18042021 - Ex-Gov Aliyu Lied, not all northern govs worked against Jonathan in 2015

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PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18, 2021 Will igbo presidential candidates start reaching out? “They came forth to war; but, they always fell” - James Macpherson, J 1736-1796. ames Macpherson was the father of Sir John Macpherson - the second to the last Governor General of Nigeria. His observation about groups which perpetually engage in losing battles because they fail to alter their approach is important as Igbo face a new engagement. I found the book from which the statement was lifted very illuminating. It is also pertinent to the latest quest for Igbo Presidency in 2023—which I totally endorse. It needs to be repeated that from the time the late Dr Alex Ekwueme was schemed out of the Presidency by the military on their way out in 1998, no Igbo candidate has had a chance. Other Nigerians had been responsible; so have the Ndigbo. Many of our readers would recall the loud noise for Igbo Presidency coming from former Abia State Governor – Orji Uzor Kalu – from 1999 until 2002. A visit from the late Stella Obasanjo to Kalu’s mother was all it took for Kalu to switch. When Ekwueme tried his luck again in the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary, Abia State’s delegation, led by Kalu, was the first to vote against him. I mention this event not to embarrass Kalu but to point out that Igbo Presidential candidates need the total support of their people first; and then, they must reach out to the rest of us. Total Igbo vote will not secure victory as the almost total support of the Email:biolasobowale@yahoo.com Phone Number: 07081372829 Twitter:@DrDeleSobowale Instagram:delesobowalefranklyspeaking Website: www.delesobowale.com South-East for Jonathan have demonstrated in 2015 and 2019. Unfortunately, with less than two years to go for the 2023 elections, there is very little sign of the outreach. Starting today, any candidate who does not begin the tough task of building structures in the 36 states, 774 Local Government Councils and about 6023 Wards nationwide is placing himself at a competitive disadvantage. Yet, for strategic reasons which I don’t want to disclose, Igbo candidates are better positioned to achieve that breakthrough than even my brother in Yorubaland who is now assumed to be a candidate. They can make waves at the grassroots which will surprise their opponents. I obtained this insight from living and working in the four corners of Nigeria; and from travels to at least 30 states over a span of thirty-five years. But, since it was my stated personal policy not to get involved in politics, there was no opportunity to deploy the strategy in favour of any Presidential candidate. Apart from getting out and meeting with others, they must be sensitive to those non-Igbo who are sympathetic to their cause and promote the interest from passive to active support. Permit me to give an example. I was in the Adamawa Governor’s House in late 2006, paying him a courtesy call and requesting for assistance to get to Gembu at the Manbilla Plateau when former Akwa Ibom Governor was ushered in by security men. Victor Attah was still a candidate for President. In his entourage were six people known to me. They were Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Berom and Tiv. He also recruited one person well-known from among the ethnic groups in the state. After the Governor, he was going to pay a courtesy call on the Lamido. But, Attah was astute enough to know that he could not go there with all Ibibio entourage. He wanted to be the Nigerian President; he had to start with the composition of his campaign team. It must be national. The reason for the call for a Since I started the campaign for Igbo Presidency 2023, several friends from other ethnic groups have challenged me to name an Igbo candidate blended campaign team should be self-evident. But, just in case, one trending event should help to drive the point home. When a Yoruba political leader and possible Presidential candidate unfolded part of his manifesto by promising to create 50 million jobs for youths, later changed to 5 million jobs, an Igbo candidate can deploy his Yoruba team member to send a more scathing rejoinder without being accused of tribalism. Another candidate from the North Central is also in the race. One of his brothers could ask him to forget it – and receive the flak that will necessarily result from the call. The non-Igbo members will constitute the “shock absorbers” from the rivals’ attacks. In that connection, I must register a personal complaint. Ever since I started the campaign for Igbo Presidency 2023, several friends from other ethnic groups have challenged me to name an Igbo candidate and tell Nigerians why they should consider the candidate. I started with Okonjo-Iweala – who is now out of the race. Then a long time acquaintance announced his interest. Anxious to promote him, I scrapped the article scheduled for the Sunday after his declaration of interest. Instead, the article was about the candidate. A few of our colleagues at Oregun, still alive and reading SUNDAY VANGUARD, called me to express appreciation for supporting our friend. Till today, I have not heard from the candidate; who it was my intention to help establish his national communication network. I don’t know why. But, it is my