The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mercy

  • Community at the mercy of flood

    Community at the mercy of flood

    At any sign of rain, residents of Wire Road in Ihinmwin community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State become fidgety. Their fears are genuine. Floods have wreaked havoc in the community forcing hundreds of landlords and tenants to abandon their homes to take refuge in ‘strange lands’. OSAGIE OTABOR writes that residents are pleading with government to repair their road for ease of movement.

    In the yesteryear, the popular Wire Road used to be one of the finest in Ihinmwin community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Taxis relish plying it, as they  convey residents to the Ikpoba River where the road terminates.

    The ancient city of Benin-City boasts two major Wire roads; one leads to the famous Benin Five-Junction from Ibiwe Street, while the other, which is now in a parlous state, is in Ihinmwin community. It is located at Saint Saviour Road, off Upper Sokponba.

    Investigations by Niger Delta Report revealed that the road which used to smooth and motorable is now in its worst state of dilapidation. Some describe it as eyesore and a nightmare to the few remaining landlords whose houses are still standing. There are now less than 10 houses, including two churches on Wire Road. Over 100 landlords have been forced out of their homes by persistent flooding that has been ravaging the area for over 15 years.

    Many adjoining streets linking Wire Road have been cut off by the rampaging flood which does not  dry. A larger part of the road has been overtaken by weed. Not many residents could remember how the once-good road became prone to flooding and erosion. But they all prayed and hoped that help would soon come their way.

    Some residents who spoke with our reporter expressed their helplessness with regard to the road.  Some of them wonder why the road still remain in its worst state despite millions of Naira which the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has sunk in its efforts to control flood in the area as well as to recover the road. The residents lamented that contractors always abandon the road projects after collecting mobilisation money.

    Victor Obaseki, a resident in the area recalled how part of the job was sub-let to a landlord in the area. Victor said the contractor collected money, built another house at Oregbeni Quarters and ran away; leaving his building at the mercy of flood.

    As a result of the flood that has ravaged the area, business activities have totally collapsed in the area.

    Patricia, a tailor and resident of the area told Niger Delta Report that the state of the road had negatively impacted on her business. She added that customers are not willing to come to that  deplorable part of Benin City.

    Explaining why she remained behind, she said she could not afford the fund to rent a shop elsewhere.

    “I have lots of friends that would willingly give me jobs but they always complained about the bad state of the road and I cannot afford a better place. The area is good but the road network is the problem.

    any people do  not pass through this area; only a few do. If I do not have customers, I would sew children’s clothes and hawk them in the  markets for about one hour.

    “If there is a possible solution to this road, I will be happy. My mother lives here and I cannot afford to rent a house. I have to stay with my mother,” she said.

    A retired civil  servant, Aluya Patrick, said he always live in constant fear whenever the rain approaches; because his house could be the next to be submerged by the flood.

    Patrick said several letters have been written to relevant authorities, even as he expressed sadness that nothing has been done about the deplorable nature of the road.

    He said other landlords  have decided not to renovate their houses because of the flood.

    “Many people have left; that is why we are not interested in maintaining our  houses because we don’t know what would happen next. We have tried our best possible; but fixing the road is beyond the ability of our community.

    “We have written several letters to our representatives at the Senate and House of Representatives. I am very scared because as an old man, I do not have the resources to build another house. If worse becomes worst, I will relocate to the village. I have spent over 30 years here. This road was very good. You can drive to the river. Taxis plied the road and there was nothing like erosion. Maybe it was caused by development.”

    Odionwere of the area, Augustine Ikponmwosa, said: “This Wire Road has become a liability to us. For the past 18 years, we have been living in a perilous situation. It has been bad for a very long time. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came to fix the road but it was not properly done. The erosion has driven many people away from this area. Over 100 landlords have relocated to other places.

    “The contractor came and did one manhole which has stopped functioning. They should have channelled the flood to the Ikpoba River.

    “We have written several letters to the House of Assembly,  Senate and the last contractor engaged by the NDDC. There was a contractor who the main contractor sub-let the job to. He  ran away after collecting money to built another house at Ikpoba Hill area.”

    Victor Obaseki, on his part, said he has been living the area since 1973, stressing that  there is nowhere else to call home.

