Violence-free polls: APC restates call for peace meeting withPDP

All Progressives Congress (APC) has restated its call for a
meeting of the leadership of the APC and the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to stem the rising cases of violence
ahead of next month’s polls.
In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National
Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said such
a meeting would send a powerful message of zero tolerance
to violence to the supporters of both parties, those of other
parties and indeed the entire people of the country and the
international community, and douse the tension that was
building up ahead of the election.
It said the call was a follow-up to the practical steps that had
been taken by the party (APC), dating back to May 2014,
when it first wrote to the leadership of the PDP calling for
such a meeting.
“Following up on a meeting of representatives of both parties
in Washington, DC, US between April 7 and 8, 2014 under the
auspices of the CSIS Nigeria Election Forum, at which it was
agreed that a joint meeting of both parties be convened to
discuss and agree on the crucial issue of a Code of Conduct
for the campaigns and the elections, we wrote a letter to the
PDP suggesting a bipartisan meeting to address the issue,”
APC said.
“We have since been following up on the letter, the latest
effort being on December 28, 2014, when we again called for
the holding of the bipartisan meeting. Apart from its reply to
our initial letter, the
PDP has not responded to our peace overtures till date,’’ APC
said.
The party said, however, that whether or not the PDP signed
on to such a meeting, the APC – as a peaceful party – would
continue to educate its members and supporters on the need
to eschew all forms of violence before, during and after the
election.
APC restated its pledge to continue working for violence-free
polls next month, even though the opposition party had been
at the receiving end of a series of grave acts of violence in
recent times
“It is common knowledge that our supporters were shot at
while travelling to Port Harcourt for the inaugural presidential
campaign on January 6. The police even prevented those of
them who were
hospitalized and treated for gunshot wounds from being
discharged.
“Also, our office in Okrika was bombed on January 11. Another
major incident is the burning of the Jonathan campaign buses
in Jos, which is a PDP-on-PDP violence in the wake of the
intra-party crisis in Plateau after an apparently unpopular
candidate, was rigged in as the party’s governorship flag-
bearer in the state. The APC had nothing to do with the Jos
violence, even though the PDP has tried to spin it in order to
portray our supporters as being behind it.
“Even then, our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu
Buhari, moved fast to condemn the violence in Jos. On the
contrary, neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor any of his
party leaders has condemned the shooting of our supporters
and the bombing of our office in Okrika,’’ the party said.
It said only the PDP could benefit from acts of violence,
because it does not want the forthcoming election to hold,
having seen the handwriting on the wall, adding: ‘’We suspect
that is why the party has been cold to our persistent calls for
a meeting of the leadership of the two major parties to avert
violence.’’
APC said as a party waiting in the wings to assume office at
the centre, on the strength of the votes of Nigerians next
month, it could not allow violence to scuttle the will of the
people.
The party also expressed curiosity at the escalating Boko
Haram crisis in the North-East, saying it fitted perfectly into
the strategic plan of the PDP to depopulate areas where it
was not popular ahead of the elections.
It said, however, that Nigerians would reject violence and vote
en masse to bring about the much-needed change in the
country, instead of the continuity of insecurity, poverty,
corruption, bad economy, impunity and bad leadership which
the PDP was clamouring for.

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NSE woos Diaspora investors to patronise Nigerian market

In line with its mandate of promoting and influencing the
economic growth and development in the country, the Nigerian
Stock Exchange (NSE) has concluded plans to organize the
first investor forum for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The forum which is expected to take place on Monday,
January 19, 2015 at Hilton Zurich Airport Hotel, Switzerland, is
targeted at Nigerian Diaspora in Switzerland and across
Europe.
The Chief Executive Officer of The NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema,
explained that the Exchange recognizes Nigerians in the
Diaspora as a rich resource with unlimited investment
potential.
“Diasporas present wonderful opportunity to help the
development of the Nigerian economy by investing through the
NSE, as they can help attract sufficient and stable access to
international investment. The main objective of the forum is to
facilitate portfolio investments and inspire Diaspora-led
investment for sustainable economic growth, by encouraging
the Diaspora to actively participate in investment efforts in the
Nigerian capital market”.
Onyema added that the forum will enable the Diasporas know
that there are attractive opportunities available in the Nigerian
stock market for them to make investments. “We have the
companies that can help grow wealth, as well as give local
businesses and owners the capital they need to continue this
growth”.
According to the Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr.
Bola Adeeko, the event is in collaboration with the Embassy of
Nigeria, Switzerland, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization
(NIDO) and Capital Bancorp Plc. He noted that the forum
which will be hosted as a side event to the 2015 World
Economic Forum (Davos), in Zurich, Switzerland, will provide a
platform for participants to constructively engage in capital
market issues and gain an in-depth understanding of capital
market investments options, challenges and opportunities.
Meanwhile, selloff in the Nigerian bourse continued yesterday
as the benchmark index closed negative to reverse the
marginal gain witnessed on Monday. The All Share Index (ASI)
dipped by 344.86 basis points to close at 29,889.86 points,
driving YTD losses to 13.8 per cent.
Similarly, market capitalization lost N114.2 billion to close at
N9.9 trillion. The drop according to analysts with Afrinvest
was on the back of the sell down witnessed in the Consumer
Goods and Banking stocks like Nigerian Breweries, GTBank ,
Nestle and Access .
Also, Market activity measured by volume and value traded
were not left out as investors exchanged a total of 307.9
million shares valued at N3.11 billion in 1,548 deals.

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NNPC denies N152bn expenses on refineries’ TAM

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has
described the recent report on its alleged expenditure on Turn
Around Maintenance (TAM) of local refineries as deliberate
distortion of facts and figures about its operations by
desperate vote-seeking politicians.
NNPC in a statement in Abuja Tuesday, signed by its
spokesman, Ohi Alegbe, noted that as a public entity with
fiduciary responsibility to the government and people of
Nigeria, the NNPC was focused on its mandate and would not
be distracted by the spate of politically inspired polemics
against its operations.
Specifically, Alegbe described as fiction the recent report
credited to some nondescript civil society organisations, fired
by an overheated imagination, alleging that the NNPC has
committed N152 billion to execute the TAM of four refineries
between 2011 to 2013.
He explained that though a decision was taken in 2011 to
rehabilitate all refineries using the Original Refinery Builder
(ORB) of each of the refineries, the corporation made a
recourse to a new strategy after the ORBs declined
participation and nominated some partners in their stead who
came up with outrageously unfavourable terms.
“The nominated partners, as sole bidders came up with
humongous price offers after two years of thorough and
exhaustive scope of work definition and price negotiations.
The proxies were also unwilling to provide post-rehabilitation
performance guarantees,” the NNPC said.
It noted that the new arrangement, which kicked off in October
2014, entails phased and simultaneous rehabilitation of all
refineries using in-house and locally available resources in line
with the spirit and letters of the Nigerian Content Law.
The strategy also embraces the direct use of Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) representatives to effect major
equipment overhaul and rehabilitation.
The NNPC said it is projected that the new strategy would
create 70 per cent reduction in costs, which would help in
mitigating the financing challenges of NNPC visa-a-vis
refinery rehabilitation.
“The phased rehabilitation programme started in October of
2014, after the required funding stream was established, and
will last for 18 months,” noted the corporation.
It hinted that over 60 per cent of TAM materials have been
delivered to Port Harcourt Refinery and installation of such
equipment and parts is in progress while material orders and
deliveries to Kaduna and Warri refineries are substantial and
sufficient to operate the production process.
The NNPC called on members of the public to discountenance
sensational comments about its operations being bandied
about by some desperate politicians who are bent on
achieving partisan political objectives.

