emerged as the General 

Secretary. 

Other elected officers include 

the Commissioner for 

Culture and Tourism in Ondo 

State, Honourable Yemi 

Olowolabi (Financial 

Secretary); Mr. Korede 

Adeyemi, Kunle Akinyelure 

(Social Secretary); and Chief 

Biyi Akinseye (ex-officio).

Barca slip at Valencia as Real Madrid 

face Valladolid test 

VALENCIA pulled off a 

2-0 win over Barcelona, 

meaning Real Madrid could 

step up their La Liga standing 

if they beat Valladoliod this 

evening. 

Jordi Alba own goal just after 

the second half restart and 

Maxi Gomez’s strike on 77 

minutes, saw Barcelona off 

the pace in the race for the 

title. 

Lionel Messi came close to 

equalising several times after 

Alba’s unfortunate opener 

but he was unable to save 

Quique Setien from slipping 

to his first defeat as Barca boss 

since replacing Ernesto Valverde 

earlier this month. 

The former Real Betis coach 

had begun with a 1-0 win at 

home to Granada last weekend 

and followed that up with 

2-1 win against third division 

Ibiza in the Copa del Rey in 

midweek. 

Zinedine Zidane’s in-form 

Real Madrid will also be tested 

this evening at Real Valladolid 

- who have lost just once 

at their Jose Zorrilla stadium 

so far this season. Last year’s 

clash between the Castilian 

neighbours was also super 

dramatic - Valladolid dominated 

the first half and could 

have been three goals up 

before Madrid pulled away 

to win 4-1 in the end. 

In other Sunday games 

Leganes are away to Atletico 

Madrid. Both teams had 

difficulties last weekend - 

‘Lega’ lost at home to even 

closer neighbours Getafe, 

while Atletico’s title challenge 

faltered with a first 

ever LaLiga defeat at Eibar. 

Eibar will play Celta Vigo 

Inter set to seal Eriksen deal 

INTER Milan hope to 

complete the signing 

of Christian Eriksen from 

Tottenham on Monday. 

The Denmark midfielder’s 

future has been uncertain 

since the end of last 

season, when he said he 

was ready to seek a fresh 

challenge away from the 

Premier League. 

After a hoped-for move 

to Spain failed to materialise, 

the 27-year-old started 

the season with Spurs. 

It is understood an outline 

agreement is in place 

to be finalised next week. 

Eriksen, who is out of 

contract at the end of the 

season, is expected to command 

a fee of around 

£16.9m, despite his patchy 

recent form. 

The midfielder was not 

named in the squad for Tottenham’s 

FA Cup fourthround 

tie with Southampton 

on Saturday. 

He would be the third 

former Premier League 

player to sign for Inter 

during the January transfer 

window, following the 

arrivals of Ashley Young 

from Manchester United 

and Victor Moses on loan 

from Chelsea. 

Inter have slipped four 

points behind Serie A leaders 

Juventus following successive 

draws against Atalanta 

and Lecce. 

Cavani rejects lucrative 

Man Utd deal 

PARIS Saint-Germain 

superstar Edinson 

Cavani has rejected a lucrative 

contract offer from 

Manchester United. 

The 32-year-old, who has 

a staggering 389 career 

goals for club and country 

to his name, as per Transfer 

market, is in the final 

six months of his contract 

with the Parisians. 

Red Devils made a pro- 

- with the Galicians themselves 

also having been lifted 

by last weekend’s creditable 

draw at Athletic Bilbao. Getafe 

and Real Betis will clash at 

the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, 

while Real Sociedad face 

RCD.Mallorca . 

visional contract offer of 

around £10m-a-year to the 

Uruguayan talisman, this also 

reportedly included a significant 

signing-on bonus. 

Foot Mercato report that 

Cavani has rejected the Old 

Trafford outfit’s advances as 

he’s keen on a move to Atletico 

Madrid. The contract United 

offered reportedly had the 

same terms as Atletico’s. 

