When in late February 1991, Alhassan? Audu, a 46-year old local chicken cage weaver from Kano who has tried different trades so many times that he has lost count, left home, little did he know that he would learn the craft. This time, however, he was determined to earn a living no matter what it may cost him. He ventured into the trade just to make sure that he had something to do. Today, Audu is not just an entrepreneur but has trained a handful of youths who are also doing well.?

“As soon as I left home finally in 1991, I made up my mind to learn a trade that can sustain me and my family. I reluctantly agreed to learn the cage making. It never occurred to me that I would still be making cages because it was the last thing that was on my mind when I left home.

But I can tell you that I have taught more than twelve children how to weave chicken cages and they are all over the place doing the work and keeping body and soul together.”

Audu is glad that he took the informed decision. “I thank Allah that I did not refuse to learn the craft. Looking at the economic situation in the country today, if I had not learnt this trade, what would have sustained me?” he asked rhetorically.

His quest for business took him to Michika, Adamawa State, where he is enjoying the comfort of his craft. As you approach the Dispensary Michika, on your way to the famous Central Primary School, Michika, Adamawa State, depending on the time of the day, you are sure to be attracted to men weaving local chicken cages of different shapes and sizes. “I weave and sell Kwando kaji (Hausa name for chicken cage),” Audu says. A father of three, Audu is hard working and is committed to the trade which he says has distinguished him from the people who are unemployed.

It has been a wonderful thing for Audu to learn the weaving trade; he says he would have been a dependant all his life if he had not learnt the craft.? Audu’s greatest moment is when he decided to settle down and “do something useful for my future”. The joyful Audu can help the feeling that the best thing to happen to him is the decision he took to learn the weaving trade. “Twenty one years ago, I never would have thought this would have been possible because everything I tried failed, but today, I have settled for this business and I am enjoying it even though I make little income,” says Audu, who sustains his family from the money he makes and still has something to spare.

A native of Gabusawa, Kano State, he says he has a small farm in his village and goes home seasonally to work and attend to other family needs. “I have spent just two decades in this trade but the way I enjoy it is as if I have been on it for my whole life. I learnt the trade because I had no option.

I started when I was young. My father’s friend trained me and I have trained different people.” The cage, he says, though houses mother hen and her chicks, is a very important tool used to preserve the birds. “The cage can only accommodate a hen and her chicks but it goes a long way in making sure that they are kept away from preys.”
At about 1pm on Saturday, December 22, in the middle of the road of Central Primary School, Michika, Adamawa State, Audu was busy weaving and selling local chicken cages. He does it efficiently and effectively. His attention to detail, commitment to excellence and understanding of the craft make him an exceptional case. Audu has good customer relations skills and individually tailored service. These are central to making his cage the most-preferred by buyers.? Audu says he spent two months learning how to weave the local cage.

As long as there is demand for the local chicken cage, Audu says he is ready to make sure that he makes the product available. “Though patronized by few people, the business is lucrative. I say this because I hardly keep one for more than two days without someone coming to buy. At times people book in advance because the demand is higher than I can produce.”

Explaining further, Audu says, “You see, between late March and early December, when most of the adults are in the farm, the chickens are left at the mercies of one prey or the other. Not only that, cats also come at night to catch the chicks. Let me tell you something, the chicks or hens that are sick can be separated and caged in the local cage until they fully recover. Apart from that, any hen or cock that is to be slaughtered or sold the next day or so can be put in the local cage. It is a useful item. The problem here is the cage lasts long so people don’t buy always.”?

On how he sources for raw materials, Audu explains that he goes to Uba, a town in Borno State, about twenty minutes drive from Michika, to buy fresh Nyeem sticks which he uses to make the local cage. “I go to Uba mostly on Saturdays to buy these sticks.” He says a big cage goes for N200 while a small one goes for N150.

Except for the hot sun and the task of meeting deadlines, Danjuma, a young local cage maker and a protégé of Audu, is enjoying weaving chicken cages. Indeed, among his peers, he is about the only one who does not depend on his parents for basic needs. Danjuma, 12, is a JSS 1 student of one of the schools in Michika. “I don’t need to disturb my parents to buy little things for me, I take care of myself. I use the money I make here to buy clothes and soap.” He says he learnt the trade at the age of ten and has been using it to his advantage. “When I was in primary school, I used the cage I make as my handicraft and I always score 100 per cent. My teachers know that I am into the craft so they encouraged me. At times, my craft teacher would ask me to teach my classmates how to make chicken cage. It was fun. We always looked forward to craft time because we had time to share knowledge.”

Numbered among over 1 billion people who live on less than $1 a day, 50 year-old Audu and his protégés? have made economic choices that they believe is helping them ease their families economic life. “I love this craft and what keeps me on is the fact that I do it with all pleasure,” explains a 35 year-old man, who gave his name as Mallam Isa. Isa turned his attention to his craft, thinking of what the next meal would be. It was still afternoon, and hot too, a few minutes after 2 pm, no one came to buy a cage from Isa who had asked his wife to send his son Kabiru to collect money to buy food stuff. Then came two women out of the blues.

“Good afternoon, my son,” one of the women in her early sixties greeted. “Afternoon mama,” answered Isa and the haggling began. After telling them the last price of the cage, mama decided to pay less. “Mama, I cannot reduce anything from the N200 I told you. That is the price. The one of N150 is what I am working on. As you can see, it is smaller,” he explains.

“Haba my son,” the woman replied. “Hawks are disturbing my chicks and they are many, the small cage cannot contain them. Please consider my case as an old woman and sell it at N150 for me.” “Mama, but you know that things are hard for me as well. This is the only trade I have and I have a family to take care of. You should also consider the stress I go through to craft the cage,” he replied. After a long thought, the old woman brought out N200 note and paid for the cage.

When Isa left his native town of Azare, Bauchi State for Michika, he had a mission, ‘‘to learn a trade that I can rely on even at old age,” he said. To watch these men at work is to see a portrait of workaholics. They exemplify the determined craftsmen who are out to make things happen and not just to watch things happen.

Hafsat Al-Mustapha is the wife of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha sentenced to death recently, after a marathon 14-year trial, by a Lagos High Court over his involvement in the killing of Kudirat Abiola, wife of late Moshood Abiola. In this interview with SALISU IBRAHIM, Hafsat expresses shock and alleges the judgment was political and a game-plan just to get rid of him. She also spoke on other related issues. Excerpts:

Please what’s your name and what’s your relationship with Major Hamza Al-Mustapha?
I’m Hafsat Hamza Al-Mustapha, wife of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha.?

Some days ago, a court in Lagos delivered a judgment which sentenced Major Hamza Al-Mustapha to death by hanging. What was your immediate reaction to this verdict?
I received it with shock and disbelief. One, because this man had already spent at least 14 years incarceration and secondly there was no tangible evidence to warrant this kind of judgment. All the accusations making the rounds were not sufficient enough and tangible to nail him. First of all, he was arrested for alleged coup plotting during Abdussalami Abubakar’s regime but he was cleared. They detained him with the police, the army handed him over to the police and then they brought up this charges of killing Kudirat and the rest. He was taken to Kirikiri prison. Inside Kirikiri Prison, the nation’s maximum prison, he was re-arrested there for coup plotting against Obasanjo. The case lingered and lingered and the case against Obasanjo was dismissed. He was discharged and acquitted so they have nothing to hold onto and nail him, except the alleged killing of Kudirat Abiola. This is what they relied upon to pass the judgment. But to me, the conviction is nothing but political. It is conviction at all cost.?
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Are you convinced with the court’s procedure that found him guilty which led to his sentencing to death by hanging?
Never at all, the judgment is never close to my acceptance, because throughout the case, Al-Mustapha never accepted that he did what they are accusing him with. To crown it all even the government witnesses at a time came to the court and confessed openly that they have been given houses, money and were promised some juicy appointments abroad and the rest of it, just to nail him. In a civilized and very good country I think that case would have come to a close that day but in-spite of all these confessions, they continued with it. That is why I said, the judgment was nothing but conviction at all cost.

