Tunisia election: Beji Caid Essebsi to besworn in as president

Tunisian President-elect Beji Caid Essebsi
is to take his oath of office after winning
the country’s first free presidential poll.
He secured victory last week over
incumbent Moncef Marzouki.
His triumph means Tunisia – where the
Arab Spring began – remains the only
Arab country to move from authoritarian
rule to democracy in that period.
On Monday, electoral authorities
confirmed that Mr Essebsi had won a
run-off vote against Mr Marzouki.
The new president will be sworn in at a
ceremony in the newly elected parliament
– where his party Nidaa Tounes also
holds the largest number of seats.
The swearing in takes place on the
anniversary four years ago of protests
that eventually toppled President Zine al-
Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
The BBC’s Naveena Kottoor in Tunis says
that while this is the latest democratic
milestone for Tunisia, many in the
country are arguing that political
transition will only succeed if newly-
elected politicians usher in social and
economic changes.
Mr Essebsi, 88, has urged all Tunisians to
“work together” for stability but critics say
his win marks the return of a discredited
establishment, pointing out that he served
under President Ben Ali.
This month’s vote was the first time
Tunisians have been able to vote freely
for their president since independence
from France in 1956.
The new president will have restricted
powers under a constitution passed
earlier this year.
He will be commander-in-chief of the
armed forces but can appoint or sack
senior officers only in consultation with
the prime minister.
( BBC )

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Nigerian, Not Cameroon Airforce BombedBoko Haram Terrorists in North-East – –DHQ

Following reports Tuesday, that
Cameroonian air force jets on Monday
launched air strikes on scores of Boko
Haram terrorists who occupied a military
base in Northern Cameroon and bombed
them on the Nigerian side, the Defence
Headquarters said yesterday that no
foreign air force aircraft launched any
airstrike on Nigeria’s territory.
Rather, DHQ in a post on its twitter
handle, disclosed that the air strikes that
killed Boko Haram terrorists in the said
confrontation at the Nigerian divide of the
border town with Cameroon was carried
out by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft.
It said it will investigate the source of the
information claiming that the air strikes
were carried out by a foreign air force.
Cameroon’s minister of information, Issa
Tchiroma had in a statement, said the
coordinated assaults on five towns and
villages showed a change in tactics by
Boko Haram fighters, adding that the
group’s campaign to carve out an Islamic
Caliphate has spread from North East
Nigeria to neighbouring Cameroon.
He added that President Paul Biya
ordered air strikes to flush out Boko
Haram terrorists’ from Northern
Cameroon.
However, Defence Spokesman, Major
General Chris Olukolade said, “Ongoing
highly Coordinated Air operation is being
conducted by the Nigeria Air force. No
indication of any Foreign Force engaging
in any part of Nigeria. We will investigate
claims of Airstrikes by a Foreign Force on
our Soil. This serves to satisfy peddlers of
strange claims and stories”
Continuing, Olukolade asked, “What could
be the motive of Foreign Media outfits
peddling false/exaggerated claims of a
neighboring Army’s exploits on Nigerian
soil?”

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Chelsea, Man United title chanceshampered by draws

Leaders, Chelsea could only pick up a
point as they were held by a resilient
Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. Sadio
Mane gave the Saints the lead when he
pounced on John Terry’s hesitancy in
defence before lifting his shot past
Thibaut Courtois. Eden Hazard equalised
seconds before the interval when he
drifted in from the left before firing in low.
Saints finished with 10 men when Morgan
Schneiderlin was shown a second yellow
card for a foul on Cesc Fabregas.
However, Manchester United’s pursuit of
Chelsea and Manchester City in the
Premier League title race was hampered
by a frustrating draw at Tottenham.
United created several good chances in
the first half, with Juan Mata’s deflected
free-kick hitting the post. Home keeper
Hugo Lloris also denied Radamel Falcao,
Robin van Persie and Ashley Young as
Spurs offered little. Spurs’s Andros
Townsend saw two shots easily saved,
but the hosts rallied late on with Ryan
Mason firing over. Mauricio Pochettino’s
team had scored late winners against
Swansea and Leicester recently but,
despite enjoying almost 65 percent of
possession in the final 15 minutes, could
not create any last-gasp drama against
third-placed United. United boss Louis
van Gaal grimaced as he disappeared
down the White Hart Lane tunnel,
probably wondering how his side did not
close the gap on leaders, Chelsea, who
also dropped points at Southampton. The
Dutchman had been critical of the Pre­
mier League’s busy Christmas schedule,
but decided to name an unchanged XI
from the 3-1 home win against Newcastle
less than 48 hours earlier. Despite the
short turnaround, his players looked full
of energy as they dominated the first half,
moving the ball quickly – and with
purpose – as they picked holes in the
Spurs defence. Mata’s free-kick clipped
the home wall and deflected on to Lloris’s
left-hand post before only Vlad
Chiriches’s desperate lunge prevented
Falcao scrambling in the rebound.
Seconds later, Phil Jones thought his
close-range header had crossed the
Spurs line before Jan Vertonghen’s
acrobatic clearance, and although the
United defender was proved right by
goal-line technology, he was denied by an
offside flag. W hile t he p ossession and
territorial statistics were evenly matched,
United continued to create the goalscoring
opportunities. Falcao shot tamely at
Lloris, Van Persie could not convert when
clean through and the France keeper
brilliantly tipped away Young’s curling
shot. But United appeared tired after the
break, failing to have a shot on target, as
Spurs improved. Knowing they would
move into the top four with their fourth
straight win, Spurs pressed higher up the
pitch as the visitors were not allowed the
time or space that they enjoyed in the first
half.

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Eaglets cry out over Kano house giftsagain

World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets stars,
Musa Muhammed and Zaharadeen Bello
have again cried out that they are yet to
receive the houses promised them by the
Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso a year ago.
Musa Muhammed, who led the Eaglets to
win the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the
UAE, was promised a house along with
fellow Kano State native, Bello by
Kwankwaso but a year later they are yet
to get allocations of the houses.
“We were informed that our houses are at
Amana Estate, but I have made countless
visits to the Kano State Investment and
Properties Limited and what they are still
telling me is that they are yet to allocate
houses there,” said a frustrated
Muhammed.
“I have met with the managing director of
the investment company and have been
in constant touch with Dauda Sheshe, the
principal manager PID of the company.
But still no hope in sight.
“We can’t reach the governor to alert him
of our situation, we don’t even know what
to do now.”
It was reliably gathered that a Chinese
group, who bought hundreds of units at
the Amana Estate had since been
allocated their houses.

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The changing face of Anambra

The end may have come for the dismal
look of Awka and Onitsha. Both cities
suffered near total neglect in the past,
and were almost given up or abandoned.
Neither the administrative status of Awka
nor the commercial strength of Onitsha
could earn them gubernatorial attention.
Past governments seemed obsessed with
other aspects of governance to bother
with their rustic state. An out of humour
critic of those administrations once called
Awka a bucolic town, mismanaged by a
line of do-nothing governors who wished
to change its looks by standing still.
The failure to transform both cities,
though inexcusable, might be as a result
of either of two things. One is the lack of
political will to embark on a capital
intensive venture such as building a new
capital city. Two is that past governments
were too conservative and blind to notice
the unbefitting status of Awka as a state
capital, and might have cared less about
the sprawling condition in which Onitsha
has lapsed. Accordingly, the long neglect
blotted the otherwise beautiful landscape,
and rendered incomplete whatever
achievements those governments posted.
Awka contrasts brutally to the least devel­
oped state capital in Nigeria. Its rustic
state very easily magnifies in
juxtaposition to the beautifully laid out
streets of Enugu while Onitsha is greatly
diminished by the emerging attraction
which Asaba has become in recent time.
A visitor to Awka or Onitsha from either of
the two adjoining state capitals would feel
a whiffling air of rustic neglect on arrival.
A certain columnist once described his
journey from Enugu to Awka as a descent
from light to darkness. All too often, the
neglect questioned the Anambra spirit of
enterprise, and pioneering streak, which
has seen to her people being in the
vanguard of developing cities outside of
the state.
The decrepit infrastructure was not helped
by the fractious nature of her politics.
Needless to retell the dreary story here,
but suffice it to say that it conspired with
the failed infrastructure to rob the state a
measure of respect in the comity of other
states. It is important to mention that the
lacuna in infrastructural development was
not because the state could not stump up
bills in transforming itself, but more for
the lack of vision and political will by past
governments to do so. The poor state of
infrastructure inevitably encumbered
development in other areas. In time, the
condition conduced to criminal activities.
The burgeoning commercial activities of
Onitsha very easily exposed it to tidal
surges in criminality. Awka, on its part,
held no better promise as it lacked the
enablers for transformation and stifled
growth in social interaction. Both repelled
rather than attracted visitors. Investors
whose activities should have driven
development, nibbled at the thought of
coming to the state. Those who did
refused to take up residence in it. Perhaps
only fly-by-night contractors and
wheeler-dealer business men could brave
the odds. A section of her citizens was no
less enamoured by the desolate
infrastructure and prefers to work from
the comfort of either Enugu or Asaba.
However, since no condition abides
forever something fortunate has come
swift upon the state. The Obiano
government has, since coming on the po­
litical stage, kept its nose to the
grindstone to change the old order. Today
Awka, the state capital, billows in dust of
reconstruction. The decrepit infrastructure
is now caving in to the menacing strides
of the contractor’s bulldozers. By the time
the dust settles, three flyovers at Arroma,
Kwatta, and Amawbia bypass would
stand firm to mark Awka distinctly out.
This is a precursor to building an entirely
new capital city in the ancient town. The
huge constructions (the flyovers), though
a prerogative of the federal government,
when completed, will achieve two things.
First, it will decongest the town and allow
for free flow of traffic that is fast forming
a tailback in the town. Secondly, it will
enliven Awka and make it attractive for
residents. No longer will the state capital
be passed unnoticed as was earlier the
case. Already a body (Awka Capital
Development Authority) has been
constituted and charged with drawing up
a befitting capital for the state. It was
also instructed to be as eclectic as pos­
sible in harnessing ideas in order to give
the state one of the best. Nothing could be
more compensatory, given the wasted
years.
In line with the transformation, an estate
developer, Rockland Builders, has been
commissioned to build over a thousand
housing units for the state civil servants.
This will help reduce exposure to risk by
some of the civil servants who shuttle
from Enugu and Asaba to work. A lot of
renovation work is also going on at the
State House in much the same way as
Onitsha is being renovated and lit up. The
Upper Iweka/ Bridgehead area has since
exploded in resplendent colours. What
makes the Onitsha case most gratifying is
that the transformation was not shabbily
wrought. It first dealt with the foundation
by routing criminals in the town. This has
not only allowed for luxury of
transformation, but also sane commercial
activities and a good repose. No longer
are people in breathless haste to escape
the menace of muggers who skulked in
shacks that abutted the expressway. Night
life is gradually returning to the town just
as parks, hitherto dens of robbers and
alcoholics are being renovated and new
ones built. All these are adorned with
flowers and lit up for aesthetic effect. One
good thing about the effort of the
government in the whole transformation
is that work is going on speedily at all the
sites. At the Zik roundabout, for example,
the park is nearing completion. Ditto for
all the others where the governor either in­
herited projects or is doing new ones.
It may not be presumptuous to say that
before four years of this administration
Awka, and indeed the state, will be greatly
transformed.
.Anyaduba writes from Abatete, Anambra.

