₦airaland Forum

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/26/national-26-06-2011-004.html

What they won’t tell you about Ndigbo
By ORI MARTINS
Sunday, June 26, 2011



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This is not a very good time to be an Igbo man in Nigeria. If you don’t understand what I mean, read my mind. The Igbo do not occupy the Presidency nor Vice Presidency, Senate Presidency, Speaker of the House of Representatives and even chairmanship of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Rather the PDP gave the South East the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). This is the first time this position will be ranked as a grade one office for zoning by the ruling party since 1999.

This was how it started in 1993 when the Social Democratic Party (SDP) zoned its offices and what was given to the Igbo was the SGF, which Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu rejected, saying the position of secretary was for a tea server. Sadly, Ojukwu is still hospitalized and no person to speak against it. Thus, this position has reared its ugly head again and forced down the throat of Ndigbo when Imo State, an Igbo enclave, gave President Goodluck Jonathan the highest number of votes. So, what did Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders negotiate with President Jonathan during the pre-election campaign? Well, this is a topic for another day.

Despite the fact that Nigeria is the trouble with the South East, even as the region is always painted in bad light when actually its sons are enterprising and ingenious, there are certain things, like other tribes, we are not doing right. How? Diplomatic ties between America and Japan went sour and the USA dropped atomic bomb in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1946 killing 140,000 out of the city’s 350,000 population. Two days later the U.S. bombed Nagasaki, another town in Japan, and 76,000 people died.
To tell the story to the unborn generation, Japan made these two cities tourist centres and ensured that every child born in Japan is taught and lectured about the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki even as it preserved the carcass and debris of the shattered towns till date. Japan is yet to forget the bitterness of Hiroshima and Nagasaki .

British journalists and authors continue to regale us with tales of Winston Churchill’s heroics during World War II. But Ndigbo have no trace of all the fabricators and manufacturers of the Ogbunigwe (bomb) and have allowed them to die unnoticed and uncelebrated. This is not how to survive as a people in a plural state like Nigeria. How many Igbo men and women that witnessed the war, especially those who fought at the battle-fronts or who held positions, have told the story in a book for posterity? Is there any institution that was preserved so as to point to the coming generations that there was an incident called the Civil War in which about two million Igbo lost their lives? There is the Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia, the Ahiara Mbaise Declaration Joint, Zik Mausoleum, etc. But these historic and symbolic memorabilia are allowed to decay even when it is less than 50 years after the war ended. Will anybody recall the Civil War again after 100 years?

You see, the Igbo have so many heroes, heroines and monumental achievements to be proud of and even celebrate but they do not toe this direction. Rather, we allow the efforts of our ancestors to waste like that. In sports, the Igbo have always held sway. For instance, how many us know that the first sports person to win an international medal for Nigeria was Emmanuel Ifeajuna, an Igbo? Ifeajuna put Nigeria’s sports on world map when he jumped over 6ft 8” high and gave the country gold in high jump at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada. As you read this, you may not know that an Igbo ward, Dan Anyiam was the first Nigerian coach to obtain an overseas certificate in coaching and eventually became the first indigenous coach to be hired by NFF.

Anyiam later made Enugu Rangers the most dreaded team in Africa as the side emerged as Nigeria’s undisputed champions between 1974 and 1976, leading to its African Cup glory in 1977. By 1975, Enugu Rangers, formed after the war, was the first Nigerian club to play in any CAF competition, the CAF Champions League, in the final , but lost to Hafia of Guinea. The late Chris Udemezue was the first coach to make Nigeria qualify for any FIFA competition. Udemezue attained this enviable height when he took the Flying Eagles to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mexico in 1983. From here, the gate was opened for other subsequent qualifications and glories at the world level. Sadly, Udemezue is not credited for this wonderful feat rather, he is remembered more with the Chile’ 87 calamity than his other glorious deeds. Do you still remember Dick Tiger (Richard Ihetu)?

Till date, Dick Tiger remains the only African to be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He took the world by storm when he punched America’s Gene Fullman to stupor and was crowned the World Middle-weight champion He successfully defended the title in a spectacular first world title fight (boxing) ever to be held in Africa, staged in Ibadan in 1963.

We also had Chief Jerry Enyeazu, the ebullient sports administrator who founded Enugu Rangers, Heartland, Enyimba and Grasshoppers of Owerri. Enyeazu was Nigeria’s first Director of Sports who conceptualized what is now called National Sports Festival and put in place the second All Africa Games in 1973 in Lagos which Nigeria hosted. He also facilitated the establishment of the National Institute of Sports (NIS) . Nwankwo Kanu led Nigeria’s soccer team to the 1996 Olympics and won the soccer gold. Chioma Ajunwa and Emeka Omeruah also did Nigeria proud by winning gold medals on the international scene. Chioma Ajunwa won Africa’s first ever individual gold in a field event.

Do not forget that Omeruah as Sports Minister groomed the team that won FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985. With him as NFF Chairman, Nigeria qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1994 and lifted the Nations Cup for the second time in Tunisia. To cap it all, it could have been marvelous , if Ernest Okonkwo were alive to tell Nigerians how Enyimba lifted the elusive CAF Champions League cup for Nigeria in 2003. How many of these persons are honored nationally or remembered by the Igbo nation? Yet, the South West honours Awo annually and new books on him emerge. Just recently the Yoruba celebrated Pa Awolowo’s legacies but not so for the Great Zik by his Igbo people. Emulating the South-West, the South-South have learned to celebrate Adaka Boro with fun-fare via the Niger Delta Volunteer Force but the Igbo remain adamant about their heroes.

An example of what Ndigbo can do is Prof Kenneth Onwuka Dike’s notable deeds. He wrote about contemporary Africa; supervised the transformation of colonial University Ibadan to a glorious modern university. He was the institution’s first Nigerian indigenous Vice Chancellor[thus he was Nigeria’ first ever VC] ; he established the Nigerian National Archives. He also headed Nigerian Antiquities Commission that set up the National Museum and eventually founded the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs[ NIIA],Lagos.

Dike was among organizers of the first World Festival of Negro Arts which was held in 1968. Despite all these accomplishments, has Dike been honored by any government in Nigeria or Igboland? As it is with Dike, so also it is with Prof Eni Njoku , the first Chairman of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria(now Power Holding Company of Nigeria) .That was in 1956. Later in 1962, Njoku was made the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos. Him with Dike, were the first two indigenous Nigerian VCs of Igbo extraction! Still in academics, the accomplishments of Profs Chike Obi, Chinua Achebe and Ben Enweonwu cannot be overlooked. How many Igbo students in the higher institutions know Ben Enweonwu?

Great minds like Jaja Wachukwu, Nigeria’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs drafted the country’s foreign policy thrust. Mbonu Ojike; K.O. Mbadiwe; Akanu Ibiam; M. I. Opkara; Amanze Raymond Njoku who was voted by British journalists as Africa’s Most Well Dressed Man in the 1960s. K.B.C. Onwubiko was West Africa’s most accomplished historian and author; Mbazulike Amaechi, was the first Aviation Minister. They and few others who are of Igbo extraction who worked assiduously for Nigeria’s independence and greatness. If Nigeria forgets, why should Ndigbo forget?

Between 1950 and 1966, Sir Louis Ojukwu was not just West Africa’s richest man but also the greatest investor in transport and mercantile businesses and was the first DG, Nigeria Stock Exchange[NSE].
•Ori Martins (08060205494) works for The Sun.

The governor also openly declared that his deputy, Ignatius Longjan , cannot succeed him in 2015. "[b]My deputy should not think of succeeding me in 2015; we will both bow out and let the right people come and take over from us."[/b]He said his administration was grooming the young generation in leadership position so that they can conveniently take over and run the affairs of the state and any other sensitive office, because the younger generation has what it takes.
[quote][/quote]democracy

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/18/national-18-06-2011-03.html

Suicide bomber wore long beard like Bin Laden –Eyewitness
From LAMBERT TYEM, Abuja
Saturday, June 18, 2011



PHOTO: Sun News Publishing
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Facts emerged yesterday at the Louis Edet Police Headquarters in Abuja that the suicide bomber that drove the car bomb that killed many people and injured others wore a long beard just like that of the late Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden.

Police eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told Saturday Sun that the suicide bomb car which came immediately after the arrival of the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim’s convoy, parked adjacent to the IG’s car and that he was reluctant to move away the car bomb until he was forced by the late police traffic warden, who ignorantly entered the car and compelled him to drive off.

The eyewitness further disclosed that the driver to the IGP slapped the suicide bomber before he reluctantly moved the car bomb to the general car park which exploded few seconds on getting there.

“I was going out after IG’s arrival when I saw the IG’s convoy men arguing with the man in a car which looked like Honda Civic car. I saw the IG driver slap him while the late traffic warder jumped into the car and he was moving away reluctantly.

“I was following them behind but I turned back immediately because I left my car key in the office. Immediately I got to the office, I heard the explosion, which shook the whole building.
There was confusion everywhere as well as smoke. I thank God that God saved my life even though I lost my car”, the source said.
Similarly, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Olusola Amore’s official car and the Dawn newspaper car were among those consumed by the explosion.







guys, the guy might not be a Nigerian,
do u thing so?

slodot2000:
sadiq88 i dnt knw who u r but i think u r a piece of poo. This is one of the reasons why Nigeria can never be good. That why corruption will neva die in 9ja. look @ your mindset.

semid4lyfe i must commend u for your contribution, straight to the point no sentiments. Can any Nigerian tell me that he or she is not aware the Sports (generally Football) is eastern, delta, edo affair in the History of Nigerian sports?
u cannot cheat nature. Football is on merit choose the best and all the way u go. The Igbos got it locked down as far as football in Nigeria is concerned for both male and female teams.