    “We are begging the government to help the masses here, especially the tenants. Those living here don’t have anywhere else to go. We beg the government to monitor whoever they award the contract to construct the road to. This is the first good road we had in the whole of Ihinmwin during the regime of the late Ali and Ogbemudia,” Obaseki said.

  • At robbers’ mercy

    At robbers’ mercy

    Calabar South is one  kilometre away from the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Its closeness to the school makes it a haven for students, who stay off-campus. But, the area is becoming unsafe for residents, because of hoodlums, who lurk in the dark to rob them. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    Given its proximity to the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar South, a sprawling neighbourhood in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, is a home for students, who prefer off-campus hostels. The community has more students’ population than other areas close to the campus, such as Ettah Agbor, Marian, Satellite town and Atimbo, among others.

    Given its population density, Calabar South is full of activities. But, some recent incidents have turned the neighbourhood into a crime den. Residents now live at the mercy of hoodlums and petty robbers, who lurk in the dark to dispossess them of their valuables.

    Residents of Uwanse, Goldie Market and Mount Zion within the community cannot sleep soundly for fear of the hoodlums. Knowing the time to move is what the residents have had to learn. At dusk, sound of gunshots scares away people and within minutes, the place is deserted.

    Sunday Ndifreke, a Medicine and Surgery student, who lives in the area, narrated his ordeal in the hands of petty robbers.

    He said: “I was returning from school after night reading. I had my laptop with me, because all the materials I needed were saved on it. As I approached my hostel, three hoodlums appeared from nowhere and ordered me to stop. They overpowered me and took away my laptop. It was a terrible experience for me, because I had examination in the morning I was robbed. I could not write anything, because I was traumatised. My academics suffered, because I lost my books and laptop computer.”

    Solomon Usang, who lives on Edibe Edibe Street, also shared his experience with CAMPUSLIFE. “It was hell,” says Solomon, a 300-Level Microbiology student.

    He said: “One day, I was returning from an evening lecture. I was a few metres away from my hostel when two muscular guys stopped me, demanding to know what I had in my bag. I told them that it was my books and that I was coming back from school. They asked me to give them something. I told them that I didn’t have anything with me. They forcefully took my bag, which contained my Ipad and other valuables. When I raised the alarm, they disappeared into thin air.”

    Earlier, Solomon said other hoodlums invaded his hostel, carting away students’ television sets, foodstuff, laptops, wrist watches, clothes and shoes. “We reported the incident at the Calabar South Police Station, but the suspects are yet to be arrested,” he added.

    Other students also spoke, calling on the police to step up security surveillance in the area. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that a police patrol team used to move round some dark spots in the area. But, the police, it was learnt, only patrol areas with good roads.

    A final year student of English and Literary Studies, Jerome Acho, said he was robbed in broad daylight on Mount Zion axis.

    He said: “I was walking through Mount Zion axis by Orok Orok Lane when I saw two guys riding a motorcycle. They slowed down when they approached me and snatched my bag containig N10,000, ATM card and textbooks. I broke my door before I could gain access to my room, because my key was equally in the bag.”

    Another student, Elvis Nwabuikwu, said he was returning from class when three men with a locally-made pistol ordered him to kneel down. “In full glare of people, I was robbed,” he said.

    Some students blamed landlords  for not taking adequate measures to protect their tenants. They reasoned that the landlords, through their community association, could partner with the police to strengthen security.

    A female student, who declined to give her name, said: “We are living in a community where one is not sure of his safety anymore. I don’t want to end up being a victim of rape and armed robbery. I am planning to relocate.”

    Chinelo Nwaosisi, a 100-Level English Education student, escaped being raped by the hoodlums after she was robbed. She and Uchenna Ikeme, a final year Marketing student, were returning from Film House Cinemas at Marina Resort in Calabar, when they were robbed last Thursday with machetes.

    Uchenna, who was injured by the hoodlums, said: “We were returning from work in the evening. When we got to Government Secondary School in Uwanse, two men came out of a dark corner and asked us to put down everything we had with us. They were armed with machetes. Initially, they wanted to attack Chinelo, who was walking ahead of me.

