Suicide Bomber, 3 Gunmen Killed In Failed Attack On Janbulo Mosque

There were heavy explosion and sporadic gunshots last night at Janbulo area, along Bayero University Kano Road,  following a failed attempt by a suicide bomber to blow up  a mosque while prayers were going on.

The attack resulted in the death of the bomber and three gunmen who were on hand to attack, following the failed bomb attack.

An eye witness said the suicide bomber ran past in a vehicle in an attempt to detonate the bomb inside the Mosque while the Muslim faithful were praying.

A member of the vigilant group providing security in the area suspected the movement of the suicide bomber and alerted the police who countered the plan.

According to the source, the incident which occurred around 8.30 pm drew the attention of several people who ran helter-skelter in various directions to avoid the cross fire between the gunmen and the police.

The said mosque is located near the residence of a top security officer, a source said.

Sources in the area also added that several  sporadic gunshots were heard, even as residents remained indoors.

It was gathered that the gunmen attempted to attack some people in the area but were countered by the security personnel.

The area has been condoned off by the joint security task force (JTF) but there's been no report of any arrests.

The Kano State Police Command confirmed the incident and said three of the gunmen were killed during the attack.

“The suicide bomber was burnt beyond recognition and three of the gunmen were killed instantly”, a source in the command told our correspondent.

He further said that a vehicle, rounds of ammunitions, an AK47 gun were found with the gunmen during the attack. 

The state Police commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim Idris said some of the gunmen attempted to attack a mosque in the area but were confronted by policemen who engaged them in a gun battle resulting in the death of four of the gunmen.

Mr. Idris told reporters Sunday night that security personnel have taken control and cordoned off the whole area after the attack.

Culled: Leadership

Nigerians living in fear, uncertainty – Obasanjo, IBB

Obasanjo, Babangida
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Former heads of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida have expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the country, saying “Nigeria is currently under fear and uncertainty.”

In a joint statement obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, they warned that the consequences were capable of affecting the unity of the country.

They said the loss of innocent lives being experienced across the country was no longer bearable.

The two leaders said, “The loss of innocent lives by the day across the nation is simply unbearable.

“Currently, the nation is gripped by a regime of fear and uncertainty that virtually all citizens have difficulties going about their normal day-to-day activities with great anxiety and trepidation. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

They said unfolding events had posed threats to the labour of the nation’s founding fathers and subsequent generations in building a strong, united, peaceful country that can accommodate and cater for the needs and aspirations of our diverse communities.

Obasanjo and Babangida also lamented the untold hardship in the country.

They claimed that a deeply worrying trend that was emerging from this terrible situation was that a pervasive cynicism was beginning to set in, so much so that millions of true Nigerian patriots were starting to question the platform upon which the unity of the country rests.

However, they appealed to Nigerians not to allow frustration, fear and despair to supersede their hope for a collective destiny, which lies in their continued existence as a nation.

Both leaders declared that as for them, and some millions of other Nigerians, the continued unity of Nigeria was not only priceless but non-negotiable.

Their statement reads in part, “While we are very much aware of the efforts various governments in the country are making to confront the escalating security challenges across the country, we believe that it is time that these efforts are scaled up to be more involving and inclusive.

“In this regard, whatever robust security measures are put in place to contain the situation, as is normal in such circumstances; they must be complemented with an equally intensive process of community involvement.

“We therefore urge all governments in the country, starting with all the 774 local councils to comprehensively engage their communities at the various levels, including elders, youth organisations, trade union and associations, women bodies, clerics and other community stakeholders.

“We also call on the Federal and state governments not only to encourage these grass roots engagements for peace and beneficial coexistence but should work out the framework to sustain the engagement.”

They said that in all these efforts, it was important to emphasise that Nigeria’s diversity should be a course for celebration and not a cause for lamentations.

Both leaders, who recently abused each other on the pages of newspapers, however appealed to Nigerians to use the holy month of Ramadan to turn the tide against insecurity, violence and hatred.

They also appealed to religious leaders, in particular, to have an even greater challenge to use the immense virtues of this holy period to inculcate among the millions of citizens, the spirit of mutual respect, humility and forgiveness.

