Gen. Rotimi’s wife regains freedom
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Vol. 03 No. 1
Anenih named NPA board chairman
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N150
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Again, mass failure in WAEC •72 % fails Nov/Dec exams
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L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, at the PDP’s stakeholders meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO--STATE HOUSE
2013 budget, reform
Jonathan meets govs, PDP leaders •Why we want to be part of investigation into crash –Amaechi
INEC deregisters more parties
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INSIDE
Celebrity
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P. 8
Babalakin loses another bid to stop EFCC
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MAGAZ INE Nkiru From the lion’s den
Sex talk Sex drive: Who wants what?
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Relationships Shouldn’t a couple share same bedroom?
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Fashion • Colour me Christmas • Wrapped in style
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Top Stories
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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
How LAGBUS crushed woman to death a week to 60th birthday P.33
P.34&35
We’re born to make wealth from waste
– Scrap dealers, scavengers
An auto mechanic, his twisted fate P.36
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How ‘night guards’ rob landlord of SUV, jewellery, laptops
Bolanta
Nkiruka
We paid N8m for Nkiruka’s release –Family •They acted against our advice –Police CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI
T
he family of kidnapped Nollywood actress and Special Assistant to the Governor Rochas Okorocha on Public Affairs, Nkiruka Sylvanus, have said that they paid her abductors N8 million to facilitate her release. But the police have kicked against the action of the diva’s family, saying that they paid the ransom against their (the police) advice and without their knowledge. The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital said that the family paid the ransom despite repeated warnings from the police that no dime should be paid to the kidnappers of the movie star. Bolanta, at told reporters at a press briefing at the Police Command Headquarters that the law enforcement agency had initially recovered and returned the initial N7million the family gave to the criminals during a raid of the criminals’ hideout.
“On the 19 December there was an arrangement by the family to pay N7million, the money was recovered when we raided the criminals’ den. After the raid we returned the N7million back to the family. But we were surprised to hear that they offered N8million to the kidnappers,” he explained. Although the Police Commissioner disclosed that during the raid none of the kidnappers was arrested, he said that the family did not listen to the advice of the police not to part with the ransom as the police were on top of the situation. “We were able to comb the area without getting anybody, but we were able to recover the money,” he said. The police boss added that, “initially, the family paid N7million to the kidnappers and the police who laid ambush swooped on them at the point of collection and recovered the money that was locked in the trunk of their car as they escaped.” According to him, “after we returned the money to the family, they went behind us
and paid N8milliom to the kidnappers. Surprisingly, I saw Nkiru in my office after she was released and I was told they paid N8million to secure her release”. Bolanta however assured the people that the fleeing kidnappers would be brought to book. “Let me assure you that this will not go unresolved like previous cases, anyone involved will be brought to book, we have made some arrests and very soon the ones that are at large will be apprehended”. ``We have made some arrests in connection with the case and very soon they will all be apprehended. ``Let me assure the good people of Imo that we will not rest until all forms of criminality has been eradicated from this state,’’ he added. Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha has ordered the release of N500 million as Christmas package for security operatives in the state. Okorocha who gave the directive during an expanded
Security Council meeting at the Ahajioku Centre in the state capital, directed that every security agent operating in the state, should be given N10, 000 each from the largesse, saying that the gesture was to appreciate the security agencies for fighting crime in the state, especially the successful release of the kidnapped thespian. Commending the State Police Command, Okorocha reiterated the commitment of his administration in partnering with security agencies to stamp out crime in the state, especially kidnapping and other heinous crime, reaffirming the earlier ban on unauthorized use of vehicles with tinted glasses and siren in the state. The governor also chided legal practitioners in the state for aiding and abetting kidnappers by frustrating the efforts of the state to prosecute them. “The lawyers are the worst enemies of the state, in Imo state, every kidnapper has a lawyer he pays to wriggle him out when he is caught up with the law,” the governor added.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
3
December 22, 2012
Saturday Starter
Yakowa
Nigerian roads have the dishonour of being some of the worst in the globe. The country’s statistics on road mishaps is not also envied worldwide. She has also recorded a staggering number of air crashes. With the rail system comatose and water travel practically non-existent, the remaining form of transportation for those who want it swift and comfortable, though air related, is the helicopter. Unfortunately taking a ride on the rotorcraft in Nigeria is now getting almost as dangerous as other forms of transportation. This is especially for the high and mighty, core professionals and other few Nigerians who patronise it. Has helicopter ride joined its sister means of transportation in their being accident-prone?
Azazi
BY THOMAS USHIE
B Haruna
Kuteyi
Daba
Helicopter ride
Safety, swiftness and death?
efore the untimely demise of erstwhile governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former National Security Advised General Andrew Aziza and their aides last Saturday in the crash of Nigerian Navy Agusta A109E Power helicopter with registration number NN 07 in Bayelsa State, there had been some quiet in the aviation sector. The incident has, however, raised many posers and shifted attention yet again to the unhealthy status of the sector which last incident had claimed no fewer than 163 lives. Save for the March 14, 2012, crash of Nigerian Police surveillance helicopter in Jos, Plateau State, which killed the newly promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, John Haruna, his orderly and the pilot seldom was the nation treated to any news of disasters involving choppers. However, with Yakowa’s death the mind goes down the tortuous path of unsavoury memory. Why helicopter, when last did it crash in Nigeria, what was the result of the investigation on the previous crashes and many more. Helicopter is described as a type of CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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December 22, 2012
Saturday Starter
‘Civilians have no business in military operations’
In this interview with OLUSEGUN KOIKI, aviation veteran, Capt. Dele Ore, a director in the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways and a captain in the presidential fleet, spoke on several issues involving helicopter operations, maintenance and funding among others. Excerpts:
W
hat is the difference between aircraft and helicopter operations in the aviation industry? Let’s get this straight, first and foremost, helicopters are flying machines, the same principles of flights apply to helicopters, the same maintenance requirements also just as we have in aircraft operations. As flying machines, there is nothing peculiar about helicopters beside the fact that they have the choice of taking up vertically and landing vertically while other fixed wings take off through the runways. Otherwise, they are as unforgiving as any other machines, which mean they must fly according to the rules. The same weather will affect them, the same strict maintenance requirements and the same vigilance from the flight crew required. There is nothing else extra-different in those flying machines. Sometime in 2011, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) SAID that it would not allow helicopters fly at night because of some reasons, why? Whether civil or military, restriction to fly at night applies. Do you have the night flight facilities? Are the aircraft suitably equipped as far as instrumentation is concerned? Are the pilots also night rated to be able to fly at night? Those are the three conditions. There is no reason why helicopters cannot fly at night. In this part of the world, I think the main reason given is that no one can guarantee a 24-hour search and rescue capability. Besides that, helicopters need to fly above weather if they are not instrument rated in which case visually they should be able to see the ground and water and above cloud. Those are the basic visual flight conditions that they must maintain, but if the pilots are qualified and experienced in instrument flying, day and night helicopters operations are just welcomed.
Does this restriction apply to military operations? The military or civil aircraft, there is no peculiarity in the handling. The restriction will be whether the aircraft are suitably equipped and the pilots are qualified to fly under that instrument and marginal weather. The weather doesn’t respect civil or military. Can we say the crashed helicopter flouted the restriction on night
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Past chopper crashes Nigerian Navy December 15 2012: Nigerian Navy Agusta A109E Power helicopter with registration number NN 07 crashed The ill fated helicopter claimed the lives of the Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, the erstwhile National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi (rtd), the governor and Azai’s aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal as well as the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole. Reports stated that it was the third Agusta A109E lost by the Nigerian Navy out a fleet of six helicopters since 2006. “On April 20, 2007 a Nigerian Navy helicopter crashed near Owerri airport because the pilots were coerced to fly at night to deliver election materials. The helicopter crashed leaving no one onboard alive,” the source was reported as lamenting. September 26, 1992: NAF 911 piloted by Wing Commanders J.P. Alabesunu and A.S. Mamadi crashed April 20, 2007, a Nigerian Navy Helicopter crashed at Enyiogugu, Mbaise, near Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State. There was no survival as two officers perished.
Nigerian Police Ore
THE NCAA CANNOT COME OUT AND GIVE ORDER TO THE MILITARY.
WE
MUST KNOW THAT THE MILITARY OPERATION DOES NOT COME UNDER THE
NCAA
PURVIEW operations as given out by NCAA? No, the NCAA cannot come out and give order to the military. We must know that the military operation does not come under the NCAA purview. In fact, NCAA can only regulate those civil registered aircraft in Nigeria. There are calls in some quarters that military fleet should be under the Ministry of Aviation and NCAA for supervisory and regulations, what is your take on this? Those who are calling for this are not
well informed. It’s not part of the civil aviation to mix the regulations of civil with military. There could be some occasions where we have joint users of facilities, joint users of the airspace, but you cannot control in anyway military operations under civil aviation authority. It is not done anywhere in the world because the context and the mission as well as the security part of the job cannot be compromised. Can you say the operations of military aircraft are well regulated as we have in the civil? This is what the military don’t want to hear, they don’t want you to nose into their business, and they don’t want to be criticised. They don’t even have tolerance for things like these. What are the challenges of helicopter operations in the country? I believe that just like the whole operations of aviation, the challenges as usual are enormous like the very high cost of fuel, slack or inadequate maintenance of facilities, and the fact that just like everything in the industry, the pilots will still have to go abroad and make themselves current and competent in a simulated situation and all that, which means if the funds are available, that should be no problem, but hardly ever a time when there are available funds. Those constraints will continue to remain with us.
March 14, 2012: a Nigerian Police surveillance helicopter crashed in Jos, Plateau State, killing the newly promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, John Haruna, his orderly and the pilot.
OAS Helicopter Sunday, 31 July 31, 2011: mogul, Mrs. Josephine Oluwadamilola Kuteyi died when OAS chartered helicopter crashed at Obanla, Osun State. The helicopter was heading for Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, when it crashed. The pilot of the ill fated helicopter, Filipino, Catameo Arnold, and Kuteyi’s Personal Assistant, Mrs. Oyebola Okubanjo, also died in the crash. November 10, 2006, one of OAS helicopters crashed in Warri, Delta state killing four people on board.
Bristol Helicopter August 3, 2007: a Bristol Helicopters Company chopper crashed at Mobil Producing Unlimited Qua Iboe Terminus, Eket, Akwa Ibom State killing the pilot.
Pan African Airlines July 26, 2004: a Pan African Airlines helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in Escravos, Delta State. Four people died in that crash.
British Helicopter February 24, 1991: British Helicopter crashed in Eket, Akwa Ibom State killing all nine passengers on board.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
5
December 22, 2012
Saturday Starter
One crash too many CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 “rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by engine-driven rotors, allowing it to take off and land vertically, to hover and to fly forward, backward, and laterally,” giving it great advantages in multipurpose air navigational services, unlike other aircrafts. The unique features of helicopters make it easier to be deployed in emergency shuttles, short distance shuttles in areas that are not motorable, congested or isolated, and “where fixedwing aircraft would usually not be able to take off or land. The capability to efficiently hover for extended periods of time allows a helicopter to accomplish tasks that fixed-wing aircraft and other forms of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft cannot perform.” The story of helicopter shuttle is generally the story of Nigerian aviation sector, whether civil or military, with its good, bad and ugly sides. And one of these ugly incidents is the last weeks
Owners, users/clients In Nigeria, helicopters are used by several oil firms for conveying goods and passengers to and fro their off shore oil rigs and other facilities located in unmotorable areas, especially the creeks of the Niger Delta. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for instance boasts of three Eurocopter EC135 helicopters and a Hawker 4000, among others. According to OAS Helicopters, an indigenous helicopter service provider whose clients ranges from state governments, banks, oil firms to other companies as well as private individuals, the necessity of helicopter use is to eliminate time wastage and for easy navigational purposes. “In this era when time is money, your business requires the use of helicopters to meet competing targets. Keeping your business flying, as they say, is, getting to appointments on time. Those who run operations with a need for regular personnel movement in and out of normal and difficult terrains where, at times, regular airlines cannot help, need helicopters services. Also, banks would do more efficient business, if they move money, men and materials around, using the services of a helicopter.” the firm stated in its site. Nevertheless, in its bid to render safer, swifter and seamless services to its clients, disasters accidentally strike, like that which claimed the life of the Ondo State born business woman, Mrs. Josephine Oluwadamilola Kuteyi. Nigerian military and police are also major users of choppers, majorly for surveillance and security purposes. The Nigeria Navy boasts of about eight Augusta A109 light utility helicopter of Italian origin, about six Westland Lynx medium utility helicopter of the United Kingdom origin. Another user of this navigational machine described by some of its clients as
rians need not wonder far as, even the several air crashes involving regular aircrafts, the bureau has been buried in its bureaucracy and has not been able to investigate air accidents to its logical, legal or technical conclusion, whereby recommendations can be made to avert further air crashes.
Difference
Yakowa and Tsoho’s body arriving Kaduna
“bee” is the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). As the agency’s name suggests, the use of chopper is a necessity in order to meet up emergency rescue operations. Speaking with Saturday Mirror, the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed that it currently has one helicopter but a “delivery of additional four will be made very soon”. He held that because of its search and rescue duties as well as the delivery of relief materials, NEMA’s helicopter is built to withstand stress and has not been involved in any air mishap. “There has never been any crash. NEMA’s chopper is built to specification and of course, different from the regular ones, even those used by the military. It is built to weather the storm. We have never experienced any crash.” The Nigeria Police also have a fleet. Other owners of helicopters in the country include the Federal Capital Authority which owns Robinson R44 with registration number 5N-BKF and which donated same to the Nigeria Police in 2005. The chopper was reportedly missing. The Nigeria Customs Services also owns a fleet and the Lagos State Government which acquired two Bell 412s in 2009 for security operations which are reported to being currently operated by Caverton Helicopters in the oil and gas industry.
Safety Even though all the helicopter owners and service providers as well as the regulating authorities revel in safety precaution with claim zero tolerance for unsafe practices, they have all had their fair share of crashes. However, compared to auto crashes in Nigeria, the casualty is a far cry. Contrary to speculations, the Nigerian Navy had said that the crashed helicopter did not violate safety regulations as it was certified to fly by a “Certified Technical Support Engineer”. The clari-
fication is coming on the heels of speculations that the chopper was not in good conditions as at the time of flight even as the team set up by the Federal Government led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba had arrived Bayelsa State to commence investigation in to the crash. According to the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor, “the helicopter had her last scheduled routine maintenance concluded on November 19, 2012 by certified technical support engineer. When the aircraft crashed, it had more than 80 flight hours before the next scheduled routine maintenance.” On November 8, this year, the Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) told Nigerians that it had concluded plans to install a device on aircraft that will ensure quick response and determination of air crashes. According to the Director-General of NCAA, Harold Demuren, the device, Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS), is capable of detecting the probable cause of accident with its tracker at a designated centre assessable to the agency and the airlines, thereby eliminating resort to speculations which has characterised several air crashes in the past. It will be recalled that on April 7, 2011, while Fidelia Njeze was the Aviation Minister, it was reported that the Federal Government had launched a state-of-theart aircraft tracker, “acquired at a cost of $350,000 (about N52, 000 million)” and which is capable of tracking “secondby-second, the movement of an aircraft whether on the ground or airborne, in and around the Nigerian airspace”. However, the “Nigerian factor” continued to play itself out as, after the celebrated launch, at least three air crashes had been reported without prompt knowledge of the cause of crash. Moreso, Nigerians seem to be at a lost if the nation’s Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) has power to investigate civil choppers crashes. But Nige-
Farinloye said that the major differences between helicopters and the regular aircraft lies in its multipurpose use, ability to navigate difficult terrains, shuttle short distance, hover around for rescue or surveillance purposes, etc. “NEMA’s Search and Rescue helicopters can make automatic manoeuvres in difficult terrains and it has specialised features for search and rescue that civilians choppers don’t have. NEMA’s chopper has flexible and special features that are useful in difficult terrains like the Niger Delta, the Camerouns, Mambilla plateau and the Obodu ranch resort”.
Crashes Reports had it that from Nigeria’s independence till date, more than 130 air accidents have occurred in Nigeria, claiming more than 1,160 lives. About six of these incidences are helicopter crashes. The worst of these chopper crashes occurred this year, prompting Nigerians to marvel the degeneration in air safety in Nigeria, especially the use of choppers. Moreso, after the crashes, the inability of the various search and rescue agencies to promptly locate the site of crash and respond immediately, has continued to sustain Nigerians perplexity.
Uses Due to the operating characteristics of helicopters—its ability to take off and land vertically, and to hover for extended periods of time, as well as the aircraft’s handling properties under low airspeed conditions—it has been deployed to carry out some Herculean tasks that were previously not possible with other aircraft, “or were time- or work-intensive to accomplish on the ground. Today, helicopter uses include transportation of people and cargo, military uses, construction, fire-fighting, search and rescue, tourism, medical transport, and aerial observation, among others.” According to the spokes person of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, “choppers can be deployed in many circumstances depending on the dynamism of the incident, especially delivery of food and non-food items to areas that cannot easily be reached by any other means. It can be deployed for search and rescue when locations cannot be determined; choppers are used to convey victims from a point of disaster to medical centres/ hospitals; it can be used to fight fire aerially, it can be used to lift up obstructing object on the highway when extremely necessary”
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NATIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Unlawful detention: Court orders IGP to pay N10M to lawyer JESSE OKEDI
PORT HARCOURT.
M
L-R: The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade; Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar; Representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Dayo Mobereola, and Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, at the launch of Lagos to Kano intercity passenger PHOTO: NAN and petroleum products train service in Lagos, yesterday.
INEC deregisters three more parties OMEIZA AJAYI
D
ays after it wielded the big axe on 28 political parties for failing to meet up with some provisions of the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last night in Abuja de-registered three more parties for the same reason. Those affected are the African Renaissance Party (ARP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Transformation Party (NTP). Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Kaugama, in a late-evening statement yesterday in Abuja said the exercise was “in continuation of the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (As amended). The statement reads in part: “In continuation of the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (As amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has de-registered three more political parties. “The affected political parties are: (a) African Renaissance Party (ARP);(b) National Democratic Party (NDP);(c) National Transformation Party (NTP). The de-registration of these political parties is premised on the following grounds: “African Renaissance Party (ARP) - (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). (ii) No verifiable Headquarters office contrary to Section 222 (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended). (iii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies. “National Democratic Party (NDP) - (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). (ii) No verifiable Headquarters office contrary to Section 222(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended)(iii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies. “National Transformation Party (NTP) - (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended)(ii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies “The Commission reiterates its commitment to relating with all registered Political Parties as specified by the extant laws of the land.” The deregistration of ARP, NDP and NTP by INEC is an addition to about 35 political parties, which have earlier been deregistered by INEC. It would be recalled that INEC, before the recent deregistration of about 28 political parties had earlier deregistered about
seven political parties few months ago. According to INEC, which drew its power from the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), many of the political parties were deregistered on the account that the composition of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the parties fail to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). Some of the deregistered political parties were also deregistered on the allegations that the composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) of some of the parties fail to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). They were also axed by INEC for no verifiable Headquarters office contrary to Section 222(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended)” and for not winning a seat in the National and State Assemblies”. The deregistration of the political parties has been generating controversy and many of the deregistered political parties have taken INEC to court to challenge the legality of the action. While some people are raising eyebrows over the deregistration, some have commended INEC’s decision, saying that it would strength Nigeria’s democracy, considering that some of the political parties are just on paper without making any meaningful impact during elections.
Yuletide: LASTMA, VIO warn motorists MURITALA AYINLA
T
he Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Service yesterday called on motorists to prioritise safety culture while driving within and outside the state metropolis in the yuletide. LASTMA General Manager, Babatunde Edu, and the Lagos State Chief vehicle Inspection Officer, Engr Gbolahan
Toriola gave the charge at the end of the year luncheon of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers held in Lagos. The duo who bagged fellowship award of the institution, said that the people of Lagos could record accident-free Christmas and New Year, if everyone paid adequate attention to safety and drive carefully during the season. Edu explained that the gridlock across the state was normal due to the festive season, saying
embers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State were thrown into celebration yesterday following a High Court order that Mohammed Abubakar, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), should pay the sum of N10M to Patrice Ukposi, the immediate past chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of NBA for unlawfully arresting him and consequently infringing on his right to personal liberty. Ukposi had approached the court to enforce his fundamental rights following his arrest on the orders of the IGP October 3, 2012 by one Muazu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police attached to the office of the IGP on allegations of forgery of police case file with which he (Ukposi) used to prosecute a matter PMC/433c/2004 in court on the instructions of Worgu Boms, the Attorney General of Rivers State on behalf of the state via a fiat. He was detained for eight hours in Port Harcourt, flown to Abuja and further detained for three days without any visible charges proffered against him in court as proof for his arrest. The police alleged that the final report in the matter did not find the accused culpable and that Ukposi was merely prosecuting ersecuted whereas the said report was not brought to the notice of the Attorney General who issued the fiat to him. It further said that the arrest was done in execution of a warrant signed by a magis-
there were influx of vehicles into the state as a result of vehicles moving goods into and outside the state. He said: “What is happening now is expected due to people that are coming into to the state to buy goods. Besides, there are more vehicles moving within the state to distribute gifts. More people also travel to do shopping within the state. “We will just appeal to them to be considerate while using the road.
trate but was never tendered as exhibit before the court. Augustine Ujekudo, chairman of the NBA human rights committee who led the NBA team against the police, sued the police for N200M, demanding public apology from the police, an injunction restraining the police from further arresting Ukposi and the declaration that the arrest was null and void. Biobele Georgewill, the trial judge, after listening to submissions from both the defense and appellant counsels, held that the police acted unconstitutionally by first arresting Ukposi without any tangible evidence of culpability or suspicion of criminality oh his part on the grounds that the said case file being used to prosecute the matter was certified and given to him by police authority. He also held that the arrest was not done in execution of any warrant since there was no evidence before the court in support of police claim. “It is not right for the police to criminalise anybody if there is no evidence in proof of the person’s culpability.” The judge therefore ordered the IGP to pay N10M as damages to the ex-NBA chairman and another N50,000 as cost for prosecuting the case. He also restrained the police or its agents from further arresting or harassing him in respect of the said matter unless there is a proof that he has committed a criminal offence. He however did not grant the prayer of the plaintiff for the police to issue a public apology as there was also no evidence before the court that his arrest was made public.
They should be mindful of other road users and stop buying wares on the road. Indiscriminate parking must also be avoided to enable everyone enjoy free flow of vehicular movement across the state, he said.” Toriola on his part, charged motorists to ensure their vehicles are road worthy before embarking on any journey, adding that most accident cases are caused by carefree attitude of the driver on the states of their vehicles.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NATIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
7
Alleged money laundering: Babalakin loses second bid to stop EFCC K AYODE KETEFE
F
or the second time within a space of one week, the chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Bolanle Babalakin, lost the bid to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from prosecuting him for alleged money laundering. In a ruling delivered yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, who described the fresh application of the multi-billionaire businessman “as a cat and mouse game” held that the application was invalid on the grounds of incompetence. Justice Buba consequently directed Babalakin to take his application be-
fore the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, (which is the court before which he was scheduled to be arraigned) and face his trial courageously. The judge held that that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear Babalakin’s suit because the Federal High Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Lagos High Court and as such could not rule on the matter. Justice Buba held: “Having considered the application before this honourable court, I do not find any merit in the fundamental rights application of the applicant. “The applicant cannot approach this court to enforce his fundamental human right since the court has a concurrent jurisdiction with the Lagos State High
court on matters touching on fundamental rights. “I think the applicant ought to have taken the application before the court of arraignment, and challenge the authorities on his alleged harassment. “If the applicant is ill, then he should say so before the court of arraignment as only the living can stand to face trial. “In a criminal charge, trial commences with arraignment and the learned SAN (Babalakin) should not be afraid to stand trial. “The police reserve the right to arrest and detain an accused without a warrant where a criminal charge is preferred against him. “I do not find any merit in the instant suit. It is like a cat and mouse game and it is accordingly dismissed
with no order as to cost.” It would be recalled that the EFCC had filed a 27-count charge against Babalakin before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of Ikeja High Court which essentially comprised alleged offences of money laundering. Babalakin who could not attend his scheduled arraignment at the last adjourned date on account of his hospitalisation at LUTH, then rushed to the Federal High Court, Lagos, with an application for leave to file a motion for an order of certiorari and prohibition against the EFCC, which the court granted. On Thursday, December 13 2012, when the matter came for arguments between the parties, Balalakin and the commission through their respective
lawyers, Mr. Olawale Akoni , SAN and Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had engaged in severe and protracted legal battle with a view to persuade the court to their respective postions. While Babalakin had claimed that the EFCC had no power to prosecute him in Lagos and that it is only the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minsiter of Justice that could prefer the purported charge against him, EFCC had dismiised Babalakin’s position as a misconception in law. The commission had insisted that that under the provisions of section 318 of the constitution as amended, a public officer could initiate criminal proceedings against any accused person before a court of law, stressing that a public officer is statutorily defined to include officers of the EFCC. The commisison’s law-
yer, Jacobs, therefore described Babalakin’s arguments as legally untenable, a grave misconception and a mere ploy to escape lawful prosecution. Jacobs also argued that the office of the A.G F.n did not have the monopoly of prosecution. In a ruling delivered on 14, 2012, the presiding judge in that earlier application, Justice Mohammed Idris, found favour with the EFCC’s argument and consequently held that Babalakin’s suit is incompetent. The judge then struck out the suit on the grounds that it did not comply with the rules of the court. Undaunted, Babalakin then filed a fresh originating application before the same Federal High Court on similar theme with his earlier dismissed application. It was this fresh suit that was dismissed by Justice Buba yesterday.
Anenih named NPA board chairman
N
Christmas: Travellers waiting to board a bus at Wazobia park in Gwagwalada, Abuja, yesterday.
PHOTO: NAN
Eso laid to rest amidst encomiums WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO
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rimate of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, has charged Nigerians on the need to invest their lives in the service of God and humanity. Okoh gave the charge yesterday in Ilesa, Osun State, while delivering a sermon at the funeral service in honour of the late retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Samuel Obakayode Eso. The jurist who died last
month in a London hospital was laid to rest at his home town, Ilesa amidst showers of encomium from friends and relatives. Okoh who blamed the nation’s poor development on love of money, also called on Nigerian leaders to see themselves as servants to the people, adding that the nation needed deliverance from all forms of evils that have befallen it. His words: “Let the congregation here know that there is no abiding city on earth. It is appointed to all human being to die once and after the death is judg-
ment. Those who live long and those who live short will all die one day. We are all on transition here on earth and only those who lived righteously before they are transited to the great beyond can have eternal abode with God.” While extolling the virtues of Eso, the cleric said the late legal icon invested his life in the service of God and man, adding that every leader in the country must learn from the humble lifestyle of Eso, who he described as a brave Judge of his time. “Eso, during his life time
gave justice to the poor and the rich in the society. He was an advocate of righteousness and a lover of truth. He defended the helpless and served his country till he breathed his last,” he said. Eminent Nigerians who graced the ceremony included the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.
igeria’s former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, has been named the chairman of the board of the Nigeria Ports Authority. Quoting a release from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Ayim, an online publication, African Outlook said also on the board are Mrs. Florence Ita-Giwa; Hon. Hamza Dan Mahawi; Sen. Lekan Mustapha; Alhaji Aminu Baba Danagundi and Mr. Austin Enyonnia Cosmos, as well as a representative of the Ministry of Transport were named as board members. Meanwhile the statement also said that the president gave approval for appointments also into the board of directors for other agencies of the federal government, which include, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Nigerian Maritime Administration, Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN. According to the statement, Lt. Col Agbu Kefas (rtd) will chair the NIMASA board while Ibrahim Mark, Alhaji Hassan Baba, Alhaji Aliyu Usman, a representative of the Ministry of Transport, a representative of the Ministry of Labour, and a
representative of the Navy will also serve as members. Moreover, Mr. Funsho Lawal is now the chairman of the board of CAC. The board members include Alhaji Sanusi Maijama’a, (Representative of NACCIMA), Mr. Okoro Osita Franklin (Representative of Nigeria’s Bar Association, NBA), Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Omereson, (Representative of ICAN), and Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, (Representative of MAN) Edosa Aigbekeen, (Representative of SEC), N. Salma-Mann, (Representative of Ministry of Trade and Investment), Prof. Adedeji Adekunle (Rep. Min of Justice) and Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Also for the TCN Supervisory Board, is Mr. Hamman Tukur as chairman while former Skye Bank Managing Director Akinsola Akinfemiwa is Vice-Chairman. Other members include Director of Human Resources Management, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Representative of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Director of Power, Federal Ministry of Power, A Commissioner from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Representative of the generation.
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NATIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
2013: Jonathan meets PDP leaders, govs over budget, reform ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA
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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a three-hour meeting with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fashion out ways of repositioning the party to ensure effective reforms for the benefit of Nigerians in the New Year. Those who attended the meeting include the leadership of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee of the PDP as well as governors of the party. Speaking after the threehour meeting held at the presidential villa, national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, told State House correspondents that the meeting was held to address issues facing the nation and looking forward to the new year
as well as the vision of the president in line with the agenda of the party . According to Metuh, the PDP is ready and able to satisfy the aspirations of Nigerians, stressing that the party would carry out reforms and innovations in the new year to ensure that the party provides better governance to the people. On the recent de-registration of 28 political parties out of the 57 in the country, Metuh said the PDP did not instigate INEC to de-register the parties, stressing that INEC is an independent body. “It is normal in a football match, when there is a winning team, the losing team will always accuse the referee of being bias, we are not the referee, we are not the arbiter, we are part of the team, we are playing in the field, we listened like them and we await the de-
cision of INEC and we will abide with the decision of INEC, it is an independent body,” Metuh said. Also speaking after the meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Joy Emordi, disclosed that the issue of the 2013 budget recently passed by the National Assembly was among the issues the meeting addressed, saying that it looked at all the features of the budget. Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of River State, Rotimi Amaechi, who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting said the call by the governors for inclusion was in the probe of the December 15 helicopter crash in Bayelsa State was not a sign of lack of confidence in the investigation process. The military helicopter crash claimed the lives of
former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, along with that of former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi as well as their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Mohammed Kama and the two pilots, Murtala Daba and Adeyemi Sowole. Amaechi said, “We are being misunderstood all the time. What we said was that we wanted to be given an observer status if we can’t participate so that we will bring a professional who will observe the process how it is going on and brief the Governors’ Forum. Not that we passed a vote of no confidence on those who are investigating.” He noted that the forum was not calling for the inclusion in the probe of the crash because Yakowa was involved in the crash, but because there had been many air disasters in the country and the matter re-
quired proper investigation as well as possible ways to check such disaster. “We felt that too many crashes have occurred in Nigeria and that it is proper that the Governors Forum have a professional advice so that we can know what contribution we can make to the Federal Government. Not that because our colleague was involved, after all, the general who died was not our colleague,” Amaechi said. Also speaking yesterday, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said that the meeting was important to appraise the performance of the party. “I think it very important that the president meets with us because we can understand and appreciate the issues better so that this country will have better leadership and have better ways of governing the country.