Do you read any political undertones in the judgement?
Very well; the judgment is full of politics, even a layman can tell you the judgment is political. One thing is that they have done their judgment but we have to await the judgment of Allah because this one is a political judgment. Even a lay man will know that what they did is political. Look at it this way – whereby somebody will come and say it is not true what I told the court, so so persons told me to come and say this yet you went ahead and nailed them. That is why I said it is political, nothing else because he was not the only person that was arrested? in the case of Kudirat. So many people were arrested, even in the coup plotting it is a drama; it is just a play and? a drama to show that we have arrested so and so but they were released and allowed to go. The only thing they insisted on is that they want to get at Mustapha.

Why do you think they want to get at him?
I really don’t know. They have their own reasons, but certainly, I don’t know.

Did you ever suspect any reason why they wanted to get at him as you‘ve alleged?
I really don’t know why they want to get at him.

Did you suspect any kind of interference particularly from those that have worked along with him while he was in active service?
Well, I don’t want to call names or point at anybody but from recent events where a judgment was passed, Rabo Lawal was discharged and acquitted and that Al- Mustapha had some questions to answer. He made mention of why they are still holding him that money has changed hands and that is why they don’t want anybody to know, so let them nail him.

Were you able to see him or have a chat with him after the judgment was made?
No, I did not. I did not.??

Have you been given opportunity to see him where he was awaiting trial?
Well yes. I have been going there from time to time. To go there however, is not too often, because of the expenses involved. I go there when there is chance to do that. In fact, the rigour one encounters whenever I have to go there; you take a paper, you apply, you go with passport photograph, you have to wait, before they approve for you to see him. And when you see him you have at least one hour or two hours maximum and then you come back. The taxi, the accommodation in Lagos, flight ticket and all these for a single mother like me is not easy. You see I have to refer myself as a single mother, because it is not easy, so I go when I have the chance.

Will the family appeal the Judgment?
Of course yes. Immediately they passed the judgment we have already appealed.

Do you ever have the feeling that Al-Mustapha knows very much about the government? Would that be reason for his incarceration for so long?????
Of course, we are all Nigerians. When he mentioned that this is what? happened, a video was played in the court, an audio visual was shown and everybody have seen some of the people that went and collected money from the government that they should keep quiet over the killing of Abiola and all that. I’m sorry to say, some section of the media have tried to play it down that the video was not even audible, that Al-Mustapha was talking about dead people. But there are people who are still living and they went to the Villa and we all know them. So, if you are a security officer of course you will know top secrets of the government, and if you work diligently you will know very much. But he kept quiet all these years without saying anything.

Fourteen years he did not say anything, but when they insisted that they wanted to get at him and kill him, he has to talk. He is a human being; otherwise if they had released him? with Rabo Lawal, I believe Mustapha would not have said anything. Some people have even approached me and proposed that if he will say bad things against the Abacha’s he will be released. I said, if it is me I will do it but Al-Mustapha will never do it. You don’t know this man; he will never get anybody implicated because he wants to be free.

How did your family members receive the news of the death sentence passed on him by the court?
We received it with real shock and dismay and disbelief. We really received it with shock, if somebody spent these many years awaiting trial, in prison terms he has spent 20 years lingering everyday going to court; one will not expect this type of judgment. If they insisted that they must jail him at all cost, in fact, we did not expect death by hanging.

Afterall, Sergeant Rogers is walking free. He is the one that admitted he pulled the trigger against this woman Kudirat and today he is walking a free man. He has never been called for anything; he is enjoying the money he was paid. So somebody who admitted that I did it, is now free, and somebody who insisted that I did not do it – that is Mustapha – they still want to hang him. So there must be a reason. But even if he knows too much, he did not say it until when he was pushed to the wall. But did he say anything at all?
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How have you been coping all this while without a bread winner for the family?
Al-hamdulillah, I believe in Allah. There is a proverb in Hausa that says ‘bakin da Allah ya tsaga ba zai hana shi abinci ba’, meaning (God does not deny His creatures. He always provides sustainability for all His creatures). And most importantly, I’m not a lazy woman. I look for my daily bread. I sweat to make ends meet. I do a lot of businesses; I buy I sell, so I’m not a lazy woman at all. That’s how I’m surviving.

Al-Mustapha was reported to have said that he was not bothered with the judgment. How do you react to this?
You see, the whole thing is political; it is a game being played with his life. There is nowhere in the whole world that you can put this case of Al-Mustapha that everybody will not believe that it is just a game plan by some people to get rid of him. It is really political.

Are you confident after this judgment, he will come out free following your appeal?
Insha Allah, with Allah there is nothing impossible. This is a judgment of people, judgment of just few people that have their own agenda but Allah’s judgment is the ultimate.
Do you have children with him?
I do.

How many are they?
I want to leave that to myself.??
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The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, recently introduced a new driver license and vehicle number plate as part of measures to reduce death on the highways. But the House of Representatives ordered the suspension of the projects citing the need to investigate the issuance of the two documents by the commission. KAZEEM AKINTUNDE, in this piece takes a look at the issues and proffers the way forward.

They were a couple for only eight days. Mr. and Mrs. Adeyemo were still savoring the frills and thrills of the newlywed when death came calling. They had left their home on a fateful Sunday evening to take a stroll in the neigbourhood and to buy Suya, the tasty roasted beef, on their way home, when a teenage driver who had lost control of the car hit them from behind, killing the wife on the spot. The husband was rushed to a private hospital but the trauma of losing his wife eventually led to his death.

The parents of the victims were too traumatized to press charges against the boy and that was how the case was forgotten.

The Adeyemo’s are not the only Nigerians who have lost their lives to reckless and dangerous driving in the country. On Monday, penultimate? week, 18 people were roasted alive when the vehicle they were traveling in had a head-on collision with another vehicle? around Ore, Ondo State.

In Nigeria, getting reliable statistics to work with is practically impossible. While the World Health Organisation, WHO, stated that an average of 32,000 Nigerians loses their lives yearly to road accidents, the FRSC stated that only an average of 5,000 persons die from road carnage.

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, recently released a frightening statistics on road accidents in the country. According to the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive officer of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, in the four months December 2009 and March 2010, 7, 737 road accidents were recorded in the country.

This, he said, resulted in the death of about 1,056 persons. These figures are alarming considering the fact that the actual figure may be higher than what has been given by the FRSC.

The grim statistics mirror the global death toll on roads which is currently put at 1.2 million annually. According to the Corps Marshal, who revealed these figures at a recent National Stakeholder Forum on Road Safety, the causes include bad roads, drunk-driving and non-adherence to road safety rules and regulations.

Within the four month period, 2,252 vehicles were involved in road accidents with over 5,000 persons reportedly injured.

In a bid to reduce death on our roads, the FRSC, as far back as 2008, began toying with the idea of having a new National Drivers’ License and Number plates as a possible means of reducing the carnage on the roads. Many senior members of the agency became uncomfortable by the way and manner Nigerians acquired the driver’s license and number plates. The activities of touts and middlemen had also rendered all the checks and balances imbued into the system ineffective.

People sit in the comfort of their homes and still get the driver’s license. Many Nigerians who have never held a steering wheel have the driver’s license.

Indeed, many underage Nigerians have the document which has made driving in most of our major cities on weekends more precarious as most of the underage drivers have access to their parent’s car which significantly increases the number of road accident on weekends.

Aside from that, many Nigerians have difficulties driving outside the shores of the country as our driver’s license is not recognized in most advanced countries. To be able to drive a car in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, Nigerians need to undergo another rigorous driving lesson before they could obtain a driver’s license there. It does not matter whether you have been driving in Nigeria for 100 years without recording a single road accident against your name.

