HOW TO HAVE A PEACEFUL AND LASTING MARRIAGE Vol. 1

Why is the rate of divorce and marital conflicts so high these days? This is a question I have often asked, and whenever I do so, the answers I get vary from one gender to the other. For women, the responses are usually-

Because of men's unfaithfulness/infidelity

Because men are heartless and wicked

Men are polygamous in nature

All men are the same.

He doesn't provide for the family upkeep. etc.

On the other side of men, there answers usually are-

She doesn't respect me as the man of the house

She has lost her attraction.

She's now so fat and repulsive

She's no longer the way she was when I married her.

She's not meeting up with my demand in bed

Let me just take a moment to address this issue.

For any relationship to progress to the point of marriage, I believe the individuals involved are ready to commit to each other. But along the line the feeling of complacency envelops them and they stop doing those things that attracted their partners to them. As a guy, while in courtship you could take your spouse to the costliest Restaurant or fast food joint, you could take her out for shopping, you used to make her birthday a memorable one... But now that she's your wife, you have totally abandoned all those stuffs. It is quite true that in marriage there are more bills to pay, but showing your wife love doesn't have to cost fortune, if you truly want to do it. Some no longer remember their partners' birthdays, not to talk of sending ordinary text message. But the same people used to make the day special to him/her during their courtship. Is dating now more important than marriage? Remember, no success is achieved without a price; this saying is also very true in marriage. Greater efforts and sacrifices should be employed in maintaining the marriage.

HERE ARE TEN WAYS TO ACHIEVE A PEACEFUL AND HAPPY MARRIAGE (For women)

1. Pray well before choosing a partner; don't just marry him because he's tall, rich and handsome. Remember he is going to be your partner for life.

2. Take time to educate yourself on marriage, on understanding men: the way they think, the motives behind their actions, how they differ from women. Very important! Read books and attend seminars. One of the books I will recommend for ladies is "Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Steve Harvey.

3. Try to know those things that got your husband attracted to you, and maintain or even improve on them, for there lies the success or failure of your marriage. This is very important. I will elaborate it with this question: A man that what mattered most to him while looking for a wife was to find "a lady who is slim", and rightly fitted into that description when he married you, do you think he would still love you, the way he used to, now that you're fat or even obese?

4. Give him total respect and loyalty. Many women fail in this area, they now see their husbands as their 'equals' in marriage. When he goes wrong, tell him in an honourable manner. Remember that after God in ranking, your husband comes next (1 Corinthians 11:4, Ephesians 5:23). Call him pet names that befit his status, not Papa Okey (lol) or Baby (except he's cool with that).

5. Make sure you serve him food as at when due, don't delegate that role to a house maid. Remember the popular saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Also learn how to keep your home clean and fresh.

6. Forgive him when he wrongs you. Yes, you have to. Jesus admonished us to forgive our offenders up to 70 times 7(Matthew 18:21-22). Your husband, by the virtue of his proximity to you, can offend you up to that number of times. But you just have to forgive him.

7. Tolerance is very crucial. I remember how often my siblings and I used to have disagreements amongst us while we were growing up, I now ask myself, if siblings from the same womb could have disagreements, how much more couples who came from different backgrounds and orientation? So expect your partner to differ from you in several ways; just try to tolerate and accommodate him.

8. Avoid involving a third party in your family affairs. No matter what the problem is, try to resolve it with him indoors. Dialogue is always the best approach to every conflict. Except on extreme cases, then you can confide in your pastor, his parents, your parents, or any other elderly person who can advise both of you. You both can also meet a marriage counselor, but that should be mutually agreed on.

9. Make God the bedrock of your marriage. God is the originator of marriage, so whenever there is problem in it, we should not forget to take it to Him in prayer. The truth is that some factors that break up marriages don't just happen, some of them have spiritual undertone. So let God lead in your marriage.

10. Talk to him with respect. This is where many women are lagging behind and one of the leading causes of wife battery. A man that wouldn’t have ordinarily laid a hand on his wife, but because she talked to him disgracefully and disrespectfully; that man may be forced to beat such a woman. Even when your husband is at fault, talk to him in a calm manner.

I am sure that these steps, if taken would help to reduce frictions in homes and ultimately guarantee success in marriage.