So, he called and solicited our support on moving forward,” Suswan said. He further said, “It is all about bonding together. We understand that sometimes there are at times statements that are not coordinated in the states and at the centre, and meanwhile we are running the same government. Majority of us are in the same party. All that we discussed here among the president, the governors and the party is about how we can bind the party together. “If we have that bonding together, all the seeming misunderstanding, some of them are artificial anyway, will be resolved and that will create a better room and enabling environment for all of us at all levels to provide better leadership for this country, which is what I think is very important for this country at this point in time.”
Jonathan congratulates S’Korea’s first female president-elect
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L-R: Odunya Adedoyin, Principal Manager, Niger Insurance Plc., Olusegun Kowontan; Chief Executive Officer, Project Fix Nigeria and Patron, Motorcycle & Tricycle Association of Nigeria (MOTAN) and Vivek Pendharker of Wandel Nigeria Limited at the launch of tricycles initiatives for Lagos Okada riders, yesterday.
Don advocates indigenous languages for political renewal TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE
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Nigerian university don based in the United Kingdom, Professor Tope Omoniyi, has called on the Nigerian intelligentsia to consider the relevance of language of political renewal and economic regeneration. He said the political and economic quagmire that Nigeria has been facing, requires a solution that must include a language dimension. Omoniyi, a Professor of Sociolinguistics, while delivering a lecture recently at the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
Distinguished Guest Lecture noted that the only way to end poverty, ignorance, disease and backwardness is by investing in our indigenous languages. While clarifying the contexts of indigeneity of language, Prof. Omoniyi asserted that, “Every language has a context of indigeneity including the languages of the United Nation’s Security Council and those highbrow ones in which the Dow Jones does its listings and conducts its negotiations at the stock exchange. English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Mandarian are all indigenous to certain regions of the
world where they convey the folklores and mores of an ethno-linguistic group. Thus, there is a need to revise and re-envision our conceptualisation of indigenous languages. “In my view, the way that language policy is crated, it creates diglossia that
privileges English over indigenous languages. I advocate acknowledgement of the capacity of indigenous languages to do virtually everything that English does in life of the Nigerian nation including managing its outward face to the rest of the world”.
FirstBank commended for supporting festival
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rganisers of the 2012 edition of Calabar Festival have commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited for supporting the Discovery Children’s Concert at the ongoing Calabar Carnival.
Nzan Ogbe, Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Events Management gave the commendation at the close of the concert that witnessed performances by groups and individuals
resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated South Korea’s Presidentelect, Ms. Park Geunhye, on her victory in the country’s presidential elections. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan said he joined the rest of the world in applauding her historic emergence as her country’s first female Head of State and government. While expressing trust and confidence with her leadership abilities and long experience of politics at the highest levels of governance in her country, Jonathan said Park would fully justify the confidence reposed in her by millions
of South Koreans who voted for her election. Jonathan further said he looked forward to working with Park and her government when she assumes office next year to further strengthen the cordial bilateral relations which already exist between Nigeria and South Korea. While wishing Park a very successful tenure, Jonathan assured the South Korean Presidentelect that the federal government would work in close collaboration with her administration to expand trade and economic relations between Nigeria and South Korea for the mutual benefit of both countries.
in their teens. The Discovery Children’s Concert 2012, one of the activities lined up by the organisers of the 2012 edition of Calabar Carnival and sponsored by Nigeria’s number one Bank Brand, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, lived up to its billing as a platform to discover young talents in the entertainment industry. After the short opening remarks by the compere at the event, a teen group set
the tone for the night as the group treated the audience to a melodious rendition of “Once in royal David’s city”; “We three kings from Orient lands”; “Noel, Noel”; and “O Holy Night”. In all, about twenty teen groups and individuals performed at the event. One of the high points of the night was the solo performance by Amara Nzan Ogbe, whose performance was titled “Do you see what I see”.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NATIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Again, mass failure in WAEC results
•72% fails Nov/Dec WASSCE TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE
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oing by the results of the November/ December 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) released in Lagos yesterday by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), only 37.97 per cent of the candidates across the country, who sat for the exam are eligible for admission into any higher institution in the country next academic session. The 37.97per cent represents candidates who obtained credit and above in five subjects, including English
Language and Mathematics, a minimum academic qualification for admission into tertiary academic institutions in the country. This invariably means that 72. 10 per cent failed the examination. In the past three years, candidates have been recording similar belowaverage performances in both May/June and November/December diets of the council. Only 36.07 per cent of candidates who sat for the same examination in 2011 obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, while in 2010, it was
just 24.16 per cent of them. The results of 47, 289, representing 11.04 per cent, are currently being withheld for various alleged involvement in examination malpractices during the examination. Announcing the release of the results at Yaba, Lagos head office of the council, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, said a total of 413, 266 candidates registered for the exam while only a total of 396,614 from the number eventually participated. Of this figure, according to him, 406, 108 candidates (representing 98.27 per
cent) had their results fully released, while a total of 7, 158 candidates (representing 1.73 per cent) had a few of their subjects still being processed, for various errors and omissions mostly traceable to them. Eguridu, who disclosed that the reports on cases of examination malpractice had been compiled for presentation to the Nigeria Examinations Committee of the council for necessary action, said candidates who sat for the 2012 November/December examination would be able to check their results on the council’s website within the next 24 hours.
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Gen. Rotimi’s wife regains freedom KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN
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he abducted wife of a former governor of Western State, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, Titilayo, has been released by kidnappers. The businesswoman, who was kidnapped by gunmen while driving out of her Ibadan office last week Monday, was released by her captors in a village along Ijebu-Ode-Ikorodu Road yesterday evening. Confirming her release, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayodele Lanade, who spoke on
telephone last night, said she came back unhurt. He said the businesswoman was dropped off by the gunmen along the road where she later ran to a woman passing by and narrated her situation to her. He added that Mrs. Rotimi used the good Samaritan’s mobile phone to call her family members who alerted the police and was eventually taken to a police station. The police spokesman however assured that her captors would be brought to book, adding that more details would later be made available.
Fire Service trains 370 firefighters for NNPC OSEYIZA OOGBODO
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Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, Commands Operations Officer, Western Naval Command (left), welcoming Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (right), back to the base after a 3-day Exercise ICHUNTA, recently.
2015: NNPP charges INEC to use e-voting TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE
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head of 2015 general elections, the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use electronic voting (evoting) system in future general elections to allow Nigerians in Diaspora to take part in the exercise. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the NNPP national chairman, Dr. Boniface Anieobanam, also called for drastic reduction in the number of political parties in Nigeria to five to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. His words: “Nigeria should be working towards e-voting in the nearest future, if not in 2015.
The excuse of low literacy level in the country is not tenable. If that old man and woman in the rural areas can use the GSM with little or no hitches, I don’t see any reason why same people cannot use the e-voting machine with just a little prodding. “Since democracy is said to be, the government of the people, by the people, for the people, we need to ensure that more people as are possible are allowed to take part, especially at the level of installing such government. In this wise, I believe we should involve our people in the Diaspora in subsequent elections, especially 2015. The technology to do this is already in place. What is required is just transparency on the part of the people, the politicians and
the electoral umpire. “In my sincere opinion I think these should be our concern at this moment instead of dissipating energy on deregistration of some political parties by INEC. The Nigerian Constitution is very clear on the freedom of Nigerians to express, assemble, and associate as enshrined in sections 39, 40 and 41 as amended. But we will however be deceiving our-
selves if we think these liberties don’t have limitations. “I wish to call on politicians to start thinking of building strong political parties (not more than five) that are capable of assuming the governance of the country, instead of one strong, domineering party and several other Lilliputians that may never win a national election, as we have today.”
AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST
tion of 28 political parties. Udah, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police noted that party performance should not be the basis for determining their strength or viability, adding that there was nothing wrong in having community based political parties. Although the former
he Federal Fire Service has trained 370 firefighters for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This disclosure was made to Saturday Mirror during the passing-out parade for the fifth batch of 69 male and female NNPC trainees at the Fire Service Training School, Ojuelegba, Lagos recently. In attendance were FFS’s Controller General, Engr. James Olusegun Okediran; NNPC’s Group Learning Department general manager, Engr. Akinlosotu; FFS’s Lagos Commander, Engr. O. S. Basiru; Operations Commander, Ganiyu Olayiwola; Commandant of the training school, K. K. Ajasa and FFS Lagos Com-
mand PRO, Chika Njoku. Speaking with Saturday Mirror, Okediran said, “Due to the ignitable nature of the NNPC’s operations, they need a lot of competent fire technicians and that is why we train firefighters for them in case of fire outbreaks at their refineries, pipelines and so on. The initiative is a very sensible one and it has brought a lot of positive dividends for the nation’s economy.” Ajasa in his statement pointed out that: “We commenced their training on September 16th and now they are well versed in various drills ranging from fire extinction with fire blankets, rescue by ladder, foam extinguishing, etc. We are sure they will serve the NNPC in particular and the nation in general well.”
PDP chieftain faults deregistration of parties
KANO
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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Barrister Azubukor Joel Udah, has faulted the reasons advanced by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the deregistra-
DIG A, at Louis Edet House, believed most of the registered parties were conduit pipes for INEC funds, he insisted that deregistration should be based largely on gross violation of INEC laws “and not for failing to win seats at elections as was the reasons given by Prof Attahi-
ru Jega in the case of the 28 deregistered parties.” “We agree some of the parties are there for INEC fees, many still serve the interest of their localities. To some extent the exercise will be a lesson to others to put their acts together and make our democracy stronger,” he said.
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REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
SOUTH WEST
Awo’s driver, 90-yr-old mat weaver, others bag Ekiti merit award ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
a Olabode Olajide, driver to the late Western Nigeria Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo; and a 90-year-old female local mat weaver, Madam Ayoola Ajayi; were among the 20 eminent Ekiti indigenes honoured with Ekiti State Merit Award on Thursday night by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
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Other recepients of the award included popular Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola; leading woman musician from Ido-Ekiti, Alhaji Adepeji Afolabi; Mr Joshua Ologunde; and veteran actor, Chief Jimoh Aliu, among others. They were honoured for haing made the state proud in their various endeavours. Speaking at the ceremo-
Christmas: Be wary of fireworks, council chairman warns residents MURITALA AYINLA hairman of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, Mr Abiodun Mafe has advised residents, especially youths, to be careful with the use of fireworks, even as he charged them to shun violence during the Christmas carnivals. The council chairman gave the charge during an empowerment programme and presentation of another set of security patrol vans to the security personnel in the council. Mafe said reduction of crime is a priority to his administration, urging residents to joins hands with the council authority by reporting crime activities in their areas.
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His words, “Fireworks, if care is not taken could lead to fire disaster. Parents and guardians are advised to warned their wards to be cautious while using fireworks in the spirit of this season. “Our youths must also shun all forms of violence while holding their end of the year carnival. The highpoint of the event was the distribution of higher education exercise books to junior secondary school students in the three secondary school in the LCDA, sewing machines, grinding machines, two patrol vans to security operatives and unveiling of Hon. Chief Olu Abel Badejo Block in the council area.
Ajimobi, PDP chieftains grace Lam Adesina 40th days fidau KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN
hieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, yesterday defied political barriers, by gracing the 40th days fidau prayers of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Lam Adesina, who died on November 11. The PDP chieftains led by Mogaji Nureni Akanbi, former chairman of the state Water Corporation and an aide of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Audu Morafa, prayed for the repose of the soul of the late former governor. The ruling party was led to the occasion by its leader who is also the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sumonu and Senator Femi Lanlehin, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on InterGovernmental Affairs.
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Alhaji Abdul-Mojeed Oke-Eleta, in his sermon, reminded political office holders of the vanity of life and urged them to prepare for death. He urged political office holders to be swayed by the legacies of the deceased former governor. The cleric pointed to the people-oriented policies of the late former governor which he enjoined Ajimobi to build on them. Meanwhile, the 40th day fidau prayer for the late former governor organised by the ruling party comes up today at Liberty stadium in Ibadan A statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Hon. Dauda Kolawole, also announced the itinerary for all the ACN members in the state for the fidau and enjoined party members to converge at designated points for formal group movement to the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
ny, Governor Kayode Fayemi said the awardees’ contributions had uplifted the state in their various fields of human endeavours. Fayemi expressed joy that indigenes of the state were upright despite the moral decadence manifesting in social ills such as selfishness; intolerance and egoism in the society. His words, “From the citations that have been read, the choice of these men and women of honour is right, defensible and significant
objective. This award is therefore, our little way of expressing appreciation for their efforts at making Ekiti State proud thereby upholding and sustaining her sobriquet: “Land of Honour.” Other awardees included the first female pilot in Ekiti and fourth in Nigeria, Captain Bolaji Agbelusi; Prof Omotayo Olutoye; wife of the first executive governor of Ekiti, Erelu Angela Adebayo; Chief Julius Ajayi, the
chief executive of Little by Little Photo, and a popular pot maker in Isan Ekiti, Mrs Aina Olajide. The late Professors Oluwakayode Osuntokun; Olowe; Sam Aluko and a former deputy governor in the Old Ondo State, the late Chief Akin Omoboriowo were awarded post humously. Other awardees were Prof Emeritus Adelola Adeloye; and the winner of the 2012 Caine Prize for African Writing; Mr. Rotimi
Babatunde. Speaking earlier, the chairman, 2012 Merit Awards ceremony Planning committee and Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wole Olugboji, said 70 people were short listed for the award but later pruned down to 20 by another committee of eminent personalities. He said the award was to encourage hard work, dedication to work and source of encouragement to others.
L-R: Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; and Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, during the funeral service of late Justice Kayode Eso, at Omofe-Ilesha, Osun State on, yesterday
Lagos Okada ban: Group moves to avert crime surge SEGUN ADIO group, Project Fix Nigeria, is planning to create wealth for the Okada riders sacked from Lagos roads by the state government. It is estimated that close to five million Okada riders ply their trade in Lagos State. Project For Nigeria group is facilitating the purchase of tricycles for Okada riders in a scheme it hopes will benefit Okada riders who had been chased
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off major roads in Lagos and could thus resort to crimes. The group is doing this in concert with Niger Insurance, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank and Wandel Nigeria Limited, a major distributot of tricycles in the country. Briefing journalists yesterday in Lagos at the launch of the programme, project coordinator, Olusegun Kowontan, said that the need to address the impeding upsurge in crime in the state is
the chief motivating factor for the project. His words, “The Lagos State government definitely means well to have restricted the activities of these Okada riders in the state, but the ripple effect of it, if not well and immediately managed could boomerang. With an estimated 5 million Okada riders throughout the state likely to be out of job, your guess is as good as mine,” he said. Kowontan maintained that the scheme would af-
ford the tricycle riders now to enter into contributory insurance scheme and saving stipends into a bank account that would be opened for them. Kowontan also said that after some time, the stipends deposited by the riders would be used to offset the cost of the tricycles and also afford the group to take the riders back to the farm in a mechanized farming and also secure a riders’ estate set to be in the pipeline.
Ogun community appoints regent after Oba’s death ollowing the demise of His Royal Highness Oba Aliu Ogunleye Falola, the Onilamiro of Ilamiro kingdom in the Igbesa area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, a regent to the throne has been pronounced and installed. He is Otun Oba of Ilamiro, Otunba Taiwo Kolawole Obanla. Until his appointment as regent, Otunba Obanla acted as second in line to the
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throne while the deceased reigned. According to the custom of the community, the regent will oversee the community and perform the roles of an Oba pending the time a substantive monarch is installed. The regent, Otunba Obanla, is an international businessman, revered community leader and rallying point for the people of the community.
According to some kingmakers of the community, Otunba Obanla’s choice to the regency position falls naturally with the death of Oba Falola. Speaking with reporters, Obanla said that his primary assignment was to ensure that the legacies of the departed monarch are sustained as well as bringing more development to Ilamiro.
Obanla
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
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SOUTH EAST
Attempt on Akunyili’s life: Group seeks pardon for accused persons CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI
wo traders accused of attempting to murder the former Director General of National Agency for Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili, are reported to be battling terminal illnesses at Kuje Prisons in Abuja. The two traders, Olisaemeka Igbokwe and Chris Mbah were taskforce members at Onitsha drug market when they were arrested in 2007 for allegedly attempting to kill the ex-NFDAC chairman.
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The President-General of the Ndigbo Peace Movement (NPM), Chief Uzor A. Uzor, who raised the alarm in Owerri yesterday, over the health conditions of the accused traders, while speaking to newsmen in Owerri, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to save the lives of the two accused persons by granting them pardon on health grounds. According to Uzor, the traders who had been standing before the Supreme Court, Abuja, are being detained at Kuje Prison, Abuja where their
health condition appears to be deteriorating fast. In the words of Uzor, ``The fact of the matter is that we reliably gathered that the health condition of the two detained persons, standing trial before
the Supreme Court, Abuja is deteriorating. Uzor said the traders need proper medical attention to save their lives as their illnesses are said to be deteriorating fast into complex situation.
He continued, ``We learnt that Olisaemeka Igbokwe is suffering severe stomach ulcer and chest pain, while Chris Mbah is also suffering another serious illness; which laboratory result is been
awaited. Having spent too long a time in the course of their trial; NPM is calling on President Jonathan in the interest of the Christmas and New Year celebrate to grant them state pardon.
Awgu Catholic youths protest intimidation by parish priest DENNIS AGBO ENUGU
he youth organization of St. Dominic Catholic Parish, Ogbaku in Awgu Local Government Council of Enugu Stste, have taken to the streets in the community, to protest alleged intimidation of their Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Udeonu. The over 100 youths carried different placards that read: “The truth must prevail. Bishop Okoye wants to kill our parish Priest”; “We don’t want another Parish priest in Ogbaku”, “Don’t force us into idol worship”; “Bishop don’t destroy our blessing”; “Bishop listen to your Children.” One Edit Okafor had allegedly quarreled with and taken Fr.. Udeonu to Enugu Police Area Command over refusal of the clergyman to conduct burial ceremony for her late father, Frank Okafor at the church. Problem started in the church when a prominent indegene in Ogbaku community said not to be a parishioner died and Bishop Okoye directed Fr. Udeonu to conduct burial mass for the diseased but the parish refused on the ground that the dead man was not a member of his Church. The youths also alleged that Bishop Okoye bypassed the parish priest and asked another priest to bury the diseased they alleged was a bad man and confessed the people he killed before he died.
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During the protest march round Awgu town, the aggrieved youths also took a swipe at Bishop Okoye for his alleged involvement in the feud between Edit Okafor and Rev. Udeonu. The protesting youths marched round the town and ended at the Bishop’s court where they besieged shouting at the top of their voices, while urging the Bishop to leave their Parish Priest alone. All efforts to get the Bishop’s reaction failed as his phone number was switched off and was said to be in a meeting. Leader of the youth, Emmanuel Okafor, who spoke to our reporter said that after her father’s burial Edit Okoye attempted to tamper with the musical instrument of the church choir which degenerated into a brawl. According to Okafor, “The problem is that the evil men in community don’t want our parish priest, Emeka Udeonu to be, they want to remove him as Ogbaku parish priest and that is why the youths in Ogbaku parish have come to Bishop to tell him that Udeonu is a good priest and acceptable to us and that we don’t need any other Revered father except Udeonu. Okafor said they embarked on the protest because they had sent a delegate to the Bishop which yielded no dividend. “After waiting for him in this his gate and he doesn’t come out, we will return to Ogbaku,” he added.
Gov. Obi (right) and Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, during the requiem mass for late Governor Patrick Yakoma of Kaduna State at Kagoma, recently.
Enugu Acting Gov presents N82.9b 2013 budget DENNIS AGBO ENUGU
he crisis generated by the long absence from office of the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, came to a head yesterday as the acting governor of the state, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, presented the 2013 budget to the state House of Assembly. At the budget presentation, some government functionaries were conspicuously absent at the assembly complex, including local government chairmen. Presenting the 2013 appropriation Act tagged ‘Budget of Sustainability’, Onyebuchi
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said there shall be strict budget discipline to ensure efficient implementation ans a consolidation on the gains of 2012. Onyebuchi made estimate of N82.9 billion, making eight percent increase from the 2012 budget, Out of the estimate N45.8m or 55 percent of the sum will go into recurrent expenditure, while N37.1 or 45 percent of the budget is for capital projects. Explaining how the budget would be put to use, Onyebuchi said the construction of new governor’s building would begin early next year, add-
ing that work would continue in all the on-going projects like road constructions in both urban and rural areas. He identified as of concern to the government, construction of new roads which include Iheaka-Ibeagwa-Alor-Agu road, Agbani- Ihuokpara road, Nnewi-Oduma road, Uzouwani roads, Udenu ring road among others. Also 37 communities would benefit from the proposed budet on rural electrification that would glup N2.6b. Addresing the lawmakers, Onyebuchi said, “It is a dream for 2013
which may not address all our aspirations but has touched core priorities of our people.” Responding, the Speaker of the Enugu state House of Assembly, Mr. Eugune Odo noted that the 2012 implemented budget corresponded with the income of the state. Odo pledged speedy passage of the appropriation bill, adding that the house members will continue its oversight functions to ensure that the budget is realized. The speaker said the house will involve the civil society and the media in perusing the 2013 budget.
Imo demolishes 11 kidnappers’ buildings
he Imo State government said it demolished 11 houses belonging to identified kidnappers and earmarked 38 others for demolition. Governor Rochas Okorocha announced this in Owerri on Friday at the expanded Security Council Meeting of the state. He added that the state had identified 27 persons involved in kidnapping in
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the state and would bring them to book. According to him, 37 suspected kidnappers have been arrested by the police, including those connected with the abduction of his aide, Miss Nkiru Silvanus, released on Thursday. Okorocha said that kidnapping had become the greatest security challenge to his administration but assured that it was deter-
mined to tackle it head-on. He said that 37 cases of car snatching, three cases of bank robbery, four cases of rape and four cases of murder, had so far been recorded in the state in 2012. He, however, said that despite these figures, security lapses were not as bad in Imo as speculated, noting that the challenge was national and global. The governor remind-
ed Imo people that kidnapping in the state carries death penalty and advised those involved to shun it. Okorocha argued that the crime had persisted in the state because relations of victims were always impatient and anxious to pay ransom. ``If ransom is not paid, kidnappers will not continue with the crime,’’ he said.
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REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
SOUTH SOUTH
CACOL flays N50m pension to Ibori TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has condemned, in strong terms, the payment of N50 million as pension to former Delta State governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori by the Delta State government. CACOL executive chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, in a statement made available to Saturday Mirror, noted that paying James Ibori, currently serving 13-year sentence in United Kingdom for corruption and money laundering charges, pension is rewarding corruption and encouraging its perpetrators. In the words of Adeniran, “It is very disheartening that Delta State government could pay a common criminal like Ibori monthly pension. What is the essence of the payment? To compensate him for bleeding Delta State coffers white during his tenure? Or is he being paid for rendering many hapless and helpless Deltans useless and worthless in his reign?
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“Ibori has been convicted of a fraction of the crimes he committed while in power, and will definitely come back to face the wrath of the Nigerian Law after he might have ended his jail term in the United Kingdom, so he should be deemed to have been
dismissed from office and therefore, not entitled to pension. “It is preposterous on the part of the present crop of people in power in Delta State to have included Ibori in the pension payments. Such a move will fur-
ther encourage corruption among political office holders when many Nigerians are working frantically to reduce corruption to the barest minimum,” Adeniran submitted. Comrade Adeniran also urged the anti-graft
agencies to be on the look-out because such unwarranted payment is capable of deepening corruption in the country and hardening its perpetrators since they know that respite awaits them even if they get caught after leaving office.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State singing the state 2013 Appropriation Act into law while the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon Philip Shaibu (2nd left), Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, Speaker and Hon Dele Oloruntoba (right) look on, yesterday.
Oshiomhole signs 2013 budget, lauds lawmakers’ steadfastness SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN CITY
do State Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, on Friday signed into law the 2013 Appropriation Act with commendable words for lawmakers of Edo State House of Assembly, whose unflinching support the executive arm has enjoyed thus far. Speaking at the Government House in Benin City, where the bill was signed into law under the gaze of senior government officials and leaders of the ruling Action Con-
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gress of Nigeria (ACN), Oshiomhole reiterated his desire to take Edo State to the next level by, particularly, enforcing the 2013 financial and government expenditure law to the letter. in the words of the governor, “Mr. Speaker, accept my gratitude for your leadership and the entire membership of the Edo State House of Assembly for the way you guided this year’s budget and made some alterations. Although what I have just signed into law
is not exactly the same as the one I proposed. But I do appreciate the fact that there is separation of powers with which you have shown that this budget was not rubber stamped. “You have made history. For the first time, you are able to complete and pass an appropriation bill in a record time. We are able to pass into law, an Appropriation Act well ahead of Christmas. With the passage of this budget in record time, the executive arm
of government will have no excuse to begin work in progress.” Oshiomhole explained that even with the tinkering of the bill by the lawmakers before passage, it still fulfilled the government desire of maintaining 60 per cent for capital expenditure as against 40 per cent for recurrent. Harping on the need to improve the internally generated revenue of the state especially through the newly passed Edo State Land Use Charge Law, Oshiomhole listed
works, environment land and Survey as well as health as key sectors of his government’s focus before solemnly declaring to cut off and block every sources of wastage in order for Edo State people to get value for their money. Officials that attended the brief ceremony include: the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, among others.
Shell commissions N160m projects in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA.
hell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at the weekend commissioned 22 projects valued at N160m in nine communities in Okordia and Zarama clans in Yenagoa Local Government of Bayelsa State. The projects are 12 concrete roads, modern auditoriums, school buildings, water facilities, buses for transport scheme, guest
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house and clearing of massive water hyacinths along the Taylor Creek. The Water project in the locality was also executed under a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed between SPDC and Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board. A list of the benefiting communities include New Jerusalem, Zarama-Epie, Zarama-Yambiri, Agbobiri Akumoni, Ayamabele, Ikara-
ma, Kalaba and Freetown. Speaking shortly after inaugurating the projects at Agbobiri, SPDC’s General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Dr. Philip Mshebila, noted that the state government supported the implementation of the GMoU. Mshebila said the partnerships that engaged the strength of the private sector, government and civil society could, under the
right conditions, produce better and more sustainable results for the communities. His words, “Today, we are here to commission 22 projects which cut across economic empowerment and infrastructure(roads, town halls, classroom blocks, potable water) with a total value worth N160m. “ Earlier, Chairman of the Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board,Mr.
Timi Obonah, expressed appreciation to SPDC for bankrolling the projects . Obonah regretted that the area lacked the presence of government and its agencies such as NDDC and Niger Delta Basin Development Authority. The Chairman said the communities initiated and executed the projects through the mandate of the current five-year tenured GMoU which commenced in 2011.
Rivers LG harvests 30,000 fish for Christmas sales he Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State will harvest 30, 000 fish for Christmas sales, the Chairman of the council, Mr. Timothy Nsirim, has said. At a ceremony to mark the 3rd Fish Harvest by the council on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Nsirim explained that the council had a huge fish farm at Rumuekini and said the fish would be sold to the public at affordable prices. He advised the agriculture unit in the council to be dedicated and effective in the sales and to avoid the temptation of enriching staff during the sales. Nsirim said the fish farm was part of the local government’s contributions to food production in the state and the country. He said he had empowered 20 widows on fish farming and promised to train them for two days to enable them nurture the fish effectively. The chairman promised to give each of the widows 300 fingerlings and N100,000 to enable them buy more fingerlings and the feeds. Mr Chris Ogbonna, the supervisor of the fish farm, said that the fish was nurtured and harvested within an interval of five months. Dr. Renny Cookey, the First Deputy President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), said the fish farm was the first in the area that was prospering.