It was for these reasons that the FRSC began work on giving the nation a well secured driver’s license which would enable the holder to drive a car in any part of the world.

Top management staff of the FRSC, were happy when on Friday September 2, last year, President Goodluck Jonathan formally launched the new National Drivers License and number plates.

At the launch of the new scheme which took place in Abuja, President Jonathan said his government was pleased that FRSC had delivered on the promise to introduce a credible driver’s license that met international standards.

“Restoring the integrity of the driver’s license aligns fully with the transformation agenda of this government, it is at the heart of the efforts to alter a culture of recklessness, impunity and lack of consideration for other road users and to transform these negative traits to a positive affirmation of a rule – driven society.

He said his government has invested in technology, people and processes that would not only restore the integrity of the driver’s license but also provide the nation with a credible database of drivers and vehicles.

As a means of checking under age and those who have not been properly trained to drive vehicles, President Jonathan said government would soon begin the implementation of the Driving Schools Standardization Programme (DSSP) that stipulated that only accredited driving schools must sponsor all fresh applicants for driver’s licence.

But few months after the president launched the scheme, it ran into troubled waters. The House of Representatives directed that the scheme should be suspended. The motion from the house followed the outcry from members of the public over the fees charged by the FRSC for those wishing to obtain the two documents.

While the new driver license is priced at N 6,000, new vehicle number plate starts from N 15, 000, and could go as high as N 40, 000 depending on vehicle type and category of number plate desired. This is a far cry from the old figure of N 3, 000 for the old driver’s license and between N 7, 000 and N 50, 000 for the old Number plates.

Many Nigerians see no reason why they should be compelled to change their number plates at such outrageous sum.

But the FRSC has continued to insist that the decision to change the number plates and driver’s license was in the interest of the country. Though the agency agrees that about N192 billion would accrue to all the tiers of government participating in the scheme, it insisted that the major objective was the security of every road users.

The new number plates, it was learnt, are tied to the owner as they have tamper-proof VIT tags, web printed proof of ownership certificate and are backed by investments in IT infrastructure for verification. It would be easier for all the law enforcement agencies to trace owner of any car or vehicles used in committing any crime in any part of the country.

The new drivers’ license again, can only be obtained by new applicants after they have passed a standard driving test. Current holders of drivers’ licenses that can be traced on the FRSC’s database would however, be exempted from having to do the driving test
The scheme, unfortunately, had to be suspended when the House of Representatives directed the FRSC to stop the two projects pending an investigation. But does the House of Representatives have the power to give instructions to an agency of the executive arm of government?

Section 88 of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigation into matters on which it has powers of legislation. But nowhere does the Constitution give it powers to order, direct or instruct agencies of the Executive Arm of government. The doctrine of separation of powers vests in the President the latitude to direct, instruct and manage all agencies of the executive.

It is also a settled matter in law that the power to investigate cannot be confused with the power of law enforcement. The legislature makes laws, but only the executive is empowered to enforce those laws

By instructing the FRSC to suspend the issuance of the new drivers’ license and number plates, the House of Representatives is indirectly usurping the powers of the President.

The best approach to the issue is for the House of Representatives to liase with the agency to look at the possibility of reducing the fees rather than stopping the FRSC from going ahead with the project.

It is when there is a tight measure put in place in the issuance of driver license that the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Adeyemo would be consoled that their children had not died in vain.

Like a psychopath on a rampage,? Umar Baba Wowo, a.k.a Copper, has been on the prowl of his victims. Some of them have had a bitter taste of the sharp blade of his knife. Like the perfect sadist from a thriller movie, he does not think twice before using his knife. Last Sunday, he stabbed a young man, Mallam Abdulrasheed Shukura, his fourth victim in a space of two years. MICHAEL OCHE reports.

If only Shukura knew what was to befall him, he would not have gone to Wowo’s house that fateful Sunday. In fact, if he knew the antecedents of Wowo better, he would not have had anything to do with Wowo. But like the Holy Book puts it, ‘my people perish for lack of knowledge,’ Shukura’s lack of knowledge about Wowo eventually sent him to an early grave.

In 2010, Umar Baba Wowo was sent to prison for stabbing one Isah Mohammed Dakachi, on the shoulder, with a knife. Though Dakachi was seriously injured, he survived Wowo’s attack. The police, however, arrested Wowo, who was prosecuted and found guilty of the offence of attempted murder. He was sent to Suleja Prison where he spent one year and six months.

Wowo had barely savoured the air of freedom after serving his term in prison when the beast in him decided to manifest. The ex-convict, Wowo this time around snuffed the life out of Shukura,his latest victim.

Last Sunday, at about 4pm, Abdulrasheed Shukura, 27, became the latest of Wowo’s victims after he was attacked and brutally stabbed with a knife. Shukura was unlucky because he did not survive the attack like the earlier three.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY learnt that Shukura,? happened to be Wowo’s fourth victim in a space of two years. While the other three victims were lucky to have survived his assaults, Shukura never lived to tell the story. An eye witness, Mohammed Musara, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that trouble started when Shukura came to Wowo’s house to ask for his N2,000 from a phone deal they had earlier made. But an argument soon ensued, which resulted in a fight between the two. Before the neighbours and passersby could intervene, Wowo had picked a knife and stabbed Shukura.

Before Shukura who was in a pool of his own blood could be rushed to the Suleja General Hospital, he died. The news of his death spread like wild fire around Angwa Malam Shehu in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, the home of both the deceased- Shukura and his assailant- Wowo.

Immediately the assailant learnt of the news of his victim’s death he went into hiding. It was gathered that the police were immediately invited to intervene and a search was conducted in Wowo’s house where the police found knives and axes of different sizes and shapes.

Shukura, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered lost his father a few years back in Suleja. He had a dream of leaving a job he was doing once he had enough money to start a trade. His dream was however, cut short by Wowo.

A police source told our correspondent that Wowo has been arrested and transferred to the State CID in Minna, the Niger State capitalfor further investigation.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, Akib a brother of the deceased said he hoped justice would prevail to serve as deterrent to people like Wowo who he said didn’t deserve to be walking freely.

In his words, “This man has stabbed three other people before my brother and I hope he is sent to life imprisonment because if he is released, I wonder what next he would do. I think it is drugs, mental illness, or a combination of both that is responsible for this”.

He said that his brother has been buried according to Islamic rites but said his family still missed him and believes the only way to comfort the family is to ensure that justice is served.

Neighbours who spoke on the incident said, Wowo was known to be a bully and is always engaged in one fight or the other.

A neighbour said “since the boy came back, he is always fighting and threatening to kill somebody.

Penultimate Monday, an orphanage owned by the Missionary Alliance for Africa, MAFA , known as Bethany Home, was completely razed down by a broad daylight fire outbreak. Thankfully, all the occupants were ferried to safety, averting a major disaster. The Nigeria Police is leaving nothing to chance? in unraveling the arsonists. ABU NMODU writes.

So far, two nationals of Niger Republic have been arrested raising the suspicion that many of the heinous crimes may have been carried out by foreigners.

The razing of the Missionary home and arrest of the Nigeriens came barely 48 hours after the Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, raised the alarm over the influx of some Niger republic indigenes into the state.

The governor in his usual character did not hold back his feelings at a recent public function at the Government House.? He? accused the Nigeriens of being easy tools used by some disgruntled elements in the state, to cause havoc on innocent people and properties.

He observed that these Nigeriens usually enter the country easily because they speak Hausa language, and hide under some mundane reasons to cause havoc as they do not have any stake in the country.

The Nigeriens arrested by the police were said to be employed near the MAFA building as security men (Mai guard). Some of their compatriots also sell water in jerry cans. LEADERSHIP SUNDAY investigation revealed that these Nigeriens illegally occupy an uncompleted building behind the orphanage.