Cavani has scored 5 goals 

in his 14 appearances across 

all competitions this season, 

the Mirror report that PSG 

have set a price-tag of £20m 

for the forward’s services. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side 

were arguably in need of bolstering 

their forward line even 

before Marcus Rashford’s injury, 

Cavani’s rejection could 

come as a massive blow to the 

Red Devils. 

The Manchester outfit’s lack 

of goals this season is one of 

the key factors why the side 

are behind their rivals in the 

race for a top four spot. United 

have scored five less goals 

than fourth-placed Chelsea. 

Club makes 

throne for Coach 

Maradona 

HIS nickname is God 

but Diego Maradona 

is being treated as a king by 

his club, who have made a 

special throne for the 59- 

year-old coach to use on the 

sidelines of each home 

game. 

Gimnasia y Esgrima will 

auction the high-backed 

chair, decked out in the club 

colours of blue and white 

and replete with the official 

crest and initials DM, after 

each home match. Maradona, 

who won the World Cup 

with Argentina in 1986 and 

is widely held to be one of 

the greatest ever players in 

the game, took over at the 

La Plata club in September 

and is charged with helping 

them avoid relegation to Argentina’s 

second tier. The 

club said Maradona will also 

sign replicas of the throne to 

be sold in the club shop. He 

signed his first chair on Friday 

before Gimnasia’s Superliga 

game with Velez 

Sarsfield. 


Halogen lauds Adekuoroye 

over gold medal triumph 

*Hopeful of Olympics glory 

HALOGEN Security Company Limited has congrat 

ulated Nigerian World wrestling medalist and two 

times Commonwealth champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye 

for winning Nigeria’s only gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone 

Ranking Series tournament in Rome, Italy, where she 

defeated her Indian opponent, Anshu Anshu 10-0 through 

technical superiority in the final to land gold. 

Group Managing Director of Halogen Group, Mr. Wale 

Olaoye said, the company is proud to celebrate Adekuoroye 

and Nigerians globally, as she defeated her opponent 

to win gold in the tournament in Rome. 

According to Olaoye, this, no doubt, is a historic period 

for Nigerian sports at the global level. “We are delighted 

with Odunayo’s impressive exploits. This is a reflection of 

what Halogen stands for: Professionalism, Integrity, Passion, 

and Excellence.” 

Olaoye added, “Halogen is proud to be part of Nigeria’s 

quest for Olympic gold medal through support for the Commonwealth 

wrestling Amazon. Odunayo’s sterling performance 

at the recent United World Wrestling (UWW) Ranking 

Series events in Italy is an inspiring pointer to what 

Nigerians can expect at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic. We are 

proud of her unstoppable spirit.” 

The Halogen boss stressed that Nigerian youths have 

huge lessons to learn from the wrestling Champion whose 

hard work, conquering spirit and unrelenting passion for 

excellence is bringing great results to her enterprise and 

Nigeria. “Nigerian Youths have a huge lesson to learn 

from Odunayo. She is determined to transform the record 

created by past athletes, she wanted to be a great wrestler 

in Nigeria, She has succeeded. She has conquered Africa 

and the Commonwealth Nations twice. Now, her Eagle is 

already on the world stage, she is ready to fly high at the 

Olympics.” 

*Adekuoroye 

SPORTS FESTIVAL: Unity Torch 

conclude Tour of Edo Central as 

Chairmen assure on participation 

AS preparation for the 3rd Edo State Sports Festival 

2020 enters its advanced stage, the Unity Torch on 

tour of the state’s 18 Local government has concluded its 

tour of Esan land as the chairmen of all the councils expressed 

confidence in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s programmes 

and their readiness to participate actively in the 

Edo Games beginning from February 10, 2020. 

The torch bearers on behalf of the state government presented 

the Torch of Unity to Chairman of Esan North-East 

Local Government Council, Austine Okoibhole by Sixtus 

Omokhagbon, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor 

Godwin Obaseki during the week. Receiving the torch, 

Hon. Okoibhole declared that Esan North-East Local 

Government Area was fully prepared for the sports festival, 

adding that he was very optimistic that his local government 

would top the medals table at the end of the 

tournament. 