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Politics
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
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TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE
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f the opinion of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, is anything to go by, staggered elections in Nigeria may soon be a thing of the past after 2015 general elections.Speaking to journalists last week Wednesday, Jega ruled out the possibility of staggered elections in Nigeria in future. The reason for his view was that staggered elections were costly and run contrary to international best practices on the conduct of elections. His words: “Some people are suggesting that Nigeria’s elections should be staggered, but in all countries, general elections are held in a particular period and that is what we should move towards. I think that in future, not 2015, elections should be held in same day in line with global practices and Nigeria should move in that direction in the future. Staggered elections are not cost effective and they are not cost efficient and they are expensive. “We went to Ghana, both the parliamentary and presidential elections were held the same day; we went to Sierra-Leone, the Presidential and Municipal Councils elections were held on the same day. It is the same in the United States (US), Venezuela and everywhere. So, the trend worldwide is to do all elections on the same day. “In our own case in Nigeria, we do our own in staggered manner in a period of three or four weekends when we do all elections. I think that for now is better. I have read many views where people are suggesting conducting elections in one geo-political zone and moving to another geopolitical zone.” Looking critically into the proposal by INEC to scrap staggered elections in Nigeria in future, many people are looking with keen interest what will become of Jega’s idea considering the circumstances that produced some of the serving governors, who were not products of the 2007 and 2011 general elections. Since the beginning of the present Fourth Republic in May 29, 1999, elections into the legislative and executives arms of government are not conducted the same day. INEC usually conducts the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections on different days or at times slate the elections for two or three weekends. But in recent times, the governorship elections seem to be creating more drama in the country, considering how some of the state governors emerged. In the last six years, about six people have been declared as governors through Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal verdicts. This circumstance, for instance, has paved way for staggered elections in Nigeria and the dates of swearing-in of governors in many states now vary. During the 1999 general elections, all elected governors of the 36 states were elected and sworn into office based on the result of the election but the tune of the music changed after the 2003 general elections. Despite the alleged electoral malpractices recorded during the 1999 general elections, the outcome of some of the election tribunals’ verdicts did not have much impact on the results of the election. That, however, cannot be said about the 2003 general elections. Some public office holders, through verdicts of election tribunals and court were sent packing from office. The first governor to be sent parking from office, in the circumstance was Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose victory was nullified by a Court of Appeal in 2006, thus paving way for Mr. Peter Obi of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to assume the position of the governor in 2006. The outcome of the 2007 general elections also created a lot of confusion in some states leading to the exit of five governors from office while six others were also edged out of their offices temporarily. The five governors that lost their seat of power through court verdicts with regard to the 2007 general elections were Celestine Omehia of Rivers State, Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State, Segun Agagu of Ondo State, Segun Oni of Ekiti State and Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State. They were replaced by Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Ad-
Jega
Weighing Jega’s one-day-elections option
ams Oshiomhole, Segun Mimiko, Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola respectively. Those that lost out and won back their seat of power after re-run election are: Governors Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Timipreye Silva (Bayelsa), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta). Considering the constitutional provision that states that the tenure of office of a governor starts from the day he is sworn into office, the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the above governors forced INEC to conduct staggered elections in those states at the end of the tenure of the office holders, afterall, they were not sworn into office the same date. Since the commencement of staggered elections by INEC in Anambra State governorship elections in February 6, 2010 and other subsequent states after the 2007 and 2011 general elections, there have been a lot of issues being raised over the manner they were held at separate times. To some people, when compared the outcome of the general elections with the staggered ones, there is a wide difference in terms of logistics and security. During general elections, there are always scanty presence of security officials for elections duties considering that they take place simultaneously in all the nooks and crannies of the country. But during staggered election, the presence of the security officials, especially Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Mobile and conventional Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and others security personnel are usually felt in all the nooks and crannies of the state where the election is taking place. In fact to many analysts there is always ‘over-security’ during staggered elections. In term of logistics and deployment of INEC officials and materials, there is more presence of INEC officials during staggered elections in a state than those of general elections. For example, during the last October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, 18 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) were deployed to the state to serve as returning officers in each of the local government areas
of the state. But during general elections, there is always only one REC per state. Without any iota of doubt, the mass deployment of security and INEC officials into the field during staggered elections has minimised electoral frauds to the barest minimum and it has also contributed immensely to having a credible, free and fair election in Nigeria. But the bone of contention by INEC and many people is that staggered elections are too expensive to conduct considering the cost of providing for logistics and security during the election. Apart from the staggered governorship elections, the possibility of Nigeria conducting all elections into executive and legislative positions at the federal and state levels the same day like it is being done in other parts of the world has also thrown up crucial debate in the country. While some people believe that Nigeria should join other countries of the world in conducting all general elections in one day, some are of the view that Nigeria is not ripe enough to hold all general elections in a day. Considering the huge resources being devoted to printing of electoral materials, payment of INEC staffs and adhoc staffs, security officials and other expenses incurred during election period, some people are of the view that there would be drastic reduction in election expenses if general elections are conducted the same day. Those in support of all elections being conducted in a day are of the view that the idea would save a lot of time and reduce several problems being faced by INEC during election. They believe that having the election the same day will reduce majority of the tension attached to the conduct of elections in Nigeria. It will also reduce the stress being faced by electorate during elections. If all elections hold in one day, the electorate will only devote a day to perform their constitutional duties rather than spend two or three days for staggered elections. Also looking at the electorate’s attitude to presidential elections, it is a known fact that people hardly turn out for presidential election. Therefore, conducting all elections the same date will increase the number of electorate durCONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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POLITICS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Nothing is fundamentally wrong with Nigeria – Akinjide Chief Richard Akinjide, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Second Republic Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria believes that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with Nigeria. Akinjide, in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, speaks on the Nigeria judiciary, 2015 presidency and the proposed amendment of the Nigerian Constitution, among other issues. Excerpts:
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hat is your assessment of Year 2012? It has been a great year; a mixture of so many good and some bad things. But on the whole I would give it a good pass mark because we got a lot of successful things globally. I won’t say everything has failed. What is your view about the state of the nation? Very good. Don’t forget that we have a federal government, 36 states and lots of local governments. So, if we look at everything, we would not say it has been a failure. In my view it has been a great success. At present many people seem to be dissatisfied with the present state of the nation. Are you satisfied with the present system? If people don’t believe in the present system, what do they believe in? We had a parliamentary system of government and people said it was not good. I was involved in it and others were also involved in it. Then we had the military government and people didn’t like the military. We went into presidential system and some people are still saying presidential system is not good. So, what is good? I don’t think there is anything fundamentally wrong with what we have. I think the problem is just the way things are operated. In my view, we have something which is excellent and I will give us good mark. You said nothing is fundamentally wrong with the system. Can we then blame bad leadership for the various problems in the country? I don’t accept that we don’t have credible leaders. Nigeria has got excellent leaders; very good leaders. In fact if you look at the whole of Black Africa, Nigeria has one of the best leaders, so we should stop condemning and running down our people all the time. If we look at the whole of Black Africa, we are the most populous and we are also the richest in resources and since
Akinjide
independence we have been developing. Before independence, development was very slow because of the nature of colonialism but things are changing now and I believe in what we have. You are among those that served Nigeria during the First and Second Republic and many of the leaders then served the country passionately. Can those leaders be compared to the present crop of public office holders? There is no basis for comparism because those leaders who got independence for us and ruled us after independence were excellent leaders; they were very good leaders. We also have excellent leaders among those that followed them but I only wish that we continue to have good leaders. At present, opposition parties are uniting to oust the ruling PDP come 2015. Do you see them succeeding? There is no doubt that PDP is doing extremely well. PDP is the best party in the country and the best in the whole of Black Africa. Naturally those who are not in government will be finding excuses and criticizing the government. If the criticisms are legitimate there is nothing wrong and I have no problem with that but you cannot condemn all the leaders. Even though we may have few who are not very good but overall majority are very good. Don’t you think the crisis in PDP, especially at state chapters, will affect the party’s electoral fortune in 2015?
I don’t accept that. The party cannot control the members, rather it is the members that should control the party. The members are human beings; they will have ups and down but they will resolve them. Just like they have problems in America, England, Japan and all over Europe, so also we have our problems here and also we have our successes. The development after our independence has been enormous and very great. We have been making excellent use of our natural resources. How do you see the ongoing moves in PDP to reconcile with some of the aggrieved members of the party? That is good. Let those who want to come back, come back. There should be open door for everybody and there should be no room for anybody to be disgruntled. So, I am quite happy that we have more people and more members. Don’t you think the coming back of the aggrieved members will affect the fortune of the party in future elections? No, it will not. It will make the party better; let them come back. I support that 100 per cent. What is the present state of PDP in Oyo State? Oyo State PDP is excellent. Some of those people who spoke on television, radio, magazine or newspapers spoke about what they don’t know. Oyo State is very good for the PDP and things are going extremely very well. I have no doubt that for
PDP in Oyo State, the sky is not the limit. Come 2015, PDP will come back to power in Oyo State. I am a member of the BoT and that makes me automatically to be executive member of the party and I am quite happy with the party in Oyo State. PDP has been working tirelessly to bring back former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja back into PDP. Do you foresee Ladoja coming back to PDP? He is in PDP now. His party and the PDP are one and the same thing. Ladoja is a very good person and I like him and I want him to be in the PDP. I like to deal with him. I have no problem with him at all. He is a gentleman. Ahead of the January 8, 2013 election for the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, South-West seems to be positioning itself for the position. Will South-West get the position? It seems that the chairman will come from South-West and I support that 100 per cent. I will support whoever the party picks 100 per cent. I am a very loyal party man and I don’t create factions and problems. Whoever the president supports, I will support 100 per cent. I believe the South-West should be given the opportunity to produce the BoT chairman because the former chairman was from South-West and the next chairman should also come from the South-West. But at present, South-West seems CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 not to be among the major contenders for the race. The next chairman will come from South-West and whoever the party picks, I will support him 100 per cent. How do you see PDP’s quest to win back South-West come 2015? There is no doubt that PDP will come back to power in South-West. I have no doubt about that. The party which won the last time won through a process that was not legitimate and fictitious and those who did the mischief are now paying dearly for it. At present the National Assembly has commenced the process of amending Nigerian Constitution. What is your take on this? There is nothing wrong about our constitution. I accept that we can make some amendment here and there but globally, it is excellent, so I have no complaint about that at all. How do you see the proposed plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence holding all elections the same day after 2015 general elections? I agree with that 100 per cent. We have
election structure that has worked very well and we should continue to improve on it to make it better. We should stop complaining all the time. Would INEC plan not affect the term of office of some governors considering that many of the governors were not sworn into office the same day? I don’t think so, INEC is very intelligent and I have no doubt that they will do the right thing. We should stop complaining all the time. What is critical is just good government, development, peace, harmony and there would be no problem. There have been several allegations that Nigerian judiciary is corrupt. What is your take on this? There is nowhere in the world where the judiciary is 100 per cent sacred. But at the same time, while I accept that we have some judgement which are not 100 per cent good we have overwhelming majority of
INEC get that number of security officials to deploy to each state if all elections are conducted the same day? “Another issue is what will be the fate of some governors who will be running for second term in 2014 or thereabout? Is INEC going to stop them from completing their mandatory four years in office? What will be the faith of people like Governors Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola who will be seeking for second term in 2014? I don’t think the idea is realistic in Nigeria.” In its view, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Hon Emma Eneukwu, believe that having the election in one day will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. “The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) received with interest the news that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega said elections in the country, after 2015 should be held same day, as staggered elections were costly. We are encouraged by this welcome development, though we wonder why we should wait till 2015 to start reaping the benefits of this historic electoral policy. In any case, this is a pointer that our vision of free and fair elections are about to become a reality. With free and fair elections, the problems faced by our great nation shall be solved and we will begin to excel. “It is on record that our great party, under the leadership of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was the first voice to call for all elections to be held in one day. We have maintained that this will save cost and guarantee better participation. For instance, some people that may only want to vote for a particular presidential candidate during the presidential election alone will now be made to join in voting for the legislative members because the whole voting holds on the same day. As we can testify, when massive numbers of citizens turn out to vote, it will be very difficult to rig or manipulates the process. Moreover, it will also erase the problem of bandwagon effect that always dogs the electoral process, and threatens the stability of the polity,” Eneukwu said.
Akinjide
them who are excellent. We are moving forward and we will get there. How do you think the corruption in the judiciary can be tackled? Abolish it, don’t believe in it. If you catch anybody involved in corruption, deal with him. Ahead of the 2015 presidency, the tussle for the position seems to be getting fierce between the North and South over which zone to produce the next president. What is your take on this?
I don’t see any tussle at all. There is no question about North and South. The president would be elected by Nigerians and not North or South. So, I don’t believe in bringing dichotomy or tribal elements into the presidential election. Do you think President Jonathan should run in 2015? If Nigerians want him, he should and if he wants to he should. I am not against him. I will support anybody that PDP supports. President Jonathan has the constitutional power to run in 2015 and if he does he will win. What gave you the assurance that President Jonathan will win considering several problems his administration is battling with presently? Because he has overwhelming support. We are not looking for 100 per cent success, we are looking for majority and that if he contests; he will get it. He has not declared that he wants it but if he declares that he wants to contest, he should be able to win. Don’t you think the proposed merger of the opposition parties, if it sees the light of the day, will stop PDP from clinching the presidency in 2015? I don’t see that creating problem for PDP. PDP’s dominance is overwhelming to me and PDP will win any day. The opposition parties are no threat to PDP. They are just making noise.
In your refreshingly different
From waste to wealth? In other parts of the world, there have been tremendous improvements in attempts to turn waste into wealth. Some have even gone further to generate energy from the refuse dump. But Nigeria, despite its huge potentials in waste, has never given much thought to the idea until Lagos, a few years back, carried the burden of filth that turned its environment into an eyesore, by deciding to re-cycle the waste under a new technology. But how far can the Lagos Government, and indeed Nigeria as a whole, go, in turning its waste to wealth? We tell you tomorrow.
Dateline
ing the presidential election. Those kicking against holding all elections in a day believe that something good may not come out of the idea, considering the various logistics problems faced by INEC during election period. If INEC is still finding it difficult to hold a crisisfree governorship, presidential, National Assembly or State Assembly elections in a day, how would it be possible for the electoral body to hold all the elections the same day? Some are also of the view that having all the elections in a day may create a lot of confusion among the electorates, especially the illiterate in term of whom to vote for considering that some usually vote based on a candidate’s credibility and not political parties. Therefore, some may vote against their choices if given four different ballot papers at the same time. Another crucial issue being raised against INEC’s decision to hold all elections the same day, is what will become the fates of those governors who were products of staggered elections? Will they be allowed to finish their term in office or an interim or sole administrator will be appointed to come in to balance the equation so that all the governors will be sworne into office the same date? These and many others are riddles which people are expecting INEC to give answers to. Speaking to Saturday Mirror on INEC suggestion, a chieftain of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, said that INEC lacked the constitutional power to decide whether all elections should hold in a day or not. He said conducting all general elections the same day may lead to chaos in the country. Said he: “Jega lacks the constitutional power to conduct all elections in a day. There is no way INEC can achieve positive results if general elections are conducted the same day. If over 11,000 security officials were deployed to Ondo State for governorship election to maintain law and order during the election, where will
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‘Nothing is fundamentally wrong with Nigeria’
Weighing Jega’s one-day-elections option CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
POLITICS
December 22, 2012
The Oyakhilome, Jennifer saga
Recall the scandal that rocked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) under the leadership of Fidelis Oykhilome who was later dismissed after being accused of having a relationship with Jennifer Madike, a Lagos business woman and socialite, who had been arrested for drugs-related offences. We reproduce the saga, fresh!
Some see us as unmarriageable –Aisha, actress
Aisha Abimbola Musa is an actress and she’s popularly known as Omoge campus because of her lead role in a 2002 Yoruba movie carrying the title. This graduate of Hotel Management and Catering, and mother of two, reveals in this interview that a lot of men don’t see actresses as marriageable. Why? She tells you tomorrow
Igbo and the 2015 dream Ahead of 2015, the South-East geo-political zone, which is the hub of the Igbo nation, is scheming with the hope of producing the next president, amid the determination of the North, to regain power. Yet, indications also show that President Goodluck Jonathan could runn for another term in 2015. How does the Igbo race which has beenn ch alleging marginalization clinch the country’s highest seat? Who ar are the gladiators and how far can they go?
Celebrities’ plan for Xmas For instance, Bryan Okwara, the Nigerian super model and Mr. Nigeria 2007, says he is making plans to visit his friends and colleagues in South Africa, during Christmas. How do the other celebrities intend to have a feel of the Yuletide? We regale you with their plans, from the horse’s mouth.
These and many more available tomorrow in your
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December 22, 2012
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MAGAZ INE Nkiru From the lion’s den
Sex talk Sex drive: Who wants what?
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Relationships Shouldn’t a couple share same bedroom?
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Fashion • Colour me Christmas • Wrapped in style
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December 22, 2012
‘Winning is not a do-or-die affair’ Eighteen-year-old Oyinwonuola Olatunji, winner of the 2012 Oreke Ibadan Beauty Pageant told YEMISI ADENIRAN about her journey to success and plans towards a successful tenure. Excerpts:
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here did you grow up and what were your childhood dreams? I was born into the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Hakeem Olatunji, from Ibadan land. I am the second child of my parents. I was born in 5 March, 1994 and attended Precious Land Nursery and Primary School, Ijaye, Lagos. I later proceeded to God’s Blessing Comprehensive College, Yemetu, Ibadan, in Oyo State. As a child, I wanted to be a medical doctor or in the alternative become an actress like Funke Akindele and others like her. I love to influence people’s life positively, make people happy and life worthy of living. But now, I want to be a nurse, I love to take care of people, I love caring for the sick. It is my ambition now and I’m going for it. How does it feel to have won Miss Oreke crown? It feels really good. I was delighted, very much happy. I didn’t expect it at all. It was God. Before the grand finale took place, I had a lot to contend with. After we did the second audition, I fell sick such that my parents wouldn’t approve of my continuing with the competition. They didn’t want me to go for the grand finale at all. Meanwhile, if I did not go, my local government’s slot would be vacant, I didn’t want this, so, I had to lay my sickness on one side, force myself to my feet and go ahead with the necessary inputs that I needed to make. I did not want to let down the people who trusted me to have slot in my name. I made up my mind to do well and I thank God I won! Was this your first time of appearing in a beauty pageant? No, it was not. I took part in a beauty pageant while I was in the secondary school, the competition was tagged “Omidan Yoruba,” that was in 2009, but I was disqualified for not being able to speak Yoruba fluently. The organisers said I spoke too much of English language to be the winner of a Yoruba beauty pageant. Were they right? O yes, they were. I was indeed too deep into too much of English (laughs). How supportive are your parents of this choice of yours? I thank God for my life and the kind
of parents I have. They are quite supportive and my prayer is that God will keep them for me; He will make them to live long enough to reap the reward of their commitment to my life and that of their other children. I pray that God will always make me a child to be proud of all the days of my life. Were you at any point intimidated by other contestants during the competition? No, I was not. I was courageous and believed I couldn’t fail. I told myself that the eight other contestants were no match for me, so, I stepped out with some high level of inner conviction. I was calm during question time; I decided not to disappoint my parents, who were sceptical about my participation because of my sickness before the competition. What if you had not won? There wouldn’t have been any hassles. Life wouldn’t have ended and really, I would not have been deterred. Life would have continued after all, I’m still young, so, the future is still very bright for me. I am just 18; I still have a lot to offer myself, my community and my country, Nigeria. Competitions like this are never a-do-ordie affair. Who do you owe this crown to? I owe it to God Almighty who has lifted me in spite of how I was feeling that day, my parents, my local government area which trusted me enough to have chosen me for the competition and my loved ones. What are your plans towards a memorable tenure? I want to be a role model, help motherless children and encourage my mates to be focused in whatever they do. Life is full of challenges; they must face it, without fear. Well, I know that the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, my Local Government, Ibadan North LG and Mr. Lanre Alabi, the CEO of Kingsie Entertainment, as well as Mr. Yomi Ojo of Capitech Consulting Ltd are up to the task of making my tenure memorable. There are several other plans coming from Odu’a investment Company Ltd very soon, all of which will work towards a successful tenure for me. Besides, I rely on God’s leading to take decisions and steps that will help me make a positive mark during my time.
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Celebrity
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December 22, 2012
Entervaganza
With OSEYIZA OOGBODO
08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com
Ngozi Nwosu finally seeks public help
Sexy Steel is NMVA’s big winner
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ebedi Alhaja crooner Sexy Steel was the big winner at the Nigerian Music Video Awards which held on Thursday in Lagos. Steel achieved the laudable feat against stiff opposition from his other colleagues notable among which are Tuface Idibia, Tiwa Savage and Omawumi. Steel won the biggest category, Video of the Year, as well as Best Indigenous Concept for his Bebedi Alhaja video. Savage however won the Best Highlife category over acclaimed highlife genius, Flavour, while Omawumi went home emptyhanded. The other winners of the NMVA which as the more glamorous Headies as its only rival are: Vector, Angeli, Best Afro Hip Hop; Timi Dakolo, Love Song, Best R & B; Shank, Ghetto, Best Afro Pop; Goldie, Say My Name, Best use of Costumes; Revival Train, Feel Good, Best Gospel. The rest are Ill Bliss, Anamachikwanu, Best Hip-hop; Olu Maintain, NAWTI, Best Reggae/Dancehall; Ebisan, Jowo, Best Soft Rock/ Alternative; Tuface Idibia, Ihe Neme, Best Visual Effects; Chuddy K, Gaga Crazy, Best Contemporary Afro; Davido, Dami Duro, Best Video by a New Artist; Patrick Elis, Best Director Bebedi Alhaja; AJE Films, Best New Director Tona Tona; Bolaj Kekere Ekun, Best Editor Ife Wa Gbona and Clarence Peters, Best Cinematography Kedike.
ollowing the widespread reports of her failing health, respected actress Ngozi Nwosu has finally come out to seek the help of the public to raise the money she needs to return to good health. She is reportedly in need of six million naira and appeared on the popular MTN game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, where she won one million naira. This is however a far cry from the six million she needs. If you are interested in helping Nwosu who has brought joy to many lives with her acting prowess in several movies and the Fuji House of Commotion, her bank account is Ngozi Nwosu, GTBank 0052851673. Nwosu
Hotman mourns, praises Yakowa; tasks new Governor
Sexy Steel
AMAMN arrives for change
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hese are indeed exciting times for the Nigerian music industry. It continues to grow by the day, and to this end, artist managers have decided to help the industry attain the next level by coming together under one umbrella, Association of Music Artist Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN)). According to Oluwaseyi Sijuade, the association’s president, “Our aim is to address the issues, challenges, pros and cons facing artist management in the emerging Nigerian music industry. We will also be working with other stake-
holders in the cause to properly take the Nigerian music industry to the real next level.” He added that “AMAMN is all about ensuring that artist managers are totally professional in their duties so we are inviting all talent managers in the country to join us and together we shall prove to the world that we know what it takes to be genuine artist managers which is not just to receive commission from our artists but to actually ensure that we enhance their careers from the local to the international level.”
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minent Northern actor, Salihu Othman Isah, popularly known as Hotman, has commiserated with the family of the late Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, and the people of Kaduna State on behalf of Nollywood. He also advised Yakowa’s successor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, to take a cue from Yakowa by providing the necessary support for practitioners in the entertainment sector. According to him, “The late Yakowa provided an enabling environment for the industry to thrive in the state before he met his untimely death. He welcomed and encouraged entertainment practitioners, especially those who relocated to Kaduna to escape the hardline policies and reforms in their own states. “Nollywood will definitely miss him. He did his best to encourage the enter-
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ruit-flavoured drink, SNAPP, is currently taking top-rated Nigerian musicians around the country as it launches all over the nation after its initial launch in Lagos by
Guinness. MI brought the roof down in Port Harcourt, Chidinma worked the crowd in Abuja, Waconzy was superb in Calabar and Burna Boy too didn’t let himself and SNAPP down in Benin. Aside the live performances, guests were also treated to turntable wizardry by DJs Neptune, Sose and Nana.
tainment sector by providing the enabling environment. All I can say now is that, may God accept his soul.”
Kidnappers release Sylvanus, Okolie
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SNAPP thrills Nigerians with MI, Burna Boy, others TERH AGBEDEH
Hotman
Sylvanus
t is no longer news that popular actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, and exMr Nigeria, Kenneth Okolie, have regained their freedom after being kidnapped and a N100 million naira ransom demanded for their release. Their release came on the heels of planned protests by their actor colleagues, a public outcry, arrests of suspects by the Nigerian police and a letter written to the Inspector-General of Police by well-wishers demanding for their release.
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ENTERVAGANZA
December 22, 2012
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CLASSICAL RYHMES
AIRWAVES LINK
The Big Friday Show wins award T
he increasing popularity of lifestyle and entertainment TV magazine programme, The Big Friday Show, Presents Glo when it was adjudged confirmed was of the year at FAB show television stiff competiagainst 2012 Awards Fame West Project Tinsel, from tion Gulder Uland Idol Nigerian Africa, Search. timate According to the awards organisers, GPTBFS won the award due to its rich content and uniqueness in presentation. Arinze Anapugars, a representative of Globacom, told Entervaganza that they are not surprised by the programme’s success. “A lot of hard work, planning and research go into making GPTBFS so it deserves any and all accolades that come its way. At the risk of sounding immodest, it’s an international show with guests coming from all over Africa and it broadcasts worldwide so it is rated very highly and I see more success for it in future. “The show is also a firm favourite
Jimmy Jatt to expose own secrets
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nlike most Nigerians who will rather not reveal the secrets of their success, DJ Jimmy Jatt has decided to teach DJs how to become as successful as him through a TV reality show, Next On Deck. The show is basically to assist aspiring DJs learn all about the creative and commercial sides of disc jockeying in order to become successful. Jatt has been the most successful among them for years and continues to remain so. Already, he has trained many DJs and he is a TV producer so it’s not surprising that he wants to take his DJ mentorship to the screens. The concept is however not unique to him. American billionaire, Donald Trump, brought the concept to limelight with The Apprentice, a highly rated international TV show.
Jatt
Asa
Fire On The Mountain Artist: Asa Durella (left) with Basketmouth during a GPTBFS edition
with viewers because they get to win a lot of prizes. One of the most popular features of the show is the Prank Yo Peoples! segment which offers viewers an opportunity to prank their friends and send in their pranked video by
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MMS or by uploading it on Facebook. The funniest clips are played on the show and the overall best ‘Prank’d’ clip will stand a chance to win a grand prize of US $2,000 (about N320,000) at the end of the quarter!”
Big Brother Africa announces next edition
espite criticisms from some quarters, Big Brother Africa keeps forging on in its quest to remain as the biggest indigenous show on African TV. The show’s producers Africa Magic and Endemol have revealed that another edition will hold next year and in a bigger show,” says Endemol MD Sivan Pillay. “Evway. ery year as soon as we know that we are goSince the show pays the most ing ahead with a new season, we head into prize money on the continent, a creative brainstorming session and every news of the next edition is cheeryear, ideas just go racing around the room. ing in some quarters. Our teams enjoy the show as much as our “The next BBA will be one that audiences do and it shows on screen. And no viewer will ever forget. The I have a feeling that audiences are going demand from audiences for BBA to fall in love with the idea we have for the continues undimmed. In some next edition.” ways it is really astonishing to see the enthusiasm for this particular series, but in other ways it is to be expected,” says M-Net Africa managing director Biola Alabi. “Viewers want to see unscripted television, as it happens, with normal people that they can relate to dealing with completely familiar emotional concepts – happiness, frustration, success, failure, hope, anxiety, friendship, opportunity and of course, love. Big Brother continues to be a ratings sensation from Australia to India, and in Africa, for exactly this reason. And the format’s flexibility is a producer’s dream because you can do something different every time!” “We are delighted with the new concept that has been developed for the upcoming Alabi
Chorus There is fire on the mountain And nobody seems to be on the run Oh there is fire on the mountain top And no one is a-running Verse 1 I wake up in the morning Tell you what I see on my TV screen I see the blood of an innocent child And everybody’s watching Now I’m looking out my window And what do I see I see an army of a soldier man Marching across the street Hey Mr Soldier Man Tomorrow is the day you go to war But you are fighting for another man’s cause And you don’t even know him What did he say to make you so blind To your conscience and reason Could it be love for your country Or for the gun you use in killing Repeat chorus Verse 2 Hey Mr Lover Man Can I get a chance to talk to you Cause you are fooling with a dead man’s corpse And you don’t know what you do So you say you have a lover And you love her like no other So you buy her a diamond That someone has died on Don’t you think there’s something wrong with this Tell me who’s responsible For what we teach our children Is it the internet Or the stars on television Why o why o Why o why o So little Lucy turns sixteen And like the movies she’s been seeing She has a lover in her daddy She can’t tell nobody Till she makes the evening news Repeat chorus Bridge One day the river will over flow And there’ll be nowhere for us to go And we will run, run Wishing we had put out the fire Repeat chorus till fade
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ENTERVAGANZA
December 22, 2012
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BOX-OFFICE HITS
BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE
Valentine Afam Nduka … W
i t h Jack
pillar of Nollywood
Reacher, Tom Cruise is back in action, tons of it, and of the loudest, most pulse-pounding varieties. To have moviegoers on the edges of their seats is at least the intention of Jack Reacher, the latest film in which Cruise plays an appealing rogue with a big gun, a tortured past and little patience for anything that gets in his way on the lonely road to the truth. Already, because of the Cruise brand, Jack Reacher is already generating a lot of buzz, more so as movie buffs believe that Cruise wasn’t the right person to play the lead character. Such negativity will only lead to success at the box office though and ensure that the producers’ aim of Jack Reacher becoming a franchise becomes a reality.
Nduka
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he importance of Valentine Afam Nduka aka Valucci in Nollywood just cannot be quantified. He is a producer, writer, director, consultant and many other things behind the scene. But he is more than a brain behind the scene, for he gives upcoming actors and actresses the opportunity to break into the limelight. “I cannot recall the number of unknown faces that I have made. I am not blowing my own trumpet here, but frankly I have to be proud of myself for my contribution in that regard to Nollywood’s continuous growth.” When Entervaganza demanded that he should mention names of some unknowns that he’s made into stars, he did so off the record. “I don’t think this is the right time to disclose all that publicly now. There may come a time that it will be necessary and I will do so then.” Valucci’s success is not superficial but substantial. His movies have been critical as well as commercial successes. Some of them are Oga And His Boys, Rejected Son 1 & 2, Come Inside and Virtuous Woman. “Nollywood is a great industry,” he says passionately. “It’s a phenomenon. If you are not passionate, you cannot
succeed in Nollywood. I am very passionate about Nollywood and that’s what drives me to keep doing my best to ensure its consistent progress.” Having conquered Nollywood to the extent that many producers, directors and marketers cannot do without his input in their movies, he now wants to go international. “That’s the next level for me. I’m already working quietly on some projects that I will unveil next year. Nollywood can certainly break into the international scene because the world is interested in Nollywood. I remember when I was shooting Weeping Tiger, some Europeans came to see how we were shooting. If Nollywood isn’t worth it, would they have come? That tells me Nollywood is good for the world but it’s now left to us in Nollywood to conquer the world. I have taken the decision to do that and there’s no turning back for me.” And speaking on the secret of his success, he said, “Being a producer is different from being a filmmaker. The producer keeps spending money but the filmmaker is creatively inclined and resourceful. I crossed the line that separates the two early on in my career and that is why I’m still around today and moving to the international stage now.”
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his Is 40 is another offering from Hollywood’s reigning king of comedy, Judd Apatow, who has essentially earned the right to do whatever he wants. Comedies are a notoriously tough nut to crack, and with Apatow’s strong record of mostly successful films, studio heads
What Jack Reacher brings to movie lovers is raw action. So if you are an action movie lover, Jack Reacher is basically for you. But at the end of the day, it’s all about Tom Cruise and his charisma which will attract audiences whether they love action movies or not. have been content to back off and let him work his magic. With some of his successful comedies including 2005’s The 40-Year-Old Virgin and 2007’s Knocked Up, This Is 40 is based on supporting characters from Knocked Up. It is Apatow’s most personal film to date. Not only does its script draw heavily from aspects of Apatow’s life, it stars his wife (Mann) as well as his two daughters (Iris and Maude Apatow). Apart from Apatow’s reputation for producing blockbusters, This Is 40’s plot, which is about a constantly fighting couple, is also a major selling point for it. People are always interested in romance and relationships and This Is 40 is certainly about relationship. Will the relationship work out? Find out in the movie.
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December 22, 2012
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Relationships
Shouldn’t a couple T
It’s uncalled for
o have separate bedrooms? Never. This is something I always tell couples not to get carried away with. Whether it is for religious reasons or because one of them is craving privacy or call it what you will, the reasons adduced for having separate bedrooms by couples in any guise is stupid and uncalled for in any relationship that is meant to build companionship and love. Why do I say this? It’s because having separate bedrooms is the beginning of the end for most relationships and that is a known fact. Most people who are into it may use the excuse that it may be medical. One of the partners may snore a lot and the other partner may use that as an excuse because of the insomnia that may occur. My take is this, if you can’t sleep because your partner snores, get an ear plug. Love is all about ‘for better, for worse’ and everything in between. I know most of those whose partners snore and very loud at that will say that I don’t know what I’m talking about. Some will tell you that the snoring can get so bad with the twitching and snoring, with the decibel levels getting so high that they have become psychotic from sleep deprivation. But the truth be told, snoring can be corrected or at the very least, managed with medications and for some other people, yoga. The phrase ‘for better, for worse’ simply means love is all about sharing, no matter what it is. Also, we have the people who say they need space or privacy in their relationship. My question is; privacy from who or what? This set of people talk as if marriage is a prison from which they need to occasionally come out of. They give the impression that having a separate room of their own gives them an identity in the marriage. The question that gets raised here is this; what secrets do you have to hide? And before you tell me that it has nothing to do with keeping secrets, separate rooms create the ambience for secrecy because the issue of ‘it’s my room’ will create opportunities for secret keeping. For some others, it’s more of
religion and culture. Some people will start off having separate bedrooms simply because they are observing a religious or cultural activity, but gradually, the occasional nature of having separate bedrooms will become a permanent fixture in their lives. Some cultures also encourage men having separate bedrooms from their wives. This may arise from the fact that the culture encourages polygamy and the fact that the man already has his own bedroom will make it easier for him to bring another woman into the house as his new wife without the problem of how to get the old wife out of the husband’s bedroom being difficult to do. So as a woman, if you value your marriage, don’t be tricked into making it very easy for another woman to come into your matrimonial home. Yes I know that we men are clever and that if we want to bring in another woman, we do not need your permission but why make it easy? That you can afford to build a house befitting your status is also not an excuse to want to have your own room. Most men and some women too believe that the in-thing now is having separate bedrooms to show that they have ‘arrived’ in the big league. It’s gradually becoming a status symbol for a lot of people, especially married women to tell their friends that their husbands have given them their own rooms in the house. But does having a separate bedroom really show you have arrived? Methinks it only shows how shallow your thinking is. There are more important things in life than that like the number of indigents you have helped in achieving their full potentials in life. Please let’s stop showing how shallow our thinking is. Finally, quarrels in most cases get settled while both of you are relaxed at night on the same bed. Important discussions are also given better hearing in the privacy of your bedroom. Same bedroom breeds good communications because both of you will be in a mellow mood and ready to listen to each other. So should a couple have separate bedrooms? My answer will still be a no.