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Aviation: NCAA suspends Discovery Air, warns against safetybreaches

Nigeria’s aviation sector regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA), says its recent audit on domestic airlines
has revealed severe breaches of safety regulations by some
operators necessitating the issuance of warning letters to
some and the suspension of the operating licence of one of
the airlines.
“In pursuit of our oversight responsibilities as stipulated by
law, the NCAA has lately carried out a review of the operations
of some domestic airlines,” said Sam Adurogboye,
spokesperson for the agency.
Past air crashes in Nigeria had been attributed to decisions or
errors on the part of pilots and airline owners to breach safety
processes in the pursuit of profits. And with recent harsh
weather conditions occasioned by the harmattan haze that
has stalled several scheduled flights coupled with other factors
like high cost of fuel, which have eroded the profitability of
airlines, strict enforcement of safety rules by the NCAA has
become inevitable to halt attempts by airlines to risk
passengers’ lives and fly under unfavourable safety conditions.
Adurogboye said the conclusion of the audit this week had led
to “letters of warning or suspension of Air Operator’s
Certificate (AOC) served on defaulters.”
“A case in point is an airline that failed to carry out certain
corrective actions within one week from January 1 – 7, 2015
as raised in an earlier letter to the operator.
“Consequent upon the inability to address the issues raised,
the NCAA in its letter dated January 8, 2015 to the operator
hereby suspends the Air Operator’s Certificate of Discovery
Airways Limited.
“The suspension takes effect from January 8, 2015, which was
the date of the letter conveying the notice. This order would
be in force pending the outcome of a comprehensive review of
the airlines operations to be carried out accordingly,”
Adurogboye added.
According to him, as much as it was not the desire of NCAA
to regulate any airline out of existence, the regulatory agency,
however, views any violation of safety regulations seriously.
Discovery Air commenced flight operations last year. The
NCAA has repeatedly raised fresh fears over the safety of
some airlines still plying domestic routes noting that some of
the airlines were defaulting in meeting staff basic salary
demands, a trend he said could weaken staff morale and
commitment as well as result in safety compromise.
“The moment an airline cannot meet its financial obligations,
it is believed that the staff morale will be down and this can
impact negatively on safety and security of its operations,”
said the NCAA.

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Nigeria needs $33bn to bridge infrastructure deficit –Minister

Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman, National
Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, has said
that the country needs about $33billion yearly to bridge its
infrastructure deficit.
The Minister made this known yesterday in Abuja at a media
workshop to promote and market the National integrated
Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP).
Recall that the Federal Government had on September 11,2014
unveiled a N485 trillion 30-year (2014-2043) infrastructure
master plan as a blue print for accelerated infrastructure in the
country which seeks to raise the stock of infrastructure from
the current level of 20 percent to 25 percent of the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) to at least 70 percent by 2043.
He stated that thereafter, the investment rate would further
increase to 7.9 percent of GDP by the period 2019-2023 and
remain above or close to 7 percent of GDP for the rest of the
30-year plan until 2043.
To achieve the dream, the Federal had said that it forged
alliances with Africa Infrastructure Summit Group (AISG) and
other key players in the public and private sectors. The
Minister explained that Nigeria would need to increase
investments in infrastructure from the current $10 billion
yearly to above $15.9 yearly and $51.1 billion in 2018.
The $33 billion investment figure according to the Minister is
to be deployed into the critical sectors of the economy over a
five-year period.
He stated that thereafter, the investment rate would further
increase to 7.9 percent of GDP by the period 2019-23 and
remain above or close to 7 percent of GDP for the rust of the
30-year plan until 2043.
The Minister said based on sector growth strategies, outcome
targets, and international benchmarks, the total investment of
about $3.0 trillion from 2014-2043 would comprise
investments in energy and transport.
Others include agriculture, water and mining and housing and
regional development
“The investment would be in accordance with socio-economic
priorities of each region, based on needs assessment.
Suleiman explained that the present administration adopted
integrated and all-inclusive approach to infrastructure delivery
as practiced in some other industrialized nations to
systematically facilitate and promote economic growth and
development.
In effect, government understood the NIIMP, in itself as a
source of massive job opportunity and wealth generation in a
manner that recognized equity as well as promotes poverty
reduction,” he said.

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Abuja in New Year: City gradually recovering after annualmigration

In spite of the austerity measures declared by the federal
government and non-payment of civil servant’s salary in
December, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) still experienced
haemorrhage of human and material resources, following the
exodus of Abuja residents to celebrate Christmas and New
Year outside the FCT.
At the end of last year, many Abuja residents left with their
furniture, electronics and foodstuffs to last them for a long
while. They fear that the elections of next month will be
smeared with bloodshed and so they are actually escaping
from danger.
Now, it’s almost two full weeks into the New Year, and after
the schools had resumed for business, the city seems
somehow less busy than it used to be. While some blame it
on the economy, others say the electioneering going on has
forced many politicians that live in Abuja and those that visit
here always to relocate to the other states where the action
holds.
To others, many residents are yet to return to Abuja because
they fear the elections might result in crises, and would not
want to take chances. Such therefore prefer to remain in their
states and towns and watch the situation. To such
circumspect residents, coming back to Abuja would only be
reasonable if the elections are over and there is no problem
arising from them.
During the migration
Another feature of last year’s Yuletide celebration was the
heavy security presence on the roads. Besides the usual
Nyanya and Kugbo roadblocks, other road blocks were created
near the Berger Roundabout, Utako, along the Awolowo
highway, Area 11, AYA Roundabout and other busy areas. This
made movement a bit slow and tortuous.
However, following the large movement of people out of the
city, some major roads were virtually empty with the result
that a journey from Mararaba to the city which usually took
three to four hours, because of traffic gridlock, rather lasted
some 15 minutes.
In other parts of the city, where there were no roadblocks, the
roads remained also empty, making movements very
pleasurable and free.
Transporters field-day
But at the bus terminals and stations, it is a different kettle of
fish as travellers swarmed the whole place in large crowds.
They were mainly those waiting for a vehicle to transport
them out of the city or stranded because of high transport
fares.
The transporters had cashed in on the desperation of
travellers to mindlessly hike their fares.
For instance, in the transport company’s office in Mararaba,
the journey to the eastern part of the country which usually
costs between N4,500 jumped to about N7,000.
However, travellers had to book their tickets days before the
travel date to get a seat.
One of the drivers of a mini-bus told Abuja Metro that they
hiked fares because of the scarcity of fuel.
“This morning I bought 30 litres of fuel at the black market for
N60,000 and I have to recover the money and still take care of
my family,” he said. In Kuje, the headquarters of Kuje Area
Council, despite the scores of residents that had travelled out
for Xmas, the town still bubbled with activities.
A visit to the Peace Mass Transit office, Kuje showed an influx
of people rushing to travel to various parts of the country.
The manager of the transport company, Mr Alex Ogbu told
Abuja Metro that compared to the previous year, much more
people really travelled.
Before the festive period, Ogbu disclosed that they usually
loaded not more than two vehicles going to various
destinations per day.
With the Yuletide, he said they dispatched at least five
busloads of passengers outside the FCT.
“Even when you don’t have money, is it not better for you to
look for money and go back to your people?” he asked.
In Kuje
Abuja Metro also visited the Kuje market, the only market in
the local government headquarters on Christmas Eve.
The situation was not different from the scene in the market
as many people from far and near thronged the market to
shop for the celebration.
Mrs Ngozi Anselm, one of the shoppers observed that the
market was busier than usual even after many had travelled
out of the city.
Besides, she informed Abuja Metro that austerity measure or
no austerity measure, people must come to the market to buy
dress for the children and ingredients for their sumptuous meal
for the season.
Compared to last Xmas, Mrs Anselm observed that prices of
commodities had gone up a little bit. This, she disclosed, may
be due to the naira devaluation by the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN).
Commenting on the observation on price increase, a mini
boutique operator in the market, Mr Patrick Okorie said it was
not absolutely true that traders jerked up prices of their
goods.
According to him, prices of items are fairly stable in the
market when compared with other markets in the Federal
Capital Territory.
“We all know that there is no money in the country at present
and so it will not be wise for any trader to moot the idea of
any price increase. It is not true at all,” he said.
At the Garki market
But at the Garki Market on the eve of the Yuletide, there were
heavy and frenetic transactions going Also, in Wuse Market,
the largest and busies shopping place in Abuja, there was a
large influx of people as shoppers besieged the entire space.
This invariably impacted on the cost of items. But the cost
was not different from what it was in Garki Market.
On Christmas Day proper, most churches in the city were
virtually empty, with very few worshipers. Whereas some
members had travelled, others were busy at home preparing
for the celebration.
The hospitality industry is the worst-hit. Most of them
recorded low patronage.
Up till now, those markets and traders that had hectic time
making brisk business for the festive periods of Christmas and
New Year seem a little bit idle as visits to the markets
indicate.
They are waiting for the year to pick up before normal
businesses resume. And with the delay in return of residents
due to the political reasons, they might wait longer and even
other activities in the city might not come at full swing until
the elections are out of the way.