    “When she saw the men, she ran back to me. They attacked both of us and took my laptop and mobile phone. When they wanted to rape Chinelo, I resisted the move but one of them hit me with a machete on my left hand. I sustained a deep cut. I screamed for help but nobody came to my rescue. The hoodlums thought that people would come out; they ran away.”

    Uchenna said he saved Chinelo from the hoodlums. He urged the government to provide adequate security in the area.

    Because of the incessant robbery,  traders and business owners close early. Those, who dare to stay beyond 8pm, expose themselves to attack.

    A part-time student, Esther Okon, who operates a retail shop, said: “Hoodlums, who disguised as customers, came to my shop in the evening and robbed me. They asked me to surrender everything I had as they pointed a locally-made pistol and asked me not to say a word. They left with my money and generator.”

    A trader, Etim Ekpenyong, gave tips on how the hoodlums operate. He said: “They usually walk in groups. They will ask their victims to find something for them. Refusal will make them to bring out guns to force their victims to comply.”

    At Calabar South Police Station, an officer, who asked not to be named, said: “We receive several complaints from students daily on crimes, such as burglary, robbery and rape. We are trying our best to contain them.”

    The police source said a new security outfit established by Governor Ben Ayade, codenamed Operation Skolombo, had started to patrol the area but residents said they were yet to sight the operatives at the spots where the hoodlums operate.

    Students urged the government to check the hoodlums’ activities to ensure safety of life and property.

     

     

  • Ladipo traders: ‘we’re at landlords’ mercy’

    Ladipo traders: ‘we’re at landlords’ mercy’

    Some Ladipo auto parts dealers have alleged that they are at the mercy of multiple landlords, who “are making life difficult for us.”

    The traders in the Odo Aladura Spare Parts section also complained of the menace of ‘area’ boys and the lack of toilets in their shops.

    The unit’s outgoing Chairman, Jude Nwankwo, said his team did all it could to correct their anomalies.

    Nwankwo enjoined the incoming executive to request a space from the landlords to build toilets for the traders.

    Maxwell Uroko Chukwuma polled 235 votes to defeat Ebenobo Michael and others to emerge as chairman.

    Sunday Onyekwe was elected treasurer with 174 votes to Maxwell Okafor’s 115 votes.

    Elected unopposed are Ndubuisi Okonkwo – Assistant Provost, Iloka Ifeanyi – Chief Provost, Chinedu Okoro, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Ikechukwu Onyema Financial Secretary.

    Nwankwo was appointed Deputy President of Ladipo Central Executive.

    He described the chairman-elect, Chukwuma, as a detribalised man who would work hard to protect the traders.

    Chukwuma waved the olive branch to those who contested against him.

  • Subscribers at operators’ mercy

    Subscribers at operators’ mercy

    Christmas is here and with it, mobile telephone subscribers experience on virtually all the networks is bad. Subscribers are complaining that it appears the networks have collapsed, LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

    He dialled his wife’s number and his service provider told him: “The number you have dialled is incorrect, please check the number and dial again.” Unsatisfied, he cross-checked and tried again and he got the same response. At the third attempt, he shouted: “These people have gone mad again. How can they tell me the number I bought for my wife at the cost of N12,000  about 11 years ago is no longer correct. This country is a complete fraud and you say there is government in place,” a secondary school teacher at Prudent Comprehensive College at Abule Odu, near Idimu, a Lagos suburb, lamented.

    Another subscriber, Iya Ibeji who wanted to speak to her daughter, an undergraduate of the University of Ado Ekiti got a shock as her service provider quipped “This number is not assigned to any customer.” Frustrated, she tried her alternate number to see if a net call could do the magic for her but she was told: “The number you have dialled is not available at the moment, please try again.”

    It has become popular even among the uneducated to hear phrases such as “network palaver”, “network wahala” and such bitter comments when they make fruitless efforts to make calls.

    The quality of service (QoS) has remained a pain in the neck of subscribers. Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs  Omobola Johnson and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) appear not to be on the same page on the matter. NCC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Dr. Eugene Juwah said of all sectors, only telecoms has offered seamless service 24/7 to Nigerians. According to him, telecoms services can neither be compared with that of power nor banking sector.