SEX TALK
This column is x-rated
Sex drive: Who wants what? Women want to connect first, and then have sex. For men, sex is the connection. Women want to talk first, and then have sex. For men, sex is the language of intimacy.
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irds do it, bees do it, and men do it any odd time. But women will only do it if the candles are scented just right -- and their partner puts them in the right mood. A stereotype, no doubt, but is it true? Do men really have stronger sex drives than women? Well, yes, they do. Study after study illustrates that men’s sex drives are not only stronger than women’s, but much more straightforward. The sources of women’s libidos, by contrast, are much more difficult to pin down. It’s common wisdom that women place more value on emotional connection as a spark of sexual desire. But women also appear to be heavily influenced by social and cultural factors as well. According to sexperts, sexual desire in women is extremely sensitive to environment and context. Here are seven patterns of men’s and women’s sex drives that researchers have found. Bear in mind that individuals may vary from these norms. 1. Men think more about sex. The majority of adult men under 60 think about sex at least once a day. Only about one-quarter of women report this level of frequency. As men and women age, each fantasize less, but men still fantasize about twice as often.
In a comprehensive survey of studies comparing male and female sex drives, social psychologists found that men reported more spontaneous sexual arousal and had more frequent and varied fantasies. 2. Men seek sex more avidly. Men want sex more often than women at the start of a relationship, in the middle of it, and after many years of it, researchers concluded after reviewing several surveys of men and women. Men also say they want more sex partners in their lifetime, and are more interested in casual sex. Men are also more likely to seek sex even when it is frowned upon or even outlawed: About two-thirds of men say they masturbate, even though about half also say they feel guilty about it. By contrast, about 40% of women say they masturbate, and the frequency of masturbation is smaller among women. Prostitution is still mostly a phenomenon of men seeking sex with women, rather than the other way around. Nuns do a better job of fulfilling their vows of chastity than priests. Researchers cite a survey of several hundred clergy by in which 62% of priests admitted to sexual activity, compared to 49% of nuns. The men reported more partners on average than the women.
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RELATIONSHIPS
December 22, 2012
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CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com
share same bedroom? T
This column is x-rated 3. Women’s sexual inclinations are more complicated than men’s. What turns women on? Not even women always seem to know. Researcher showed erotic films to men and women. They asked them about their level of sexual arousal, and also measured their actual level of arousal through devices attached to their genitals. For men, the results were predictable: Men said they were more turned on by depictions of male-female sex and the measuring devices backed up their claims. For women, the results were more surprising. Women said they were more turned on by male-female sex. But genitally they showed about the same reaction to male-female, male-male, and female-female sex. 4. Women’s sex drives are more influenced by social and cultural factors. Women’s attitudes towards (and willingness to perform) various sexual practices are more likely than men’s to change over time. Women who regularly attend church are less likely to have permissive attitudes about sex. Men do not show this connection between church attendance and sex attitudes. Women are more influenced by the attitudes of their peer group in their decisions about sex. Women with higher education levels are more likely to have performed a wider variety of sexual practices (such as oral sex); education makes less of a difference with men. Women are more likely than men to show inconsistency between their expressed values about sexual activities such as premarital sex and their actual
This column is x-rated behavior. 5. Women take a less direct route to sexual satisfaction. Men and women travel slightly different paths to arrive at sexual desire. Women’s desire is more contextual, more subjective, more layered on a lattice of emotion. Men, by contrast, don’t need to have nearly as much imagination. Sex is simpler and more straightforward for them. That does not mean that men do not seek intimacy, love, and connection in a relationship, just as women do. They just view the role of sex differently. Women want to talk first, connect first, and then have sex. For men, sex is the connection. Sex is the language men use to express their tender loving vulnerable side. It is their language of intimacy. 6. Women experience orgasms differently than men. Sexperts say men, on average, take four minutes from the point of entry until ejaculation. Women usually take around 10 to 11 minutes to reach orgasm -- if they do. 75% of men report that they always have an orgasm, as opposed to 26% of the women. 7. Women’s libidos seem to be less amenable to drugs. While men’s sex drives are seemingly more directly tied to biology when compared to women, it may be no surprise that low desire may be more easily treated through medication in men. Men have embraced drugs as a cure not only for erectile dysfunction but also for a shrinking libido. With women, however, the search for a drug to boost sex drive has proved more elusive.
Not a bad idea
here are some issues in marriage that seem like inconsequential matters, but whenever they arise, they usually blow up and cause grievous harm. One of them is that regarding maintaining separate rooms. “What’s the big deal?” you may ask. I keep wondering about that as well. Some people wonder why a woman would even want to have her own room while others would wonder why a man should even frown at the idea. Since I don’t believe in hard and fast rules, let me try to help us strike a balance. It is quite a simple issue. A woman gets married and moves into her matrimonial home where, perhaps, her husband resided before they tied the knot. Of course, her movement into the house (I call it ‘the great exodus from Daddy’s house’), is not just a movement of herself alone; it involves plenty “load” (personal belongings) and this movement could take forever, considering the ‘large estate’ which women gather over the years. A lot of women still maintain their rooms in their father’s house, not because they intend to get divorced and return there, but because of their ‘plenty load’, some of which they know they don’t need anymore, but are too sentimental to get rid of them. This woman, knowing that she has plenty load, and that her husband’s room cannot possibly accommodate the load, arranges her things in another room and tags it “my room”, with or without discussing the issue with her husband. For some, “mummy’s room” or “madam’s room” is a default setting. Beyond this, there are many reasons why women feel they should have their own room. Everyone needs a level of privacy, even in marriage. For some women, their separate room is a dressing room as well as a place of solace, prayer and meditation. It could also serve as a venting or “crying” room in times of conflict. Can I get a witness? Like the women’s long list on “why I must have my own room”, some men have their many reasons for kicking against the idea. Top on the men’s list is that there should be no “vexing room” to encourage sex strike. Men generally do not want anything that will threaten their authority or “lordship” in their “kingdom”. In my opinion, every woman should have her own room as long as the matrimonial home has up to three bedrooms. If it has only two rooms, she can call the second room hers until the children come at which time she should re-brand
the room as “baby’s room” or “children’s room”. The queen of the house should have her own part of the kingdom, no matter how small, and that part of the kingdom should not be made up of the kitchen only. In order to reach a compromise on this issue, a married couple should cut each other some slack. The man should allow the woman to have a room to her name and should be willing to stay there with her from time to time either as a ‘different environment’ for romance or in the bid to woo her back to himself when she decides to use her room as a ‘vexing’ room or “sex strike base’. The woman, on the other hand, should not treat the room as exclusively hers. Instead, she should encourage her husband to “come over” for some creative romance from time to time. Also she should not turn it into a ‘vexing room’ or ‘sex strike base’ in which case, she runs in there and locks the door for a long period of time when she is upset with her husband. Some women practically divorce their husbands even when they still reside in the same house. Imagine a woman who turns her room into her permanent “bed” room for one month! The man is likely to stray! I think that married people should try as much as possible to narrow down the areas of conflict in marriage by adopting the right attitude and simplifying issues. If your husband does not like the idea of a separate room to yourself, all you have to do is name the other rooms in a way that shows that you succumb to his reservations and address the ‘masters’ bedroom as “our room”. You can name other rooms according to the colour of the walls, rug or furniture – “green room”, “blue room”, etc; or according to the agreed purpose of each room – “boys’ room”, “girls’ room”, “children’s room”, “visitor’s room”, “toy room”, etc. You can put your stuff and do all you need to do in any of these rooms as long as you don’t allow the separate room idea to cause avoidable conflict. Most of all, if your home is not large enough for you to have a room to yourself, don’t make it a big deal. It is your duty as a woman to organise the home and make it a beautiful haven for your husband and children. The idea of having separate rooms has its advantages as long as the woman’s room is not her bedroom per se. The focus should be on having a happy home by avoiding areas of conflict. So, should a woman have a different room from her husband’s? Not necessarily, but it sure has its advantages.
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December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Woman
‘Every woman is a gate-keeper’ Besides sp speaking about her newly launched gospel album, Emenike E Edith Onyinye simply called Sis Onyinye by her fans, is sad about the attitude of youths of today and blames it on paren parents’ carelessness. “Most parents cry when the heads of th their kids are already gone. Parents are to strike whenever the iron is hot, bend them when they are still fresh and benda bendable,” she counselled in this interview with YEMISI ADENIRAN ADENIRAN.
Where did you grow up and how your childhood would you much of you say had an impact on your adulthood? I grew up iin Ogugu in Enugu State. Although my father is late now, he left memory that is ever pleasing a good memo soul whenever they played to one’s sou wonderful childhood and up. I had a w I bless God ffor it. I am privileged to up with parents and peohave grown u ple who were hardworking and readily they had. This really had a gave what the influence on what I am today. In lot of influen as a growing child, we had those years, a a communal life, a life of honesty and to ourselves. We great responsibility respon ourselves as one and cared for all saw ourse likewise. I cannot forget the ourselves like went to our parents’ way we usually usua farms to work and happily too. We did rotationally, no one cheated the othit rotationally up others’ needs and situer. We took u personal as if they were our ations so per never a pardon-your-canoe own. It was n affair, we lived in unity. We kind of affa were so close to ourselves so much that predict what the other felt at we could pred one point or the other. The men were in charge of cultivation and harvestand others while the ing of root crops cr weeding work and others. women did w this taught me is that you One thing th make use of the desirable are free to m are available, but whenever when they ar the desirable is not there, you need to make do with the available. Meaning there is no rrule that is not bendable; nothing that someone canthere is noth not do. There is nothing that God has created that is i not useful. There is no for a man that canwork that is meant m
not be done by a woman; after all, this only needs a person’s willpower and not a person’s manhood or anything. My childhood is a lot of inspiration to me; it taught me to be ready to do anything that is credible, never to see myself as inferior to anyone no matter what and to deal with myself and others around me with honesty. My exposure to children also opened my eyes to their simplicity which is the main factor that made God to love them more than we adults. Children have plain hearts, they take things as they come, they attach no meaning to life, and they take each day as they come. They are the only set of people apart from animals and other nonliving things who care less about what tomorrow brings. And you know this is biblical. God does not want us to be anxious about tomorrow, because tomorrow will care for itself. But as a human beings, this is hard. Honestly, I love village life, the work of nature, the simple style of life and all. You launched your album few days ago. Was this what you’d always wanted to do as a child - to be a musician? In a way, yes. As a child, I had a lot of dreams; I love to sing, though I did not plan to do it for a living. I knew I love it and it comes naturally. So, for it to have grown into what it is today, I bless God Almighty. It has become a dream come true. I also dreamt of building minds and this was where late Bimbo Odukoya became one of my mentors. I love to motivate people with talks. I wished to be like her and I thank God
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that in my little way, I have been doing this. I saw myself drawing people closer to God; I longed to be an instrument of gold in the things of God and I thank God for making it a reality through my singing talent. Where do you get your inspiration from? God is the main power that inspires me. Like I said, I drew my inspiration from my environment. Some of the songs in my album are influenced by the village settings, life in the village, the rain, the thunder, the quietness and closeness to nature, even the mood of the people in the village and my immediate environment inspire me beyond what anyone can imagine. The way people work jointly and the thoughts, all give strong inspiration. I remember how we used to pick palm kernels and other crops like that for sale to assist our parents without seeing ourselves as suffer heads. The thought really brings amazing feelings that usually translate into great inspiration. With many gospel albums in the market today, how do you intend to have a head way? I sing inspirational songs and not copy others as it is the case of so many in the market today. I believe my originality will make a way for me. I sing to lift up the souls of the down-cast, I sing for those who appreciate God and His work, I sing for the hopeless, the confused and those who are far away from Christ. My main reason for being a gospel singer is to encourage, give hope and excite people in the Lord. I am not just singing for the sake of money and fame but to save a soul and bring joy to many. Are you saying money is not important or welcome here? No. The blessing of God makes rich and adds no sorrow to it. Since this gift is from God, it will surely bless even my soul. But I won’t lose focus on the main reason or calling that I have for the love of money. I will seek His will and kingdom first and await other things to follow. Do you do other things aside being a gospel singer? Yes. I am a teacher and I have been teaching for years. I do not wish to stop because, as I said, teaching is part of my dream and a source of inspiration. What’s your observation about the youths of today and who do you think should be blamed for the problems? It is very sad that many youths of today are really not fans of hard work. They love money and every good thing of life but they don’t want to work for it. This is why crime rate is on the high side. It is sad because the youth are supposed to be the strength of, not only the
WOMAN
December 22, 2012
church, but of the nation. If they are indeed the future of this nation, then I’m afraid, except for God’s intervention, there may not be any future for this nation. A lazy person doesn’t have much to offer anyone even himself, you know. I blame parents especially for this. Why mothers alone and not both parents? The thing is, women are expected to be closer to their children than the fathers because they spend more time with them. Unfortunately, the case is not the same anymore. Women who are to be gate-keepers at home are no longer there, so, the home is left open to all manner of defilers. This is where the problem lies. If women, mothers particularly, will be more up and doing in their roles, the youths will get better. They should be stricter and prompt in dealing with these children no matter how precious they are. Start from when they are sucking breasts, if they bite you, do not just shout, tap them on their mouths to send a signal that what they are doing is not right. Correct them all the time; do not say they are just children. Monitor their relationships, where they go, what they read and above all draw them and keep them in the love of Christ. If you are able to hand them over to God, exposing them to the love of God while they are young, they will make you proud in the midst of your contemporaries and most important God will tell you well done when you finally see Him. They must also live a life of good example. The children are watching closely, they are very intelligent and can interprete things. Don’t say Oh! The world is changing and we need to move with it. If you, as a parent, gets carried away by the move of civilisation and all, I don’t know how you will caution your straying child. Most parents always leave what they are to do over their children as at when right and then try to do it when it is too late. They always cry when the head of their kid is off, which is not ideal. We are to strike when the iron is hot. There is a time to bend a child. They are like a fish, you can’t bend a dry fish, you can only do so when it is still fresh. What do you have to tell the youths themselves? They should endeavour to discover and develop their God’s-given talent. There is no one created by God without a talent. If they will take their time to find it out, they will enjoy a fulfilled life because the gift of a man, according to the Bible, is always there to make a way for him. They must be conscious of the vanity of this world and know that God is coming one day to ask of how they have spent the life and the gift He has given them. That body they think they can do whatever they wish with is not theirs but God’s.
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Keeping ABREAST
Female heart attack symptoms
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n a Monday morning, Merle Rose, a New Jersey woman, experienced what some doctors call “female heart attack symptoms;” a feeling of indigestion and extreme fatigue. Later, she had nausea, vomiting and fainting. But she never had chest pain-a “typical” male heart attack sign. When she got to the emergency room, doctors couldn’t find any sign of heart attack and Rose says, “They would have sent me home.” As Rose’s experience shows, many doctors-and women themselves--still don’t realize that female heart attack symptoms can look very different than those of men. In fact, according to a study of women’s early heart attack signs published in Circulation, women have more unrecognized heart attacks than men and are more likely to be, “mistakenly diagnosed and discharged from emergency departments.” In the emergency room, physicians had assumed she had a gastrointestinal illness. But at the time, no one told Rose that she had suffered a heart attack. When an outside cardiologist recommended by Rose’s regular doctor ordered testing that uncovered major blockages, doctors still made no mention of heart attack, she says. So when did she finally get word? Not until several months later, when she visited a new female cardiologist. This doctor told her in retrospect that she had suffered a textbook case of undiagnosed female heart attack. “That’s the first I ever heard,” Rose says. “This doctor told me, ‘They didn’t connect the dots.’” These chest-related heart attack signs often appear in men, and many women get them, too: Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of the chest, which may spread to the neck, shoulder or jaw; Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath; But many women don’t have chest pain. In the Circulation study on early female heart attack symptoms, research-
ers found that during a heart attack, 43% of the 515 women studied had no “acute chest pain... a ‘hallmark symptom in men,’” according to study authors. Nevertheless, the study cited evidence that many emergency room doctors still look mainly for chest pain. Only a minority check for the other types of symptoms that women tend to develop. As a result, doctors may miss heart attacks in women. “Although women can have chest tightness as a symptom of a heart attack, it’s also important for women to recognize that might not be their symptom,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and chief of Women’s Cardiac Care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of “The Women’s Healthy Heart Program.” “Women commonly have symptoms of shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, or pressure in the lower chest, so they easily mistake it as a stomach ailment.” In the Circulation study, common female heart attack symptoms include: shortness of breath (57.9%) weakness (54.8%) unusual fatigue (42.9%) Women also had these symptoms: Nausea Dizziness Lower chest discomfort Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that may feel like indigestion Back pain Female Heart Attack Symptoms: Warning Signs That a Heart Attack May Be Coming In the weeks preceding an actual heart attack, some of these symptoms may even appear as early warning signs, according to the Circulation study. Goldberg, who is familiar with the study, says, “About six weeks before the actual heart attack, women were more likely to experience shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue or stomach pain as an early warning sign that they might have a blocked artery.” Culled from www.webmd.com
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December 22, 2012
Parenting
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Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression
Gift ideas for teenage boys W
ith Christmas roughly three days away, it is time to tidy up that shopping list and get everyone checked off so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday season. Out of all people you will be shopping for, teenage boys are going to be the easiest, by far. All you have to keep in mind is find something that will be useful, loud, make him the envy of his friends, and keep his attention for months after Christmas is finally over. If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for the teenage boy on your Christmas list, here are some gift ideas to get you started.
Paintball What is the natural instinct that drives teenage boys to want to hunt each other down? Whatever it is, you can feed this instinct safely by giving a gift of paintball guns and equipment. There are complete kits you can purchase at retail stores for reasonable prices. Car accessories A gift of car accessories is a sure win if the teenage boy on your list is old enough to drive and has his own car. Even for the teenage boy who is not driving yet, this could be a great gift. Young guys dream of owning their first set of wheels. A gift of car wax and other cleaning supplies allow him to pamper his new toy. Seat covers or other decorative accessories let him give his car a personal touch. Black light lamp Black light lamps are back, and any teenage boy on your list is likely to want one. Get him one for his room and find out what glows in the dark. Many posters and other decorative accessories are available now that spring to life under a black light. Consumer electronics gift certificate Gadgets and entertainment equipment are always a hit with teenage boys. A gift certificate to a consumer electronics store will give him an excuse to check out all of the latest TVs, stereo equipment, and computers. This is also the place where he can find his favourite music
and video games. If you don’t have a suitable store in your area, the young guy on your list can do all his shopping there online. Team jersey The majority of teenage boys are into some sort of sport. Whether it is basketball, football, baseball, or whatever sporting activity, he most likely has a favourite team or sports hero. Buy him a jersey from his team. Even better, find a jersey with the number of his favourite player. Jeans Most teenage boys wear jeans most of the time, which means they always need new ones. Just make sure you buy the style he likes. Some teenage boys like snug-fitting jeans, while others like their jeans baggy. Carpenter or painter jeans are also popular. Whatever the style, this is the “can’t miss” gift, because there is no such thing as too many jeans. Jewellery Jewellery is becoming increasingly popular, in one form or another, among teenage guys. For rockers, tribal or beaded necklaces will be a hit. They might also like a stud or hoop earring. Preppy guys often like to wear fashionable rings or bracelets. If you aren’t
too sure about jewellery, try a watch. With such a wide variety of watch styles available, you’ll be certain to find one to fit any teenage boy’s taste. Video game magazine subscription Generally speaking, teenage boys are suckers for video games. If the guy on your list has a game system, such as XBox, PlayStation, or Nintendo, you can get him a subscription to the corresponding magazine. He’ll get inside information and screen shots from upcoming games, ratings of current games, and, best of all -- demo discs. These demo discs let him play portions of games before they even come out, which helps him decide what games he really likes and wants to buy. Portable CD player Boys love noise -- and their favourite kind is music. Whatever his music preferences, the teenage boy on your list is most likely to be passionate about his bands. With a portable CD player he can listen to his music anytime, anywhere, and you won’t have to hear it. Head out to the mall armed with the above list and a little shopping savvy, and you have a way better chance of finding the ideal gift. Soon he will be saying, “DUDE, that is so cool!”
Tiny Feet
NAME: Oluwasemilore Treasure Odesanya BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Kehinde Odesanya AGE: 12 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg
Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com
ParentingUpdate
Boy, 2, cheated death despite doctor’s verdict z Survives acne infection, tumour, cancer of the blood at just two weeks old z I was so scared to change his diapers because doctor said I would see blood there –Mum
A
ccording to medical history, children who are actually born with leukaemia don’t usually live. So, when baby Ethan Stacy was discovered to infected with Leukaemia, it was a death sentence. Chemotherapy was recommended and this again is so toxic for newborns that doctors gave Ethan’s parents the option not to treat their son. After two weeks in the hospital, Chad and Mandy made the painful decision to take their son home. After only a few days at home, Ethan’s baby acne, which is common in newborns, had become infected. So they went back to the hospital. That’s when the tumours began to show up… “We noticed a lump in his calf.” Tumours started popping up in other places such as Ethan’s feet, hands, and his forearm.” Leukaemia, a cancer of the blood, was discovered to be affecting his tissues. It actually affected his skin, his hands, his feet, and his legs, as well as his liver and spleen which is more common. he had a very advanced disease at that point. At three weeks old, his condition started to decline. He stopped eating and began to experience sleep apnoea. “The nurse told me that he might develop what’s called sepsis, which would be a total body infection, and that he would go peacefully or he might haemorrhage,” Mandy recalls. “I would
see blood in his diaper or maybe coming out of his ears. I was so scared to open up his diaper to even change it.” But they held on to God believing Him for the impossible. “I remember rocking him and singing, ‘Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you’,” Mandy says. “I knew that if I just focused my mind on Christ that’s the only way that I could make it through.” Later that night, instead of facing his greatest medical crisis, Ethan started feeding, “he started taking his bottle a little bit at a time,” Chad says. Over the next two weeks, Ethan improved! And when Mandy took him back to Vanderbilt to check his blood counts? “His platelets level was like 415,000 -- in normal range, where it had been 39,000 at his lowest point.” His octor and her colleagues were stunned, so we wanted to look. We did the bone marrow test, which showed no evidence of leukaemia. The tumours gradually went down over a period of probably a week or so. It was just remarkable to witness it.” The parents repeated the bone marrow biopsy and got the same results. Today, Ethan Stacy is a strapping two-year-old, who loves playing with his dad and big sister Kaylee. It goes without saying that the Stacys are thankful. •Culled from www.csmonitor. com
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December 22, 2012
le StyGlam and
with Yemisi Adeniran
H
ead wraps (“gele”) are worn by African women to complement their African attire. Of course, it is usually the highlight of a woman’s appearance. It is a flat piece of fabric of an Aso Oke (jean-like fabric), Brocade, African print or other paper-like fabrics with plain and, or bold patterns. It is believed that the way a “gele” is tied can indicate not only a woman’s marital status but her lifestyle in particular. For instance, a head wrap end leaning to the right presents a married woman while the one leaning to the left shows a single woman. Meanwhile, today, this is really not applicable as
women tie their “gele” in whichever direction they please. Talking about style however, the bigger and more dramatic your “gele” appears, the more stylish the world believes you are. And for those who find it difficult making out their head ties, the intricate wrapped head ties are out there as a way out. All you need to do is pick a glamorous one, combine it well with your attire and you are good to go. Pair them on a traditional or English wears and you will be gorgeous for it. These models show you the different ways you can speak without employing your mouth. And who says head wraps are only right on native wears?
(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com
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STYLE & GLAM
December 22, 2012
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Fashion Frenzy
YEMISI ADENIRAN
C
hristmas is here and you’ve got to look great! The means to that stunning look however is your strength in combining your accessories right. You can make the following combos using the colour wheel as your guide: 1. Colours directly next to each other (i.e. yellow and yellow-orange; yellow and yellowgreen; violet and blue-violet, etc.) 2. Colours that form right (90 degree) angles with each other (i.e. yellow and red-orange; blue and violet-red; green and orange, etc.) 3. Colorus directly across from each other (i.e. yellow and violet; blue and orange; red and green, etc.) 4. Colours that form a T (i.e. blue, orange, and violet-red; yellow, violet, and red-orange; yellow, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.) 5. Colours that form an X (i.e. blue, orange, violet-red, and yellow, violet, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.) Since brown is a neutral, it will go with virtually any colour on the colour wheel. I love to pair a chocolate brown with cobalt blue or fuch-
BEAUTY
Q&A
sia or bright red—such Of course, white, black found in denim are als just about anything. Colours that are a pa also apply. So, for insta pink with red and still combos based on the c that blue and red form other–then in Elise Nea sia and cobalt blue). Ge As for accessories, jewellery or belts, so, hats, bags, shoes, or s jewellery, pair gold (o with your warm colou (or silver-toned) jewell loured outfits. Cool colo red undertone to them ken down by hue, tem tone any single hue can Just look at the underto You can also use th coming up with colour makeup. It can help you colour to wear so that y shadow with your outfi
Your candid response to all fashion questions Easy beauty tips for working mothers (II) 5. The messy bun that ruled the fashion runways this season is perfect for on-the-go moms! To get the look, apply a shine serum to towel-dried hair. Work it through to enhance natural texture. Next, use your fingers to rake hair back at mid-height or at the nape of the neck. Twist into a knot and secure with bobby pins. Don’t worry about mak-
ing it too neat – random ends sticking out are what make this style look relaxed. 6. Stay on-trend with pink lipstick. Pick a shade that complements your skin tone. Lighter pinks work on women with pink or cool undertones, and warmer pinks look best on skin with yellow undertones. A creamy lipstick formula will last longer than gloss. 7. For a mom manicure on the fly, remove chipped polish and mois-
turize you them bac polish tha 8. Try side-by-si around th bun. Secu
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December 22, 2012
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Facelift More tips for your smokey eyes
h a fun and bold combo. k, and the hues of blue so neutrals that go with
art of a “colour family” ance, you can substitute l be able to pull off the olour wheel (i.e. we see a right angle with each al’s outfit she wore fucht it? Good. you need the coloured go crazy with coloured carves. When choosing or gold-toned) jewellery ured outfits. Wear silver lery with your cool coours have a blue, pink, or . Since colours are broperature, intensity, and n be either warm or cool. ones. he colour wheel when r combinations for your u decide which makeup you don’t match your eye t.
ur hands, rubbing olive oil on your cuticles before pushing k. File your nails short and practical. Then whip on a light at won’t show chips as much as a dark shade. this trendy, mom-friendly twist on a basic bun: Make two ide ponytails at the back of your head. Then wrap each tail he other’s base (hiding the elastics) to create a figure-eight ure to your head with hairpins and a few spritzes of hair-
STYLE & GLAM
spray. 9. Before you polish your toenails, pamper yourself with an Epson-salt and scented oil foot soak for 10 minutes. (Read more tips in B.O.magazine while you wait!) Then remove dry skin from legs and feet with a homemade mixture of olive oil and salt or raw sugar. Rub in an upward motion for two to three minutes, then rinse, moisturize and polish!
Sweep under your eyes. Use a powder brush, or cotton balls, to sweep away any eyeshadow from under your eye area. With this done, you can apply your concealer and powder. Apply black shadow to bottom. Just as in step 6, apply a black powder shadow to the softened eye liner, with an applicator or Qtip, then smudge. Encircle your eye with the general shadow. Using the shadow you selected for step 7, gently and gradually blend the eyeshadow into a circle around your eye area. This means applying and smudging the shadow under the eyes as well. Just make sure not to go too far under the eye or you will get the raccoon effect. Coat your lashes with black mascara. Try using a good black mascara, such as Maybelline Colossal Mascara in Black, and make sure to apply 2-3 coats on top and at least 2 on bottom. Check your work. Once your mascara is dried, check your work and blend any areas that stand out. Now is also a good time to gently sweep your powder brush, or cotton balls, under your eyes to remove any of the additional eyeshadow “fallout” from the previous step. To save even more money, find a black eyeshadow that works well wet and use it as your eye liner too, such as Max Factor MAXeye in Precious Metals. Don’t be afraid to use color, instead of brown or gray for your general eyeshadow. Dark blues and dark greens are always great to use for a smokey eye look, but also gives some fun color as well. Try to find one that goes with your dress. To add a little extra fun to your lashes, use a black mascara as a base and then apply a colored mascara to the tips. Adding a little shimmer to a smokey eye can be fun. So try a shimmer pod, such as Bon Bons, and add a little to the corner of your eyes, under your brow, and directly above the pupil on your lid. The biggest tip is to remember to play down your lips since you played up your eyes. Try putting a neutral, lip-toned, liner on your lips and then a little gloss. What You Need Eyeshadow base or an oil-free concealer or foundation A neutral base shadow (a slight shimmer is okay)
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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
Male Essentials T
08036961187 08036 69 6 961 6118 187 187
with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@yahoo.com w kinggseiza@yahoo.com
here is no doubt that Christmas is in the air. It is next Tuesday and you can enjoy it when you plan ahead. only enjo Fashion-wise, Fashion-wise you also have to plan your outfit in advanc advance so that you’ll knock them dead when you step out. The basic guide you have in cho choosing your Christmas outfit is the colour red red. Red is the most associated colour with Chr Christmas so having red prominently outfit will only s h o w y in your y y that yo you ou are in ttune with the mood of o the e day day. Another A other An colour associated a sociatted with as
Christmas is green. Just like Gong Aso crooner 9ice on this page, donning an outfit that includes both colours will leave no one in doubt about your fashion n sense regarding the occasion in celebration.. Another popular feature ure of Christmas is Santa Claus and his popular red ensemble and cap. Many people will be dononning Santa’s cap gS p on their oututwestern, fits, traditional or wester rn, and you too can join them to show that you are really in the Christmas mood.
