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Death of Aluta: Student unionism in doldrums

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‘PDP, APC spent N3.2bn on election adverts ’ www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 5 No. 30

Sunday, August 2, 2015

National Mirror Online

@NationalMirror

N4bn WAEC debt

N150

Pay up now or quit, NUT tells states ...demands salary arrears, 65 yrs retirement age

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Ooni ’s death:

Ife residents disagree on reasons for Oro festival Police free 8 pregnant girls from ‘baby factory ’

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PASSION A Lifestyle Magazin e

President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates with his Beninoise counterpart, Mr. Boni Yayi, at the country ’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Cotonou, Benin Republic, yesterday.

DSS cracks down on kidnapping syndicates News

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Sunday August 2, 2015

APPLAUSE

‘I ventured into politics to serve others ’ >>27

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Life has taught me that anything can happen at anytime –Kiki Omeili, actress

Cop killers arrested in Bayelsa, 2 ofcers shot in Delta

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What’s new Politics

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Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK

Poliomyelitis otherwise known as polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus (enterovirus C) which invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal oral route or less frequently by a common vehicle such as contaminated water or food and multiplies in the intestine.

Passion

Life has taught me that anything can happen at anytime

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–Kiki Omeili, actress She is a medical doctor but she chose to become a Nollywood star because of her passion for acting.

‘Kiki’ Omeili is a television and film actress. She became popular through her current role as Lovette in the TV series titled Lekki Wives and her brief role in popular series, Tinsel. This diva who graduated with a medical degree from the University of Lagos speaks about her lifestyle and why she chose acting over medicine.

the Service, which was also planning to pull them out honourably.

The COAS had on Wednesday, approved the redeployment and appointment of 334 of its officers, with some of the affected Generals not reappointed.

In the statement issued through the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, conveying the exercise, Principal Staff Officers at Defence and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders and General Officers Commanding as well as other commanders were affected.

Nigeria cannot win war against terror alone –Buhari Nigeria and neighbouring countries must stand together to defeat Boko Haram terrorists in the sub-region, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said this at the Unity Palace in Yaounde, during his twoday working visit to Cameroon, “We recognize that none of us can succeed alone. In order to win this war we need the collective efforts of each one of us, standing together as a formidable force for good, to defeat and end these acts of terror against our people. Let me assure all of

my relentless pursuit of all possible means to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of our citizens as well as my commitment to continue to collaborate with Cameroon and our neighbours, within the framework of the Lake Chad, Basin Commission”, Buhari said.

The President commended Cameroon for its support to Nigerian military and security personnel in the fight against terrorism and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of terror in both countries.

Nigeria loses N585bn to waivers on rice, others –Senate Nigeria has lost a whopping sum of N585 billion to import waivers in the last four years, the Senate revealed yesterday. The waivers were mainly from agricultural products, particularly rice and vegetable oil.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto South) made this disclosure yesterday while contributing to debate on a motion entitled, “Indiscriminate use and

abuse of waivers for rice importation.”

The motion was sponsored by Senator Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South). This was also as the Senate yesterday, urged the Federal Government to halt the policy of granting waivers to importers, as well as resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the policy with a view to carrying out holistic review of it.

Federal Government yesterday blamed depot owners and marketers for illegal sale of petrol and kerosene in excess of approved prices. The government through the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, maintained that petrol and kerosene should sell at N87 and N50 per litre, respectively.

But DPR indicated that as a result of unpatriotic acts of the op-

erators, the prices of petrol and kerosene are in excess of N100 and N150 per litre.

DPR maintained in a statement that preliminary investigations revealed that the prevailing hike in retail prices of the two products across the country is as a result of the unscrupulous activities of some depot owners and major marketers.

Ooni: Aregbesola, Ife Royal Traditional Council meet Members of Ife Royal Traditional Council, RTC, umbrella body for all traditional title holders from Ile-Ife, yesterday met Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, behind closed doors.

The meeting, which was held at Osun State Government House, Oke- Fia, Osogbo, lasted for about 10 minutes.

RTC was led to the meeting

by Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, while the Secretary of the body, Chief Adetoye Odewole, was also in attendance.

Also present were top officials of the state government that are indigenes of Ile Ife, led by Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare.

John Agoha CEO, AGOHA FASHION HOME

MON

Nigeria, a step further to Polio eradication

Erstwhile Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, outgoing Chief of Policy and Plans, COPP, Army, Maj. Gen. Ugo Buzugbe, are among several other Generals, slated for immediate retirement by the Nigerian Army.

Their imminent retirements, a military source told our correspondent in Abuja, would be announced in a few days, following their being relieved of duties without any other appointment by the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The source said the Generals have already been put

FG blames depot owners, marketers for high fuel prices

When I wake up on Monday morning and say my prayers, I dash out to the gym. I love to do my workouts first before any other thing.

After this, I take my shower, dress up and go to the studio for new songs.

TUE

Army shake-up: Olukolade, Buzugbe, other generals face retirement on notice of retirement by

lice Affairs, and Public Safety and National Security (when constituted), to monitor the investigations of the cases, and present a report to it within four weeks.

Chinda, representing Obio/ Akpor federal constituency, Rivers State, recalled some of the cases to include; the killing of some traders at Apo in Abuja, popularly known as the ‘Apo Six’, invasion and killings by mobile policemen and soldiers in Ogoni land.