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World of Abuja only lady car cleaner

In a world when women of easy virtues throw in every bait for
easy money from men, Esther Achibong is seriously engaged in
a business that seems unusual for ladies in Abuja.
She does not want to associate with lazying about but has
rather opted for a means of livelihood that looks unsuitable for
a lady. She is dutifully washing cars to make a living in the
heart of the city. No doubt, Esther has the looks that can
afford her attention among ladies but instead she feels the
best she could do with her flashy looks is an honourable
means of living. She did not get such job in an air-conditioned
environment but out in the sun and rain where she engages in
cleaning cars and gets paid for it. There are very few ladies
like Esther in Abuja; in fact, apart from her, it is not
commonplace to find lady car washers in the city, but she
doesn’t care standing alone for good and to satisfy her
intention of earning a reputable livelihood as she told Abuja
Metro that spotted her at her place of work in the highbrow
Utako District of the city.
According to her, she can square up with the men in the
business and because of her dexterity, the male customers
insist she must wash their cars.
But unfortunately, she doesn’t feel happy that some of the
men cash in on such opportunities to make advances to her.
Esther is the only female child in a family of six. As the first
child in the family, she has the part responsibility to cater for
the rest of her siblings.
A second year Economics student of the University of Abuja,
Esther said that she was introduced into the business by her
mentor when she got admission and there was nobody to pay
her bills.
The 25-year-old bright skinned lady from Akwa Ibom told her
full story.
Company
I work in a car wash and the name of my company is Royal
Machine Car Wash. I am in full employment, and came into
the business when I got admission to study Economics. I was
in dilemma over how to pay my school fees? I did not know
how to go about it. So, I started looking for a job. Somebody
introduced me to a carwash. At first it was not funny to me
how a woman can work in a carwash as the one actually
cleaning the car. But when there was no option I decided to
accept the offer. I tried it the first time in Wuse 2 at Ray Royal
Car Wash. I worked there as cashier, supervisor and a
manager. As times went on, I picked interest in it. That was
how I got into it. I did not go for training. I just watched them
do it and then picked interest. That was how I started
washing cars myself.
Do you have any relation doing this kind of job?
No. I don’t have any relation doing this kind of job.
How do you cope with men who work with you?
At first it was not easy. But when they got to see that I can
match them they decided to respect me. Some of the men
that work here are not educated. Some of them have not seen
the four walls of a classroom. Sometimes we fight and quarrel
and I am equal to the task. But we don’t break bottles. Just
the way mechanics do. I have also seen a female mechanic.
How do you cope with the tedious nature of car washing?
At the beginning it was hectic for me. But I am now used to
it. I don’t feel pains anymore. Even when I sustain injuries, I
don’t feel it. I can only feel it when I see the blood. After a
while I forget that there was blood. Usually, when you have an
injury anywhere, you might want to forget working. But I don’t
do that. You can see, I just had a cut.
How much can you make in a day?
It depends on the location of the business. Where we are now,
in a day you can make between N15,000 and N20,000, or even
more.
How much are you paid in a month?
Most people pay based on percentage of work one does, while
some have fixed monthly pay. Some of us here are on fixed
monthly wage.
What about you?
I am on fixed monthly salary.
What do you tell ladies that lazy about and refuse jobs like
the one you do?
Well, I will say for those ladies that hang around men to pick
their bills, that they will end up ruining themselves and their
future. All that glitters is not gold. In any situation you find
yourself you try to do something tangible; something that will
earn you respect.
How do you feel when your course-mates see you washing
cars for a living?
My friends know what I do and when they see me they laugh
and some ask what I am actually doing in this kind of job. I
will just laugh with them as well. I don’t give a damn. This is
my job. This is what I do for a living and to pay my bills. They
also do one thing or the other to pay their bills. It is about
individual choices.
How do you pick your bills with such meagre pay?
I pick my bills through monthly contribution of N10,000 or
N5,000. We are about 10 and in a month somebody will pick
some N50,000. So, if you calculate N10,000 into 10 places,
you will have N100,000 in a month. That will pay bills and I
don’t need to be begging somebody for money. I also pay my
school fees by instalments and buy my books and hand-outs.
I might not have all the books but I try to have the major
ones.
What is your position here at the carwash?
I am a manager in the company and also a cashier. I also
wash.
Does it affect your studies?
Not necessarily because I am on part-time programme. My
course work or lectures hold on Fridays and Saturdays and
most times I read at night. I don’t feel tired after the day’s
job. However, it was at the initial time I felt the impact on
physical ability. It is just like being a cashier in a bank. They
are the last to close because they have to balance the
accounts and the next morning they are at their desk. You will
feel that they cannot cope but they are always the first to
resume the following day.
What kind of man do you want to marry?
An industrious man, of course. I hate lazy men.
Do you have affairs?
Because I work in a car wash and wash men’s cars, I find
myself in a situation where so many men want to take
advantage of my situation to want to have affairs with me. I
cannot allow myself to be so cheap.
Do you have a relationship?
No. I don’t have a relationship. But I have customers that
admire me. Even if their car is not dirty they want to come
and wash them. And when they come they will want me to
personally wash the car. But when I tell one of the boys to
wash, they get angry. Then I will wash the car myself to keep
a business relationship.
What qualities in a man are you expecting?
The man should educated, honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Family
My parents are in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and I am the first
and only girl among my siblings.
How do you handle men’s advances?
That was one prayer I prayed to God to help me control. A
woman should have self-control. I prayed to God to help me
so that I will not misbehave so that I should not be jumping
from one man to another. God has actually answered my
prayers.

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World of Abuja only lady car cleaner