fervent hope that ethnicity had nothing to do with it. And that brings me to my second piece of advice to all candidates. Grasp all the hands stretched to help you; but evaluate their worth carefully. No candidate alone can make it – even with all the money. Ohaneze also has a role to play here. One Igbo friend asked me two weeks ago if I had given up on Igbo Presidency advocacy. It was a long time I wrote about it; he correctly observed. I told him, “No, but it is either Igbo candidates don’t need help from other parts of the country or the leaders of Ohaneze have not been reading SUNDAY VANGUARD. Like my friend, I have not heard a word from them.” He was shocked. Professor George Obiozor does not know the sort of pressure people like me experience for breaking ranks when our own people are in the race. The easiest and most profitable step to take is to “return home” (as I was told) and join the biggest gravy train in the zone. But, I have long lived with the principle that a man must stand for something or he will fall for anything. There is a lot of work to do; and I have a plan… G O V E R N O R MATAWALE’S HOUSE IS ON FIRE; HE WANTS TO BURN NIGERIA “Bandits killed 2,619; collected N970m ransom; 30,000 bandits in Zamfara forests, five other locations…” - Governor Matawalle, April 3, 2021. Governor Matawalle and Sheik Gumi are the two leading “Devilfathers” (leave God out of this sordid business) of bandits and kidnappers in the North. The Governor, against wise counsel, continues to negotiate with and pay bandits and kidnappers from revenue contributed mostly by Southern states. Gumi pleads for amnesty for the heinous criminals, without saying a word on behalf of the victims. Yet, this is a Muslim cleric who would readily approve amputating a man who steals a goat according to Sharia law. He, in my opinion, is worshipping Satan and not the God of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace be unto Him). The tag team – Matawalle and Gumi – had promoted banditry to a profession deserving National Honours. They call it amnesty. Take a look at those figures provided by Matawalle again. They should reveal some truths to you. But, in case you can’t figure them out yourself, we at UniJankara will help you out. To begin with N970 million would probably pay all the public servants in Zamfara State for a month. Instead of paying the workers, the Governor is carrying their money to the forests to donate to bandits. And the payment to bandits is yielding the appropriate dividends. Matawalle himself provided the figures for his own self-indictment. “30,000 bandits in Zamfara forests” was his claim to cement his position among those Nigerians anywhere should not have leading them. This is worse than the proverbial case of “the blind leading the blind”. It is more like a totally drunk and manic driver behind the wheels of a luxury bus full of people with “99 standing”. To understand the basis for my charges against the Governor the reader must bear certain facts in mind. “Even God cannot change the past” - Agathon, 447-401 BC. Anybody who doubts me can go and read all the newspapers before May 29, 2019; when Matawalle became Zamfara Governor. He would not read about 500 being killed during the years in office of all his predecessors. Former Governor Yari might have spent more time in Abuja and abroad than in Gusau, but he did not spend his time driving bullion vans to deliver money to hardened criminals. That was Matawalle’s innovation. In two years, despite the Governor running errands for heartless brutes, more people have lost their lives than under all his predecessors combined since Zamfara State was created in 1996. The man has a lot of blood on his hands. GHOST BANDITS OF ZAMFARA That, however, is only part of the charges against him. He is not even truthful. During my years in the North, especially Sokoto, I had the opportunity to travel to all parts of what became Zamfara State. There are very few forests during the rainy season; there is virtually none during the dry season lasting up to six months. Right now, there is hardly any forest in any part of the state. So, where are 30,000 bandits hiding? Since it is no longer news that virtually every state of Nigeria employs ghost workers, is it not possible that somebody might have inflated the number of bandits – ghost bandits that is – in order to claim more funds from the government purse to pay them? I cannot afford to hire a helicopter; but, I can bet anything that if anybody can provide one for surveillance, we will not find forests capable of harbouring 30,000 bandits. That is bad enough. If we accept Matawalle’s statement as the truth, then he must be charged with another offense bordering on treason. Anybody who knows the number of bandits in a state and their locations in “ghost” forests, and who has failed to reveal the information to the Nigerian armed forces is giving aid and comfort to the enemies of Nigeria. Joyfulhomes 2015@gmail.com Specific prayer, get the Lord’s attention Brethren, we are still in the season of the power of resurrection that indeed never ends. Why am I sure it never ends? It is because as Christians we know that Jesus is alive forever. One of the factors that lift our faith is when we receive answers to our prayers. Often times, we never asked God for how He should respond to our requests but because He is the Almighty, the Lord responds in most cases miraculously. His