They furthermore revealed that ample opportunities were at hand to bring all armed belligerents to table for meaningful dialogue with the authorities for Nigerians’ future.

Obasanjo and Babangida added that no meaningful development could ever occur in an atmosphere of violence and hatred.

History, they said, had shown that any society built on the structures of violence and intolerance would not prosper.

While they said that God has blessed Nigeria with abundant resources and talents, they however said there must be peace and harmony to harness them.

They also said they were ready to do whatever was possible to promote the quest for peace and harmony in the country.

Culled: Punch

LASG Gives 6-month Ultimatum To Land Owners To Regularise Documents

The Lagos State Government has given land owners six months to obtain valid title documents or face sanctions.

Gov. Babatunde Fashola gave the warning on Monday in Ikeja while signing into law the State’s Land Use Act, entitled “ Title Document Regulations 2012”.

He said the six-month notice, effective from Aug. 1, was an ample time for property owners to regularise the titles of their assets.

According to the governor, many residents acquired land without obtaining the approved titles thereby causing disputes.

Fashola said some land owners presented forged documents to obtain Certificates of Occupancy, describing such practice as criminal.

“Our officers at the Land Bureau are constantly inundated with forged applications by land owners seeking C-of-O. Some of them present receipts having dates earlier than 1978 to create the impression that they acquired their land before the Land Use Act was promulgated.

“Also, some corporate organisations apply for C-of-O with fake certificates of incorporation and other documents; this is forgery and it violates the law of the state.

“ Those who have applied for C-of-O with forged documents should withdraw their applications or risk prosecution,’’ Fashola said.

He said the new law was the state’s response to the problems associated with land documentation and also to ensure efficient land services to the people.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, said those who presented forged documents for C-of- O might have done it out of ignorance.

“The Land Use Act makes provisions for those who acquired their land before and after the Act was promulgated in 1978,’’ he said.

Ipaye promised that the governor would promptly approve applications for C-of-O.

Thief-Catcher Arrests ex-Soldier supplying guns to Plateau factions.

 

Renowned thief-catcher Ali Kwara has arrested a former army officer allegedly notorious for selling arms and ammunition to bandits and warring communities in Plateau State and other parts of the North. 

Kwara told newsmen through telephone in Kano on Sunday he arrested the suspect (name withheld) in Zamfara State, where he (Kwara) is on an official mission to help check banditry.

He said some of the buyers of the weapons were also arrested.

He added that a Deputy Superintendent of Police was arrested with 1,000 ammunition.

Kwara alleged that the ex-soldier had been supplying arms to Fulani herdsmen.

He said seven other security operatives, which included an immigration officer, were arrested as a result of that operations, adding that among those arrested was a son to an ex-minister from Anambra State.

The hunter, who was appointed honorary adviser on security by the Inspector-General of Police about four years ago, claimed that the ex-army officer got his supplies from security agents.

Kwara named the areas where these weapons were used as Zamfara State as well as other troubled areas such as Plateau and as far as the Niger Delta states.

According to him, information reached him about the operations of the officer who was in possessions of deadly weapons.

He said in collaboration with the authorities the ex-soldier was arrested in possession with over 3,000 ammunition.

The hunter said, “There are some sold in Niger Delta while some are sold in Plateau State. The arrested ex-soldier has confessed to the selling of the weapons to both Christians and Muslims in Plateau. The thing has been turned into serious business. So far, we have arrested eight in Zamfara, four in Sokoto.”

He regretted that security operatives were involved in the dastardly business, stressing that a police officer serving in the Niger Delta was recently arrested based on information from him and his team.

“This will tell you how serious the whole thing has turned,” he said.

Kwara also revealed that a police orderly attached to a legislator was arrested for taking delivery of the illegal arms sent to the area. 


Report any suspicious persons and object to the law enforcement agencies, as that will save lives.

Irresponsible leadership behind Africa’s woes -Malawian President

PRESIDENT Joyce Banda of Malawi has linked the continent’s woes to alleged greed and irresponsible governance style of most of those holding the mantle of leadership in many countries.