Fakers and tribalist just stick it to your heads.
Thanks semid4lyfe for keepin it real

shut it there man,
who and what do u think u are,
don't insult me again,
tribalist

that one na small tin

ok

ok

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/17/national-17-06-2011-018.html

S’West can’t produce PDP chairman, says Wampana
From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja
Friday, June 17, 2011




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National Vice Chairman, North-east of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged his counterparts in the party from the South-west geo-political zone to stop agitating for the slot of the national chairman of the party as the zone did not vote for the PDP in the last general elections.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Senator Paul Wampana noted that the only zone that voted for PDP that has been left out in the power sharing arrangement in the country was the North-east geo-political zone. In his opinion, the South-west only voted for the PDP presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and should look up to him, not the party, for compensation.

“Everybody knows in this country that South-west didn’t vote PDP but the South-west voted for the president. Please, they must be given the credit for voting for the president and it follows that when the president is looking at how to run his government, he can’t forget about South-west.

“They voted for him, he became president, he can’t ignore them and even we in the PDP who had put up Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as candidate, despite the fact that they voted for a different political party, we are grateful to them for having voted for our own presidential candidate, thereby making the PDP have the presidency.
“I am saying that the president must always remember the people of the South-west when he is running his government because they voted for him.”

Wampana told journalists that the North-east was not in any way competing with the South-west for the leadership of the PDP as it had been zoned to the former by the PDP NEC. “The party must also reward zones that voted for the party. Is that wrong? It is like the proverbial saying that you can’t reap where you didn’t sow. That’s all I am saying; that people shouldn’t ignore the fact that the North-east voted for PDP and as a leader of PDP in the North-east, we voted for PDP massively. So, my zone deserves to head PDP.

“The people of South-west voted for the president, they deserve to reap the benefit of their voting from the president. If South-east got away with what it got, we know that South-east voted PDP; if North-west got vice president and speaker, we know they voted PDP; the only zone that voted PDP and it is empty, that is, the North-east. So, let us not be overwhelmed by sentiment, let us be governed by reason. In politics you don’t go fighting, abusing, insulting people agitating over what doesn’t appeal to reason.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/17/national-17-06-2011-017.html

… As Shehu condemns call for his prosecution
…Absolves self of complicity in 2009 crisis
From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri
Friday, June 17, 2011




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Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi has condemned call for his prosecution as being championed by the Boko Haram in a hand-written release purportedly authored by the sect and addressed to journalists in the state early this week.

The letter allegedly written by the Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad, known as Boko Haram had called for the prosecution of the traditional ruler under Sharia Law over the killing of its members in the July 2009 insurgence.

But the Shehu in his reaction contained in a statement issued by the Borno Emirate Council, faulted the allegation of his involvement in the killing of the sect leader, Mohammed Yusuf as well as some members of the group in 2009.
The statement signed on behalf of the emirate by its Secretary, Zanna Laisu, said it became necessary to react “because of the serious concern and displeasure shown by all communities, citizens and good people of Borno Emirate and the nation in general on the issue of linking the Shehu with such unpleasant developments in the state.” It absolved the traditional ruler of any complicity in the matter.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time was his royal highness or the emirate council ever contacted or consulted by any authority within or outside the state on the breach of peace in the city of Maiduguri in particular and the state in general. “The emirate council condemns in no uncertain terms all insinuations to its involvement or that of his royal highness. The Shehu since his ascension to the throne has continued to preach peace, harmony, stability and justice which are the greatest and well known heritage of Borno emirate for time immemorial,” the statement said.

The Shehu called for restraints and appealed for peace, harmony and unity among all communities in Borno and Nigeria.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/17/national-17-06-2011-007.html

Ohakim’s running mate tops list of commissioner nominees
…Okiro, ex-education minister make SA list
From VAL OKARA, Owerri
Friday, June 17, 2011



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Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday submitted 15 commissioner- nominees and 11 special advisers to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Gozie Anwukah, said the list of commissioner-nominees include, incumbent deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, wife of the immediate past Vice Chancellor of FUTO and the running mate of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Mrs. Veronica Adaora Ijezie, Mrs. Anne Dozie and Chief Soronnadi Njoku, a former commissioner in the Achike Udenwa administration.

Others include the deputy National Chairman APGA South-east, Chief Uche Christian Ejike, Mrs Chioma Ogoke, Director Media and Publicity, Rochas Campaign Organization, Chike John Okafor, Dr. Obi Njoku, Felix Emelu, Chief Gerry Okoli, Nze Enwerem Ogueri, Nelson Ezerioha, Emeka Ndukwu and Steve Ahaneku, a lawyer.
Special Advisers include Ex-super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu (Sports), a former Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji (Education), Chief Partrick C. Onuoha (Political), Prof. Francis Dike (Legal Affairs), Nich Opara Ndidi (Economic Affairs), Dr. Sylvanus Amaechi (House), Prince MacDonald Akalo (Project Monitoring), Chief Mike Obioha (Tourism and Cultural Affairs) and Mike Okiro (Security matters).

Also on the list are Chief Raphael Ekezie (Petroleum and Natural Resources) and Jude Ejiogu (Internally Generated Revenue Affairs). A five-man ad hoc committee has been set up by the State Assembly, which screened the nominees yesterday.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Donatus Ozoemena chaired the committee. Other members are Majority Leader, Mrs. Adaku Ihuoma, Ngozi Pat- Ekeji and Chief Celestine Ngobiwu. They also invited the nominees to report to the committee members.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/17/national-17-06-2011-005.html

MIRACLE OR FRAUD?
Woman claims she delivered 7 children in 1 year, says more coming
•It’s a mirage –Husband
•It’s a lie –Hospital
By HENRY UMAHI and SUNDAY ANI
Friday, June 17, 2011


Late Mrs Mercy Njoku and her daughter at the hospital before she died
PHOTO: Sun News Publishing
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Can you believe this? A 37- year old woman says she was delivered of seven children in 12 calendar months. The babies, according to her, were born at one- month interval between May 6, 2010 and April 2, 2011.

If it is true, it is a development beyond the ken of men and at variance with natural processes. And it defies medical explanation. Indeed, it falls into the category of what could be referred to as a miracle.

Naturally, it is appointed unto a woman to carry a pregnancy for a term of nine months or 36 weeks before putting to bed. It could either be a single or multiple births, whereby more than one baby come one after the other within minutes. But in the case of Mrs Precious Ogbonna aka Dr Mummy P, the natural sequence was not followed.

Explaining that she became a baby factory after 12 years of childlessness, she said that she was delivered of her first baby, a girl, in 2009 but it died five days later. Then from May 6, 2010 children began to rush out of her womb within intervals of one month. The last one came on April 2 this year. She added that more children are on the way.

A native of Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State and General Overseer of the Holy Ghost Power Salvation Ministries aka Mercy Centre in Owerri, she got wedded to Mr Donatus Ogbonna of Ngugo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State on December 19, 1998. For 12 years, she could not conceive but when she did, the most unexpected happened: Babies began to rush out of her womb every other month.

Leaflets announcing that a “great thanksgiving/dedication of her seven wonders of the world” would hold on April 24 (Easter Sunday) at her Church opposite NNPC Mega station along Onitsha / Owerri Road were distributed all about town in large numbers. However, Mummy Pís claims have become enmeshed in controversy. To start with, her husband, Mr Donatus Ogbonna, insists that the man who presented himself to newspaper reporters recently in Lagos as her husband is an impostor.

A Short Message Service (SMS) he sent to our reporter on June 12 reads (unedited): “Pls I hereby debunk my wife’s Sat Vanguard (June11) publication nd de man who impersonated me. I’ve not lived neither been or visited Lagos since 10 yrs ago. Donatus Ogbonna husband.” The hospital where Mummy P claimed to have delivered some of the babies also reacted.

The beginning
According to her, it all started when, a couple of years into her marriage, she could not become pregnant. She said she went through such hard times that she wouldn’t wish her worst enemy as people cajoled and mocked her because she could not bear children. But God assured her that at the right time she would become fruitful.

In an encounter with Daily Sun in Lagos, she said: “It is a great testimony and a surprise package that God gave to me. I stayed a long time before this pregnancy that produced these children. It is just one pregnancy that produced these seven children. I got married in 1998 and after 12 years of looking for the fruit of the womb, seven children from one pregnancy are the result.”

Like any other woman, after nine months of pregnancy, it is delivery time. She went through all the conditions but lost the baby after five days of delivery.

Story begins to twist
Shortly after the death of her babe, the tale began to twist. Her hear: “When I gave birth to the first baby, who was a girl, she died after five days. The baby’s death was so painful because for 12 years I had been praying for a baby only for the baby to die five days after birth. The joy, which the baby’s birth had brought to the family, vanished with her death.

So, I felt so bad and I cried heavily but I didn’t know that I was still pregnant because I was taking local medicine and other hot things that would melt and flush whatever bad blood in my system. It was when the women of my church who even tied wrapper round my stomach to avoid protrusion were praying with me that God ministered to me to remove the wrapper and to stop taking all those local medicine and hot things but I didn’t know the reason.”
She said that after the message she got from God during the prayer session, she felt a movement inside her womb. When she rushed to the hospital, doctors conducted a scan on her and told her that what they saw was a baby sack and fibroid. The scan, according to her, was done at St Elizabeth Hospital, located opposite Mammy market, after the Government House, Owerri.

According to the woman, rather than being devastated by the result of the scan, she calmly went home and prayed. After one month, the movement became serious and when she went to the hospital again and was delivered of a baby girl on May 5, 2010. And as soon as she went home from the hospital, she felt a similar movement in her womb and in another one month, precisely on June 3, she gave birth to another baby girl.

