The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Neya Uzor Kalu rocks Abuja

    Neya Uzor Kalu rocks Abuja

    ONE lady who is currently rocking the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is Neya Uzor Kalu, the first child of former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. The heiress to the Orji Uzor Kalu dynasty is making waves with her state-of-the-art Jus Human beauty spa in Abuja. The one-stop spa, we learnt, is now a Mecca of sort for celebrities.

    To say she is the apple of her father’s eyes is saying the obvious. Little wonder, sources said the former governor named his country home in the sleepy town of Igbere, Abia State as Camp Neya. Neya is a fashion buff and sources say she fraternises with silver spoons of her kind.

  • A musical tribute to Nelson Mandela

    A musical tribute to Nelson Mandela

    DECEMBER 18, 2013 will linger in the minds of thousands of music lovers and guests who trooped out to the Ocean View Restaurant in Victoria Island on that day to pay tribute to the late South African icon, Nelson Mandela, courtesy, EbonyLife TV.

    Nigerian stars came out in fascinating numbers on the night to honour the first democratically elected black South African President whose legend as a freedom fighter, democrat, philanthropist, humanitarian, nation builder, unifier, liberator, change agent and Nobel Peace Prize winner continues to reverberate around the world, even in death. The title of the concert was “The Legacy Lives: A Tribute Concert for Madiba”. Among the artistes that performed were as D’banj, Tuface, Tiwa Savage, Ikechukwu, Waje, Darey Art Alade, Burna Boy, Timi Dakolo, Julius Agwu, Nikki Laoye, Victoria Kimani, Nneka, Joseph Benjamin, Olisa Adibua, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, K Switch, Niyola, Chuddy K, among a host of others.

  • ‘Military offensive not enough to win terror war’

    ‘Military offensive not enough to win terror war’

    The new chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), Elder Philips Olaiya, spoke with reporters in Lagos last week on issues affecting Christians in the north. Sunday Oguntola was there

    What are the cardinal objectives of your group?

    NOSCEF stands for the values of fairness, equity and justice for all Nigerians regardless of their tribe, religion, creed or political affiliation. We want to be a strong voice and powerful vehicle for the northern Christian community and their support for these values.

    To that end, we will protect and defend the interests of Nigerian Christians in the north of the country; provide help when and where necessary to that constituency; promote unity and peace across denominational lines in the region; galvanise consensus on political, social and sectarian issues in the overall interest of Nigerians in general and that of northern Christians in particular.

    Northern Christians are powerful by virtue of our numbers but we remain a threatened minority. Our voice must and will be heard. Our interests must and will be respected.

    Many assume that it is just a replication of CAN. What relationship exists between your group and CAN?

    The idea of NOSCEF arose from the Northern CAN, so there is a generic relationship there. NOSCEF has, for its part, continued to provide an important forum for reflecting the voice of Northern Nigerian Christendom. NOSCEF unreservedly recognises CAN as the overarching umbrella body for Christians in Nigeria.

    Dissenting voices in CAN, especially the Catholic, are against Pastor Oritsejafor’s style of leadership. What’s your take on it?

    I am not sure that I would characterise the Roman Catholic interface with CAN as one of a dissenting voice; it is more that of a strong voice that has continued to engage with the umbrella body. I would also disagree that Catholics as a body are against Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

    Pastor Oritsejafor has been a pillar of institutional growth for the body of Christ. There will always be periodic differences in interpretation where members are drawn from such bodies with clear convictions; this is as much the strength of CAN as anything else.

    How did you emerge as leader of a Northern Christian Elders’ group, being a Yoruba man?

    The constitution of NOSCEF prescribes membership for anyone who is over 40 and resides in the north. I am over 50 and live in Abuja. If you require more while both my parents grew up in and met in Lagos, my father’s parents were from Kogi State and my mother’s from Ogun State.

    I believe I was chosen because it was felt that I, along with my fellow members of the executives, could make positive contributions to the body in whatever way our Lord sees fit.

    What would be the way out of the Boko Haram’s insurgency in the north?

    There is no magic wand to use to wish away the menace that is Boko Haram. What continues to be necessary is a firm and consistent approach in tackling the menace robustly. We need tough security measures to fight the terrorism and protect our people, measures to address the grievances that fuel the insurgency like the lack of jobs, education and investment and political steps to engage the militants themselves and persuade them to end the violence.

    We have been and continue to work with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation in seeking to promote dialogue. It cannot be dialogue at any cost though, and while the dialogue is pursued, Boko Haram too must be pursued vigorously on the ground.

    How do you react to claims and counter-claims by Christian and Muslim leaders as to who is more affected by the terror attacks?

    Both Christians and Moslems have suffered in the hands of Boko Haram. And both Christians and Moslems must join hands in resisting the public menace Boko Haram represents. We believe though that the most vicious attacks have been reserved for Christians precisely because Boko Haram sees Christians as infidels, by definition.

    Do you see military intervention eventually succeeding?

    To look to a purely military solution would be misguided and unhelpful. Military intervention can be a pivotal part of an overall solution if it is maintained and sustained at levels that enable it to contribute to a political solution by forcing Boko Haram to the negotiation table.

