20062021 - Student thrown out of vehicle by fleeing attacks survives

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PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 20, 2021 Buhari tells agitators: Nothing to restructure *’Those calling for restructuring naïve, dangerous *El-Rufai: Nigeria won’t break ting pressure on National By Ibrahim Wuyo Assembly members to forefront of the campaign for P make sure that that autonomy as enshrined in our Con- resident Muhammadu the restructuring of the countrystitution is respected and Buhari virtually foreclosed the restructuring of Nigeria, yesterday, when he said a meeting they had, last week, “So if that were to be done, In a communique issued at implemented”, he said. there was nothing to restructure. Nigeria’s restructuring. security, you will find a situa- they restated their demand for some of these issues like in- “And again those who are They opposed the ongoing tion where local government disscussing restructuring, my review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), demand- with traditional rulers, will chairmen, in collaboration question is, what are you going to restructure? If you ask ing a brand new Constitution form a chain of communication to figure out what is many Nigerians what are produced by the people themselves. really happening.So these they going to restructure, you will find out that they have Represented by the Executive Secretary, Revenue Mo- calling for agitation to do. are the things I expect those nothing to talk about. Some of them have not even studied the 1999 Constitution. Fiscal Commission, Alhaji ty of those calling for restrucbilization, Allocation and “And I said also that majori- The 1999 Constitution is almost 70 to 80 per cent 1979 the Zaria event, the President afraid to go into partisan pol- Mohammed Bello Shehu, at turing are people that are so Constitution”, Buhari said explained that for peace to itics. And even if they were to during the launch of Kudirat reign in any society, people go into partisan politics they Abiola Sabon Gari, Zaria must be involved actively. will not win. Peace Foundation which “It is okay to demand for “There is no government in took place at Ahmadu Bello restructuring ,renewal of the world that will cede their University Hotels, Zaria. Constitution, but what is most authority to the people that Southern and Middle Belt important now is how can are not elected. You are telling us to resolve a system and Leaders Forum (SMBLF), Nigeria state make local government functional, how can call for an obscure confer- comprising Afenifere, Ohanaze Ndigbo and Middle Nigeria states make judiciary independent? Rather we we can move forward as a ence to come and discuss how Belt Forum, have been at the ask Nigerians to focus on put- nation, that can never be From left: Elder Yomi Agbolade, Elder Fatai Ajetunmobi, Mr Kehinde, Wasiu Lawal, Mrs Ayanshola, and Ayinde (Taskforce), Mrs Abiola Titilope (Secretary), Elder Adebiyi Alao, Elder Ojoro Olubukola, Mr Onifade Sabur, Alhaji Oseni Jimoh (Oluwalolese), Elder Babalola Titilayo, Elder Izeabu Esther, Mr Taofeek Olamilekan (Chairman), Mrs Osibajo Folashade (Chairlady), Mrs Yusuf Adewale (Treasurer), Mr Olutayo Joseph (Vice Chairman) and Mrs Abiola Titilope, Mrs Nofisat, (Secretary), during the inaguration of the Nigerian Union of Tailors (NUT) Meiran Branch held at Model College Lagos OPIC Plaza fire avoidable — Abiodun By James Ogunnaike Governor Dapo Abio dun of Ogun State says the gas explosion at the OPIC Plaza, Ikeja, Lagos was avoidable, if necessary checks had been made. Abiodun, therefore, called for extra safety measures to be put in place for the transport of liquefied petroleum gas across the country. He urged regulators in the gas and petroleum downstream sector, to ensure that trucks conveying petroleum products and gas are in perfect working condition. The governor made the call while speaking with newsmen shortly after an on-thespot assessment of the premises of the state-owned OPIC Plaza in Ikeja, Lagos, Friday evening, which was gutted by fire on Thursday night as a result of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, truck explosion after the vehicle broke down in front of the plaza. Abiodun, who expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property caused by the inferno, said that promotion of LPG for domestic use in the country shouldn’t be at the expense of the people’s lives. “We must learn something from this incident, and the first thing is to begin to look at all these trucks carrying petroleum products. How can we ensure that they are safe for our roads? Can you imagine if this incident had happened while this truck was in the traffic, a rush hour for that matter? Can you imagine the level of damage and casualty?,” he stated. “We must sit down with the management of the Department of Petroleum Resources to determine how we can introduce extra safety measures. Yes, we want to promote the penetration of LPG as against the use of kerosene, but we cannot afford to do that at the expense of the safety of human lives”. done and no country will agree to that. “So those who are doing that should go back and meet their representatives in the House of Assembly and ask for whatever amendment of Constitution. Due process should be followed. “The other issue is that those who are calling for restructuring and confrence, on what they call ethnic nationality, if you go to Southern Kaduna, Taraba, who is to represent them? We have different combination of ethnicity in many states. Even Kano and Kaduna Igbo have properties. The same goes with Yoruba. There are Fulani in Port Harcourt .So those calling for whether separation or restructuring, some of them I will say they are very naive or even mischievously dangerous. Those agitating for restructuring are ignorant of war and its consequences. Because Nigeria is a dominant