Christmas MOOD
Top 10 Christmas gifts for men I
t’s that time of year once again, when men are biting their nails wondering what they’re going to get for Christmas from their wives or girlfriends. A tie? New socks? Pots and pans? A jar filled with air? God only knows. This year, make sure your partner gives you a gift that you can actually use, and let her know that just because you’re a man doesn’t mean that you’re going to jump up and down at the sight of a new cordless drill. There is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ gift. Every man is different, with unique tastes and preferences. A carpenter might prefer a new set of tools, a working professional might appreciate a new stylish wallet, while an outdoorsman might rejoice at a three-day getaway. The important thing is that your woman’s gift demonstrates that she actually put some thought into it, according to your hobbies and interests. Here are some gift ideas she should be considering. Now if only you can find a way to discreetly slip her this list.
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. Sports, concert tickets For any man who’s single, divorced, dating, young or old, enjoys sports, and loves to watch his favourite team live. Or, if you’re not the sporting type, maybe she can excite you with concert tickets to your favourite musician’s gig. . A fine single malt Only a true lover of whisky will appreciate this, but if that’s what you are, really this is a dream gift.. If she knows how to make e you happy, she’ll b u y you a high-
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quality rocks glass to sip this out of. . A great iPod dock A small but powerful set of iPod speakers are essential for a man who loves music. . A classic blazer You can wear a blazer with anything, but do you have one that’s sufficiently versatile? A classic, timeless piece you’ll have for the rest of your life? Probably not. She can get one for you. . A phone upgrade This is for any guy who’s had his
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phone just a little too long. Maybe you’ve stopped caring about the constant parade of new versions of your phone, but trust us, shiny new gadgets never disappoint. . Coffee machine She can get a great professional grade at-home model. . Cologne Smelling good is a good idea. Cologne is just as appreciated on the first Christmas together as it is on the fiftieth. The gift of a great scent is a good sign that she wants to turn you into an irresistible man and rip off your clothes because she can’t resist inhaling your sexual scent. That, or you just smell bad. . DVD collection For guys who enjoy watching movies. . Bathrobe The bathrobe is a great gift that allows your man to walk around the house and relax on a Sunday morning in total luxury. . High-quality leather goods Every man hates a wallet that won’t stay closed or that’s too bulky in a back pocket. The ideal wallet is of high-quality leather that ages beautifully. Wallets and other leather goods are very ideal.
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People SEGUN ADIO
H
ow Kingsley Omose combines the wig and gown with his community development work is nothing but amazing. No doubt, he may not be easily classified as the conventional lawyer that we see around today, but he is a profound advocate of improved status for the downtrodden and less privileged in the society. He does this differently, though. Rather than take his fight for the plight of the have-nots to the doors of the haves, Omose has devised a means of getting government and corporate bodies’ support to better the lives of the less favoured people. Born in the then Bendel State and a graduate of the University of Benin, Omose had the opportunity to see subjugation and suppression really at work when he was in Maiduguri, Borno State during his one year national service in 1987/88. He also worked there for another three years. Back in Lagos, he settled at the high brow Eric Moore area of the metropolis, but unknown to him, about 10 minutes walk from the lush of his estate, lay a near forgotten set of people. His drive for lifting the less privileged stemmed from an experience he got at Orile Iganmu several years ago. “A good friend of mine, Shina Adisa, who used to live in Orile Iganmu always
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
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Kingsley Omose: Mobilising the grassroots visited me in my house but which I never returned the visit. I just noticed that during the rainy season, he stays longer in my place than normal. I was living in Eric Moore, Surulere area. I thought it was strange. When I asked him why he stayed so late to go home or why he left his house to come and stay for weeks in my place, he always told me of how terrible Orile where he lived was. At one Easter period, I told my friend to arrange for me to come and see this Orile that he kept complaining about. What I saw there was beyond imagination. “I could not believe what I saw when I got there; that there could be such a community less than five to 10 minutes drive from the CMS, where you have the financial district of Nigeria,” he said. After his initial tour of Orile-Iganmu, Omose felt compelled to change the story of the residents of the area. Two weeks after his visit to the povertystricken community, he penned a letter to the Governor Babatunde Fashola, drawing the state government’s attention to the plight of the people of the area. He did not stop at that. Well-connected in the financial, law and entrepreneur circles
in the country, he used d his contacts to seek support for the situation of the people le of Orile. He soon brought Promasidor, St. Joseph School, ool, Ikoyi to help develop the area. Also with the collaboration aboration of the Orile Iganmu Progressive Association (OIPA) he was able to give free computer training to several eral youths of the community. Some of the brainy children en of the community are currently undergoing various courses of study in some universities through Omose and OIPA’s efforts. Asked what his wife Abimbola and his three boys feel about his precious time spent ent on his the community work, k, Omose claimed that his better er half always encouraged him in his set goals. “My wife and chilldren have been very y understanding beecause they know ab b initio what I am outt to achieve. Personally y I have been rewarded ed d for the lifting that I have ave contributed to achieve eve for some people.”
Favour Arewe: Teacher with a passion OSEYIZA OOGBODO
F
avour Arewe is tall, slim and beautiful. She could easily pass for a model, actress or singer. But she is neither of these. Indeed, she is in a vocation that is considered unglamorous when compared to the aforementioned vocations: she is a teacher. “I love teaching,” she claimed. “I love imparting knowledge to children, my friends and those around me. It is my passion.” Elaborating, she said, “I started teaching from childhood. Anything I was taught in school, I would look for people to teach it to. I learnt that I learn better when I taught others what I was taught and I got to know it better too.” According to her, she discovered she benefitted from teaching others when she was 10 years old. “I can’t really say how I got to know it was beneficial to me to teach others. But I just knew there was always this compulsion in me to teach and when I did so, it made me happy, so I kept doing it, and now I teach for a living.” Arewe doesn’t teach just any subject but the ‘dreaded’ Mathematics. Is she ac-
tually that brainy or even possibly a Mathematics guru? “There really isn’t any big deal about teaching Mathematics,” she said. “It’s just like teaching the other subjects that people think are simple. But if anyone decides that they want to know Mathematics, they will know it because they will set their mind to it. I won’t say I’m a Mathematics guru but I know enough of it to teach and for my own good.” Currently, she teaches the Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 – 3 students of Omaarts Private School, Egbeda, Lagos Mathematics. “My course in the university, Economics Education, helped me to know Mathematics a lot more. Economics involves a lot of calculations so it prepared me well for teaching Mathematics now. I also keep studying, and even though I teach others, I still go to people who know more than I do to learn more,” she added. Since all she wants to do is teach, all her plans revolve around teaching thereby making teaching easier for her. “I never get frustrated by students who are slow in catching up with what they are taught. I don’t lose my patience with them. What I do is get to know them and teach them one-on-one. Everybody is not
the same, so that’s my unique method to make slow learners know what they should. It’s not about beating them in anger. That won’t help them. It might even turn them off. It’s better to show them love. That will make it easier for them to catch on. When a student loves you, it will be easy for him to learn from you,” she enthused. Though teachers charge a fee to teach students outside school hours, and she also does the same, she says there are also some slow students whom she teaches free. “Money is not everything. I don’t worry about payment as long as such students I take on of my own accord become better people. At least they will remember me in future and what I did for them,” she added. At just 27 years of age, she is halfway to owning her own school. “I’ve already registered my own school and it will begin with the next academic session in September 2012. Its name is Hind’s Feet Nursery and Primary and it is located in Ota, Ogun State.” The one-storey building that will house Hind’s Feet is also owned by her, and she explains how she was able to achieve this feat of owning her own building and her own school at her relatively young age.
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December 22, 2012
Dear Igho
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
TTel: e 08023924679 (SMS only) ighomit@gmail.com
Having difficulties with relationships, family, work or any other aspectt off your life? lif Help is at hand with TOBORE IGHO OVUORIE Dear Igho, I hope you can help me. For a long time now, my husband and daughter have not been getting along, and my daughter has caused us all kinds of problems. She says she hates her dad. What I need to know is what do I need to do? I am in the middle all the time and nobody here wants to change anything. I am so upset. I love them both, but this needs to stop. My daughter starts the arguments most of the time. She will not do anything she is told. Mrs. Arobieke, Ajah, Lagos.
Dear Mrs. Arobieke, You can’t do this alone. Your husband and daughter are locked in a war that seems to have no end. Your daughter is the child, however, and if your husband thinks that being argumentative with her is the answer, he’s wrong. He is the adult in the room, or should be, and he needs to start using
My home is on fire some tools that end the conflicts and stops the madness. You and he must work as a team, if at all
possible. Your husband is being selfish (to say the least), and he would be childish in his own behaviour if he did not want to work at
Gush! Mom’s hell on earth Dear Igho, I love my mom, I really do, and I know she thinks what she has done is right. I respect her but it’s really hard for me sometimes because she is verbally abusive to me about my weight. She will always boost herself saying she is doing this or that and how she could wrap rings around me she never stops. She took me to a store the other day to buy me diet pills. I just want to be my own person! I’m in 200 level at the University of Lagos and have a serious boyfriend yet she treats me like a child. I want to tell her off but I don’t want to be disrespectful because she is my mother but I feel in my heart some of the stuff she says I need to do is for her. I just don’t know what to do. I sometimes doubt if I even want her in my life because she is just like an annoying child to be around with. I feel like most of the time I am taking care of her. My dad gets frustrated as well but he doesn’t say anything. I feel like I am crazy. My boyfriend gets it, but my family? Hell no! I love them but I’m always so glad to be going back to school after any break. My question is how do I deal with this child like a person who is supposed to be my mother and who is supposed to be looking out for my best interest? Oyinda, Unilag, Akoka.
Dear Oyinda,
This is a pretty common problem children have with their parents especially girls with their mothers. We expect our mother to be caring in ways that don’t hurt us. And it’s stunning to think they believe badgering is a way to help. I can perfectly understand your desire to get back to school where you can breath easily, and be yourself. However, always remember that you do not have to be a slave to this negative behaviour. The more you become at her mercy, the greater your chance of never getting beyond this dynamic in your relationship with her. I think it’s time to be firm with her. You can be firm, but kind, and it’s not disrespectful. It’s asserting your right to be your own person. You can’t live vicariously through her life nor should she expect you to life on her terms. An instance of what to do is: “Mom, I’m not taking diet pills. End of discussions!” and “My career is important to me. I am going to study. End of discussion.” It’s worth a try to attempt some behaviour modification with her. Still, some people never change. But you can! Don’t internalise her bad behaviour if that’s possible. I know all of us are raised with certain environmental input that makes it awfully hard to re-programme but you have a life to live, and it’s your right to live it on your own terms. You may never please your mother in some areas (I also could rarely please mine), but you can find some comfort in knowing what makes a person tick, and how to avoid certain mine fields she (or he) sets for you. Again, be kind, but be firm. It’s your only real path to freedom.
Dear Igho, For a year and a half, I have been dating a wonderful man. We have a lot of fun together, share similar, if not the same beliefs and values, and I feel that I can trust and depend on him. What is the problem? We have an age gap of 10 years. He is 31 years old, and I am 21. I sometimes do receive comments of surprise from co-workers or peers, and a few people have even ridiculed me. Often times I am happy with my boyfriend and feel I could have a future with him. However, I sometimes go through periods of doubt where I feel like I should be with someone my own age, or that I might be missing out. Sometimes it is almost as if I should have met my current love a little later in life, but I can’t imagine parting with him, and possibly losing him. What are your thoughts? Worried Chic.
Dear Worried Chic, I see no problem with the age difference. Thirty one is the new 21 but that doesn’t mean 21 is the new 10! Please do not pay attention to people who don’t know what they’re talking about and have nothing better
solving a serious issue that is destroying the very fabric of the family unit. I assume your daughter is a teenager and, therefore, naturally rebellious in her effort to seek her own identity. That said, she’s getting away with bad behaviour because your husband has put himself on her level. I hope you are capable of setting boundaries with your daughter, and not be a pawn in this game of tit-for-tat. You are not impotent when it comes to discipline, but you need help in finding a way to keep you out of being caught in the middle. You feel powerless, and that’s the last place you want to be. For a start, here’s a website that may enlighten you. Type into Google: Family Education: Avoiding Arguments and Power Struggles With Your Kids. After digesting these and putting them to use, get back to me on the next phase of what to do. Wishing you the best ahead!
Is he too old for me? to do with their time than pass judgment on others. Sincerely, you both have a great time together, and the only issue that might arise, somewhere down the line, would be if he wanted to get married and you weren’t ready for that. And there’s a possibility that you would want to move on at some point because the relationship had run its course but why even go there now if all the fear you have is being judged by people who should mind their own business? Lead your life as you see fit, and not what other people think you should be doing. Everyone has an opinion, but that doesn’t mean it’s right, or truthful. I get tons of emails, sms and letters concerning lousy relationships, and wonderful isn’t the adjective they use to describe their partners. If he’s wonderful, in your eyes, stay with him until, or if you change your mind, and not have it manipulated by others. Wishing you the best in love!
Living
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
33
How LAGBUS crushed woman to death a week to 60th birthday
Sympathisers at the scene of the incident
Teach us to number our days..., so the injunction goes. Ariyike did this. She would be 60 years old on Boxing Day. However, her efforts to mark the day in a grand style might have led to her not being alive to witness the day. How? SEGUN ADIO
I
t is Christmas season yet again and Lagos is back to its heavy human and vehicular movement. It is now the time of the year when people rush for last minute shopping toward the Yuletide. Ariyike was one of the sea of heads at the popular Oyingbo bus stop on Monday, December 17, 2012, going to the famous Idumota market for that purpose. On that fateful day, she was going to the market for two purposes: to shop for her children and also plan towards her 60th birthday. She would have been 60 years old on December, 26, 2012. She resides at Abeokuta Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos. It was reported that she was determined to have a grand birthday celebration. Already invitation cards had already been sent to family and
friends for the Boxing Day birthday bash. While leaving home, one of her grandchildren, Grace, who was reportedly on holiday with her grandmother, had cried herself hoarse wanting to go with the woman. Ariyike, apparently realising the hurly-burly associated with Idumota market, had dodged the little girl and made her way to the bus stop. But barely 15 minutes after she left her house, a BRT bus allegedly ran over her, killing her on the spot. Eyewitness told Saturday Mirror that Arikiye was heading towards the BRT shed located opposite the Bhojson Store, Oyingbo, having crossed the major road to the mass transit bus shed. It was around 9:45 a.m. From afar appeared the red LAGBUS bus with registration number XP 29 KSF, reportedly coming at full speed and blaring its horns as it came. The speeding bus sent many commut-
Arikiye under the bus
ers running in opposing directions and Ariyike also raced along with the fleeing pedestrians to evade the impending calamity. But she was not lucky to escape the impending death after all. While trying to run towards the direction of the fleeing pedestrians, she allegedly ran into the bus. She was knocked down immediately. The impact of the hit was so severe that within minutes, Ariyike was stone dead. Shouts of grieve soon rent the air as miscreants and passersby immediately rushed to the scene of the incident. An irate mob soon gathered and tried to set the bus on fire. They were, however, prevented by some community leaders in the area. As if coming to see what havoc he had committed, the bus driver alighted
and immediately took to his heels, mixing with the surging crowd. The attention of nearby Denton Police Station was called to the incident and some personnel of the division soon towed the vehicle off the scene. The remains of the woman were reportedly taken away by a white LASAMBUS vehicle. Bimpe Oladimeji was at the exact scene of the incident. In a chat with Saturday Mirror, Oladimeji claimed that the bus was coming at full speed and caught commuters at the bus stop unawares. Oladimeji, who also claimed that the bus hit a car at the Apapa- Road end of Oyingbo before it came to hit the deceased. “I was there when the incident happened. The woman was among the many people who ran for cover when the bus was surging towards us. The woman might not have known where to run to and while trying to free herself from the BRT corridor, she was knocked down by the bus itself,” Oladimeji said. A community leader in the area, Ishola Agbodemu, recounted how on many occasions, LAGBUS drivers had to be cautioned in the area as a result of their reckless driving. “It has become the mannerism of the BRT drivers to drive recklessly especially when they are approaching a densely populated area like this place. One would have expected a pedestrian bridge around here with the number of people that ply this place every day, Agbodemu said. A passenger in the bus, identified as Wasiu also told Saturday Mirror that the driver of the bus had been cautioned earlier at Jibowu area where he reportedly almost hit another woman. “It was less that 15 minutes ago that we all shouted on the driver at Jibowu when he almost knocked down a woman. He is a reckless driver and I think his employers should have noticed this and take the bus off him,” Wasiu said. Attempts to get LAGBUS officials to comment on the incident were unsuccessful as the Public Relations Officer of the company would not pick his calls. A policeman at Denton who craved anonymity told Saturday Mirror that the bus was in the custody of the division and that enquiries had been made to the division by the operating company. The policeman also said that a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing driver.
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LIVING
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Trash to cash
The average Lagos resident writes them off. You have probably done so too. But that man who pushes cart around your streets picking your discarded items and buying some makes more than an average graduate at the end of the month. THOMAS USHIE explored their world.
We’re born to make wealth from waste –Scrap dealers, scavengers
A
s the sun sets, the scavengers’ carts gather at Takuro Street, IdiAraba, Lagos, pecking each other with fronts stooping down, after the day’s long and arduous trek in search of wealth in Lagos wastes. And as the sun rises, the carts, one after the other, find their “pushers” who immediately head in different direction as their grit gravitate across the streets of Lagos hunting and gathering all sorts of “wastes”. The Takuro Park of these carts play host to more than 200 carts with more than 300 able-bodied youthful operators. Some operate in pair. Still, some sail solo. Welcome to the world of scrap dealers whose “oil wells” exist everywhere in what “ordinary” eyes see as waste. And from these waste, they make their wealth, converting trash into cash. Saturday Mirror’s revealed that in the scraps business, there is nothing under the sun that is considered worthless. Every week, about five truck loads of scraps depart the area to where there are recycled. Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed is the Secretary of the Scraps Association located at Idi Araba, Lagos. He is married to two
Ibrahim
Ahmed
wives and is blessed with seven children. From wastes, he has been able to provide for his nuclear and extended family. He told Saturday Mirror the genesis and revelation of the scrap business. “We have been in this business for the past 30 years. We started out at Lawanson before relocating to Idi-Araba, because of the needs for expansion. The business employs 500 young men of various tribes. On the outside, people look at it as a mad mad’s job but we have made wealth from it and have been able to empower young men who would have been jobless, becoming menace to the society.” And Ahmed Mohammed, popularly known as “Jeggal”, a business associate of Ibrahim, was born and bred in the business. “I was born into this scraps business. I wanted to make money. My father was doing the business and I started it in Kano when I was seven years old,” an
obviously proud Ahmed told Saturday Mirror. If you are wondering how Ahmed started scavenging for scraps from refuse at such a tender age, do not, as Mohammed offered an explanations. “I was born in Rivers State but my father chose to send me to my grandfather to attend Arabic School in Kano. My grandfather’s home housed an Arabic school which played host to the almajiris. I noticed that after the close of school, the almajiris, in a bid to fend for themselves, would pick up bags and scout for scraps at the refuse dump. At the end of the day, the bola boys, as we used to call the scavengers, would sell these scraps to dealers and make some money. I was attracted by the money they were making and had to join. I wanted to make money. And I started making money at the age of seven, selling scraps.”
Trade by barter When Ahmed clocked 15, he became an interstate dealer of scraps, rejuvenating the old trade-by-barter. “At the age of 15, I expanded into other states, dealing on scrapped aluminium, copper wires and other used or abandoned materials in Bauchi, Taraba, Jos, Katsina States. We will give them plastic buckets, plates, cups, clothes, in exchange for scraps and other goods they consider as wastes. With time, my father came for me and took me back to Port Harcourt. When I got there I told my father that I am a professional in the business already and was given the free hand to continue. So, at that tender age, I was able to assist my grandfather and pay my school fees from the proceeds of the scraps. At the age of seven, I was no longer dependent on my parents for feeding and other personal. Lagos lure “I came to Lagos because I had gathered a lot of experience working in different states. There are so many people living in Lagos and so many companies here. The number of people that live in a particular area or state determines the amount of waste and scraps to be harvested. Also, most of these companies that buy the scraps are in Lagos. That was why I had to come here to explore the business opportunities available. I had gone round the entire major zones of this country and that is a lot of business experience for me,” Mohammed glowed. Feeding from wastes His acquaintance with wastes and the CONTINUED ON PAGE 35
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
LIVING
December 22, 2012
35
Born to make wealth from waste CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 fact that he lived in the “bolla” for several months, he saw nothing wrong with not only feeding from waste but also feeing in and on it, giving him the sobriquet “Jeggal”. “As I said before, before I became a dealer and a major stakeholder in this business, I was a scavenger. Now, I don’t do that anymore. We have more than 400 boys here who do that for us. But when I was following the bolla Boys, I became so close to the business that I lived on the bola for more so many months. “bolla” means refuse dump or dump site. So when I refer to bolla Boys, I mean boys of the dumpsite or refuse dumps. So, while I was living on the bolla, there are times that people would dispose frozen, fried or cooked chickens that they didn’t want to eat, beef, bread and other waste foods. For me, they were not wastes but useful. I believe God brought me those foods and I Bolla boys loading one of the truck with scraps ate them. I would pick the chicken or beef from the wastes, boil them and eat them steal. We don’t tolerate stealing at all. The with the bread I got from there,” he added. boys are given money to buy scraps that would require buying, from their owners. They are not allowed to push their carts “Jegal” my nick name His bolla life story sounds so strange! into people’s residence to pick anything Curious, Saturday Mirror asked how without their permission. Those who many times he was admitted in the hospi- scavenged from the waste or refuse dump tal or if he was operating with juju (magic don’t need all those except the clearance power), he said that he got his sobriquet to pass through some routes. They bring from his extraordinary life style. Hear whatever they pick from the dumps and sell to us. So, if security agents arrest him: “I never took ill. And I don’t think a them and they are not accused of stealhealthy man has anything to do with the ing, we will bail them out. Before any of hospital except to visit the sick. Nothing the boys become part of our business, happened to me eating all those aban- they have to sign an undertaking before doned food. They are food. It all depends we give them our identity cards,” Ibrahim on your mind, what you think. Am not explained. However, while affirming his innosurprised you are so shocked. Even my cence and those in the Scrap Association, colleagues on the dumpsites did feel the Ahmed said that childhood independence same way too. That is how they gave me engenders delinquency as children who the name “Jegal” which means a human can fend for themselves are often recalcibeing that eats anything, that fears nothtrant and out of parental control. ing. I can eat anything – abandoned food, “Most of those boys who engage in scavfishes, snakes, beef, chicken – and I am not enging jobs are like touts. It is true that afraid of anything. this business can make somebody become “At times, people will be shouting an armed robber, thief or tout. Why? snake! snake! And you will see able bodBecause this is the business that first, it ied men and women running away. I can’t makes you to leave your parents and berun. I will pursue it and catch it for food. come independent. You leave the house There was a time people said that there with nothing but come back home with was a crocodile at the Lawanson canal two to five thousand naira. And you might close to the bolla. Each time they would shout crocodile. One of those days, I was not go back to your parents house after the around and I jumped into the carnal to days job because you have money to take catch the crocodile. People were afraid care of yourself. What makes a child to that I would sink or the crocodile would run home? It is most time hunger, and eat me up. When I finally caught it, it again, parental care which include shelter. The bolla boys can do this for themselves turned out to be eledo. “People think I have juju but I don’t. I at their childhood,” Ahmed stated. Explaining further, he said: “Again, have not had any such thing before. Even when you are doing this work, you would when I came to Lagos, people were scared be tempted to make your “eyes to be red” of me because I was eating everything I by smoking banned substances like marilay my hands on”. juana, gums, cigarettes, drinking alcohol. While I was in Kano and Portharcourt, I Scavengers or robbers Sighting scavengers at a neighbour- did this scavenging job with several bad hood evokes suspicion. The scavengers boys. I have stayed with armed robbers, are sometimes alleged to be aiding and touts, but I did not try to copy them or follow their bad ways. I know the famabetting criminal acts. “Before we engage anybody in our busi- ily I came from. My grandfather was an ness, we give them orientation. We will Arabic teacher. My parents wanted me to tell them in clear terms that the job is not be a Mallam. So, I don’t smoke nor drink an opportunity to steal or help anybody to alcohol at all. I only drink ‘pure water’ (sa-
“We have allocation for every truck pusher under us. Generally, we have about 500 boys working for us. Some are on salary while some are on commission. For the cart pushers, we give the daily allocation ranging from N4,000 to N10,000 to buy scraps and other wastes materials relevant to us. At the end of the day when they retire back to the office, we buy the scraps from them and they refund our capital while taking their profits. Sometimes, the boys could buy scraps worth N5,000 and sell to us for N7,000. If for instance, our initial capital was N10,000, they will have to balance us N3,000. That is how we operate,” he stated. However, he explained further, those who are fully engaged in chiselling and weighing the scraps as well as loading it unto the lorries, “we pay them weekly and monthly. Every day, they are entitled to N800 allowance. Every Friday, they are entitled to a wage of N5,000. So, monthly, they earn N44,000.” chet water) and minerals. I don’t need to impress people by doing what is bad. “We don’t allow anybody to smoke within this business complex. Aside from my personal dislike for drugs, police do come here occasionally to carry out inspection. I hate embarrassment and we don’t want to be embarrassed by any security agent”. Opening and closing time “When I was at Lawanson, I had a friend we did push carts together to hunt for scraps, Akoni. We did not know that at night, he would go and rob. But one day, nemesis caught up with him and he was crucified in Mushin. Those bad cart pushers that are tarnishing our image do really hid gun in their carts and could become something bad to any neighbourhood at any time. But we are not part of such. There are always bad eggs in any set up. We were worried by this kind of development and we discover that when they leave very early in the morning like from 3 a.m. to scout for scraps, they are tempted to engage in robbery and other evil acts; we had to stop all carts pushers from operating very early in the morning. In this set up, we have make it as a practice and law, that every truck pusher can only resume to take his truck from this park by 8 a.m. and they must return back by 4 or 5 pm. “Again, then, those boys don’t use to buy the scraps. They pick anywhere they see it. With this, they sometimes become desperate to intrude into people’s home to pick scraps and the temptation for robbery comes. That has changed. In our own business set up, we buy scraps – condemned batteries, aluminium wires, mattresses, condemn car parts, fans, electronic parts, etc.” Business and wages Ahmed explained that their workers are well remunerated. While some graduate working in organised private sectors cannot earn as much as N30,000 per month, Scraps Association makes life easy for its workers who are entitled to daily allowance and weekly wage that amounts to about N44,000 monthly.
Challenges Lamenting the challenges faced by their workers, Ibrahim stated that “Most times, the boys who go round with their trucks to buy abandoned properties called scraps, are confronted and harassed by security agents as well as area boys. We always wade in to rescue them, as far as they are innocent of whatever charges against them. The area boys just want to extort money from them because they see the scavengers as hapless and a tool to be exploited. From the side of the security agents, it is a recent development. I don’t know if you are aware that the government has stopped scavengers from using pushing carts on the major roads. And because of this directive, the security agents would pounce on the boys whenever they are seen. We would have to go for their release because those boys carry our company cards and are doing legitimate jobs. “There are times that the touts would block our boys, beat them up mercilessly and dispossess them of their money. When this happens, we work together with the police to effect their arrest and rescue the boys.” Keeping Lagos clean Ibrahim and Ahmed say that the scraps dealers should be seen as partners in ridding Lagos State of wastes and not otherwise. “Lagos State government say they don’t want to see any truck pusher on the express, especially those who carry refuse. But we are not into refuse disposal. Our boys carry scraps and irons and we are helping to keep Lagos State clean. We want the government to realise that we are working to keep Lagos clean. So, instead of putting restriction on our operations, we should be allowed to operate freely in as much as we do not in turn, litter the environment. We have several loads of lorries leaving here every week with scraps. So, you can imagine the height of refuse on the dump sites if we have not been picking or buying these scraps from the dumps for recycle.”
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LIVING
Mutiu before
Fate played a terrible one on Mutiu Omotayo who was once an auto-mechanic. He lost his right arm in an accident and suddenly became a beggar. Today, he has risen from his poor state to hawking handkerchiefs. Here are the details of his story as told by YEMISI ADENIRAN.
M
utiu Omotayo, a 39 years old from Aledo Isiwo, Ijebu Ode Ogun State, is an auto-mechanic. Many years back, it never crossed his mind that he would make a living selling handkerchiefs and other little things. To him, those were the trade for the lazy ones. Or at best, it was not the type of work that he ever dreamt of doing to make ends meet. That conclusion must have made him taken to the job of auto-mechanic as a young man. Bustling with vigour and so much life, he was sure he had settled for the right job. Like many a mechanic, he had his area of speciality. He was versed in the repair of Japanese cars, which is talking about products like Honda, Nissan, Toyota and quite a number of others of their type. To become proficient as a motor mechanic, he trained for five years, at Obalende area of Lagos State. That was from 1985 to 1990. Upon graduation, the joy of being independent at long last was simply immeasurable. With the enthusiasm of a skilled labourer, he performed magic on
December 22, 2012
Mutiu now
An auto mechanic, his twisted fate cars that have chosen to give their owners a hell of time. Omotayo, because of his proficiency soon became a darling of many of his customers. For those who could drag their obstinate vehicles to his workshop, situated around Fagba, in Iju area of Lagos, healing was assured once he laid his hands on them. And those who could not come with their cars to his workshop, Omotayo was often brought in to perform his magic wherever the vehicle might have decided to stay put. “To the glory of Almighty God, I was good on the job, at least people told me and I had dreams of having workshops in strategic places in Lagos to enlarge my coast,” he told Saturday Mirror. With the kind of high patronage that greeted him, it was not difficult for the auto-mechanic to start his family. In no time, he got married and started making babies. Life looked promising and he was ready to make the best of it. “I got married to a woman of my dream and I promised myself to cater for my family beyond how I was catered for. I was investing all I had into the business, saving money at least to become somebody in life and majorly to save well enough for my children’s academics and to have a roof over my head before their responsibilities get heavier. My father usually encourage us to build a house no matter how small and have a good car before our children begin to enter the secondary schools when he believed we will have more to spend. This, I had at the back of my mind as I strug-
gled on in my own little way,” he recalled. Unfortunately,the story of his life was to change soon. He however did not expect it. As in one of those days when customers would put a call through and invite him to come and solve a mechanical conundrum, Omotayo was invited by one of his customers. Such an invitation meant two things to him: confidence in him by the customers; more money to his pocket. If there was any sign that he was to be involved in a sad event, it was not obvious. He therefore had no hesitation to journey down to Agbara Estate in Ogun State. He had a hectic time and the job took him longer than necessary. But hell bent on finishing it once and for all, he stayed put and ensured that he breathed life into it. With a sigh of satisfaction, both from him and from his customer who rewarded him handsomely, he left the place an accomplished mechanic. But he had to get home before it was too dark. Joining buses home would not make that possible. His best choice was the fast moving commercial motorcycle otherwise called Okada. He hopped on one and was home bound. At about 9.30 p.m., the unexpected happened. He had an accident. He fell down from the okada and a car run over his right hand. “It all happened so suddenly and all I could remember was a fall, a yell from me and people around and then, I woke up in a hospital,” he said. Of course, he was rushed to the nearest hospital at Fagba area of Ijaye Ojokoro
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local government area of Lagos State. His case appeared too bad for them to handle and they referred him to Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. There, it was discovered that some veins had been damaged, thus cutting out life from the arm. Wait for this: He had to be amputated. It was simply incredible. It was the last thing the auto-mechanic ever prepared for. His hand was cut off. He could not easily come to terms with his new fate. It was simply incomprehensible to him. Where would he start from? What would he do now? The only thing he knew how to do was repair vehicles, and that would certainly not be possible with his hand, the right one gone. His left hand alone could not hold spanners and turn bolt and knots well without the complement of the right hand. Omotayo was down. “At first, I thought of ending it all. What would I do without my right hand? I suddenly turned a baby, learning how to use my left hand to eat and to do all things. I was totally downcast. But when I looked at my wife who stood by me still and my children who did not ask me to bring them to this world in the first place, I couldn’t but made up my mind to live. It was a hard decision but I need to forge on somehow,” decided Omotayo. Yes, the truth was that life must go on. From the many sermons preached to him, the incident did not signify the end of the world. He indeed had to carry on. What then could he do? Beg for arms. That appeared the easiest and cheapest thing to do. With so much reluctance, he eventually gave in and overpowered the shame that came with it. With cap in hand, he went to the streets, telling the gory tale of his twisted fate and how he needed to survive. Those who pitied him dropped some coins into his plate while others simply looked away dismissing him as just another lazy man who was catching in on the situation to constitute nuisance. It was painful, but Omotayo appeared to have no choice. Much as he appeared to be making some money, he was not happy and the money was not even good enough to make ends meet. At the end of the day, whenever he got home, he realized that a large percentage of the money dropped into his laps were bad ones which were not fit for spending. He became frustrated and downcast. “ The humiliation was much. Many nights, I couldn’t eat. I would cry and cry, silently wishing that I would disappear or turned round the hands of the clock. How could I have turned a beggar?,” he kept querying himself. Many years of meditation fetched him another possible way out. Buying and selling. That was how he became a trader in handkerchiefs. He flung his beggar’s bowl into the bush and begun to hawk handkerchiefs at bus stops. And with this, he makes ends meet today. All the same, Omotayo wished for something better, life will be better if he gets something better doing. His plea: “I wish to start an auto business of trading in vehicle parts if I am assisted in any way. Although I have continued to sell these handkerchiefs and I get some profits from it, it is really not enough to feed me and my family. I can do more buying and selling if I have some financial assistance.”