Known as Mai’ruwa further revealed that these arsonists on gaining entrance into the orphanage had set some mattresses spread outside of the building ablaze before setting the main building on fire. Though the orphans and the less privileged numbering about one hundred were ferried to safety, the question now is how to provide an alternative shelter for them.???

The pastor in charge of the Mission, Pastor Yusuf Bala Dajel recalled how several attempts were made to raze down the Bethany Home before the arsonists finally succeeded.

Pastor Dajel who spoke exclusively to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY maintained that despite the huge loss the centre had submitted what happened to God. He recalled that attempts to raze the home started about a week before the arsonists finally succeeded.

According to the clergy, “They have been attempting to burns this place. The first attempt was on Monday 16, 2012 when an unknown motorcycle was found inside the compound and we raised the alarm to identify the owner of the said motorcycle, but all efforts proved abortive”.

He narrated further, “Secondly, on Wednesday 18, 2012 at about 11am, my wife called me that there was a fire incident in the house, I quickly went home and discovered that the motorcycle that was parked inside the compound had? been set on fire. We? quickly? controlled the fire”.

When asked what the Mission did following these several attempts to set the place ablaze, he explained that the incidents were reported to the police and they advised them to be at alert, but despite that there was another attempt the same day to set the home ablaze.

“That very day we reported the incident to the police and the police came led by the District Police Officer (DPO) of the Tudun Wada police station. They advised us to be alert. Again around 4:30pm in the evening when we came back we saw that there was fire inside the building and we called the fire service and they were able to put out the fire before it got out of hand”, he added.

According to him, “Again on Thursday morning, there was another attempt to burn the Bethany home. Police came and checked the surrounding and left. Suddenly, I learnt that there was flame coming out of one of the rooms inside the building and we are able to control it”.

Following the persistent attempts on the Mission the police posted some of their men to guard the building, but only at night. Invariably the arsonists who had been watching the turn of events at the Mission decided to set the building ablaze in the afternoon.

Recalling what happened on that fateful Monday he said, “This Monday, I went out around 9:30am to drop some visitors at the garage and went to Kafinkoro and when I came back I met my wife where she was but I was in the Top Medical area in Minna when they said my wife went to the Bethany home to check what was happening only to hear people shouting fire! fire!? Before we could call the fire service the inferno had become uncontrollable. Everything we have in the home including credentials, computers were burnt”.

The pastor who was however grateful to the Almighty that no life? was lost said that the whole episode had been committed to God.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Adamu Oguche (ASP) confirmed that two nationals of Niger Republic have been arrested in connection with the attack on the home.

Oguche said, “It is true. We had signals of the fire attack on a missionary home off Bay Clinic Road, in Tunga during the Senior Police Officers conference with the Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer was immediately dispatched to quell the fire attack.”

The police spokesman said that the state Field Mission Coordinator of the home had reported attacks on the home, but was unable to identify any attackers. He however, said that on close investigation, the Police suspected that the arsonists may have been invading the home from an uncompleted building beside the home.

Based on the clue however, the Police spokesman said two guards in the uncompleted building are now being questioned to get a lead to the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Holy Aruosa is a traditional religious and? unique worship place where the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa , his palace chiefs , family members including men and women of Bini origin commune directly with God. LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, PATRICK OCHOGA, writes.

Situated along the famous Akpakpava Road, Benin City, Holy Aruosa,[Eye of God] was established in 1849. A? traditional worship house where the people are said to have direct contact with God without going through any intermediary. It is widely acclaimed as the oldest church in the continent of Africa.

Holy Aruosa is the religion of the Binis, headed by the Oba. Its entire activities are centred on Bini language, but over the years the prominence, growth and proliferation of Holy Aruosa whose geographical spread once cut across Edo state, Cross River, Western parts of Nigeria and indeed, parts of Dahomey ( present day Republic of Benin), was adversely affected? by western civilization and the Nigerian civil war.

Besides the gross impact of the British expedition of 1897 which prompted the eventual expulsion of Oba Ovorawmen N’Ogbasi to Calabar, it also had its ripple effect on Arousa. However, it was subsequently rebuilt by Oba Akenzua when he ascended the throne in 1933. So many branches were subsequently, equally reconstructed in Benin, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and as far as Dahomey.

Many historical versions over the years gave divergence views about the origin of Arousa as religion. The British according to world initiative for peace, a non-profit organization, in its 5th world conference on Religion and Ethnicity with a special reference to the Portuguese, Ancient Benin Kingdom and the Romania churches as case studies, has it that Holy Aruosa was founded by the Portuguese in 1406AD.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND,? Col. Paul Ogbebor (Retd.) counselor and chairman Board of Trustees (Arousa), who vehemently contradicted the position of World Initiative of Peace, opined thus, “it amounts to saying it was when the Spanish got to America that was when America was founded. The Portuguese came for commercial and religion treaties, they only came to complement what we have. Before their advent, we had a very disciplined and strong religion. They took our priest to Portugal, but the difference is that, we go directly to God, while the Christian pray through Jesus Christ. We are not Christians. We are goodies. We deal directly with God.

According to him, so many years ago, Edo people experienced strange happenings, man’s inhumanity to man outlived its bound. Spurred by three fundamental questions and request: that the young ones should not be dying before their elders, the need to continue to have rain throughout the season and that the dead should be able to visit the living, Okhuahe, a Benin priest volunteered to take the message to God. Although several years later, God spoke, unfortunately the above requests could not be granted as they tend to violate the natural law? which says there cannot be? witness of any person who have seen God on earth.

“But where the Binis gathered, praying and awaiting the return of Priest Okhuahe, is the present site where we have Arousa.

On a comparative dichotomy between Arousa and contemporary religion, Col. Paul said, Arousa is more imparting, Christianity has nothing to do with Benin culture, but Arousa is Benin. You cannot see five percent of Binis who live 100 percent by Christian doctrines, is rare. But Arousa is Benin culture. Before most Binis go to church they pray to shrine to keep their homes’’

Reacting to the diminishing prominence of Holy Arousa in the contemporary society, the chairman board of trustee explained, “the British expedition affected Arousa, there were insinuations and accusation that we were fetish. Being a spiritual institution, Arousa was demolished. Arousa went underground until Oba Akenzua now started rebuilding, most of the shrines that were affected. Unfortunately, the civil war did the most damage. The snare waves of Christianity and finally the government took the missionary school that was a big blow to Arousa propagation.

On his part, Royal Priest Harrison Okao (JP), Senior Presiding Priest of Arousa who shared similar opinion with Col. Paul on the origin of Arousa said Aruosa is a rallying center for Christians, Muslims and idol worshippers. “We are not against any religion, but we are concerned with the state of the mind”.

A product of ministry pastoral school institute, USA and worldwide ministry, Priest Harrison stated that the Oba is responsible for the appointment of the priests through inspiration from God.

Defining his specific role in Bini kingdom, he said both himself as priest of Arousa and Chief Priest of Benin, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure has a duty to protect the Oba. “I pray to God on behalf of the Oba, while Isekhure pray to ancestors on behalf of the Oba.

‘’The Oba’s wives are not under my jurisdiction. No Oba’s wives come here, but we only pray for them’’ However, women who are mostly the choristers are allowed to worship freely without inhibition, as they communed freely with Osanobua (God or creator) without any intermediary according to the Chief Priest.

“We do not pray through Jesus Christ or any other intermediary. It is not that we do not believe in him, but the truth is that we pray directly to God. “If you have a father and you also have a brother and you want to ask your father for something, do you pass through your brother? That is why we do not pass through any intermediary and instead, go directly to God to make our requests. “During the prayer session, I ask people to come out and talk to their God and say or ask whatever is paining them, which they want God to do for them. There is a specific time during every worship service when such people will come out to cry to their God. To me, it is one of the best sessions in the entire service.”