He commended the state government’s preparedness 

towards the tournament, adding that the reconstruction 

of Samuel Ogbemudia stadium and the upgrading of other 

sports facilities in the state was a pointer to that fact. 

Australian Open: Nadal, Kyrgios in 

round 4 grudge match 

N 

ICK Kyrgios believes a layer of respect exists be 

tween himself and Rafael Nadal but would not go 

as far as saying he likes the world number one ahead of 

their Australian Open meeting. 

After both players won their third-round matches on 

Saturday, they will do battle in the pick of the fourth-round 

ties on Monday. 

Nadal cruised to a 6-1 6-2 6-4 win over fellow Spaniard 

Pablo Carreno Busta, while Kyrgios overcame Karen Khachanov 

6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-8) in an 

incredibly close contest lasting four hours and 26 minutes. 

Kyrgios has won three of his seven meetings against 

Nadal in a rivalry that stepped up a gear at last year’s 

Mexican Open when words were exchanged after a match 

the Australian won.

46 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 

National Sports Festival: 

Edo should not 

be hosting to 

win – Izilein 

•Says I should not be 

punished for Falcons protest 

•Local coaches should not be 

relegated 

Godwin Izilein, having served in various coaching 

capacities with the Golden Eagles and Super 

Falcons is eminently qualified to comment on sporting 

issues and in this interview with JOHN EGBOKHAN, the 

AWCON winner opens up on the injustice he is facing 

and why Edo State should forget the idea of hosting to 

win the National Sports Festival. 

I saw you at the Annual 

General Meeting of the 

Nigeria Football Federation in 

Benin City. What was your 

mission there? 

Ans: I went there not as an 

invited personality, I do not 

want to be seen as an interloper 

but because some of my friends 

were there and I felt that I 

should make out time to come 

and see few friends like Bitrus 

Bewerang. I saw them, They 

were busy and we later met the 

following day. 

What are you presently 

doing in Edo State. 

Briefly, I was with the female 

team for one season. I am out 

of that place now, I am a 

consultant to about four 

youth teams. It’s not 

the money that really 

matters but my 

interest in the game 

is genuine and 

unfailing. I am still 

strong enough to 

impact my 

knowledge 

to them 

and 

they 

are 

very 

happy 

to 

have 

•Oshoala 

me around them. 

And then again, I am 

interested in supporting the 

team that will be competing in 

the forthcoming National 

Sports Festival, Edo 2022 in 

Benin City. We have the female 

team that will participate in the 

competition and I have told 

them what we should do to get 

prepared for the festival and 

not just to win but to do well. 

Do you really think that Edo 

can do well at the forthcoming 

National Sports Festival or are 

we hosting to win the Games 

starting in March? 

I am not going for that. I 

think we should host to 

participate fully, get the best 

out of the athletes, not only 

to represent Edo State but 

to represent the nation. 

That is the essence of 

the National Sports 

Festival. It is not about 

hosting to win. That is a 

ruse. I do not believe in 

it. 

Hosting to win is not 

the essence of the 

National Sports Festival. To 

win at all cost without 

adequate preparations leads to 

teams doing a lot of untoward 

things. 

But again, the state is 

working hard to make sure that 

our participation is a 

remarkable one. That is exactly 

what I see them doing. Godwin 

Dudu Orumen is around 

working hard, the Deputy 

Governor Philip Shaibu is fully 

involved, the State Governor, 

Godwin Obaseki is equally very 

interested in it, so we would not 

have cause to say there is no 

money for us to prepare the 

athletes of Edo State. I 

think the athletes are 

working hard and 

tenaciously too, to 

ensure success for 

the state at the 

festival. 