THE GREAT MAN WHO DISABLED HIS DISABILITY

                                   ALEX ZANARDI

                                          (1966 - Date)

In the world of car racing, many drivers are admired for their outstanding racing skills, but Alex has come to be admired globally for his great qualities which transcends his racing achievements. Such qualities include honesty, courage, optimism and determination to rise above life difficulties. More so is his “never-say-never” spirit which has endeared him to the hearts of millions of motor sports fans worldwide.

Alexandro Zanardi was born in Bologna, Italy on 23 October 1966. His parents Anna and Dino would do anything to keep him out of public roads after his sister Cristina, a promising swimmer was killed in a car crash in 1979. When Zanardi took interest in a friend working on a kart, his parents thought they have found the diversion they had been seeking for their son.

Zanardi developed so much passion for karts that he built his own first kart using wheels from a dustbin and pipes from his father’s line of work (his father was a plumber). He began to compete in local kart racing, but soon, in 1982 he entered the Italian 100cc karting championship in the Nazionale class and finished the overall 3rd.

By 1985 at the age of 19, he won the Italian title in karting competition, repeating the feat the following year. In 1985 and 1988 he won the Hong Kong GP title, and in 1987 he won also the European 135cc Championship, scoring five wins in five races, a record that is yet to be equalled.

By 1988 Zanardi progressed to Italian Formula Three (F3) at the age of 22. As he was improving his skills and adapting to a different kind of racing different from karting he met Daniela Manni who would later become his wife in 1996. Daniela was his team manager in the Erre Tre Racing for Italy. Zanardi’s marriage to Daniela helped him so much in his career as one of his racing opponents rightly said: “She was so good for Alex. He believed in racing with a lot of passion. Daniela believed in racing with a lot of rationality. She added reason to his passion.” They have one son - Niccolo.

In his successful career in F3 championships, he netted two wins, two 2nd positions and two 3rds. He also achieved victory in the European Cup event at Le Mans as well as reaching pole in the prestigious Monaco F3 race. Zanardi was also successful as a F3000 racer though he achieved less success in Formula one

Tragedy struck in Zanardi’s racing career in 2001. At the Eurospeedway Lausitz on September 15, he was leading in a race, after a late pit stop, he was trying to re-enter the track but unfortunately spun directly in front of another competitor, Alex Tanglini who was driving at full speed. It resulted in Tanglini driving through Zanardi’s car and Zanardi lost his two legs in the crash (one at and one above the knee). He would have died as a result of the crash if not for the expertise displayed by the CART’s medical team. He had already lost 75% of his blood in the encounter but he was given a rapid blood transfusion. He soon underwent a three-hour emergency surgery and his two legs were amputated up to the thigh to save his life.

After recovery, he left the hospital and started learning how to use artificial legs. Not satisfied with the artificial legs available commercially, Zanardi designed and built his own legs in a bid to find legs suitable for racing.

 In 2002, CART gave Zanardi the honour of waving the chequered flag in Toronto, Canada. Not only was Zanardi back behind the wheel in 2003, he was also racing again, with the help of a hand-operated brake and accelerator. Zanardi made one of the greatest comeback stories in racing history, and not minding his disability, he chose to compete as an equal. In May 2003, Zanardi’s was submitted to the Guinness Book of Records for being the first disabled to drive at a high speed of 194.275 mph (312 km/h). He eventually won the Italian Touring Car Championship merely four years after his accident. On August 24, 2005, at Lausitzring, Zanardi won his first World Series race since his accident.

In June 2003 he released his autobiography “My Sweet Victory” in Italian which was later translated into English and German. The book won a silver medal in the 2005 International Automotive Media Awards in autobiography category.

In 2007, he entered the hand-cycle division of the New York City Marathon and finished 4th.  He had already fully diverted to hand-cycling and in 2009, he won the Venice Marathon in the category for the disabled. In 2010, he won in Rome City Marathon and also won the New York City Marathon in 2011. Zanardi continued his winnings in 2012, winning a gold medal in the Men’s Road Time Trial H4 at the 2012 Paralympic Games held in London on 5^th September 2012. Two days after this win, he went ahead to win the Individual H4 Road Race, and in the Mixed Team Relay H1-4 on September 8, he won silver. To add to his tons of laurels, Zanardi was named one of “The Men of the Year 2012” by Top Gear magazine. In 2014, he finished the 2014 Ironman World Championship at 272^nd overall position, and 19^th out of 247 in the 45-49 years category. While he used a Handbike for the cycling section, he used an Olympic Wheelchair for the running section.