The twist continues
Narrating the sequence of the births, she said: “After the scan, I was told by the doctor that there was a baby sack and fibroid in my womb. Then on May 6, 2010, I was delivered of another baby, who I named Pretty Angel Conqueror. When I came back, I was still experiencing the same feeling and I knelt down to pray and God told me that more babies were still inside my womb.

On June 3, I had another baby girl but this time I didn’t go for any scan again. Somebody called me and mockingly asked if it was only girls that I have in my womb. But to me, I didn’t feel bad because for the past 12 years I have been looking for a child and now they are coming, who am I to start questioning why they are girls and not boys. But to show that God is God, on August 16, I had a baby boy and on September 19, another baby girl came. On October 19, another baby girl was born. On January 13, 2011, a baby boy, Excellent, came. Flourish came and on April 2, 2011, the last one, Ebenezer Bountiful was born. So, that was what happened.”

Madam Precious told our correspondent that when a couple of years had passed after she got married without any sign of pregnancy, she earnestly asked God to bless her with triplet whenever it was time for her to conceive.
“When I was about five years into marriage and there was no pregnancy, I started asking God for a triplet but like the Bible says, ‘When you ask for once, you are given seven times,’ that’s what happened to me,” she said.

Knowing that her claims could be doubted, she volunteered: “If I had undergone any operation, all of them might not have survived but God just spaced it in this way so that they came out one after another in order to be able to survive. I believe that God did it this way because he doesn’t want me to undergo surgical operation; each of them was delivered along with a separate placenta. People were even asking if I took any drug, I said no but that God assured me that at the appointed time, He would bless me.”

When she was asked if all the babies were delivered in one hospital, she said she gave birth to them in three separate hospitals but only gave out the address of one of the hospitals, preferring to keep the others to her chest for security reasons. Another surprising thing about the whole occurrence is that none of the children is being breastfed. She said the reason is that after each delivery, she would be told by the Holy Spirit that were still more babies in her womb. So, not feeding them with breast milk was for safety of the unborn ones.

She said she is spending so much on their feeding since she does not breastfeed them. According to her, they are being fed on SMA gold baby food, which costs N26, 000 per carton and they consume an average of 10 cartons per month. She is, therefore, asking kind hearted individuals and corporate Nigerians to come to her assistance to feed the children.

More babies coming
Dr Mummy P maintains that more babies are still being expected going by the signs she is receiving in her womb and the message she got from God.

Ready for DNA test
And to prove to all doubting Thomases that hers is actually a miracle from God, she said that she is willing to subject herself to a DNA test in any hospital that people might want her to go to know the real parentage of the babies.
According to her, between 1998 and when she conceived, she had only gone to hospital once for fertility test but was given a clean bill of health. Though her husband did not go for any test, she said she kept faith because of a message that was given to her in the past.

“I can say it is the will of God because there was a time somebody told me that unless I work for God, I would not conceive. I was wondering because then I was a prayer warrior, going for hospital ministration and praying for people. But at a time, a group of eight evangelists called Unity for Africa from London and America came to Nigeria and while they were praying for people, one of them called me and asked if I had a ministry, I answered no. All of them prayed for me.

They were the same people that later came back and ordained me a pastor. From then, I would pray for barren women and they would conceive, I would pray for sick people and they would get well. So, even though my husband did not go for test, I never envisaged that the problem could be from him since I remembered the message that was given to me some time in the past,” she narrated.

Doctors confused
Commenting on doctor’s view regarding what happened to her, she said: “My dear, it’s very hard and that is why I did not give birth to all of them in one hospital. One of them even turned me back when I went back the following month for another delivery. He said I should not put them into trouble as the thing is confusing. They couldn’t believe what they saw. Till today, they still can’t explain how it happened.”

Asked why she came all the way from Owerri to Lagos with the seven children, she said: “My friend, who heard about what happened and came down from Lagos to Owerri to see the children became pregnant after her trip. When she conceived, she invited me because, according to her, there are a lot of women in Lagos who are waiting on God for the fruit of the womb and that I should come and pray for them.”

It’s true - Mummy P’s father
When Daily Sun visited her Church in Owerri, her father, Pa Anthony Achonye said that he is aware that his daughter had multiple births within months. Asked if there was any sign that his daughter would be ‘special’, the 75- year old man said: “There was nothing different between her and other children while growing. She grew up like other children and went to school with her mates. She got married and wedded with her husband 12 years ago.

“It took her 12 years to have her first child, a girl. Unfortunately, she died few days after birth. All of us, including her siblings and husband went to bury the corpse. Her husband showed the place the dead child was buried. Thereafter, she started having other children”. Perhaps, to show that all is not well within the household, the retired mason added: “As a matter of fact, she has been telling her husband to go with her to do a test concerning the paternity of the children but I don’t know what he is saying. He is not here right now; I cannot lie against him.”

Pa Achonye also volunteered that his daughter prays for people and some of them get solutions to their problems. Explaining that his daughter opened the church before the floodgate of babies opened, he directed Daily Sun to his son in-law, Mr Donatus Ogbonna, for further clarification. When our correspondent met Ogbonna in his furniture workshop on Tetlow Road, Owerri, he said that his unusual births “is a mirage”. Clad in a jeans trouser and T-shirt, the 48- year old man said that his wife’s journey into ministry has done his “family more harm than good.”|
The following dialogue ensued between Daily Sun and Ogbonna:

Please introduce yourself
I am Donatus Ogbonna, a native of Ngugo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State. I am a furniture maker and part time student of Imo State University. I am studying History and International Studies. I am a final year student. I am close to 48 years of age. I am also an anti-corruption officer with one star under the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps, a voluntary arm of the ICPC.

Is it true that your wife, Mrs Precious Ogbonna, delivered 7 children in 11 months? Tell us the whole story
We got married 12 years ago, in 1998 to be precise. Since that time we’ve not had any child. About a year ago, there was a time she told me that she was pregnant. After a period, one day, she called me and said that she had put to bed. But within the period, I tried as much as I could to take her to hospital it wasn’t possible.

How?
She said that she attends a kind of private clinic. So, it wasn’t possible for me. But, in conclusion, to me, the pregnancy and the subsequent births is a kind of mirage in the sense that I’ve not been properly fed with the information surrounding whatever transpired.

Didn’t you notice signs of pregnancy?
I am not a woman. She told me that she was pregnant and from time to time, she was collecting money from me for antenatal services. But like I said earlier, by the time I was trying to know exactly the hospital but it wasn’t possible for her to let me know.

In other words, she refused to tell you?
Exactly, she refused to tell me.

Does that mean that you do not stay in the same house with her?
By then, we were staying together.

So, you no longer stay with her?
Well, we stay together partially because a lot of questions came up and things like that. Personally, I wasn’t all that interested in having a kind of quarrel or whatever.

Do we now say that your wife was in the hospital putting to bed every other month as it were and you did not know?
This question you asked me is a good one. I wasn’t told, how can I know?

Have you seen the children?
Yes, I have seen them. There was a day I went there to collect my books and I saw them. I think I‘ve seen them on four or five occasions.

You went where?
To the house

Do they look like you?
They are still too small. I can’t fathom that now.

Are you aware that your wife has been going everywhere telling people that she gave birth to seven children in 11 months?
Of course, the story is all over. It is on the airwave, it is in the Internet, everywhere. But then I decided not to bother myself so much because I have decided to allow the sleeping dog lie.

How do you think people are reacting to this development?
There are bound to be reactions, both positively and negatively but all I know is that in the course of time, we will know or ascertain the true position of the issue.

Did you ever attend her Church?
I used to be a member of the Church.

But you do not worship there any more?
There is a kind of difference between my own belief and what she believes or the path she toes.

Such as?
I don’t believe in a situation where man is deified and God humanized.

Please break it down
In this present dispensation, people attach so much importance to soothsaying and spiritism. That is to say, we are in a situation where people are no longer interested in worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Rather, they want to go to a place where they will be told what will happen tomorrow. Though I believe in miracle but you should not take me off the track of what the Bible preaches about worshiping God in truth and in spirit.

Can you give us an insight into her journey into ministry?
It is a long story. It will take a long time.

Ok, abridge it
When I married her, she was not a pastor. But all of a sudden, I discovered she said that she has a ministry or gift of prophecy. The practice has done us more harm than good in uniting the family.

You said that her journey into ministry has done your family more harm than good, what do you mean?
Earlier on, I made mention of people going after or trying to know what happens tomorrow. A man of God said that ‘some Christians are heavenly useful to the extent that they are earthly useless.’ She pursued extensively the things of her ministry, which led to the neglect and collapse of the ministry. That is what I mean that it has done more harm than good to the family.

Before she became a pastor, what was her occupation?
She was in business. She was selling cosmetic products at Ekeonunwa market in Owerri. But when she felt that her spiritual calling might not tally with her business, she opted out and faced the ministry work.

Is your wife a fake pastor?
I would not say that she is a fake pastor because for some people she is a true pastor but for others, she is not. But on a personal note, the practice is doing more harm than good to me and us as a family. For instance, during the thanksgiving/dedication service of the children, which held last Easter Sunday, I was not involved in any way. I was not co-opted in the planning and execution. My name was not even on the invitation card.


* When our correspondent visited St Elizabeth Hospital, Owerri, a nurse who did not disclose her name, said that it was not possible for a woman to give birth to seven children in 11 months.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2011/june/16/sports-16-06-2011-001.html

Kanu or Jay Jay
, Who was bigger player?
By Our reporter
Thursday, June 16, 2011


• Kanu
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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The two stars, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, shone very brightly in their hey days. Both of them were without any doubt, top among their peers in Nigerian football and beyond. They were skilful, intelligent, and were players who made football look so easy and enjoyable.