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Anambra attracts $1.65bn investments as Oduah heads Anambra airport project

In keeping with his avowed commitment
to achieve increased investment inflow to
the state, Anambra State Governor, Chief
Willie Obiano, said the state has attracted
about $1.65 billion investment from
investors since March 17, 2014 when the
new administration was inaugurated.
These investments, he said, were
attracted to key areas covering
agriculture, hospitality and tourism
industry, power generation, trade and
commerce, among others.
Obiano, who addressed journalists on the
various programmes and achievements
as well as challenges facing his
government, also disclosed that he had
appointed former Aviation Minister, Prin­
cess Stella Oduah, as head of Anambra
State Airport Development Agency based
on her wealth of experience and track
record of turning around the country’s
aviation industry, noting that his
administration had distributed high-
yielding seedlings to farmers and en­
couraged the formation of cooperative
societies for easy access to farm inputs
and credits.
The governor stated that through the
Anambra State Investment Promotion
and Protection Agency
(ANSIPPA), investments had flowed in
from the Coched Farms $175 million,
Ekcel Farms Limited ($150 million) and
Grains and Silos Llimited ($11 million).
Others are Delfarm Limited and Songhai
Regional Centre from Benin Republic with
$200 million investment, West Africa
Inter-continental Trade Centre ($320
million) and Cardinal Developers and
Trust which took over the completion of
Anambra’s four-star luxury hotel in
Onitsha, among others.
He stated that the investment feat
recorded by his administration in a few
months in office was made possible by
well-deserved appointment of competent
professionals, especially in the areas of
financial investment and banking as
board members of the Anambra State
investment Promotion and Protection
Agency (ANSIPPA), led by Cyril Enweze,
traditional ruler of Umuoji and an accom­
plished professional of international
repute.
The governor pointed out that
consideration was being given to an idea
of expanding Onitsha Main Market to the
River Niger, stressing that four other
urban markets had been proposed for
urban settlements of the state.

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We have no hands in recent bombings – FG

The Federal Government has debunked
insinuations that the administration of
President Goodluck Jonathan is
responsible for the spate of bombings that
have been rocking some parts of the
country in recent times.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Senator Bala Muhammed,
yesterday declared, in Bauchi when he led
a Federal Government delegation to the
Central Market, Bauchi which was rocked
by bomb explosion last Monday evening,
that President Jonathan had no hand in
the spate of bombings rocking parts of the
country
Bala said: “I seize this opportunity to
debunk some of the insinuations and lies
being peddled around that the Federal
Government has a hand in some of these
bombings. It is unheard off; it is unfair for
anybody to use the blood of people to play
politics. Cheap popularity that can be
achieved, using mischief and treachery is
not good. Certainly, we are not going to
join issues with anybody. The Federal
Government is a beneficiary of the people
because you have voted for us and you
will continue to vote for us. It can be seen
during the last Christmas which was free
of any crisis and this will continue and be
sustained.”
The minister, who made a donation of
N20 million to assisted the affected
traders of the market, called on Nigerians
to eschew all forms of sentiment that were
being expressed in order to repeat what
happened in 2011, particularly in Bauchi
State where so many people died,
including corps members during the post-
election violence.
“It was all the working of those
mischievous people who are selling
information that are not true. Certainly,
Mr. President bears with you and I bear
with as your representative in Nigeria to
make sure that we give you the kind of
solace and encouragement whenever it is
required,” he added.
The minister later visited the Emir of
Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Zsuleiman Sdamu,
in his palace in company with the Director
General of NEMA, Dr. Mohammed Sani
Sidi, where he commiserated with the
traditional ruler and the people of Bauchi
over the incident.
He promised to mobilise support for the
reconstruction of the damaged market
and compensation to the affected traders
and victims.
Responding, the emir thanked the federal
Government for identifying with the
people of Bauchi during the trying period,
saying what happened was destined by
God.
Speaking with journalists at the Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa University Teaching
Hospital, the NEMA director general said
the government would donate drugs and
consumables for the treatment of the
victims of he blast that were receiving
treatment in the hospital.

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2015: Don’t use insurgency, oil price tojudge Jonathan –APGA BoT member

Nigerians have been urged not to support
the call by some people using the fall in
oil price and insurgency in the northern
part of the country to campaign against
President Goodluck Jonathan in next
year’s election, saying such move is
cheap, anti-progressive and
undemocratic.
Speaking yesterday at his Rojenny tourist
village, Oba in Anambra State, where he
hosted the All Progressives Grand
Alliance (APGA) candidates in next year’s
election, APGA’s Board of Trustee (BoT)
member, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, said
the fall in oil price and insurgency were
two major global issues facing almost all
countries of the world, stressing that for
some people to now use it as a campaign
against President Jonathan, who he said
had transformed the country in the last
five years, was callous and wicked.
“Every right thinking person is aware that
the fall in oil price is affecting almost
every country, Nigeria inclusive. The pres­
ident and his economic advisers are doing
everything possible to ensure that the
economy stays afloat. Terrorism is a
global problem. The developed countries,
with all their advancement in technology
and warfare are not spared, as these
sons of the devil have penetrated their de­
fenses numerous times, including
America and the United Kingdom. So, why
should Nigeria’s case be different? The
Federal Government and the Army should
be given thumbs up. They are doing a
wonderful job in fighting Boko Haram and
soon, it will be over,” he said.
The Ogirisi Igbo also warned those trying
to destabilise APGA in the South-East to
desist or be ready to face God’s wrath.
“As Ogirisi Igbo, I hereby call on those
Abuja politicians who think they can sit in
Abuja and dictate to the people who
become their representatives to desist or
face God’s anger. Primaries have been
held and the people have picked their
candidates. With APGA’s adoption of
President Goodluck Jonathan as its
presidential candidate, we urge the presi­
dent to reciprocate by giving our leader,
Chief Willie Obiano the necessary support
so that he can deliver the region to him in
next year’s presidential election. We call
on the president to be careful of those
who claim they can help him deliver
APGA. They are not our party members
and cannot offer any help. Chief Willie
Obiano has the authority to do that, as
party leader and governor of Anambra
State,” he said.

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PDP has nothing more to offer Nigerians–Bakare

Pastor of The Latter Rain Assembly (End-
Time Church), Tunde Bakare, yesterday
threw a punch at the leadership of
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning
that economic dangers loom in the
country.
At the church’s last-Sunday-of-the-year
service in Lagos, the cleric said after PDP
had dominated political power in the
country for 15 years, the party had shown
that it had nothing to offer than poor per­
formance.
He told the congregation that the nation
needed a change in leadership, adding
that the time was now. On the kind of
leadership needed, the pastor, who turned
60 recently, promised to address Nige­
rians on the state of the nation by the first
Sunday in 2015.
“After 15 years of PDP dominance and
about five years of President Jonathan’s
rule, what else can they offer? There had
been so much giving and little return for
the people. It is time for change and what
kind of change do we want? I will
dedicate first Sunday of next year to find­
ing the way forward out of the situation.
There is danger ahead. It is like a time
bomb ticking. Those who have ears would
hear and I pray that God will preserve our
lives till that day,” Bakare said.
The cleric, who was the presidential
running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
under the defunct Congress for
Progressive Change (CPC), described the
country as a jungle. He lamented that it
was difficult to do business in a legitimate
way in the country without bribing one’s
way through.

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Leave me alone, I’m not a lesbian! –Okoli

Actress, Lillian Okoli, is not happy at the
moment because of a purported rumour
associating her with lesbianism. The fair
complexioned thespian angrily responded
to the rumour thus: “I just want people to
know that I am not a lesbian and by the
grace of God, I can never be a lesbian. I
am from a Christian home and I know
that it was because of these unnatural
acts that made God destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah.
“People get it twisted when they see my
pictures with my sister. And I think not
many of them know that she is my sister.
They write nonsense to me on facebook
and I don’t even know how they got my
number asking me out on whatsapp.
“I am not a lesbian and I do not have any
intention of becoming one. I love my
sisters, they are my friends; we grew up
together. They should let me be because
the disturbance is getting out of hand.”
Okoli however hinted that she will travel
abroad to rest for the yuletide season and
return early next year to begin the
production of her new movies.

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Buy me a Mercedes 2014 C Class for mybirthday –Bardia Olowu

Bardia Olowu, popularly known as
ILLRymz in the entertainment circle is a
man of many parts. He is a radio and TV
personality and also a businessman. At
the auditioning of Star Rising Talent hunt
in Lagos, he was the chief judge. ILLRymz
is also host of Nigeria Idol and Star Gist
on Africa Magic. Talking about his
involvement in Star Rising talent hunt, he
said “ What we do there is creating an
enabling facility. We are talking of
grassroot kids of between the ages 7 and
17. With the proposed skill centre, they
can come in there and have full
mentoring by industry leaders and
teachers to help them with their
academics. No matter where you are
coming from, you can be successful. Star
Rising is a talent hunt where they can
show their creativity and the second is
Master Mind to test their intellectual
acumen.” The encounter was an
opportunity to know his favourites.
Excerpts:
What’s your favourite colour?
My favourite colour will probably be
white. You always catch me wearing a
white shirt. I like to keep myself very
simple and very clean.
Favourite food?
My favourite food , I would say is pasta. I
can eat a bucket of pasta.
Favourite holiday spot?
My studio. I’m always working but I like to
travel.
Favourite book?
It used to be John Grisham novel . He
wrote Runaway Jury . I talk a lot, every­
body thought I was going to be a lawyer. I
really like his book.
Favourite leader?
I’m not really politically inclined but I
would say one of my favourite successful
people is Richard Branson. He is not just
a wealthy man, he is somebody who lives
an ideal life.
Favourite car?
Hmmm, I don’t want to sound like a great
guy, but I’m into cars. I really like the
Mercedes brand. My favourite everyday
car now will be 2014 C Class. So, if you
want to buy me a car for my birthday ,
buy me a 2014 Mercedes C Class.
Favourite quote?
It will probably be mine and it says
“Identify your passion and turn your
passion into your profession. What I do is
what I love.”
Favourite weather?
I like the winter. Funny enough, I like it
when it’s cold because I don’t like to
sweat.
Favourite outfit?
Sweat pants and a T-shirt. It’s my most
comfortable outfit. I don’t wear suits
except to a meeting , when hosting any
event or doing a show like Idol, where
you have to be formal and classy.

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I had crush on Omotola –Mykey

New kid on the block, George Michael aka
Mykey, has revealed that he once had a
crush on screen goddess and super mom,
Omotola Jalade Ekehinde. Mykey
described Omotola as an actress he looks
up to as far as Nollywood is concerned.
“Yeah, I once had a crush on Omotola
Jalade Ekeinde. I hope she is reading this.
She is one actress who has successfully
written her name into the annals of
Nollywood and besides, she is a Time 100
girl. She is one of those I look up to in the
industry,” the up-and-coming act said.
Born into a family of six, Mykey had to
take decisions for himself very early in life
after he lost both parents at a very tender
age and ended up in an orphanage.
“Growing up for me started off very
rough. I lost my parents at a very early
stage and so I had to be a little more
matured while making decisions on my
own. But things began to change when
Little Saints Orphanage picked me up and
helped me redirect my life and that was
when everything changed.” Mykey says.
On his kind of music, the indigene of
Etsako West Local Government, Edo State
says: “I am a very versatile artiste. I am
interested in all kinds of music. As long
as it sounds or feels good to me, I’ll flesh
it up with lyrics and make me a song. I
am comfortable with R&B and soul music
because it allows me to express my vocal
dexterity.”
To date, Mykey says he has recorded
about 12 songs but work is still in
progress: “My latest single entitled Amen
is getting appreciable airplay. I intend to
record more songs and choose the best of
them for my fans. However my focus is to
always pass an inspiring message to
listeners.”