Having previously coached 

the Golden Eaglets and the 

Super Falcons, which you 

tinkered to success at the 

African Women’s Nations Cup 

•Izilein 

in South Africa many years 

ago, it is safe to say that you 

recorded successes with these 

teams but these days, such 

successes are difficult to come 

by, leading me to probe what 

your thoughts are on these 

teams at the World Cups, 

where they crashed out in the 

second round. Or do you think 

Nigerians are overbearing in 

their expectations from these 

teams? 

I think seriously that if we 

want to be fair to everybody, we 

start from the NFF, the 

management, they were 

burdened with crisis from the 

first day they got elected. They 

were not able to properly 

manage these teams, even 

though they did their best but it 

was always going to be difficult 

because of the many court cases 

and battles they had to contend 

with. 

Sending the team out to go 

and play is one thing but 

managing them is another 

matter entirely. Because of the 

crisis they had at hand, trying 

to defend themselves from 

those spurious and frivolous 

fraud and scam cases, it was 

not unexpected that the teams 

later suffered. 

They were not 

able to give the 

utmost 

attention to 

them even 

though they 

gave the teams 

all they needed 

but those 

negative vibes 

affected the 

teams. 

So you are 

absolving the 

NFF of any 

fault in the 

teams poor 

performances? 

Yes. I cannot 

blame them 

because a head 

that is not 

settled would 

A lot of 

interested 

parties were 

unfairly 

blaming the 

NFF for a 

problem, 

which was not 

a fault of 

theirs 

definitely not have the power or 

ability to tend for the various 

members of its body. A lot of 

interested parties were unfairly 

blaming the NFF for a 

problem, which was not a fault 

of theirs. They meant well for 

the teams and that was why 

they gave them the best of 

preparations but what was 

missing was the guidance, 

monitoring and follow-up, 

•Ordega 

which 

were 

impossible 

to achieve 

under the hostile 

environment they 

operated in. A lot of 

critics went after the NFF 

for what was not their fault. 

They were too hard on 

them. It was most unfair. 

They are still attacking 

them, which is really 

unnecessary. 

And you feel that 

now that the court 

has thrown out the 

corruption case 

against NFF, its 

President, Amaju 

Pinnick and the 

other accused top 

executives, that 

these attacks 

should stop, having 

been given a clean 

bill of health by a 

competent court of 

legal jurisdiction? 

But some persons 

the other day came 

out with another 

frivolous 

accusation against 

the NFF. They said 

that they are a 

group of lawyers. I 

don’t know what 

their true motive is 

because since the court has 

given a verdict and the federal 

government has withdrawn the 

case against the NFF officers, 

then I think the matter is over 

and should be rested and never 

raised again. This is so that we 

can forge ahead and and not 

have a repeat of what happened 

not too long ago which ended 

affecting our teams 

performances at international 

competitions. Like I pointed out 

earlier, you can’t have crisis 

without paying the price one 

way or the other. 

I heard that you were being 

owed your Nations Cup 

allowances from South Africa 

since 2004. Have you been 

paid by the NFF? 

If I think of it, I would not 

want to forgive this present 

officials of NFF, particularly 

President, Amaju Pinnick. 

Amaju came to Benin about a 

year ago to announce to the 

government that they were 

owing me and that they would 

pay. But as I am talking to you 

now, no kobo has been given 

me. They promised but 

nothing has been done. 

I have been making 

passionate entreaties 

for them to pay but 

nothing has 

happened. 

They paid my girls 

and other members of 

the team but refused to 

pay me. I don’t know 

why they have not paid 

me. I was the one who 

stopped the crisis in 

South Africa from 

escalating beyond the 

point it got to. I was the 

one who prevailed on the 

girls not to go further 

than what they did at the 

tournament. 

Pinnick came here and 

gave his speech and there 

was a standing ovation 

for him but government is 

yet to pay me my $12, 

000. But I am telling 

you as my younger 

brother that I believe 

they are saving the 

money for me . 

I will get the money 

by the grace of God 

because I worked for 

it, I sweated for it. I 

did my best for the 

nation and won the 

Cup for the country 

and see no reason 

why I should be 

punished for 

something I 

know nothing 

about. 