South Africa captain, Senzo Meyiwa shot dead

South Africa and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead late Sunday near Johannesburg, a police spokesman told AFP, with club officials describing his slaying as a “loss to the nation”.

Senzo Meyiwa

Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale said Meyiwa, 27, was gunned down at a house in Vosloorus, a township about 30 kilometres south of the city, and declared dead on admission to hospital.

“We can confirm that Bucs (Pirates) goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on its Twitter feed.

Police later said there were seven people inside the house, including Meyiwa, when two suspects entered and another remained outside.

Makgale said that the motive behind the attack remained unclear

The incident happened at around 2000 SA time (1800 GMT) in Vosloorus township, added police who did not comment on some media reports that the shooting was sparked by a row over a mobile phone.

“There was an altercation and Senzo Meyiwa was shot. The three suspects fled on foot after the shooting.

“We can assure South Africans that we will do all we can to bring Meyiwa’s killers to book.

“A reward of up to R150 000 ($14,000) is being offered for any information that can lead to arrests.”

Pirates, one of the most popular and successful South African football clubs, also confirmed that the player had been killed.

“@Orlando_Pirates family has learned with sadness of the untimely death of our number 1 keeper & captain Senzo Meyiwa,” the club tweeted.

Irvin Khoza, the club chairman, added: “This is a sad loss to Senzo’s family especially his children, to Orlando Pirates & the nation.”

Meyiwa played for his club in Soweto Saturday and has been in outstanding form for the national team during recent 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers.

The death of the national football team captain is the second tragedy to hit South African sport within three days after former world 800-metre athletics champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi died Friday in a car crash.

South Africa team-mates Dean Furman and Andile Jali were among the first to react to the Meyiwa tragedy on Twitter.

“Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain and friend Senzo Meyiwa. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terrible time,” tweeted England-based Furman, who plays for Doncaster Rovers in the third-tier in the English league.

“Just got a call and I was sleeping, but now I cannot sleep because of what I just heard,” tweeted Jali, who moved from Pirates to Belgium club Ostend this year.

After many years in the South African football shadows, Meyiwa had a meteoric climb to fame with club and country.

He displaced national squad goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs as first-choice at Pirates, the only South African side to be crowned African champions.

And a recent injury to South Africa captain and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune gave Meyiwa a chance in the national team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana (The Boys).

New national coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba not only promoted Durban-born Meyiwa to replace Khune but also made him captain of a team that has been in the doldrums for some years.

Meyiwa responded to his promotion by leading the team to victories over Sudan and Congo Brazzaville and draws with Congo and Nigeria, a country South Africa traditionally struggle against.

He did not concede a goal in the four matches and if South Africa defeat Sudan in eastern city Nelspruit on October 15 they will qualify the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

He was also made captain of Pirates and helped the club defeat Ajax Cape Town 4-1 Saturday in a South African League Cup quarter-final.

Meyiwa gave a flawless performance and the only Ajax attempt that beat Meyiwa came from a penalty kick.

Full name: Senzo Robert Meyiwa

Date of birth: September 24 1987

Age: 27

Place of birth: Durban

Height: 1.75 metres

Club: Orlando Pirates (2005-2014)

Previous club: Cosmos (2002-2005)

International experience: South Africa goalkeeper and captain

Peter Obi Replies Bianca, 'I left because APGA has derailed'