She says many of such rulers do not appreciate the need to be accountable to the people or be committed to open and transparent government with a view to reducing poverty in the continent.

Banda, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, urged those in positions to stop seeing themselves as some kind of gods but as leaders.

The Malawian President is in Abuja to attend the 7th African First Ladies Summit.

She said conflicts can be reduced if African leaders become more open and freely make information available to the people instead of treating their subjects with disdain.

She noted that the leaders would not only earn the people’s respect but their trust when they begin to carry them along in governance issues.

She said: “African Leaders must change. We have had rulers for too long in the continent. Now we need leaders now.

“Leaders who can identify with the people and fall in love with them. When leaders earn the trust of their people, the people will fall in love with them.

“When trust is lacking, there will be suspicions, fighting over resources and civil unrest.”

On  how to reduce conflicts in the continent, President Banda  stressed the  need to create institutions that would identify potential issues that could result in conflict with the aim of nipping such in the bud before they degenerate be created into bigger conflicts.

She also asked African leaders to invest in capacity building of their citizens so that the continent would be less dependent on foreign aids.

She said that 40 per cent of her country’s budget comes from foreign aid, a situation, she said is unsustainable.

Banda noted that many of the countries giving aid to Africa are themselves facing challenges and may be forced to reduce their support.

She therefore called on African leaders to collaborate with one another to make the continent self-reliant.

Malawi, she said is seeking partnership with Nigeria in the area of agriculture to boost food production in Malawi. She said President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to help Malawi in this regard.

She was confident that Africa has what it takes to break the jinx of poverty in the continent.

She called on leaders in the continent to make the education of the girl child a priority in the continent.

“Women should be educated to enable them participate in leadership,” she added.

Culled: The Nation

Social media users carpet Mark on call for censorship

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Nigerian online social media users have criticised the Senate President, David Mark, for reportedly seeking a check on the use of social media by Nigerians.

They said it was an attempt to frustrate public criticism of government.

Mark had last Thursday, while declaring open a two-day retreat for Senate Press corps in Umuahia, Abia State, reportedly said the check became necessary as people used the media to demean their leaders. He added that there was no opportunity for retraction of information in such media.

He reportedly said, “We need to change our attitude on how we report things about our country and we should emulate the foreign reporters who never report negative things about their countries.”

Facebook and Twitter users however, took a swipe at Mark, saying he allegedly antagonised the use of mobile phones by average Nigerians some years ago.

The comments had the senate president trending on social media platforms.

A Facebook post by Agba Jalingo read, “Attention: Occupy David Mark. The senate president must be stopped from his moves to restrict the use of social media in Nigeria, as it has been done in militarised countries of the world. He has been quoted as saying the social media is being used to insult leaders. We are not in North Korea, this is a democracy.

“Occupy his telephone line and help save our only freedom of expression. Call, text and even flash 080350088**. Please re-broadcast.”

A twitter user, Adenike Adebayo, also wrote, “People like Mark represent the last vestiges of a dying paradigm. We must hasten that process to avoid poisoning of the polity.”

Similarly, Segun Agbede, tweeted, “Mark says the foreign media don’t say negative things about their country. He obviously hasn’t been reading British and American newspapers.”

Another another user, Deejay, tweeted, “Mark should say something more reasonable when next he’s talking to the press.”

Chidi in his tweet said, “When Mark was a minister, he said telephone wasn’t for poor people. Today, he says social media should be banned.”

Another twitter user, Ekekeee.com, wrote, “Let Mark legislate against us using new media. At least, let it be one achievement he can boast of in his years” involvent in our renascent democracy.

Likewise, Obi Henry tweeted, “If Mark had his way, he would have shut down these handles. Mark who said telephones were not for the poor is now advocating social media censorship. An apple doesn’t fall far from its tree.”

13 die on Benin-Ore road

Abuja – No fewer than 13 passengers died in a motor accident on the Benin-Ore road, the  Federal Road Safety Commission  (FRSC) confirmed on Sunday.