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I still don’t know why I fell in love withmy wife – Righteousman Erabor

Gospel singer, Righteousman Erabo is one
person who is very sad about the state of
the music industry right now. He is deeply
disturbed that the society prefers secular
music to Christian music. He is miffed
that companies favour secular artistes for
celebrity endorsement of their brands. In
this interview he bares his mind on this
and reveals how he has safeguarded his
marriage and kept it from hitting the
rocks.
Excerpts…
What project are you currently working
on?
I have so many projects at hand. I am cur­
rently the President of Praise Affairs Inter­
national and I aIso preside over a
movement called Tongues of Unity. I am
in partnership with Now Musik. We are
working on Save Nigeria Project. We all
know the situation of things in our
beloved country. People are being
bombed daily and children are slaugh­
tered like chickens. We should not be smil­
ing about it, even if it isn’t raining in this
part of Nigeria, but for the fact that it is
raining in the north and this rain can
change direction any sooner. The song,
No, isn’t just a song. It is a song that
documents the conscience of the nation,
and it is the responsibility of all
entertainers to speak one voice, the voice
of the common man.
So the song ‘No’ featured 60 artistes. You
had people like Tuface, Pasuma, Buchi,
Sound Sultan, Daddy Showkey, Dele
Taiwo, Terry G, African China, Carol Cece,
Keppy Ekpeyong, Osita Iheme, Sunny Neji
and so many others. They all keyed into it
and it is all about saying ‘No’ to
terrorism, corruption, rigging etc. Another
serious project is the media tour of
Awesome, a single from Carol Cece, one
of the artistes of Praise Affairs
International artiste, whose video is
gaining massive airplay in the country
and the Web.
Which of these particular crises really
inspired you to do that?
When those four guys were burnt in Aluu
community, Rivers State, I wept all
through the night. Man-to-man is so
unjust. It was a sad experience that can
never be erased from my heart. I am an
advocate of love, peace and justice but
there can never be peace until there is
justice in the land.
What does it take to be successful as a
gospel artist? Any tips…?
For me, the grace of God is number one
then quality, distinction, integrity and
humility.
How was your growing up?
My growing up was beautiful, both the
positive and negative vibes brought about
the light that is shining today. I knew
what I wanted, my direction and goals as
a little child.
Though, I was the opposite of my name.
Gangsterism was the game, but I never
gave up my purpose in life. I was focused
and the grace of God prevailed. Like in
one of my songs I would have been dead
but HE SAVED ME.
Was there at any time when you thought
about pulling out from the industry?
I have been paying dues and still paying
till date. There was no time I ever thought
of withdrawing from the music industry,
because music has always been my life. If
you want to kill me take music away from
me. I started playing music at a very
young age, mastering the guitar when I
was 14 years old, appearing on NTA
Benin music panorama at age 16. I knew
at that time that I was not game for
white-collar jobs. A lot of water passed
under the bridge; it was like using fire to
refine gold but music made me stronger.
There was never a time I thought of
quitting music for any reason.
When was your turning point in music?
My turning point was when I met pop
icon-turned-pastor, Felix Lebarty, who
signed me on his Liberty Records label.
He is the one God used, who brought the
ladder in 1990 that I am still climbing on
till date.
What were the challenges you
encountered?
Life itself is challenging. David who killed
Goliath didn’t get to the throne
immediately; he still had to pay his dues.
So I see challenges as the ladder of life.
You can’t run through it but walking
carefully and prayerfully. I can’t start
counting my encounters; instead I count
my blessings.
What is the source of your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from God and things I
hear or see around me. My choice of mu­
sic has never been displeasing to God. I
was conscious, inspirational and
motivational, but the choice of brand is
from Bob Marley, Steel Purse and
Fellowman.
What made you to move from secular to
gospel music?
I never for once changed my style of mu­
sic; even I didn’t change my content. I
have always been a preacher. What I
changed was my lifestyle. Change is one
thing that is constant in life. It will
surprise a lot of people to know that when
I recorded the song (Who that man?) I
was not the Righteous Man of today but a
month later things began to change. It is
the present life that is reflecting in my
music today as a gospel artiste. I was like
a banker who counts people’s money in
millions and does not have millions in his
own account.
I know the name Jesus; I sing about Him
but do not have Him in my life. That was
the difference between my secular life and
gospel life, it’s a life transformation not
music per say.
How do you see the future of gospel
music?
Great. Things are changing fast;
platforms are being created, not waiting
for God to bless us with bread but bless
our bread. At least last year I was on
MTN Load in Naija tour as a gospel
artiste, first in the history of Nigeria. So,
expect more great openings. The future is
very pregnant.
As a gospel artiste, do you go to clubs to
have fun?
That depends on what you call club. If you
are talking about nude (strippers) club, I
can’t go there because I don’t have that
calling, and you know people are called
into different ministries. My wife and I
attend events done in clubs and music
premieres and so forth, but if it’s the
other way round, my answer is capital
NO.
What is your philosophy of life?
The only way forward is forward.
What is your advice to those who look up
to you?
My advice to those who look up to me is
to warn them not to look up to me, but
look up to God.
You have been in the industry for ages
now, what has been your most
embarrassing moment?
It is so embarrassing to record a song
with the feeling that it would be the next
big thing. It is passion that keeps us
going.
What naughty thing have you ever done?
I was a very stubborn youth, and I did a
lot of things of which I can’t even
remember.
Many young men find it difficult to find
wives. Now using yours as a case study,
did you go through prayers before finding
your wife?
No, I didn’t pray. I made lots of mistakes
but the only thing God did was to convert
my mistakes to miracles. God doesn’t give
anybody a wife these days because of the
experience with Adam, in the scripture.
God says, ‘He that finds a wife finds a
good thing and obtains favour from God.’
So, it is left for man to go find his own
wife. I went for my friend, I got married to
my best friend and I am enjoying every bit
of it and God is blessing our union on
daily basis.
Who is your mentor?
Jesus Christ is my all in all.
How did you meet your wife?
We met in a recording studio. My backup
singer who happened to be her best friend
brought her to the studio. She is the best
gift from God to me.
Ask and it shall be given but you need to
knock and seek. It is a process that
should be followed squarely. So I followed
mine diligently.
What attracted you to her?
It is a difficult question; it is hard for me
to tell you categorically what made me fall
in love with her. Many people set
standards and parameters and in doing
that, you will love that person only when
that thing is present and when it expires,
you will lose your love.
You might even end up falling in love with
all those who have the same
characteristics. So, I don’t really know
what made me fall in love with her. Maybe
that is why I am still stuck to her.
How do you handle female admirers?
Where do you draw the line?
It takes the grace of God not because one
is super human; it is what your heart
desires that you will always attract to
yourself but God has been faithful.
How have you been able to manage your
marriage and keep it from failing as has
become common among celebrities?
I am a favoured man; everything revolves
around me. I have an understanding fam­
ily that loves what I do, and we also have
friends and people who love what we do
and support us. The most beautiful of all
is that I have my studio in my house; so I
don’t really leave the house except for
events, location and church.
You have been able to sustain your
marriage very well. What advice can you
give to celebrities who are going into
marriage?
I am still counting; keeping relationship is
not about the years involved. We see
people that broke-up after 40 years; some
others are in the marital union, but aren’t
in the marriage: they are just tolerating
each other. How long can you tolerate
someone that you intend to spend the rest
of your life with? Marriage should not be
built on tolerance; I can only tolerate my
friends because they come and go.
My wife and I correct each other rather
tolerate our errors. My advice is that you
shouldn’t learn to tolerate because as a
human, you can only tolerate for a short
period. You don’t manage a life support
machine.

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General Overseer in police net for sellingunborn baby

The female General Overseer of a church,
Prophetess Kanu and members of her
syndicate are now in police net for
attempting to buy a baby yet to be born.
Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad (SARS) of the Anambra State
Police Command apprehended Kanu and
her accomplices.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police,
Mr. Hassan Karma alleged that the
prophetess had for long deceived people
through the use of charms, while
pretending to counsel individuals beset by
problems.
Her world of deceit began to unravel when
22-year-old old Happiness John, whose
pregnancy had reached nine months was
deceitfully taken by her friend, Chioma
Okonkwo, to the prophetess on September
30, 2014 for counseling.
The fake prophetess told John that she
had a spiritual problem. Recalling that
visit, she said: “Chioma Okonkwo and
myself were friends and neighbours.
Chioma took me to Prophetess Kanu for
counseling and it was there that she told
me that I was under spiritual attack. She
prayed for me and later rubbed an egg on
my body with palm oil, saying that it was
a protection against enemy attack.”
Prophetess Grace was further alleged to
have informed the victim that her younger
brother (the prophetess’) would assist
John, since no man had owned up to be
responsible for the pregnancy. Based on
what seemed like a good intent, the
prophetess took the victim to her village
at Ngboro in Abia State, where she spent
weeks in the village believing that she
would deliver the baby there.
Meanwhile, the suspect sent her brother,
Kanu to check on the victim and promise
marriage to her, despite the nine-month
pregnancy. As part of the elaborate plan
to deceive the victim, Kanu bought clothes
for her and also gave her N5000.
With the stage set, the prophetess took
John to meet a nurse and member of her
child-trafficking syndicate, Ifeoma Obiora,
who took medical care of John. The
victim’s phone was taken away so that
she would not be able to communicate
with her relations.
As Sunday Sun gathered from the police
boss, the nurse always locked up John in
the house whenever she had to go out.
But providence stepped in and the scale
fell from the eyes of the victim, when the
prophetess mentioned that if she
delievered a baby boy, she would be paid
N180,000. That was when she realized
what was the real intention of the
prophetess. By then, John had been taken
for an ultrasound scan at New Hope
Hospital Onitsha.
According to Karma, an argument ensued
at the hospital and the victim demanded
for her phone while the Prophetess seized
her bag and alleged she must pay a debt
of N65,000 allegedly owed by her being
the cost of caring for her.
As this turn of events, the victim quickly
called her father, Mr Ugbanu John on
November 28, 2014, who promptly
reported the case at the SARS office.
Acting with dispatch, Karma ordered the
Commander of SARS, Mr. James Nwafor
to take up the matter. This led to the
arrest of the three suspects, namely,
Chioma Okonkwo, Prophetess Grace
Kanu and Ifeoma Obiora,on November
30, 2014 at Ugudegbe street, Owerri, Imo
State, Akokwa Awada Obosi and No 24
Nwaziki street, Awada Obosi, both in
Anambra State. Commenting on the
incident, the father of the victim said: “My
daughter left my house on September 30,
2014 and I saw her when she was leaving
around 5.00am. She said she was follow­
ing somebody to their church. It was
Chioma who took her to their prophetess,
Grace Kanu.
We didn’t see her. I thought she had run
to meet her boyfriend, who impregnated
her . It was on November 28, 2014 that
she called me that we should come and
rescue her. She told me that it was what
the prophetess said when she wanted to
deliver that led to the crisis. That
prompted me to report the case at SARS
office.” Karma said that the three
suspects would soon be charged to court.