The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to an interview granted to the Sun Newspaper on Monday, October 20, by Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and widow of the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, where she expressed shock and disappointment at the former governor’s leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She said, inter alia, “It is undeniable that Obi made immense contributions to APGA. I remain proud of his achievements, as governor of Anambra State. His exit diminishes us, and many of his supporters and grassroots crusaders are disappointed and demoralised.” Mrs. Ojukwu also described the action of the former governor as a betrayal of her late husband and renowned Igbo leader, who had such great trust in him and his assurances that he, Obi, would always stand by APGA. Read the full report here. In his reaction, Obi, who has so far ignored all comments made about his political decision, opened up by pointing out that Mrs. Ojukwu was not a frivolous person and that her comments must be taken seriously more so when she was the wife of his leader. But he reminded the public that loyalty to a cause does not change with a change of platform; and that there has not been any change of principles on his part. Speaking with journalists, Obi said this response would be his last on the matter to enable him channel his time and energy alongside other well-meaning Igbos to work for the re-election campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and the place of Ndigbo in the Nigerian politics. He said: “Of all those who have spoken, and who continue to speak, on the issue of my leaving APGA, only Bianca spoke with sincerity. She does not fall into the class of those who are now displaying dated video clippings and presenting matters out of context for political reasons, without appreciating the sacrifice put into building the House they are now destroying.” Continuing, Obi said: “I want to have it on record that Bianca was right when she reported my exchange with the Ikemba when he called me and asked whether I would leave APGA, after the events of Abia State at
that time, when the governor left APGA for reasons I believe to be genuine. I wish to reiterate that I am still loyal to our great leader, in terms of what serves the interests of our people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Everyone knows today that APGA is not what it used to be. My assurance to our great leader did not imply that I would be loyal to a platform that some people have resolved to turn into an empty shell without an inner core of shared values. I remain faithful to those values and principles our great leader asked me to stand by and defend.” Obi insists that time would reveal whether the APGA of today is still propagating the late leader’s core principles. He said he had seen enough of violation of what APGA stood for, and therefore cannot continue to stay in a place which had departed from the original course and where clearly he was not wanted. Recounting the father-son relationship between him and late Ojukwu, Obi said he kept his promise to the leader and finished as an APGA
governor and helped to enthrone another APGA governor. He also said he stayed with Ojukwu throughout his trying period and intervened in all possible ways to ensure that he was given a burial befitting for a leader and a hero. Speaking further, Obi said: “According to Mrs. Ojukwu, our political father, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ndi Anambra and Nigerians believed I was humble, hard working, honest, good mannered, among others and that I delivered on good governance.
These were not primarily because of the political party I belonged to, but because of my belief that we must build a better society for our children.” Obi said Ojukwu advised him to continue to support Jonathan for reasons which he Ojukwu made clear
to him. On his several discussions with Mrs Ojukwu, Obi said it was true that they discussed about APGA repeatedly, but that the last time he discussed with her in detail was after he held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the party with four venerated persons from Anambra State, after which he told Mrs. Ojukwu that based on what transpired at the meeting, which those people understood, he had had enough and needed to move on. “Like my leader and political father, Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was bitterly criticised for ignoring the Zik- led Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) to join the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where he felt the interests of Ndigbo and the nation would be better served, I have moved out of a political party which in my own opinion has derailed. I have moved on to a place my contributions towards proper representation of our people would have the level of impact that would make Ikemba rejoice in his grave,” Obi Said Obi said Mrs. Ojukwu, whom he holds in high esteem would later be in a position to judge the propriety or otherwise of recent developments in the party and his actions. He concluded that time will judge all “our actions accordingly.”

Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 5 years Imprisonment for Murder of his Girlfriend

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been jailed for five years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Masipa, issuing the ruling in court in Pretoria, also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge. Pistorius has been taken to the cells.The prosecution had called for a minimum 10-year sentence; the defence for community service and house arrest. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder...

'Feeling of unease'

Judge Masipa began reading the sentence by saying that, although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone.She said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise."LIVE: Athlete Oscar Pistorius is sentenced in court in Pretoria. She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial.

She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing". Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail. But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmate.

Bianca Ojukwu Speaks out on Peter Obi's Defection to PDP

• Says he betrayed Ojukwu, APGA, Ndigbo

After weeks of shock over the defection of Chief Peter Obi to the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s widow, Bianca, has lambasted the former governor of Anam­bra State for his actions.

Bianca, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, had told Daily Sun on the eve of the day Obi dumped the All Progres­sives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the PDP that the ex-governor would never leave the party believed to be the rallying point for the Igbo because of the vow he made before Ojukwu. Thus when Obi dumped APGA, Bianca was shocked beyond words, as the former governor had reas­sured her over time that he would remain in APGA and help to sustain the party.

As he left, Obi, oblivious of the “injury” he had caused Bianca, decided to look for an opportunity to placate her and found one last Friday, October 17, which, how­ever, turned to be a shocker also for him.

Obi had trailed Bianca to the Nether­lands where she was being honoured by The Voice Newspaper, as the Outstand­ing Ambassador of Africa, but Bianca declined all the entreaties made by Obi at the event.