“The prayer every successive Oba offers at the worship site ensures the success of the kingdom and its inhabitants as a whole. God has been answering our prayer. Here, we pray for barren women, jobless youth, our children—that they have the fear of God and grow properly; we pray for our market women and others generally. So, being a place of true worship, and of prayer for good things, Holy Aruosa is a very important place to the society here.”

The Benin monarch occasionally attends worship at the traditional church especially after Igue festival for thanksgiving. The temple which conducts services every Sunday is also believed to?? have the most unadulterated bible they use for worship.

Against the background of severe threats to the Nigerian Project, RUTH CHOJI sounds out key stakeholders who are unanimous that the bloody campaign of the Boko Haram sect must be caged – and quickly

The problem of insecurity which used to be one of the smallest in the myriad of problems facing the nation has taken a dangerous dimension with the recent attack on key government installations in Kano State and invasion of villages in Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa and other parts of the north.

It has become a great challenge that is presently facing security agents in the country.

The Police are the worst hit and targeted by members of the notorious Boko Haram sect operating freely in the northern part of the country. The dreaded group has so much instilled fear and trepidation in the law enforcement agents to the extent that the fear of Boko Haram is regarded as the beginning of wisdom.???

The extremist Islamic sect, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram, according to its spokesmen, is fighting to establish Islamic law. The sect is said not to have any regard for either the Nigerian constitution or President Goodluck Jonatha’s administration. The sect which has gone on a bombing spree that has left hundreds of people dead and millions of naira worth of properties destroyed has drawn the attention of the international community to Nigeria.

As much as the president has tried to reassure Nigerians that his government is atop the situation, the recent change of baton in the police has not calmed people’s fears and sense of insecurity. Some prominent Nigerians who spoke with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND on these issues tried to offer suggestions on the way forward.

In his summation, Sen. Ayo Arise who represented Ekiti North senatorial zone in the 6th National Assembly?? said ,“Well, we thank God that some people are being arrested. It means they are putting a face to the people behind the violence. You can hide under a mask and do anything, but if you know that, there is a possibility that you will get caught when you do whatever you want to do, certainly that problems will begin to subside. We cannot get them eliminated overnight.

There is anger everywhere in the land but the expression of that; is it within the law or constitution?

“Every nation operates within the confines of their constitution. We operate the American system and it is not that they don’t have their internal unrest.? They even had to fight a war once when a president came up to say, no, no, you can’t keep slaves. The south which is fund of keeping slaves refused to stop it. Even if we solve the Boko Haram saga, another one will likely emerge.

But security must be proactive and communities must be involved in security. I understand the government paid about a hundred million to families of the Boko Haram.

That is an alternative measure. But is it the way to go? If I know that I can be paid a hundred million when I create violence, then why would I need to work? I hope they will find a solution soon. If something is not done, the oil money might not be enough to sustain the nation”.

For Lawrence Alobi, a retired commissioner of police and security expert, “What I will suggest is that Islamic leaders consult with the sect. Whatever they come up with, they should pass it to government. When they dialogue with government it will appear that they have won. That will be sending the wrong signals. It also means that we now want to legitimize violence. It will mean that government will recognize you when you get involve, in violence and terror. Let Islamic leaders come together because Boko Haram comes from Islamic religion. You cannot legalize criminality.

“A crime is a crime. This government belongs to all of us. They can send Islamic leaders and elders to hear their grievances. But never to dialogue with them, it is wrong. One, it will take equipment that can demobilize and neutralize bombs from afar. Two, Nigerians must stop politicizing the issue of terrorism. Mr President said that Boko Haram has infiltrated the government and security agencies”.

Similarly, Hon Simon Mwadkon , representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi of Plateau State? in the House of Representatives said that, “Even in the seat of government, we have serious threat to lives and property. The attack on the UN Building Abuja was an assault on the world not just Nigerian government because the UN represents the whole world. I will advise Mr. President to take decisive steps; the SSS, the CIB must work very hard. Our problem is that we do not come out to punish offenders.? It is not possible for the Nigerian security to say that, they don’t know the real perpetrators of these dastardly acts.

“If there is no punishment to such crime, then we will not have an end to them.mr president must have the political will to punish those behind the acts.? This is the only way we can discourage those planning to engage in such acts. There is nothing like Boko Haram.? It is only those that are aggrieved because of power shift from the Hausa/ Fulani? oligarchy? that are bombing and killing innocent Nigerians in disguise. I see this as jihad because no mosque has been bombed by the? activities of the so called Boko Haram.? But you have churches being bombed even on Christmas day.

“The scene in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna are just cover up to show that Boko Haram is responsible. Why is it that no mosque was destroyed in the activities of the so called Boko Haram in the above mentioned states? I am shocked by the statement made by the Sultan, that Christians and Muslims are not fighting, but that, good and evil are fighting.? Who is good and who is evil? Definitely the person that has put bomb all over this country is evil and we see that on the people he is leading because he is the Sarkin Musulmi.

“One may want to ask, ‘are there Christians who are members of Boko Haram? The answer is no. Definitely they are Muslims. We are happy that the sultan has come out to say they are evil. He is the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria and his subjects are using the name of Boko Haram in disguise to execute jihad on Christians in disguise.

I believe that if we want to tackle a situation, we should tackle it squarely. The police force is not well equipped. They need to be paid well so that they can take their job seriously.? We need high level highly skilled police force that is well train and equipped. We need a lot of security gadgets at our borders and even within the country to monitor perpetrators of acts that could bridge the peace”.

From the positions of important stakeholders it is clear that Nigeria is indeed on the brink and will need qualitative interventions and a visionary leadership to contain and resolve the core issues at play.

If it is true that people who die suddenly, still hang around after their eyes might have been snapped by death, then Ibrahim Abutu is yet to give up. Abutu, a former staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was murdered by an unknown person in his room in Wuse II, Abuja on Wednesday, December 28, 2011.

A book, “Beyond Death,” co-authored by Dr. Gary Habermas and J.P. Morel, aptly captures what might be the state of the deceased, who was cut down before the prime of life.

In the book, the authors paint a vivid picture of what happens when humans die. Through encounters with people who had Near Death Experiences (NDEs), they insist that the dead don’t leave their former environments after they cease to breath. They indicate that dead people try to prove their innocence if they were wrongly accused or console their loved ones, who are devastated but these attempts don’t get through as they float outside of time and space. “NDEs may not conclusively prove there is a heaven or hell, but they do indicate that at death the soul separates from the body, and that a person’s spirit is conscious and coherent at death,” they stated.

Before his gruesome murder on that fateful Wednesday, Abutu had heaps of unfulfilled dreams and unaccomplished tasks. He might have been thinking of several things including some business deals seconds before hot bullets released from his licensed double-barrel gun pierced through his chest and silenced him forever. He might not have envisaged death in the next 20 years, but alas! The end was closer than he ever imagined.

Family sources said Abutu had on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, invited his trusted mechanic in Lagos to fly in to Abuja to handle some jobs for him. He woke up with his usual verve on the doomsday and dashed here and there, giving instructions to aides on what his expectations for the day were. He specifically instructed his gateman to wash one of his cars and apparently went in to dress up for a planned business trip to Kaduna.

He had no reason to suspect that death was lurking with its ominous fangs inside the very place he had called home for years. Suddenly, there was a bang and he was found in the pool of his blood. Four women allegedly witnessed Abutu’s sad end. These were his first wife, Hadiza, his cousin, Oyiele Okoh as well as friends of the family, Anthonia Ojuodiale and Nafisat Ategua.

While the four women, who witnessed the death of the deceased are said to have given conflicting accounts of the sordid drama, the Nigeria Police do not seem to be in a hurry to buy the cacophony of statements made by them. Besides, the police would not understand why the witnesses totally defaced the scene of the crime, thereby tampering with essential ingredients that would have aided investigation.