    Will northern Christians vote for a Muslim presidential candidate?

    Northern Christians will vote for the candidate most likely to fulfill his promises and thereby bring closer a society without contrived boundaries. And we will support and encourage them so to do. At this stage, who that might be is in the realm of speculation. I do not intend to indulge in or encourage such speculation.

    I do intend, however, to stand up for the interests of northern Christians. We will make our decision on the basis of the choice presented to us at the next election.

    We are a threatened people, our very survival and that of the country is at stake. We have to do everything we can to protect our community and the unity of the country.

    Above all, we expect leaders to provide security for our churches and our congregations to provide jobs for our young people and an ethical approach to government. This is what we expect and what will determine who we throw our support behind, nothing else.

    Do you believe the security forces are committing human rights abuses in the north?

    I am unable to answer that question unequivocally. In the fog of war, there are often unforeseen and unintended consequences. Throughout history, military engagements against unconventional forces, particularly terrorist bodies, often mean there is collateral damage, whether to people or to institutions. I neither sanction nor welcome such overreaching but I am able to contextualise it.

    What changes should we expect from the new leadership of NOSCEF?

    I and the national executives expect to continue to be guided by the interests of our council. We shall seek to promote those interests through our religious, social, cultural and geopolitical interactions.

    Are the attacks politically motivated?

    I believe Boko Haram members are advocates of a violent political Islam.

    Any plan to help victims?

    Aside from the support that we attempt to bring directly, we are involved with other organisations in the support chain to help victims. We are also committed to lobbying government to be even more proactive in assisting victims. By not assisting the victims more, we become in some small way complicit in promoting the objective of the terrorist.

    If we had a Muslim president, do you think things would have been different?

    I suspect that Nigeria’s problems would not be much different if we had a Muslim president than they are for President Jonathan now; and they will be just as pressing. We should focus more on outcomes and performance rather than the religious beliefs of the officeholder. By definition, a different president would bring about a different presidency, regardless of religious persuasion. Whether such a Christian or Muslim would drive that difference is a one-dimensional perspective.

    Do you agree with Obasanjo’s criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan?

    He (Obasanjo) is entitled to his opinions. It is not for me to get into these kinds of disputes. I am focused more on the interests of northern Christians. What they want are political leaders who are willing and able to address their key concerns.

    Will negotiations with Islamic terrorists really work?

    Negotiations are a stage in a political process. I do not know what stage that political interface is between government representatives and representatives of Boko Haram but I am sure such is ongoing.

    Is military winning the war against terror?

    Again, your question mistakenly attributes to the military alone the responsibility for “winning the war”. That cannot be. The responsibility lies in the political arena bringing about a solution forced by military power and prowess.

    Are the attacks a way of saying southerners should leave the region?

    I have already spoken of the dangers of our becoming prisoners of our language. Why do you speak as if Boko Haram (even assuming, though not conceding) has widespread support in the north? I know that it does not; what it seeks to exploit is fear. It preys upon the fears of people already marginalised and attributes all the ills of the world to the nominated foe.

    A clear majority of northerners welcome the southerners in their midst and treasure the idea of Nigeria. They know as well as any one else that the idea of Nigeria is incompatible with ethnic cleansing.

    Do you think northern Muslims that condemn Boko Haram are sincere?

    Again, one must be wary of sweeping generalisations. I think most northern Muslims appreciate that Boko Haram represents an existential threat to them.

    For them to do anything but support the war on terror would be an act of political suicide. They know full well that if one rides on the back of a tiger the possibility always exists of ending up in its stomach.

    Christians have suffered age-long discriminations with regards to church buildings, appointments, working conditions and others in the north. Are there plans to reverse these?

    This is true and we are committed to rectifying it. What you describe is part of a larger malaise of maladministration in Nigeria. In the north, it also comes clothed in religious intolerance and bigotry. What needs to be tackled for the good of the country will also encompass the north and all vestiges of bigotry and religious intolerance.

  • I never forget who I was -Akin Lewis

    I never forget who I was -Akin Lewis

    Akin Akintola Lewis became a popular face back in the 70s through a television series, Why Worry. The versatile actor recently celebrated his 40th year in the world of art . He shares with Adetutu Audu his journey to stardom.

    CONGRATULATIONS on your 40th anniversary. What does it mean to you to be 40 years on stage?

    It is a whole lifetime for me; it’s 40 years of dealing with life about life in life. You know, it’s a whole lot. It’s been 40 years of educating, entertaining, fun, hard work and meeting and knowing people.

    What would you say attracted you to the acting world?

    My dad used to buy me comic books, literature books and all of that and I used to take part in all these children’s TV programmes, and I was very active in dramatic and debating societies while I was in primary school. When I got to secondary school too, I was very active, really active. So, by the time I was sitting for my WAEC (West African Examinations Council) exams, I knew what I wanted to be.

    Theatre practitioners were seen as never do-wells in those days. Did you suffer any opposition from your parents?