The organisers of the award had penciled down Obi to present the award to Bianca but when it became obvious that the ambassador had made up her mind never to have anything to do with him, they quickly drafted an ambassador from the country to do the presentation.

In this exclusive interview with Daily Sun, Bianca looked at the relationship between the late leader of APGA, Ikemba Nnewi, saying Obi had betrayed him, APGA and Ndigbo, even when he was the greatest beneficiary of Ojukwu and APGA influence in Igbo land.

She, therefore, described Obi’s defec­tion to the PDP, as a “betrayal and unimaginable breach of trust,” saying though his exit was a big loss to the party, APGA, nevertheless, would continue to hit successes without him. Excerpts:

Recently, former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, defect­ed to the PDP, how did you re­ceive this news because you had told us the previous day that he would not quit APGA because of the promise he had made to Ojukwu?
I received the news with shock and disappointment because up till the last moment; Obi kept reassuring me that this would never happen; that it would be over his dead body; that the day he leaves APGA would be the day he quits politics; and most importantly, that he would keep the promise he made to Ojukwu. I had no reason to doubt him. I had become used to unsubstantiated rumours, regarding his defection to the PDP. Even just before the last TAN South East rally in Awka, I spoke with him because I had heard that he would decamp at that event. I had reason to be concerned because he had tendered his res­ignation letter, as BoT chairman of APGA only the night before the rally, which came as a great surprise to us all. I asked him whether he had any plan to defect to PDP and he told me that his position remained the same; and reiterated the statement that APGA was in his blood.

He kept his word then and so, I had no reason to believe that he would lie on this occasion. I felt that he had enough integrity to keep his promise to Ojukwu because there was no compelling reason for him not to do so.

Everything he is, today, he owes to Ojukwu and APGA. APGA catapulted him literally from obscurity to national prominence. He served two consecutive terms, as governor of Anambra State, a first in the history of the state. This, he achieved under APGA. His decampment is shocking to our party members. He never gave them any indication that he was about to jump ship. Close as I was to him, he did not even have the simple courtesy to inform me of this decision but continued to deceive me up until his defection.

What was this promise that Obi made to your husband, do you think they are or it is weighty enough not to be broken?

Obi swore to Ojukwu, upon his honour, that he would never leave APGA; that he would do all within his power to sustain and advance APGA; in his own words that he would ‘sink or swim’ in APGA. I am glad that today there are living witnesses to attest to this fact.Ojukwu believed him and was convinced beyond doubt that even if there was ever a mass exodus from APGA, Peter Obi would be the last man standing.I recall when Theodore Orji, Governor of Abia State decamped from the PPA to APGA, only to decamp from APGA to the PDP shortly after Ojukwu had welcomed him into APGA, Ojukwu, in his stoic manner, told us all that we should understand that not many politicians in this world had the integrity and loyalty of Peter Obi. Ojukwu used him as a yardstick to measure other politicians because Obi pre­sented himself before him as a disciplined, principled and trustworthy politician, who was fully committed to carrying on his legacy. Any other party member or politi­cian, decamping from APGA is not held to the same standards as Obi. He was fully aware of his responsibilities and what was expected of him.He has dashed the hopes of many, and reduced his prestige to the level of any other ‘food is ready’ politician by this betrayal and unimaginable breach of trust.

What kind of relationship existed between Obi and your husband while he was alive?

It was a father and son relationship. As far as my husband was concerned, Obi was the most fervent devotee of APGA. Though he did not necessarily sanction every decision or approve of some of his actions, no one could ever utter one nega­tive word against Peter Obi in his presence. He would never tolerate that. To Ojukwu, Peter Obi was a combination of the Old Testament Joshua and the New Testament Simon Peter. He was convinced beyond doubt that as far as APGA was concerned, Peter would do everything required to spread its gospel. And why not? Afterall, Obi was the greatest beneficiary of that gospel. Obi, like the biblical Joshua, would carry on from where he left off and take APGA to the Promised Land.That is why, after the people of Anambra State granted his last wish and voted Obi in for his sec­ond tenure, as governor, Ojukwu took out congratulatory messages in the newspapers, simply displaying Obi’s picture and just three words: ‘Upon This Rock…’, in tacit affirmation of Obi’s nickname of Okwute, which means ‘Rock’; and in undisguised reference to the biblical Simon Peter whom Christ described as the rock and founda­tion upon which the church and Christian­ity would be built. To Ojukwu, Peter Obi was the rock upon which APGA would stand and be propelled to greater heights. According to him, Obi had all it takes to further solidify APGA’s foundation. It is against this backdrop that I maintain that Obi knew he was constrained to respond to a higher calling. He gave his word and, therefore, he was standing on sacred ground; but the tragedy today is that he has sold his birthright and abdicated his legacy. What he has done is akin to desecrating his father’s grave. It is alu (taboo) in Igbo culture. I am deeply pained by this devel­opment. How can it be so easy for him to trample upon the legacy of a man, who gave him so much, even sometimes to his (Ojukwu’s) own detriment; a man, who had such high expectations of him.