In a world when women of easy virtues throw in every bait for
easy money from men, Esther Achibong is seriously engaged in
a business that seems unusual for ladies in Abuja.
She does not want to associate with lazying about but has
rather opted for a means of livelihood that looks unsuitable for
a lady. She is dutifully washing cars to make a living in the
heart of the city. No doubt, Esther has the looks that can
afford her attention among ladies but instead she feels the
best she could do with her flashy looks is an honourable
means of living. She did not get such job in an air-conditioned
environment but out in the sun and rain where she engages in
cleaning cars and gets paid for it. There are very few ladies
like Esther in Abuja; in fact, apart from her, it is not
commonplace to find lady car washers in the city, but she
doesn’t care standing alone for good and to satisfy her
intention of earning a reputable livelihood as she told Abuja
Metro that spotted her at her place of work in the highbrow
Utako District of the city.
According to her, she can square up with the men in the
business and because of her dexterity, the male customers
insist she must wash their cars.
But unfortunately, she doesn’t feel happy that some of the
men cash in on such opportunities to make advances to her.
Esther is the only female child in a family of six. As the first
child in the family, she has the part responsibility to cater for
the rest of her siblings.
A second year Economics student of the University of Abuja,
Esther said that she was introduced into the business by her
mentor when she got admission and there was nobody to pay
her bills.
The 25-year-old bright skinned lady from Akwa Ibom told her
full story.
Company
I work in a car wash and the name of my company is Royal
Machine Car Wash. I am in full employment, and came into
the business when I got admission to study Economics. I was
in dilemma over how to pay my school fees? I did not know
how to go about it. So, I started looking for a job. Somebody
introduced me to a carwash. At first it was not funny to me
how a woman can work in a carwash as the one actually
cleaning the car. But when there was no option I decided to
accept the offer. I tried it the first time in Wuse 2 at Ray Royal
Car Wash. I worked there as cashier, supervisor and a
manager. As times went on, I picked interest in it. That was
how I got into it. I did not go for training. I just watched them
do it and then picked interest. That was how I started
washing cars myself.
Do you have any relation doing this kind of job?
No. I don’t have any relation doing this kind of job.
How do you cope with men who work with you?
At first it was not easy. But when they got to see that I can
match them they decided to respect me. Some of the men
that work here are not educated. Some of them have not seen
the four walls of a classroom. Sometimes we fight and quarrel
and I am equal to the task. But we don’t break bottles. Just
the way mechanics do. I have also seen a female mechanic.
How do you cope with the tedious nature of car washing?
At the beginning it was hectic for me. But I am now used to
it. I don’t feel pains anymore. Even when I sustain injuries, I
don’t feel it. I can only feel it when I see the blood. After a
while I forget that there was blood. Usually, when you have an
injury anywhere, you might want to forget working. But I don’t
do that. You can see, I just had a cut.
How much can you make in a day?
It depends on the location of the business. Where we are now,
in a day you can make between N15,000 and N20,000, or even
more.
How much are you paid in a month?
Most people pay based on percentage of work one does, while
some have fixed monthly pay. Some of us here are on fixed
monthly wage.
What about you?
I am on fixed monthly salary.
What do you tell ladies that lazy about and refuse jobs like
the one you do?
Well, I will say for those ladies that hang around men to pick
their bills, that they will end up ruining themselves and their
future. All that glitters is not gold. In any situation you find
yourself you try to do something tangible; something that will
earn you respect.
How do you feel when your course-mates see you washing
cars for a living?
My friends know what I do and when they see me they laugh
and some ask what I am actually doing in this kind of job. I
will just laugh with them as well. I don’t give a damn. This is
my job. This is what I do for a living and to pay my bills. They
also do one thing or the other to pay their bills. It is about
individual choices.
How do you pick your bills with such meagre pay?
I pick my bills through monthly contribution of N10,000 or
N5,000. We are about 10 and in a month somebody will pick
some N50,000. So, if you calculate N10,000 into 10 places,
you will have N100,000 in a month. That will pay bills and I
don’t need to be begging somebody for money. I also pay my
school fees by instalments and buy my books and hand-outs.
I might not have all the books but I try to have the major
ones.
What is your position here at the carwash?
I am a manager in the company and also a cashier. I also
wash.
Does it affect your studies?
Not necessarily because I am on part-time programme. My
course work or lectures hold on Fridays and Saturdays and
most times I read at night. I don’t feel tired after the day’s
job. However, it was at the initial time I felt the impact on
physical ability. It is just like being a cashier in a bank. They
are the last to close because they have to balance the
accounts and the next morning they are at their desk. You will
feel that they cannot cope but they are always the first to
resume the following day.
What kind of man do you want to marry?
An industrious man, of course. I hate lazy men.
Do you have affairs?
Because I work in a car wash and wash men’s cars, I find
myself in a situation where so many men want to take
advantage of my situation to want to have affairs with me. I
cannot allow myself to be so cheap.
Do you have a relationship?
No. I don’t have a relationship. But I have customers that
admire me. Even if their car is not dirty they want to come
and wash them. And when they come they will want me to
personally wash the car. But when I tell one of the boys to
wash, they get angry. Then I will wash the car myself to keep
a business relationship.
What qualities in a man are you expecting?
The man should educated, honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Family
My parents are in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and I am the first
and only girl among my siblings.
How do you handle men’s advances?
That was one prayer I prayed to God to help me control. A
woman should have self-control. I prayed to God to help me
so that I will not misbehave so that I should not be jumping
from one man to another. God has actually answered my
prayers.

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No apologies, Nigeria will be on fire if APC is rigged out –Moghalu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Auditor, George
Moghalu, has at various times occupied top positions like the
National Secretary and the vice chairman of the now merged
ANPP.
He, from experience, has become a political force in the
opposition camp and speaking to Abuja Metro recently, he
delved into issues, concerning the coming elections, warning
of an impending doom should there be any attempt to rig out
APC.
He said it would not be out of place for the Southeast to
produce the next Senate President should Gen. Buhari emerge
President of Nigeria after the 2015 presidential election.
He also revealed APC’s antidote to the over N21 billion
campaign war-chest of the PDP, noting that his party had
enough campaign fund from the ordinary Nigerians on the
streets, who will willingly support the Buhari/Osibanjo
presidency with N1000 .
INEC readiness
We are very ready. I want to comfortably and confidently say
that APC is very ready for the general election. From the
outcome of our primaries that produced the candidates, we
didn’t have much issues.
However, we are not losing sight of the fact that we are
dealing with people’s ambition and as such should not expect
it to be totally smooth. It was a dynamic situation but in all
these, so long as we were seen to be fair and credible in the
conduct of the primaries, it is easier to get the loser and
winner to understand the circumstance.
This is exactly what we are doing – making explanations
where necessary, but following strictly the guideline we put in
place before the primaries. I can conveniently tell you that we
don’t have many problems.
Buhari, a big threat
It is wrong to compare oranges and apples because Gen
Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan are two
different persons. We are bringing a man whose selling point
is credibility, integrity and if there is anything Nigeria needs
now, it is such firm character with quality as his watchword.
Buhari is very experienced and confirmed even by his enemies
to be corruption free. It is wrong to say that his age will
count against him because we are not talking about
bricklaying at Aso Rock or work in a quarry site. We are
talking about intelligence, mental and physical capacity of a
retired soldier.
As far as I am concerned, age is not an issue because Buhari
is only 72 years. We have also complemented him with a vice
president candidate who is under 60 years.
We were cautious and took our time in choosing his running
mate because we want to follow the democratic process. We
are not like others that just wake up and make an
announcement. We embarked on wide consultations, involved
everybody, made everybody accept and ensure that
everybody’s interest is taken into account.
It is ridiculous to hear the argument that Oshibanjo, a
professor of law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), an author
of many books on jurisprudence, a former attorney-General of
a state, who turned around the justice system in Lagos State
lacks the political clout to be the vice president. I wonder
what other credentials he should have for us to accord him
the respect he deserves.
Why not Chibuike Amechi
Yes, I agree with you that Governor Chibuike Amaechi
credentials made him a super candidate for the position, but
we must also agree that Prof. Osinbajo is equally a man with
intimidating credentials. There is no doubt they are both
qualified for the position just like other candidates in the
South-South, South East and South West.
Governor Oshiomole and our national chairman are both
qualified to be the vice president. The pendulum equally
swung towards South East with names like Dr Ogbonnaya
Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige and don’t also
forget that I am qualified to occupy that position just like
Senator Osita Izunazor.
We have to look at the political calculations and resolved that
our fortunes will be better zoning the position to the South
West. Osinbajo emerged after wide consultations through a
democratic process.
PDP N21b campaigns fund
It is good for Nigerians to now make objective assessment. If
PDP could raise that money, they could have channelled it to
fix many of the challenging infrastructure problems. Our prayer
is that they should bring out the money so that it could
probably better the economy so that Nigerians can have some
money in their pockets.
We encourage people to collect the money from PDP but
should not sell their conscience. Our only fear is that it is
monetising the polity. For your information, we don’t need to
match the financial muscle of the PDP to win the election
because it is about the people.
We are going to use the people to match them. They can raise
all the money for campaign after all they are controlling the
national resources. Let me tell you that the ordinary person on
the streets of Nigeria fund APC political campaign. By the
time millions of Nigerians contribute N1000 to APC campaign,
we will have over N1 billion. I want to tell you that many
Nigerians are willing because they desire change.
Nigerians clamouring for change have invested in the Buhari/
Osinbajo ticket and I want assure you that you will soon see
people’s reaction. We have been weighing comments by
Nigerians, we have been consulting widely and we know the
responses we getting.
The response Nigerians give to the ticket still surprises
doubters. The money required for the election will certainly
come out. People are willing to invest because it is our
collective project. We are not going to monetise the polity.
Odds against Buhari
I don’t think anything will work against Buhari. I think his
emergence came at the right time because this is the time
Nigerians need him to change things. He will introduce a new
vista and take Nigeria to the next level instead of the situation
we are facing now where Nigeria is collapsing in our hands.
Challenges of PVC
We share the same worry with other Nigerians and we have
been calling on INEC to ensure that people get their PVCs. On
our part, we have started educating the people. As party
policy, we send people to encourage people to go for their
PVCs. We cannot fight INEC but we want to make them
understand that it is their responsibility to ensure maximum
participation by issuing the PVCs to people as the only way
they can vote. We challenge INEC to do more in living up to
its response.
The challenge of providing conducive environment rests on
INEC and it cannot afford to disenfranchise anybody, destroy
the morality process or seen to be partisan.
APC dead in Anambra
I don’t think so and it is a wrong assumption because a party
with a sitting senator cannot be dead. A party where
candidates are clamouring to buy nomination forms to contest
for all the positions cannot be dead. The chances of the party
winning some positions are very great.
Let me emphasis that Nigerians want change now because
they want to try another since there was no improvement in
the 16-year old business. Anambra is part of Nigeria that
desires change. Let me say equivocally that APC is going to
do well in the South East and I we will prove that after the
election. We are going to do extremely well because we have a
workable manifesto.
Okorocha and governorship ticket
Those faulting it were doing so because of lack of information.
He is a performing governor who desired to be the president of
Nigeria and subjected himself to the democratic protocols by
running for the primaries.
He made a sacrifice for the South East by running for the
presidency because we wanted it established that we don’t
just have a stake but also major stakeholders in APC. He
contested in full steam with our full support, endorsement and
encouragement of the South East.
While it was going on, the time for Imo governorship primaries
came up, somebody contested, returned but later changed his
mind on running again which automatically created a vacuum
and we impressed on Governor Okorocha to go back and pick
the ticket.
South East fate in APC govt
There is a lot to compensate the South East because it is not
about the presidency and his deputy. The senate president
and speaker of the House of Representatives must come from
somewhere apart from the ministers and chief of staff. In the
spirit of equity in federal character, it will not be out of place
to zone the senate president to the South East. There is
nothing wrong with our getting that position or even the
Speaker.
Fears for the election
My biggest fear is the ability of INEC and the security
agencies to be honest with themselves and manage the
election the way it should be. They must live up to their
responsibilities. They must see Nigeria beyond their own
personal interest. They should not do anything with the
intention to muddle up the process because Nigerians are
better informed now.
The only way they can avoid the hostile reactions of the
people is by doing things right. My prayer is for INEC to avoid
any problem by playing according to the rules and create a
level playing field for credible, free and fair elections. The
security agencies should not see themselves as greater than
anybody.
Let me warn that the party has no apology over our stand
that Nigeria will be on fire if APC loses in an undemocratic
election. APC will be happy to lose in a free, fair and credible
election process but we have also warned that we will resist
any attempt to rig the election and we have no apologies for
saying so.
Let the will of Nigerians be allowed to stand. If Nigerians say
they don’t want APC, so be it but if they want APC, allow
their decision to stand. We have common objective to give
Nigerians alternative government.
A two-party state
There is actually nothing wrong about it because it is the
trend in every strong democracy in the world. They always end
up having two strong parties. However, it does not mean that
there are only two parties in Nigeria. Others are there to
either contest or endorse candidates for any of the major
parties.
My appeal to Nigerians is that they should give us a chance
because if they have tried a particular product for 16 years
and it is not working, the only option is to try the alternative
and APC is that alternative.