Given claims by Habermas and Morel, perhaps, the ghost of Abutu has been shouting course; trying to tell the police and relations how he died and who pulled the trigger of the gun that killed him. He might be crying for justice but since mortals can’t comprehend the language of the dead, his voice has remained largely unheard. True. The dead don’t tell their stories. Abutu can’t therefore, be an exception.

As soon as the doors of the morgue were closed on the remains of the deceased, the police took in Hadiza and three other women, who were at home when he died. It was hoped that they would assist in giving information on how the man, who had been paying their bills, was shot inside his room. But the accounts by the witnesses have so far left so much to be desired. Perhaps, a demon had surreptitiously crept into the house without the four women being aware and pulled the trigger of the gun that killed the man of the house. Alas, so many questions begging for answers.??

Following suspicion that the four witnesses where economical with the truth and might have in fact given false information capable of derailing police investigations, they were arraigned at an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Ahmed Shuaibu on charges of criminal conspiracy and giving false information. The quartet were however admitted to bail on January 16 and released on January 18 after fulfilling their bail conditions. Not done with the matter, the police instantly re-arrested and remanded the accused persons when they could not be arraigned on the same day for culpable homicide. The reason was that the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Talba of the FCT High Court, who was billed to hear the matter, had travelled out of Abuja.

However, when the case came up on Tuesday, January 24, the judge unilaterally granted Hadiza bail on the sum of N1 million with a surety in the like sum without either an oral or written application from her counsel. Talba took the action even when the police prosecutor, Umoh Inah had made an exparte application seeking the court to take cognizance of the case and remand the accused pending the conclusion of investigation into the matter.

In a 10-paragraph affidavit and written address in support of the exparte application, the police stated in part, “The case before the court is culpable homicide contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code. The police are making efforts to complete their investigation and arraign the suspect in appropriate court. The evidence before the police points to the facts that the accused committed the offence.”

The police further averred that the court has inherent powers to grant the application in line with Section 129 (1)(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) which also empowers the court to take cognisance and remand the accused in prison custody pending conclusion of investigation.

But while ruling on the exparte motion, Talba said “In view of the evidence before me, I hereby take cognisance of this matter but decline to grant the prayer to remand the accused but admit her to bail for N1million with one reliable surety who must be resident within the jurisdiction of this court. The case is hereby adjourned till February 7, 2012 for hearing.” Hmmm!?

The police did not agree with the position of the court on this.? The state prosecutor told journalists outside the court, “This is not a bailable offence even if there had been bail application moved by the defendant because it is a murder charge. But since the presiding judge appeared to have made up his mind, there is nothing the police can do in this circumstance.”

Before Inah could finish talking, one of the lawyers to Hadiza, Kamin Asunogie countered, saying, “The court ordinarily frowns at holding charge, which was what the police that had held the accused in their custody for weeks, brought before the court. The court is at the liberty to admit the accused to bail based on the evidence before it. Besides, Section 129 (3) of the CPC draws the attention of the court to Section 45 of the CPC which empowers the court in this circumstance to grant the accused bail.”

As the legal fire-works began to heat up, the police suddenly dropped charges on the three other women earlier arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court without giving reasons for their actions.? When asked to comment on the whereabouts of Okoh, Ojuodiale and Ategua earlier held in custody, Inah replied angrily, “Did you ever see me with them; at least you can see me here with Hadiza?

A few days after the controversial bail was granted, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Lawal Gumi, squashed the bail and consequently re-assigned the culpable homicide case to another High Court in Apo.?? Gumi squashed the bail after receiving a petition from relations of the deceased who viewed Talba’s action as morally and legally unacceptable.

While legal fireworks have started reverberating in the court, the family of the deceased has concluded plans to bury his remains in Orokam village, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. But they insist on knowing who killed Ibrahim and why. Perhaps, the ghost of the dead would be appeased and would detach from his former environment when those who killed him, are fished out and brought to justice.

Luck shines on a Lagos family, as their two-year-old son, Gift, who was kidnapped from school in Lagos, is found in Jos, the Plateau State capital. ACHOR ABIMAJE, reports.

Their hope of finding him had since fizzled. In short, Alhassan Allamaimagani, a native of Edo State but residing in Lagos, had since lost hope of his son, when it became clear to him that the toddler could not be located three months after he was kidnapped from school.

Gift Alhassan, two, and second child of the family, was whisked away from his school-Omis International Nursery and Primary School- by unknown persons, who are believed to have kidnapped the young boy for ritual purposes on November 15, 2011.? He was walking home from school with his four-year-old brother, when he was snatched by unknown persons. The parents literarily combed everywhere in Lagos in search of the boy but they did not find him. Police and other law-enforcement agents later joined the parents in the search but nothing positive came out of their concerted effort to locate the toddler.

After three months of fruitless search for the poor boy, the family was left with no option than to continue to gnash their teeth, weep and mourn the young boy, who is the pet of his parents.

With tears and sorrow taking over their daily routine and no hope of finding the boy, the family resigned their fate to prayers and a miracle. They began to pray more fervently than they had ever prayed in their lives.

The result did not take long in coming. It was like a joke but it was for real. The Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, began the news like one of those drama series on the air: “This boy, Gift Alhassan was today brought to our office by a Good Samaritan. He was kidnapped in Lagos in November but later found in Jos. The parents have been advised to contact the police for identification and collection.”

The father and mother of the child, who were glued to their TV set, did not believe what they heard and saw. Could this be their son or was someone trying to rein them in for more trouble? They began to think aloud. But just after the news item, someone close to the family called and told them that the boy had been found in Jos and that they should come for him.

In a jiffy, tears began to give way for joy and celebration. The parents could not wait any longer. They dashed straight to Jos the following day to see things for themselves.

Barrister Okechuku Ajaelu , a staff of the Appeal Court in Jos, had picked up little Gift from the ECWA Central Pharmacy near CBN Roundabout in Jos? around 7:30pm on the 20th November, 2011.

At the time the judiciary worker found the boy, he was clutching a toy and wandering alone in the town.? When asked how he came to Jos and who gave him the toy he was holding,? Gift only managed to mention his elder brother’s name-Michael- and did not say anything more.

But Ajaelu decided to take the risk by taking the boy home not minding the consequences of taking an unknown child to his home to pass the night with him and his family.

“Well, I had to take the risk by taking the boy home.? I did that principally to save his life since this kind of thing could happen to anyone in the society,” he said.

But he did not waste time in taking the boy to the Plateau State Police Command, which immediately took his details and later transferred him to the Isha Mana Orphanage Home along Zaria Road Jos.

It was there that the parents reunited with their son, whom they had not seen for three months.

Rather than jump for joy, the father and pregnant mother started weeping uncontrollably once they set eyes on their son.

“We are shedding tears of joy not sadness. We cannot just explain what would have happened to us if we had not found Gift,” the expectant mother said.

“We are eternally grateful to God for saving this boy for us,” his father stated.
But the search for the boy almost landed the parents in more agony. On their way to Jos to identify their son, himself and his pregnant wife were involved in an auto accident – but they were merely injured.

Reflecting on the disappearance of their son, Alhassan said it was not easy for the family throughout the period.

They could neither eat nor sleep. They had taken to praying for him day and night.
The kidnap of the boy did not go down well with the authorities of the Omis International Nursery and Primary School, as the police had to reprimand many of the staff who were on duty when the boy was taken away by unknown persons.

It is not clear why the kidnappers let the boy go without demand for ransom.
The hand of God may have saved his life from his captors.

Reacting to the incident, the Plateau State Women Affairs and Social Development Commissioner, Mrs. Olivia Dazyem, condemned the treatment meted out to the young boy and prayed God to punish his captors.

Dazyem called on parents not to be careless with their children as there are those she refers to as enemies of progress who are bent on committing crime and making parents suffer.