House of Representatives yesterday called for a dredge up of unresolved highprofile murder cases in the country.

The lawmakers also want a review of cases of extrajudicial killings by the police.

In its resolution at plenary on a motion brought by Kingsley Chinda on the need to undertake further investigation into such cases, the House, presided

by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara also mandated its committees on Po-

I map out to watch movies on Tuesday. I’m in showbiz and I need to be current with the happenings in the showbiz, including movies.

WED

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Reps urge Buhari to unearth killers of Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, others

My Wednesdays are almost similar with my Tuesdays. But the difference is that on Wednesdays, I attend mid-week service in my church.

THU

Wellness

acts were responsible for the present inability of the armed forces to win the ongoing war against Boko Haram. He therefore advised President Muhammadu Buhari to carry out an overhaul of the military structure.

The General regretted that the Heads of State sold the country’s dignity and military’s negotiation power, turning the country into a beggar before foreign nations.

Today is for visitors or whoever that wants to see me in my office. I do my press interviews on Thursdays. That is when I spend some time to talk about what I do; my new songs.

FRI

How Saraki weathered the storm in Senate

Former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, rtd, yesterday, alleged that certain former Heads of State entered into unholy alliances with foreign countries that grounded the Nigerian military, but ensured the survival of their regimes.

Badeh, who spoke vehemently during his pull-out ceremony at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, revealed that the unholy

My weekend normally starts on Fridays. I do new songs. For instance I just did a new song for Nigeria not quite long ago. I attend night clubs if need be where I perform as a musician

SUN SAT

How ex-Heads of State crippled military –Badeh

AUGUST 2, 2015

It is the same as my Friday. I usually prefer to spend it at the beach, where I go to unwind.

I go to church. When I come back, I attend events, if there are. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

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AUGUST 2, 2015

Death of Aluta: Student unionism in doldrums Student unionism in Nigeria today as fallen from its pinnacle of intellectual doggedness and lost its activist steam and therefore as become a mere appendage of ruling political class and a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians. Paul Omo Obadan reports that the student body should do the needful and embark on a journey of rebirth.

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hen ex-student unionist later school principal, Chief Segun Okeowo of the “Ali Must Go Fame” died early last year at the age of 73, he must have carried to the grave, the burden of the decline National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS which he helped to nurture to its enviable status in his days as SUG leader.

Okeowo, former President of the Nigerian Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS, as NANS was then known, spear headed the students’ protest in the late 70s against the General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military government.

Under Okeowo’s leadership, NUNS became more directly involved in national politics. When the Constituent

‘STUDENTS USED TO BE A MAJOR FORCE’

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Assembly was constituted in 1977 to deliberate on a new constitution, NUNS had to be given a slot on the body.

During this period, Okeowo led Nigerian students into battle against the Nigerian government on a number of key issues which included the funding of education, increase in tuition and accommodation fees and the presence of soldiers in schools to enforce discipline. Negotiations broke down between both parties and the students went into the streets nationwide in the famous ‘Ali must Go’ protests of 1978.The students carried placards condemning the hike in feeding fees from 50k to N1.50k. The police were drafted, armed with automatic rifles, tear gas canisters etc. The coming of the police transformed the peaceful demonstration into violence when the police opened fire, killing many students. When the news of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘MILITARY KILLED STUDENTS’ ACTIVISM’

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‘Students used to be a major force’

Union member in a parley with ex-president Jonathan

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 death of students and other members of the public by the stray bullets of the police reached other university campuses in the country, the students joined their colleagues and boycotted lectures.

At the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, about six students were killed by the police, which added fuel to the already burning demonstration. This led to other students in the Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and even the secondary schools joined the protests.

The Federal Military Government responded with anger.

It announced the proscription of NUNS and ordered the arrest and detention of Okeowo.

Late Segun Okeowo will be missed for this doggedness, commitment and sense of purpose for the struggle to emancipate Nigerian students from the shackles of oppression.

Organised students activism in Nigeria has its roots in the West African Students Union, WASU, under which umbrella students from West Africa fought the colonial masters and insisted on the rights of Africans to take charge of their own destiny and affairs.

NUNS inherited the same idealism and students’ unionism was soon established in Nigeria as a platform for change and informed activism. By 1960, there were few universities in the country but the university system was so well established and so properly linked to the development process in the making that its voice in the affairs of the nation carried substantial weight. The students were also aware of this and it was no surprise that the Anglo-Nigerian Defence pact was aborted solely on account of the objections of students.

By the 70s, an increase in the number of universities and other higher institutions of learning, the spread of Marxist ideology on the campuses and an obsession with revolution and change, inspired also by the failings of the post-colonial elite, had given a fresh edge and dynamism to the students’ movement.

The students saw themselves as agents of chage and they wanted to make an impact on the history of their society. They enjoyed the support of radical intellectuals in the labour movement and the academia, and

THE STUDENTS SAW THEMSELVES AS AGENTS OF CHAGE AND THEY WANTED TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE HISTORY OF THEIR SOCIETY.

found a ready anchor in the ideology of the Left. The student leaders of the period were idealists and firebrands.

However today, NANS has become a lame duck and a toothless bull dog, and has been turned to a moneymaking venture.

“The first NANS President to use official car donated by (Gen Sani) Abacha was Dare Ogunlana, he was the worst leader we had in NANS. They were the apostles of Abacha for life just like Hembe and co were.