response is always beyond our imagination. As Christians, we know that prayer is a channel of communication with God. We must communicate with the Lord when in need and when not in need. God is worthy to the praised at all times. Brethren, the issue sometimes is not how often you pray but what you pray for and how. Have you ever asked yourself, “ Is what I am asking in line with the word of God? Imagine a young lady who is under pressure from her inlaws because of delay in childbearing asking God to kill her mother in-law so that she can be free from pressure. Such a person is definitely not asking in line with the word of God. Even in cases, where it has been divinely revealed that this wicked mother in law or any other person or forces of darkness is behind her challenge, to begin to pray for their demise is a confirmation that the person praying has lost focus. When thoughts like this flow in our minds, we should rather remember Proverbs 10 vs. 32 : ( KJV) “ The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness”. Is you mouth saying what is acceptable? Thoughts such as these are also an indication that the Holy Spirit of God does not guide such a person. Brother and sister, when One thing is certain; God does not and cannot lie situations like this arise; the strength of your faith is that you remain focused. Be determined with prayer to put the enemy to shame. Either they live to see the glory of the Lord in your life or they are dead should not be your concern. Your challenge is the Lord’s battle, hand it over to him with prayer and thanksgiving. It is also the time for couples to be closer. The moment, you begin to pray for death for your in-laws or whoever is behind your challenge, you are putting a wedge in marriage. You may end up driving your spouse into the hands of the enemy. Men also have this type of challenge. The Bible presents us with an example in the life of Hannah. Ist Samuel vs. 11 is our authority: “ And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thine hand-maid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life and there shall no razor come upon his head”. Please not that Hannah asked for a son. Hannah had both spiritual and physical challenges. You are familiar with the story that Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. The two challenges of Hannah are identified in 1st Samuel 1 vs. 6: “ And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut her womb”. In most cases, when we are going through challenges, there are adversaries. People who would rather want you remain with a challenge forever. Often times they are blood relations but mark you, the Blood of Jesus is superior to any blood relationship. This is why you must remain connected with the Lord in prayer, worship and thanksgiving. The more you do this, the grater your testimony in Jesus name. When we pray, we must also believe the word of God that is spoken through a Pastor. Either as a word of knowledge, word of wisdom or direct prophecy. Once you are convinced that it is the word of the God, the true God, believe it and hold on to it even when it seems nothing is happening physically. The life of Abraham is a good example for us and it is found in Genesis 11 vs. 7: “ And the Lord appeared unto Abram and said, Unto they seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD who appeared unto him”. At this time, Sarah was not pregnant. Physically speaking, she could not longer have a child because menopause had set it. Even Abram was quite old yet he believed God. In spite of what could be physically seen, Abram honoured the LORD by building an Altar. If it were you and I, we are unlikely to fully believe God. So, for anyone trusting the Lord, you must totally hold on to his promise for you. One thing is certain; God does not and cannot lie. The Holy Bible affirms this to us as Christians. I’ll share with you the story of a couple that were married and had no child for years. They were declared medically fit, put in a lot of money consulting doctors but nothing happened. They then resorted to prayers, praise singing and thanksgiving. They contributed generously to the work of God. During one of such prayers, it was revealed that the mothers of the two of them for different reasons connected in the world of darkness were behind their challenge. Rather, than quarrel with each other they stuck together and God broke the yoke. The lady attended a prayer meeting of a Pentecostal church titled “ More than Conquerors”. That night, she had a dream in which she saw two human beings faced downwards. She didn’t understand the dream. So she called her Pastor who simply told her that her enemies had bowed to her God. In the name of Jesus any force, human beings or demons tormenting your life will bow to the power of the Most High God. Not long after, the wife got pregnant and a baby was born. God blessed them with a Samuel. The occultist mothers did not die; they lived to see the glory of the Lord. Both of them attended to the naming ceremony and one even gave the child a name that shows the supremacy of the Almighty God. Brethren, if you are indeed a child of God, if your worship under a true Anointing, you are on your way to your breakthrough. We are unable to overcome many challenges as human beings but where man is limited, God is unlimited. It is your season of Laughter in Jesus name. Till next week if the Lord tarries his coming.
SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 18, 2021,PAGE 11 Vaccine apathy threatens COVID-19 response ...as experts blame trust deficit By Chioma Obinna For decades now, vaccination programmes in Nigeria have been making progress. But the advent of COVID-19 vaccines may be bringing back ugly years of vaccine hesitancy which experts fear may erode gains already made in routine immunisation. According to experts, vaccine hesitancy is a continuum between vaccine acceptance and refusal. Eligible Nigerians are either delaying or refusing COVID-19 vaccines, even after the World Health Organisation, WHO, has confirmed the safety and effectiveness against the dreaded virus. Sunday Vanguard reports that if left unaddressed, vaccine hesitancy will not only threaten COVID-19 response but prevent Nigeria from achieving herd immunity. Despite the fact that COVID-19 vaccination has accelerated across the country, many Nigerians are still having reservations about the vaccines. For Emeka Opara, his reservations about being vaccinated against COVID-19 may not change in a hurry. Like many other Nigerians, Emeka is concerned about the side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine as reported in some parts of the world even when Nigeria is yet to record any serious side effects since it rolled out. Unlike Emeka, Juliana Adebayo, a caterer, was ready to accept the vaccine but her aged mother had warned her never to do so. The mother is among Nigerians who believe that the vaccine is one of the strategies of Anti-Christ to deceive Christians. “My mother threatened to kill herself should I take the vaccine. She said it is the mark of 666. I also believe that if the vaccine cannot protect me from getting COVID-19, there was no need taking it. These are some of the reservations that I have,” Juliana told Sunday Vanguard. Meanwhile, Grace Udoh, a banker working in Lagos, initially believed in some of the conspiracy theories but, today, she is open to taking the vaccine after she saw people who took the vaccine had no side effects as reported abroad. “Initially, I had reservations about the vaccine but after I saw my friends taking it and my doctor explained to me the benefits of vaccines and why I need it to boost my natural immunity, I decided to give it a shot. Now, I have taken my first jab waiting for the second one,” she proudly told Sunday Vanguard. Today, despite the efforts of the Federal Government agencies and international partners like UNICEF and WHO to create awareness on the benefits of receiving COVID-19 vaccines, millions of Nigerians are still hesitant. This is no thanks to the conspiracy theories around the pandemic and vaccines. The myths and falsehood that had been propagated overtime about the aftermath of taking the vaccine had worsened the situation in communities across the country. From Lagos to the end of the last community in the insurgency inflicted Borno State, the story is the same: Nigerians are still hesitant to the vaccine. Some are yet to believe in the virus talk. What of the vaccines? Findings by Sunday Vanguard show that some Nigerians currently opening up for the vaccination are only moved by the intention to own the COVID- 19 card to avoid being restricted from international travels in the future. A visit by Sunday Vanguard to some of the vaccination centers in Lagos confirmed that the numbers of would-be vaccinators are gradually picking up although many residents are still hesitant to the life-saving vaccine. Experts insist that unless Nigerians open up for vaccination, the country may not achieve herd immunity which the experts say has far reaching implications on the health and economy of Nigeria. Globally, experts say about 900million persons have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Although, the level of response and acceptance of the vaccine across the globe has been encouraging, the case is different in Nigeria. An update released by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, on Wednesday, showed that only1, 043, 737 eligible Nigerians have so far been vaccinated with the first dose, representing 51.9 per cent of the proportion vaccinated. A breakdown of the NPHCDA update, contained in an Electronic Management of Immunisation Data System, further revealed that Lagos is leading in the exercise with 192, 061 persons vaccinated. Three other states trailing Lagos are Kano Most Nigerians do not think they have need for the vaccine. A good number of them would even tell you that they rather have need for food vaccine instead 56,942; Kaduna, 55,604 and Ogun, 52,513. Other states that have recorded 5-digit figures in the exercise are FCT, 44,098; Katsina, 39,297; Bauchi, 35,764; Oyo, 34,755; Ondo, 31,348; Kwara, 30,708; Jigawa, 27,644; Plateau, 27,334; Edo, 27,129; Gombe, 26,807; Niger, 26,659; Rivers, 26,572; Ekiti, 22, 735; Yobe, 21, 030; Benue, 20,981; Osun, 20,869; Borno, 20,737; Delta, 20,525; Imo, 18,763; Adamawa, 18,612; Nasarawa, 16,860; Kebbi, 15,531; Zamfara, 15,251; Cross River, 14,483; Sokoto, 11,560; Akwa Ibom, 11,350; Enugu, 11,018; Bayelsa, 10, 487. In the league of 4-digits are Anambra, 9,989; Ebonyi, 8,534; Taraba, 7,538; Abia and Kogi recorded 6,081 and 5,568 respectively. On the reservations by many Nigerians against the vaccine, experts insist that it is safe. According to the Communication for