    My father was an engineer and I have brothers and sisters who were accountants, so everybody expected me to either be an engineer or an accountant, but I wanted to be a theatre practitioner. And in those days, there really wasn’t money in it like we have now. You know, it wasn’t the best of profession to choose at that time; in fact, I had a fall-out with my dad because of it.

    So, how were you able to win them over?

    When I became a star, that was when the whole fight got settled. He saw clearly what it was all about and he would be boasting and telling his friends, oh! Do you know my son? That’s my son now! I used to do a very popular programme, Why Worry, then in Ibadan. When I became a star because of that programme, everything finished, no more fight.

    You became a star at the tender age of 22 when you acted the role of a 60-year-old in Why Worry. What was it like, coming from a background where you were not known?

    It was incredible. It wasn’t as if I wasn’t known at all then, because we were doing a lot of TV dramas and all of that, but it was astronomical. The rise to stardom and suddenly, everybody wasn’t thinking about oh! theatre art is not good; everybody now wanted their sons or their children to study drama. And for me, everybody wanted to be my friend. You know, people would offer to buy me drinks, offer to pay for my food if I went to the restaurant; it was incredible, just the stardom.

    Since theatre practice was not paying handsomely, how were you able to cope financially?

    It wasn’t very lucrative at that time to be a theatre practitioner. First and foremost, it wasn’t structured. Something happened at NTA Ibadan, the General Manager then, Dr. Faronbi, created a drama unit and I was part of it. That place, he now structured it, so that we were now receiving stable salaries like everybody else. So it became very structured; we were able to sit down, write plays, act, direct and produce and as a matter of fact, we went further to produce all those big theatre artists who were the likes of ‘Baba Sala’ and co.; that was what helped us. But even then, we were still all very young, we were single, so it wasn’t a big deal. But then when we got married and it became very necessary to have very regular meals on the table and that was again when I realised that I needed a surplus income. What I then did was to look for a parallel profession which then led me into the corporate world. That’s how I started doing marketing, advertising, public relations and all of that.

    Fame attracts women and you hit the limelight before you married, how easy was it for you to pick a wife?

    It was a bit difficult, but you see in those days, times were better, girls had proper upbringing, home training and all of that, so if you needed to find a wife, just look at the background, the family, the pedigree and you are likely to get a girl that is very stable and all of that, unlike today. Yes, I was a Romeo of sort, but the truth is, they say out of 1001 girlfriends, it’s the one on top that’s the lucky one. So, just look at the background and you fill like, oh! This one comes from a good home and it will show; she won’t run around, you are not likely to find her going to club and stuffs like that, so you’ll know that, maybe, this is your own.

    Aside from her background, being a Romeo at that time, what was the edge the lucky lady had over others?

    I guessed she just fell in love with me. Well, I was popular as it were. It took me like one year to woo her before she agreed because she was like, this guy… it took like one year. And I was starting to get not interested anymore, and then she started showing interest and all of that. Em! I guess I have always been my natural self, very exuberant, outgoing and you know, I didn’t have money then but we had prospects, so I guess all of those things put together.

    Getting into the corporate world then, how were you able to juxtapose the two; doing the world of art and the corporate world?

    The truth is, I don’t know, if you ask me. It was tough, but I’m a very scheduled person, very organised and what I would do most of the time, I was doing overnight recordings or weekend recordings or just take my leave and do the corporate thing. I was always a very tired person, you work during the day, during the night; and I knew that if I wanted to still remain in this industry, I had to do that. You don’t want to get out, because once you get out, you can’t make any more impact, people forget you. So I needed to stay there, so it was, well, the grace of God and a lot of hard work and organisation.

    Will it be right to say you found a way of staying back in the industry while you were working in the corporate world simply because you wanted to keep your relevance in the industry or keep your face in the public?

    Yes! The thing for me is, I always knew I was coming back full time because to me this is my first love, this is it. I knew that if I had to come back, then I had to be relevant, otherwise, I’d have to go and start again. So, that’s why as a strategy, I had one foot in there, and one foot in here (one in the corporate, one in the entertainment); and that’s how I kept it, so when I finally retired from corporate, it was easy for me to continue.

    How were you able to fit in back, judging from the angle of the pay you were earning in the corporate world, compared to what is obtainable in the entertainment world?

    Oh! By the time I was leaving the corporate world, the entertainment industry…there had been a boom, a very big boom, you know, so it wasn’t difficult at all because I was already a star; a premium actor, it was just a matter of getting the jobs and doing the plus and minuses. I was earning as much as I was earning there, maybe more.

    So, if you want to look at the past with what is obtainable at the moment, can you compare the two in terms of pluses and the minuses?

    In those days, we had highly trained people. I’m telling you, even if you didn’t go to school, you are with one professional group or the other, highly trained. These days, there are not many trained people around, everybody thinks they are this and that; they don’t know the most of it. In those days there was not much money in it, but today there is a lot of money. If you become a star, it is your face, that’s what will sell you, so you earn a lot of money. In those days, of course, the technology was very low, the cassette we’re used to came in discs that were very big. Now you have it in small sizes and then of course in those days even your popularity was limited to probably the channels that the TV station was showing; for us then in those days was eh! Channels 3, 4, 5 and 7 which took care of Ibadan, Lagos, Ilorin, Ogun State and all of that, but these days, there is satellite digital all over the world, there is internet; there is phone that is mobile and all of that. So, today I’m saying that your face is all over the world. Before, maybe it’s just your locality, those are the pluses and minuses.