force in West Africa. “My appeal to each and everyone here is to try and educate their children. We are better as a nation, there is no way we can be separated, separation of the country would not help matters.” Governor Nasir Ahmed El- Rufai, who was represented at the occasion by the state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Usman Mohammed, said Nigeria had grown beyond separation. While urging Nigerians to tolerate to live together,the governor said those calling for separation should come back to their senses because Nigerians are now in every part of the country. The Guest Lecturer, Professor Mohammed Tukur, spoke on the way out to end crisis among divergent citizens of Nigeria. “In as much as we want peace to reign amongst us ,we must tolerate one another and respect our various norms and values”, he said. Tukur said mutual understanding and inter tribal marriage would also play significant roles in the promotion of peace amongst citizens,adding that there must be a policy to revamp the economy and review the nation’s security structure. ONITSHA: Mbanefo family holds thanksgiving service to mark 100- year-old title By Vincent Ujumadu The renowned Mbanefo Odu family of Onitsha yesterday held a special thanksgiving service to mark the centenary of the Odu – Osodi title in the ancient town. The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Immanuel Anglican Church, Inland Town, Onitsha, attracted many friends of the family. Head of Mbanefo family, Chief Arthur Mbanefo , a former Nigeria permanent representative at the United Nations, who was installed the Odu III by the late Obi Ofala Okabue in 1995, led the family members to the special church service. Preaching a sermon during the service, the Vicar of Immanuel Anglican Church, Venerable Joseph Nweke, said it is always good to appreciate God’s favours and commended Mbanefo family for remaining steadfast in the service of God. The cleric said gratitude is a culture that is supposed to be sustained in people’s lives adding “today, we join Mbanefo family in saying thank you God for the grace you have shown to us”. According to him, the fact that their great grandfather became the Odu of Onitsha, one of the highest titles in the ancient town in 1919, showed that he was already an influential person before then. He observed that the fact that Mbanefo family had produced many firsts in Igbo land was by the grace of God and it was therefore not surprising that the family decided to identify with the church. Nweke recalled that it was Mbanefo family that provided the solar that gives light 24 hours in the entire church environment and built the church tower with electric bell that wakes people up for prayer everyday. Speaking during the service, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, the Odu III of Onitsha, who, apart from being Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UN also served as pro – chancellors for Obafemi Awlowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Kano, at various times, thanked the people for joining them in the thanksgiving service and promised that the family would continue to support the church in many ways. From left: Ms. Vivien Okeyia, Editor TV, EnergyDay Nigeria; Mr.George Etomi, Principal Partner, George Etomi & Partners; Mr. Omoruyi Akpata, Publisher, EnergyDay Media Group, and Mr. Festus Okoromadu, Editor, EnergyDay, during a courtesy visit to the office of George Etomi & Partners, in Lagos. Bishop tasks FG on national devt The Diocesan Bishop of Ihiala, the Rt Rev. Prof Israel Chukwukelue Okoye has called on the federal government to create an enabling environment for the youths to contribute their quota to social and national development. He made the clarion call during a one-day maiden edition of the Diocesan Youths YCRI’s Global Theatre for Peace kickstarts in Lagos From left: A former Chaplain, Lagos State Secretariat, Very Revd Ayo Olu Oyadotun, Assistant Chaplain, the Light Bearers, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos, Sis Dorcas Solubi, Chief Launcher, 2021 Annual Harvest Launch of the Church, Prof Adewale Solarin, Chairperson, Harvest 2021 Planning Committee, Sis Toyin Egbesola, and the Presbyter, Very Revd John Olanrewaju Solubi, during the 2021 Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Launch of the church. NDDC: Only someone from oil community can represent us — Warri group By Nnamdi Ojiego The Youth and Conflict Resolution Initiatives, YCRI, says it has concluded plans to host its Global Theatre for Peace project in Lagos. The event, scheduled for September 2021 will feature peace and conflict management activities with leading personalities in the theatre and dispute resolution in attendance. Highlights of the global peace programme will include drama, songs, comedy, talks and charitable distributions based on the theme of peace. A statement by Edwin Mabamije, the national secretary of YCRI, said over the years, the organisation has been partnering with communities and security agencies to curb violence and social challenges. By Kennedy Mbele Warri Consultative Forum,WCF, has challenged various groups establishing that Mr. Barnard Okumagba is from an oil community to tell the world if Okere Urhobo community in Warri South Local Government Area is among oil communities in the area. It said Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was founded to ensure development in oil-producing communities. According to the Secretary of WCF, Mr. Amachi Ogbonna, “only someone from the oil-producing community that feels the direct effect of oil pollution and environmental degradation can truly support the aim behind the formulation of the commission. “We are appealing to Mr. President to be fair while considering someone for the chairman of the NDDC board from Delta State because the oil-producing communities are truly in bad shape as a result of oil