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LIVING
December 22, 2012
A trek for charity
Yinka, wife and daughter
Adeyinka James Shorungbe is not the type of person who treks long distance. But for charity the bank manager did 175 kilometres of trekking in six days. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON
F
or the family of Adeyinka James Shorungbe, 3 December through 8 will always be very remarkable. The dates signify when Adeyinka James Shorungbe embarked and completed a six-day journey on foot from one end of Lagos State to the other (Seme boarder in Badagry to Epe, the Ogun State boarder). Indeed, Adeyinka James Shorungbe can aptly be described as a rare person with even a rarer passion to must have thought of making such a sacrifice in the name of charity. A bank manager in a reputable bank, Shorungbe is always with the thought of putting smiles on the faces of the inmates of the Red Cross International motherless Children home in Makoko area for the Christmas. While speaking with Saturday Mirror at the Ogun state boarder last week, Shorungbe disclosed that he always engaged in overall fitness sports and it is something he enjoys doing. “I enjoy walking long distances. I love walking for fun, endurance and overall fitness. I quite enjoy it as I find myself being challenged to surpass myself at each time I walk” enthused Shorungbe. According to Shorungbe who embarked on a 175 km walk across Lagos, he has always been very passionate about children and would love to do all in his power to care for them. “Since I love to walk for fitness, while discussing with some of my friends, they suggested that I could actually do it for charity and that lingered in my heart and
right there and then, I agreed to it and that was how I came up with the plan” he added. To show the level of preparedness that Shorungbe made for this long walk, he disclosed to Saturday Mirror that the plan for this 175 km walk took him about a month and a half. “For weeks before commencing on this journey, I practised for it. I also shopped for a pair of trekking shoes for the journey. I bought a power bank which was really helpful for me during the day to charge my phones and gadget so my phones would not run out of power because I also have a tracker installed on it for people to be able to locate me on the Google map tracker which is also linked to my online accounts and twitter” He further explained that he had also planned the number of kilometres he would be trekking on a daily basis to enable him have an idea of where he would be at a particular time. “Before embarking on the journey, I had taken a tour to these places to know the routes I will take and how and where to lodge when evening falls. That was how I was able to know that if I could walk an average of 30 km a day, I would be able to complete the journey in six days. It was an interesting and challenging exercise” recalled Shorungbe. On his experiences during the long walk, Shorungbe recalled that it was really an interesting thing to actually walk through some of those places he has been opportune to drive through only at nights. For me it is another experience entirely. The Victoria Island to Epe axis is a familiar terrain but the Seme boarder end all the way to CMS is not particularly a familiar
The shoe Th sh hoe that that did th did the th job job jo
one especially on foot. Since the construction work on the Badagry express way started, I have only driven through those places at nights and to actually walk through it during the day, was another experience entirely. It was quite an interesting journey with challenges too. I remember about two occasions that I had to ease myself in the bush when I got pressed on the way. I also had to eat in a buka somewhere at the Badagry end” On some sights he could consider to be remarkable, Shorungbe recalled that he had quite a few of such sights. “Somewhere around Badagry was one shrine of something dedicated to a forefather and the bridge by Badagry and also the construction work going on, on the Badagry road. I had never seen it during the day, I only drove past there once at night, I had only been seeing it in the papers but I actually saw it life during the day and I actually walked through it, it was really interesting and remarkable” On how much he was able to realise on this journey, Shorungbe noted that he has been able to realize both cash and pledges of about N180, 000. “I have been able to realize about N180, 000 both in cash and pledges. As soon as I have redeemed all the pledges, I would get the cheque ready for the orphanage home” he said. Thinking back on what the journey might have caused him monetary wise, Shorungbe responded: “Do you know I have not even thought of how much I have spent on this project monetarily? This is so because I was really excited to get on with it and achieve my goal
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and I thank God that I was able to see this project through to this final stage and I hope to do more in future. And for the encouragement of my friend and colleagues like Chinedu, an old friend who came to join me on the last day and walked 10 km with me and Ebele who also walked 22kms with me, it is indeed very encouraging to find some people who believe in you and what you want to do. They made the final stage of the journey more fun for me” Indeed apart from having a good heart, Shorungbe musty also have been blessed with a good family. While speaking with his mother Mrs. Luccinder Rokosu, she noted that from childhood, Shorungbe had always taken a great loving to children in particular and would do anything for them to be happy. “I have always known my son to be very loving and caring especially towards children. He also likes to do all manner of sports and long walks. The day his wife told me he walked from his office in Bonny Camp in Victoria Island to his house in Lekki after Chevron, I was shocked. Even when he wanted to start on this journey, he did not tell me at the initial stage until Sunday when he took off. He called me and at that time, there was nothing I could do because he is a strong willed person that would do whatever he has decided to do come what may. All I could do was to pray for him. On how she felt the first few days, Rokosu recalled; “I couldn’t sleep for the first two days especially the days he spent at the Badagry end. I only started having respite when he got to Festac; at least that is closer home” Ronke Shorungbe, the wife of the Lagos trekker also noted that her husband has a rare passion for children and sports. When he told me of this project, I was really crossed because my major fear was the issue of security. He told me that he would not be walking at night but will close every day’s trekking by 6pm and start from wherever he stops the following day. It was quite a strange one on me but knowing my husband well, he would do whatever he determines to do, he’s unstoppable. I thank God for the grace granted him to complete this journey so far” While speaking with Ebele Ofulue, a colleague of his who joined him on the last day and walked 22 kilometres with him said this of Shorungbe. “He is a kind of person that would do whatever he says he will do. He told me about this project about last year and that is to show you that he is one who keeps at whatever he wants to do. I took up much running slightly over a year ago and I met others who love to run and I have done a few races locally and internationally and when Yinka told me about this project he was going to do for charity, I was excited about it and wanted to join him but because of work I couldn’t join him all the while until this final day and I am happy I was able to do 22 kilometres with him. I am happy to be here” On his future project, Shorungbe said he has intentions to do other projects like this in future. “I am looking at a walk from Lagos to Togo for the future. I am still thinking about it and I also hope to become a centurion one day when I will be able to do 100 kilometres a day. This journey so far has helped me burn over 12, 000 calories and I am happy” noted Shorungbe.
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TOURISM
December 22, 2012
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Chief Priest of Aruosa
Holy Aruosa Cathedral: Where religion meets tradition Aruosa Cathedral
Stop in Benin one of these days and worship at Holy Aruosa Cathedral, the Bini version of the Church of England. Harrison Okao, chief-priest of Aruosa says, “We do not lock our doors when we worship. The door is always open for people to see how we worship. You are invited to our service.” SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN
H
oly Aruosa Cathedral is the oldest church in Nigeria. It was built in the 15th Century on Akpakpava Street, in the heart of the ancient city of Benin. Benin City, as the city is now called, was the headquarters of the Benin Empire of 1440—1897, a precolonial African state of great warriors. The all-powerful Monarch of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa heads the Holy Aruosa Cathedral as the custodian of the staff of the kingdom’s authority. He is assisted by a Chief Priest known as Ohen-Osa, who is in turn assisted by other priests that were trained, empowered and authorised by their leader. According to a member of the church, Mr. Nosa Ordia, the Aruosa is the Benin people’s equivalent of the Church of England or the Dutch reformed church. His assertion, perhaps, lends credence to the lively, boisterous but revering response of Oba ghato kpere, Ise! (or Long may the king live, Amen!), which often rents the air after every prayer to God inside the intimidating Aruosa by the head of the Kingdom, who doubles as the head of the church in similar manner that the English anthem attracts the response of Long may the Queen live! According to the Chief Priest of Holy Aruosa Cathedral, Chief Harisson Okao, “Aruosa simply means the Site of God. “In other words, it means the holy site or place of God. That is, in real physical
or tangible term, it means the holy site or place where God is being worshipped in truth and in spirit.” Credit for the establishment of Aruosa goes to Oba Esigie, who ruled Benin Kingdom from 1504c to 1550 AD. A great ruler amongst those that ruled kingdoms then in present day Africa, Esigie had a long reign of perhaps 46 years, according to modern scholars of history. His eventful reign was marked by the commissioning of great works of Art, some of which were later stolen. Another highlight of his reign was the introduction of a special post in his administration for his mother, the Iyoba, or Queen Mother. According to the Chief-Priest, “While Holy Aruosa Cathedral was established during the reign of Oba Esigie, it was reestablished during the reign of Oba Akenzua on or about December 11, 1945. But before it was re-established, it was still functioning however.” Oba Akenzua II, who lived between 1899 and 1798 and ruled for 25 years between April 15, 1933 and December 1, 1978 not only re-established but also rebuilt and renewed the Aruosa as a holy site of worship before he was succeeded by the reigning Oba Erediauwa. How did a Christian church come into existence in the middle of the proud Bini civilization? According to the historian, Robin Walker, Esigie had requested for arms from Portugal to crush the threats posed by some surrounding kingdoms such as the Igala located to the north to which the Portuguese King, Manuel, had responded with a letter: “When we see that
you have embraced the teachings of Christianity like a good and faithful Christian, there will be nothing within our realms which we shall not be glad to favour you, whether it be arms or cannon and all other weapons of war for use against your enemies; of such things we have great store, as your ambassador Dom Jorge will inform you.” Moving further with his proposition, the King of Portugal sent his agent, Affonso d’Aveiro and others accompanied by Christian missionaries, who successfully wooed and converted Esigie to the Christian faith following which churches were established in Benin City. Although the remnants of those earliest churches were found in Akpakpava, Idunmwuerie and Ogbelaka, only the Aruosa in Akpakpava survived. It now has a new branch that was carved out at the end of 2010 in Oka Useni, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Oba Esigie’s conversion to Christianity, as the King of Portugal had requested, was very much to the consternation of his Palace Chief and subjects, resulting in the rebellion of Chief Oliha. Indeed, during the Idah war of 1515—1516, the Portuguese missionaries accompanied Esigie, who could read and write the language fluently by then, to the battlefields, intensely building a lasting relationship. It is said that even after the establishment of Christian churches in the ancient empire; indigenous religion dominated and undermined the ‘foreign’ religion. This claim might partly explain the modern day mixture of indigenous beliefs and
Roman Catholic practices in the worship pattern of the Holy Aruosa Cathedral. For example, while no worshipper was willing to tell this visitor after a service he attended at the Aruosa why and what constitutes the watery substance that is at times sprinkled on members before the beginning of a service, the church itself does not pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose commandment of evangelism led to the conversion and establishment of the church in the first instance. Asked to what power the church prays, Okao, the Chief-Priest says, “We pray directly to Osanobua (or God, the Creator) here. 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.”
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39
December 22, 2012
Kidney stone(Nephrolithiasis) nary tract along with the stones, there may be fever and chills. Sometimes, symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urinary urgency, penile pain, or testicular pain may occur due to kidney stones.
What is the treatment for kidney stones? How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
W
hat is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi. The condition of having kidney stones is termed nephrolithiasis.
What causes kidney stones? Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and /or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. About 75 per cent of kidney stones are calcium stones. Dehydration from reduced fluid intake or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. In this regard, climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.
Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract; these are known as struvite or infection stones. Metabolic abnormalities, including inherited disorders of metabolism, can alter the composition of the urine and increase an individual’s risk of stone formation. A number of different medical conditions can lead to an increased risk for developing kidney stones.
What are the symptoms and signs of Kidney stones? While some kidney stones may not produce symptoms (known as “silent” stones), people who have kidney stones often report the sudden onset of excruciating, cramping pain in their low back and/or side, groin, or abdomen. Changes in body position do not relieve this pain. The abdominal, groin, and/ or back pain typically waxes and wanes in severity, characteristic of colicky pain (the pain is sometimes referred to as renal colic). It may be so severe that it is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain has been described by many as the worst pain of their lives, even worse than the pain of childbirth or broken bones. Kidney stones also characteristically cause blood in the urine. If infection is present in the uri-
We both have HIV Dear doctor, Please doctor, my wife and I are HIV positive. And we were asked to take some medications. This we have done for eight months, but we still test positive. Is HIV a silent killer? I am worried. Thanks. Sam---------------------------Nassarawa State
Most kidney stones eventually pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours, with ample fluid intake. Anti-inflammatory drug, and highly potent analgesic may be used for pain control when over-the-counter pain control medications are not effective. Intravenous pain medications can be given when nausea and vomiting are present. Since most kidney stones, given time, will pass through the urethra to the bladder on their own, treatment is directed toward control of symptoms. Home care in this case includes the consumption of plenty of fluids. There are several factors which influence the ability to pass a stone. These include the size of the person, prior stone passage, prostate enlargement, pregnancy, and the size of the stone Some medications have been used to increase the passage rates of kidney stones. These drugs may be prescribed to some people who have stones that do not rapidly pass through the urinary
Kidney stone facts A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Symptoms of a kidney stone include flank pain (which can be quite severe) and blood in the urine (hematuria). Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine.
tract. For kidney stones that do not pass on their own, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up a large stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary system. Surgical techniques have also been developed to remove kidney stones when other treatment methods are not effective.
How can kidney stones be prevented?
Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place when possible. It can be especially helpful to drink more water, since low fluid intake and dehydration are major risk factors for kidney stone formation. Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individual’s medical history, dietary changes or medications are sometimes recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing further kidney stones. If one has passed a stone, it can be particularly helpful to have it analyzed in a laboratory to determine the precise type of stone so specific prevention measures can be considered. What is the outlook (prognosis) for kidney stones? Most kidney stones will pass on their own, and successful treatments have been developed to remove larger stones or stones that do not pass. People who have had a kidney stone remain at risk for future stones throughout their lives.
LIFE SAVERS Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation.
People with certain medical conditions, such as gout, and those who take certain medications or supplements are at risk for kidney stones. Dietary and hereditary factors are also related to stone formation. Diagnosis of kidney stones is best accomplished using a CT scan.
Most kidney stones will pass through the urethra to the bladder on their own with time. Treatment includes pain control medications and, in some cases, medications to facilitate the passage of urine. If needed, lithotripsy or surgical techniques may be used for stones which do not pass through the urethra to the bladder on their own.
LETTER
Mirror Doctor replies Although there is no cure for Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), medications have been highly effective in fighting HIV and its complications. Drug treatments are designed to help reduce the HIV virus in your body, keep your immune system as healthy as possible and decrease the complications you may develop. You and your doctor will work to-
gether to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs. Three main factors will be considered when designing your treatment plan. These are; your willingness and readiness to begin therapy, the stage of your disease and other health problems. It’s important that you take your medications exactly as prescribed. This is a crucial part of your treatment success. Most medications have side effects, which your doctor will discuss with you.
Individuals respond differently to medications and side effects may vary. At this point, it is important you know that the medications will help reduce the virus in your body if you use them as prescribed. Don’t be so anxious that your test results are still positive. You need to develop a positive attitude to accepting the fact that you are positive and can live healthy life. Ensure you are registered with an approved health facility that caters for patients that are positive. This is for effective monitoring and management. The drugs are free.
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LEISURE
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sport
AFCON 2013 Super Eagles striker, Kalu Uche (middle), tries to beat Rwandan defenders during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the two countries in Calabar on June 16, 2012.
Emeteole, Isima disagree over Eagles’ chances SAYO OGUNDEJI
T
he Super Eagles of Nigeria has intensified their preparation for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed to hold in South Africa, following the invitation of some homebased players and a few of foreign-based ones to camp, and former internationals, Kelechi Emeteole and Okey Isima, have expressed divergent views over the team’s chances at the bi-annual continen-
tal showpiece. The Eagles, who failed to qualify for the last edition of the competition held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, defeated Liberia 8-3 on aggregate to book a place in next year’s finals with Stephen Keshi now in charge of the side. Nigeria is in Group C, alongside the defending champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia and the team will kickstart its campaign against Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on January 21, 2013.
Keshi drills P. 43 Eagles after draw with Nasarawa United
Though the Eagles are currently in camp with some invited home-based players, Keshi is expected to name some of the foreign-based professionals to join the team’s camp in Faro, Portugal ahead of the Nations Cup soon. Earlier, ex-internationals, Taribo West and Jonathan Akpoborie have expressed their opinion that the present crop of players under Keshi cannot win the tournament, saying the team is just evolving and as such do not have the characteristics of a champion.
Eaglets are P. 44 eager to make Nigerians proud –Ugbade
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
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But Emeteole and Isima who are obviously excited with Keshi qualifying the country for the tournament are delighted with the manner at which he gave opportunities to players irrespective of where they play, but had divergent views of the team’s prospect in South Africa. While Emeteole is enthusiastic over Nigeria’s chances in South Africa following their good run during the Nations Cup qualifiers and international friendly matches, Isima has refused to tip the team for glory, saying the final list will determine how far the Eagles would go at the tournament. Emeteole who has managed Heartland FC of Owerri revealed that with dedication on the side of the players, the Eagles have the potentials of dethroning Zambia in South Africa. “Zambia won the tournament last year with a young squad and I see no reason why this present Eagles cannot emulate them in South Africa next year. “Already, Keshi has done a good job with the players, especially with his style of giving every player the opportunity to showcase his talent and I believe with a bit of luck, the team has what it takes to crush all opposition at the competition. “Expectedly, the team is on the right track as far as the tournament is concerned, because they have commenced preparations, but they have to be resolute and remain disciplined if they are to go far in the tournament,” Emeteole warned. In his own reaction to the Super Eagles chances of lifting the Nations Cup trophy in South Africa, Isima said he believes the team needs an element of luck to excel because there are no longer minnows in African football. According to him, Keshi may run into the problem of players’ selection and added that the players’ determination to make a success out of the competition would play a major role in their outing. He however revealed that winning the tournament for the third time should serve as a motivation. “Obviously, we have been impressed with their performances during the qualifiers and the friendly matches they have so far played, but the real tournament is a different kettle of fish, because things can go wrong, if the right set of players are not selected. “We have only won the tournament twice in our history, and the desire to win the trophy for a third time should serve as enough motivation for the present crop of players in the Super Eagles. “Nigeria has a lot of good players scattered almost everywhere in the world, but the problem is getting the right balance which determines the strength of the team. Until Keshi releases the final list of players going for the competition, winning the Nations Cup is not guaranteed,” Isima concluded.
Ronaldo vows never to P. 45 celebrate against United
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SPORT
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NFF: Avoiding another jamboree at South Africa 2013
A
ll is now set for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations beginning in South Africa from January 19 to February 10, and as expected the Super Eagles of Nigeria has commenced preparations for the competition following Coach Stephen Keshi’s invitation of 23 home-based and few foreignbased professionals to the team earlier in the week. But how prepared is the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in seeing that this time around, it will not be business as usual? More so now that the NFF has come out clearly to state that they are owing the Super Eagles sweat merchant, Keshi, two months’ salary just few weeks before the start of the Nations Cup. HT gathered that the same NFF, which appoints and pays national coaches, also owes assistant coaches Daniel Amokachi, Sylvanus Okpala and Ike Shorunmu salary arrears, which is very shameful for a country that wants to get it right in international football. Aside the aforementioned, Keshi is still waiting for his official car and apartment, more than a year after he took up the Super Eagles coaching job. A check into our records shows that this is not the first time Nigerian coaches have been owed ahead of a major international competition like the Africa Cup of Nations. Recently the likes of Christian Chukwu, Shaibu Amodu, Samson Siasia, Aus-
HARD TACKLE with
Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com tin Eguavoen, John Obuh and Eucharia Uche had to rely on the power of the media to voice out their anguish by seeking payment of their outstanding salaries, while the administrators in NFF continues to run rings. It is worthy to note that everywhere in the world, especially top football-playing nations, the payment of salaries and allowances of players cum members of the coaching crew is one way of motivating a national team to do the impossible, especially ahead of a continental showpiece like the Nations Cup. And it is on the aforementioned premise that I have my fears for the Super Eagles in South Africa which some sports analysts believe are set for another jamboree in next year’s Nations Cup. For example, sports administrators in the country (football inclusive) have shown that they have not learnt any lesson from the London 2012 flop where our athletes failed to win a single medal at the Games. Even the Super Falcons and
08023103605
NFF President, Alh. Aminu Maigari
the U-23 national team could not qualify for the football events in London which is an indication that the NFF are short of ideas in terms of moving football forward in the country. But HT’s greatest worry is the amount of tax payers’ money that will be wasted on some delegates and some individuals who may not have any business being in South Africa during the Nations Cup. This is because, on many occasions, this category of people even-
tually becomes a source of distraction to the team as we saw during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the London 2012 Olympics, where many politicians and relations of past NFF board members used the opportunity to globe trot and waste tax payers’ money, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues to watch from afar. Therefore, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations should be a wake-up call to the anti-graft agency to monitor closely the activities of the NFF who are currently trying to depict a picture that they do not have enough funds to prosecute the Nations Cup, talk less of paying the coaching crew. With this scenario, Nigerians should rise in unison to condemn this new posture of the NFF and task them to do the right thing because it would be nauseating to hear that the Eagles failed to fly in South Africa as a result of lack of funds. Another issue which should bug the minds of soccer pundits is the quality of players that will make the final list to the Nations Cup. Can these players be compared to the Super Eagles squads that won the Nations Cup in 1980 and 1994 respectively? If the answer is no, then we are in for another shocker. For example, on December 20, the entire continent of Africa was agog, as football administrators gathered in the ancient city of Accra, Ghana, to crown the 2012 African Footballer of the
Year, and expectedly, no Super Eagles player came close to the top-three position, thereby casting doubts on the kind of players Nigeria will parade at the Nations Cup next month. Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure shocked many pundits as he was named the African Player of the Year for a second time after defeating fellow Ivory Coast star and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba into second place with former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song coming third. Toure won the 2012 poll in a vote of head coaches and technical directors of countries affiliated to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Aside Toure’s feat, the 2010 Nations Cup winners Zambia were named team of the year with their coach Herve Renard named coach of the year. This shows that the team is still rocksolid and ready to defend the trophy it won in 2010. Thus, Nigeria may have its hands full in Group C of the Nations Cup where they are pitched alongside defending champions, Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Therefore, from the foregoing, it is important to note that in avoiding another jamboree in South Africa next month, all hands must be on deck in seeing that NFF transparently carries out their duties well, such that every dine meant for the players and the coaching crew are accounted for and not wasted on frivolities as seen in the past.
SPORT NEWS
Edeh-Eze assures on wrestlers IFEANYI EDUZOR
T
he President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Austin Edeh- Eze says that efforts are being made to ensure that wrestlers discovered at the just concluded 18th National Sports Festival, tagged “Eko 2012” are given adequate exposure to enable them win laurels for the country at international competitions. According to him, Nigeria has a lot of talented wrestlers in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, but they need adequate exposure to enable them excel at such championships like the Olympics, World Championship and the Commonwealth Games. “I am happy with the performance of our wrestlers at the
National Sports Festival. Most of the athletes that won gold medals are world beaters who only need adequate exposure to rule the world in wrestling. “Nigeria has a comparative advantage in amateur wrestling over other countries because the sport has semblance with our local wrestling and the Federation will liaise with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure that some of these athletes are sponsored to international competitions were they will get adequate exposure ahead of major championships in future,” he said. Edeh- Ezeh while commending Lagos State Government for organizing a hitch-free festival, appealed to corporate organizations to invest in amateur wrestling to enable Nigeria become a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
Tenge tasks NFF to work in harmony with NPL IFEANYI EDUZOR
T
he Technical Adviser of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, Justin Tenge, has said that there is need for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to work harmoniously for the development of the country’s football, even as he advocated that the world football governing body, FIFA, should ban any of them that is not following the body’s laid down rules in managing Nigeria’s football. “There is the need for the NFF and NPL to work as a team in order to move the country’s football forward. “In doing this, they must also ensure they follow FIFA laid down rules in managing the game because that is the only way Nigerian league can be rated as one of the best in the continent and the world in general,” he said.
Tenge told our correspondent that for the country’s league to be rated among the best in the continent, concerted efforts must be made to change the administrative style of running the league, noting that with his coaching experience in Nigerian football, no meaningful achievement would be recorded with the present administrators. “The country’s football administrators are not following the status laid down by FIFA neither do they have a football calendar that ensures the game is organized the same way European leagues are organized. “With my coaching experience in Nigeria, I have discovered that we have been operating the same administrative style over the years without any effort for improvement. This is made worst by the fact that some club managers do not have ideas concerning the laws of the game; while some do not know the dimension of the field
Tenger
of play nor what it takes to manage a club,” the seasoned coach lamented. Tenge while promising that Akwa United will put up a good performance next season, appealed to Akwa Ibom State Government to make his job easier by paying all the outstanding debt owned his players before the commencement of the new season.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
SPORT
December 22, 2012
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Table tennis: Onaolapo Keshi drills Eagles after draw with Nasarawa United seeks Rio relief T N he Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, on Thursday subjected his players to a 20-minutes drill, following the team’s 1-1 draw with Nasarawa United in a friendly. The drill was a punishment for their “not too impressive” performance in the match. Ibrahim Ibrahim put Nasarawa United in front in the 18th minute, following a defensive error in the Eagles back line. The Eagles, however, levelled scores in the 44th minute through a spot kick converted by Sunday Mba but it was not enough to wade-off Keshi’s punishment for them. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was put together as part of the team’s build-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, scheduled to kick-off next
FCT wins National U-13 championship
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he FCT U-13 team on Thursday defeated their Ogun State counterparts 3 - 1 to emerge champions of the 2012 National U-13 Youth Championship. The match which was played at the FIFA Goal Project Centre at the Abuja National Stadium, witnessed quality exchanges from both teams but the FCT team eventually triumphed. The goal scorers for the FCT are Iko Seth, Meshach Awoje and Sunday Ugor while Ibrahim Danladi scored Ogun only goal. In his remarks, the NFF President, Aminu Maigari, who was represented by his special assistant on finance, Taiwo Odebunmi, promised that the NFF would continue to develop football from the grassroots. In the third place match played earlier, Kaduna State beat Niger 2 - 0 to go home with the silver medal while certificates were given to the three best-placed teams. In an interview, the National U-13 and U-15 Team Coach, Danladi Nasidi, said he had picked 56 players from the championship. He added that the selected players would be called to camp early next year. “First, I must confess that I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen here tonight and from here I’ve been able to pick 12 U-15 players and 44 U-13 players to make a total of 56. “All of them will have the opportunity to contest for shirts when our camp opens in January,” he said.
month in South Africa. The Nasarawa side managed by veteran coach Alphonsus Dike played their hearts-out in the encounter but it was the national team that showed more maturity and should have easily won the game. The Eagles featured Femi Thomas, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwueke, Gabriel Reuben, Sunday Mba, Fegor Ogude, Tony Okputu, Ejike Uzoenyi and Gambo Mohammed in the first half and changed all the players for a new set of 11 players in the second. The Eagles dominated the game in the early part of the match and would have been at least two goals up in the first 10 minutes but the chances that came their way were wasted by Mba, Reuben and Gambo.
YEMI OLUS
Keshi
The Eagles who played in the second half includes Gomo Onduko, Ubale Mannir, Papa Idris, Henry Uche, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Zango Umar and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
ational table tennis player, Onaolapo Ojo, has appealed to individuals and corporate organizations to assist his quest for a head way at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Nigeria recorded a disappointing result at the London 2012 Olympics where the four representatives failed to go past the first round. Offiong Edem, Funke Oshonaike, Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola who made his sixth appearance at the games featured in the singles of the table tennis event, having lost their qualification for the team events to Egypt. Onaolapo was the youngest member of the team that featured in the World Team Championships held in Germany earlier this year but he failed to make the
Olympics cut after missing out of the All-Africa Games which served as the final qualifiers. “If I have a sponsor I can go for championships, tours, then I can be in a position to perform very well,” he said. “The more you are exposed to international championships, the more your confidence level increases. Having a sponsor will ease things for me and I hope sponsors will come my way,” he added. The 18-year old, who won the men’s singles title at the 2011 National Sports Festival in Rivers State, had earlier attracted international attention when he featured at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. The International Table Tennis Federation also helped him to secure an Olympic solidarity scholarship worth $8, 000 earlier this year.