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Soon, only billionaires will vie for Nigeria’s presidency —OluFalae

Samuel Oluyemisi Falae, CFR, fondly called Olu Falae, in every
consideration is ably qualified to be described as outstanding
politician. Apart from working with former military president,
General Ibrahim Babangida, as Secretary to the Federal
Government, his active political participation even as a
presidential candidate stood him head and shoulder above his
pals.
When Abuja Metro spoke with him recently, he bared his mind
on a wide range of issues, especially his fears for next
month’s elections and the factors that may shape them,
lamenting that should we continue the way we are going, only
billionaires and the super-rich would contest for the
presidential position in future.
INEC, stakeholders’ readiness
I think we are working at it but unless you are involved you
cannot appreciate what is involved. Various parties have
candidates for various offices, a man or woman may be willing
to contest the election but consultations are very necessary.
The candidate must consult with the supporters, the family,
the party and other interests.
INEC does not just press button and a candidate will come
out. It is a human and major thing for most people because it
requires wide range of consultations to carry families along. I
suppose this are some of the reasons for the delay and
uncertainties we must experience.
There are people who belong to certain parties who, thinking
that they will not win in that party, try a romance with another
party as a means of hedging their options. As far as my own
party is concerned, we are coping.
On the utterances of the politicians, I expect all kinds of
statements from them because politics is made of millions of
persons with different backgrounds, education, world view. It
is natural and they are not different from the rest of Nigerians.
They are subset of the Nigeria universal set. However, one
would expect that anybody aspiring for position of authority
ought to control the way he expresses his views. They should
bear in mind that whatever you say is important to many
people and influences them too. There should be constraint
and restraint in the utterances of the politicians
SDP’s no presidential candidate
I said that I was not going to contest because of my age but
the other factor of supporting a more vibrant candidate could
be implied from what I said. That I am not running does not
mean that I am not vibrant. Mentally and physically I am as
astute, cognitive and vibrant as I was 20 years ago.
I recall saying that if anybody wants to contest in my party,
we will nominate him. But, the reality on ground is that
nobody actually indicated interest in running. The truth is that
the position of presidency is intimidating.
To run for that position, I don’t know how many billions of
naira I needed and how many people can muster even one
billion naira to run for president. Among those who can
muster it, how many of them are ready to risk or gamble it.
These are some of the constraints. It is not that people are
not interested but they don’t know how to go about it. The
truth is that the conditions and position are intimidating. If we
continue like this, very soon, only the super-rich will dare to
run for the office of president
Election challenges
Let us not begin to dissipate energy on what will or will not
happen, but I would want to think that INEC has learnt its
lessons from its past efforts and mistakes. I am very sure it is
going to improve on what it did in the past.
However, let me say that the concern I have is the palpable
desperation of the politicians in the air. For some, it is as if
the world will come to an end if they don’t win this election.
This is what frightens and worries me. I was not this
desperate when I ran for president.
Yes, I wanted to win and I thought I will do some things if I
win, but honestly there was no desperation like this. Even
after the election was rigged, I addressed a joint forum of AD,
APP in Abuja and they were rearing to go to turn the country
upside down but I told them that I had come to politics to
help improve the state of the nation not to worsen it.
I discouraged them from doing anything untoward that will
lead to loss of lives and property because it will be complete
denial of my purpose in politics. I told them that I will have no
part in anything outside the law.
Yes, I lost a lot of support because of that decision but I did
exactly what my conscience told me to do. I have no regret
over what I did since then. I don’t understand why people
should be desperate if their purpose is to serve.
There should be some relief after that initial disappointment.
You will even thank God that this burden is over. Sometimes it
becomes a relief somebody has taken from you especially as
you will work 22 hours daily. You will be in a position
responsible for every major problem in the country.
When I was in government, if there was a disaster anywhere in
the country that would be the end of my day because I would
rush to the president to know what we will do about it and
before we finish another one will happen. So, you should thank
God quietly in your heart for sparing you that kind of burden if
really serving is your objective.
Possibility of endorsing a presidential candidate
SDP is a very democratic party and that is why we are
different from others. I cannot commit the party without due
consultation. When the process comes to an end, we will call
a meeting of the organs of the party to discuss the matter and
decide what to do.
When we were in DPA, we held a meeting, weighed the options
on whether we want to participate or not. At the end of the
day, we endorsed a candidate and invite him to our convention
to address us.
Retiring from politics
There should be no retirement for those that are not appointed
into office. If there is no appointment, there will also be no
retirement date. It is only when you have an appointment
letter that you think of retirement.
The natural process is to retire only the day you die. A
German Chancellor was in office until 84 years, Winston
Churchill continued until he was 82 years, Obafemi Awolowo
lasted until he was 79 it was same for Ajasin who continued
till he was 89 years.
There are three professions you don’t retire from. One of them
is politics because it is people’s business. As long as you
remain articulate, think and talk you will remain relevant and
participate just that the rule will vary overtime.
I was running around to become president but today even as I
am not doing so, I am playing a role in politics. I can easily
play some advisory roles to the younger people, meaning that
I am still in politics.
Secondly, as a farmer, you will never retire from the farm and
as long as you can stagger to the farm to see what the boys
are doing, you are a farmer. My father did that until he died in
1986.
Another profession from which you don’t need to retire is the
traditional ruler role.
The Yoruba will say that, it is only death that deposes the
king. By the way, I am involved in the three. That is why I am
likely to die of overwork not idleness.