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EVIL NEPHEW: Lures uncle’s wife withfake job offer, kidnaps her 8-month-oldbaby

An interstate commercial bus driver, 22-
year-old Chisom Nwaiwu is now cooling
his heels in the custody of the Anti-Kidnap­
ping Squad of the Imo State Police
Command.
Nwaiwu, a native of Amuzi in Obowo
Local Government Area of Imo State was
alleged to have masterminded the
abduction of the eight-month baby of his
uncle after luring the wife with a fake job
offer and then getting her drunk.
As Sunday Sun learnt from the Imo State
Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali, the
incident happened on October 23, 2014,
after Nwaiwu introduced a member of a
kidnapping gang, 24-year-old Chibuzor
Ugochukwu, to his uncle’s wife, Chidime
Okechalam, who needed employment.
Ugochukwu bought local gin worth N100
and gave to the uncle’s wife to drink and
she had a good go at it and got very
drunk, but was still able to return home.
With stage one of their inglorious plan
carried out, the conspirators then
followed while she was still drunk. Her
baby was on her back. With alcohol
having dulled her senses, and at gunpoint,
Ugochukwu took the baby off her back.
In an interview with Sunday Sun at the
headquarters of the Anti Kidnapping
Squad, Nwaiwu recounted his role in the
abduction and revealed how the plot was
hatched and executed: “I was the one who
organized the kidnapping of the eight-
month-old baby of my uncle.
Her weak point is that she is a drunkard.
So I introduced one of my friends,
Chibuzor Ugochukwu, to her, who said
that he would get a job for her, because
she was not working. Ugochukwu bought
alcoholic drink for her. She got drunk and
then went home with her child.
On the way, and at 7.00pm we kidnapped
the baby from her and handed it over to
our contact person, Onwa, who lives in
Umuahia in Abia, who was to sell the
baby for the sum of N250,000.”
Meanwhile, Ali said that the prime suspect
in the abduction tale, Onwa, who was
supposed to sell the baby is still at large
and the baby is yet to be recovered.

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Fear, anger as Nigerians prepare forharsher times in 2015

Amid the dwindling price of crude oil and
the attendant austere measures proposed
by the federal government, Nigerians have
continued to express fear over the
possibility of more difficult times in the
new year.
The price of crude oil, Nigeria’s primary
source of income, has plummeted in the
last few months by more than 40 per cent
from an average of over $100 per barrel,
a development that had forced the
nation’s economic managers to embark
on measures aimed at mitigating the
effect of the price slide on the nation’s
economy.
One of the measures is the recent
devaluation of Naira which has seen the
nation’s currency weakened against the
Dollar by more than eight per cent and
the likelihood of total removal of subsidy
on fuel in the country.
The measures, in the views of some
experts, are capable of subjecting
Nigerian masses to more hardship in the
coming year.
In an interview with Sunday Sun, the
President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello,
explained that the situation was already
affecting the cost of production across the
country. He blamed the situation on what
he called the import dependent nature of
the nation’s economy. “Many firms are
already feeling the heat across all
sectors. In the last few weeks, naira
exchange rate has depreciated by about
11 per cent in the interbank market and
over 12 per cent in the parallel market.
The impact of the depreciation on
operating costs is very profound.”
In spite of the harsh implication, Bello
noted that the current exchange rate
condition offered some advantages to
industries with high local value addition.
According to him, “It makes such
industries more competitive than their
foreign or import-dependent counterparts.
The current situation is therefore a good
opportunity to encourage industries and
investors, to look inwards for products
and services that are hitherto imported,”
he said.
Speaking further, the LCCI boss identified
high inflation rate as yet another factor
Nigerians will have to deal with in the
incoming year. “A natural outcome of
depreciating exchange of rate is inflation
for an import dependent. Cost push infla­
tion will be pronounced in the next few
months. This will be driven by high cost
of production and high cost of imported
finished goods.”
Bello is also of the opinion that there
would be decline in government
businesses and high risk of payment
default by government. “Businesses
driven by government patronage are likely
to experience a decline in the short term
given the current government revenue
outlook. Capital projects of governments
will reduce drastically and this would
affect some segments of the private
sector. Other expenditure heads such as
training and travels may also suffer
major reductions. Generally, government
contractors would experience a slowdown
in tempo of activities.
“With declining revenue, the risk of default
in payment for jobs executed for
government agencies will be higher in the
short term. This situation calls for
cautious engagement with government
contracts at all levels of government. As
government revenue contracts, the
capacity to meet financial contractual
obligations may be difficult.
“With the current developments, many
contracts, especially the medium to large
ones will come with variations. Clearly the
exchange rate depreciation will alter
many cost parameters. This is a new
challenge that many contractors and
suppliers as well as their clients will have
to confront. This will happen in public and
private sectors,” Bello explained.
Also speaking on the development, the
immediate past President of Trade Union
Congress, TUC, Peter Esele said the
quagmire is the price Nigeria has to pay
for being a mono-economy adding that
Nigerians are yet to get the benefits of
being citizens of an oil-producing nation
in the over 50 years that the nation joined
the league of oil-producing countries in
the world.
“It is a shame that for over 50 years since
we found crude oil in Nigeria, one cannot
really get the benefit. Now that the price of
crude oil is falling we are fretting. When
the price becomes too high we will fret.
So, what really do we want? Our biggest
problem is that we are a mono-economy.
If you practice mono-economy this is
what will happen to you,” he noted.
Expressing his reservation over the
likelihood of total removal of subsidy by
the government, the former TUC boss
said the challenge before the government
is not whether or not to remove subsidy.
The challenge, according to him is
government’s justification for the
decision.
“The challenge before the government is
not whether or not to remove subsidy. The
challenge is why will ordinary Nigerians
not enjoy the benefit of the falling price of
crude oil? It is only when you are able to
tell the people that that we can begin to
talk about removing subsidy.
“With the falling price of crude how much
should a litre of PMS cost Because if the
price of PMS goes down and people in
other parts of the world are enjoying it
means that there is a fundamental
question the government must answer.
Ordinarily, you cannot remove subsidy
when the price of crude oil is falling, that
will be adding to the problem.
“The implication for the masses is that it
will be difficult for everyone. Devaluation
means more money with less purchasing
power; With a general election too we
need all the prayers and best wishes we
can get,” Esele said
Also reacting to the issue, Dr. Adebisi
Afolabi of Department of Economics,
University of Lagos said although the
current economic situation is not new to
Nigeria. He however condemned the
seeming panicky approach by the
nation’s economic managers to the devel­
opment.
“The issue to me is this: Our economic
managers are bad managers. Otherwise
why should they begin to raise people’s
anxiety within a very short period that the
prices of crude oil crashed? What has
happened to the accruals from excess
crude for a long time that the price was
favourable? They were just sharing it.
When the price of crude oil was
favourable were the masses better off?”
Adebis queried.
The development, he noted has grave
implication for the Nigerian masses
whom, according to him got little or no
benefit when the price was favourable.
“The implication is that the masses will
be impoverished the more. It means more
hardship and more sufferings for the
already impoverished people of this
country.
“The masses you are talking able about
depend solely on the government, no job,
no alternative means of eking out their
living. So how do you expect them to
wriggle their way out of the coming eco­
nomic hardship when the system has
failed to provide them with anything?” he
queried.
In his own contribution, Kehinde Okunuga,
a public analyst said an attempt by the
government to increase pump price of fuel
in the name of removing the subsidy
totally will amount to a scam. According
to Okunuga, the price of PMS going by the
current price of crude oil at international
market is N82.57k adding that the most
honourable step to be taken by the
government is to announce a further
reduction in the pump price in the
country.
“What are they subsidizing again?
Already, the price of petroleum is
N82:57k, less than N97, so, which subsidy
again? I think, the most honorable thing
that the Presidency should do is to reduce
the price of petrol with immediate effect,
not even having to wait till next year. As
for me, waiting for another week will
amount to scamming all of us and any
moment from now, if the government
does not do so humbly, all of us will force
it to be done,” he said.

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Serena Williams kick starts training for2015

Serena Williams kick-started her training
for next year in familiar style as she took
part in the the Ultimate Run South Beach
on Sunday morning.
The world No 1 was joined by her sister,
Venus, in the Miami-based event, and the
two stars then took it upon themselves to
entertain the crowds with a spot of
singing after the race,
The race, which includes either a five
kilometer or quarter marathon option, is a
fun-run benefiting the Serena Williams
Fund, which supports victims of violent
crime.
The 33-year-old made light work of the
course and was filmed on a Go pro
camera during the race.
Afterwards, the sisters had just about
enough puff left to get up on stage to
perform karaoke.
Serena got the idea to host a race after
running a 5k in Palm Beach, Florida last
Thanksgiving, she told the Miami Herald.
All money raised from Sunday’s event will
go to the Serena Williams Foundation to
help underprivileged children. ‘Every year,
I do a run for Thanksgiving, the 5K or
10K, to kick-start my training for the year,
and last year after running the 5K, I
thought, ‘Wow, I really should do my
charity based on running because it’s a
really fun way to promote a healthy
lifestyle,’ she told the Florida newspaper.
‘People love it. You can run, walk, bring
your family, it’s early in the morning. I
love karaoke, so at my race, afterward
you can go on the beach, relax, have
Gatorade and sing karaoke.
‘It definitely helps your endurance on the
court,’ she said. ‘You feel you can run so
many miles, you can last three hours,
four hours if you need to.’
She added: ‘I like running the shorter
distances, like 5K. You don’t kill your
body, but you can still feel part of the race
atmosphere.’