     

    Futile attempts

     

    Attempts at ensuring quality service made NCC and operators to agree on key performance indicators (KPIs) on which the operators were measured. These were Call Set-up Success Rate (CSSR), Call Completion Rate (CCR), Stand-alone Dedicated Controlled Channel Congestion (SDCCC), Hand-over Success Rate (HSR) and Traffic Channel Congestion (TCC).

    Breach of these KPIs led NCC to impose fines on the operators. But sector analysts say the impact of the fines is hardly felt by the operators whose financial war chests are huge. But Juwah disagrees. He said: “Don’t think that they pay fines so easily. The last time we sanctioned them, they paid about $2.5 million each and they are forced to publish it in their annual reports. For some of them that are listed in stock exchanges like Johannesburg; it affects them more seriously than people think.”

    Two years ago, the regulator imposed a fine of N360 million each on MTN and Etisalat on the one hand while. Airtel was required to pay N270 million and Globacom was fined N180 million on the other, all failing to meet the KPIs set by the regulatory agency. CSSR denotes the fraction of the attempts to make a call which result in a connection to the called number. For a number of reasons, all call attempts do not always result in a connection. CSSR therefore measures the success rate against the attempts.

    CCR denotes the total number of successfully completed inbound or outbound calls versus the total number of calls that were placed or received. On this parametre, NCC set a minimum of 96 per cent.

    CDR refers to the fraction of the calls which were cut off before any of the speaking parties terminated the call. On this, NCC set a maximum of two per cent. Of course, the lower the percentage of dropped calls, the better.

    Juwah had said after the fine, operators had prevailed upon the regulator to lower the KPIs which it did, adding that while the operators have been passing the test conducted on the network, end-user experience has been nothing to write home about. He argued that the operators’ business model was not helping matters

    He said: “Some of them may have decided that because of their own plan, they will continue to increase their subscriber base. By this they are ready to pay fine that they incur from quality of service infraction. They will also be making investment until the investment will catch up with the needed capacity.”

    As a way of enthroning good QoS, Juwah had promised that both the operator and regulator will revert to the status quo ante on KPIs. “Come January we will tighten the KPIs that we have now according to the agreement we have with them. Any one that has decided to continue loading their network without minding the quality of service will continue to pay heavy penalties. Those that have decided to restrict their subscriber base to their capacity will not pay. It is a business decision that rest squarely on operators.”

    Mrs Johnson regretted that despite the fact that her ministry had been working hard to provide an enabling environment for the deployment of ICT infrastructure poor quality of service had remained a recurring decimal in the industry.

    She said: “We are concerned that the poor quality issues still abound.I have been inundated with complaints about quality of service and the seemingly uncaring attitude of our telecoms operators to resolve these issues on a regular basis. We will continue, through the industry regulator, to apply sanctions when operators fail to meet the required standards in terms of service quality breaches.

    “However, consumers cannot continue to bear the burden of poor service delivery. Though we are mindful that the operators are facing issues in deploying or maintaining infrastructure, we believe that the operators can do better in delivering acceptable quality of service, which they are clearly not doing now.”

    Johnson also emphasised the efforts being made by government and its agencies to address the challenges of operators should result in better quality of service.

     

    Operators’ position

     

    President, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbnega Adebayo said since the operators do not operate in a vacuum and since they do not operate in isolation, the fundamental environmental challenges affecting the country have to be addressed by the government. He said he had to stop and caution a contractor working who ignorantly vandalised OFC, adding that there must be synergy to stop such incidence in the future.

    Such challenges are the bureaucracy around the grant of right of way (RoW), multiple taxation/regulation, premeditated vandalism of OFC and BTS, theft of fuel at BTS and crushing cost of running the networks on fuel. Others resort to shutting down of BTS by officials of government ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) and lack of incentives to drive service penetration to the remote and rural areas.

    From operators’ perspective, poor quality of service impedes the capacity to make money. According to them, environmental challenges often beyond their control affect the services they offer.

    The challenges include inadequate grid power, multiple regulation and taxation; illegal access denials and site shut-outs; lack of incentives to drive service penetration to remote and rural areas; rent seeking charges for permits and approvals necessary for deployment; and insecurity.