pollution and environmental degradation. “We urge those paid by politicians to misinform the public to also be fair in their submission because the Warri South Local Government Area is an oil-producing area those not make Okere an oilproducing community.” Advancement Rally tagged ‘Equipping the Youths for a Fulfilled Life’ held on June 12, 2021, at The Cathedral Church of Saint Silas, Diocese of Ihiala Anglican Communion in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state. He lamented the state of the nation as it hinders youth productivity and self ambition. Bishop Okoye who identified the high spate of unemployment as a major contributing factor to youth restiveness, insecurity and banditry, however, noted that if the youths must advance at a time as this, the tendency to be selfreliant must be the youths’ top priority. Taking their turns to equip the youths on steps and strategies to attain a required fulfilled life, Dr. Mrs. Faith Ogechukwu Okoye, wife of the Bishop, (Mama Ihiala) spoke on the hazards of living on wishes.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 20, 2021, PAGE 7 Secret of my 35- year survival in military despite coups •We watched Johnson kill Liberia’s Samuel Doe •’I saw children jubilating in barrack when Abacha died’ By Charles Kumolu, Deputy Editor A dmiral —Retd Admiral Oni Anthony Oni, retd, retired from the Nigerian Navy as Chief of Policy and Plans, a position next to the Chief of Naval Staff in hierarchy. He is a former Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command. Prior to his retirement, he had acted as the Chief of Naval Staff when Admiral Samuel Afolayan voluntarily retired from service. In this interview, Oni, who recently clocked 70, x-rays Nigeria’s security challenges, submitting that solution is not with the military but the civilian authorities. Oni, the first Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, Navy Task Force Commander in Liberia, also provides a glimpse into the high wire politics that characterised military rule, revealing why he didn’t have his career cut short in an era of military coups. He also gives an eyewitness account of the murder of then Liberian President, Samuel Doe, an incident regarded as one of the immediate causes of the seven-year-Liberian Civil War. •Oni What does attaining 70 mean to you? I like to celebrate my days. I noticed that many people around me attached importance to my 70th birthday. I am sure it is because 70 is a biblical age. I don’t know if I prayed to attain the age of 70 but I always prayed to get old in good health. There is no gain in getting old without good health. I became more interested in my 70th birthday because I found out that many of my classmates, who I thought were my mates, were actually older than me. As they were clocking 70 before me, I became so much interested in attaining 70. My 40th birthday was also eventful maybe because it was the first time I built a house of my own. I didn’t know when 50 and 60 came, though I celebrated them by playing golf. Because I am a sociable person, many looked forward to my 70th birthday but COVID-19 prevented us from having a big event. You were in the military at the time Nigeria witnessed many military coups that led to premature retirement and death of many officers. In view ot this, was there any time you were rattled by the fear of not living this long? Apart from the coup of 1966 and 1967, others happened during the time I served in the military. I joined in December 1970 and served up to the time I retired in 2005. These were periods that it was only by luck that you may not be involved in any coup in any way. Those were very difficult periods. I went to Liberia where we lost many officers. People died in my presence. Going to a war front changes your mind as a soldier. It also strengthens you because you watched people die while you survived. But one shouldn’t be afraid of death when it has not come. Even when death comes you should face it. I learned this more in Liberia because I saw instances where I spoke to people who later died a few hours later. Also, religious teachings made us realise that death is not in our hands. It is only when God wishes. I was never afraid of death neither was I ever in doubt that I will get to 70. I am just conscious of doing what would keep me safe always. I recall a coursemate of mine, who interrupted a statement I was making by asking if I was sure I would live up to 50. I dismissed his interjection and It was only by luck that you will not be involved in any coup in any way. Those were difficult periods said I knew I would live. We had been in difficulties at sea and we survived them. The only thing I was scared of was getting maimed. I never prayed for that. You have an imposing physical structure, could that have been the reason you joined the military? My father was serving in the Nigerian Navy. He was a paymaster in the Navy during the Civil War. He joined the Navy from the Royal Marines. I had seen military people during the Civil War but I wasn’t interested in the military. My dream was to become an engineer. That was the reason I studied sciences. After the second coup of 1967, I was reading the newspapers and saw the biography of newly appointed governors. I read Diete-Spiff ’s biography and was amazed. Before then, I knew him as someone who usually came to visit my dad. He had just returned from Britannia Royal Academy at the time. He had an open-roof green car he drove then. When the coup happened, he was appointed as the governor of old Rivers State. I read through his biography and I saw that he attended Britannia Royal Naval Academy. I just wrote to the school that I wanted to join. The institution replied, saying I must come to write the examination in the UK. They said I would return to Nigeria if I failed. After then, I saw an advertisement by the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA, and