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2015: I’ll break 2nd term jinx in Oyo, says Ajimobi

Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, the Governor of Oyo State, is
also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), for the February 28 election.
In an interview with journalists in Ibadan at the weekend, he
expressed confidence that he would win the election and
break the so- called second term jinx in the state.
Exerpts :
Don’t you think that defection of some chieftains of your
party to other parties can affect your electoral fortune next
months?
Some chieftains of other parties are also defecting to us. You
know, this game is people come, people go. It is a game of
the office remains. But on a more serious note, if you assess
those who have defected, I don’t want to mention names, they
are looking for greener pastures. Some want to be governor
and since they cannot get it in this party, they go to other
parties. And when they got there and they discovered they
couldn’t get it again, they settled for what they could be. It is
just that some cannot come back. But I am wondering
whether it is worth going there.
Don’t you see them as threat to your victory?
If we begin to assess them, I believe to you outsiders, they
pose serious threat to us. However, I don’t see the threat.
When some of them came, we were in the progressives when
they came. Who did they bring? And when they left, who did
they leave with? As far as we are concerned, elections are
coming and we will see the results. But as far as I am
concerned, we have done our own work and we don’t see the
threat they are posing.
Are you comfortable about the second term jinx in Oyo State?
No, there is no jinx here. Awolowo did two terms in the
Western Region. And since Oyo was created, nobody has done
two terms. Since Nigeria was created, no Jonathan has
become president. But now, one Jonathan became president.
Since I was born, I never became governor. Now, I became
governor. None of my family members has become governor. I
became the first one. I don’t believe there is any jinx. I think it
was just one man – Chief Dejo Raimi, that said it that, no,
people don’t do two terms in Oyo State. And that is why we
are not developing. Our development is not consistent. Lagos
State is developing today because there is consistency of
good governance. And I honestly believe in Oyo State that I
am going to break that jinx. I just believe it. And you can see
how. With what we have done, Oyo people are very intelligent,
they have seen through our detractors’ propaganda. People
will say a lot of things but I don’t have any doubt of winning
second term.
The only thing we are competing with is rigging. I honestly
believe that, the major party that is our major contender has
been divided into four. Two, I have contested election three
times. I won the three, I was denied one. And in the result of
the one that I was denied, the number of votes was more than
the number of voters. So, what we are saying is that, all
things being equal, and all things are never equal, I honestly
believe that, if INEC provides a level playground, which I hope
they will, with the integrity of Professor Jaga there, and all of
the INEC officials, I will win. Let me add before I forget. You
asked why am I sure we are going to win? It is because the
people competing with us, we have x-rayed them. For
instance, one of the former governors refunded N500m to
EFCC. Is that one still going to be governor? The money they
refunded is the one we are using to build schools. It is only in
Nigeria that people with questionable character, people that
have been accused, people that are yet to clear their names,
people that have cases with security agencies, still have the
audacity to come and campaign? You know there is integrity
question. But, this is Nigeria, everything is possible. So,
coming to the issue of people decamping from us. a lot of
people are decamping to us. People with huge supporters. Let
me keep their names. Just be on the lookout in the next one
week. They have met us, they have discussed with us. We
have sealed it up. They have more followership. And let me
say that, sometimes, the media help politicians to feel bigger
than they are. You are very good at helping us to feel bigger
than we are.
Are you not afraid that having many contestants can affect
your votes negatively?
Like in all contests, we are many. But the beauty of it is that
some of us already have track record that people can
reference for. Of the so called prominent contenders, we have
three that have been in public service. Of those three, we have
two that have been governor before. And we have one that
has been a Senator, and a Senate Leader. I think if we look at
the track record of each and every one of us, you can safely
say that the assessment of each of us is easier than
somebody who has not been in public service. And I believe
that, the record of the former governors-the two of them, are
there to compare with mine. And when you look at those
records, whether in the areas of social infrastructure, physical
infrastructure, peace safety, and security, which I consider to
be the foundation for a meaningful development in any state
or in any nation, you will discover that we stand out. The
government of APC headed by Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is
synonymous with peace and security in the state. And you can
see that in the last few years-eight, nine years, before we
came in, Oyo State was known as a state of brigandage,
violence. But today, the record ,even as highlighted by security
agencies, and in particular published by the police, confirmed
that Oyo State is safer, more secured and more peaceful.
Murder cases have gone than considerably. Apart from murder
cases, we have established agencies that support the security
agencies. We have what we call Operation Burst, where we
have been able to give Police and bring together all security
agencies-Police, army, DSS, Imigration, Civil Defence, all of
them, and we have supported them with equipment like
vehicles, bullet proof vest, to ensure that Oyo State is very
safe for the people.
So, the foundation of our administration is safety and security
of life and property. And I need to say that comparatively, we
are far ahead in safety, peace and security than any of these
previous governments. And statistics are there to see. For
instance, murder cases, prior to 2011/2012 was recorded at
about 84. In Oyo State in the last three years, it has come
down to about four. Armed robbery cases were about 48. And
since we came in, it has reduced to less than five. Kidnapping
and so on, only one was recorded in Oyo State since the
beginning of our administration. So, the statistics also support
the fact that, Oyo State is now one of the safest, and most
peaceful in Nigeria. So, that is the area of safety and security.
I believe that if you look at other parameters like social
infrastructure, social infrastructure meaning education, water,
energy in general, we have done better than previous
administrations. And again, the statistics are there. For
instance, before we came in, Asejire Dam, Eleyele Waterworks,
were all producing less than 10 percent capacity. Today as I
am talking to you, we are producing about 80 percent, which,
of course, resulted to more water to drink. We have repaired
and rehabilitated many waterworks. Oke Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo
and others. So, in terms of provision of water, we have done a
lot better than previous administrations.
What then can you say about the allegation that you left out
Oke Ogun axis in your development efforts?
It is all politics. This government has developed more zones
than any other zones before us. One, there was no
government that has dualised all the entry points into major
cities than this government. When we came in, for the first
time, the entry into Ibadan, we dualised it. That is Challenge
axis. One going to Adelabu Market to Orita. We have dualised
more roads than any other government before us. Two, when
we leave Ibadan, we now go to Ogbomoso. Ogbomoso has
never had a dualised road. It is this government that is giving
them dualised road. Not only that, Ogbomoso Town Hall, it is
this government that has built it for them. They used to have
a Lord Lugard town hall. Today, they have a modern type of
hall in Ogbomoso. Now, if you leave Ogbomoso, you go to Oke
Ogun. The zone has Oke Ogun 1 and Okeogun 2. Iseyin is the
entry point to Oke Ogun. They have never had dualised road.
My administration introduced the dualised road. The best
NYSC camp in Nigeria was built by us. It is in Iseyin. And
when you look at education, all their satellite campuses, we
have now upgraded them to full fledged polytechnics. What
does that means? Education has a multiplier effect on
development. There are cities and counties in the United
States that they are called university towns, where once you
put them there, development will spring up. So, when you talk
of Oke Ogun, we have done that. We have given them schools,
we have given them roads. It is not only dualised roads. It is
about 15 roads. And I can list them. We have Saki road, Out
Alaga road, Itesiwaju road, Saki West and so on. We have just
awarded contract for Saki/Polythechnic/Bariba road
dualisation despite the one we have done in Iseyin.
More importantly, for Oke Ogun, we believe that more than
anybody else, we have developed their roads.
Oyo town too has never had any dualised road before. Our
own is the first one we are doing. And the whole town is very
happy with us. We have given Oke Ogun waterworks. We are
even doing Radio Station at Atiba, Oyo. I want to know, which
other government that has done these in terms of development
for that zone. We took it zone by zone and I challenge
anybody to tell us which government has ever dualised their
roads.