But the question on the lips of most football followers now that Kanu has also retired from national football like Okocha is: 'Which between the two made a bigger impact on the field of play while in active football?'

Both Kanu and Okocha won the Olympic soccer gold, captained the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, featured at the World Cups and of course, carved their names on the slabs of European clubs they played for.

The stars have since called time on their international career and the million-naira poser is: 'who between them made the bigger splash during their playing days.'

National team career
Okocha featured for Nigeria at the African Youth Championship in Mauritius in 1993, where the Flying Eagles crashed out in the semis. He was magical despite the team's premature exit at the championship and it was on the back of that appearance that Okocha earned a call-up to the Super Eagles.
Kanu was also in the squad to Mauritius, but he did not kick a ball. But he quickly put behind him that disappointment and teamed up with the Golden Eaglets to win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Japan in 1995.

Okocha made his full international debut before Kanu and would go on to play a vital role as Nigeria won her second Nations Cup trophy in Tunisia in 1994 and also qualified for her maiden World Cup outing the same year. Kanu led Nigeria to win an historic Olympic football gold two years later with Okocha, three years his senior, very much part of the team.

Both players featured in three World Cups. Okocha was at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 Mundial, while Kanu played at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 editions. Nigeria's best results at the World Cup were achieved in 1994 and 1998 when the Eagles reached the second round of the tournament, meaning that Okocha enjoyed a more successful run on the biggest football platform than Kanu.

Kanu, though now is on record as the joint most capped Nigerian player along with the late Muda Lawal with 86 caps. Okocha played 73 times for the country. Though Kanu critics would say that unlike Okocha, he did not quit the national team when the ovation was loudest up to the point that a player in his mould only enjoyed a very insignificant role at both the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup.

Club career
Without any doubt, Kanu, popularly called Papilo, enjoyed a more fulfilling career at club level than Okocha, who is known as 'Jay Jay'. He defied personal adversity to win the biggest piece of silverware on offer in Europe, the European Champions Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) with Ajax Amsterdam.

He also won the English Premier League crown with Arsenal twice, three FA Cup winners' medals, two with Arsenal and once with Portsmouth. He won the Nigeria Premier League diadem with Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC) of Owerri, as well as three Dutch League titles, among other honours.
The highlight of Okocha's club career was in 2004, when Bolton was beaten in the League Cup final, as he did not win anything of note with his other clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Entracht Frankfurt and Fenerbache, all in Europe.

Individual honours
Kanu was picked as Africa's best player by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) twice in 1996 and 1999, but Okocha was never named for the award even though he came within a whisker of this individual accolade in 1998.

However, Okocha was named the BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Kanu was also named by the Nigerian government as one of the 50 most influential citizens during the country's Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations in October last year. There was no mention of Okocha.

Off the pitch
Kanu has given back to the community through his Heart Foundation, which assists children with heart problems. Both players have also invested heavily in the Nigerian economy through their various businesses. As a Lagos businessman, Okocha, through his Jay Jay Group, has more than 100 Nigerians in its employ.

adejoro75:
She went for the best. Can you mention who is better than those selected that was missed out?

what do you mean by the best?

so there is no good player from the west or middle-belt?

what type of team is this?
imagin, the coach is igbo, 18 out of the 21 players are igbos, the remaining 3 are their Niger-Delta cousins,

there is no single yoruba or Notherner,
so you mean, Yoruba Girls and Northerners cannot play football again?

i wonder ooo

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2011/june/15/sports-15-06-2011-001.html

Eucharia names 21 Falcons for World Cup
Stories by ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja
Wednesday, June 15 2011


Falcons celebrate
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has submitted to world governing body, FIFA, a list of 21 players who will fly the country’s flag at the 6th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Germany this summer.

Goalkeeper Precious Dede, a 31-year-old veteran from the 2003 and 2007 FIFA World Cup final tournaments, tops the list that includes, at least, seven players who have seen FIFA World Cup action.

Coach Eucharia Uche picked three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six strikers in a squad with mixture of experienced players and young ones. Defenders are: Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi and Ulunma Jerome; midfielders- Ogonna Chukwudi and Perpetua Nkwocha and forward Stella Mbachu were at the last tournament in China in 2008.

The Falcons, who have been training in Saalfelden, Austria since May 26, on Tuesday had a training match with an Under-17 boys in Austria.

The team will play the National Women’s team of Slovakia at the Eugendorf Stadium tomorrow.
Since setting up the camp in Saalfelden, the Falcons have walloped an Austrian first division team, Wacker Innsbruck, 7-0, piped the Czech Republic national women’s team 1-0 and drew 1-1 with the national women’s team of Austria in friendlies.

THE FINAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede, Tochukwu Oluehi, Alaba Jonathan.
Defenders: Helen Ukaonu, Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ulunma Jerome, Josephine Chukwunonye.

Midfielders: Rebecca Kalu, Glory Iroka, Rita Chikwelu, Ebere Orji, Ogonna Chukwudi, Perpetua Nkwocha.
Strikers: Stella Mbachu, Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, Sarah Michael, Uchechi Sunday, Amenze Aighewi.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/15/national-15-06-2011-003.html

APGA is like our religion – Okorocha
From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi
Wednesday, June 15, 2011


Okorocha
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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has described the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a distinct political party that the Igbo passionately believe in and follow like a religion.  He said this while playing host to a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former minister of Foriegn Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, at the Government House, Owerri.

“I urge all to support APGA.  All Igbos should join APGA for us to be identified, it is our culture.  Every Igbo man is APGA before any other party,” he said.
The governor promised that APGA would continue to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his administration, recalling that the party ensured victory for the president in the last election.

He further remarked that the emergence of President Jonathan had relieved Nigerians from the bondage of zoning for an era of freewill, where the electorate would cast their votes on the basis of past antecedents and abilities and not on party affiliation, ethnicity or religion.

Governor Okorocha, however, assured his visitor that his emergence as APGA governor would not affect his relationship with his PDP brothers.
Earlier, Chief Maduekwe said he came to Imo to congratulate his friend who emerged as governor and pledged the support of his party PDP to his administration.

He said he was in the state on behalf of the President, Jonathan, adding that Governor Okorocha was always welcomed to the presidency, since, according to Maduekwe, “Rochas belongs to everyone of us.”
“PDP will be with him and support him.  PDP is interested in good governance. He’s shown capacity for reconciliation and unification,” he concluded.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/15/national-15-06-2011-003.html

APGA is like our religion – Okorocha
From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi
Wednesday, June 15, 2011


Okorocha
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has described the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a distinct political party that the Igbo passionately believe in and follow like a religion. He said this while playing host to a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former minister of Foriegn Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, at the Government House, Owerri.

“I urge all to support APGA. All Igbos should join APGA for us to be identified, it is our culture. Every Igbo man is APGA before any other party,” he said.
The governor promised that APGA would continue to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his administration, recalling that the party ensured victory for the president in the last election.

He further remarked that the emergence of President Jonathan had relieved Nigerians from the bondage of zoning for an era of freewill, where the electorate would cast their votes on the basis of past antecedents and abilities and not on party affiliation, ethnicity or religion.

Governor Okorocha, however, assured his visitor that his emergence as APGA governor would not affect his relationship with his PDP brothers.
Earlier, Chief Maduekwe said he came to Imo to congratulate his friend who emerged as governor and pledged the support of his party PDP to his administration.

He said he was in the state on behalf of the President, Jonathan, adding that Governor Okorocha was always welcomed to the presidency, since, according to Maduekwe, “Rochas belongs to everyone of us.”
“PDP will be with him and support him. PDP is interested in good governance. He’s shown capacity for reconciliation and unification,” he concluded.

yorubas are born perverts

disgrace to nigeria

people who don't have self-control

yorubas, disgrace to Nigeria

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/12/national-12-06-2011-001.html

How northern riot was planned–Cleric
From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja
Sunday, June 12, 2011


• Kure
• Photo: Sun Publishing
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Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure shepherds the Throne Room Trust Ministry based in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. He is also one of the leading Christian leaders in Nigeria and a representative of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leadership Council. Known for his damning prophecies, no matter whose ox is gored, he had taken on the former administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, warning of dire consequences if he failed to address the tension in the country at the time occasioned by the restive armed youths in the Niger Delta region as well as the wave of religious and ethno-cultural uprising in the northern part of the country.

In this encounter, he alerts President Goodluck Jonathan to those he describes as “vultures” around him, warning that they do not mean well for his administration. He speaks on this and the April violent post-election crisis in some northern states. Excerpts…

State of the nation vis-à-vis crisis in some parts of the North
Let me first of all make a comment about controversy. I thought that by now the press will not join those who call me controversial, because it does not make sense. You just called me a prophet. A prophet re-echoes what he sees or what his master tells him, and you do not blame me if it comes to past. Who do you blame? The master, of course. So I do not know why I should be called a controversial person. Can you call God controversial?

But like you rightly said, God told me exactly the programme for the late President (Umaru) Yar’Adua for whom I have great respect because he was very principled individual. The Lord said he had done well in other things but there were two things he needed to deal with, which included the Niger Delta crisis that he succeeded to a great level and laid a good foundation for what is there now. The second was the religious crises. That he was not able to curb it properly will make God to re-write his covenant of life with him because Nigeria is under programming even in heaven.

I am going spiritually again. Nigeria is under a divine mandate for Africa. The reason some of us have not added our voices to the happenings in Nigeria is because of the visions we saw. Without a united Nigeria, there will be no dignity for Africa; there will be no decency for Africa, and there will be no future for Africa. I can tell you that for sure. It is God’s will that Nigeria remains one and becomes a super-power both in industrial development and other sectors. I am telling you what God’s future plan for Nigeria is. So, God chooses Presidents that will carry out and fulfil these functions.