Cowbell Academy partners Vitesse Arnhem FC ANDREW EKEJIUBA
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owbell Football Academy (CFA) and Soya, a Hollandbased non-governmental organisation under the umbrella of Free-Kicks have entered into partnership with Vitesse Arnhem FC of Holland to train about 400 coaches in Nigeria in the next three years. Vitesse Arnhem FC is a Dutch Division 1 Club which is currently topping the league in Holland. Mr. Godwin Dudu-Orumen, the Rector of the CFA disclosed this in Lagos yesterday at the National Institute of Sports at the on-going training of 60 coaches and 400 youth footballers by Dutch youth football coaches under the freekicks initiative. Dudu-Orumen said the partnership is coming on the heels of the realisation that poor coaching is a major problem of Nigerian football. “Nigerian football needs a
revolution and that revolution we have decided to take on with CFA. We have identified poor coaching as a major problem of football in Nigeria. We want to train 400 coaches in the next three years who will in turn train about 6,000 footballers across the country,” Dudu-Orumen said. He said they invited 10 coaches out of the 60 coaches participating in the current training from outside Lagos while 50 are from clubs within Lagos, adding that these coaches will expand the vision and every year, they will upgrade them. The rector explained that the trained coaches would thereafter bring their experiences to bear on 400 footballers in two pitches: National Institute of Sports football pitch and the main bowl football pitch. Earlier in an address of welcome, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, chairman Lagos State Football Association said the Dutch coaches are not here by accident but it
From L-R: Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Rector, Cowbell Football Academy, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, Chairman Lagos Football Association, Harrald Stelder, Dutch coach and Sylvester Okonkwo, Proprietor of Soya, a Holland-based NGO at the on-going training of 60 coaches and 400 youth footballers by Dutch youth football coaches at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
is a result of painstaking exercise. “In the good old days, we had our style of play and that is what football is all about. We are here because we want to support the programme. It is an issue that has come to stay, pay attention to it, it’s important. “We need to rally round any coach who is picked for an assignment. If we must take benefit
from Lagos State, we must work together,” he said. Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, a member of the board of trustees of Free-Kicks as well as the proprietor of Soya, an Holland-based NGO committed to youth football development in Nigeria said they come up with this project to address the problem Nigerian football is facing.
Hockey: We will continue to punish erring athletes –Ukah IFEANYI EDUZOR
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he President of Hockey Federation of Nigeria Patrick Ukah says that the Federation will continue to sanction any athlete or state that did not play to the rules in all its organized competitions. The Federation during the just concluded 18th National Sports Festival meted out various punishments to athletes and states for violating rules governing the games. Among those who were pun-
ished for various violations of the rules were Oladele Ojo also known as Alaba Joseph and Olubunmi Olamide, known as Olubunmi Olayemi, Olubunmi Ademiloye Emman and Ademisoye Olamide all from Ekiti State. Some were banned from participating in the National Sports Festival for life, while others were banned from taking part in any event organized by the Hockey Federation of Nigeria for two years for violating the eligibility rule of the sports festival. Ekiti State that registered and
Ukah
fielded the athletes was fined
N100, 000 while the state Secretary and Head Coach of the team were suspended from participating in one NSF and all other programmes of the Hockey Federation for two years. According to him, the sanctions became necessary to install discipline in the system and deter others from breaking the rules in future “What the Federation did was in tandem with what happens at the international level and we will continue to sanction erring athletes and states to bring sanity into the system,” he said.
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SPORT
Morocco 2013 Nduka Ugbade, remember him? He was the captain of the victorious Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden FIFA U-16 World Cup in China in 1985. Currently he is the assistant coach of the present national U-17 team that will be representing the country at next year’s African U-17 Championship in Morocco. In this interview with ANDREW EKEJIUBA, the ex-international revealed how the coaching crew worked tireless to assemble the new squad and called on well-meaning Nigerians to rally round the team to achieve success. Excerpts:
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ake a look at the quality of players in the Golden Eaglets team, how did the coaching crew assemble such a squad which many soccer pundits believe have a bright future? It was not an easy task initially because the chief coach, Manu Garba, had to travel effectively to be able to gather all the boys currently playing in the team. We also supported him by doing our own bit and inviting the good ones we spotted to the team. But at the end of the day, we were able to screen all the invited players and from there, we have been training them and loading them with information relating to modern day football and how it is being played. The products we have so far in the Eaglets are the best from the pack we screened and they have not disappointed either. And you can see that they were able to play at the qualifying rounds of the Africa U-17 Championship and secured a ticket for the country. So, we shall see more of these talented players at the African U-17 Championship holding in Morocco next year. What are the chances of the team doing well in Morocco and possibly picking a ticket for the FIFA U-17 World Cup which we last won in 2007 in South Korea? I want to say that our chances are very bright because our ability to maintain discipline in the team is already there and the players have shown great commitment at taking their chances each time they confront any opponent as we saw during the qualifiers for the African U-17 Championship. If we look back and see the amount of work the coaching crew did in raising this present team, then I can comfortably say that I do not have any fear for the team doing well in Morocco and pro-
December 22 , 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Eaglets are eager to make Nigerians proud –Ugbade gressing to pick one of the tickets for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Eaglets scored more than 22 goals during the qualifiers and just had one goal against them, what’s the magic behind such a feat? The magic we did was that we loaded the players with information regarding our opponents and how best to crush them. And as young lads they assimilated what we told them and executed them well. Can you explain more on the aforementioned question? Actually, we taught the players on the need to hold effectively the balls when they are in control of a game and defending frantically when the need arises. So, I can tell you that the players are up to the task of making Nigerians proud again. You were the captain of the Golden Eaglets that took the world by storm in 1985, by lifting the trophy in far away Beijing, China; do you foresee such happening with the present squad? Yes, I foresee that happening again at the world level, but our focus now is doing well in Morocco next year. I’m confident the young lads will do well and pick one of the world cup tickets in Morocco, and from there we should be ready to watch a rejuvenated Golden Eaglets squad that is ready to shock the world. Even as I speak, the Chief Coach, Manu Garba, has the same dream of seeing the present Eaglets do well in Morocco and at the U-17 World Cup, but like I noted earlier, we have to take everything step-by-step. What are the major impediments you have had in building such a flexible rock-solid team? We have not had any problem as such because the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been very supportive in our ef-
Golden Eaglets in a group photograph before a match.
Ugbade
forts in building a team every Nigerian should be proud of at the U-17 level. We are very grateful to the government and people of Cross River State for their support in molding this team, especially the Commissioner for Sports in Cross River State, Hon. Patrick Ugbe, through Governor Liyel Imoke who had done wonderfully well by catering for the team and giving the entire squad great comfort in Calabar. Even the authorities of the University of Calabar have also done well by allowing us to use their training facilities to train the players and we are really grateful to them. Take a look at the countries in your group for the African U-17 Championship holding in Morocco next year, how much do you know of them and what are your chances of coming out tops in the group? We know virtually all of them because
during the qualifiers we happened to have played against some of them. Therefore, in answering your question ahead of Morocco 2013, we are in Group B which has Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria and we are ready to take-on these our opponents as they come when hostilities begin. Remember, I’m as a football educator and alongside our hardworking chief coach, we have really sat down with other members of the coaching crew to analyze our opponents and we discovered that they play indirect football and they showed a lot of qualities and in-built strength in all their matches. Aside the aforementioned fact, we have the Republic of Congo that are coming from a high altitude country, which also means that they can last up to 90 minutes in the game, but we are ready to shock them alongside others in our group. My confidence stems from the fact that our opponents will be up against a new Eaglets team that is hungry and desperate to make a name. And with the present squad of the Eaglets, the NFF is sending a message to Nigerians to support the team because we have entered into a new era. Today, we don’t have issues of qualifying for the African U-17 Championship anymore, but contending for the trophy is our major target now. How has the coaching crew been able to ward-off agents who are desperate to lure these players away to foreign clubs? Frankly, the chief coach has made it clear to the players that they are quite young and as such, if they do well in major international tournaments, the bigger agents will come for them and not the lesser ones at this stage of their build up. We also told the players to strive hard to be dedicated and focused at this stage of their career, so that they won’t lose focus of being spotted at the bigger stage. For now, no agent has the power to come near the boys we are preparing. Even the NFF have also reiterated this too, because we want to rebuild our game from the U-17 level with all seriousness and transparency. Finally, what message do you have for Nigerians regarding the need for them to support the Eaglets? I want to start by appealing to Corporate Nigeria and many individuals to come forward to support the team and the NFF in its quest to build a Golden Eaglets squad we would be proud of. I’m making this passionate appeal because this is a new team that is evolving every day. Our football administrators and soccer pundits are aware of the importance of embarking on a rebuilding process starting from the U-17 level, so every Nigerian should contribute its quota in making this team great because I know we will do well at the end of the day.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Silva hints at Milan return
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aris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has expressed his desire to return to AC Milan at some point in the future. The Brazil international moved to the French capital in the summer for a 42-million-euro fee, but admits that he misses his former club, and would be open to going back to San Siro at some point. “I miss Milan a lot, to tell the truth. No-one can deny that I miss Milan, the club will surely always be in my heart because they gave me so much. “I would like to return, certainly. Milan are a great team, the most successful in the world. I played there for three years and I do not know the future, but, if there is the chance to return again, I would definitely go back,” he said. Thiago Silva revealed that he found the transition to Ligue 1 tough at the start, and claimed that Robinho and Alexandre Pato could well leave San Siro in the January transfer window.
Silva
PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM
P
GD
PTS
1. Man Utd
17
19
42
2. Man City
17
18
36
3. Chelsea
16
11
29
4. Tottenham
17
5
29
5. Arsenal
17
13
27
6. Everton
17
7
27
7. West Brom
17
3
27
8. Norwich
17
-6
25
9. Stoke
17
2
24
10. Swansea
17
4
23
11. West Ham
17
1
23
12. Liverpool
17
0
22
13. Fulham
17
-1
20
14. Aston Villa
17
-9
18
15. Newcastle
17
-7
17
16. Sunderland
17
-6
16
17. Southampton
16
-10
15
18. Wigan
17
-14
15
19. QPR
17
-15
10
20. Reading
17
-15
9
SPORT
December 22, 2012
Ronaldo vows never to celebrate against United
R
eal Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed not to celebrate if he scores in the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Manchester United. The Portugal international enjoyed a six-year spell with the English Premier League leaders before leaving them for Real in 2009. Ronaldo, who will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving United in the second leg on March 5, still has warm feelings for his former
Benitez casts doubt over Chelsea future
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helsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has refused to speculate as to whether he will remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season. Benitez took over at Chelsea following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in November, signing a contract until the end of the season. He has since picked up four victories from his first eight games but the Blues have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and lost the Club World Cup final, as well as suffering a Premier League reverse at West Ham. Chelsea’s supporters have not taken kindly to the appointment of the ex-Liverpool boss with boos ringing out at Stamford Bridge and angry chants directed at the new manager at every game of his tenure so far. However, Benitez says that he believes that it is just a “matter of time” before he turns the fans around and refused to comment on suggestions he could replace Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid in the summer.
club. “I will not celebrate my goal if I manage to score at Manchester United,” Ronaldo said. The 27-year-old recently expressed his gratitude towards United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, insisting he has played a key role in his development. “(Ferguson is) a fantastic person – a humane person. He taught me many things. “Like I said before, he’s like a father in football. I really miss him and my relationship with him,” Ronaldo said.
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Mata targets Europa League glory helsea attacker Juan Mata says his team will take the Europa League seriously, insisting their goal is to win the tournament. Rafael Benitez’s men dropped into the competition after failing to qualify from their Champions League group, despite being holders, finishing behind Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Simeone delighted with Atletico progress Ronaldo
new deal is not far away. “Abidal’s contract renewal is all ready, and he will put ink to paper once he has played his first game again,” Bartomeu said. The 33-year-old arrived at Camp Nou from Lyon in 2007, and has since made more than 180 official appearances for Barcelona. Abidal’s last game for the club was the 2-1 Liga win over Atletico Madrid on February 26.
Vermaelen upbeat despite tough draw
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rsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen believes his side are still capable of winning the Champions League if they can find consistency. The English Premier League side will face Bayern Munich, who are nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, in February in the last 16. The tougher pairing comes after Arsene Wenger’s men failed to finish top of their group. But Vermaelen believes the level of quality in the competition means that no tie would have been easy and the north London side can improve their faltering form ahead of the first leg.
EURO BRIEFS
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Abidal ready for new Barca contract
arcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed Eric Abidal will sign a new deal with the club once he has made his comeback. The France international resumed regular training action earlier this week after a ninemonth spell on the sidelines following a liver transplant. Barca are determined to support the experienced defender and keep him at the club and a
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A
tletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is pleased with the progress his side have made in the year since he took control in the dugout. Atletico sits second in the La Liga table, having lost just three league games an improvement on their fifth placed finish last season.
Simeon
Villas-Boas set for stingy summer
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ottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has dismissed claims the club is set for a spending spree in the January transfer window. Spurs have been linked with a number of players ahead of the New Year, with Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente and summer targets Joao Moutinho and Willian all thought to be interesting the Portuguese tactician.
West Ham targets Anelka Vermaelen
“It’s a tough one but we knew before (that) it doesn’t matter who we drew, it will always be a tough one, especially in the Champions League.
W
est Ham United has confirmed their interest in signing Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window. Reports continue to suggest the Frenchman is set to leave Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in January in the wake of a pay dispute.
Ivanovic proud of winning mentality
B
Benitez
ranislav Ivanovic has called on his Chelsea team-mates to show more of the mentality that saw them bounce back from defeat in the Club World Cup final. Chelsea trailed Leeds at halftime in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup quarter-final, just days after losing to Corinthians in Yokohama, Japan. However a strong second-half comeback at Elland Road saw the Blues progress to the semi-
finals on the back of a 5-1 win. With a busy festive programme kicking off at home to Aston Villa tomorrow, the Serbia defender is adamant that Rafa Benitez’s side must target wins ahead of stylish performances. “It is important for us to sometimes win ugly, as that develops belief and confidence in the players. “It was very important for us to show the right reaction after such a very disappointing game in Ja-
pan. This is just one game, though, and we have to do that in every match by showing the right focus. “We need to win the next couple of games and it is only by doing that, that we will get back the winning mentality which we had before. We know that and we are still building this side. “Sometimes it is very difficult for us to keep growing, but the more time we have on the pitch, the better we will become,” Ivanovic said.
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December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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December 22, 2012
Produce and export vegetable oil, smile to the banks A nation that wants to grow must look inwards so as to harness those areas where it has comparative advantage over other nations. When this is done, then efforts would be made to develop those areas to the advantage of the nation. Apart from petroleum, Nigeria is blessed with agricultural products which when processed and exported can fetch up to 60 percent of her foreign exchange earnings. Unfortunately, some of those natural resources the country is endowed with are not fully utilised. Could you imagine that until recently, before the Federal Government announced the ban on importation of some items, that vegetable oil was being imported into the land? This does not tell well of a nation that wants to generate employment to teeming unemployed school leavers. It does not tell well of a nation that wants to generate more foreign exchange to correct imbalance of payments. It does not tell well of a nation that wants to develop rural areas. Therefore there is urgent need to think of how to make good use of what we have to get what we want. In this write up we shall discuss how to establish a project using abundant raw materials grown in abundant in Nigeria; vegetable oil is in high demand in the international market as well as within the country. Vegetable oil includes palm oil, palm kernel oil, sesame seeds oil, and groundnut oil to mention but a few. Prospective investors will be educated on how to use either local technology or imported machines to set up internationally acceptable product. Raw materials and sources The raw materials needed to set up this project are cottonseeds, melon seeds, groundnuts, palm nuts or palm kernel sesame seeds etc. All these are grown in all parts of the country. Therefore easy procurement of raw materials is assured. Uses of the envisaged product Vegetable oil is a major ingredient in soap, cream, butter and margarine production. It is used at homes and fast food centres as cooking or frying oil. It acts as a substitute to a more expensive olive oil, as salad oil. Vegetable oil is therefore used by cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and beverages industries.
The cottonseed, sesame seeds, melon seed, groundnut and palm kernel cakes are rich in protein and carbohydrate and fats and are necessary input in livestock feeds formulation. Vegetable oil and cakes are therefore commercially and domestically valuable. As a result no waste is envisaged. Marketing of the product The increase in the demand for soap, cream, butter, margarine and other industrial products, has made the demand for vegetable oil very high. The demand covers not only Nigeria, but also across the globe. Some companies in Europe, America, Asia and even some parts of Africa are readily available to purchase in bulk from those who may wish to exploit the opportunities in international market. Details of such foreign buyers will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. Technology (plants and machinery) The plant and machinery required depends on the type of product the prospective investor may wish to produce and the raw material input. From survey carried out the major raw materials required include crusher, toaster, filter press, refining plant. Other equipment includes receiving tanks; weighing scale, project vehicles etc. The advantage of the plant is that it has economic efficiency of processing cottonseed, melon seed, groundnut and palm nuts as well as palm kernel. What the promoters need is to have separate processing shaft for different vegetable oil seeds. The promoters have the option
of using either locally made machines or imported ones. Details on how and where to procure and install, quality machines and equipment (both locally made and imported ones) will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. Production capacity Technically, it implies that the processing plant would be worked to its optimal capacity and all the estimated projections would be achieved. Details would be given to prospective investors. Quality Control It is advisable to prospective investors to maintain high quality standard so as to attract wider acceptability of the product both internationally and locally. The refinery plant should be well equipped enough to refine an internally acceptable product. The quality control specified by Nigeria and International Standard Organization is therefore very essential. Moreover NAFDAC requirements are also very important. Prospective investors will be given details information on these vital issues. Packaging Packaging is another important area to pay much attention to. There is internationally recommended method of packaging the vegetable oil. Locally, there may not be much worry about the packaging. In this case the promoters may opt for P.E.T bottles. In terms of international market, adequate care should be taken. Details will be given to prospective investors. Financial Implications
The project cost for each of the projects depends on the type of raw material to be applied. It also depends on the proposed location and type of machines to be applied. The cost will be established after discussing with prospective investors on all these issues. Funding There are financial institutions and special project funding organisations that would be recommended to prospective investors on contacting the writer. Investment profit Ppotentials The seeds contain 25 percent of yellow oil. Adopting two processing machines for project take off at 5 tons per plant, and working for 300 days, 3,000 tons of vegetable oil would be produced in a year. Given 25 percent as oil content per ton, 750 tons of cake would be produced annually. Assuming a conservative price of N125, 000 per ton, an average of N93.75 million would be made in a year as annual turnover. Selling in the international market will yield more returns. For further details on comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies and reports, procurement and installation of the machines and equipment (both local and foreign made) test-running recruitment of quality manpower and training, funding arrangement, please contact the writer.
Courtesy: Uba Godwin, ubagodwin@yahoo.com
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December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Hamper business is seasonal but profitable YOU CAN START ON A LOW SCALE WITH AS LOW AS
N30,
000. YOU CAN MAKE SMALLER HAMPERS WITH CHEAPER ITEMS AND SELL FOR AS LOW AS
N3, 500
EACH
FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON
C
hristmas is here again and so are its characteristics of one of which is exchanging gifts. It is also a time for smart people to invest in a seasonal but lucrative business says Zaynab Abdul Azeez an Economics graduate of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and currently a studying for a master’s degree in the University of Lagos. She has been into the business of hampers for over six years. The end of the year is usually a period of time when people love to show love to their family, friends and relatives by giving them one gift or the other and so, it is only smart investors who know that packaging most of these items in a pack popularly known
as hamper is the right thing to do. According to Zaynab who is also the Managing Director of Exalted Ventures in Surulere area of Lagos, hamper business is quite a lucrative one although seasonal. ‘When I went into this business six years ago, I never knew I would come this far. I was in my final year in school at that time, I was to do my project and things were really rough for me. I went to my uncle who works in a multinational company to assist me with some money, he then told me that instead of giving me fish, he would rather teach me how to fish and that was how he helped arrange a contract for me in the company to supply some items to the firm where he works. He told me how to go about it and that was how I got into the business”
Azeez
Zaynab further disclosed that, although, it is lucrative and seasonal, it is also a little capital intensive; depending on the contact one is servicing. For instance, according to her, if one is supplying hampers to a big company, after proposal has been approved, one might be paid upfront or after the goods had been delivered. It is usually better to get the initial mobilisation before commencing the business so
one could have something to start off with” Zaynab expalained. “Another important thing to note”, she continued, “is that if you are supplying hampers companies, you should first make enough background check to ensure that the company is indeed buoyant enough to pay the bills because from experience, some companies because of the bad economy, would tell you to go ahead only for you to end up not being paid and you start running around even months after the supply had been made without getting paid and that can be very frustrating. “On the other hand, if you do not have the big contacts, you can start on a low scale with as low as N30, 000. You can make smaller hampers with cheaper items and sell for as low as N3, 500 each. “We have three types of Christmas hampers, namely Gold which sells for about N30,000, Silver that goes for about N20,000 and Bronze that sells for N12,000. The content and quantity of the items are what determine the categories.” Carving a niche is another way of distinguishing one’s brand in this business. It is good to ensure that the gifts are good enough to enhance your business relationships, acknowledge staff achievements or simply a corporate thank you. For large corporate orders we create that personal touch, we can include your business card, compliment slip, Christmas card or other company literature as required. And for larger bespoke orders it may be possible to use ribbons which match your corporate colours. We put all of these briefs supplied into consideration while packaging the hamper for our clients. “Again, the prices of these items from the market also affect the cost of our services. And because the business is seasonal, it is important to have a few other related things to do alongside so that when the season for it which is usually sua y short is gone, you will have those ose otherr things things th in goin ing for you”.
Crime Watch Christmas sales on my mind –Drug suspect Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
Crime Watch
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P. 51
How ‘night guards’ rob landlord of SUV jewellery, laptops
BRIEFS
Man, 25, charged for N3m visa fraud
A
25-year-old man, Moses Edokpayi, on Friday, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with an alleged N3 million visa scam. He allegedly swindled one Victor Amah of the amount. Edokpayi is facing a one-count charge of illegal conversion of property. The Prosecutor, ASP Augustine Orji told the court that the accused committed the crime between 2010 and 2012 at Sangotedo area of Ajah, Lagos State. “He deceived Amah by claiming to be an employee of the Thai Embassy in Lagos and promised to assist him and some of his friends with Shenghen visas,” Orji said. The prosecutor further told the court that Edokpayi, who agreed on a fee of N3 million with his victims, only got fake visas for them. He added that all efforts made to track the defendant proved abortive until the police was brought in and the accused was tricked into believing that he had more visa clients.
Augustine
2 docked for alleged burglary
T
he duo of Shamsudeen Lawal and Kabiru Garba, of Jahi Tipper Garage, appeared before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Friday for allegedly burgling a shop. The police prosecutor, Cpl. Monday Akor, told the court that the matter was reported at the Maitama Police Station on Dec.18 by the owner of the shop, one Robinson Amagolu, of Kubwa village. According to Akor, the two accused conspired and burgled the shop, carting away two turbo chargers, four engine housing, three new sets of kingpins and one new water pump. Others were seven pistons, four bearings and four radiators, all valued at N395, 000. The prosecutor said that during the police investigation, one cover of the turbo charger was recovered from the two accused. They pleaded not guilty to the charge. Senior Magistrate Celestine Obinna granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one reliable surety each, who must live within the court’s jurisdiction. He said that the sureties and the accused must sign the bail bond and adjourned the case to February 11, 2013, for hearing.
Nriagu’s bag showing the drugs
When Augustine Ifeanyi Nriagu was approached to courier drugs, he knew it was bad but could not resist. Why? He wanted to invest the proceeds on Christmas sales. SEGUN ADIO
T
his time of the year is noted to witness increase in crimes and other social vices. This belief is already coming to limelight as a courier just told anti narcotics agents that his foray into the illicit trade was just for the season alone. Augustine Ifeanyi Nriagu, 33, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), recently at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano. He was reported to be on his way to Istanbul, Turkey when 1.5kg of substance that tested positive to methamphetamine was discovered in a false bottom of his luggage. He was scheduled to fly out of Kano via an Egypt Air flight to the Middle East
nation. Nriagu, who hails from Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has not had it rosy right from his birth. His parents, he claimed, could not afford to give him the ‘luxury’ of a tertiary education, having been forced to stop his education at Class 5. He has since married and settled down to marital life with his wife and a child. Nriagu soon relocated to Lagos where he began trading with the little money his parents could muster for him. Until his arrest, he lived at Satellite Town in Lagos. Some months back, he claimed to be a victim of fraudsters who reportedly duped him of majority of his capital base. When that happened, he became desperate to raise enough money to continue his business. He soon met a drug cartel which, rather
than raise money for him to restart his dwindling business, introduced him to couriering drugs. When he approached a friend for financial assistance and that one could not offer any help, he was asked to join in the illicit trade with the promise of a handsome reward. In a bid to do their bidding, the cartel had promised Nriagu a sum of $5, 000 if he handed the parcel containing the drugs to the Istanbul cartel without hassles. With Christmas sales on his mind, Nriagu did not hesitate to accept the carrot being dangled before him. But he knew he had a Herculean task beating the prying eyes of the anti narcotics agents at the airport and also their modern machines. In a bid to achieve his aim, he got for himself a brand new leather bag and decided to reconfigure the bag to suit his purpose. He soon created a fake bottom in the bag with which he wanted to deceive antinarcotics agents. He, however, could not fool the security agents at MAKIA. He was apprehended and arrested after the drugs were found in his luggage. During his confession, Nriagu claimed that he is not a habitual drug courier but only wanted to go on the trip to raise money for the bumper sale of the Christmas season. He also told NDLEA officials that had he succeeded in the trip he would have used the proceeds of the trip to re-invest in his business and would not have gone back into it. He also claimed that he stood losing most of his customers should he have refused to raise enough money to shore up his store with Christmas items. “My intention was to use the money I made from the trip to trade during Christmas. I am not in the habit of trading in drugs. I was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend whom I approached for financial assistance after I was defrauded. They promised to pay me 5,000 dollars,” Nriagu said. He also claimed that his intention was to quit the illicit trade after this Christmas. Chairman of the NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, in his reaction to Nriagu’s arrest, praised the resoluteness of his officers for the discovery of the drugs. “This seizure is a product of alertness by officers. I urge the officers to be alert this festive season. Drug traffickers are fishing troubled water because we are prepared to frustrate their criminal activities through arrest, drug seizure and diligent prosecution” Giade added. Mitchell Ofoyeju, spokesman for the NDLEA told Saturday Mirror that Nriagu will soon be charged for unlawful possession and exportation of narcotics under the NDLEA Act.
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50
CRIME WATCH
December 22, 2012
Mob lynches pastor, aides over family land Reverend John Ene-Obong was a good Christian. Indeed he owned a church. But his effort to bring his belief in being a peacemaker to the fore in a family feud over a piece of land proved too costly. He paid the supreme price. SEGUN ADIO
R
everend John Ene-Obong recently left the shores of Nigeria for Canada for alleged medical check-up. Before his trip to the North American nation, had reportedly taken ill and this had affected his activities in the church. He thought he needed urgent medicare to be able to return to his old vibrant self. The Rev. Ene-Obong is the spiritual head of Faith Builders Ministry, a popular Calabar Christian centre. Apart from his ailment, the man of the robe, an indigene of Ikot Ene-Obong community of Calabar metropolis, also had a protracted family feud over a piece of land. The said land is also located in the same community and it was reported that the land actually belong to the cleric’s family. It was said that Ene-Obong had told his feuding kinsmen that on his return from his overseas trip, he would settle the matter once and for all. Ene-Obong’s attempt at bringing the warring parties together has, however, cost him his own life. He, however, did not die alone. Two of his loyal members also accompanied him on the journey of no return. When Ene-Obong returned to his base early this month, it was reported that the crisis over the disputed land
IGP, Abubakar
had escalated and the man of God would not waste time to put the matter to rest. So on Monday, 10 December, 2012, he reportedly called two of his lieutenants in the church to visit the disputed land with him. He was scheduled to conduct a fact-finding mission to the land with the two people identified as Effiong KokoEtte and Victor Ene-Boco.
But he and his two assistants got what they did not bargain for when they got to the farmland. The man of God and his two lieutenants reportedly parked their car at the entrance of the farmland and made the rest of the journey to the piece of land on foot. In less than three minutes after the
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three men commenced their inspection of the disputed land, some irate mob allegedly swooped on the three men and subjected them to thorough beating. The priest’s attempt to persuade the irate mob to desist from their heinous acts was rebuffed as they reportedly beat the man of God until he breathed his last. Both Effiong Koko-Ette and Victor Ene-Boco did not fare better; the two men had reportedly taken to their heels upon noticing the advancing mob. They were, however, outrun by the mob that also descended on the duo with all sorts of weapons. The two men also died later from the injuries they sustained. The irate youths reportedly fled the scene of the incident after accomplishing their mission. A family source, who preferred anonymity, claimed that the murder of the three men might not be unconnected with a reprisal over an earlier killing of one Eton, said to be a member of the family. The source, in a telephone interview, said: “Now that the matter has got to the stage it is now, I think there is nothing more to be said than to allow law enforcement agents to carry out their duty on the matter. What I know is that the death of Eton has led to all this and it is really sad that this is happening to us at this time,” the source said. Cross River State Police Command spokesman, Mr. John Umoh, told reporters that six suspects of the murder of the three men had been arrested and assisting law enforcement agents in their investigations. He added that the alleged principal suspect is currently at large. “The state Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the matter. Six persons have so far been arrested in connection with that killing. There is one principal suspect that is still at large. However, those arrested are still in our custody and we would not release them until investigations had been concluded,” Umoh said in a statement.
Kano police foil robbery attempt, recovers N2.65m AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO
K
ano Police Command over the weekend foiled an attempt by armed gunmen to rob a Kano based oil company, A. A. Rano of N2.65million. The amount was the day’s proceed from the company’s filling station at Tundun Wada, about 120 kilometres to the state capital. Three suspects are currently assisting the police in their investigation, while the station manager has been declared wanted for complicity in the botched robbery attempt. The State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, who briefed journalists also said two automatic pistols were recovered from the suspects whose arrest in the Falgore forest were facilitated by the assistance of local hunters in Kwanar Dangora. Police gave the names of the arrested suspects as Monday Joseph, 20 years, Simon Chile Adamu, 22yrs, both from Benue State. They were said to have con-
spired, while armed with pistols to rob the filling station at Tudun Wada LGA of the sum of N2.65m, which they snatched away before their arrest. The suspects allegedly sped off in a Golf car with their loot but luck ran out on them when policemen on their trail mobilized local hunters to go after them as they abandoned their Golf car and dashed
into the bush. According to the police commissioner, “The Police, members of the Community, Vigilante groups and Hunters, spread into the bush which led to the arrest of the suspects around the area. On spot search, the stolen N2.65m was recovered intact. Also recovered are two Pistols and the stolen phones.”
“Investigation further revealed that it was one Muktar Adamu ‘m’ of Ankpa, Kogi State who is an employee of the Filling Station and elder brother of one of the arrested suspect was the person who organized and invited the robbers at the time sales of the day was counted and about being taken to Bank. He was the first person to lay down when the suspects invaded the Station.”