    Can you share with us some of your memorable moments?

    There are projects you cannot forget in a hurry. For instance, Madam Dearest, I know that I have to use all of those feelings, the emotions, cry, was happy, I was sad, I laughed and all of that. I remember Mind Bending where I had to play a drug addict, I had to go and spend like a week at Yaba with the doctors and the inmates, so I could know how to do these things and that was tough, very tough, and so you get to remember those trainings. Of course I remember when we were training in the school of drama, we used to say then that the only place tougher than the school of drama was the army; that was how tough it was.

    Would you say you are fulfilled?

    I am much fulfilled. Up till this point, there is nothing that I set my mind to that I have not done; you know but tomorrow it’s another day, I’m very fulfilled. Maybe if the boom came when we were also a lot younger, maybe we would have had a longer time of enjoying the proxy but here we are still relevant even now, we are still. In life, there are old, young, middle age. We grow in stages, but I’m fulfilled.

    What legacy are you leaving for the industry?

    Yabake Youths Foundation for Arts is concerned about helping the moving art. Ours is the moving arts, helping it to realise itself better by helping young talents to be better in what they do and how they do it. And this is what formed the school. It is through the school that the foundation will take care of all of these shortcomings in the young talents and even practicing practitioners too, the professionals.

    You have been scandal-free, what is the secret?

    We all come from different backgrounds, but what makes your pedigree? It is the home from where you came, the schools that you attended, your teachers, the kind of work you do, your friends and all of that. I guess my pedigree helped me in a lot of ways and like I told you, I always want to be the best and so I took a conscious effort, because I took conscious decision just to be who I am because I know doing what I do, I am a mentor to many. I am a role model to many and I realise that I can’t go around to just be messing up, I need to be focused and so with God helping me, I was very focused but it was a conscious decision that I took to be scandal-free. I’m not a saint, it is just that if you decide to live a straight way, you will; if you want to go the wicked path, you will and then again one of the things they teach us in the school of drama, the first rule, the cardinal rule is ‘you never forget who you are’. So it doesn’t matter the role that I take, once I finish, I wash my face, I clean-up, I change, I’m Akin Lewis again and I go home. Because I play a billionaire, now must I act like a billionaire, now I go and start doing some things and then fall into trouble? I don’t do that.

    Is there anything you would like to change about yourself?

    If there is anything I would like to change about myself, maybe it has already happened. When I was younger, I used to be on a fast lane, I was always anxious, things needed to happen like yesterday, but right now it doesn’t happen like that anymore. I realised that, eh, take it easy man! I guess with age, wisdom has come to bear; there is nowhere you are rushing to, like my people say, the water you’ll drink will not flow beyond you.

  • Engaging power for conquest!

    As it is in the military, we have the ground force, which engages auto weapons, tanks, etc. Also, we have the ground power with the nuclear power being the ultimate military might. In the same vein, the Blood Covenant is God’s ultimate source of power! It is the spiritual nuclear force that destroys all barriers, resistances and oppositions.

    The plague stated in Exodus 11:1 was brought about by engaging the mystery of the Passover, which is a dimension of the mystery of the Blood Covenant.

    The Place Of The Blood Covenant In The Battles Of Life:

    For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one (1 John 5:7-8).

    These include the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, the water, which represents the Word of God according to Ephesians 5:26, and then the Blood. These three represent God’s seal of dominion for the believer on the earth. When we engage the anointing, the Word, and the blood, no devil can stand!

    The Blood Covenant occupies the highest and most powerful position in the battles of life. There is the Spirit power, there is the Word power and there is the Blood power.

    Unfortunately, the Church has ignored the power in the Blood, because they lack understanding of what it is. The Church has been blinded to the point that all we use the Blood for is the remission of our sins. Whereas, it is a mighty weapon of war; it is God’s last card against all satanic assaults. Therefore, it is time to wake up to the reality of the efficacy of the power in the Blood, by engaging it in spiritual warfare.

    How Do We Engage The Blood Covenant In Warfare?

    •Through prayers: Anything not good in our lives or around our lives is not of God, because His redemption entitles us to freedom indeed. Understand that the devil is behind your woes. But we can plead the Blood of Jesus to overcome him in battle. We can draw the Blood line to define the boundaries that the enemy cannot cross, for we overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb (Revelations 12:11).

    •Through the Communion Table: The Blood of Jesus that we serve through the communion, empowers us to live like Jesus (John 6:53-57). Not only that, it destroys every weakness in our system, uproots every sickness from our body and sets a seal of longevity on our lives (1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

    •Through the Blood of sprinkling: This is our stronghold in battle. It is the ultimate of God’s power. There is the Blood warfare power, there is the communion power and there is the super level power of the Blood of sprinkling, which is the highest of God’s power.