applied. I didn’t tell my dad. I took the form and went to Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu , who was Chairman of Lagos City Council. He signed, attesting that I am a Lagosian. I was invited for the interview. The late Gen David Ejoor was the Commandant of NDA at the time while Gen Ike Nwachukwu, retd, was the Secretary of the interview board. I reported in December 1970. Three months later, they said the British government wanted three cadets. That was how I was sent to the same institution I had written to earlier. When I got there, I was feeling homesick. And I was told that if I was going to study engineering, I would spend extra three months. I didn’t agree and had to change my course to executive. I was just attracted by the sight of Spiff in uniform. People like him and Ike Nwachukwu looked good in uniform and you couldn’t help but like them then. The fear of dying in the military didn’t occur to us. Tell us about the command positions you held and some notable experiences you had... I retired as the Chief of Policy and Plans, Navy Headquarters, in 2005. Anybody who is Chief of Policy and Plans must have been there for two or three years and must have mastered the plans of the Navy. The person is automatically the next man to the Chief of Naval Staff. And he can succeed the Chief of Naval Staff because it would be easy for him to implement the plans of the Navy. That was my last position. Before then, I was the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command in Lagos. The position is called General Officer Commanding, GOC, in the Army. I was the Flag Officer Sea Training and Chief of Operations and Training at the Navy Headquarters. It used to be Chief of Operations. I was the first Chief of Operations and Training. I was also a moderator at the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, Kuru. I attended Course 19 there. I was the first Naval Task Force Commander, ECOMOG. I was the one in charge of landing the first 3000 troops in Liberia. We brought them from Free Town, Sierra leone to Free Port in Monrovia. We brought them on August 24, 1990. I was waiting to be posted to Port Harcourt when the Liberia crisis started. Five ships were put under me to be taken to Liberia. Originally, our mission was to evacuate stranded Nigerians in Monrovia, but the story changed when we got there. I am grateful to God that we are alive today. Samuel Doe When they came to capture Samuel Doe, I was in Free Port. I was there when Johnson captured Doe. I witnessed the event. The next day, our Head of State, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, invited me to Lagos to report what happened. I was given a plane that flew me alone to Lagos for the purpose. Upon arrival, I went to Dodan Barracks where I faced seven generals. Babangida, Abacha, Aikhomu, Yusuf of the Air Force, Etim of the Police and two other persons. They were all members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, AFRC. I told them what happened and went back. That was how the whole ECOMOG mission started. You just said you witnessed the capture and killing of Samuel Doe by Prince Yomie Johnson, who is now a serving senator in Liberia. Did you just stand by and watch a group of rebels capture and kill a serving Head of State? We were supposed to be peacekeepers. That is the reason our helmets were painted white. We had demarcated the area. At the time of his death, Doe had been pushed to the Executive Mansion, the presidential palace. Charles Taylor was manning the Upper North while Johnson was in charge of all the ports. What ECOWAS said was that everyone should maintain the status quo. It meant that no one should move from his area until all peace talks were concluded. I think Samuel Doe was getting too agitated. He thought when Nigerians came, we were going to strengthen his hold on power, but we said that was not our mission. It was advised that everybody should remain in his territory. But Doe woke up one day and said ‘’this is my country, you people came here to take over.” He assembled about 17 vehicles and moved to the port. I went with the ships to patrol at the port. I saw a fleet of cars and became surprised. I used my binoculars and discovered that Samuel Doe was the one coming into the Port. I knew we were going to have a violent situation. I told my crew to stay on their ships once we had berthed. Our headquarters where General Iweze and General Aquino were quartered was close to the scene. Johnson had men at the port who were giving him information. His men at the port gave him information that Doe was coming. When he cornered Doe at the port, we just told our troops to stand by and watch what they were going to do. They just started having hot exchanges in their dialect. We started hearing gunshots. I had to order my boys to open fire on containers at the port. It was simply to scare them. Johnson’s men replied, saying they were not fighting Nigeria but Doe. We told them not to come near our ship. 76 men were killed at the scene at the end. It wasn’t that I was told. We saw it happen. I asked my men to count the number of dead bodies. We also had people who ran into our ships from Doe’s side. We had to search them thoroughly because they were very fetish and had charms. We saved them from Johnson and later released them. It was the incident, killing of Doe, that led to the changing of General Aquino from Ghana. He couldn’t handle the situation. Gen Joshua Dongonyaro was brought in as a replacement. People were expecting that Nigerians would have fought to save Doe. But that was not the issue because everybody had been given an order not to go beyond certain boundaries. Continues next week
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20062021 - Student thrown out of vehicle by fleeing attacks survives

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