Alleged robbery: Court restrains police from arresting wanted suspect NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA
T
he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an interim order restraining the Nigeria Police Force from arresting a community leader, Chief Okechukwu Nwaforagu (a.k.a Ochiagha Nkpor) of Abor Akuzor village, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Anambra State Police command had on November 19, 2012, declared Nwaforagu wanted in connection with alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and
unlawful possession of prohibited firearms. The command had in a press statement issued to newsmen and signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Raphael Uzoigwe (DSP), said the suspect who hails from Enugu-Umusiome village, Nkpor in idemili North Local Government Area of the state, is about six feet and two inches tall, without any tribal mark. But granting the interim order in suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/758/2012, filed against the command by Nwaforagu himself, the presiding Judge, Justice G.O. Kolawole
ordered that all the respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Anambra Commissioner of Police; CSP Kanayo Uzuegbu (DPO, Ogidi Division) and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice are hereby restrained forthwith from arresting Nwaforagu, pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice fixed for January 14, for hearing. Justice Kolawole held that Nwaforagu should no longer be arrested by the respondents until January 14, when his motion is expected to be heard and possibly determined.
Crime Extra
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
December 22, 2012
51
How ‘night guards’ robbed landlord of SUV, jewellery, laptops SEGUN ADIO
T
hursday, 29 November, 2012, had come and gone. But for Oluwafemi Adaramola and his family, it was one day they would always look back at and thank their God for sparing their lives. It was a day they had a close shave with death. On that fateful day, the Adaramolas had no premonition that their house was the target of men of the underworld who had already laid siege on the street since the previous night. The Adaramolas live at No 19b Oladipo Latinwo Street, Lekki-Ajah, in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. Around 5 am that day, while some residents were already gearing to hit the road for the day’s work, Olufemi and his family were also preparing to set out for the day’s work. As they tried to get out of their compound, there appeared three men, reportedly dressed in great coats pretending to be refuse packers attached to the area. Convinced that no one noticed them, the three men allegedly held the Adaramolas hostage at gun point asking that the man take them to their apart-
From their garb that early morning, few people would doubt that Ezekiel Elia, Bulus Luka and Daniel Awuta were not night guards as they claimed. But the trio soon showed the stuff they were made of. They robbed a family of most of their possessions. Were they able to go free? ment. The three men were later found out to be Ezekiel Elia, 28, Bulus Luka, 29, and Daniel Awuta, 28 years old. Asking the Adaramiolas to cooperate with them or risk losing their lives, two of the men reportedly ransacked the entire apartment while the third one held the family at gunpoint in their living room. In an operation that reportedly did not last more than 20 minutes, the invaders reportedly seized two laptops worth N240, 000; expensive jewellery said to be worth close to a million naira, and some cash in naira that could not be disclosed to press men. After their operation, the robbers apparently realised that they needed a decoy to be able to out manoeuvre the security men at the gate of the area. They thus demanded the keys to the Land Rover Sports Utility Van (SUV) of Oluwafemi. He in turn did not put up any resis-
tance; he hurriedly handed to them the keys of his prized asset. With Bulus behind the wheel, the three robbers drove at break-neck speed once they passed the security check point to the estate. Off they sped towards the Victoria Island end of the area. Unfortunately for the fleeing robbers, a detachment of anti-crime patrol team was roaming the long stretch of the Lekki-Ajah highway. The law enforcement agents perhaps noticed the speed with which the oncoming vehicle was approaching; they flagged it down. The three robbers were subjected to intense questioning by the policemen. The three of them claimed that they were night guards attached to a location somewhere in Victoria Garden City. But the policemen would not be fooled by their excuses. The law enforcement agents asked that the robbers clear the SUV off the road for thorough checks. The law enforcement agents won-
dered how night guards would be driving such an expensive SUV and at that hour of the day with the speed with which they moved. It did not take long before the other stolen items were found on the three men. When they were confronted with how they came about the items, none of them could offer a convincing explanation. The three of them were immediately arrested and taken to police custody from where they reportedly confessed to have stolen the vehicle and other items from the Adaraola’s house after a raid, shortly before they were arrested. A guard at another house on the street, who spoke with Saturday Mirror, but prefers anonymity, claimed that on the night before the incident, two of the men had visited the street claiming to be in search of one retired banker said to be resident in the area. “It was strange to hear that the men that came here yesterday asking for one bank manager on the street were robbers. Another colleague of mine who spoke with them actually told them that he did not know of any retired banker living on the street and the men left,” said the guard.
52
REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NORTH
Although, the remains of late Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa were laid to rest in his ancestral home town, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area on Thursday the echoes of the national tragedy still rage. AZA MSUE reports: n Saturday, December 15, the nation was again thrown into mourning when the news of crashed navy helicopter that killed Kaduna state Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and the immediate past National Security Adviser,( NSA) Gen. Andrew Azazi broke. Others on board were their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole also died in the ill fated military helicopter that crashed. They were returning from the burial funeral of the father of an aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Oronto Douglas in Bayelsa State en route for Port Harcourt. Mourners and sympathisers have continued to pay glowing tributes to the government of the state and family of the deceased. The state’s seat of power, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, was agog with beehive of activities starting from the swearingin of the former deputy governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, last Sunday. The St. Paul Catholic Church Fadan Kagoma where the burial mass took place was filled with solemn tone as chorus of songs soften the initial sorrow being experienced. As a mark of honour, the new governor of the state, Yero had declared seven days mourning just as he urged the people of Kaduna to accept the death of his boss, Yakowa, as the will of God. Yero in a state wide broadcast had also declared one day (Monday) as public holiday and a week of mourning with flags flown at half mast. “I plead with citizens of Kaduna State to accept this sad situation that we cannot change with total submission to the will of God. May God Almighty in His infinite mercies comfort us all”, the governor said. In his condolence at Yakowa’s burial, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock at the death describing the late governor as a nationalist who was a detribalised politician. President Jonathan said Nigerians should embrace things that tighten the nation together rather than divisive tendencies that would hamper its unity and development. “It is a solemn occasion. I thank the church for what it has done today and for praying for Nigeria. With your prayers, Nigeria will move forward. I condole with the people of Kagoma community and the people of Kaduna State for this great loss. “Let me condole with all Nigerians over the loss. Our late brother was a nationalist. Death is a necessary end that will come when it will come. How and when it will come will make us think and act differently.” The President stressed, “Yakowa played his part very well, as a civil servant, he
Memories of Yakowa’s death alive
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Chief of Fafan Kagoma’s palace constructed by Yakowa
Yakowa’s residence where he was buried
epitomised the best of the civil service, the discipline of the civil service, the character of the civil service, not the kind of civil service today that directors have more houses than the richest man like Dangote.” Surely he played his role on earth very well. He left us at a time his vision is too loud, it is unfortunate but that is the will of the Almighty God. Yakowa from all we have heard is somebody that had no ethnic and religious divide in his blood” Senate President David Mark in an emotion laden voice said Yakowa’s death should mark the turning point for peaceful coexistence in the state. “Patrick was a very dependable, reliable and compassionate brother and friend. He was passionate about peace in Kaduna State. Unless there is peace in Kaduna State, his death will be in vain and his death will not be in vain because he was a God fearing man. Yakowa was a different brand of politician,” he said. Mark added, “He insisted that there must be peace and unity for any meaningful development to take place. His dream was to make Kaduna a home for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, tongue, religious believe and gender.” Reactions by different personalities including influential groups poured into Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. In a condolence message by muslim group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), its Secretary General, Dr.Khalid Abubakar Aliyu,
urged residents to be law abiding and exercise caution in their activities during the transition period. The statement read “JNI received with shock the death of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa in a helicopter crash. “JNI uses this medium to condole with his immediate family, friends, relatives and above all the good people of Kaduna State. In the same vein we implore all to be law abiding, and do all activities with restrain and caution” JNI added “Consequently, we call on the new governor to govern with the fear of Allah, equity, just and fairness as he discharges his mantle of leadership, while praying that Allah’s guidance will be with him as he pilots the affairs of the state. We call on all and sundry to give him the desired support” President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate and unravel the cause of the navy helicopter crash in Nembe, Bayelsa State which killed Yakowa and others. CAN while declaring its support to the Federal Government’s investigation panel on Yakowa’s death decried non implementations of previous reports saying the Bayelsa crash report should be acted upon. Oritsejafor made the demand during his condolence visit to the Kaduna State Government House.
Represented by his National General Secretary, Rev.Musa Asake, the CAN President said that the organisation would be in prayers with the new governor to succeed. His words: “CAN supports the Federal Government for setting up a panel of investigation, we support it and we are looking forward to the report, but we have heard of panels of investigation being set up and reports submitted in the country, we hope and that pray that the Federal government release the report of this one and take action” “To the family we want to say our God is able and He will comfort them. To the people of Kaduna State, the Lord gave us Yakowa, the Lord has taken Yakowa. “We welcome the new governor and promise to pray with him so that the Lord will give him success. We are so happy to hear that he is going to follow the footsteps of the late governor. We pray that the Lord will help him to do exactly what he has said” he said. While delivering Yakowa’s burial sermon at St.Paul Catholic Church,Kagoma, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah said the deceased stood out as an exceptional child in the whole of Kaduna State, especially the whole of Southern part of the state where he came from. According to Kukah: “As with Americans with the death of John F Kennedy, for years to come ,most Nigerians would remember what they were doing, where they were, when they heard of the death of Sir Ibrahim Yakowa. “The out pour of motion throughout the country is a testimony of what he meant to each of us. And the question persists, where was God when all this happened, and why now? Then we will continue to contemplate what might have been, and continue to wonder, “what if Patrick has not gone to Bayelsa; what if Patrick has waited for his own helicopter; what if he had finished his conversation with Aziza; and indeed, what if the father of my good friend, Oronto Douglas had not died? But these questions have no use now. No matter our sadness, indifference, or even hidden joy our God draws straight. We human can say or change nothing in the plans of God. All that God does, no matter how bitter, is for our own good.”
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
53
NORTH
Kano targets N10b on planned sale of houses to civil servants AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO
ano civil servants are to smile soon as the state government has concluded plans to sell houses occupied by them on owner-occupierbasis, just as the State government is expected to generate N10 billion as revenue from the exercise. Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Umar Shehu Minjibir, who made the disclosure in Kano yesterday, said the gesture is part of government’s commitment towards ensuring a better living condition for the people as part of the dividends of democracy. Minjibir recalled that
K
previous agitations by civil servants occupying government to own them were fruitless; pointing out that the present administration recognized the need to take up the challenge by appointing a consultant which recommended that the properties be sold to civil servants on owner-occupier-basis. He disclosed that the value of the houses were based on three options: replacement value, open market value and current economic value, pointing out that the current economic value option was considered more justifiable by the government, hence its adoption in which N10
billion would e realized. Also, he said the N10 billion expected to be realized would be invested in the construction o more houses which would be sold to all interested indigenes of the state.
In the course of the purchase, he further stated, an initial deposit of 10 per cent would be required within one month of the offer, while 20 per cent would be made within 60 days. “This means the pur-
chaser is expected to pay 30 per cent within three months while the balance of 70 per cent shall be paid in seven months, thus bringing full payment of 100 per cent within one year.”
Government, according to the Head of Service has opened discussions with Jaiz Islamic bank for the disbursement of loan to potential buyers at nine per cent processing fee.
Christmas: Yuguda donates N26m items to Christians EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI
overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has released the sum of N26 million to Chrstians in the state towards the forthcoming Christmas celebrations. The released sum is reportedly aimed to cushion the sufferings among Christian faithful with particular attention to women. Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Talatu Barwa, made the declaration yesterday in Bauchi while presenting food items to some churches as part of government gesture to assist religious institutions in the state. Hajia Barwa added that the policy which was aimed to consolidate on the gains of democracy of the Isa Yuguda administration. Among the items distributed are 1100 peers of wrappers,1000 bags of rice, 500 bags of maize, 600 cartoons of groundnut oil and 600 bags of sugar pointing out that all Christian that cut across the 20 councils will benefit. The commissioner attributed poor financial strength of states in the country as responsible for the late commencement of the exercise. She said thata the scheme was provided fopr last year but could not be
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carried out because of hrsh economic factors and urged Christrians in the state to bear with the government. Speaking on behalf of benefiting churches, Mrs. Alizabeth Peter of ECWA No1, Bauichi, expressed satisfaction for the gesture extended to women y the state government. Mrs Peter therefore charged Bauchi Christians to governor Yuguda’s administration for its commitment on the plight of women. Mrs. Peter attributed Yuguda’s success to carrying people along irrespective of any religious, cultural and political difference and advice Christian in the state to shun any forms of violence to pave way for peace. She then charged women to avail themselves to judiciously use the opportunity given to them to pray for the development of the state, peace and unity among people.
Yuguda
L-R: Director of Press, Jigawa Government House, Alhaji Umar Kyari; Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Aminu Ringim and Nigerian Union of Journalist, President, Mallam Mohammed Garba, during the NUJ president’s visit to Jigawa, recently. PHOTO: NAN
Watch out for bombs in Christmas packages, Gombe police warn he Police in Gombe State has urged residents of the state to be on the lookout for explosive devices that could be packaged in Christmas hampers as gifts for people. The warning was contained in a statement issued in Gombe by DSP. Fwaje Atajiri, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state’s Police Command.
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He said that such bombladen parcels could then be dispatched to unsuspecting members of the public as goodwill gifts. “Members of the public should be wary of hamper gifts and parcels as they could contain Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” he said. Atajiri said that citizens should also take
other precautionary measures to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations. He also told religious and community leaders to assist the police with useful information to protect lives and property. The PPRO said that religious leaders should “educate their followers to avoid being poisoned.
“Motorists are also advised to obey traffic lights and all regulations as unnecessary disobedience may be fatal. “Motorists should endeavour to put security gadgets in their vehicles to forestall theft,” he said, assuring that the command would ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Police ban sale, use of fireworks during festivities in Plateau he Plateau police command on Friday announced a ban in the sale and use of bangers as part of measures for peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year festivities. Mr. Chris Olakpe, the Commissioner of Police, told a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on Friday that anyone caught with the fireworks would be dealt with. ``Anyone caught selling or using the explosives will be `knocked out’ by the police,’’ Olapke declared. He assured Plateau residents of adequate security during the yuletide and stressed that a rapid
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response squad had been set up to mount surveillance on black spots. ``We have sufficient manpower and our men are ready to work with the public to fish out miscreants that have become the problem of the state,’’ he said. Olakpe, however, pointed out that peace would not be attained without the active support of the public. ``We expect public to furnish the police with intelligence report that will lead the to arrest of all the wicked people in our midst. ``All of you are security officers; please report
any individual in your community whose identity is questionable. ``If you see anything that you cannot verify yourself, call the police. We have anti-bomb squad ready to attend to any situation at any time of day,’’ he added. The police boss volunteered his phone numbers for the public to reach him personally should any need arise. In his remarks, Mr Umar Miringa, Deputy Commandant, Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in Plateau, said that security arrangements at worship centres should be main-
tained. ``The STF and the police would continue to monitor places of worship; worshippers are, therefore, advised to either leave their vehicles at home or park them far from the centres,’’ he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that others heads of security agencies also spoke on the lingering security problems in Plateau and suggested ways for permanent peace. Other participants at the stakeholders’ meeting comprised religious, traditional and ethnic group leaders.
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REGIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NORTH
Yakowa: Battle for Dep Gov seat begins KADUNA
•Yero may sack Yakowa commissioners, aides
arely a week after Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero took over the affairs of Kaduna State following the shocking death of his predecessor, Patrick Yakowa, politicalgladiators in the state are already strategizing to field their candidates for the vacant seat of deputy governor. To this end, the state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, former minister of state for Aviation, Hassan Felix Hyet, wife of late deputy governor, Mrs. Charity Shekari are the major contenders for the seat. Sources say candidates being considered by Vice President Namadi Sambo’s camp are, late governor’s widow ,Mrs. Amina Yakowa, former minister of state for Power, Arc. Nuhu Somo Wya, Kaduna State PDP chairman Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Andrew Yakubu.
L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Jos, Prof. Benjamin Ugwu; The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai and Registrar, Mr. Danjuma Jilli-Dandam, at the matriculation ceremony of the University in Jos, recently. PHOTO: NAN
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It is being speculated that Amb. Bajoga may be favoured for the job so that the PDP chairmanship to move back Kaduna North, where Governor Yero came from ostensibly for full control of party machinery. Investigations revealed that former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s faction is root-
ing for former minister Hassan Hyet, Yakowa’s Private Principal Secretary, Yohanna Alamagani, Chief of Staff, Aboki Galadima and Special Adviser on Religious Matters(Christian),Rev. Joseph Hayab. While the independent candidates include a onetime House of Representa-
tives member, Mr Jonathan Asake, Mr Edward Marshal and others who are being adopted by various youth organizations from Southern Kaduna zone for the position. It is said that the youths group are advising the new governor not to accept old politicians for the job saying, “We need young people at the helm of af-
Kwara Igbomina seek separate state WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN
he Asepo Omo Igbomina, a socio cultural organization of the Igbominas from Kwara and Osun states has held its 12th Conference in Ilorin, Kwara State, where they resolved to press more for a separate state of their own. The conference which was chaired by the Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda Sanni, Wonuola II, as the head of Igbominas in Kwara State, was said to be part of the series of efforts by the people to de-
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mand for unified identity in the name of a state. They posited that their agitation had started since the colonial time up to the successive military regimes in the country when they used to meet in Ila Orangun, now in Osun State well ahead of the creation of states in the country. National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Oyin Zubair in his welcome address said the igbominas have their origin in Ile Ife like any Yoruba community which dated back to many centuries ago
and wondered why they should by any accident be made to belong to a northern geo-political arrangement in the country. Zubair said their agitation was renewed in 2004/2005 under President Olusegun Obasanjo WHEN THEY Demanded for Oke Oodua State after holding due consultations with eminent group and persons in the South Western states. AQcording to him, the likes of Prince Bola Ajibola was of great assistance and sympathy their cause at the time pointing out
that their agitations would never cease until a re-arrangement is done with the boundaries along the ethnic lines to make them belong to their historical and cultural place. In a lecture presented by a University of Ilorin lecturer, Dr. Ebenezer Ejalonibu , the idea of agitation for the creation of states to suit the historical and cultural belonging of a people was never a sin or any harmful venture but a demand necessitated by pronounced marginalization.
Kogi flood: Group calls for prompt disbursement of funds to victims OMEIZA AJAYI coalition of Civil Society Groups in Kogi State, led by Action Aid Nigeria, has called on the Kogi State government to ensure the immediate disbursement of donated funds and relief materials meant to ameliorate the challenges faced byflood victims in the state. The group said that the donated materials and funds meant for emergency situations ought to be
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distributed or disbursed urgently to meet immediate needs of the victims displaced by such disaster saying “emergency situation demands emergency action.” In a communiqué issued Thursday in Lokoja at the end of a one-day interactive session on Human Security in Conflict and Emergency with special focus on post flood assessment, the group wondered why the Idris
Wada-led administration was keeping the money and materials. The 14-point communique signed by the Programme Manager of ActionAid Nigeria Mr Victor Adejoh and Abdul Maliki of the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)condemned the alleged theft of the relief materials by government officials. The communique read in part, “That the absence
of a central collection point for the relief materials had hindered the monitoring of their distribution out lets as officials under the guise of supplying nonexistent camps divert the commodities.” The Civil society bodies also called for the empowerment and adequate funding of the State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) to prepare it for management of disasters in the state.
fairs especially now that we have young and dynamic governor. We need another vibrant young man or the wife of Yakowa to compliment the governor’s effort” In the meantime, Saturday Mirror has also gathered that the governor Yero would drop some political appointees of late governor Yakowa and replace them
with reliable hands. In the proposed arrangement, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Lawal Samaila Abdullahi, Chief of Staff, Aboki Galadima, some commissioners, Special Advisers and other aides may likely be relieved of their positions, while others would be retained. A source who pleaded anonymity said that the decision to remove Amb. Bajoga was to replace him with a Northern Kaduna man where the incumbent governor hails from,while the SSG position would be given to Southern Kaduna. The source says, “When late governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa came in the party PDP for the first time zoned chairman to his Southern Kaduna zone, now power has moved to zone one then the party chairman will move to the zone. Ambassador Bajoga will be given deputy governor if things go well. The SSG position will go back to Southern Kaduna” Although efforts to confirm from government officials and the PDP failed.
Plateau: Security agents assure citizens of safety during Yuletide JAMES ABARAHAM JOS
lateau State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, has assured citizens of the state of safety during the forthcoming Christmas celebration. Briefing journalists yesterday shortly after a meeting with stakeholders on how to ensure peace during the festive period, Olakpe who assumed duty last week, said every arrangements have been put in place by his command and other security agents in the state to ensure a peaceful celebration. The police boss said, ‘The security agents are prepared to maintain law and order during this festive period. We have material and manpower combination necessary to ensure peace on the Plateau during this festive period. We are working with all stakeholders and as a body to fish out trouble makers in our midst. The police is working with intelligence network policing by getting useful
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information of all stakeholders in the system. We have a Security squad in place that will take care of every flash point including Barki Ladi and Riyom. We are also going to have a lot of the men of Intelligence Bureau to go into the nooks and crannies of the state to be able to synergize with members of the public to fish out the wicked and unreasonable elements who are out to cause confusion in the state,’’ Olakpe said. The police boss also charged residents of the state to always provide useful information that could assist the security agents in the performance of their duties. He also warned that the use of ‘Knock outs’’ during the festive period is prohibited as anyone caught violating the order would have himself to blame. The meeting which was held at the Police Officers Mess in Jos, had in attendance all heads of security agents.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
December 22, 2012
Tana River clashes lead to many deaths in Kenya A
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Dozens die in Ukraine’s cold snap
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t least 39 people have been killed in fresh clashes between rival communities in the Tana River district of Kenya’s Coast province, police say. The attack by ethnic Pokomo farmers on an Orma village, Kipao, came in the early hours of the morning, they say. Thirteen children and six women were among those killed. Police say the latest attack was revenge for the killing of more than 100 villagers earlier this year, but some say the raids are political. Elections are due in
March 2013. Police say there have been casualties on both sides. Houses were reportedly burnt and villagers cut down with machetes. “About 150 Pokomo raiders attacked Kipao village, which is inhabited by the Ormas, early on Friday. The Ormas appeared to have been aware and were prepared,” Robert Kitur, Coast Region deputy police chief, told reporters. He said police were pursuing the raiders, who used firearms, spears, machetes and arrows. Villagers in the area have fled in fear of revenge attacks, aid workers say.
The Red Cross say they know of at least 30 dead and 30 others seriously wounded, including a oneyear-old child. More than 40 houses were set ablaze. President Mwai Kibaki said: “No effort will be spared in ensuring perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to book”. An overnight curfew has been imposed in the area to prevent any revenge attacks. Police reinforcements and emergency officials are being flown to the scene, while the wounded are being taken to the port city of Mombasa for treatment. The BBC’s Frenny Jowi
in Nairobi says the promises to halt the violence and the deployment of extra security forces are unlikely to reassure residents, as similar statements were made after the previous raids. In August, the two communities clashed after members of the Orma community were accused of grazing their cattle on land that the Pokomo say is theirs. Settled Pokomo farmers and semi-nomadic Orma pastoralists have clashed intermittently for years over access to grazing, farmland and water in the coastal region.
t least 83 people have died in Ukraine from a cold spell that has been gripping the country, officials say. Temperatures as low as -23C (-9F) and heavy snowfall this month have left the capital Kiev and most of the country under a thick frozen layer. In western areas, vehicles were trapped in a threeday traffic jam stretching at one point about 20km (12 miles). The severe weather is also affecting neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania where six people have reportedly died. Meteorologists warn that the cold snap in the region could continue and temperatures may drop even further. Yesterday, a senior offi-
cial from Ukraine’s health ministry said that 83 people were now known to have died from the cold. Most of the victims had been found on the streets. Volodymyr Yurchenko also said that more than 500 people were still being treated in hospitals across the country. Nearly 100 towns and villages across the country remain without electricity, and emergency crews are continuing their work to try to restore power. Army units have also been deployed to help clear the snow on major motorways. Thousands of “heating shelters” have been set up where those in need - particularly the homeless and the elderly - can receive a hot meal and a warm place to sleep.
Syria ‘still using Scud missiles’
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Argentine authorities have sent hundreds of troops to the southern city of Bariloche after a spate of looting. At least three supermarkets in the popular ski resort were targeted, causing panic among residents and tourists. The government blamed small criminal gangs but local authorities pinned the attacks on anarchist organisations.
ATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Syrian government forces are continuing to fire short-range ballistic missiles at rebel fighters. A NATO source told the Reuters news agency that surveillance had detected multiple launches of “Scud-type missiles” on Thursday morning. Mr Rasmussen said it was the “act of a desperate regime approaching collapse.” Last week, NATO and the US said more than six missiles had been fired
from the Damascus area into northern Syria. However, the Syrian foreign ministry strongly denied using such weapons. The military is believed to have access to a range of artillery rockets and medium-range missiles, some capable of carrying chemical weapons. These include the Soviet-designed SS-21 Scarab and Scud-B missiles. “We strongly regret that act,” he said. “I consider it an act of a desperate regime approaching collapse.”
igures from the Post Office showed that fears of crowds, cold weather and expense are putting people off seeing in the New Year at a pub or club. Over half the nation are opting to stay at home on their own or with family, while 16 percent are planning to go to a friend’s house or host their own party at home. However, home entertaining can be costly too, with families estimating that it will cost them £88 to host a New Year dinner party while those holding house parties are budgeting to spend £100. Londoners face the big-
gest bill for celebrating, with the average spend on New Year’s Eve expected to reach £85, compared to £50 in the East Midlands. Paul Havenhand, Head of Insurance at Post Office, said: “The traditional ‘big night out’ steps aside for a ‘quiet night in’ with many people opting to stay indoors to avoid the crowds, the cold weather and save a bit of money on New Year’s Eve. However, if you are hosting a party at home, our research shows it can be a slightly more costly way of bringing in the New Year with bills mounting up for food, drink and entertainment.”
Ballot sparks fresh Egypt unrest Austerity hits New Year in England C F lashes have broken out in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on the eve of the second leg of voting in the country’s constitutional referendum. Police fired tear gas as thousands of Islamists were met by a smaller group of protesters near a large mosque. The Islamists back President Mohammed Morsi and his draft constitution. Opponents say the document has been rushed and does not protect minorities. Alexandria voted in the first leg of a referendum that has split the nation. The capital, Cairo, has also voted. Seventeen of
the 27 provinces will cast ballots today. Islamists in favour of the draft had called for a large rally outside the Qaed Ibrahim mosque in the centre of Alexandria. They chanted “God is Great” and “With blood and soul, we redeem Islam.” A smaller group of opponents chanted anti-constitution slogans and the two sides threw stones at each other. Police formed lines to keep the groups apart and fired tear gas, with the unrest subsiding after about 90 minutes. The state news agency Mena quoted the health ministry as saying that 32
people had been injured. Last week an ultraconservative cleric was trapped in a mosque in Alexandria for 12 hours as his supporters battled opponents outside. Some 250,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to try to keep order during the referendum. Turnout for the first round of voting was reported to be low - just above 30%. Unofficial counts suggested some 56% of those who cast ballots voted “yes” to the draft. The opposition has complained of a number of cases of fraud. Egypt’s latest crisis
began on 22 November, when Mr Morsi adopted sweeping new powers in a decree, stripping the judiciary of any power to challenge his decisions. The decree spurred protests and clashes between Mr Morsi’s supporters and opponents. Under pressure, the president revoked much of the decree but only after a constituent assembly had voted through the draft constitution and it had been put to the referendum. If the constitution passes, elections must take place within three months. In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with Mr Morsi.
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The decision is an indication that the government has no plans and vision for the state. It shows that both the government and the civil servants are idle. It is inimical to the state’s economy. –Dr Vitalis Orikaeze, ANPP Chairman, condemning Imo State Governor Rochas Okorochas’ declaration of two weeks Christmas holiday for the state’s civil servants.
Saturday, December 22, 2012. www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sports: Every little thing helps in a big way!
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hen I received an invitation and reviewed a copy of the programme for Doha GOALS Forum and saw the array of famously achieving sportsmen who are featured in the programme, I thought to myself, what could have possibly qualified me to speak in an event such as this one? I accepted not in the least out of respect for the eminence of the people inviting me, but because in my mind, I have always been truly been amazed at the hope and aspirations that sports provides, not only for both urban, semi-urban and rural boys and girls in the towns and villages of our countryside and but also because I believe we must continue to show abiding interest in the aspirations of young people, if we truly do not want them to throw us into old people’s homes without the opportunity to enjoy something worthwhile. Mind over matter Both the leisure and the competitive kind of sports has the abilities of humanity and the capacity of the human mind been tested to measure human skillful ability over nature, over himself, over animals and over machines. Those who know and are capable do not doubt the potency of sport to improve personal health and a vibrant state of the mind; it also increases the collective zest for
with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com
THE GIFT OF ORGANIZATION AND THE SKILL OF MANAGEMENT HAS ENSURED THAT, SPORTS HAS BECOME GLOBAL
AND HAS OPENED THE WORLD TO MANY OPPORTUNITIES HITHERTO UNKNOWN BUT NOT UNEXPECTED life and gives anyone an opportunity to come back and try again tomorrow. Sports develop character, value, commitment and relationship. That said, I could not agree more with
the introduction in the letter sent to me that, sport has remained the most unifying force for humanity while everything else seems to provide good reasons for us to be apart.
SPORT EXTRA
AFCON 2013: Keshi invites 32 players to Faro camp ANDREW EKEJIUBA
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uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has listed 32 players to battle for 23 shirts in the squad ahead of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in South Africa between January 19 and February 10 next year. Following a meeting with the NFF Technical Committee in Abuja yesterday, where he defended the list, Keshi rolled out a squad containing 14 home-based professionals and 18 overseas-based players. Skipper Joseph Yobo, who also represented Nigeria at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and is Nigeria’s record international player with 89 caps, tops the list. Africa’s football-governing body, CAF,
has given all 16 teams playing in the final tournament until midnight of January 9 to submit their final list of 23 players for the showpiece. The full list of invited players included goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) and Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria) Defenders are Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel), Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands) and Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Among the midfielders invited are Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway, Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)and Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland). Invited strikers are Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey), Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) and Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).
In my country sports has continued to show us what we could truly do with ourselves, if we put our mind to it and I am sure this is not only true for all countries and regions of the world, but it is true also for most of the people of the world. The gift of organization and the skill of management has ensured that, sports has become global and has opened the world to many opportunities hitherto unknown but not unexpected. It has created national heroes and supported dreams, individual and collective in diverse ways. It has boosted the images of entire countries around the world. In many cases it has even compelled the stopping of wars, even if temporary and probably saved the life of one or two people somewhere. For many and for an entire people, it has been the surest way out of poverty and yet for some others, it has solved some of the world’s most persisting socio-economic and even health problems. It is still the way for many and one of the things that should emanate from this conference should be, in what ways can we do even more? How can means be provided to seek out millions that have talents but are nothing away in hamiets, village and towns with their talents undeveloped:
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Wigan v Arsenal 12:45 Manchester City v Reading 15:00 Newcastle United v QPR 15:00 Southampton v Sunderland 15:00 Tottenham v Stoke 15:00 West Brom v Norwich 15:00 West Ham v Everton 15:00 Liverpool v Fulham 17:30 Sunday, December 23, 2012 Swansea v Man.United 13:30 Chelsea v Aston Villa 16:00
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