Before President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Obasanjo came, played politics, started some programmes and left. Then Yar’Adua came, he started with crises all over and then became ill. So God is using Jonathan to finish the work that both Obasanjo and Yar’Adua could not finish.

I know that as a reporter you want to know how he will end as President. I don’t want to go into that but I can release a few things from time to time. One is that if President Jonathan does not do away with the vultures around him, they will eat up the interest of this country and end up eating his glory. I repeat that they will eat up the interest of this country and end up eating his own glory so much that by the time he finishes his own tenure, he will be irrelevant and forgotten too quickly.

That is in my vision but depending on how he performs, I didn’t see him anywhere after his four-year term. That means, I didn’t see whether he died or is alive or just became a common man after that, because there are many now doing everything to ensure he does not achieve anything. So, he needs to become a man of his own and deal with the vultures or neutralize them.

Kafanchan crisis
I have brought a cross-section of those who were affected by the crisis, including the dislocated and those who were treated with bullet wounds and their testimonies, after which you can feel free to go into town and do your balanced investigative journalism. We just want the truth to be told and a permanent and lasting solution to these problems found. We are tired of crisis in Kafanchan. We pray the Federal Government will seize this opportunity and find the boldness to resolve these matters once and for all because they can be resolved.

We have found it necessary as a people to respond to the many false impressions being put out in the media by different groups and individuals. The AIT reported that of the Emir’s palace and BBC along with other print media reported the others. They all point to the same source carrying the same story of Christians terrorizing Muslims. The Emir’s palace claim on AIT was that they were having a “peaceful gathering” when the Christians or the community attacked them. The BBC report from one Abubakar elevated it to a “peaceful demonstration” when they were attacked. It is clear from this that while the pogrom may not have been planned in the palace, it gave it its cover and blessing.

We would want to put the facts straight for the public and everyone to investigate for them. First of all, it is clear that the whole crisis was thoroughly pre-planned with logistics set out and lines of action and operation spelt out clearly. Otherwise, how would you explain a spontaneous call to prayer on most of the loudspeakers in the mosques across the city at the same time at 9pm or thereabout with a shout of Allah Akbar. Muslims began to troop toward the mosques and designated areas to be followed at 10pm with another call on loudspeakers. This time with a spontaneous shout of Allah Akbar from the mosques and most of the streets occupied by Muslims and the burst of gunfire sound that shook the whole city. This was repeated a few times and the killings and burnings began.

How come the fighters on that night wore black dresses or dark pants like a coloured uniform and surrounded the walls of the Anglican Cathedral and the Yoruba Baptist pastor’s house and setting them on fire while shooting, without any resistance if it was not premeditated and planned? Is this what is referred to as “peaceful demonstration and gathering?”

In the history of this great nation, I am not aware of any demonstration at night by 9 to 10pm except they were clandestine. How come during their operation, they seemed to have reinforcement centres where they went to for either arms/ammunition or some form of coordination? Places around 48 Ibadan Street, 40 Zaria Street or the houses around the mosque in Rumada, opposite the timber shed. Some reports even mentioned some coordination and movement from the Emir’s palace. This led to some of these locations being attacked after the attackers became short on arms and could not sustain the movement anymore. One of the houses of my Muslim neighbour that was set on fire had bullet shells and other things exploding from it.

Thirdly, the kind of heavy guns and weapons used have never been heard of in the history of unrest in Kaduna State. This was why they overran almost the whole city before the youths, by the next day, could muster courage to push them back. Danhaya Street is a summary of what happened. It is the Berlin Wall from which the Muslims attacked the Christians before the Christians gained composure. No Christian building is standing there except by a strange miracle.

Crisis well planned
The attackers evacuated their families before the call to prayer began to either “safe zones” or out of the city. Why was this if it was not premeditated? We want to make it clear that as far as the Kafanchan crisis is concerned, what started in other parts of the country as a political crisis, as a result of Buhari not being elected president was taken advantage of by Islamic extremists and mediocre politicians in Kafanchan to settle old scores and expand boundaries and spheres of political influence. It has always been through crisis that they have gained grounds both politically and economically in places where they are minority in the North. Besides looting property of Christians before they burn or destroy their houses, the negotiations and sympathy that always follow work in their favour. So the reasoning of a few misguided leaders is that from experience a little bloodshed has always opened doors for them.

In recent times, there seems to be a new face being added to the meaning of Jihad – that of the acquisition of land and political power through violence. There is no other way to explain the mindless suicidal attempt at attacking people in a place where you know they are ten times more in number just because you have an advantage of arms except if there is a gain beyond the fight. Since the time of the Sardauna, they have fought to control these lands economically, politically and spiritually and failed. Years after, their sons still fight the same fight instead of respecting the natural boundaries and creation of the Almighty God. There will always be Christians in the North. The earlier all the sides accepted this the better.

There is the need to sit together and work out the modalities of co-existing. There is the need also to respect each other’s boundaries in beliefs and civic rights without the rights of those who originally owned the place being overridden or redefined through violence. Basic rights of all men must be defended always. One side must not be treated as sacred cows while the others punished for being majority. Let the truth dictate punishment and justice. People are afraid to speak up from this part of the country because of fear of retribution and victimization and the many years of deprivation.

Jema’a Emirate as genesis of the problem
The federal government must investigate this crisis and isolate it from the others because of its religious tone and not just write it off as another political crisis from the elections. I agree absolutely with chairman of the Hausa/Fulani Community in Southern Kaduna, Alhaji Abdullahi Jibrin, in the Weekly Trust cover story of April 30, 2011 that the leaders of the various tribes and their own enter a treaty with original indigenous tribes to spell out some realities of the present day constitutional Nigeria and be bound by its code otherwise the government should find other solutions that will avert crisis no matter how radical they may sound or look.

The land on which the Emir of Jema’a lives and rules from, for example, is on lease and had always been a silent reason for this crisis. It is time for them to return it to the Bajju (Kaje) people or write a new agreement on the terms of tenancy. The Makarfi government, despite all the good things that they did for Southern Kaduna, also laid the foundation for the present crisis when he raised an emirate without subjects and a clear-cut territory. I am aware that tension has been brewing since last year over land and territory, especially around the General Hospital in Kafanchan and surrounding lands.

This controversy almost led to blows last year. The state government is still dealing with that even now. The Emir of Zazzau (Zaria), for example, knows that he rules a clear-cut ancient and well respected emirate with defined subjects who are themselves kinsmen with same roots and history as his and cover a geographical territory that is well defined. Due to this lineal affinity, I do not expect the Emirs of Daura or Katsina or Kano, who also have defined subject and territories, to go to war with him on this because they have been always clearly defined and they are joined and backed by history.

In Makarfi’s case, he took subjects in Kafanchan in a modern day Lord Lugard style and made them subjects to an emir whose status in Kafanchan was not properly defined by the colonial masters that brought him there and without properly educating the new subjects that were subjugated to the emirate. The original emirate that came as a result of the Hausa/Fulani conquest covered from Sanga to Gidan Waya. The administrative headquarters of the emirate was then in Gidan Waya. Everybody in Nigeria knows that Gidan Waya is not the same as Kafanchan. Let this be noted for posterity.

We do not have the facts of what deals were made or what transpired between the colonial rulers and the grandfather or great grandfather of the present Emir of Jema’a. But we know that he was resettled in the village of Madakiya and later moved by the same powers under some form of arrangement to Katsit in Kafanchan, which both belong to the Bajjus, who were never conquered or ruled by the Hausa or Fulani. If he was there under some kind of exile or banishment, it would be improper to declare the land to which he was banished as part of his (Emir’s) domain…

The territories carved for the emirate, whether legally or not by the Makarfi administration, is so tight that the fight over who controls Kafanchan politically and economically and who is minority and majority will always be there…Makarfi made a mistake in trying to correct history’s twist whether rightly or not, by creating a Hausa/Fulani emirate with headquarters in Kafanchan instead of relocating its headquarters. The real problem is in Kafanchan. Correct this problem of history and we will become another normal city with normal problems.


Way forward for Kafanchan
The Federal Government must look into the emirate issue and correct this major abnormality by calling all the stakeholders to a roundtable that would resolve these matters with a proper law backing it.
The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency order for a house-to-house search of arms or what the military would refer to as “cordon and search” in all the houses in Kafanchan as we have cause to believe that there are heavy arms still left in the houses, which could quicken another conflict.

The federal governments will do well to investigate how these arms found their way to the city and property and their means of livelihood and resettle them. It should also investigate how foreigners from either Niger or Chad and other countries found their way into Kafanchan and settled in Matsirga by Madakiya in the last one year and overnight gained the kind of arms they used in the crisis, which accounted for a lot of people being killed in that axis.

Interrogating who brought them to Matsirga-Kafanchan and who bought them motorcycles to use for kabu-kabu will lead you to their sponsors. This is one of the immediate things the government can do to convince the ordinary man, whether Muslim or Christian, that this crisis will not reoccur or continue in the near future.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/12/national-12-06-2011-002.html

Tambuwal’s election to spite Yoruba, Jonathan – Group
By Felix Asimole
Sunday, June 12, 2011



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National Support for Jonathan/Sambo Presidency (NSJSP) has condemned what it described as the betrayal of the Yoruba race in the election of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The group regretted that the lawmakers elected Tambuwal rather than Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a candidate presented by the South-West, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had zoned the position.
It said that Aminu Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha, his deputy, are both from the Abubabar Atiku camp and everyone knows that the former President and Jonathan are not the best of friends.

In a press release made available to Sunday Sun and signed by President General of the group, Adekunle Kingsley Obolo, it said, “The entire political class appears to have a clear design to abort the presidency of Jonathan because it is now possible for the current House to concoct and manufacture spurious allegations against the President, as the duo of Tambuwal, and Emeka Ihedioha are both from the Atiku camp whose stand is implacably hostile to Jonathan,” the group said.