The bright future of a youth corps member, who was on his way home after his compulsory one-year national assignment, is put asunder following a ghastly accident that lands him in hospital. Three years after there is no sign of recovery, as he can neither talk nor walk. NNAMDI MBAWIKE, reports.?

Stephen Nwakoukwu , a 28-year -old Accountancy? Graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State never bargained for what he got that fateful day.

Two months after his discharge from the National Youth Service Corps, he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of an hospital, a place he never imagined to be while he was passing out of the compulsory yearly national service.

As the only graduate of his poor parents, his mindset was to get out of the camp and hook up to one of the establishments in Nigeria so as to end the suffering of his family.

But he was wrong. Fate and time appear to have connived to deal him a deadly blow that he is yet to recover from.

His aim was to launch an assault on poverty and penury that have held his family hostage for many years.? Poverty has been raging in his family to the extent that his father,? a bicycle repairer from Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, had to sell off his property and borrow money to train Nwokoukwu up to the polytechnic. In fact, after selling all he had to send Stephen to school, he could still not raise enough to sustain him, and he had to recall his other children from school to enable the first born to complete his education.

Hence, when Stephen grabbed his discharge certificate in August 2009, he hurried home to break the good news of his success to his parents. He refused to celebrate his new status outside his country home like his friends who went into enjoyment galore in the different joints in Abuja.?

But the unexpected happened on the? way; he was involved in a ghastly motor accident that led to his admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,(UNTH) Ituku Ozalla, Enugu.

A few hours after the bus that conveyed him and others took off from Abuja, the vehicle crashed. Dozens of passengers died; many others, including Stephen, sustained various degrees of injuries that they are now battling to salvage.

He was initially taken to the Mother of Christ Hospital, Enugu but the hospital rejected him on the ground that his case was more than what they could handle.

However, luck came his way when the management of the UNTH ordered that the ex-corps member be transferred to ICU unit following the degree of injuries he sustained.

That has become Stephen’s home since 2009. His joy has been killed and hope of becoming the messiah of his family put on hold. The family has also been thrown into desperation as they are unable to raise enough money for his treatment, which has lingered beyond their expectation. Yet there is no end in sight.

The condition of the man appears hopeless too. After almost three years in the ICU, Stephen’s condition is yet to improve. He can neither stand up on his own nor talk as a normal human being.

The parents are confused and debilitated by the misfortune that has gripped their breadwinner.

When our correspondent visited the accident victim at the hospital, he could not respond to questions. The nurses however managed to sit him down for pictures.

A source told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that Stephen’s relatives and parents who were also nowhere to be found during the visit were already tired of his helpless situation.

The source added they had also resorted to begging in order to get funds to offset Stephen’s medical bills and possibly transfer him to a hospital outside Nigeria for further treatment.?

Although Stephen’s condition is still bad, it was gathered that the hospital discharged him since 10th of January 2011 after administering the first phase of medical treatment on him.?

At the time? of his discharge, Stephen’s? medical bill was about N600,000 but his parents were only able to pay about N300,000 after disposing all that they had.

Presently, Stephen, who was diagnosed of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries, can neither work nor make use of his brain and to worsen the situation, he cannot be taken out of the hospital for further treatment.

Narrating Stephen’s plight to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, a nurse in the hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the accident victim was unconscious for over two months.

According to her, Stephen was breathing through Oxygen machine throughout his stay in the intensive care unit.?

She disclosed that the Nekede Polytechnic graduate only regained consciousness after two months in? the ICU, regretting however, that he was yet to use his brain and different parts of his body because of the head and spinal cord injuries he sustained.

“ When he was brought to this hospital, nobody thought that he would survive till now; we even thought that he was already dead. He was unconscious for over two months.

When contacted, the Senior Medical Social Worker in UNTH, Mrs Chidinma Ndam called on good spirited individuals to come to the rescue of the Stephen.

She disclosed that the victim needed more funds to enable him go for further treatment and offset medical bills.

Mrs Ndam appealed to people to assist Stephen financially to enable him to fulfil his vision in life.

January 10 this year marked the 46th birthday of one of Nigeria’s emerging political icons, namely, speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a man one can confidently qualify as a leader, boss, mentor and reliable brother.

Working with Tambuwal in the last seven months has reinforced the high regards I had for him even before I was elected into the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Like many in the political circle who have interest in how the House is run, I had a very positive view of Tambuwal right from my days as an aspirant. This came about following his various contributions to the development of the legislative arm of government in particular and the country in general. He made his mark while serving as chairman of the Business and Rules Committee of the House, minority leader and later deputy whip, amongst many other responsibilities.

Since our path properly crossed in the House, my respect for the speaker has quadrupled. While many Nigerians did not truly know his character and personality until he stoutly contested for the office of the speaker, his true leadership skills are only starting to come to the fore, and I believe that by the end of it all, Nigerians would be glad they have the right person as speaker of the House of Representatives.

Incidentally, since his election as speaker, Tambuwal has performed his functions excellently to the admiration of all stakeholders. But the fact is that you have to work closely with him to really appreciate his dedication and uncommon commitment to duty.

In my estimation, only few leaders in the current political clime have the moral standing that Tambuwal exudes. It still boggles my mind that despite the numerous high-stake interventions he has made in the polity since June last year when he emerged speaker, balancing between the expectations of the executive arm, his colleagues and Nigerians as a whole, he is still the ever cheering fellow who never lost touch with his constituency.

His strong stance on discipline, accountability and truth is now setting the bar and becoming an example in a country that morality and social justice is being thrown to the wind.

Despite his mien and jovial outlook, the speaker is extremely humble, down to earth and does not suffer fools for nothing. He is disciplined but not wicked, taciturn and smart but not arrogant, blunt and shoots from the hips but not loquacious. He can be downright jovial and playful to a fault but not in any way close to being an unserious person.

His deftness and maturity in handling sensitive issues stand him out as a leader people can rely on. At the height of the lobby preceding the composition of committee members in the House of Representatives, many members were astounded at the manner in which he handled the delicate assignment and its aftermath.

Let me relate a personal story which showed how shrewd the speaker can be in the discharge of his responsibilities. While members were mounting pressures from many quarters, seeking to be named into one committee or the other, the speaker confided in one of the senior members that one of their mutual friends may be appointed to head a particular committee. In sheer excitement, that member informed the mutual friend of the pending appointment, and before long, information got to the speaker that already, congratulatory messages were being sent to the particular member because of the position that was yet to be announced.

Rather than chide the member for ‘leaking’ the confidential discussion they had as will be the case with many leaders, the speaker took it in his stride, calmly as always. On the day he announced the composition of the committees on the floor of the House, he took all members by surprise when that member realised that he had been given a different committee from the one he was earlier told. The point he later made to his colleagues was that as leaders they should allow all discussions held in confidence to remain as such. Rather than punish his colleagues, he devised a diplomatic way to send his message which consequence was not lost on all parties. Personally, I have learnt much from such rare display of wisdom. More so that I was a fresh member working hard to settle down in the highly technical job of a legislator. Only a boss like? Tambuwal can, with ease save you from bouncing into landmines.

Unlike most politicians, Tambuwal hardly engages in war of words and verbal abuse which inundate the pages of our newspapers and the electronic media. Ever engrossed with avenues of fast-tracking development, his gentlemanly disposition is always evident in the way he conducts his affairs and in the calibre of persons he surrounds himself with at any given time.

I have to admit to his humane, humble and easy-going disposition. The doggedness with which he executed his perfect campaign for the office of the speaker only espouses his determination to pursue any cause for which he is fully convinced about, mostly with a refreshing dose of patience and humility to go with it, and this has been the catalyst of the resounding success and victories that have trailed his every move. The recent intervention by the House of Representatives in the fuel subsidy removal imbroglio is an attestation to his panache and astute organisational and managerial abilities.