Even before this time, the NANS leadership had identified with various anti-student, pro-establishment policies including acceptance of the hostel privatisation and N1000 compulsory insurance policy of the Federal Government and the insurance agencies. Not only this, it had at various times recognized through giving of awards to anti-student moneybag politicians who have at one time or the other, individually or severally supported policies and agenda that take money out of the pockets of the poor people of Nigeria to hand over to the already super-rich. In short, it has become another pawn in the chessboard of the ruling class while standing against everything that NANS originally stood for”, an activist who pleaded anonymity said.

From the 90’s upward, students’ unionism began its journey into the abyss. Cases of factionalisation, cultism, corruption and avarice, among others, became commonplace. Individual interest became enthroned and common goal was abandoned. It was also a time when the union began giving awards to individuals of often questionable pedigrees.

Another very recent drama was the face-off between the incumbent NANS President, Yinka Gbadebo and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities during the latter’s nearly six month strike.

At the peak of the strike, Gbadebo had called a briefing accusing the leadership of ASUU of not having student’s interest at heart. While calling on ASUU to

call off the strike and return to the classrooms, and commence re-negotiation with the Federal Government, Gbadebo argued that their demands for funding of universities are ‘unrealistic and un-implementable’.

Gbadebo accused the academic body of playing the ostrich as no amount of money, if provided, could conveniently solve the challenges facing public universities within four years.

Gbadebo: “Having taken a holistic review of the details inherent in the agreement as signed by Federal Government and ASUU, it has become germane for us to call on ASUU to reconsider its present adamant stand on the continued closure of our universities.

“We must, as Nigerians, accept that the problem with our universities have developed over decades and would, therefore, be unimaginable that ASUU with its present stance want it totally resolved within the spate of four years that this agreement was signed.”

Gbadebo further said ASUU should not pretend to be more Catholic than the Pope as their members are also involved in sharp practices such as examination fraud, sex for marks, sexual abuse, laziness, among others.

Student unionism should not have been made voluntary Sunday Mirror spoke with Shina Odugbemi, Student Union President of the University of Ibadan in the 1987/88 academic session, the year and session when in his words, ‘activism started going awry’.

His words: “I was privileged to be part of that history when they became partisan. Something happened in 1987, when we led the student union. It was the first time ever that through the decree made by the then leader of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida, student union was made voluntary. In our days, it used to be compulsory student unionism. And this compulsory student unionism goes with students paying compulsory fees as students union fee. So that way, the student union government in each and every of the institutions had money to spend. They did not need to look out. But there was a crisis in 1986, the Jos killing. A panel was set and headed by General Abisoye. It was the Abisoye panel that recommended to Babangida that part of the strength of student unionism in those days was CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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‘Students unionism has been monetised’ Human rights activist and Executive Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran throws more light on the issue of the death of student union activism in this interview with Paul Omo Obadan.

When did student unionism take a downward turn It is difficult for us to tell exactly when it went bad because student activism had started nose diving since middle 80’s when General Ibrahim Babangida took over the government. During that period, he called them disgruntled elements. He believed that many of the lecturers were trained in Russia hence they don’t like capitalism and those were the people who were teaching ‘what they were not paid to teach’. Babangida sent Patrick Wilmot packing out of Nigeria.

He believed that this are the people who were indoctrinating the students generally and that people like Patrick Wilmot, Toye Olorode , Bala Usman, Dipo Fashina and several of them like that who schooled in the former Soviet Union , were those who came to plant the seed of socialism, communism, Marxism in the heart of the students, forgetting that these Nigerian students can also think. They had the privilege of choosing between the chaff and the grain. So they had been radicalized by the system that neglected them. That was the time also when Babangida chose to obtain what they call IMF loan that gave conditionalities that actually undermined the integrity of Students and student unionism. That was the time that courses in the universities were rationalised . There were certain courses you cannot even teach in the Nigerian universities. There were certain courses that had to be scrapped. When the IMF issue came up, Nigerian students in collaboration with ASSU, kicked against it to the extent that when Babangida was forced to throw it open to Nigerians to debate, Nigerians overwhelmingly resisted the idea that Nigeria should obtain the IMF loan. Because from the studies, we discovered that there hadn’t been any country that that obtained IMF loan and came out stronger. They are always weaker or distorted. So Babangida and Olu Falae decided that they are not going to obtain IMF loan but they are going to impose the conditionalities of IMF on us. Nigerians said that it is not the loan itself that is bad but the conditionalities surrounding it. If it is the loan that can be given without strings attached, that they would be ready to go for it. But it is strings they were fighting against and those were the strings that Babangida wanted to implement. Now Nigerian students now rose up with the assistance of those of us in the civil society that we needed to resist the IMF. And that was what led to the 1989 uprising which became what they call SAP riot. Because, in implementing the conditionalies of IMF, Babangida said he was going to implement the structural adjustCONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 because they don’t rely on external forces for their funding. They get their funding through student subscription. And one of the ways to cripple student unionism was to make it voluntary. That is to try and debase their source of income. And once you remove that source of income, student unionism will be stifled. We were the first set of student leaders that experienced voluntary unionism. In our days, rather than the school collecting the student union dues from the students as it used to be, the Babangida administration declared student unionism voluntary, and because of that, the school authority refused to collect student unionism dues. And because of that, we were challenged with raising funds to sustain unionism. In our days, it was a taboo for any student leader to look for funding outside the four walls of the university.