It contended that the whole political debacle was to scheme out the Yoruba from the position because of the overwhelming support they gave Jonathan during the April general election.
The Yoruba, the group said, supported Jonathan based on their conviction and the principle of fairness, justice and appropriate political balancing. “If the current conspiracy against them had been done in fairness, it would not have raised any eyebrow, but a situation in which the South-West is subjected unjustly to political privation or deprivation is unfair to God and good conscience.”

According to the group, the decision of the House of Representatives members to scheme out a most vibrant, articulate, politically sophisticated, cultured and refined segment of the country out of reckoning and contention is unfair and smacks of insensitivity. “The South-West had never sought undue favour but justice, they have never asked for any special privileges except their inalienable right as enshrined and guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution. When ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo was in the saddle, the Yoruba assumed the pivotal role of criticising his administration, they did this only because they wanted President Obasanjo to be fair to all Nigerians, which he willingly obliged.

“The current vindictiveness of the political class is because Obasanjo, a Yoruba, was in the forefront of championing and projecting President Jonathan’s ideals and objective,” the group said.
It noted with consternation the self-professed leaders, who over the years had pretentiously played on the emotion of the people, creating the impression of defending the core values of their people, adding that in this particular instance, they have inadvertently exposed their true colours and outright deception. “It is a pity that the opposition parties that are supposed to support the candidate that had exhibited selflessness, integrity and profound sense of mission as epitomized by Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, chose to pitch their tent with enemies of peace and reactionary forces, who are so obsessed that they never see anything good in whatever will promote peace and unity of Nigeria.”

The group warned that if the current myopic thinking in our body politic continues, new generation leaders might emerge from the South-West and ask why they decided to mortgage their future on the altar of political expediency.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/12/national-12-06-2011-009.html

Immortalise Abiola now –Evah
By WILLY EYA
Sunday, June 12, 2011




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National Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Comrade Joe Evah, has tasked President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to immortalize the hero of June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O Abiola.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the election adjudged to be the most free and fair presidential poll in the history of the country, but his mandate was annulled by the administration of the then Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda.

Speaking via telephone in hospital in Dubai, where he went for a medical check-up, the environmental rights activist reminded Jonathan that it was the June 12 struggle that laid the foundation for his emergence in the recent presidential election. He advised the President to genuinely immortalize Abiola, regretting that past leaders never considered such posthumous honour as important.

“The people of Niger Delta want to thank Nigerians for giving the mandate to President Goodluck Jonathan. You see, this year’s June 12 is very significant because it was a period Nigerians came together and voted for somebody they wanted.“Jonathan’s story can be likened to the June 12 story, but the only difference is that unlike Abiola’s mandate, it was not annulled, derailed, or cancelled.

“So, we want President Jonathan to immortalize Abiola because past leaders made it appear like a talkshop. We want Jonathan to realize that it was the June 12 struggle that gave him the mandate today, because of the principalities that fought against it. So, he should genuinely immortalize June 12 in this country and not pay lip service to it as his predecessors did. It is the Abiola election that brought forth the victory we are celebrating today,” he said.

He cautioned that Nigerians do not want what happened in 1993 to repeat itself because, according to him, the forces that derailed June 12 are still very much around and still trying to tamper with President Jonathan’s mandate.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/12/national-12-06-2011-006.html

The Ijaw Youth Development Association (IYDA) has set a four-cardinal agenda in the area of electricity, education, economic, and infrastructural development, radical implementation of the Niger Delta Master Plan and Technical Committee Report, for President Goodluck Jonathan in the next four years.

In a congratulatory statement signed by its National President, Mr. Amassoma Daniel, the group described Jonathan’s victory in the April presidential lection and his successful swearing-in on May 29 as divinely orchestrated for him to transform Nigeria and bring the economy out of the woods.“The entire members of IYDA are tremendously excited and enthusiastic about the victory of Goodluck Jonathan, the first elected president with a doctorate degree.

“The victory is like a dream come true and an historic event that is relatively inexplicable, and as a result, we see it as a thing of joy that a Niger Delta son from the minority ethnic Ijaw could rally round Nigerians and motivate them to unanimously cast their votes for him to lead this great nation.“We have never doubted his ability to effectively and efficiently put Nigeria back on track as a nation to reckon with locally and internationally and we will never doubt,” the statement read.

While reminding the president that the masses expect him to embark on massive and meaningful developmental projects that would distinguish him from previous leaders, the group also urged him to remove from his executive council any member whose performance does not measure to the standard.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/12/national-12-06-2011-004.html

After the expiration of the first one week of prayers organized by Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to persuade Governor Rauf Aregbesola to appoint his commissioners seven months after he took office, the party has asked the people to continue praying until God touches the heart of the governor.

A statement issued by the state’s acting chairman of the party, Otunba Sunday Ojo Williams, Saturday, said the people needed to intensify prayers, especially now that Aregbesola had travelled out again less than two weeks after coming from a one month visit to the United Kingdom.
The PDP said the situation the state found itself without a functional government and no one in charge of the affairs in the state, the only option was to turn to God to take control.

The party noted that the last journey of Aregbesola, who was accompanied by scores of his supporters to the United Kingdom, lasted close to a month from April 28 to May 21, 2011, adding that his current trip to India especially deserved prayers.
According to the party, if prayers proved insufficient to make things work for Aregbesola, it would call for dry fasting for as long as it took Aregbesola to come back and appoint his commissioners in line with the dictates of the constitution.

“The people of Osun State must know that the current state of affairs is not normal and we would continue to ask God to make Aregbesola see reason why he must have a democratic government in place in Osun State.
“Prayers are the weapons of the helpless. That is why we are offering to assist Aregbesola and his party (ACN) with prayers so that the people of Osun State will have commissioners very soon,” the PDP said.

first Nigerian thief and crook female speaker patricia Eteh

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2011/june/12/powergame-june-12-2011-002.html

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, does not need any introduction. But one thing that stands him out is his unrepentant crusade for people to do the right thing in Nigeria. In this interview, the man who has assumed the role of a social critic and human rights crusader, speaks on a wide range of issues including the state of affairs in the country and Benue State in particular. Excerpts…

You were among those who did not want President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2011 presidential election. In fact, you even published an open letter to him in a national newspaper. What informed your stance at that time?

Yes, at that time the situation was very confusing. People believed that if you bring in Jonathan, there would be a lot of election rigging. Also, his own people; the militants, were against him. And when they started this bombing here and there, we believed he was not a popular person. And I thought it would have been better for him to supervise the elections as an umpire rather than contest.

But eventually, when the presidential candidates emerged, we found that some of them were not credible enough and people seemed to pitch their tent with Jonathan. I saw him initially as a reserved person, somebody who was timid, and I also saw him as a tribal president because at that time people like Chief Clarke and a host of them were hell-bent on his becoming president. So, I thought he was sectional, he was not popularly accepted all over the country.

But when they started fielding all the presidential candidates, they brought some people who were not credible enough. Also, within the one year he ruled, I think he did well because he ruled with humility and there was no violation of the law, no violation of human rights, there was no politics of hatred and the likes. Perhaps, he learnt a lot within that one year. I still held unto my view that he should not contest. But, here we are, he contested and won, and was accepted by everybody.

Now that he has won, what is the next step for him and the country?
There are two things he did that impressed me. First, you know that this year’s budget was inflated, but he returned it to them to remove the excess money they added to it. Secondly, the issue of former Speaker Bankole, he refused to say anything about it. He refused to defend him even though we learnt from the pages of newspapers that Bankole’s father and his people lobbied that he should not be handed over to the EFCC. And I am sure if Jonathan had told the EFCC not to take action on this, they wouldn’t have obeyed.

So, the fact that the man is turned over to the EFCC made me to also have confidence in Jonathan, because I now see him as somebody who will not interfere in matters pertaining to the judiciary. Like in other countries of the world, very important people are arrested and prosecuted and you would not see government interfering. So, I think when Bankole was finally picked up and nothing came from the presidency saying they should not do this or that, I felt he is the person we need, because he is from the minority and would try to leave a mark. I believe absolutely that he started very well.

I also believe that perhaps, if he were the man in charge, the case against Obasanjo’s daughter wouldn’t have died just like that, because we are not hearing anything about it again. So, I think with that he will do very well. But there are issues he must have to tackle. First and foremost, he must deal with the issue of corruption. That is what is destroying this country, and that is what will destroy this country. Corruption and dishonesty. When the country starts regarding other people as sacred cows; people commit serious offences and you do nothing against them; that is where we are having problems.

For proponents of zoning, 2011 should be the North’s turn as president, but with the emergence of Jonathan, what happens in 2015?
I think we should rather go for the best. We are advancing in the country. We should stop fighting over parochial interest. We should stop this issue of zoning or no zoning, because if we talk about zoning, we would be installing the wrong people to rule us in this country. We should go for the best. If in 2015 we get someone very good, we should take him. Look at this issue of Tambuwal, the South-West were trying to encourage regional politics, and democracy of regional politics is now working against them because, if you have only one particular political party reigning in a particular region as it were, you cannot appoint somebody there to be Speaker.

So, I think what they are doing now is good. We are gradually moving away from what used to happen in those days. But the West is still trying to draw us back to what happened many years back during Awolowo’s time, because the West was for Action Group, the East for NCNC and the North for NPC, but as it is now, the PDP appears to be a national party, which has its wings everywhere in the states. But these people want to retain what Awolowo started by saying let us have a regional party. Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has taken over the West, and it is not good. If they had tried to penetrate the North or the East, that should have given them a national outlook.