In a statement issued by Mr Bisi Kazeem, Deputy Corps Public Education Officer,  the commission stated that the accident happened at kilometre 53, before Ohosun town, zone 5.12 toll gate unit command in Edo State at 7.45 a.m on Sunday.

Kazeem said the accident, which involved two vehicles, was caused by the driver of the Anambra Mass Transit Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number YB 610 EPE (Lagos), who for no reason drove against traffic on the Benin-Ore lane.

The driver faced an oncoming Iveco truck descending a slope, resulting in head-on collision.

The bus was coming from Lagos carrying traders dealing in electronics and 13 out of the passengers in the bus died, while three people survived including the truck driver.

The victims, according to FRSC, have been taken to Shiloh Hospital, Ugbogui in Edo  for treatment while corpses were deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital.

The Commission said the obstruction caused as a result of the accident had been promptly cleared. (NAN

Still on Fuel Subsidy, Fake Subsidy Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com

 

Was I excited to see certain persons being charged to court last week over the alleged fuel subsidy scam? Not sure. But I was not unhappy either. It is just that things have gone so bad in this country that scepticism has become part of our culture. Even when we see something that looks good and positive, at least on the surface, a part of us says: “Don’t mind them. It won’t lead us anywhere.” That happens to be the reaction of many Nigerians when the suspects were charged to court. Having the sons of the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) facing trial is by no means an insignificant development in a country where anarchy is the law. Indirectly, their fathers are also facing trial. So, for whatever it is worth, this is not an inconsequential development.

In an article I wrote in October last year, entitled “Fuel Subsidy and Fake Subsidy”, I had narrated an encounter I had with an industry player who gave me a lowdown on the crimes against humanity going on in the name of subsidy. He told me: “Fuel subsidy is the biggest fraud in the history of Nigeria.” He listed three aspects of the fraud. One, he said a fuel importer could bring in 2000 metric tonnes and claim subsidy for 8,000 metric tonnes. “The mark-up will be shared down the line,” he said. Two, he said NNPC always imports more than it has storage facility for. “So the product is stored at private tank farms. If NNPC stores 30 million litres with your farm, you don’t have to account for 10 million litres. There is a process by which you can account for only 5 million litres as long as you know how to share the proceeds of the remaining 5 million litres with those who matter.”

He listed the third aspect. “When they tell you the landing cost of petrol is N100 and the pump price is N65, it means the importer will get subsidy payment of a little over N35 per litre. There are different grades of PMS (petrol). They do not go for the same price. In the UK, for instance, the price of leaded petrol is different from that of unleaded. In Nigeria, we don’t distinguish between grades. We pay the same price. So the landing cost of the lowest grade may be N75, but the importer still gets a subsidy payment of about N35 instead of N10 per litre. Do the math. Multiply that by millions of litres everyday and you will understand the fraud. Remember too that the importers get paid for demurrage even if they don’t incur it. I can go on and on.”

When EFCC, acting on the report of the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede committee, listed the charges against the suspects at the Lagos High Court last week, I was not surprised at all. I was just angry that all the rumours and allegations we have been hearing in recent times were obviously not mere speculations after all. According to the EFCC, the accused persons obtained billions of naira for the importation of millions of litres of PMS but forged documents without supplying the product. The interesting thing is that the government officials who signed the documents to certify delivery of nothing, as it were, are also going on trial. All of them must go on trial, no matter who the father or mother or uncle or aunty is. With tempered optimism, I am very delighted that this is so and I am hoping that finally, in Nigeria, some justice will be done. I said tempered optimism.

I know what many people are thinking—the alleged fraud was perpetrated supposedly to fund political campaigns. In fact, some of the suspects are already reported as threatening to “expose” the sleaze. So many cynics will say these are just the “fall guys” being sacrificed to please Nigerians. This is exactly what I like about the whole saga. While not laying credence to the allegation that the money was indeed used for political campaigns, I am happy because the message is that those who are being used to loot our treasury should begin to realise that they will not enjoy protection forever. When it comes to sacrificing scapegoats, they will be the ones to take the hit. So they should begin to think twice. Whether you are a government official or a private sector player, never go to bed sleeping and snoring, thinking you are safe. One day, you may be called to account. The real message then is that when you are being told to do what is illegal and criminal, no matter who is asking you to do it, just say a capital NO. This idea that people cannot say NO is, at best, self-serving. People can say NO. And if you don’t say NO, you may be sacrificed when the bubble bursts.