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2015: PDP sure of Enugu State

At the beginning of every year, Igwe Patrick Eze gives what he
calls his “New Year message” to his people in particular and
Nigerians in general on a number of issues bordering on peace,
development and progress of the country. The traditional ruler
of Egali Amalla in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu
State and patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged Nigerians not to
engage in violence this election year. He called on all to allow
their votes count rather than bloodshed. “Let other states take
a cue from Enugu State because in Enugu and Nigeria, votes
will flow for Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and President Goodluck
Jonathan,” he said. He spoke on the role of men of God and
what the people expect from them at this point in time.
From all indications all is now set for an Nsukka governor in
Enugu State. How do you feel about it?
I feel happy and believe every Nuskka person is equally happy.
I want to thank Governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime and the
stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the
state who made the promise to zone the governorship ticket
to Nsukka on the principle of power rotation. The Governor
and the stakeholders felt that Enugu East and West senatorial
zones have taken their shares of the seat with Dr Chimaroke
Nnamani 1999-2007 for Enugu East and Barr Sullivan
2007-2015 for Enugu West and therefore Enugu North zone,
that is Nsukka has the next turn. The governor in particular
stuck his neck to it and the entire people of Enugu State are
in full support of the development.
When Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was announced as the candidate
of the PDP, political leaders from other zones threw their
weights behind him immediately and we are very happy about
it.
What has happened in Enugu as regard zoning and rotation of
power is something that I wish to recommend for other states
across the country because it gives chance for peace and
stability of the polity and of course makes democracy to
thrive. I’m sure that it will interest people from other places
across the country to hear that on this electioneering season,
the political atmosphere in Enugu is so peaceful and very
conducive ahead of next month’s election. People are calm
and happy and are going about with campaigns because they
have seen the handwriting on the wall on the direction to
take.
Nsukka Governor: What are your expectations?
What I know is that God doesn’t sleep and to my observations
God has been so kind to the people of Enugu through
Governor Chime. Hon Ugwuanyi who is running to succeed
Chime has the full support of the good people of the state.
The voice of the people is the voice of God. Ugwuanyi is
somebody I know from childhood. I believe that if Ugwuanyi,
who is popularly called gburugburu eventually becomes
governor, he will not disappoint.
As a member of the Federal House of Representative
representing Igbo North/Udenu Federal Constituency he didn’t
disappoint the people of his constituency and that was the
reason why he was elected three times consecutively – 2003,
2007 and 2011. As governor, he has to deliver service of good
governance knowing fully well that his predecessor left a huge
legacy of good governance behind. He will try as much as
possible to carry out pro people projects capable to make
positive impact on the lives of the people. Chime built high
standard roads cloistered with streetlights. The construction
of Nike – Opi – Nsukka road is a piece of development. Not
only that it made things easy for commuters who shuttle
Nsukka to and from Enugu regularly, but it also opened the
gate for development in that area and before you know it
people will build houses, industries, market, filling stations and
so on. Chime sanitized the city of Enugu with modern
transport system by banning okada, which constituted
nuisance to the city. Chime affected a turn around in the lives
of the traditional rulers by increasing our salary and issued us
with brand new cars, Chime improved on security and the
Inspector General of Police declared Enugu the most crime free
state in Nigeria, a gigantic state secretariat complex is
ongoing and many other things he did to better the lives of
the people. Ugwuanyi has been on the ground with the people
and I’m sure that he will touch our lives in terms of service
delivery.
As a patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, how would you react to the
opposition raised by some Igbo leaders against the move by
Ohanaeze to endorse Jonathan for second term?
Ohanaeze is the umbrella body that holds the entire Igbo
nation together, including those living across the bridge in
Niger Delta, We are in a democracy, so if the majority of
Ohanaeze say Ndigbo is for Jonathan, the minority will have
to surrender or even queue behind because, sometimes, if you
cannot beat them you join them.
What is your take on Mbaka’s message that Jonathan must
go?
I laugh at some men of God. Every human being is of God
because He created us. I wonder why Mbaka’s name should
sound like something else. Anyway, I blame the First Lady,
Dame Patience Jonathan and Senator Ike Ekweremadu who
visited his Church in the first place. You know Mbaka is
always buying property. So when you visit his Church he will
pray and bless you and along the line expect something from
you. And according to him (Mbaka) after two weeks of First
lady and Ekweremadu’s visit during which he prayed and
blessed them including President Jonathan, he called them on
phone severally expecting some thing tangible, but they did
not answer his calls and nothing came his way, so he decided
to fire back.
During Chimaroke Nnamani’s regime he predicted that if
Chimaroke wins reelection he would remove his suntan. But
when Chimaroke retained the seat he didn’t keep his words.
Why couldn’t he remove his suntan? During the time when Dr
Okwesilieze Nwodo was the National Chairman of PDP he
preached a message tilted: Nsukka Ndo nu, meaning Nsukka
sorry, insulting thousands of Nsukka people who always troop
to his Adoration prayer like sheep and nobody got what he
actually meant by that message. After the so-called New Year
message people rumored that he has mental problem but I
don’t see it that way. I think he is craving for recognition.
They talked about the experiment he did with four pigeons
which he was commanding to fly out and all that. Such things
don’t move people like me because to me, it is like people
making attempt to do magic.
It is here in Nigeria you see men of God who can see
something that will happen in foreign countries ahead of time,
predict something that will happen in the air and inside the
sea but they cannot see that their church will collapse and kill
innocent people in Lagos.
We expect men in suntan to preach the message of
repentance and pray for the people and the Nation rather than
delve into politics to gain cheap recognition.
New Year Message
We thank God that at the long run 2015 is here. Nigerians
started laying emphasis on 2015 about two years ago and
since then it has been ringing like a bell just because it is an
election year and finally it has arrived. My message is that
people of this country particularly politicians and their
followers especially the youths have to use their tongue to
count their teeth while we prepare for the forthcoming
elections next month. Using tongue to count teeth is a wise
act of being cautious and so politicians should just do that
and avoid causing trouble capable of breaching law and order
or even threaten the unity of this country. The elections –
from Presidency, governorship, down to National Assembly and
state Assembly respectively – should not be a do-or-die
affair. Power belongs to God and nobody should attempt to
force himself into power without the approval of God.
We have waited so long for this election period and we have
to go about it with utmost believe that God is the ultimate
decider of who gets into power, so if you fail to make it, you
wait for God’s appointed time and avoid causing trouble. This
is the 16th year of democracy in this country and we are
expected to show maturity and competence by showing to the
world that we have grown. The entire world has beamed
searchlight on us to see how well we can go in running free,
fair and credible elections. And as giant of Africa with 16
years of experience we cannot afford to disappoint the world.
How are you preparing the people of your community ahead
of the election?
INEC is distributing permanent voter card and I have mandate
all eligible voters to go and get it at the local government
headquarters in Obollo Afor so that they should be able to
vote. Secondly, everybody should vote according to his or her
mind and defend it by waiting at their booths until the votes
are counted. Let me use this opportunity to extent the same
messages to all eligible voters in the country and also beg the
youths to avoid being used by desperate politicians to cause
trouble during election because that will certainly endanger
their future.