As it is now, you cannot take somebody from there, who belongs to a different political party, and make him a Speaker. You cannot take somebody from a region that has produced opposition and make him a Speaker of the House of Representatives. That is wrong. One other thing that also worked towards our development is that the parties no longer have control over such issues, because PDP had wanted the Speaker to come from the West, but the politicians said no; including the opposition, because even the opposition also voted for Tambuwal, which is a good development for this country. So, all these people who call themselves godfathers are being phased out gradually, and that is a very healthy development for this country.

But what happens if Jonathan decides to contest again in 2015, because some people say this country might break if he contests. What is your take on this?
In my opinion, he has the opportunity to endear himself to the people of this country within the next four years. If he performs very well, if he is able to fight corruption, which is our major problem in this country; if he is able to restore electricity, revive our ailing industries, provide jobs and security, lay a very solid foundation for the rule of law in this country, we will accept him.

We will campaign for him too, because that is what we want. If somebody from the minority can give us our needs in this country, he is the one we should accept. We will not bring a regional president; people who come to say oh, this time is for the North, East, South or West. No, we don’t want that. We want somebody that would give us everything we require in this country. But you see, Nigeria is a place where we have a lot of wealth and resources – human, material, mineral and the rest of them. We have them in abundance, but there are people who want to amass wealth by all means, and the type of wealth they are amassing, they can’t even finish spending it in their lifetime; they cannot even say they willed it to their children, because when you are too rich in most cases, your children would not want to go to school. They would rely on your wealth.

And somebody who does not go to school is ignorant, and the worst ailment that can afflict anybody in the world is ignorance. Once you are ignorant, you are a misfit wherever you find yourself. So, we want somebody that would be able to lay solid background for the rule of law, have zero tolerance for corruption, restore electricity, revive our ailing industries, create jobs and give us very effective and functional healthcare system, devote his attention on agriculture and the rest. We don’t want somebody that wants to make money for himself; going to Dubai for shopping, and heading for London to shop with his wife and children. Look at other African countries; Nyerere was a poor man when he left office as president. He had no house. He had to go to his village. Also, Mandela ruled for only one tenure and left, and today he is a hero, not only in Africa but all over the world.

How do you see the winner-takes-all posture of our politicians?
To me, I don’t see it as winner-takes-all, because that would encourage the opposition to have their manifesto. If you are in the opposition, you criticize the government because government is doing this or that, then suddenly that government wins and you agree to form a government of national unity with it, then you have no manifesto for your party. So, I think the issue of winner-takes-all is good, people would now go and build up their manifesto so that they would have policies and know what to pursue.

But, if you have a common manifesto with the ruling party, then you can only assist in running their government. Look at the case of MDP, the NNPP came as a strong opposition party because they have no manifesto, and because some of their governors wanted to be protected by the MDP, they resigned and joined the PDP, and that was why the MDP collapsed. Now, the ANPP has won in one or two states in the North, and if the ACN also agrees to form a government of national unity, their own party too will collapse. I remember during Obasanjo’s regime, the man who was chairman of ANPP took the position of Adviser under Obasanjo.

You are in ANPP, an opposition party, and you accept a position under a ruling party, what advice would you give them? Would you give them advice based on your manifesto or the manifesto of the ruling party? So, some of these people in opposition do not go there because they have the interest of this country at heart, they do so for their selfish and political interest. Therefore, I think the issue of winner-takes-all is good.

What is your advice to those who lost in the last election?
The losers should go back and do their homework and prepare for the next election.

Let’s talk about issues affecting Benue State. Recently, Paul Unongo said the ACN and not the PDP won the governorship election in the state, what is your comment on this?
You see, Paul Unongo is somebody I respect so much because we knew ourselves when we were still in primary school and I have been following his performance. When he was Minster of Steel Development, he provided many jobs for people, helped a lot of people. And for him to have said the PDP did not win, I think perhaps, he was angry. Maybe somebody offended him, because he was in his house, he was not an electoral officer, he did not collate result, he was not everywhere the election were held. So, how did he conclude that PDP did not win? If he had talked about his own polling booth, where he was supposed to be, it would have been understandable. He was not an agent for any political party.

So, he was not moving from one polling booth to another. He based his utterances on what he was told. And I think he did that because the man who contested election under the platform of the ACN is like a son to him. Prof. Ugbah is the son of Unongo’s immediate younger sister, the same father and mother. I knew her during her lifetime, I knew her father and mother and I also know Paul Unongo. So, for him to say PDP did not win without having concrete evidence to substantiate his claim, I think is wrong. I think he was only angry. Again, perhaps, he tried to expose the nepotistic instinct in him. Maybe he was offended, maybe something happened, I don’t know. But let me tell you something; several months back, precisely on January 2 this year, I went to Paul Unongo’s village to see him.

That was when I saw the poster of that young man offering himself as a gubernatorial candidate. I knew the boy when he was here and when I visited California, I visited his house three times. So, I went to see Paul Unongo and asked him, “I’ve seen your son come out as gubernatorial candidate, even though he has not shown us the party he was going to join. Don’t you think his contesting this position would bring him in collision with the governor and other people in the state?”

He told me and I have no cause to lie against him, that he was not consulted and that when they came he told them he would not in support of the idea because it was the same Akume and Ayu, who sent thugs to burn his hotel in Jato-Aka and house in Unongo Village during which they exhumed bodies of his mother and father, removed them from the caskets, flogged and set them ablaze. That was what Unongo told me. He said he was not in support of Ugbah’s governorship bid and he had advised his son (Ugbah), but he would not listen.

Then, I was also told (he did not tell me this himself) that he said he had anointed Suswam as gubernatorial candidate and that anybody contesting against Suswam would die. I did not hear him say so, but people who heard him said he said so. So, for him to have come back suddenly to say he was supporting people who went and desecrated his parents’ grave, I don’t know why he did that.

Perhaps, somebody must have annoyed him; maybe it’s old age catching up with him. You know when you are getting old sometimes, you lose your senses, you talk like little children. It may be one of these things, I don’t know. But I am utterly disappointed, because what he is saying now is at variance with what he told me initially.

Now that Suswam has won, what is your advice to him?
Even though I have said the opposition should not romance with the ruling government, I want to appeal to Suswam, now he is the governor of Benue State, not the governor of PDP but governor of everybody, he should embrace everybody. He should forgive those who contested against him; those who said horrible things against him, all must have wished him bad.

His primary objective is to be governor, and now he is governor. He should forgive and bring them together. The opposition too should sheathe their swords, come back and work with Suswam for the development of the state, because that is the only way we can develop. Other states are developing while we are quarreling over spilt milk. I also want to appeal to the university students to stop involving themselves in tribal politics.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/10/national-10-06-2011-015.html

Traders want Obi for 3rd term
From GODWIN TSA, Abuja
Friday, June 10, 2011


Peter Obi
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Market leaders in Anambra State yesterday unanimously pressed for the continuation of the government of Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, beyond the constitutional four years of his second tenure because of what they described as his monumental achievements.

The traders, who made this call after inspecting the projects being executed by the governor, expressed their delight with what they saw on ground and observed that the government was on course towards delivering democracy dividends to the people of the state.
Speaking through one of the leaders Chief Leonard Onwuatuegwu of Nnewi Market Traders, they said they had come, seen and believed that the governor was doing well and called for a constitutional amendment that would enable Mr. Peter Obi to go for a third term which they said would be for the interest of the state.

Among the many ongoing and completed projects they inspected, the traders particularly hailed the completed Odor River Bridge, the longest bridge in the state’s history, as spectacular. “We have come, we have seen and we believe. We want you to go for third term and we will not only mount pressure on the National Assembly to make this possible but will sign it. But if you decide to go to the Senate or vie for any other position we will equally back you,” the traders said.

Replying, Governor Obi thanked them for their support but made it clear that he would abide by the constitution of the land and would therefore not spend a day longer than necessary in office.
“The constitution of the country has made it clear on the tenure of governors and I will abide by that. When my tenure ends I will come back and live with you,” Obi stated.

He said all the projects they saw were done without the state borrowing a kobo from anybody and attributed it to prudent management of resources by his government and its decision to live within its means. He urged the traders to emulate the state government by also striving to live within their means.
Obi also attributed the success of his government to the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which the government was using to develop all sectors simultaneously and pointed out that his government had succeeded because it had adopted ANIDS as a vehicle towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and that Anambra remained the only state to do so.

On the issue of allocation of offices to the South-east zone in the new dispensation, Obi restated his position that what the South-east zone needed was strong Federal Government presence and support rather than individual appointment.

He said the south east governors whom he leads endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan because of their agreement with him that he would build the second Niger bridge, make Enugu airport an international one, solve the zone’s erosion problems, among other people-oriented projects.
Obi however praised the appointment of former senate president Anyim Pius Anyim as the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and described him as a good choice equally endorsed by the south east governors. According to Obi the SGF was a very strategic position respected everywhere in the world and he urged the people of the zone to see it as such even as he recalled the role of the south east governors in Anyim’s appointment.

He promised to invite stakeholders in the state to monitor projects every six months to assess his progress.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/politics/2011/june/10/politics-10-06-2011-002.html
South-East still paying for civil war, says Balarabe Musa
By Chioma Igbokwe
Friday, June 10, 2011


•Balarebe Musa
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balabare Musa has said that the repeated marginalization of the South-East is because Nigeria has not forgiven the Igbo’s over the civil war.
In an interview with Musa who was the governorship candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), in the just concluded election, said Igbo are still paying the price for the civil war. He also spoke on the reason why he will not go to the tribunal despite his claim that the election was massively rigged.