As 

someone 

who has been 

at the helm of two 

national teams and 

tinkered them to glorious 

heights, what do you think 

should be done to get our 

teams back on winning ways? 

We should create sixgeopolitical 

sports zones in 

order to properly identify, 

groom and nurture athletes into 

stars, who would now be 

selected into the national 

teams. We should involve 

everybody and tap into the 

wealth of experience of coaches 

and athletes who are based 

abroad for national 

development. 

So you are not against hiring 

of foreigners to manage our 

teams like the Super Falcons? 

Not at all, especially if the 

nation feels they can afford 

them to manage our teams to 

glory. But they should do this 

without relegating the 

indigenous coaches to the 

background or making our own 

coaches to feel unwanted and 

insufficient. I am one of those 

people who believe that if we 

put the indigenous coaches 

alongside the foreigners to 

work together that we can 

achieve greatness for our 

national teams. There would be 

transfer of knowledge from 

both parties and the players 

would be the biggest 

beneficiaries on the long run. 

That is the way to go and I hope 

our administrators would stick 

with this model of coaching 

arrangement.


NFF foot dragging on contract 

offer, Rohr reveals 

*Says he’ll love to stay on 

SUPER Eagles coach, 

Gernot Rohr has revealed 

that he is ready and 

willing to work with the national 

team, but it was the 

Nigeria Football Federation 

that is delaying on a new 

contract talk. 

The German-born coach 

stated that he is motivated 

to stay on because of the 

potentials of the up and 

coming players, some of 

whom he invited to have 

their first taste of international 

football with the senior 

team. Rohr was first 

appointed to replace Sunday 

Oliseh in 2016 and the 

NFF it seems is having second 

thoughts. 

“I would like to continue,” 

Rohr told online Bordeaux 

news outlet Girondins33. 

“We will soon see the NFF, 

a meeting is planned for 

February, and possibly for 

before the Africa Cup of Nations 

qualification matches 

in March, we could perhaps 

agree to continue the adventure 

with Nigeria.” 

“I have been there for 

more than three years and 

it is long for Nigeria. A 

coach hardly last that 

long.” 

He added that there 

were lots of exciting new 

players to watch out for in 

the Super Eagles. 

“We no longer have a big 

star, because John Obi 

Mikel retired, Victor 

Moses also retired for family 

and age reasons … and 

even our top scorer, Odion 

Ighalo, announced his 

retirement after CAN 

2019. 

“We managed to find a 

scorer with Victor Osimhen, 

and other playmakers: 

we have Samuel 

Chukweze who plays at 

Villarreal, Samuel Kalu 

from Bordeaux who plays 

very very well with us – 

one of the best every time 

he plays with Nigeria. So 

we have a very, very 

young, promising team.” 

Iheanacho shoots Leicester to FA Cup 

round of 16 

Iheanacho on the move 

ELECHI Iheanacho 

Kkept up his impressive 

FA Cup scoring record 

to strike early as Leicester 

City edged Brentford 1-0 at 

Griffin Park to progress to 

the last 16 of a competition 

they have never won. 

The 23-year-old Nigerian 

rounded off an excellent 

three-man move begun by 

Dennis Praet’s pinpoint 

through ball after four minutes 

to record his ninth goal 

in as many starts in the 

competition. 

Brentford’s defeat ensured 

that, with a move to 

their new ground scheduled 

for next season, this 

Kanu, AMCON legal tussle resumes 

Tuesday 

THE case involving 

former Super Eagles 

captain, Nwankwo Kanu, and 

AMCON will resume on January 

28 at the Federal High 

Court, Ikoyi, Lagos as the 

parties involved hope for a final 

resolution. 

A Federal High Court had 

ordered that the hotel, named 

Hardley Apartments and located 

at Waziri Ibrahim Crescent 

on Victoria Island, Lagos, 

be locked up after an unresolved 

issue with AMCON 

dating 2015. 