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Lagos: Ambode preaches government with human face

Last weekend was an eventful one for the governorship
candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos
State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, as he took time to spread his
manifesto to the nook and cranny of the state. During the
tour, he made it a point of duty to reiterate the core reason
for putting himself forward for the highest job in Lagos State-
service to humanity.
In his strategic and relentless campaign across different areas
of the state, he reassured supporters and stakeholders on this
‘service to humanity mantra,’ just as he wooed undecided
voters that he is in the race to serve and lead by example.
Ambode reasoned that Lagos had witnessed a record of
excellent service in the past 15 years and that the more than
17 million people living and working in this Africa’s largest
city-state “deserve a tested hand who will continue in that
tradition of excellence.”
His words: “The governor that Lagos State deserves at this
period of our continued growth and development is a man
with a track record of performance and excellence. A man who
is tested, who understands governance and is an experienced
administrator, who will not experiment with the resources and
growth template of this state.” He then declared: “I,
Akinwunmi, Ambode, is that man.”
His message of selfless service was the focal point of his
eventful weekend. This was the message he delivered on
Friday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan where he was the
Special Guest at the 3rd Annual Lecture of the January 9
Collective (J9C), where he spoke to the topic of the lecture,
2015 General Polls: Beyond the Rhetorics of Credible Elections,
which was delivered by Cambridge-based professor of Political
Anthropology, Prof. Anthony Kila.
According to Ambode, who is a Fulbright Scholar, selfless
service and leadership by example should be the hallmark of
an elected official who is desirous of making a meaningful
change and lasting impression in the lives of the electorates.
“Selfless service becomes non-negotiable if the process that
brought elected leaders into office is free, fair and credible.
But often, we see leaders who derail and abandon their
promises to the electorates because the process that brought
them to office was flawed. They feel they do not owe the
voters anything. This is why we in APC have been very vocal
about the need to have a credible election; to have a process
that is fair and transparent and to have an election that does
not seek to systematically disenfranchise electorates.”
He added that APC would not relent in urging the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do everything in its
power to ensure that all the eligible six million registered
voters in Lagos State get their Permanent Voters Cards
(PVCs) in order to exercise their civic duties, failing which
those with Temporary Voters Card should be allowed to
exercise their constitutional rights. “This is the only way to
ensure that INEC’s preparedness is beyond rhetorics so that
the February elections can produce leaders that the people
want.”
On Saturday, the former Accountant General of Lagos State
further reiterated his readiness to serve and continue with the
record of excellence in the state when he met with the Zonal
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Workers (NUPENG), Lagos Zone, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo,
the National Coordinator of the Civil Society Club of Nigeria
(CISOCON), Comrade Babatunde Ashafa, the chairman of the
Council of Arewa Chiefs, Alhaji Sani Kabiru and a group of
senior citizens representing top retired civil servants in Lagos
State who met with him at different times at his Gbagada
campaign office.
It was the same message of selfless service and equal
opportunities for every resident of Lagos State that Ambode
delivered at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere when he
held a rally for thousands of people with physical disabilities
on Saturday afternoon.
“Our administration will not discriminate. We will look after
your welfare,” he assured the tumultuous crowd who identified
with his touching recognition of the special needs of people
with physical disabilities. “Irrespective of your tribe, creed,
religion and physical disability, the APC government will look
after you and recognize your rights,” he assured the people in
company with his running mate, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule.
Ambode also proved to be a people’s man when he rode in
the BRT bus on Saturday evening from Ketu to Fadeyi, after a
visit to the popular Mile 12 market in mainland Lagos to
preach the message of a government of inclusion. The
informal sector as well as the transport sector, he
emphasized , are an integral part of the development of Lagos
State, “and they deserve the government’s attention and
unflinching support at every given time.”
The APC candidate also reiterated his plans for sports
development when he spoke at a charity football march in
Ikorodu on Sunday afternoon, organized to drum up support
for his gubernatorial ambition. He used the occasion to
explain his T.H.E.S.E plan which as part of his campaign
manifesto emphasizes the harnessing of Tourism, Hospitality,
Entertainment, Sports and Excellence to get the teeming
youths of Lagos State engaged in those areas.
“Our vision is clear about the direction that Lagos State
should face after 15 years of solid foundation and progress.
And this is what our campaign is all about. We must
consolidate and build on the achievements of the past
administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the incumbent
actualiser, Babatunde Fashola, SAN. Lagos deserves
excellence through a combination of requisite experience and
selfless service. Lagos does not depend on sharing of oil
revenue any longer.
“Lagos is creating an enabling environment for businesses to
thrive and for citizens and corporate sector to pay their taxes.
Sports, entertainment and tourism are goldmines waiting to be
tapped and taken to the next level in Lagos State. This is no
time to experiment with the future of our state and we are
convinced that the majority of Lagosians appreciate that fact,”
Ambode stated.
At all the fora, he never forgot to assert that, “credible
election is development panacea.”

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Eagles to face Yemen as Sudan pulls out

Super Eagles ‘B’ will now face Yemen in a friendly on Saturday
in Dubai following the late withdrawal of the Sudan.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had moved swiftly to ensure
that the team play a game on Saturday, January 17 in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates and so named Yemen as replacement for
Sudan, who gave no reason for its withdrawal.
The secretary general of the Yemen Football Federation,
Hamid Alshaibani, had sent a letter to the match organisers
and NFF accepting to play the friendly on Saturday at the
Sevens Stadium, Dubai.
The team arrived Dubai by road yesterday afternoon and are
staying at the Time Grand Plaza Hotel.

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AFCON 2015: Ladipo weeps over Nigeria’s absence

With just few days to the commencement of the AFCON 2015
Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, President General worldwide
of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr Rauf Ladipo said he
can’t believe Nigeria is not part of the soccer fiesta.
Ladipo who was close to tears told Daily Sunsports yesterday
at his Apapa, Lagos office that it is a big shame that the
Eagles are not anywhere near the action spot moreso when
Nigeria is the defending champion.
“It is now one is facing the reality of our not being in
Equatorial Guinea. In another few days action will start and
for me and my men it is a most painful miss. It is a big
shame that we are not there and those running the game in
the country appear not to have learnt anything from the
mistake. Agreed the Eagles just played a friendly, but the
team remains coach less.
So, effectively we have not started planning for 2017. The NFF
must take urgent steps to get Keshi to put pen on paper and if
he (Keshi) is not comfortable with the pay cut the NFF is
offering, then we should go for another coach now,” Ladipo
said.
Ladipo charged members of the nation’s football family to put
the interest of the country first rather than fighting for selfish
interests.
He noted that the country’s failure to qualify for the 2015
Nations Cup was clearly a fall out of the crisis rocking
Nigerian football.
“I just hope those fighting for the soul of Nigerian football
would sheath their swords this year and focus on the growth
of the game. The crisis rocking our football has not helped us
in anyway. We can’t continue to fight and destroy the game in
the country,” Ladipo pleaded.

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South Africa U-17 rejects Kaduna for security fears

Saturday’s friendly between Emmanuel Amuneke’s Golden
Eaglets of Nigeria U-17 and their South African counterparts
may be played in Abuja after the visitors expressed fears over
the security situation in the Northern Nigerian town of Kaduna.
The match, which was aimed at preparing both Nigeria and
South Africa for next month’s African U17 Championship in
Niger, had been fixed to be played at the Ahmadu Bello
Stadium in Kaduna.
However, it was specially gathered that the South Africa
Football Federation (SAFA) had since asked that the match be
played in Abuja because they fear for their team’s safety in
Kaduna, which is about 200 kilometres from the country’s
capital city.
“The match is now most likely to be played in Abuja after the
fears raised by the South Africans,” a top official informed.
Last week, the South Africa Amajimbos drew 1-1 with Zambia
in another warm-up match. Zambia is in the same first round
group with Nigeria’s Eaglets.

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