Ojukwu had such faith in him and placed him upon a grand pedestal, crediting him with so many qualities. He would always say only few politicians in this country had the measure of humility, steadfastness, integrity and courage of Peter Obi. He never anticipated feet of clay. Peter Obi has betrayed not just Ojukwu but also a multi­tude of APGA party faithful, who trusted and believed in him, toiled night and day to see him succeed; the people of Anambra, who will invariably feel that he used them to fulfill his ambition only to dump them when he felt the need to move on to his own perceived greener pastures, and mil­lions of Ndigbo, who hold Ojukwu in great reverence, subscribe to his philosophy and would not be kindly disposed to a man, who is willing to sacrifice the interests of his people over momentary and fleeting gains when it becomes expedient for him to do so.

To what extent did the former gover­nor benefit from Ojukwu’s influence and name in Igbo land?

As I said before, Peter Obi remains the greatest beneficiary of Ojukwu’s goodwill in Igbo land. Ojukwu supported Peter Obi through thick and thin. He celebrated his triumphs, mourned his losses and worked tirelessly to see him succeed. I cannot even begin to quantify all his efforts to establish him firmly, politically. He was so passion­ate about Peter Obi’s cause that he would leave no stone unturned to propel him. He was the one who went to Abuja and signed the INEC forms, personally guarantee­ing Obi when problems arose over Obi’s candidature, which threatened his chances of contesting in the 2010 gubernatorial elections. Ojukwu put his health at risk to embark on a rigorous campaign for Obi’s success, especially for the elections that brought him in for a second tenure, as gov­ernor of Anambra State. From local gov­ernment to local government, the message was always the same: “This is our golden child; grant me this last wish and vote for him.” Ojukwu was a proud man but was always willing to beg on Obi’s behalf. He hated to travel anywhere by helicopter but for Peter Obi’s campaign he frequently did so, even against his physician’s directive in order to cover as much ground as pos­sible. At times when I was worried and pointed out that he was exerting himself too much, he would respond by telling me that this was his last fight; that APGA was his parting grant to his people and that Peter Obi would fulfill his destiny. For that reason, we all needed to make sacrifices in order to realise that goal.Whenever there was a problem in the party, Ojukwu would summon party members in order to solve the problem quickly so as not to create any distractions for Obi.Whenever there was a crisis or discontentment within the party, which threatened Obi’s political fortunes in any way, he would plead for us all to remain united, citing the Igbo proverb that ‘one does not kill that person who it will be his duty to bury’. He was a major stabilis­ing influence. Ojukwu’s sermon was that APGA was beyond a political party. It is a creed and we are all obliged to be devotees to its philosophy of ‘be your brother’s keeper’. It is an irony that Peter Obi has chosen, by his most recent action, to betray this philosophy and disown his brethren. He has equally lost a rare opportunity to transcend to the pantheon, as one of the great Igbo statesmen of this century.

Obi cited his resolve to be deeply involved in the re-election campagn of President Jonathan, as his major reason for joining the PDP but your party has already endorsed the president, as your candidate in 2015; do you believe Obi in this reason?