    Whatever, therefore, escapes the spirit, will the dagger of the Word bring down, and whatever escapes the dagger of the Word, must be brought down by the dagger of the Blood (Hebrews 9:19-21).

    What Is In The Blood Of Sprinkling?

    It invokes vengeance (Exodus 12:12). It invokes divine judgment against our captors, including the agents of the devil in the flesh- witches and wizards that harass our destiny.

    Supernatural Restoration: The aftermath of the blood of sprinkling brought about supernatural restoration for the Israelites. There was supernatural transfer of wealth. Their human dignity was colourfully restored (Exodus 12:35-36).

    It is our defence against the Accuser of the Brethren. The devil specializes in accusing us before God, but when the blood is seen on us, every point of accusation against us is thrown out. So the blood is our covering against the activities of the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10-11).

    Friend, the power to engage the Blood covenant is available if you are connected to God. You get connected by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour. If you are set, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now, I know I am born again!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Anointing For Breakthrough, Understanding The Anointing and Anointing For Exploits.

    In a few days time, we shall be celebrating the New Year on January 1, 2014. It is a time for us to make a solid resolution to obey and serve the Almighty God faithfully. God is faithful! I wish you and your family A Prosperous Happy New Year!

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

     

  • Amaechi: David slays Goliath

    Amaechi: David slays Goliath

    BETWEEN President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the top dog, and Rivers Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the underdog, there is a parallel in William Shakespeare’s plays.

    In Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra, Mark Anthony often thought aloud. When he led Julius Caesar loyalists to crush the Brutus-led conspiracy against Julius Caesar, the subject of Julius Caesar, another Shakespearean play, Augustus Caesar was only a subaltern while he, Anthony, was already a general.

    How come then, he wondered, that the mirthless Augustus always worsted him in military manoeuvres, in the fierce struggle for power among the second Roman triumvirate of Mark Anthony, Augustus Caesar and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus?

    Anthony, of course, lived in denial, for the facts were stark.

    The colourful Anthony ensnared himself in the Alexandria court of Cleopatra, the enchanting Queen of Egypt. But Augustus, the prim-and-proper empire machine, back home in Rome, accused Anthony of abandoning state duties.

    By the time he, self-serving no doubt, released damning evidence of Anthony’s will giving part of his estate to his children by Cleopatra, Rome was furious of an uxoriousness unbefitting and unbecoming of a Roman noble.

    Rome declared an anti-Cleopatra war, which Augustus needed to get rid of Anthony, to remain the last of the triumvirates standing, having earlier got rid of Lepidus. The beginning of the end, for Anthony, came with the defeat of his forces in the Battle of Actium, in Greece, in September, 31 BC. He, with his Cleopatra, later committed suicide in Alexandria, thus doting in death as they were in life.

    Like the tragic Anthony, President Goodluck Jonathan may well permit himself some dose of self pity, in pondering the Rotimi Ameachi political challenge.

    In Nigeria’s skewed federalism, Amaechi is only a governor — of oil-rich Rivers State, no doubt but a “wretched” governor, nevertheless, in Nigeria’s peculiar unitary federalism. Yet he always ran rings round the all-mighty president in political manoeuvres!

    Still, to be fair, a Jonathan-Amaechi contrast is not quite as starkly dramatic as an Anthony-Augustus one. While Jonathan was a quiet, taciturn deputy governor to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the inimitable “Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation”, Amaechi was an up-and-coming Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the colourful Peter Odili.

    But for former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political elimination of Alamieyeseigha on corruption charges, it is doubtful if Jonathan would even have attained the Bayelsa governorship, given his low-profile under Alamieyeseigha.

    On the contrary, as Speaker, everything pointed to an Amaechi ascendancy, as a son in whom the Odili political establishment was well pleased.

    As two-year governor to complete impeached Alamieyeseigha’s term (December 2005- May 2007), Jonathan could hardly point to any enduring project, though a still uncompleted high rise hotel in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, has become some tower of Babel of recrimination between Jonathan and his estranged successor as governor, Timipre Silva. To be fair though, Jonathan was governor for only 18 months.

    In contrast, Amaechi has remarkable achievements to point to in health, futuristic and egalitarian educational policy, sports development, huge investment in roads and other infrastructure, and improved security before the recent slide-back, following the current Rivers political crisis.

    Though Amaechi is a two-term governor and Jonathan but a brief one, were quality to propel political ascension, Amaechi, on the strength of his gubernatorial performance, would most probably have, other things being equal, acquitted himself better than Jonathan as vice-president and later president.

    But Amaechi is not The Nation Man of the Year Runner-up because of his better performance, compared to Jonathan’s, as governor. He earned the accolade because he, in 2013, stood as an irresistible and implacable symbol of justice for the oppressed and the underdog, stout and fearless defender of the inviolability of citizens’ right as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, positive force for the federal principle in Nigeria’s pseudo-federal set-up and a solid tower of democratic dissent.