Let’s be honest about this: much of the fraud being committed in the country could not have succeeded without active collaboration between government officials and the private sector. When they want to import PMS for fraudulent purposes, they get their allies in the private sector to bring in ghost ships and deliver ghost products. From Customs to PPPRA and NNPC and others, they sign all kinds of documents to take delivery of ghosts and skim the treasury of hundreds of billions of naira. The same set of people will go to church or mosque or wherever to thank God for their ill-gotten wealth, while our people continue to wallow in heart-breaking poverty. This is a country where ordinary people are dying because they cannot afford N1000 drugs. And this is the same country where these cowboys and cowgirls become overnight billionaires by importing ghost products. No wonder, private jets suddenly became the newest toys in town.

Millions of Nigerians are being made to bear a higher cost of living through the removal of fuel subsidy because we are told the bill is “unsustainable”. Now we know where the bulk of the fake subsidy is going. I ask: is that one sustainable?
And Four Other Things...

The Aig Report
I have taken time to study the reports of the Farouk Lawan committee and the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede committee on the subsidy probe. This has further worsened my cynicism about probes by politicians. The Farouk committee report, though useful in some areas, contained too many conjectures not backed with technical and legal understanding of the issues. For instance, where the Farouk committee merely speculated on ghost ships, the Aig panel provided specific details. Intriguingly, it identified officials who took delivery of the ghost products. It was a professional job. I suggest that the National Assembly should, henceforth, try to take Nigerians more seriously.
No Half Mast
“When beggars die there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes,” according to William Shakespeare. When 153 persons died in the Dana crash, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) wore black while President Goodluck Jonathan declared three-day national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast. When 200 persons were killed in the Ahoada tanker explosion in Rivers State a month later, the ministers attended FEC meeting and went about their business in a very professional way. Which means they were chatting, laughing and exchanging banters. In Nigeria, we care only about the elite. God dey o!

Water, Water Everywhere
I go poetic again. “Water, water, every where/Nor any drop to drink,” wrote Samuel Taylor. Lagosians must be counting themselves lucky that they are not counting dead bodies in the carnage left by heavy rains. Jos and Ibadan were not that lucky. China and Russia counted bodies in hundreds. Hundreds of Britons experienced dislocation. The reality is that we have entered an unpredictable phase in the degradation of our environment. All the talk about climate change, global warming and rise in sea levels should begin to interest all of us. The government cannot tackle these challenges alone. We must take our destiny in our hands by co-operating with them.
Health for the Poor
I was privileged to be a guest at the presentation of “Bridges”, a health insurance advocacy drama. The series, which is supported by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), highlights the benefits of health insurance to ordinary Nigerians. The acting Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo, expressed hope that more and more ordinary Nigerians would buy into the policy so that they can live healthy lives. Everyone present commended the wonderful job by Project Coordinator, the resourceful and energetic Akin Fadeyi. Above all, I wish and pray that millions of poor Nigerians will overcome cynicism and apathy and take part in the scheme. It is good for their health.

 

Lagos horror brothers •Police recover victim’s head •Their mum died mysteriously, late father, retired Immigration boss •Neighbours flee

 
The head of 39-year-old Akinbuyi Ajayi, who was allegedly murdered by his brothers, Omotola and Toye, inside their duplex in FESTAC Town, Lagos, has been recovered. Police detectives from FESTAC Police Station led by Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Mohammed Mu’azu, a Chief Superintendent, found it inside a polythene bag.

The hitherto missing head was found just as Sunday Sun was let into the world of the Ajayis said to be natives of Yewa Awori North Local Government Area in Ogun State. Sources revealed that the mother of the Ajayi brothers, two of who have since been arrested for allegedly killing one of their siblings, Akinbuyi, and selling his body parts, died in mysterious circumstances.