    These challenges notwithstanding, it is time for operators to step up work with industry regulator to bring about the kind of services subscribers pray and pay.

  • At the mercy of landlords

    At the mercy of landlords

    Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, are worried by the yearly increase of rent by property owners outside the campus. OBY OKEKE (400-Level Mass Communication) and VICTOR UGOCHUKWU write.

    “It has been hard to cope with this problem, especially for those of us who have to fend for ourselves,” Jessikha Amuzie, a 300-Level student, said, condemning landlords and their agents for the yearly increase of rent around the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    Perhaps, Jessikha was expressing the mind of many students living off-campus whose rent is raised by 30 per cent yearly. This has become as a source of worry to the students.

    When CAMPUSLIFE sought their opinion on social media on ways to address the problem, over 100 students reacted, stressing how bad the situation is. They called on the university and Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders to come to their rescue.

    “I am tired of the intolerance from my landlord, who increases his rent every year as if people living in the house work in oil companies. And the worst is that he doesn’t renovate it to justify the increment,” Emeka Valentine, a 400-Level student, said.

    Another student, Henry Anoruo, complained: “It is too bad to experience this kind of thing, and this is appearing to be a situation where money students pay for rent is more than the school fees. We implore the landlord association to reduce the house rent to N40,000 per year. If a student pays N80,000 as house rent, how would he eat and get money to pursue his academics? Something must be done about it.”

    Some students faulted the school authority for the landlords’ excesses, saying their colleagues staying in school hall neither pay less than the amount charged by off-campus hostels’ landlords. Students believed that if the management reduces hostel fee, many landlords would be forced to bring down rent.

    Emeka Okonkwo, a social science student, suggested: “Authorities should review the amount they charge in school hostel for accommodation problems to be solved.”

    The situation is the same at the Nnewi campus of the university, where Chinonye Ejekwuranwa, a student, complained that her house rent had just been increased from N80,000 to N90,000.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that some landlords intentionally gave quit notices to students in a bid to get new tenants who would pay the outrageous rent for a fresh year.

    Our correspondents gathered that there are usually two payment methods for hostels for off-campus residence.

    “For-a-start” payment, which is the first payment done in first year of renting the hostel; it usually paid with extra N15,000 or N20,000 with the landlord charges, which is meant for agents.

    The “normal or subsequent” rent, however, is paid without extra charges. Students pay this in the subsequent years and for as long as they stay in the hostel.

    But several landlords and their agents have abused the second mode of payment as they increase the rent whenever the school resumes a new session. Students, who cannot afford the increment, are issued quit notice to allow other that can afford the outrageous fee to move in.

    Students want the management to reduce fees in the school hostel and build more halls to accommodate their colleagues living off-campus.

    Those, who noted that landlords could not be told what to do with their properties, urged the school authorities to engage property owners in the area in order to tackle the situation. Students also charged their union leaders to engage landlords in dialogue to make things better for them.

    At the time of this report, some students have been notified by their landlords to pay the increased rent. Some, who are still at home, have received quit notices from their landlords with deadlines. Would the looming accommodation problem be averted by the management when the school resumes? Only time would tell.

  • Angels of mercy

    Angels of mercy

    As nations continue to contend with poverty, illiteracy and other social challenges, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Clothe-the-Child (CTC), believes showing love to the needy remains the solution to the problems. GILBERT ALASA (400-Level Foreign Languages, University of Benin) writes.

    When Femi Ajisegiri, 17, lost his dad in an auto crash in 2010, things changed for the worse. At a point, he considered quitting school even though it was tuition-free. “Life has been meaningless and tough since I lost my father,” he said, adding: “We were forced to relocate to Ibafo area of Ogun State when it became apparent that we could not afford life in Lagos city.”

    His mother hawked bread to sustain the family but the proceeds were not enough for the children’s upkeep. Even the money to buy basic education materials such as pen and notebooks was hard to come by. “Most times, we just hoped that things would change. But that dream remained what it was,” Femi told CAMPUSLIFE.

    Recently, respite came the way of the teenager. Femi was one of the beneficiaries of a charity programme organised by Clothe-the-Child (CTC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), committed to making the poor have access to education, especially rural people and children.