The remnant of the fees we had paid before was still

pollute student unionism. Sometimes they pluralised student unionism in various universities and they set them against each other, then they set up cults within the unions and those cults were meant to be caucuses. At a stage when some caucuses believed that their capacity is being overwhelmed by progressive section of the student unionism, they introduced arms and ammunitions to them. So they were able to unleash violence on the student unionists.

So cults became malevolent, different from the one people like Wole Soyinka did that used to be benevolent- fighting against oppressive tendencies in the tertiary institutions.

So they changed all of that to the struggle for power within the university and tertiary institution. That was how Babangida destroyed the camaraderie that existed among studentry all over Nigeria.

Adeniran

ment programme. And Babangida said that that there was no alternative to SAP. It was the late iconic fiery lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi that said that there is nothing on earth does not have an alternative. That even death has an alternative, which is life. So if that were to be the natural course of events, then SAP should have an alternative. That alternative we want to proffer. We made an attempt to have a SAP conference, it failed because Babangida did not allow it to hold. We also tried to do sovereign national conference, but Babangida did not allow it to hold. People now kicked against it and this led to the SAP protest of 1989. That was what miffed Babangida against the student unionism and he tried to liberalise it.

Who should be blamed for this downward turn In the days of NUNS, student unionism was compulsory for all students of tertiary institutions and their dues had to be paid to the school Authorities who will give it to the school unionism. When Obasanjo came in, he liberalised it and made it voluntary for any student that does not want to join, but the truth is that no student can exist in isolation. That policy weakened student unionism because the amount of money coming to the coffers of the union was no longer enough to fund their activities. So they became beggars. That is how some used political manoeuvers to there, so we did not have much problem because we still had some little money to play with. Though it was depleting by the time we left because we did not have that automatic funding again. So that was the history of how corruption first started.

“With that step taken by the Babangida administration, subsequent student leadership started looking outside for funding. They had to fund their activities and because they had to fund their activities, and the students were no longer paying dues they started going cap in hand to fund their activities. This is the beginning of the rot in student unionism.

According to him, “The student movement in Nigeria is part of the Nigerian system. There was that level of corruption in our own days, but it was not as endemic as what we have today. The rot we have in the student movement is a reflection of the endemic corruption we have in the Nigerian system today. The way out is, if you look at Nigeria today, everybody is

What is the way out?

First and foremost, we see a kind of system change because the change from the conservative in Nigeria to the progressives, that is the change from right wing to central wing (because we cannot call it left wing now), is a good pedestal to start. Change has to be total. Student unionism election should be observed by those authorities from outside the campuses like INEC, and all other security agencies to observe it without regard to ethnic and other primordial consideration like religion, accumulation of wealth and the rest of them. So if it is well observed from the time of nomination to the end of election that is likely to bring about good relationship. Then the minister of education should be somebody who has garnered integrity record like Jega for example, he is known to be somebody who is unbiased and a thoroughbred professional. Such a person who has been a president of ASSU before, he had been an INEC chairman, should be made to be a kind of force to be reckoned with when any student union is conducting their election in the whole of Nigeria. That is the only way by which they can sanitise it. There is nothing wrong if we introduce electronic voting or the kind of thing that we did during the last election using voters’ card reader to verify persons. All the students also are adults and have voters card. They can use those voters card on electronic machine in their campuses when they are doing election. That will sanitise it. And it should part of the policy that no student should be allowed to monetise election in the campuses.

And any student that is found with arms and ammunition within the campuses should be banned forever or confined behind the walls. He can complete is education behind the walls, it does not matter and continue even his service year should be spent behind the walls. That will be good enough to serve as deterrent to those who have polluted the unity in the unionism of students in various campuses. And sanity will be restored because they are not supposed to be workers; they are not supposed to be making money, why should they monetise their own election, that should be stopped. If is stopped, then reasonable and morally upright students will have their way into the leadership of student unionism

agitating for heads to roll, there was too much corruption in the last regime, but we always leave out one thing in cleaning Nigeria it has to be total cleansing.

You cannot leave the larger society and start treating a portion of it.

The way out is one, the step taken by Babangida to rubbish student unionism should be reversed. Student unionism should be made compulsory for all universities. It’s like in Nigeria, you are making citizenship voluntary. In my own days, we had 17,000 students on campus and they were paying N1 each. What we had to deal with was that a regime had N17,000 waiting for him to spend for students activities. We also collected subsidy from the university authority. If you collect N17,000 the university authority gives you an equivalent of what is paid into your account. So you have already set money on ground for students to use. As it was in those days, the school authorities too should CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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‘Military killed students’ activism’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Babangida

subsidize whatever students get. Once you do that, you are reducing the tendency of students to go cap in hand to look for money from Moneybags who will not only give them that money, but will give them that money with a mandate. So Babangida was the one that laid the foundation of that corruption we are talking about now, with the report of Abisoye panel.

Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Tunde Bakare, in a recent interview with journalists, however said former President Olusegun Obasanjo killed student activism.

He made the allegation while delivering a paper titled,’ Good Governance: Sustainability of Democracy, the Role of Students in the Forthcoming General Election,” in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Mr. Bakare lamented that students unionism had been hijacked by those he described as “never do wells,” just he noted that the height of the fall of unionism in the country was the conferment of the title Defender of Democracy on. Obasanjo in 2005 by student body.