A neighbour, who did not want his name in print, stated that the woman “vanished many years ago and has not been seen till date.” The visibly shocked neighbour told Sunday Sun that the latest incident has opened the eyes of residents to what could have happened to the woman he described as “very nice.”Also, one of the arrested brothers, Omotola, told the police that their father, who died years ago in an auto accident, retired as a Controller of Immigration.

Another resident, who identified himself as Disu, said the second suspect, Toye, who had told the police that he was a primary school teacher, was studying for his Masters degree in Engineering at the University of Lagos at the time their alleged crime was uncovered. It was also gathered that the last born of the Ajayis, Seun, returned from the United Kingdom recently and had been at loggerheads with his elder brothers - Omotola and Toye - before the incident and has since abandoned home.

According to sources, the two suspects had vainly tried to discourage Seun from living with them before their alleged sins found them out. Expectedly, other residents of the one-storey twin duplex where the crime took place have since fled their homes. It was gathered that a woman who resides at a section of the ground floor took to her heels when she saw policemen searching the flats at the back of the building.

The two suspects, Omotola and his immediate younger brother, Toye, were arrested on Thursday evening following the discovery of the decomposing body of their younger sibling, Akinbuyi, inside a room in their home at B Close, House 6 of 3rd Avenue in FESTAC town. When the body was found, the head, hands, breasts, private part and parts of the legs were missing and this led to suspicion that the suspects might have sold them.

A police officer (name withheld) told Sunday Sun that a good Nigerian, who suspected the offensive odour from the building, had alerted the police. Consequently, the DPO, Mr Mu’azu, mobilized his men to the place and due to failure of the duo to satisfy their police interrogators, a search was conducted and the decomposing body found in one of the rooms upstairs. Also recovered from the room were charms and amulets.

One of the policemen likened the incident to Clifford Orji, who was caught selling human parts in Lagos many years ago, but described the case of the Ajayis as worse because they allegedly killed their brother and were selling his body parts in bits to make a living.

Ghana: An Epitaph for President Atta-Mills By Dele Momodu

Fellow Africans, please permit me to pay this special tribute to our departed hero, a great son of Africa, world scholar, seasoned administrator, experienced politician, humble and transparently honest leader, eloquent and articulate speaker, decent manager of men and resources, respectable and respected statesman, father of the nation and above all a God-fearing soul, Professor John Evans Fifi Atta Mills who died on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

At a time it seems Africa is overwhelmingly polluted by reckless and careless, insensate and insane, corrupt and corruptible, incompetent and unproductive, disgraceful and shameless leaders, it was re-assuring and definitely rewarding that President Atta-Mills stood out and sparkled like a million stars amid the gloom that had enveloped our notorious continent for so long. His was a veritable example that it was still possible to have African leaders with the pre-requisite intellectual grounding and clear-headed vision needed to propel our countries forward. Prof, as we loved to call him, was a simple administrator who did not see power as an end in itself but as a means to a positive end.

He was a man who saw himself as a mere servant of the people given the privilege to steer the wheel of state and not the authority to grind the nation to a halt. He was a careful driver who appeared too cautious to take foolish risks.His critics could call him Mr Slow but could never call him a pen robber like most of his infamous colleagues that litter many countries of Africa. He lived a simple life that was difficult to imagine for one of the most influential countries in West Africa and the new gateway to Africa. Prof was very conscious of the fact that Man brought nothing to this world and that he shall take nothing with him when the appointed time comes to re-join his creator.

He was a philosopher king who knew the treasures imbedded in a good name and a worthy legacy. He did not suffer the inferiority complex of many leaders who saw power as only the means to making up for deprived youths. His country was kind to him, gave him so much and he knew much was expected of him. He did not misappropriate the nation's wealth for personal aggrandizement. Even if there were disciples who messed up under his nose and did not share his vision of humility and selflessness in power, he did not condone them and everyone attested to his visible integrity.