    In line with the objective of global food programme to end hunger and poverty by 2015, volunteer students and Corps members partnered with the not-for-profit group to bring smiles to the faces of residents of Ibafo community in Ogun State. Customised educational materials, food items, clothes and children amusement accessories were distributed to members of the community.

    The initiator of the programme, Godbless Otubure, said the move was necessary because people were becoming increasingly vulnerable to poverty because of uneven distribution of wealth.

    “Poverty has continued to ravage many people across the globe. What is disturbing is that all efforts to curtail the problem seem to be achieving little. I believe each of us has to take up the gauntlet and lend a helping hand in our respective spheres of influence. This is because if we fail to act, the same poor people could take up arms against the affluent when they can no longer bear the pain of their predicament,” he stated.

    Godbless said the NGO would extend the gesture to rural people in the 36 states of the federation before the end of 2014.

    He said: “We want to ensure that we reach out to disadvantaged people scattered across the country before the end of next year. People are going through a lot of hardship. They need to feel our warmth and love. That is how we can realise a true, cohesive society. We are urging other individuals to step into the fray and show love to others. That is the fundamental scope of our mission.”

    The President of the Ibafo Youth Association in Ibafo-Owode Local Government Area in Ogun State, Jimoh Leshi, praised the NGO officials for donating the materials.

    He said: “We are excited that this organisation deemed it expedient to visit our community today with the gospel of love. That joy is evident on the faces of children, youths and adults who have been swinging around, receiving one item or the other. I urge government and private individuals to make efforts to alleviate poverty in our communities. We need that love, especially in these difficult moments. That is the only way to prevent the revolt of the poor against the rich.”

    A 400-Level student of Foreign Languages at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ikeme Saidu, said he was inspired to participate in the project because of his caring spirit.

    “Today, a lot of families are experiencing extreme poverty. They feel alienated from the scheme of things. They are denied of basic necessities like feeding and clothing. What we are doing here today is simply to show them some love and lessen the tragedy of their plight. It is also a clarion call to well-meaning persons to join the fight against global poverty, hunger, illiteracy and show mercy to the suffering,” he said.

    Mrs Toyin Ayomide, a single mother, who benefited from the programme, lauded the initiative, saying: “We are happy to be beneficiaries of the gospel of love preached by CTC. It makes us feel we are not forgotten, even in the face of our unending struggle for meaningful life. I am particularly excited about the free educational materials. That would go a long way in helping my kids in school.”

    For a 19-year-old Lawore Ogundipe, more charity organisations are needed to wage war against acute poverty. “I am happy about the programme. I want members of CTC to continue to visit our community with the donation from time to time. Other organisations need to take a cue from this gesture,” he said.

  • Expect no mercy — Afelokhai

    Expect no mercy — Afelokhai

    Kano Pillars goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai has said his side will not show mercy on their 2013 Federation Cup round of 64 matches opponents, Global Academy. The match-up comes up on Wednesday at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Kogi State.

    Afelokhai said the Globacom Premier League leaders will approach the encounter against the relatively unknown side as if it was the Cup final.

    “Of course, we understand very well that there are no minnows in football any more and we know quite well that it’s tougher against the supposedly smaller teams. Our opponents are carrying the ticket of their state as champions, first and foremost, we’ll accord them their due respect and approach them just as we would face any side in the premier league.

    “They’re the best coming from their state to the national final. They’ll want to enlarge their profile by going all out to achieve victory against us. So we’re not going to underrate nor show them mercies, we’re going all out for victory.

    “We’re not bordered about the goal margin but to see them off on our way. We need the win and the Federation Cup title badly, we’re not happy they way we ended the campaign as fourth placed side in the last edition.

    “We want to add the Federation Cup silverware to our collection of trophies and that dream will be determined by the outcome of the encounter against Global Academy,” said the former Dream Team V goaltender to supersport.com.

    Afelokhai said his side deservedly finished top on the log in the first stanza of the 2012/2013 Glo League season.

    “Honestly, Pillars deserved the top spot they finished the first stanza of the league. It’s a plus give what the players passed through, we’ll toughen ourselves to comeback for the second stanza to finish the work we’ve started,” said the Pillars’ magnet.