But matters took a disturbing 

twist early last year when 

some unknown persons defied 

the court order by taking 

over the property and converted 

it to their own use. It 

led Kanu to cry out upon discovering 

that property worth 

billions of naira, including an 

Olympic gold medal and other 

trophies he won during 

his playing career, had been 

looted by the illegal occupiers 

of the property. The situation 

also sparked national 

outrage, considering 

Kanu’s remarkable service 

to Nigeria in the sport and 

health sectors. 

“This is clearly an act of 

lawlessness and impunity 

that should no longer be 

condoned,” Kanu had said. 

The Federal High Court 

heard the case on June 17 

but it was adjourned till 

October 15 due to vacation 

in the nation’s judiciary, after 

which it was adjorned 

to January 28, 2020 and 

assigned to a new judge. 

Latest findings however 

revealed that the illegal occupiers 

of the Hardley 

Apartments have remained 

on the property in defiance 

of the court orders. 

was the final cup game after 

116 years at the tumbledown 

stadium. 

Leicester manager Brendan 

Rodgers was full of praise for 

match-winner Iheanacho. 

Leicester were missing top 

goalscorer Jamie Vardy at 

Griffin Park due to a glute injury 

suffered in Wednesday’s 

win over West Ham, but Iheanacho 

filled the void impressively 

and scored his seventh 

goal of the season. 

Rodgers said: ‘For Kels, he 

is getting better and better. He 

is so efficient now in his 

game. He is working so hard. 

He creates goals, he scores 

goals and I am delighted for 

him.’ 

NPFL: Katsina, Pillars pay for fans disturbance 

Rohr 

THE League Man 

agement Company 

(LMC) has fined Katsina 

United N3.5 million and 

Kano Pillars N1.2 million 

for their fans’ misconduct 

during an NPFL fixture on 


Matchday 15 of the Nigerian 

top-flight at the 

Muhammadu Dikko Stadium 

was marred with violence 

even though both 

teams settled for a 1-1 draw. 

Following the conclusion 

of its investigation, the 

league authority declared 

Katsina United are guilty 

of not ensuring adequate 

security in the stadium, aggressive 

misconduct of its 

supporters and throwing 

objects towards the visiting 

*Kanu 

side which kept match officials 

and both teams on the 

field throughout the half-time 

interval. 

Kano Pillars, on their part, 

were handed a fine of N1 

million naira for their fans’ 

misconduct and N200,000 for 

trying to manipulate the outcome 

of the investigation by 

publishing misleading information.` 

Siasia’s dilemma 

ON August 14 this year, former Super Eagles coach, Sam 

son Sisia will be 53 years old. Also 53 days from today, 

the Bayelsa-born ex international who has a life ban by FIFA 

hanging on his neck will have a date with the Court of Arbitration 

for Sports, CAS at the body’s office on Avenue de Beaumont 

2, 1012, Lausanne in Switzerland. 

The new date was graciously granted him after his lawyers 

made a case that the earlier date in October last year was too 

close to allow him raise the required defence fee put at a whopping 

250,000 Euros, that is about N100 million. 

After the shift in date, nothing much was heard about the 

case from Siasia until recently when he cried out to Nigerians 

to come to his aid by contributing as low as N500 to help him 

raise the fee. His calculation is that if 200,000 kind hearted 

Nigerians could put down N500 each, the huge sum would be 

realised and he could get the desired hearing from CAS. 

His appeal for assistance which was put via a video on social 

media has been generating so much argument for and against 

him. Those sympathetic to his plight have even called Nigerians 

“unpatriotic” and “inhuman” for not showing solidarity 

and contributing towards the ‘save Siasia’ cry. 

Others who are obviously in the majority have questioned 

Siasia’s appeal, querying whether he ever played or worked 

for Nigeria for free. They argued that he was handsomely rewarded 

as a player and paid all his entitlements as a coach 

and therefore he should be able to carry his cross alone. 

One bitter Nigerian and critic, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, 

in saying that he has no sympathy for Siasia, argued that 

the Bayelsa-born football tactician must have some ugly past, 

otherwise all the players who have passed through him in the 

Flying Eagles, Olympic Eagles and the Super Eagles could 

have come together to assist their boss. 