Without doubt, Tambuwal is a man who has displayed rare virtues of humility, courage and steadfastness in the discharge of his duties. Since his election as speaker, he has shown what latent power, patience and commitment he could boast of. He, in fact, played out the age-long Igbo cliché which says that when a taller adult held unto what belonged to a shorter child, he was sure to release it when his hand started hurting, no matter how long it took. His professional, unbiased and humane approach to issues has continued to attract scores of accolades and encomiums from various quarters.

But it does not go without the fact that this silent achiever has not got what may be misconstrued as shortcoming, one of which is his quietness which many tend to view otherwise. For instance, not naming members of the various committees of the House until three months after his inauguration was misconstrued in some quarters for indecision. But the delay some people earlier considered as weakness quickly dissolved when they all appreciated he understood the workings and psychology of the House, thus the need for massive consultation and consensus building which has become the hallmark of the way he leads the House.

As noted elsewhere, there is no better way to appreciate Tambuwal’s efforts than to admit the fact that the history of the Seventh Session of the National Assembly would never be complete without a proper mention of him as its standard bearer. At 46, Tambuwal’s youth and wisdom point to a future of hope and possibilities. His apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies or double-speak that had stunted our progress as a nation marks him out as a leader to be reckoned with now and in the future.

Without sounding immodest, I will say he is a light to the legislature and Nigeria as a whole.

To this rare gem, astute lawyer, consummate politician, friend to the mighty and the lowly, defender of the downtrodden and bridge builder, I say happy birthday in arrears.

Jibrin is the chairman, House Committee on Finance.????
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The three anti corruption agencies in the country, namely the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent and Corrupt Practises and Other Related Commission (ICPC), together with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) are the engines driving the war on graft. However, antecedents of these agencies reveal that the headship of these organisations often determines the impacts they make. In this analysis, CHUKA ODITTAH writes on the imperatives of competent leadership and clear ideologies.

Defining corruption is a daunting task .This is perhaps because of its delicate link to many of the improper attitudes or acts that are commonly assumed to be the norm in society. Nevertheless, all attempts to capture its meaning tend to suggest that greed, dishonesty and illegality are often times its underlying plank.

Currently, Nigeria is rated among the world’s most corrupt countries of the world. The debilitating effect of this cankerworm is at the root of the nation’s under development. The economy, education,? public service and political sub-sectors are few examples of areas gravely affected by its prevalence.

No doubt, over the last decade or so, efforts have been on to tackle the malaise. Some of these include the establishment of anti corruption commissions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), and a sister agency known as the Independent and Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC).But in view of the negligible success so far recorded, many are altogether pessimistic about sweeping change overnight.

Analysts argue that except certain fundamental principles are engaged, hopes of winning the war on graft may inevitably be deferred. For instance, the phenomena of sacred cows, political will, adequate funding of anti graft agencies, maximum punishment for offenders, among other salient issues needed to be decisively be addressed. At the moment, tongues are currently wagging as to the propriety of the court judgment that recently acquitted former House speaker Dimeji Bankole and his deputy Nafada, over a loan deal worth N40b.Observers are worried that the shocking acquittal is coming at a time government had expended hundreds of millions of tax payer’s money in prosecuting that singular case. The question people are asking is, are all Nigerians equal before the law in the face of the war on corruption?

In what may be regarded as a twist of fate, arrow heads of the EFCC who too quickly warmed up to tackling corruption without? observing ‘borders’, each earned a sack. What this goes to show is that, there are untouchables, no matter their offence. This is even to say nothing of the long list of high profile corruption cases still pending in various courts across the land. Further hearing on such matters have either been outrightly thrashed by the court or suspended indefinitely. Anyone who dares to open the ‘Pandora box’ on such individuals does so at his risk.

Curiously though, the laws that set up the various anti-corruption agencies imply that their chief executives are at liberty to prosecute any corruption case. But recent happenings have however, proven the contrary. Some cases it would seem are like sleeping dogs.

During the Nuhu Ribadu days at the EFCC, it was no secret that his decision to press money laundering charges against James Ibori, the then governor of Delta state, cost him his job. Chief Ibori was more or less the late Musa Yar’adua’s chief financier in the 2007 presidential poll. As they say, because one good turn deserved another, the late president briskly stepped in to wield the big stick. Within the period, Ribadu was removed from office.

In the case of Farida Waziri, it was learnt that her prosecution of the Dimeji Bankole contract saga set the tone for her woes. The Attorney-General of the Federation was also known to have been against the thrust of her anti corruption drive. As if to corroborate this, when a group known as Center for the Rule of Law, wrote a letter to the Attorney-General, requesting for details about Farida Waziri’s last rank in the police, she never got any kind of shield from the AGF’s office. The fact that this enquiry dominated the media at the time, spoke volume of the kind of relationship between the two.

In the middle of the crisis, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Parry Osayande disclosed that Farida Waziri actually retired at the rank of Commissioner of Police but gave reasons for it. He admitted that though she assumed the position of Assistant Inspector General of Police in 1999 but in acting capacity, her rank was nevertheless not confirmed till retirement. According to the Police service rules, an officer reverts back to his or her last substantive post during retirement. This was irrespective of the position occupied in acting status. The inference of this melodrama was that the erstwhile EFCC boss lacked the requisite qualification to keep her job. What became of this inquest is now history.

Political observers believe that Farida was caught in between multiple webs. Her woes were mainly the result of a backlash from some high profile corruption cases being investigated under her watch. Apart from the Bankole case, her attempt to dock Chief Kenny Martins, over an alleged mis-management of N50bn belonging to the Police Equipment Foundation, also boomeranged. Martins, in the wake of the investigations against him, had allegedly sought the intervention of the AGF. He pleaded innocence to charges brought against him. Chief Martins maintained that the case against him was an attempt to drop his good name. No doubt, Waziri, it would appear wanted to send quite a number of big offenders to jail, but her determination was not enough to make that dream come true.

In the case of the Independent and Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), attempts by the myriad of acting chairmen to prosecute ‘big’ cases were rebuffed. Clearly too, the veiled disapproval from the corridors of power to the trial of some individuals by the EFCC, indirectly served as a disincentive for ICPC operatives.

Though the commission knew what its duties were, it was muffled more or less, especially in the face of a harrowing cash squeeze. This is why many political analysts believe that the agency needs to be given a free hand to carry out its job. This should also be complemented with the immediate confirmation of its acting head, the absence of which would continue to undermine the good intents of government to fight corruption.

In the case of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the commission which was set up as far back as in 1979 appears to be in need of a major overhaul to make it adapted to fighting corruption in modern day Nigeria. Set up during the military era, the commission appears to lack the capability to check corruption among public servants.

Countless number of top public servants own and operate large business concerns across the country. This would not have been the case if an enabling law had been formulated to effectively track sources of illegal wealth among public servants. Many are of the opinion that this suggests a breach of the CCB mandate, but it would seem that no one cares.

Regarding the initial plan to lump the three anti corruption agencies together, pundits argue that it was intended to serve the interest of a few powerful cliques. Many believe that by their merger, government would have legalised red tape system in the anti corruption war, a situation that would only make matters worse.

Looking at the achievements of the EFCC and ICPC over the years, it is can be said that much of the success recorded by the two agencies revolved round the quality of leaders they had per time. The agencies leveraged on the clear vision and commitment of their chief executive to make a mark.

This is why some analysts have commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his foresight in appointing Ibrahim Larmode, a key force in most of the success stories recorded by the EFCC. The story is similar in the ICPC, where a thorough breed technocrat, Ekpo Nta has also been appointed to head the commission, albeit in acting capacity.

Having come this far, the president needs to take decisive steps to stop the country’s image from further battery. Government should not only pay lip service to the war against corruption, but it should champion the creation of an enabling environment for the various anti corruption agencies to discharge their duties without inhibitions of any kind from any quarter. Officers appointed in acting capacity in the various anti corruption commissions should be confirmed to confer legitimacy on their appointment.