    Of course, in Nigeria’s brazen federalism, where a president assumes the role of a demi-god, no matter how woefully he performs in office, and dissent is always equated to rebellion no thanks to shallow understanding of democratic concepts, the courage of Ameachi’s stance can better be appreciated.

    Yet, morning indeed showed the day. It is just that President Jonathan, Amaechi’s principal opponent for the soul of democracy in Nigeria, did not appear to listen.

    When in 2007 Obasanjo announced the cancellation of Amaechi’s Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket, claiming in pidgin English the ticket “get K-leg”, Amaechi did not lay to be run over. Instead he stood for his right.

    Though back then it seemed the grand folly of a David faced with the Goliath of a sitting president and the entire PDP apparatus, or even a man daring a zooming train, Amaechi triumphed at the courts. Though that audacity earned him his first arbitrary PDP suspension, Governor Amaechi enjoyed the rare spectacle of his party eating crow.

    The moral of that first judicial triumph was clear: though the president could be all-powerful and the ruling party all-foreboding, a citizen’s right, guaranteed by law, is inviolate if that citizen has the balls to insist on it.

    But all seemed lost on President Jonathan, when his aides fired the first shot: the president was reportedly cross with Amaechi because he was allegedly planning to run as presidential running mate to Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido. Elder Godsday Orubebe, Niger Delta minister, fired that first salvo.

    Now, in a republican democracy, why is it wrong for Amaechi to run for vice-president, even if just alleged, when it is right for Jonathan to run again for president?

    Then came the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) election, from which to preclude Amaechi, Jonathan virtually released a presidential fatwa. But again, Amaechi triumphed with the votes of majority of governors. The subsequent play of naked impunity, epitomised by the disgraceful mathematical gerrymandering, in which 16 is greater than 19, further wrong-footed the Jonathan presidency. Again, Amaechi’s victory here is not just a personal triumph. It is a solid blow for the sanctity of democratic institutions, in a realm of democracy sans democrats.

    The NGF carry-over impunity would, for PDP, lead to even graver consequences. Enter, the G-7 PDP dissenting governors: five later defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), one reportedly “threatening” to follow suit in January and the remaining one adamant to remain, even if he declared his beloved party was brain dead, only waiting to be buried!

    But perhaps where Governor Amaechi’s armour glitters most is upholding the federal principle against the bale, the bile and the consistent battering of a bully president, egged on by uncritical, if not outright sycophantic, acolytes.

    Against rogue “federal might” that would throw everything — compromised police chief, politicised police, destabilised Rivers Assembly and ethnic blackmail, in a bid to procure an illegal gubernatorial impeachment; and even reported freelance anarchists alleged to be former militants — Amaechi has stood firm.

    He has insisted on the right and majesty of his gubernatorial office and the right of his state, particularly regarding the alleged pilfering of Rivers oil wells, for which he alleges the president of the Federal Republic stands indicted.

    Indeed, not since Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu’s titanic face-down of President Olusegun Obasanjo, has the republic witnessed a continuous Gulliver vs Lilliput match-up, in which the giant is consistently worsted. That, by the second, drives the hapless Gulliver crazier and more ultra-reckless!

    From media reports, the Jonathan group still seeks the procurement of an Amaechi “impeachment” by any means possible, including another legislative gerrymandering of six trumping 24! It is the classic presidential malady of doing things same way but expecting different results.

    However the plot plays out, Amaechi has brilliantly made the point that a democratic republic ought to be based on law, not on arbitrarily power, no matter how the powerful the overlord feels he is, and how puny and frail the underdog is made to feel he is.

    Nigeria’s democracy will deepen when both the strong and the weak, as routine, totally surrender to the dictates of the law. It is way back to the pristine Social Contract, a paradox of the past being a compass for the future.

    Indeed, in Ameachi, David has again slain Goliath — and the fledgling federal democratic republic is the better for it.

  • Like soccer, like country, the example of Stephen Keshi

    Like soccer, like country, the example of Stephen Keshi

    THERE are those who have remarked about the striking similarity between the trajectory of soccer in Nigeria and that of the country’s development over time. This may not be surprising after all. For, soccer in Nigeria is a veritable national religion. For many, the golden era of Nigeria’s development lies in the past. They refer to the thriving groundnut pyramids of the first republic, the booming Cocoa and Cotton industries, the healthy and vigorous inter-regional competition for the provision of infrastructure to name a few. These were followed particularly during military rule by the years of the locusts industrial scale corruption, bureaucratic lethargy, administrative inertia and an astounding blindness of vision and paralysis of mission.

    In the same vein, for so long many looked to the past to tell the story of Nigeria’s soccer glory. The Nigerian soccer team the Green Eagles made its first emphatic impact on the African continent when it won the soccer gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa games held in 1973. The team finished 3rd in the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations competitions before winning the royal diadem as African soccer champions in 1980. In 1984 and 1988, the Green Eagles reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations losing to Cameroun on both occasions.