He stated, “Nevertheless, student unionism in Nigeria today is in a sorry state. Not only has it fallen from its pinnacle of intellectual doggedness and ideological astuteness, it has lost its activist steam and has become a mere appendage of ruling political parties and a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians.”

‘The apotheosis of the perfidious degeneration of student unionism occurred in 2005 when NANS decorated General Obasanjo as a ‘Defender of Democracy’; yes the same Obasanjo who masterminded the brutal repression of unarmed students who were merely registering their displeasure over hike in fees.”

The clergyman condemned the role played by student leaders in the botched third term bid of the former president.

According to him, when the progressives rose against the third term agenda, in 2005, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, shamelessly campaigned for Mr. Obasanjo’s life presidency agenda.

He said upon the foundation of corruption of student unionism laid by the former president, NANS had become weak and factionalised in subsequent administrations.

“In essence, Obasanjo killed student unionism in Nigeria. As a military Head of State, he killed NUNS by brutal repression and proscription. When Obasanjo returned as civilian president, he killed NANS and made it a shadow of itself, doing so this time by corrupting the body,” Bakare said.

He called on the students’ body to embark on journey of rebirth to return to the good old days of student activism.

When the Shagari government wanted to scrap the HND and replace it with the NND (Nigeria National Diploma. We knew it would be unacceptable any-

Obasanjo

BABANGIDA WAS THE ONE THAT LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THAT CORRUPTION WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW WITH THE REPORT OF

ABISOYE PANEL.

Bakare

The late Okeowo

where. Lato called out students and we fought the government to a standstill.

In 1989, when the government of General Ibrahim Babangida sought to barter the Nigerian state with western economic imperialists through the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, under the leadership of Segun Maiyegun, mobilised Nigerian students in anti-SAP riots.

Student leaders printed handbills highlighting the thievery of the President and the Chief of General Staff. These were distributed to other students and used to mobilize students and the general public, thereby igniting a showdown with the government.

Unfortunately, that protest was hijacked and degenerated into physical violence.

Odugbemi

In 1993, when the same General Babangida annulled what is acclaimed to be the freest and fairest elections ever held in Nigeria for no just cause, thereby overthrowing the people’s mandate, the leadership of NANS, after a meeting at the then Bendel State University, Ekpoma, issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the de-annulment of the elections. Nigerian students subsequently played an active role in the pro-democracy protests that ensued.

According to Bakare, for a proper and responsible students unionism in Nigeria there must exist a responsible education, a responsible leadership and a responsible society where everybody respects and tolerates other people’s feelings ideas and beliefs.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

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N4bn WAEC debt: Pay up or quit, NUT tells states …demands payment of salary arrears …Reiterates call for 65years retirement age MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has challenged the states owing the West African

Examination Council, WAEC, to either fulfill their pledge to pay for the examination or withdraw.

In a statement signed

by Secretary-General of the union, Obong Obong,

and made available to Sunday Mirror yesterday, the teachers blamed the failure of the debtor states on the “characteristic lip service and political grandstanding of governments

to public education, which is key to the transformation and future wellbeing of the Nigerian children. ” NUT said though the decision of the state governments to pay for the

L-R: Commander 333 Logistics Group GP Air Commodore Ugwuezumba; Commander, 301 Flying Training School, Air Commodore Ibukun Ojeyemi; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Baba and Air Officer Command, Training Command NAF, Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu during a tour of NAF Base Kaduna at the weekend.

examination was commendable, and was meant to lessen the financial burden on parents and guardians, it urged that if the states “are not sincere and committed to paying the exam fees to their students, they should stop the grandstanding and allow parents to take the destiny of their children in their hands. ” It would be recalled that WAEC recently threatened to withhold the results of candidates who sat for its last May/June examination in 19 states – possibly more than a half of candidates who sat for the examination.

The teachers also condemned failure of many states across the country to pay their salary arrears, despite bailout by President Muhammadu Buhari shortly after assuming office.

“While the non-payment of the backlog of salaries and other entitlements owed teachers has caused untold hardship and pain to the affected teachers and their dependents, it is even more disturbing to note that the bailout funds for some states are reported to have

been seized by banks due to debts owed by the state governments, ” the union lamented.

Meanwhile, the teachers have advised the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to create room for secondchoice universities by candidates sitting for its examination.

They argued that the re-allocation of applicants from universities with surplus entries to those with low number of applications was wellintended, but pointed out that such move would deny candidates of institutions of their choice.

The group referred to recent protests against postUTME tests in some parts of the country.

Similarly, the union reiterated its call on the Federal Government to increase the retirement age of teachers of primary and secondary schools in the country to 65 years.

It argued that given the obvious dearth of teachers in the schools in many states of the country, and the need to explore the experience of teachers, such call, it stressed, was necessary.

DSS cracks down on kidnapping syndicates nationwide OMEIZA AJAYI The Department of State Services DSS has conducted a massive crack down on kidnapping syndicates across the country resulting on dozens of arrests.

According to a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by an operative of the service, Tony Opuiyo, the arrested suspects had in the past few weeks terrorised their victims and mem-

bers of the public across the States particularly in the South-South, SouthWest and the North-West zones of the country “In the course of their dastardly acts, these criminals rape, maim and even murder their victims.

They inflict psychological pains, humiliation and grief on such victims and their families. They extort huge sums of money from families or friends of victims ”, he said.