Had he not been a scholar and administrator, perhaps, President Atta-Mills would have been a priest or preacher or both. He was never tired about preaching the virtues of honest leadership. He was ready to open up his private life and accomplishments to public scrutiny. His booming voice resonated with the common man every time he spoke with a passion and deep conviction about the responsibilities of a good leader. He would always be fondly remembered as one serious-minded leader who refused to waste public funds on frivolous projects. He would be loved eternally as a man who was ready to sacrifice personal comfort for the common good of all.

Prof did not carry himself with the arrogance of a monarchical President. He did not intimidate nor harass his fellow citizens with the appurtenances of power. No member of his family was unnecessarily loud or irritating. They kept an enviable low-profile and allowed the man to concentrate on the job he alone was employed to do. We did not read of his wife thundering down the streets like a raging caterpillar. Prof did not disturb the peace of his neighbours in the housing estate where he lived in his private home even as the President of the Republic of Ghana. There was nothing extra-ordinary about the cars he drove. His convoy did not shut down the city. He did not buy up properties all over the place to flaunt his awesome powers and freshly-acquired wealth.

His mien and composure often reminded one of the late Tanzanian leader, Nwalimu Julius Nyerere. His intellectual capacity brought back memories of those days when Africa was governed by true intellectuals and not academic pretenders who could never articulate their vision in life.

A cursory peep at Professor Atta Mills resume would reveal a man of impeccable pedigree, well-educated and well-exposed to international standards. Here was a man who was born on July 21, 1944 and attended the famous Achimota School where he completed his A-level in 1963. He studied Law at the University of Ghana and graduated in 1967. He proceeded to the prestigious London School of Economics & Political Science for his post-graduate studies. He bagged his PhD in Law at the School of Oriental & African Studies at the University of London. He wrote his doctoral thesis in taxation and economic development. He later returned home to take up teaching appointment at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, and other institutions, where he spent about 25 years cumulatively.

Professor Atta Mills was so brilliant that in 1971 he became a Fulbright scholar at the Stanford University Law School in the United States of America. He was also a visiting Professor at Temple Law School, in Philadelphia, USA, between 1978 and 1979 and again at Leiden University in Holland from 1985 to 1986. He authored many publications and he was a respected authority on taxation. For several years, he was Acting Commissioner of Ghana's Internal Revenue Service and became the substantive Commissioner from 1993-96 when he became Vice President to President Jerry John Rawlings.

He was the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress at the December 7, 2000 elections but lost to the candidate of NPP, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor. Professor Atta Mills contested and lost again in 2004 to the then President Kufuor who ran away with victory a second time. His third and final battle came in 2008 when he faced and defeated the NPP candidate, the effervescent Nana Akufo-Addo who was widely tipped to win after a hell of a fight.

I had little but powerful contact with Professor Atta Mills before his last election which saw him become President. He was clearly a man of destiny. I really don't know how else I can describe him. Months before that controversial election, not many people gave him a chance to win. First his party had been out of power for eight years. Two he was not a rich man by any standards and he did not seem to know how to cultivate the friendship of Africa's rich and famous.

This was what led to our little interaction. I had received a call from Pastor Temitope B. Joshua one beautiful morning. It was not unusual to receive occasional calls from the man in The Synagogue, Church of All Nations. After exchanging our usual pleasantries, the man of God asked what I thought about the forthcoming presidential election in Ghana. I was surprised because I didn't understand what his interest was in the matter. Innocently, I responded that it would be a straight fight between Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor Atta Mills but it seemed the great Nana had the upper hand.

To the best of my knowledge, Nana was getting some amazing support from his powerful contacts all over the world and money was not likely to be an obstacle to his dream.

Pastor Joshua must have chuckled at my temporal analysis but he operated at a different wave-length, perhaps. As cool as a cucumber, he told me Prof was going to win. He did not hesitate to give me his unequivocal prophesy at a time the prediction looked most unlikely. I said it was possible but money was going to be a major handicap to Prof Mills. Pastor Joshua then said everything was being done to introduce Prof to those who can help him and it was the reason he contacted me. At that moment he gave me the shock of my life. "Please, hold on for Prof," Pastor Joshua told me without warning, and Prof joined us. I had no inkling the man whose chances we had analysed was with him.
I greeted Prof and his humility struck me from the very first sentence. "Chief, please, I need help to execute this election." I told him he had gone to the right man who knew everyone who could be of assistance to him. He said the Pastor had been a great pillar and he had faith in God to perform a miracle. He picked his words carefully and I was deeply touched.