    It was, however, in 1994 that Nigeria reached the zenith of her soccer glory. That year Nigeria became Africa’s soccer champions once again. The team went on later that year to put up a superlative performance at the USA World Cup that she was rated 5th in the FIFA World ranking the highest ranking ever achieved by an African team. Nigeria further confirmed her soccer prowess when in 1996 the country’s Olympics under- 23 football team became the first African team to win gold at the Olympics soccer event. The sky seemed to be the limit for the national soccer team. Enthusiastic Nigerians changed the team’s moniker from Green Eagles to Super Eagles. But the country’s soccer fortunes inexplicably began cascading downhill.

    After a promising start in the 1998 World Cup competition, Nigeria crashed out after being mercilessly whipped 4-1 by Sweden. In the 2002 World cup, the country could not go beyond the second round of the competition. Nigeria could not even qualify for the 2006 World cup event. And in the 2010, World Cup fiesta in South Africa, the Eagles performed so miserably that the team was kicked out in the first round. Despite her size, resource endowment and abundance of soccer talents in the country, the Eagles were also unable to repeat the 1980 and 1994 feats of winning the African Nations Cup. Disappointed Nigerians promptly re-christened the team ‘Super Chickens’.

    Like so many other areas of the country’s national life, it was believed in some quarters that what was necessary for Nigeria’s soccer success was the appointment of foreign technical advisers who were seen as having the expertise, exposure and experience to bring the best out of the country’s footballers. Thus, a plethora of foreign coaches were hired to tend the national team at various times. They included Otto Gloria, Gottlieb Gaoller, Manfred Hoenner, Clemens Westerhof, Jo Bonfre, PhillipeTroussier, Bora Milutinovic, ThijsLibregts, BertiVogts and Lars Lagerback. Despite the success of one or two of these men, they still could not stem the downward slide of Nigerian soccer.

    When Nigerians were given the opportunity to manage the national team, the support they enjoyed was only half hearted and they were hardly given the wherewithal to succeed. Thus, Nigerian coaches that handled the national team at various times Paul Hamilton, Shuaibu Amodu, Festus Onigbinde, Christian Chukwu, Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia could not make the desired impact. When Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was thus appointed as the Super Eagles national coach in 2011, many wondered what magic wand he had to rescue a team that seemed irredeemably trapped in mediocrity.

    Born on January 23rd, 1962, Stephen Keshi has had an illustrious career both as a player and a coach. He had a brilliant playing career with the New Nigerian Bank Football Club of Benin, Stade d’ Abidjan and Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire, Anderlecht of Belgium and of course the Nigerian national team spanning over a decade. He coached the Togo national team between 2004 and 2006 qualifying that country for its first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006. Unfortunately, after this feat he was shoved aside and a foreign coach appointed to lead Togo to the tournament. Keshi was appointed manager of the Mali national football team but was sacked in January 2010, following Mali’s exit from the qualifying stages of the Africa Cup of Nations an example of the desire of African football authorities for instantaneous success without going through necessary processes.

    As national coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi moved decisively to stamp his authority on the team. Discipline has been his watchword. No longer do so-called super stars stroll leisurely into camp believing that an automatic shirt is theirs for the picking. The intense competition for shirts under Keshi has impacted positively on the psyche and performance of the team. Again, Keshi has insisted in picking players he believes in based on current form rather than being forced to play certain players by extraneous forces. He knows the buck stops at his table and he is ready to bear the responsibility for his choices.

    Another fundamental innovation by Keshi is the opportunity he has given players in the domestic league to fight for shirts in the national team. Before Keshi, it was almost an inviolable rule that only players plying their trade in foreign leagues could don the Eagles coveted jersey. Keshi’s new approach has stimulated healthy competition in camp, boosted confidence in the domestic league and an era where certain super stars felt they could hold the national team to ransom.

    It is thus not surprising that Stephen Keshi has recorded remarkable success with the Super Eagles within a short time span. He not only qualified the team for the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa, Nigeria went on to emerge as continental soccer champions. He thus became one of two Africans who had won the African Cup of Champions as both player and coach. He also led Nigeria to the 2013 Confederation Cup in Brazil where the team beat Tahiti 6-1 but lost 1-2 to Uruguay and 0-3 to Spain, the world champions. For a team still in the process of re-building, Nigerians still gave Keshi kudos for this performance.

    On 16thNovenber, 2013, the Super Eagles under Keshi qualified for the 2014 World Cup scheduled for Brazil by beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in a play- off. Once again, Nigerians talk about the national soccer team with pride and confidence. They know that the re-building process in the national team still has some way to go. But they are assured that with Keshi’s courage, determination, composure, professionalism and ‘never say die’ spirit, the nation’s soccer is on the right track. For making such a dramatic impact within such a limited period on a national soccer terrain that had seemed so hopeless, it is no surprise that Stephen OkechukwuKeshi was in strong contention for this newspaper’s Man of the Year for 2013. In his sphere of specialization, he has demonstrated leadership qualities that will serve Nigeria well in other areas of national endeavour.