Opuiyo said operatives succeeded in the arrest

of the masterminds and other facilitators of these kidnapping syndicates among whom is one Victor Afikparobo who was arrested on July 20 at Owheologbo, Isoko North LGA of Delta State.

Afikparobo is a key member of the “FEDERA ” gang, a kidnap syndicate, which perpetrated series of kidnappings within the Ikorodu/Otta axis of Lagos State. The arrest of this suspect by the Service has given further leads on the gang leader

of the FEDERA kidnap syndicate.

The statement reads in part: “ On 22nd July, 2015, about 0330 hours, at Ovara Orugun village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, one John FELIX aka AUSTIN, Rowson ANUFA aka AMORI and Obukoko EMOABE, a local herbalist and supposed talisman to the group, were also arrested by this Service.

The trios are key members of the kidnap gang that terrorized the LagosIkorodu road, and Owo,

IGP tasks policemen on human rights SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

I

f police personnel all over the country show more respect for human rights, it can engender greater trust for the institution of Nigeria Police Force, according to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase.

Arase highlighted the need for force personnel to subject their statements and actions to the rule of

law and respect for human rights at a national sensitization workshop on human rights for Commissioners of Police, preceding a threeday training of trainers workshop on human rights for Assistant Commissioners of Police, where dignitaries and participants agreed with the police boss that only respect for law and human rights can help the police to regain the trust of the society.

The programme was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the funding of the European Union (EU) as part of the Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria, a 42-month project designed to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, accountability, transparency, and fairness of the Nigerian justice system in Nigeria through key initiatives of the Federal Ministry

of Justice for a coordinated, unified and integrated reform across the sector.

In an address at the opening ceremony, Arase, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mamman Tsafe, declared that “A human rights based approach to policing will ensure that our actions are in accordance with the fundamental principles for the development of just societies. ”

Ondo State.

“On 24th July, 2015, about 0230 hours, at Uduere, village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, one Joseph OJOBOR aka Chairman was also arrested. Subject is the leader of the Lagos cell of the “Federa ” kidnap syndicate. He had also been linked to some incidents of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“Also, on the same 24th July, 2015, about 0500 hours, the team arrested another member of the Lagos cell of the “Federa ” kidnap syndicate, one Timothy JAPHETH, in his house at Onokpasa Avenue in Okhan village in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State.

“Earlier, on 19th July, 2015, another member of the notorious gang, one Howell ANUFA was apprehended by the Service.

The suspect was instrumental to the kidnap of the Regent of Akungba in Ondo State.ANUFA also participated in the spate of kidnap incidents, carried out by the gang in

Lagos and Ogun States respectively, before he relocated to Warri, Delta State, where he was eventually arrested.

“Furthermore, same date, the Service arrested one member of the Ekiti kidnap syndicate, Ayodeji OLUWAFEMI. Also, one Rachael OLADAPO, a female, who was used by the gang as a reconnaissance spy and informant, was equally apprehended. In a follow-up tactical raid in Ekiti State, five (5) other members of the notorious Ekiti kidnap gang were intercepted by operatives of the DSS. They are Felix OMAIWA, Bose AJAYI, Tope GABRIEL, Olayemi OGUNMOLA and Damilola OBAMOYEGUN. “Also, on 26th July, 2015, about 2000 hours, at Ibokun in Obokun LGA, Osun State, Service tactical team arrested three (3) kidnap suspects, Owolabi OLAREWAJU (aka Owo Blow), Olajide AYOBAMI (aka Gongo aso) and Gbenga DAVID (aka Oruma). ”

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News

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP tackles Buhari over DSS appointment OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that in appointing its member to head the DSS, a very sensitive security agency vested with numerous powers, the All

Progressives Congress, APC, has annexed the Service as a tool to suppress the opposition and other Nigerians who hold views contrary to that of government, thus preparing the ground for dictatorship and a reign of terror on the people.

It also described APC as a party of shameless and desperate liars while berating it for sticking to its lies and empty denials despite overwhelming evidences that the new Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal

Daura, is an APC member.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said the spate of lies chunked out by the APC and its spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in the desperation

Officials of the Lagos State Task Force begins arresting of erring motorcycle riders at Oshodi in Lagos, yesterday.

We are committed to providing social welfare package, says Osinbajo ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

V

ice-President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated the resolve by the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue the implementation of social welfare policies that will alleviate poverty in the country.

Osinbajo said the failure to address pressing problem such as poverty could be traced to the lack of ideology on the part of those who love the country and those who are poised to loot the national treasury, this he said led to the absence of solutions that could solve the threat posed by poverty.

According to him, the ruling APC would eliminate poverty in Nigeria through the implementation of social intervention programmes and ensure direct spending that would yield social benefits.

Speaking in Kano yesterday, the vice president

said, Buhari ’s government would focus its spending on disabled persons, the elderly and free meals in schools to pull out over 20 million Nigerians from a state of abject poverty.

He disclosed that, the 36 states of the Federation were indebted to banks to the tune of over N600 billion, adding that, this is one of the reasons that called for swift intervention by the federal government.

He further said, when ailing banks few years back were bailed out, critics kept mum, only to cry foul over the recent intervention moves that would salvage the poor from the financial precarious situation the states have found themselves.

He noted that, the huge debt burden cast on the state have forestall government at that level from discharging its nominal duties and from further proceeding to deliver on their electoral promises so far.