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DIABETES, COMPLEMENTARY ANDALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

DIABETES CORNER
By Dr Olubiyi Adesina, Consultant
Diabetologist, fbadesina@gmail.com,
08034712568
On various Television stations, Radio
stations and other media across the
country, Nigerians are being inundated
with advertorials by self styled ‘Doctors’
promoting the efficacy of certain remedies
that act as a ‘cure all’. Some of the
remedies are touted to improve libido,
cure diabetes, cure an enlarged prostate,
cancers, warts, help you to lose weight in
an almost magical manner and achieve
overall good health. Such advertorials
also include the ‘testimony’ and other
anecdotal reports from individuals who
have used such remedies. These
‘testimonies’ serve as very effective tools
to convince the unwary that he or she, irre­
spective of educational status, needs to
use such a remedy. The scientific
community needs much more proof than
what is currently made available in order
to know the truth about the safety and
efficacy of such remedies.
The presence of such alternative therapies
have quite complicated the diabetes
treatment landscape, not only by the
unproven but highly touted ‘efficacy’ of
such therapies but also by the avidity
with which numerous individuals with
diabetes in and out of Nigeria cling to
such therapies. One of the downsides of
the use of alternative therapies in Nigeria
and elsewhere is the increasing incidence
of kidney and liver failure following the
use of such alternative therapies. Most
times, the practitioners of this form of
therapy are very secretive about their
products and do not make them available
for scientific scrutiny.
Complementary therapy refers to
therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines
outside conventional medical practice
which are used alongside conventional
medicine while alternative medicine is
used instead of conventional medicine.
These two forms of therapy, though
around for decades, have gained further
ground in Nigeria in the last two decades
through widespread and unregulated
advertisement.
Individuals with diabetes must be
educated about which of such therapies
may be of some benefit and those with ab­
solutely no proven value. As evidence
becomes available to the scientific
community about the efficacy of some of
these complementary therapies, they can
then be absorbed in into the main
diabetes treatment armamentarium.
A whole wide range of complementary
therapies are currently available in
Nigeria which are expensive, of unproven
efficacy, unknown safety profile which are
being used by people with diabetes
instead of their orthodox/conventional
therapy.
It is strongly advised by healthcare
practitioners worldwide that instead of
individuals with diabetes buying expensive
dietary supplements that contain vitamins
and other micronutrients, they should
invest in eating a very balanced diet and
their conventional anti-diabetic agents.
Individuals with diabetes who wish to use
remedies aside from that prescribed by
their healthcare workers are advised to
discuss such use with their Doctors.
Majority of the proponents of alternative
therapies do not possess strong clinical
credentials and often misapply infor­
mation from scientific literature. A strong
case in point is the over celebration of
staphylococcus in Nigeria by the combi­
nation of outright falsehood and half
truths.
It is an incontrovertible fact that a lot of
conventional drugs used nowadays to
treat diabetes and other diseases are de­
rived from herbs. A vivid example is
Metformin which is the most used anti-
diabetic drug worldwide which was
derived from French lilac plant, a
traditional remedy for the disease. The
onus is thus on herbal practitioners in
Nigeria and elsewhere to make their
products available for scientific proof.
Before the efficacy and safety of currently
used herbal remedies are proven
scientifically, one can only advise that
such remedies are taken with a pinch of
salt.
Orthodox medical practitioners must
make it a point of duty to ask individuals
with diabetes that they attend to whether
they use any form of complementary or
alternative therapy, especially in those
whose blood sugar level control is poor.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, one
must again say that the safety of these
alternative therapies is a serious cause
for concern.
For now, it is still good to keep an open
mind about these therapies as they may
be proven in the future to be effective and
safe, but until then, one will strongly
advice that individuals with diabetes stick
with their orthodox medications. The
burden of scientific proof rests with the
practitioners of these therapies.

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The massacre in Pakistan

Last week, a squad of six Talibans
stormed an Army-run school in
Peshawar, Pakistan, and slaughtered 141
persons, 132 of them schoolchildren.
Doctors said the children, some as young
as five years, were all shot either in the
head or the chest. Afghan Taliban cruelty
seems to have risen to incredible heights
since the ascendancy of its new leader,
Maulana Fazlullah who, like Boko
Haram’s Abubakar Shekau, glories in
ruthless bloodletting.
A shocked world expectedly expressed
revulsion. From Britain, Prime Minister
David Cameron condemned the
“horrifying targeting of children.” The
United States President, Barack Obama,
remarked that the Taliban has once more
displayed its depravity.
We commend the people of Peshawar
who have bravely defied the threats of the
Taliban and gathered to honour the
victims with flowers and mementos.
Nigerians know what this sad incident
feels like because the Pakistani Taliban
and the Nigerian Boko Haram are two
sides of the same coin. They are one and
the same in bloodthirstiness and
psychopathic violence. Indeed, Boko
Haram is known also as the Nigerian
Taliban. Both sides share the same
antipathy to Western education. It is,
therefore, not surprising they attacked the
school.
We understand the pain and anguish of
the Pakistani people. They have had to
bear previous, numerous Taliban
bloodshed, but the peculiarity of this case
is that most Pakistanis could not reconcile
Taliban politics with the massacre of in­
nocent children. All the signs and protests
seem to indicate they are not taking this
massacre lying low at all, and agitation
for revenge has almost begun.
There is a sign that the Pakistani
government, in a fit of anger, has now
lifted a moratorium on death sentences by
which more than 500 Taliban terrorists
might soon be executed. Much as this
might assuage some feelings and look
like the Talibans’ just recompense for
their dastardly act, we urge the Pakistanis
to reflect deeply on this move. Policy
change at a time of emotional upset is
never rational.
Taliban watchers seem unanimous that
the group has been in a state of rage
owing to its recent reverses on the
battlefield. It is lashing out hard to show
that it is still capable of causing as much
damage as it wishes. The answer to that
is that the Pakistani Army should not re­
lent. Indeed, the massacre of those
innocent children should serve as an
impetus to move more strongly against
the Taliban with a view to finally seeing to
its final destruction or disbandment.
Thus, the backlash from the Peshawar
massacre of innocent persons seems to
have released vital energies against the
Taliban. As one Pakistani put it, “the
mood of the entire nation toward the Tali­
ban was always of hatred, but there was
an element of fear attached to it. This
time, after they killed our children, the
anger and sorrow have deepened so
much that the fear has been eliminated.
Every Pakistani is angry enough to forget
the fear of the Taliban. Everyone is
demanding action against them.”
We sympathise with the people and
government of Pakistan on this horrible
incident. The excesses of the Taliban and
by extension, Boko Haram, may finally be
their undoing. Many Pakistanis who had
on religious grounds been tolerant of the
jihadists now seem totally against them.
The same reaction greeted the Boko
Haram attack on the Kano Central
Mosque where it killed 120 Muslim
worshippers. Like all totalitarian and
extremist organisations in history, they
will eventually be destroyed by their own
internal contradictions. It is only a matter
of time.

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Growing up in the ghetto made me –Ruth Kadiri

For actress, script writer and movie
maker, Ruth Kadiri, it’s a story of grass to
grace. Kadiri, who grew up in Africa’s
largest ghetto, Ajegunle, but who ended
up becoming a screen goddess recently
shared her story with The Entertainer.
Excerpts:
SOME PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE A BETTER
WRITER THAN AN ACTRESS, WHAT IS
YOUR TAKE?
In my opinion, it is not right for me to
judge my works. I appreciate every talent
that I have; both acting and writing. They
are uniquely different. I don’t see myself
comparing them in any way. It is my duty
to do my job and it is their duty to analyze
it.
WHEN YOU STARTED OUT, DID YOU EVER
SEE YOURSELF COMING THIS FAR?
Yes.
HAS THERE BEEN A COMMENT THAT HIT
YOU REAL HARD YOU BROKE DOWN IN
TEARS?
No, not yet. I have never had that
experience and I pray that it doesn’t get to
that level.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO KISS AN ACTOR
WITH BAD BREATH ON SET?
I hardly kiss in movies.
WHICH ACTOR WOULD YOU SAY HAS
GIVEN YOU YOUR BEST KISS EVER?
(Laughter) Are you kidding me? I don’t
know. There is no personal attachment
when you kiss in a movie; I still don’t
know why people don’t understand that
there is no attachment when it comes to
kissing in a film.
YOU RECENTLY FLAUNTED YOUR RANGE
ROVER SPORT. WHAT SPURRED THAT
MOVE?
No! I did not; I am not that kind of a
person. If you go to my Instagram page,
you will not find it there. I don’t even
know where or how they got that picture.
It was just a presumption from a blogger
that turned out to be true; I don’t post
pictures of my car online.
SO, PRESUMPTION WAS RIGHT JUST AS
THEY PRESUMED THAT THE GUY WITH
YOU WAS YOUR BOYFRIEND…
No, he is not my boyfriend! Are you
kidding me? Oh my God! I don’t even
have the strength. He is just a friend;
somebody I have known for like forever.
ARE YOU CURRENTLY IN A
RELATIONSHIP?
Yes
DO YOU HAVE ANY MARRIAGE PLANS?
Hopefully, we will get there by the grace
of God.
I AM SURE YOUR FANS WOULD WANT
TO KNOW…
I am a woman. I don’t know when the
proposal….
BUT WHO IS YOUR IDEAL MAN?
Every woman wants a good man; every
woman wants a God-fearing man.
BUT WHAT’S YOUR WISH LIST, THERE
MUST BE SOMETHING YOU REALLY,
REALLY DESIRE?
I want somebody who would respect me.
SO, WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF
SUCCESS?
Success is getting to a point where you
are comfortable with what you have and
who you are.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE
NEXT FIVE YEARS?
I am running a production company
called Ruth Kadiri Productions and hoping
that in five years’ time, it would be a
household name and I am hoping that
Ruth Kadiri will become a brand. I see
myself as someone who inspires people
and I hope that I don’t disappoint them.
HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU INTEND TO
HAVE?
Maybe two…
BUT YOU LOVE KIDS. I WAS HOPING
YOU’D SAY LIKE 10 OR SOMETHING IN
THAT NEIGHBOURHOOD?
No! Loving kids does not mean you have
to have many of them.
YOU ADORE UCHE JUMBO, WHAT DO
YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HER?
I think she is the most hardworking and
sincere person I know especially in this
industry. She is someone who is ready to
tutor you and I’m somebody who doesn’t
listen. For a colleague who could pick up
somebody and dust her up and don’t give
up on her no matter what speaks
volumes. That is a strength I know I don’t
have and I appreciate her so much for
that.
YOU’RE HONEST WITH THE FACT THAT
YOU’RE SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T
LISTEN. TELL US HOW THAT PLAYED
OUT WHILE GROWING UP?
I believe that every child who hopes to be
independent must always have a mind of
its own. And I also know that in being
independent, not everybody will agree
with you. Mind you, having a mind of your
own means that you must be able to
define yourself. Like I said earlier, not
everybody will agree with you so if I
agree with you, you have to make me see
reasons with you. If I don’t, then sorry!
independent, not everybody will
AND HOW DID THAT PLAY OUT WITH
YOUR DAD, YOU KNOW, YOUR PARENTS?
My dad is a very patient person and he is
a complete gentleman; he never raised his
hand on me.
NEVER? A NIGERIAN FATHER?
Yeah. He never did but my mum, hmmm…
(Laughter).
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATIONS SKILLS IMPACTED
YOUR ACTING?
I’m a businesswoman; I producing my
own films now and I also run a clothes
line called KR.
WERE YOU BORN WITH AT SILVER
SPOON?
No! Does anybody think that?
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD?
Even as a child, I knew what I wanted to
be. In my bedroom then I had these
picture of what I would be when I turn 18.
I did a write up that when I turn 18, I
would rent my own house. And my dad
came by and saw it and he was like
‘where are you going by 18? Are you
thinking about school?’ I was like ‘Dad, I
want to be able to rent my own house and
make my own money when I am 18.’ He
just laughed it off but I think that decision
helped me; the desire to want to make
your own money the right way helped me.
When you grow up as a child in Ajegunle,
it’s either it’s lost on you or it helps you
find your way. Right now, there are so
many mistakes that I can’t make. I see a
lot of girls making certain mistakes that I
don’t see myself ever making today. If I
could discipline myself from childhood,
then I should have a high level of
resilience today. And then, growing up in
the slum helps you to define yourself and
it is either you are defined or you’re not.
I READ SOMEWHERE THAT A FEMALE
LECTURER ONCE ASKED YOU OUT. IS
THAT TRUE? COULD YOU RELIEVE THE
EXPERIENCE?
Yes.
BUT THERE WAS ALSO A DENIAL TO
THAT CLAIM…
Somebody denied it? No! I have never.
Hmmm… Okay, I was in school then. At
first she took special interest in me and
she was like ‘oh Ruth, you came to class
today? Oh Ruth, you look like this and
you look like that.’ In fact, the first time I
wrote her paper she saw me and she was
like ‘hmmm… you look familiar.’ And I
said ‘No.’ Buts she was like ‘what are you
even writing?’ You know that kind of
interest, and later she added, ‘come and
look me up in school.’ In fact, she knew
the day that I was admitted to school and
knew my scores. And then, one day, I
think I missed her test or something like
that and then I went to her office and she
told me to take a seat opposite her and
then she and she moved her legs and she
was like doing what do they call it? I was
pushing my chair backward and she was
like ‘where are you going, listen to me!’ I
was like ‘ah!’
DID YOU RUN OUT OF THE OFFICE
EVENTUALLY OR DID YOU JUST SAY NO?
No, I didn’t say no…
WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOU THAT
ATTRACTED HER TO YOU?
I don’t know.
SO, HOW DID YOU COPE?
I just started avoiding her. I knew her
daughter so I went straight to make friend
with her.
WHAT COULD MAKE RUTH KADIRI CRY?
(Laughs). I think I am very emotional-o.
Anything could make me cry.
THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED, WHAT
TRIGGERED IT?
It was something hurtful.
CAN YOU GIVE US SOMETHING
SPECIFIC?
When was the last time I cried? Guess
what, I cry so much that I don’t even
know what makes me cry these days?
DO YOU CRY WHEN SEEING A MOVIE?
Yea! I cry when I watch myself cry in a
movie.
RUTH KADIRI, DO YOU HAVE TATTOOS?
IF NO, WHY?
No! I don’t, I just don’t like them-o.
A TATTOO WILL SIT WELL ON YOUR
ARMS SO WHY DON’T YOU LIKE
TATTOOS?
I am indifferent about tattoos but I don’t
just like the idea of having one on my
body.
YOU DON’T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH
PEOPLE HAVING TATTOOS, DO YOU?
No! But when it is too much I have a
problem. If you have tattoo it is okay as
long as you can handle it.
YOU DON’T SEE YOURSELF TATTOOING
YOUR LOVER’S NAME ACROSS YOUR
BACK ANYTIME SOON, DO YOU?
Haba! Let me ask you a question. Did it
favour all those that did it? Why should I
go and do the same thing (laughter)?
WHAT IF HE DECIDES TO TATTOO YOU
ON HIS BODY? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR
TAKE?
Who will date a man that would want to
tattoo you on his body?
SO, YOU WON’T DATE A MAN WITH
TATTOOS?
I didn’t say that-o.
BUT YOU DON’T DRINK AND CLUB AND
DO STUFFS LIKE THAT…
Ah, I drink alcohol-o.
A PHOTO OF YOU CLUTCHING YOUR
BOOBS HAS GONE VIRAL ON SOCIAL
MEDIA. WAS IT A PUBLICITY STUNT?
Guess what, the funny thing is that
anytime I want to take a photo, I just find
out that my hands are drifting
unconsciously towards my boobs. But
that, picture is causing a lot of
controversy, hmmm…I don’t know-o.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR BODY?
I don’t know. I love every part of my body
but probably, my head; yeah, that is my
favourite part.
I READ SOMEWHERE ONLINE WHERE
YOU CLAIMED THAT A PARTICULAR
STALKER TRACED YOU TO YOUR
CHURCH BUT ENDED UP GETTING
CONVERTED. AND THEN, THERE WAS
THIS OTHER STORY OF A FEMALE
LECTURER MAKING ADVANCES AT YOU.
DON’T YOU THINK THAT IT IS YOUR
FAULT THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE AFTER
YOU BECAUSE YOU GIVE THEM SIGNALS
THAT MAKE THEM COME AFTER YOU?
DO YOU SWING BOTH WAYS?
You see, that was the first time it has ever
happened but wait a minute, are you
kidding me? Swing both ways? If you visit
Unilag any day, you’ll notice that there are
certain dresses that are allowed there. My
favorite dress was a pair of jeans trousers
and a top. What signal will somebody
wearing a pair of jeans trousers and a top
send? I hardly make up. I had to make-up
because I was coming to meet you guys.
YOU GREW UP IN THE GHETTO. TO WHAT
EXTENT HAS THE GHETTO MOULDED
YOU INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE
TODAY?
Coming from the ghetto helps you make
certain decisions. For instance, lots of
girls are doing hard drugs like heroin,
marijuana, ecstasy, crack and cocaine
today. I am not a judge but coming from
where I grew up, I couldn’t engage in
such things because I grew up in a place
where smoking and sniffing of hard drugs
was the norm. It didn’t influence me back
then so I don’t see anybody or anything
influencing me right now. I think growing
up in the ghetto helps you; it has helped
me tremendously. A lot of people had to
make mistakes before learning their
lessons; I grew up in the mistakes. Now
the question is, if I was able to chart my
course through all that, wouldn’t it be
difficult to find myself ending up a victim
today?
I HAVE THIS FEELING THAT RUTH IS A
GOOD GIRL. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A
GOOD GIRL?
No, I am not a good girl and I am not a
bad girl either. What makes one a good
girl by the way?
HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING THAT YOU
ARE NOT PROUD OF?
We all have. But I don’t regret anything; I
don’t think I regret anything.