  • Flaunt your leather belt

    Flaunt your leather belt

    USUALLY, people believe the most important accessories are shoes, handbags, and belts. However, some don’t even know simple upkeep and fashion secrets for the belt. A good belt’s design chosen correctly can change the look of the wearer of belts to be better, to make it look more sleek and elegant. Some people believe a belt makes an outfit. You can have the plainest looking outfit until you slip on a flashy belt.

    Belt buckles are crucial components in any clothing item, especially men’s wear. There are so many different designs of buckles like western belt buckles. These western belt buckles complete a cowboy outfit but can still be worn to different occasions. The belt to be paired with the buckle should be the first consideration. You should always seek to find a right belt for your buckle. A convenient belt allows interchanging of buckles. Leather belts are preferred by men. On the other hand, women prefer to use trendy belts. There are various colours that you can choose from and the usual ones are black, grey and brown. Other types of colours are also available.

    When it comes to selecting western belt buckles, you should always go for something that you will appreciate. A belt buckle that is appreciated is treated as jewelry. There are different sizes of western belt buckles that you can choose from. Big men’s western belt buckles are easily noticed, therefore, you should be careful in selecting its design so as not to mess your entire outfit. Small buckles also work out well if they have some exceptional decorations. Most kids western belt buckles are small for safety reasons.

    A small buckle will most certainly suit a formal look whereas a large buckle is convenient to go with a casual look One way to be stylish in your buckle is to let it stand out from your outfit. You can choose to tuck your T-shirt or dress shirt in your pants or shorts so that the buckle will be noticeable. You should also choose other accessories that will complete your outfit well. Most people tend to overdo accessories and this does not match well with your belt buckle. Be careful when it comes to choosing necklaces as well as earrings and do not focus much on the statements they will make and also the role of the belts for women as accessories is often underestimated.

  • CAC moves to end crisis

    Strong indications have emerged that an end is imminent to the long-time internal feud within the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide as key stakeholders and thousands of church members converged recently at the Babalola International Miracle Camp to pray for God’s intervention in ending the lingering crisis in the church.

    The church has been battling leadership tussle for close to 23 years now, a situation that needs to be addressed for her progress.

    In his welcome address at the prayer meeting, the new president of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, likened the crisis in the church to what happened during the reign of David when the servants of his predecessor refused to submit to his leadership and thus led to bloodshed in the nation.

    The clergyman questioned the rationale behind the protracted legal battles between the various factions in the church and called for a ceasefire. According to him, “ we dragged ourselves to court, we fight ourselves, we use police against ourselves and we slander as well as assassinate the characters of ourselves; whose glory are we seeking in all these? Are they for our own glory or God’s?”

    He said the battle for the throne during David’s time may seem tenable, but he described such action in the dispensation of the New Testament as unjustifiable.

    He enjoined the congregation to embrace the New Testament principles of peaceful co-existence which Jesus epitomises. “Jesus Christ has brought a new wine which can be expressed in terms of unconditional love, tolerance, forgiveness, and suffering on behalf of others,” he said.

    Elaborating on the reason for the prayer meeting, the General Secretary, Pastor Gideon Ogekwemeh, noted that it was a move towards obeying the voice of God who has earlier directed the new president to call the prayer meeting as the solution to the CAC crisis is beyond human initiatives. He recalled that the church leaders had taken “human steps” in the past by setting up reconciliation committees, but the problems couldn’t be fixed.

    Other ministers at the well-attended meeting included Pastor M.O Agbaje, the General Superintendent, Prophet S.K Abiara, the General Evangelist, and Pastor S.O Oladele, Chairman of Oke Ado DCC.

  • Bishop Jefferson feeds the poor at Christmas

    Bishop Jefferson feeds the poor at Christmas

    Bishop Bankole Jefferson, the overseer of Mercy Tabernacle Church, Lagos, led its annual outreach, tagged, “Help from above on Tuesday at the church premises in Ogba, Lagos.

    When the knowledge of God comes, Jefferson assured the crowd of beneficiaries who thronged the church premises that they would not suffer again. “We are giving you physical and spiritual food, the physical you would carry home today but the spiritual would guarantee that God would change your story.“

    He said the masses are suffering “not because the enemy is too strong. It is because of the lack of knowledge.”

    Jefferson goes down memory lane to reveal how the programme originated about fifteen years ago. “Sometime ago, I was waiting for help and I was hungry. One woman, Mrs. Bashorun, in our neighbourhood cooked food and sent to me. That Christmas I was very hungry and there was nothing in my house and my child was hungry. As I was eating the food, I thanked God and he spoke to me saying that I should be feeding the poor, promising to turn my life around.”

    Jefferson also used the opportunity to give Nigerians his revelations about the New Year. “The Lord said it is going to be a year of celebration for His children. So it would be great for Christians to stand together while the rich churches stand for the poor. By this time next year, we want more lives to be transformed.”

    As far as the political class is concerned, Jefferson said that there is so much that needs to be done by those in authority. “It seems like the political class is not serious, they are busy writing letters when they should be working. The nation is bleeding and they need to take the people out of the shadows.”

    Jefferson came to Lagos in September 89 to start the first branch of Winners’ Chapel for Bishop Oyedepo in Iyana Ipaja.