    Pillars finished the first stanza of the primary league as leaders on 36 points from possible 57.

  • Nigeria: God have mercy

    Nigeria: God have mercy

    That there is crisis of instability in Nigeria is not news. In the south, we are afflicted by the militancy in the Niger Delta which in spite of the so called amnesty and payment of bribes to criminals has continued unabated. Foreign and local oil men are still routinely kidnapped and policemen are regularly killed. In spite of the presence of solders, the creeks of the Niger Delta are still not safe for anybody. The South-eastern states seem to have perfected the practice of kidnapping which they borrowed from the Niger Delta. It has become a cottage industry in many parts of the South-east. It is so bad in the South-east that many of their important leaders are fleeing into Lagos and Abuja where there is relative security.

    Unfortunately for them and for us, these kidnappers have followed them particularly to Lagos and the South-west where they are freely operating and recruiting into their ranks the local hoi poloi. Criminal gangs are now operating in Lagos and as far north as Kaduna in this nefarious kidnapping business. We have written so much about Boko Haram that there is nothing new to write again. One only hopes that there will soon be a turnaround in the case of insecurity in the North. But once again, I must confess that I sincerely believe that the cause of insecurity in the North is the pervasive poverty there. This poverty is accentuated by the rampant corruption of political leaders in Nigeria generally and in the North in particular. The cultural practice where rich people feed poor people exposes the transparent inequality in that part of Nigeria. However with education and enlightenment, poor people are beginning to ask questions as to why their commonwealth is not common. In order to overcome the problem of Boko Haram, the federal government, state governments and the local government up North will have to embark on massive creation of jobs, massive infrastructural provision of water and electricity and massive investment in mechanized agriculture. Without this, the problem will remain intractable. What I have suggested for the North must also be done for the whole country if we are trying to prevent rebellion arising from poverty enveloping the whole country.

    The news that distressed me most in recent times is not about Boko Haram, kidnapping or militancy in the Delta while these are serious problems, the one that wins the victor ludorum is the reported baby factory in Umuaka Njaba council area of Imo State. Even though this crime does not seem new in the area, it has now assumed international dimension because it has gone globally viral. The story is that a lady built a huge compound where she harbours about 26 girls ranging from 14years to 25years of age. She locked them up in her compound and apparently lured a young man of 20years old to sleep with the 26 girls until they became pregnant. There must have been an element of coercion and force on the girls to surrender themselves. When these pregnant girls had babies, they were paid N60,000 for male child and N30,000 naira for female child. While the children were then sold by the Madam to her apparently waiting clients, the cycle of getting pregnant will begin all over again as if she was breeding dogs. The closest thing like this that I have come in contact with in my reading was what used to happen in the 17th century on the Caribbean island of Barbuda where the English will take strong black slave men and strong black slave women to breed and produce what they thought will be strong children particularly male to use as black overseers of plantation slaves. What was regarded as a crime against humanity is happening before our very own eyes in Imo state of Nigeria.

    This story dehumanizes us and reduces our humanity as far as I am concerned and makes us a laughing stock in the international community. It is as bad as when some people kill hunch backs and albinos for money rituals in some parts of Africa. This case should be taken with utmost seriousness and the leaders of the community where it happened should be asked to say something about this abomination before it spreads to other parts of Nigeria. There is evidence of official collusion by Imo state’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs in this terrible trade.

    It is the same poverty that is the cause of Boko Haram movement that makes young girls victims of kidnapping and induction into baby factories. Obviously the Madam who is in charge of this is not poor because she runs a maternity as well as a pure water making factory in front of the house while the back of the house is the baby factory. This lady should be arrested immediately and an example of her should be made through life sentencing or execution as the case may be. If we do not do this, others will embrace this practice or learn from it in order to build their own baby factory. This should not be left in the hands of police alone. The government of Imo State must say something and do something and the government of other states where this practice may have spread should better watch out. A nation where everything goes, where nothing is too fantastic and unbelievable to happen, is not a good nation. The blood of the innocent has been shed too much on our land and we need to pray to God as a nation to forgive us and we need to cry in unison, God have mercy.