Development Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Ms. Elizabeth Onitolo, vaccine is to ensure that while the virus is running its course, people don’t die, hence, the need for everybody to take the vaccine to get the required herd immunity. To her, refusal of many Nigerians to vaccinate against COVID-19 would prevent Nigeria from achieving herd immunity. “For Nigeria to get out of the pandemic, everyone must be involved,” she insisted. Onitolo, who spoke during a three-day Media Dialogue on Routine Immunisation, Post-Polio Certification and COVID-19 Vaccination, explained that of the three main types of COVID-19 vaccines in phase three clinical trials, viral vector vaccines produce coronavirus proteins to safely generate an immune response that cannot give COVID-19. Throwing light on vaccines, she said RNA and DNA vaccines prompt human bodies to recognise and protect them from the virus that causes COVID-19. Noting that there are currently more than 200 vaccine candidates (56 in clinical and 166 in pre-clinical development) under development, Onitolo stated that getting vaccinated was one of the many steps people can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. According to her, stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. “Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Masks, hand wash and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together the two offer the best protection”, the UNICEF official said. She added that widespread use of vaccine can reduce rate of spread in the community and reduce chances of a new variant as well as reduce the chances of lockdown. Corroborating her views in a chat with Sunday Vanguard, a renowned Medical Laboratory Scientist, Dr Casmier Ifeanyi, said despite the fact that Nigeria has vaccinated about one million persons, there is worrisome vaccine apathy in the country, adding that “it is a big challenge with far reaching implications.” He blamed vaccine hesitancy on factors including trust deficit and alleged want of transparency in the COVID-19 response activity by government at all levels. Ifeanyi said: “Some states including the Federal Capital Territory reportedly expended billions of Naira that didn’t impact very much on the ordinary citizens during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic last year. “So, when the vaccine became available, many people, except the traveling elites and members of the front line healthcare workers, were not eager to take the vaccine.” Acknowledging that Nigeria does not have enough of the vaccine, he, nonetheless, said the country cannot afford to overlook vaccine apathy by Nigerians. “Most states in Nigeria including Kogi have received allocations of the COVID- 19 vaccine with varying responses but overall people are not enthusiastic about taking the vaccine”, the expert stated. He pointed out that the implication of vaccine apathy in a globalised world on health and the economy for Nigeria would be very upsetting. “At the moment, there is concourse by many countries and regional blocs to deploy and implement the vaccine visa and this will negatively impact non-compliance persons and countries”, Ifeanyi pointed out. “Non-compliant persons and countries may not be able to engage in international travels for trade and other sundry endeavours.” He warned that Nigerians continued attitude of apathy to the COVID-19 vaccine would do the country harm to the tune of becoming ostracized from the global economic interplay. According to him, government and Nigerians need to do whatever that is required to ensure that the country is not ostracized. To forestall the negative implications of non-compliance, Ifeanyi called for a sustained aggressive constructive engagement with the citizenry. To appraise the enormity of the existing apathy, he said: “Visit any market in Nigeria and you would be shocked by the responses given by members of the public regarding their acceptance or otherwise of the COVID-19 vaccine. “It’s unfortunate that the general public seems not interested in taking the COVID- 19 vaccine. Most Nigerians do not think they have need for the vaccine. A good number of them would even tell you that they rather have need for food vaccine instead. “In the light of that, government, especially those charged with the COVID- 19 response activities, must find ways of incentivizing the campaign for the vaccination. “We must find a way of making it appeal to our people, we may not need to be draconian in approach but we can find avenues to give incentives, we can also find programs that we would use to motivate people to embrace the COVID-19 vaccine. “The world is gradually returning to normalcy and it is expected that when a significant number of the global population is vaccinated, herd immunity would have been established. “So, if vaccination becomes a prerequisite for you to travel, for you to move from country to country then Nigerians must be up to par.” He stressed the need for more public education and enlightenment on the benefits or the advantages of being vaccinated to get Nigerians interested. “People should be told the truth about the COVID-19 vaccine so that they know that if you take the jab there are benefits”, the expert said.
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18042021 - Ex-Gov Aliyu Lied, not all northern govs worked against Jonathan in 2015

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