The truth of the matter is that he did not need to decamp to the PDP in order to be deeply involved in the re-election campaign of President Jonathan and if he has any respect for the president, he should stop dragging his name into this, in justification of a decision, which was solely in his own selfish interest. Even an elementary school pupil would have been able to deduce that he had more clout with his exalted position in APGA to effectively campaign for the president. Afterall, did he need to decamp before APGA adopted the president, as its candidate during the last presidential election? APGA has always lent its support to this president and our position has not changed. We fully acknowledge and celebrate the giant strides the president has made in all sectors in or­der to transform this country but even more profound is the fact that Nigerians have witnessed a new era of political collabora­tion with the dawn of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He has ably demonstrated and fulfilled his promise that his leadership would be one uncontami­nated by the prejudices of the past and that his government would be committed to change. Today, I am Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain despite being in an opposition party. I am not the only member of APGA serving under this administration. None of us was required to defect to the PDP. Peter Obi was one of the closest governors to the president even though he was an APGA governor. He was a special adviser, an active member of his economic manage­ment team, and frequently accompanied the president on many of his official trips abroad despite being an APGA governor. So, what is the logic for this defection?The success of APGA during the 2014 guber­natorial elections was largely due to the president’s commitment to free and fair elections and his resolve to ensure that the votes of the people of Anambra State counted.I do not buy the explanation that Obi decamped from APGA to PDP in order to campaign for the president because it does not hold water. This administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is one which has welcomed and accommodated other political parties with open arms as partners in the collective task of national develop­ment. I can only justify Obi’s decampment by concluding that he might have found it difficult to cope with the new reality of finding himself outside the corridors of power. Sadly, he was convinced beyond doubt that the only reason he lost out on a ministerial appointment during the last batch of appointments was simply because he was not a card-carrying member of the PDP. He felt that playing the role of a statesman in APGA would relegate him to being a political benchwarmer. I find it difficult to believe that he can secure the trust and confidence of the people of Anambra State and our party loyalists after this unjustifiable sabotage. They cannot be blamed if they feel he made a mockery of them by exhibiting this Machiavellian mindset.

We learnt that Obi has been having problems with his successor, Governor Obiano; could this be part of the heat that made him to quit?

There is no basis for this assertion and neither he nor his successor has come out to say irreconcilable differences exist between them. I believe the relationship between them is a cordial one and goes back to many years. Obi committed time and resources and campaigned to ensure Obiano’s victory at the polls. However, you don’t send somebody to the market and line the path to that market with landmines. Obi’s primary duty was to nurture APGA and be a father to all. I often reminded him that just as Ojukwu had mentored him, he was now obliged to play the same role for Obiano. Even if they were having issues, that is no reason for him to run to another party. You do not bite off your nose in or­der to spite your face. Let me take this op­portunity to remind him, as Ojukwu often told us in his (Obi’s) favour that “you do not kill that man who you must be obliged to bury”. There was no justification what­soever for him to act like a ship’s captain, who, upon encountering a storm, jumps ship, abandoning his crew and passengers. This is a journey we all began together. Ten years is not 10 days. Through these years, we rallied around him, supported him and celebrated him. This is not what we expected from him; APGA was his home. When you are leaving your father’s house, you don’t flee like a thief in the night through the back door. You march majestically out through the front door. His actions clearly demonstrate that he lacks the courage of his convictions.

Many think that with the exit of Obi from APGA, the future of the party is now bleak and that APGA won’t achieve much in 2015, particularly in Anambra State where the party structure revolved around him; how would you react to this?

It is undeniable that Peter Obi made immense contributions to APGA. I remain proud of his achievements, as governor of Anambra State. His exit diminishes us, and many of his supporters and grassroots cru­saders are disappointed and demoralised. However, no individual can be greater than the party. APGA will continue to thrive in Anambra State. The current governor is committed to making this happen.

True, we have witnessed the exit of sev­eral party members, who were disgruntled by the state of affairs in APGA. However, their problem has essentially centred around one individual whom the clock is ticking for. Umeh will not remain APGA chairman beyond 2015. Another reason for discontent within the party structure was that Obi compromised the interests of many party faithful and die-hard support­ers, who stood behind him in the period of internal conflict between himself and Umeh by turning round to reconcile and negotiate with Umeh, leaving his own sup­porters in the lurch. It has to be admitted that Obi essentially created the problems that he is now trying to escape from. It will be interesting to see how he will come back to Anambra State to campaign against his erstwhile brothers in APGA in the upcoming National Assembly elections or face those who ardently campaigned for him under APGA, wore party uniforms with his images emblazoned on them and worked hard to mobilise grassroots sup­port. Will he be able to look any of them in the eye without conscience pangs? It will be a grave mistake for him to believe that the people of Anambra State have a short memory; they may not be disposed to welcome him with open arms. Even with a rented crowd, he cannot expect not to be confronted with the consequences of his opportunistic action.We shall miss him for sure but APGA will weather this storm. Our greatest strength lies in our ability to rebound from situations that would ordinarily liquidate other parties. When the situation calls for it we close ranks and repel invading forces. Our members are resilient and indomitable. APGA will sur­prise many by the successes it will record in the 2015 elections.