Prof was really determined to win that 2008 election against all odds and he reached out to as many contacts as he could possibly do. I got a call from the then Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu who wanted my analysis of the coming Presidential election in Ghana. I repeated the same analysis I had given to Pastor Joshua and he said Prof was coming to see him and he needed an expert opinion on it before he arrived. Prof later told me that he was pleasantly surprised my name always cropped wherever he went and he was sure my opinion on Ghana was much sought after and clearly highly respected. I felt flattered but humbled at the same time.

The last man to seek my opinion on the 2008 election in Ghana was Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of Global Fleet and Energy Group. He asked the same question again about who I thought was going to win the Presidential race in Ghana and I responded it was going to be a close-call. He went further by asking specifically if Prof had any chance of winning and I said yes but it would depend on various factors and funding in particular. He confirmed the reason he was asking and said he wanted to back Prof heavily but wanted to weigh the risk. I encouraged him to go ahead. He asked if I could put it in writing and I said yes again.

I joked that you can never win the big jackpot if you can't take the bigger risks. I am aware Jimoh Ibrahim provided significant support and resources to Prof for the election. The election held and, after several runs and hiccups, Prof was declared winner. What impressed me about Prof was that he remained his humble self.
He returned to The Synagogue to give thanks to God. I was happy Pastor Joshua remembered to invite me to meet privately with Prof. I was surprised the President of Ghana could fly all the way to a seedy side of Lagos to visit his spiritual mentor at a time he had gotten what he wanted. I was used to seeing leaders who instantly abandoned their friends on attainment of power only to return like penitent school kids when it is all over. Prof's attitude was a breath of fresh air. I asked why he believed so much in the efficacy of Pastor Joshua's spirituality when most Nigerians had serious doubts and regularly cast aspersions on him. He responded like the teacher that he was by lecturing on the bare facts of his encounter with the Pastor. He said the man had told him too many specific things that came to pass and I should know that as Professor of Law he dealt with only facts. He the final prediction that stunned him was how the man of God mentioned the specific date his victory would be declared after going three rounds, which was against conventional wisdom and protocol in Ghana. I could not argue further with him.

A lot of Ghanaians frowned at Prof's decision to fly regularly to Nigeria to worship. The issue became headline news. But spiritual considerations are never straight-forward. Prof believed he could not jettison those who supported him in his hour of need. An example I will never forget was the night before his inauguration. Jimoh Ibrahim was to fly into Accra and I had received a message from my best friend Prince Adedamola Aderemi to make his former student comfortable in Ghana. I complied and met Jimoh at Kotoka International Airport with several cars for him and his entourage. Jimoh was humbled when he saw an aide of the President-elect on the tarmac and Prof even sent his personal car and outrider to meet Jimoh. I was deeply touched that an African leader did not suffer from the usual amnesia that comes upon them from the euphoria of victory.

Prof waited patiently for us to arrive at his campaign office in Osu and welcomed us with open arms like a true father. He thanked Jimoh profusely for his huge support. I excused them and they went into a very private meeting. Several months later, the President encouraged Jimoh to invest in Ghana and this culminated in the setting up of Energy Bank. The President personally declared the Bank open last year. I was proud to know such a man of honour. It is difficult to find many such leaders in Africa. Most break their promises even before they make it. They often forget that all is dust and will return to dust.

Now a good man has died. He has completed his mission on earth. The world is applauding the 68 years he lived on earth. According to Barack Obama, Prof was a man who made Ghana a "good news story." We thank you Prof for your service to your nation and to Africa. You will never be forgotten because of the giant footprints you left behind.

You have done your best to make the world a better place. And you deserve to rest in peace. Adieu, Prof. Rest in Perfect Peace