The only former football player who has shown real sympathy 

for Siasia is Chief Segun Odegbami who has consistently 

written on the FIFA ban and queried the rational behind handing 

him a life ban as if he committed a capital offence. 

That is the area I think Nigerians should be concerned about. 

Why life ban for a man who has not been tried and found 

guilty? The life ban is coming with a fine of $50,000, about 

N18 million. You ban a man for life, that he should not have 

anything to do with football again, the only thing he knows 

how to do to feed self and family and you ask him again to pay 

you N18million? Absolutely ridiculous. 

But do you blame FIFA, it was Siasia that gave them the 

room to take that ridiculous decision. Like the say, ignorance 

is no excuse in law, so Siasia cannot hold FIFA responsible for 

not checking his mails from the email he said he seldom used. 

If he knew that the said email was dormant or he hardly goes 

through it, did he present his new and functional email to 

bodies or individuals he had dealings with, knowing he might 

get important mails from them, moreso since he was in football 

business? 

Before Siasia, FIFA had equally banned another Nigerian, 

Dr Amos Adamu, a former colleague of theirs on the FIFA 

Executive Committee, who was found guilty of taking bribe. If 

Adamu, who was caught on camera committing the alleged 

crime, investigated and found guilty could be banned for only 

two years and fined only 10,000 Swiss Franc, about N4million, 

why then slam a life ban on Siasia with a heavy fine running 

into N18 million? 

This is clearly an injustice which Chief Odegbami has 

frowned at. According to the former Green Eagles captain, 

even though “Samson did not respond to two email messages 

sent to him (by FIFA) to defend himself, “the facts (they have) 

do not tally with the alleged offense, or the gravity of the conviction”. 

Odegbami concluded thus: “I have followed the many scandals 

of FIFA in the past few years. The allegation against Samson 

Siasia pales in insignificance compared to the least of the 

many horrendous crimes committed by powerful men inside 

the organization that stole FIFA dry, and almost destroyed its 

integrity. All said and done, Siasia goofed by not responding 

to FIFA’s invitation. It is now his word against theirs. He is in 

serious dilemma now to raise N100m just to appear at CAS to 

clear his name. He is not even sure of what the outcome will be. 

If it doesn’t go his way, his N100m will be gone and he will still 

pay FIFA another N18million as fine. 

Despite what Nigerians feel about Siasia, they should remember 

he is one of us and at a time handled Nigerian football 

teams at different levels which brought so much joy to our 

homes with the exploits of his players. 

They should pray he overcomes his present predicament and 

continue his normal life if they cannot help him raise the required 

defence fee at CAS. I believe that the Nigeria Football 

Federation should assist in pleading with FIFA to temper justice 

with mercy and give Siasia a benefit of the doubt that he 

really didn’t see the invitation mail and give him another chance 

to defend himself. 

If FIFA doesn’t yield to giving Siasia a fresh chance to defend 

himself, they should not punish Siasia more than its officials 

who were actually caught taking bribe and found guilty 

by an investigation panel. Otherwise their ruling could be likened 

to a military kangaroo tribunal which finds a soldier who 

hears about a coup but fails to report it even though he never 

participated in it. 

It will also go against its Fair Play slogan which it preaches 

everywhere and every day. It will go against its latest introduction 

to football, VAR, the Video Assistant Referee to clear all 

doubts if a referee’s decision is seen not be correct or fair. 

That is why football is said to be a dynamic game. Rules are 

made and changes are intoduced from time to time to make it 

interesting not only to the participants, coaches and players 

but to the millions of fans who invest their money and emtions 

to watch it.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 

SEE SOLUTION PAGE 5 

SEE SOLUTION PAGE 5 

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Advert Dept: 01- 7924470; Hotline: 01-4544821; Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. 

E-mail website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com. Internet: www.vanguardngr.com 

(ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: WALE AKINOLA 08023145556. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

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