Osinbajo cautioned

Nigerians to be weary of those who toe ethnic, religious and tribal lines to attain selfish purposes, pointing out that, when corrupt persons embark on the act of treasury lootings, tribal, religious and ethnic differences matter less, only to surface when caught y the long arm of the law.

The vice president, who visited the internally displaced children drawn from Borno and Yobe that are housed at a special boarding school built by Kano State Government to assess the standard of living of the children expressed satisfaction over the condition of the children, who are being rehabilitated through Kano State Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women Affairs, vowed that the Federal Government will support the project.

According to him, the Federal Government will not relent in its effort to assist the affected victims of Boko Haram insur-

gents in the country, stating that the government had already set up a Presidential Fund Initiative for North East Boko Haram victims headed by General T.Y. Danjuma which will among other things fashion out ways of assisting the victims in terms of education and provision of basic infrastructure.

Kano state Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar told the Vice President that the state government has upgraded the Internally Displaced Persons camp to a fullfledged boarding school.

Prof. Hafiz said that the school was founded and commissioned on 20th April, 2015 by the former administration of Engr.

Rabi ’u Musa Kwankwaso to accommodate and rehabilitated children adopted from Borno and Yobe states, disclosing that, on assumption of office, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje transformed it to a full boarding primary school.

to suppress the truth is not only reprehensible but also symptomatic of lack of character.

“No wonder we are now witnessing invasions of houses of PDP members as well as harassments, arrests and detentions of electoral officers and tribunal members in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and other PDP states where the APC is desperate to upturn our electoral victory at all costs and by any means ”, it stated.

The party however restated that no amount of harassment and threats or conniving with people, whether disgruntled PDP members or staff, can intimidate, blackmail or distract the PDP from discharging its duty to Nigerians, of providing constructive and credible opposition to the policies and programmes of the present administration.

“When the matter first came up, the APC spokesman hurriedly went on air on RayPower radio wherein he stated categorically to the nation that he never knew or met “the man ”, and that “the man ” has never had any contact or dealing whatsoever with the APC as a party before his appointment as DSS Director General.

“When we came up with the newspaper advertorial sponsored by the APC wherein it announced Alhaji Daura as a member of its campaign Intelligence Committee, a very important position vested on him by virtue of his membership of the party, as well as pictures of him with other members of the committee, Lai Mohammed started singing a new tune, insulted PDP leaders as hallucinating out of poverty and asked PDP to produce Daura ’s membership card and evidence of registration.

“We ask, is APC demanding that the PDP invade Daura ’s house to get his personal card? Or that we should go to Daura to get the APC ward register? How on earth does the APC spokesperson want us to go and ask a man in charge of arresting and detaining people who hold views contrary to those of his party and

government to give us his party membership card?

How on earth can the PDP request and get the APC membership register in Daura ’s ward? Who do Lai Mohammed and the APC think they are fooling? Nigerians? ” the PDP queried.

The PDP noted that in his lame effort to defend his party, the APC spokesman either intentionally lied or exhibited crass ignorance by trying to equate the DSS with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Police Service Commission (PCC), or the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where a Democrat, Mr. Leon Panetta, was named

by President Obama as head.

“Perhaps, Mr. Lai Mohammed needs to constantly update and crosscheck his facts. We wish to inform him and the APC that there is a great difference between the CIA and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after which the Nigerian DSS was fashioned.

“Whereas the U.S. FBI and the Nigerian DSS are vested with the statutory tasks of providing domestic intelligence, security service and criminal investigations among others for the state and can be equated with the British M15 and Russian FSB, all of which have their headships insulated from politics, the CIA on the other hand is vested with collecting of intelligence overseas, the same role as Nigeria ’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

“Furthermore, the NOA and PCC are agencies that have no powers to investigate, arrest or detain, neither can they be used to harass, hound or intimidate. Also, we wish to remind Lai Mohammed that Mr. Mike Omeri, in writing, declined the appointment into the PDP campaign committee because of his position as Director General of the NOA. We note therefore that in drawing his comparisons, Mr. Mohammed either exhibited high level ignorance or acted ostensibly to deceive Nigerians yet again. ”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, August 2, 2015

9

PDP, APC spent N3.2bn on adverts in 2015 presidential elections –Report JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, spent over N3.23 billion on advertisements nationwide in the 2015 presidential elections.

The media report, which focused on the two main parties, took into

cognisance the different geographical zones within the country, as well as the advertising campaigns of the different political parties, individuals and groups in support of the presidential candidates.

A report by CCM Limited, a media monitoring firm in the country, shows that over N3.23 billion worth of media advertising was placed on radio,

television, press and billboards nationwide for the two parties ’ campaigns between December 2014 and March 2015.

Speaking at the unveiling of the report, the Managing Director of CCM Limited, Mr. Tunde Onadele, said that the report is based on a thorough analysis of over 260 broadcast media (radio and television), 48 print (news-

papers and magazines) media and over 1,000 outdoor billboards monitored across the country.

According to him, about 253 creative materials were deployed in radio and television channels in all the 260 stations monitored by CCM, with PDP utilising 145 materials while APC deployed 107 materials.

He explained that the

split across media platforms showed the television and the press were the media platforms mostly utilised by the two parties at over 85 per cent of total campaign spendng.

“The PDP campaign, including third party adverts, accounted for about N2.5 billion or 77 per cent with APC spending about N728 million or 23 per cent. The report highlighted that gross media rates were used in CCM ’s calculations and the data across the monitored stations would account for about 85 per cent national coverage.