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30 Days In Atlanta is Nigeria’s highestgrossing film –Guy Murray-Bruce

After two months of showing at cinemas
across the country and making a whop­
ping N85 million, 30 Days In Atlanta, a
movie produced by top comedian, Ayo
Makun popularly known as AY, has been
pronounced as Nigeria’s highest grossing
film ever.
According to Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce,
Executive Director, Silverbird Distribution,
the movie raked in N85 million only in
eight weeks, which made it the highest
grossing film in Nigeria. “That it is N85
million is quite impressive for a Nol­
lywood film and we are so proud of AY.
We hope he produces more movies in the
nearest future,” he enthused.
The Muray Bruce-led Silverbird Film
Distribution has contributed immensely to
the development of Nigerian film industry
globally known as Nollywood. Since its
inception in 2007, the company has
released different genres of movies in­
cluding Hollywood, Bollywood and
Nollywood blockbusters.
Speaking on their achievements so far,
Ms Rosana Hart, Business Manager,
Silverbird Film Distribution, says 2014
has been a remarkable year for the
organization, with the release of
Hollywood movies like Think Like A Man
Too, Amazing Spider Man and The
Equalizer to mention a few. “Also, there
have been some great Nollywood releases
such as Knocking on Heaven’s Door,
Single, Married And Complicated 2, Being
Mrs. Elliot, A Place In The Stars, and
recently released 30 Days in Atlanta, a
movie that has topped box office charts
across the country, grossing an
impressive N85 million since its theatrical
release on October 31, 2014,” she said.
Described as a hilarious and roller
coaster twists, 30 Days In Atlanta is
based on a popular comic character,
Akpors, who is known for his display of
naivety and astuteness with grains of
truth in his act. The movie is a perfect
blend of Nollywood and Hollywood stars
starring the likes of Vivica Fox, Karlie
Redd and Lynn Whitefield. Others include
Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mercy Johnson,
Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot and
comedian Ayo Makun (AY) as the lead
actor.
“30 Days In Atlanta is still in cinemas,
and if we extrapolate our data judging by
exit poll from cinema lovers, perfor­
mances and screen averages, the movie
might as well gross over N100 million
after Christmas,” Mr. Moses Babatope,
Executive Director, Filmhouse Cinemas
said.
Going by the figures made available by
Uwem Jacobs, West Africa Agent for
United International Pictures, South
Africa, Kunle Afolayan’s Figurine is
estimated to have grossed N20 million
while Through The Glass, a film produced
by Stephanie Okereke, grossed only N10
million in 2008. In 2010, Ije, starring top
acts like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and
Genevieve Nnaji, raked in N57 million and
this year, two blockbusters, Half Of A
Yellow Sun and October 1 grossed an
impressive N60 million and N50 million
respectively.
To Miss Hart, the current milestones in
Nollywood confirms the belief of Mr. Ben
Murray-Bruce, President, Silverbird Group
that Nigerians would celebrate their
identity by supporting indigenous films in
the cinemas.
She said: “We are quite pleased with the
box office record set by 30 Days In
Atlanta and are very optimistic about the
possibilities of our local titles achieving
more successes in future. However, like
30 Days In Atlanta, we also expect
Lancelot Imasuen’s historical epic, Inva­
sion 1897, and Emem Isong’s
Champagne, which are currently showing
at cinemas, to turn out box office hits.”

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2015: Abia youths vow to vote out PDP

A bia Youths for Change, Lagos Chapter
has condemned the December 8, 2014
governorship primary in the state that
produced Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the
party’s flagbearer for the 2015 election,
and vowed to vote against the party if the
result was not reversed.
While speaking with journalists on
Saturday, the youths alleged that the
primary was marred with irregularities
and accused the state governor of im­
posing his choice, Ikpeazu on the party
against the people’s choice, Dr. Samson
Uchechukwu Ogah.
According to the President of the group,
Ikenna James, and the National President
of Ohafia Youths, Engr. Ukariwe Ajike
Godwin, delegates to the primary were
‘fake’ as they were selected by the
governor.
“The supposed delegates were fake as
they were chosen by the governor.
They were kept in governor’s house for
72hours and their phones seized so they
could vote for the governor’s choice.
Police and military men without army
badge and names were used to beat
people,” they claimed.
They added: “We are not pleased with the
outcome of the primary, so we want it
declared null and void. President Jona­
than should look into Abia’s case or else
we would mobilise Abians against PDP in
2015. Ikpeazu is not the people’s choice.”
The secretary of the group, Chima Joel
and its Public Relations Officer, PRO
Nnenna Kalu said the youths in the state
would defend their votes against PDP in
2015 with their blood, adding that they
might resort to legal action to press their
demands.
“Abia is the worst governed state in
Nigeria. Ikpeazu means the last person in
Igbo language. The youths are yearning
for change in Abia but the governor wants
to bring somebody who will not perform
like him.
We are crying for Abia and we are ready
to defend our votes against PDP with our
blood if PDP fails to present the people’s
choice. The president should drop Ikpeazu
if he wants our votes,” they threatened.
Children cutting the cake at the Christmas
party/carol of the Four Square Gospel
Church, Haruna, Lagos.