2011 election
The election was not free and fair. Rather, it was disgraceful. It was something planned by the President, knowingly or unknowingly. He is a part and parcel of a conspiracy against the stability of Nigeria. He is one person that came looking fresh and clean. He shouldn’t have allowed himself to be involved in the abandonment of the zoning system, which has sustained Nigeria as one country since 1959. The conspiracy has now exposed the fact that as he became the President, is saying that the zoning system should be sustained.

As someone who has part and parcel of a conspiracy, he did everything to destabilize politics by abandoning the zoning plan, so that he can become president. Now that he has become president, he wants to return to zoning.

South-East marginalization
All governments in Nigeria marginalized the Igbo since the civil war. Marginalization is on the ground that they participated in the civil war, so many years after the civil war that ought to have been forgotten.
The abandonment of zoning is one of the things that will perpetually marginalize South-East because with this zoning system, any part of Nigeria can hope to present a president. The South-East, which has never produced a president, will never produce a president without zoning system. You know that there won’t be stability if a section of the country can be so neglected.

The civil war ended and since the so- called surrender, has anything come from the South-East to assure Nigerians that the civil war problem will not repeat itself? Since they surrendered, they have integrated themselves into Nigeria. The leaders of the country are refusing to integrate them. Until the days of late Yar’ adua, the South-East was not part of the security system in the country. They did not have their own share of the leadership in every part of Nigeria. What they relied on in the past is trading. They are not relevant except in spare parts business. They still have grievances and that grievances should be looked into.

Way forward
In the case of Nigeria today, the issue about the way forward is a big one. Those in control of power and economy at every level did not get there on the basis of merit. I can be frank with you, thieves are now ruling the country from top to bottom and with this type of situation how can we expect rationality? We still cannot have an acceptable election. Every election is worse than the previous one. Those who are knowledgeable know that the 2011 election was worse than others. Do you know the role thumb printing of ballot paper played in the 2011 election? Do you know the role taken by communities to show that there is no election in their community and to ensure that they elect the person they want? All there lies about free and fair election will come out if we use forensic examination on our ballot papers. It will expose everything. It will expose their lies that both local and international observers said, that the election was free and fair.

Post election violence
The crisis that erupted in the north originally was political. It was a crisis between the leading political parties in the North. Eventually, like everything in Nigeria, it took the form of ethnicity and particularly religion.

Election tribunal
I am not going to the tribunal because it is a waste of time. I don’t have the money and there is no guarantee of justice in the judicial system. It is a question of the highest bidder taking the day. We cannot afford the hundreds of millions or naira required to process a petition successfully. Apart from the lawyer, the legal cost is another issue. The court charges a lot of money in the filing of documents.
It is something that we will not bother ourselves about. We have already transformed ourselves since 1983 into a movement that can compete in any election, if the conditions are right. The important thing is that PRP is our party and we have since we have transformed ourselves into a movement and electoral political party. We believe that our struggle is protected and permanent. Therefore been rigged out of the election does not mean that we will stop. It does not matter whether we are registered or not. It does not also matter whether we can contest election or not. We are a movement.

Deregistration of parties
We are not bothered just like I told you. We have formed a movement and a political party that can contest in an election. Whether we can participate or not, we will remain because we believe that our struggle is protected and permanent. Coming to the legal situation, the electoral act that says that a political party that does not win one state house of assembly election or national assembly election be de registered is subject to the reading of the constitution.

And the constitution under the fundamental provision does not allow that to happen. In any case, there is even a practical issue. That same law did not say the parties that have been de registered cannot be registered again. It is a futile attempt by those in power to impose themselves on the people. In any case, after all, we didn’t get registered just for asking. We went to the federal High Court and to Federal Court of appeal in 2002 before 57 political parties where registered. In 2002, when we went to court, only six parties were registered and the electoral body refused to register any more political party. We had Gani Fawehimi who is so patriotic and committed that he stood in for us. It is unfortunate now that we don’t have a lawyer who is so patriotic and democratic that can fight for us. If necessary, we will reach that stage, because they must have seen the futility of questioning what the Supreme Court has already done.

On government agenda
Why should I bother when I know that they have rigged the election? They are not going to do anything good. The kind of people in government today is not the type of people that are patriotic or can perform. Now, they will make the situation of Nigeria even worse.

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\death of tochukwu in bayelsa The Sun News On-line.mht

Man’s inhumanity to man
‘The policemen dragged him to the waterside, asked him to say his last prayers and, at gunpoint, ordered him to run inside the river. They stood there, watching him drown’
From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Friday, June 03, 2011


•Tochukwu’s lifeless body
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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When Tochukwu Uzoukwu arrived in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, in April 2011, he was full of high hopes of a bright future after he might have served his master, Gideon Ezekwem, faithfully for the mandatory years. Born 25 years ago, Uzoukwu, from Umuduruejike community in Isiala Umuozu, Nwangele Local Government area of Imo state Nigeria, has had his dreams shattered. Sadly, Tochukwu is no more.

His hopes have been truncated allegedly by operatives of the dreaded Operation Famou Tangbei who were said to have taken custody of Tochukwu after a certain Sergeant Benjamin had handed him over to them after he was reportedly caught smoking a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that shock, disbelief and embarrassment were the expressions on the faces of men of the Bayelsa State Police Command, as their investigations have confirmed that actually the OFT operatives were involved in the killing of Tochukwu
Victor Ezekwem, a cousin to the deceased, in an interview, explained that the family would not rest until his killers are brought to book.

He told this reporter: “I am an Igbo man from Umduruejike community in Isi-Alaumuozu Nwangela Local government area of Imo state. This sad incident that led to the death of Tochukwu happened between 6.00pm and 7.00pm on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. I got to know about it when a police officer, Sergeant Benjamin called me on phone, telling me that he had caught one of my boys who was smoking at the time of his arrest. He told me that one of his colleagues went to the toilet at the Shellram waterside, Swali, and saw smoke coming out from one of the rooms and traced it to the boy, Tochukwu Uzuokwu, and that the boy was in his custody as he was speaking with me.

I pleaded with him to please take it easy with the boy until I came to see him. I also told him that that particular boy was an apprentice to my younger brother and that my younger brother was not in town. The next thing was that my relations called me and told me that many people had gathered at the waterside, around the scene of crime. They informed me that Operation Famou Tangbei had killed the boy.” According to an eyewitness, he was led to the river and commanded to raise his hands up, say his last prayers and jump into the river. Sensing that the end had come, he pleaded frantically that they should spare his life as he was Igbo and could not swim.

Otolo Ifeanachor continued the story: “I am just about 18 years old now, and I am an Igbo boy. I am one of the vigilantes here engaged by the traders to watch over their stores. I witnessed what happened to the deceased, Tochukwu on that fateful day. It occurred just before the day got dark, between 6.30 and 7.00pm. I saw the policemen of Operation Famou Tangbei when they dragged the late Tochukwu to the waterside, holding him firmly by his shorts. And I heard the boy saying, ‘I don’t know, I am innocent.’ Before this time, a certain police officer had handed him over to these very Operation Famou Tangbei policemen that they should take care of the boy. It was after they had kept him for a brief period in their van that they dragged him down to the waterside. And they ordered him to say his last prayers.

Tochukwu then said in Igbo that, ‘if God says I will die today I will die.’ The police then told him to run into the river. The boy told them he didn’t know how to swim. But they threatened him and forced him to jump into the river at gun point. Many people watched while this thing was happening. From where I was watching, I saw the boy’s hand come up about three times before he finally drowned. Some persons wanted to go and assist the drowning boy, but everybody was afraid of the gun the policemen were using to threaten everybody. Then, as the policemen were leaving the scene, I heard them talking. One of them said it might be true that the boy didn’t know how to swim. Another one said: “It is false. He knows how to swim and must have hidden himself in the water. I told you people that we should shoot him, but you have allowed him to escape.”

Gideon Ezekwem, who is the direct boss to the deceased, said there are eyewitnesses who are ready to testify whenever the case gets to court. “I am Gideon Ezekwem, a cousin to the deceased and I brought him to Yenagoa about a month ago to assist me in my business. We are from Umuduruejike community in Isiala Umuozu, Nwangele Local Government area of Imo State of Nigeria. I was not in town when the incident happened, though I was on my way to Yenagoa that same day. There are eyewitnesses who told me what actually happened and are willing to testify anywhere as to what they saw. My relations have also come from home to confirm the incident.”
Since the body of Tochukwu was discovered five days later and moved to the Federal Medical Centre mortuary amidst chanting of war songs by people who witnessed his murder, his alleged killers have been threatening Ezekwem.

According to the Ezekwem brothers, threat text messages have been sent to their phones by unknown callers warning them to desist from pursuing the matter. The people of Umuduruejike community are also not taking it lightly. Checks indicated that the community has concluded plans to send a delegation to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police to demand the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the death of their son.
The Civil Liberties Organization, (CLO), in a letter signed by Flint-Williams Odonmini and Alagoa Morris, state vice-chairman and secretary respectively, has called for a probe of the incident as well as the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of all those found culpable in the death of Tochukwu.

It advised the Commissioner of Police that depending “on the way your office handles this case, the CLO might have no option than joining other interested groups and members of the public to seek justice in the court of law.”
Victor Ezekwem added that aside bringing those who killed Tochukwu to book, the police authorities and the Bayelsa State government should pay compensation to the family.

Sources said the leadership of the Bayelsa Police Command was deeply worried about the incident, especially when its homicide division carried out an independent investigation and discovered that Tochukwu was indeed killed. Though a new commander, Aniete Eyoh Akpan, has assumed duties at OFT and has commenced a re-organization of the security outfit, Bayelsans are insisting that his reforms and re-organization would amount to nothing if those who led Tochukwu to his death are not apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.
All efforts to get the official reaction of the OFT were unsuccessful. but a senior official assured that the incident would be investigated