Why is APGA infested with crises; there has never been any quiet moment for this your party, from the leadership tussle, BoT, to former governor and incumbent governor squabbles; why is this so?

These crises are not solely limited to APGA; divisions and conflicts also exist in other political parties. However, we must be bold enough to confront the ghost from our past. At the very root of our problems lies what can best be likened to the paradox and predicament of the French people, who, in 1789, launched a revolu­tion, overthrew their king, abolished the monarchy and instituted a republic, only to end up with an emperor in the person of Napoleon. We chased away the cat, only to bring in the tiger. The bitter truth and sad reality is that every vice, offence and transgression that Umeh’s predeces­sor, Chekwas Okorie, was ever accused of, which prompted his removal, as national chairman of APGA, has been committed a hundred times over with impunity by Umeh. In spite of this, our party members have remained resolute and committed. Many have been victimised and have suffered injustice in the hands of Umeh for speaking out and demanding internal democracy, transparency and fiscal ac­countability in the conduct of the party’s affairs. They felt disappointed that Peter Obi could not come to their rescue. This is part of the collateral damage our party is suffering with Ojukwu’s demise. How­ever, we are consoled by the fact that the new governor of Anambra State is fully committed to strengthening and rebrand­ing the party as well as consolidating the party’s gains under Obi. The mantle has now fallen on Governor Obiano to pursue the Anambra State of Ojukwu’s dreams to advance APGA’s crusade to all the states of the South East and beyond and to realise our collective aspirations for the party and our people. We will look beyond this un­fortunate episode and face the future with renewed strength and optimism. APGA will survive.

We have won many battles and our battle scars we proudly wear like a breastplate. Our resilience is our badge of honour. In times of necessity, we come together, put our individual differences behind us and we prevail because it is our passion, which drives this party.

How will Ojukwu feel in his grave about the action of Chief Obi, remem­bering that he went to beg the Anambra people to return him, as his last wish?

If the dead could feel, I believe Ojukwu would be quaking in his grave at this act of betrayal. Besides Ojukwu, so many believed in Peter Obi and put in a lot of effort to ensure his extraordinary successes at the polls. It is regrettable that he was not even considerate enough to gather these people together, thank them for their support through the years and inform them that he was moving on. It is a sad day for all of us. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever envisage an APGA without Peter Obi. We have undoubtedly lost a precious son but by no means does this sound the death knell for APGA. The requiem is for him alone.

The spirit of Ojukwu lives not only among the people of Anambra State but also Ndigbo as a whole. That spirit will continue to sustain and propel APGA. The party will flourish with or without Peter Obi. I believe that in spite of whatever he may become in the future, posterity will not be kind in its judgment of his latest action because not only has he squandered his patrimony, he has firmly appended his seal on a new brand of microwave politics in Nigeria.

$9.3 Million Arms Deal: Adeboye Defends Oritsejafor

GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, yesterday, defended the national president of the Christian Association, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, following the controversy surrounding the seizure of $9.3 million arms purchase funds by South Africa.

Pastor Adeboye who spoke in London during an ecclesiastical visit said, “Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor is a man of God I trust and I can personally vouch for him. I believe on the issue of his aircraft being chartered and the purpose it was used for he had no prior knowledge. I’m sure God will continue to build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail in Jesus name. One anointed cannot attack another anointed. A pastor cannot attack another pastor. Touch not my anointed is what God said. Some Nigerians have questioned the use of Pastor Oritsejafor’s private jet by the Federal Government to convey the money to South Africa, accusing him of involvement in money laundering.”

The Federal Government had to come out in defence of the CAN president, arguing that Oritsejafor who is also the founder of Word of Life Bible Church has no hand in the deal. The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan (Public Communication), Dr. Doyin Okupe, told newsmen in Abuja: “Oritsejafor is the President of CAN and head of all Christians in Nigeria who is representing at least, 50 per cent of people in this country. When it comes to a man like that, people should be cautious and circumspect.”

Okupe also advised Nigerians to stop playing politics with every issue of national concern, saying it is not in tandem with patriotism.

- Source: Vanguard Newspaper