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Jonathan hijacked – Paul Unongo

D eputy Chairman of the Northern Elders
Forum, NEF, Dr. Paul Unongo has warned
that there would be chaos in Nigeria in
2015.
“For the sake of Nigeria and those of you
who publish correctly, you need to advise
the people who are running Jonathan that
in the interest of Nigeria, they should
guarantee us. When we vote them out
they shouldn’t try to remain in power.
They will overheat the system”, Unongo, a
People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain
from Benue State warned, adding: “
Everybody is behaving as if the world
would come to an end if Jonathan is not
President, it is much more likely that
Nigeria’s world would come to an end if
Jonathan is elected President because he
has demonstrated no capacity to run this
country.
“Jonathan has been hijacked by people
telling him that they own the oil wells in
Nigeria. As a leader, he has shown no
qualities that would warrant his insistence
to become a leader for another four years
because another four years of what we
have in Nigeria today will break up this
nation or will lead, at my old age, having
read history, to conflicts similar to the
Biafran conflict. And it will be senseless.
It is simple. Let’s have free and fair
elections,” the former minister said.
He described President Goodluck
Jonathan as an incompetent leader who
lacks the capacity to run the affairs of
Nigeria and warned the press to stop
trivializing such incompetence. “This
young man is just not competent. You
people want this young man to push us
into war to start killing ourselves again.
People don’t know the seriousness of the
game these young men are playing with
Nigeria. On the indices of performance,
can we say Jonathan can continue?,” he
asked.
In this interview, the ex-minister took a
long look at the match of the Nigerian
nation state from inception till date and
concluded that Nigeria has become more
primitive than any other primitive country
in the world. He blamed the elite for the
slide into primitiveness and declared that
Nigeria is now “a dead, sleep walking
nation”.
He also spoke of what he described as the
theology of the Major Gideon Orkar coup
that was to excise some parts of the North
from Nigeria, among other national
issues.
Excerpts:
A lot of things have happened in this
country. Some would say Nigeria is
making progress; but how would you
assess the present state of the nation?
I would like to say I remember you. You in­
terviewed me many years back and you
published me correctly. I am very happy
to talk to you about Nigeria which is my
constituency. It’s the only place I hang
on. It’s the only hope I have in this world
and I don’t want to leave for any other
place. I am 79 years old now. So I love
this country. It’s the only country I have.
So, I promise you as I promised you then
that I will tell you the truth as I feel it, as I
see it. It depends on how you define the
word progress. Nigeria has made
progress as it has more people registered.
We are about 175 million human beings
now, from about 30 million when we
started. That is progress. Nigeria didn’t
have as many buildings as we have
today. We have huge fantastic structures.
If you look at that, you will think this
country has really developed. We have
gone through some kinds of
democratisation from colonialism where
we owed allegiance to the crown in
Britain, the UK. Today, we can pretend
that we are an independent state. Thanks
to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Rt. Hon. Dr.
Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the Sardauna of
Sokoto. They bequeathed to us a nation
state that we confused. Nation state is a
political statement and it is a political,
scientific statement that defined what we
are supposed to be-a multi-ethnic, multi-
national country that respected the
idiosyncracies of the various components
that make the Republic of Nigeria as we
became known. And the founding fathers
were very clear. Chief Awolowo
articulated this in terms of his federalism.
And it was very clear that this is what was
intended for this country. Within that
context, yes, Nigeria is no longer a
colonial country. We messed ourselves up.
We got into a funny civil war that cost us
two million men. At the end of it, we
reconciled beyond anybody’s wildest
imagination. No country has gone into
civil war and reconciled the way Nigeria
did in the shortest time possible. For it to
make Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe contest
the presidency of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria in 1979, just eight years after the
war, I think Nigeria is great. He was Igbo.
And the heart of Biafra was Igbo. So,
there are so many good things about
Nigeria. In those days, we talked about
the potentials, the economic development
of Nigeria, structurally. We may not have
liked it, but there are some elements of
manufacturing without electricity. There
are elements of a few things we used to
import that are now done in Nigeria. So,
you can say even economically, all the
things impact on the people and the well
being of the people. Nigeria has done well.
But in Africa and in developing countries,
like India, Malaysia and Singapore,
development in terms of your question,
started at the same time with these
countries. India became a nation state
from Britain in 1947. Pakistan was born
in 1947. Today, India is one of the most
technologically advanced nation states. It
has nuclear power. It has the Atomic
Bomb, so does Pakistan. They were all
colonies. They have their own problems,
but they manufacture everything they
need, including aircraft put together
during the era of the Nehrus of this world.
If you go to Malaysia now, we started the
same time with them, Ceylon and the rest
of them. In fact, Singapore came here and
imported our palm fruits and today, they
are technologically more advanced than
us. They have settled. They are now
developed to the extent that we go to them
and import technology into Nigeria. What
has happened to Nigeria? I think when
Nigerians talks about development,
without mincing words, they ought to talk
about economics. When I finished
secondary school, there was no university
in Northern Nigeria. We went to the
“highest institution” then. It was then
called Nigerian College of Arts, Science
and Technology located in Zaria. It
became later, by the wisdom of Sir
Ahmadu Bello, the Ahmadu Bello
University. That was the highest
institution. I was the first Middle Belter to
teach anywhere in the university. I also
taught at the University of Lagos where I
founded the Department of Psychology
with a few friends and I was the Head.
They couldn’t believe I was from the
North and I was. So, they said I was a
crazy man. Today from my part of Nigeria
which is the Middle Belt, that is within
northern region, I think there are
hundreds of thousands of graduates. So,
if you want to talk about progress and
numbers in education, Nigeria has done it.
If you want to talk about more
manufactured goods that we never used
to have, that we imported from Britain,
Nigeria has done it. So, I believe that your
question is located to Nigeria as a nation.
It is the political life of Nigeria where I do
not believe we have done much. I believe
we have messed this country up, we the
educated elite. And anywhere in the world,
it is the educated elite that determine and
decide the direction of the nation state. In
the time of the Awolowos, it was also the
elite. Even during the military regimes, the
elite military officers that determined the
fate of Nigeria, resolved we should fight a
civil war and we fought a civil war behind
them. In fact, Gowon was just 29. Ojukwu
was 30+, about 32. They were the young
elite. So, it was not a matter of youth. It is
an attitude that has destroyed this country
and this attitude has made me so sad
that it has come out more emphatically
under the present administration which is
the attitude of absolute insensitivity. To
real issues, to human beings, to issues of
development, to issues that are critical,
we take them seem as if nothing is
happening. Within
that context, Nigeria has become more
primitive than any other primitive country
I have seen in the world. In fact, it has
become so bad that one wonders and ask
questions at my level, at my age. When I
have to reflect, sometimes I wonder, were
we right? Did we know what we were
doing when we were fighting the
whiteman? When we were fighting the
soldiers? When we got beaten up and got
sent to jail. The whiteman thought we
were inferior to him, the Ziks, Awos and
Sardaunas of Nigeria answered the call.
We were like the second eleven, the
youths in school rallied around them and
we had patriotism. The only thing I have
seen in Nigeria today is impunity. There is
also insensitivity, lack of care. We don’t
believe we owe any human being anything
for being Nigerian. There is nothing in this
country that stimulates somebody’s trust
in the nation state to warrant him to say I
will sacrifice my life.
My daughter has just come from youth
service which I helped in establishing. She
went to Zamfara. Now, I am saying why
should I allow my daughter to go to
Zamfara? For this Nigeria that I see that
doesn’t think about her? That doesn’t
plan for her; that is insensitive, where
small girls like her are abducted? We
laugh, we throw parties, we dance at
political party rallies and we are the
leaders of Nigeria? A ragtag army like
Boko Haram had come here before.
Others were in charge. They dealt with it.
Now, this thing is laying siege to the
greatest African nation state on earth, the
greatest nation with the largest number of
black human beings and geniuses. And
our ingenuity was revealed during our
civil war, if nothing else. The ingenuity
that was revealed during the civil war on
the side of Biafra was staggering; on the
side of Nigeria it was also staggering
among the Federalists. This country went
and organized Congo when there was
total chaos there.
This country went and fought, physically
against Charles Taylor and saved Sierra
Leone. This country even during
Obasanjo’s regime, saved Equatorial
Guinea which couldn’t do anything about
a coup. This same Nigerian Army made
Liberia a country. This Army has been so
bastardized that it cannot face a ragtag
army that say they are religious
extremists. And they are laying claim to
Nigerian territory and the response we
have is that I must be President forever.
We must dance Owambe.
So what do you think is the problem?
I think Nigeria has not developed. I think
we have gone backwards. And this is the
heart, this is the nucleus, this is where the
life of the nation state is. Nigeria, to me, is
a dead, sleep walking nation. It is as if
somebody put opium on the rest of us. We
are watching this destruction unfolding
and nobody talks. It is as if we have been
hypnotized. And when you try to talk,
everybody pounces on you. You hate the
President. Oh you are a Muslim. Oh you
don’t like Christians to be President. I am
just answering the first part of your
question. You asked my opinion about
how developed Nigeria is and I am telling
you that Nigeria has gone nowhere.
Nigeria has matched backwards. We are
now tribalists. You are an Ijaw man. It is
our oil. I don’t drink oil and I don’t give a
damn. Oil has brought disaster to Nigeria.
Nigeria was a great country when we
were selling our beniseed, hides and skin,
groundnuts and developing Nigeria. To­
day, there is so much money, there is so
much stealing, there is so much
devastation and there is so much
insensitivity in the system. Nigerians that
loved themselves so much don’t exist.
What kind of society is that?
How did we get to where we are now?
We got to this stage because one,
Nigerians developed a thick skin and
became insensitive themselves. And then
there is this national effort by people who
usurped power. First, the military usurped
power and they tried to force everybody to
see things their way. If you didn’t, they
killed you or locked you up. Some of us
were lucky. We were locked up, but God
intervened and we were not killed. We got
close to being killed when we were falsely
accused of doing a coup. How can a
civilian do a coup during a military
regime? But it happened because nobody
spoke. I don’t know when Nigerians
became such cowards. And I don’t know
when Nigerians became people that
depended on government to get food.
Everybody is saying no, no ,no, you can’t
talk. If you talk, you won’t eat. My child is
going to school, I can’t pay school fees.
When did this happen? When did this
acceptance of bestial irresponsibility
happen? We think we are hoping that we
will develop a set of values where our
children will learn how to evaluate
themselves. Then suddenly, this
disappeared. This came in punitive way
which has reached its height under the
present administration. Impunity started
from corruption. Nobody asked anyone
how wealth was acquired. If someone
would just be dashing people hundreds of
thousands, nobody would ask questions.
Don’t we have a system? Can this sustain
the economy of a nation? Why so much
money? Why is this money concentrated
in the hands of a few people? Why not the
majority? There are no amenities. There
are no social services. How come the
ones in government don’t look at it as
service? How come going into governance
means going to make money? And this
again has reached its peak during this
administration. Then there’s this idea of
my own; I want my own to be there. Ni­
geria became a country where some of us
have had to re-learn to say well, I come
from the North. I have never talked about
coming from the North. I talked about just
being a Nigerian. But I now talk very
vocally about coming from the North
because I can see I am educated. I can
see what has been done to the North,
structurally at governmental level.
I feel I should come in at this point. From
your analysis of the Nigerian situation so
far, there is a turn around in the attitude
of our leaders towards governance. But
the last time I spoke with you, you
sounded different. Why do you feel
differently?
There is no turn around. You didn’t study
me properly. I have written books.
You supported President Jonathan then,
but now…
That is what I mean, but I have not turned
around.
Now, you are pro another…
I am not for anybody. I am for justice, fair
play and honesty. Try to be honest in
government with the people. Try to serve
the people. Try to develop the people. Try
to be fair before you steal all. This
government is just stealing too much.
This government is too insensitive. This
government doesn’t want anybody to
criticize them. Why did we criticize the
British? They locked us up but we
survived. Why did we criticize the
military? We did so because we wanted a
democratic set up. The so called
democratic set up has come and we
cannot criticize with all your knowledge,
with all your eyes wide open, you are
seeing this kleptomania. You can’t talk
about it. And people are cowards. They
say let’s just give everybody opportunity,
we minorities. Jonathan rode on the back
of people like me from the Middle Belt. We
were preaching minority politics, that the
majority has been cheating us too much.
Now, we have a minority person; at least
he has suffered,so when he goes there,
he would develop Nigeria because the
minorities have kept Nigeria together. We
were the people who joined our hands; we
even fought more to keep Nigeria one. So
here is our son. I was excited. Here is a
university man, a teacher, a lecturer like
Umaru Yar’Adua whom I knew very well.
He came from my school, Keffi and I
knew he would do well. And when God
took him away and I heard that the next
person is a minority person who is also a
university person, I was very excited. I
remember I wrote Jonathan a letter. I
also remember what I told Jonathan
when he came to Makurdi. I was selected
by the governor of the state and by that
time he was not swallowed up by
Jonathan in the game that they are
playing with Nigeria. He told Jonathan
that this is the father of this state. This is
the father that will speak on our behalf
and I did. I do not think that Jonathan has
forgotten what I said. I told him he didn’t
need to come back here, we will vote for
him. He represented hope. He represents
us who have been feeling that after the
British and all these single-handedness of
the military, here is a person who comes
from the small people that were never
empowered. So, we would use power with
restraint, we will restructure Nigeria to be
patriotic. And I said please let us come to
a sovereign national conference, redesign
Nigeria the way you want Nigeria so that
for once Nigerians can be honest to say
we the people of Nigeria give to ourselves
this constitution and we are prepared to
support him and we supported him. And
when there were hiccups, after our son
from the North died, there were a lot of
hiccups about his successor and we
stood firm with Jonathan to take over and
he took over. And when Jonathan took
over, somehow the accusations that the
majority, the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa people
used to level against the minorities,
Jonathan started showing them.
Jonathan suddenly ended up becoming an
Ijaw man. He was captured by a clique
that was so nationalistic, the ones we
dealt with like Tam David West. They
relegated those people to the background,
brought young men that were militants. I
like militancy. I was a militant too. So we
thought we are going to have progress,
they concentrated on fighting Nigeria
because Nigeria, supposedly, stole their
oil. Which is their oil? This thing got to
Jonathan’s head and he left Nigeria and
joined his group. He became an Ijaw man.
And Ijaws didn’t bring him to power. We
did and we thought he would give us
leadership. And then the second factor
was that Jonathan appeared to be a
Christian and the Christian elements that
were always feeling that no Christian ever
comes from the North or anywhere by
their own choosing to become the
President, said since Umaru was dead
and Jonathan is a Christian, we
Christians will rally around him. I am
talking from the point of view of the
Christians now. I have noticed now that
everyone who felt so strong about
Jonathan don’t feel that way anymore. He
disappointed Christians of Nigeria by his
utterances, his behavior that appears so
insensitive. How can small children be
abducted from their parents and taken
away by criminals. Their fathers are
weeping, their mothers are crying. And
they are weeping up till six months now
and Jonathan was playing politics and
wants to be re-elected. This is the seventh
month since the Chibok girls were
abducted. Our Christian brother Jonathan
has many advisers, including me that
may have resolved this issue. It became a
political thing. That somebody gets into
power, learns how to use the instruments
of power, including the coercive forces of
the nation state of Nigeria to perpetuate
himself in power. Is that not why we
fought the British? Is that not why we
fought the military? Is that not what Jona­
than has become now? He must be
President for life because of Ijaw’s oil.
Ijaw’s oil is located in their land, the one
that has been developed. But is Jonathan
aware that most of the oil, the one that
has been found in Nigeria is off-shore in
the territorial waters of Nigeria. I am not
getting into any argument. In International
Law what exists anywhere and
everywhere in the whole world, is that the
extent of territorial waters of a nation and
a nation state, including Nigeria is
determined by the land mass of that
nation. The region that joins two other
regions to form the nation state of Nigeria
is called Northern Nigeria. It has three-
quarters of the land mass of Nigeria.
It’s like you are using the utterances of a
few people to…
Please listen to me. I am not using the
utterances of other people. How has he
reacted to them? I have too much
knowledge and I have too much
information at my disposal. I am not a
kid. I have been active in politics all my
life, except the short spell I taught at the
university, I have never worked for
anybody except myself. And I have just
sat down to do nothing but to write
constitutions for Nigeria and argue for Ni­
geria. So, I know what I am talking about.
You are a leader and people dominate
you and you don’t extricate yourself from
them and you allow your utterances to
guide your behavior, you are as guilty as
charged. Let me just give you an example,
because I am not usually vocal, I don’t go
around preaching what is wrong, when
you ask for my reaction to it, I give it.
Let’s take a simple thing like choosing
people to go to the so- called place I
described as a place Jonathan was giving
money to his friends to help him to drum
up support for him to be President of
Nigeria. Who are those so much qualified
than people like me who started writing
constitutions for this country since 1957?
And I served on committees with people
like Ben Nwabueze, Chief Rotimi Williams
and I came through all constitutions, all
conferences in this country that were
written. I was invited to participate in all
of them. And I think I participated in all
except one, including that of Abacha’s
that ended in 1994. There, I was right at
the top of arranging the type of Nigeria we
want, the type of institutions we want and
how we can make these institutions
strong. I have always been there. As a
man with this type of experience, I am still
alive. Jonathan knows me. He is a much
younger brother. In fact, I can call him my
son because at 79 I am Jonathan’s
father. I am not a Nigerian that minces
words. My Nephew whom I adopted is 60.
I am 79. So, Jonathan is my son. Why
would Jonathan be inviting people; he
came to Benue, the governor showed
deference, called me to speak. The Tiv
nation is a major nation in Nigeria. We
are the fourth largest in population and
when there is crisis in this country, the
contributions to the second world war; in
fact, in the first and second world wars,
the Tiv people were there. Our
contribution was critical to the British.
And in the Nigeria civil war, our
contribution was absolutely necessary. It
was a factor in the war turning in favour
of the federalists and I was vocal. I was
with Gowon throughout. I gave all kinds
of advices that were implemented.
Jonathan is old enough to know that. If
Jonathan wants the Tiv people to be
represented in a discussion, the first Tiv
man to teach in a university is alive and is
articulate and has participated in
designing all kinds of things and going
overseas to represent Nigeria, I was not
qualified? Why? The Ijaw people that were
around Jonathan told him I was his
enemy. He came to Benue and they told
him this is the father of our place, he
would talk on our behalf, including the
governor of our state, what I told
Jonathan we would do we did . We, the
Tiv people, when we make a statement,
real Tiv people, when we make a
commitment, we stay there and we put
our blood to the commitment. We have
stayed with Jonathan and Jonathan
decided that in the type of conference he
wanted, Paul Unongo was not qualified.
And yet this conference was going to talk
about how we could organise Nigeria to
include Tiv people and I am the leader of
the Tiv people. Can you imagine Awolowo
being barred from participating in
discussing how you can make Nigeria
peaceful? That’s what Jonathan did.
That’s number one.
But sir…
No,no, no. I must end this one. Number
two. When Jonathan selected the people
to advise him, Jonathan selected
somebody called Col. Nyam, …I studied
and know the man they call Col. Nyam.
He was the leader of the coup that was to
oust Ibrahim Babangida. I knew this
because I, a civilian, was picked as the
leader of this type of coup because one
Tiv person, one little Tiv young man,
called Major Gideon Orkar announced the
coup. So, it must be Paul Unongo that
influenced him. I was incarcerated for
almost seven months and I knew and
studied the coup. After anger, I decided
that I will study the theology of the coup,
why it came about and why people like
me were arrested. It was a coup of
minorities. Yes, but minorities of the
south. And Orkar’s knowledge of the
coup…I think I am qualified to say so
because I suffered a lot…I don’t believe it
was more than 30 hours before the
execution of the coup. And I swore that I
will reveal the nature of the coup because
I am trained to serve my country and the
government of my country and I will
advise them despite my incarceration. So,
I studied the kids that were wasted and I
talked to all of them and then transferred
all their frustrations in my evidence in
chief. I told them if you want to kill me,
these are the things that were disturbing
these young men that did this coup. This
is the line of the coup, the leadership and
so on. I know because I am there with
them. I have asked them questions. Now,
I discovered that the leader was not even
Mukoro. It was Col. Nyam. This coup, the
first thing they did, the first speech that
was written that Col. Nyam was going to
deliver excised about seven states from
Northern Nigeria or thereabout and threw
them out of Nigeria and say we don’t
want them. They said after some years,
may be these people if they come and
beg us, then we can re-admit them into
Nigeria. When I saw Nyam who ran
away and abandoned these young men,
his role was to make the broadcast. When
they got to the venue of the broadcast,
Radio Nigeria, Col. Nyam was not there.
He had left. He ran away. This was to be
their leader. He ran away. Mukoro ran
away after entering Dodan Barracks. And
they came and caught us innocent people
that didn’t know anything about the coup
and one young man, Ogboru’s brother
was tortured. And they suffered a lot. So, I
felt if Jonathan was sincere about this
country, would he take for an adviser, a
person who did a coup to expunge almost
half of the population of the country away
from Nigeria? He doesn’t want to see
these people in Nigeria. And I didn’t keep
quiet. I went there to tell Jonathan that I
don’t believe in this thing that you are
doing. I don’t believe that you are sincere.
I know you want to have political gain to
prepare yourself for an election, but the
senseless dash called allowance, how can
you give these people N4 million?. It was
bribery to corrupt them to write what he
wanted, do what he wanted. And this is
happening in Nigeria where half of the
population can hardly make N40,000 a
year. And you gave people this amount
for four or five months and you pay them
N4 million every month? Look at the
number. There is so much that went
wrong. When I saw all these, I said this
man cannot be a Christian. This man
cannot represent the suffering people in
the creeks. This man is just using us the
minorities for a big political plan. What is
he looking for? Why N4 million? Col.
Nyam who sought to break up Nigeria and
some of us went and suffered for him
while he ran away,. he brought him and
he didn’t care. And then Nyam went and
started fighting Oshiomhole, one of the
progressive governors form the labour
movement. He abused him and wanted to
engage him in physical combat to the
embarrassment of the committee that was
set up by Jonathan. So they removed
Nyam from the committee. You know
what? When Jonathan wanted to appoint
a larger team, Jonathan brought Nyam
again and put him so as to pay him N4
million a month. He had the indecency to
stretch his hands and collect the money of
Nigeria he wanted to break up.
Is it a planned issue? And look at this
insecurity. Is this deliberate? Could your
not being appointed a member of the
National Conference be the reason why
you turned against President Jonathan
because you are sounding bitter over the
issue? The inference might as well be,
rightly or wrongly, that you are now anti-
Jonathan because you were not
appointed a National Conference mem­
ber. Right?
How many people appointed me into posi­
tions? If I was somebody looking for
positions in Nigeria, don’t you think I am
capable of being a Minister? Couldn’t I
have played the same game you
Nigerians play to make money? You think
that I am so down that I would go and
kowtow before people in authority and
say look, oga this one I know I am small I
will do it for you so give me money? I
think you are trivialising the issues I have
raised. I am saying a leader of Nigeria
should not, publicly, you can have private
relationship with these people if you
admire them, but to the public, Nigeria’s
leader cannot go and shore up an
inconsequential person trying to break up
Nigeria and in the assignment you gave
to him he showed himself not suitable, if
not incompetent. He was not suitable. His
colleagues kicked him out of the
committee you set up. They said they
cannot work with this kind of person. Then
when you were selecting people to come,
to show how you felt about that person
that you believed in him, you went out of
your way and brought him back and
announced him as a member of these
people that you dashed N4 million. For
what?

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