“The CCM ’s calculations also excluded special media such as news mentions, live coverage of political rallies and Satellite (Pay TV) media and all Below-The-Line promotional spend, ” he said.

While speaking about the significance of media monitoring in politics, Onadele urged that political parties need to measure compliance to media or campaign plans as set out by their campaign organisations, anticipate opposition ’s media strategies, especially across regions and appropriate and match regional spending with potential for electoral votes and for quality decision-making in sharpening campaign strategies.

Chief Technical Officer of CCM, Mr. Bayo Odeyinde, affirmed that the firm had deployed advanced detection and logging technology that has the capability to provide reliable media intelligence reports and services to her clients and prospects across various industries.

Objective media reports, solution to insurgency –Ahmed ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

L R: A beneficiary, David Mark Scholarship Foundation/ Student of University of Agriculture Makurdi, Miss Regina Joseph and Chairman, David Mark Scholarship Foundation, and founder, Senator David Mark, at the presentation of cash award to the beneficiaries in Otukpo, Benue State on Friday.

Ife residents disagree on reasons behind Oro Festival ..tension as women remain indoors BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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esidents of Ile-Ife yesterday disagreed on the reason behind the ongoing Oro festival in the town.

The ongoing festival, which entered its second day yesterday, many people, who spoke to our correspondent in the town, believed may have been preparatory to the formal announcement of the passage of Ooni.

Some others however insisted that the festival had been scheduled to hold long before the controversies regarding Oba Sijuade ’s whereabouts started.

Attention has been on the town since the reported demise of Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade, on Tuesday in a London hospital.

Speaking to newsmen in Ile-Ife, a traditional ti-

tle holder, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, listed Oro, Olojo, Orunmila, Edi, Oranmiyan, Esu, Obatala among others as some of the festivals that are celebrated in the town annually.

The chief insisted that the ongoing Oro Festival was not in connection with the “rumoured death of Oba Okunade Sijuade ”.

According to him, the ongoing festival will end on Thursday and explained that while it lasted, there would be no restriction of movement, except for young and old female that must not see the procession of Oro adherents.

Although women were only forbidden to go out at night during the traditional festival, some women told NAN that it was better to be on the safe

side by staying indoors during the period than to be caught and probably used as sacrifice.

Mrs. Rebecca Olaide, a market woman, said she would remain indoors to avoid any unexpected circumstance.

Olaide disclosed that she had asked her eldest son to help her to manage her business until the festival was over.

Another woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she had restricted her movement because of the Oro festival. She said the festival might not be unconnected with the reported demise of the monarch.

Another lfe resident who simply identified herself as Sade, said she had decided to remain within her vicinity to avoid any unexpected happening.

Her words: “Although women were asked not to

go out only at night, I decided not to go out during the day too until the festival is over. ’ ’ Meanwhile, the door at the back of Ooni ’s palace that would only be opened at the death of the monarch, still remained shut yesterday.

But a palace source explained that “since the door still remains permanently closed, it means that the monarch is alive.

“The closure of markets for business and ringing of a special bell to announce the death of an Ooni are two major significant signs to indicate that the monarch has joined his ancestors and these are yet to be done ”.

It was also learnt that the marriage ceremony between Ooni Sijuade ’s son and daughter of former NEMA boss, Mrs. Remi Olowu, will still hold on Sunday at a venue on Victoria Island, Lagos.

G

eneral Manager of Bond FM, Alhaja Sherifat Ahmed, has charged the media practitioners to intensify their efforts in taming the escalation of insurgency in the country by being objective in their reports.

She said that lack of objectivity in media reports would continue to compound the issue rather than curtailing it.

Ahmed, who made this call during the postRamadan lecture entitled: ‘The role of Media in the management of world peace ’ organised by the radio station in Lagos yesterday, said the issue of Boko Haram and insurgency in the North-East part of the country and some other vices have been wrongly attributed to misunderstanding of Islam.

She said that the media owed the public the duty to educate and enlighten them to ensure peace in the society, thereby charging them to be more educated on the issues before feeding the society with the information about insurgences.

Meanwhile, the guest

lecturer at the programme and prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Mohammed Raji, said it was imperative for Nigerians to be their brother ’s keeper and tolerate one another in the quest to tackle the recent terrorist attacks in the northern part of the country.

Raji said for peace to reign, people must be of good conduct to one another, uphold respect for parents and constituted authority.

He pointed out that good character and kindness to others irrespective of their background and religions are panacea to the problem of insecurity in the country.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mallam Ladan Saliu, said that the federal radio stations across the country would remain open to all religious organisations to propagate the message of peace and coexistence in the multireligious country.

Saliu, who was represented by the Director, Lagos Operations, Mr. Oke Ikere, called for peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among residents.

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Interview

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER AUGUST 2, 2015

Imposition of candidates against popular will killed PDP –Iwuanyanwu A South-East leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu, in this interview with OBIORA IFOH canvasses a thorough overhauling of the present leadership of the party.

Excerpts: Your party said they will rule Nigeria for 60 years and suddenly crashed after 16 years in the saddle. What happened?

I speak to you as a genuine patriotic Nigerian, because Nigeria is more important to me than any political party. You have to be a Nigerian first before you can be a PDP or APC chieftain. The truth of the matter is that PDP had all the opportunity in the world to drive the democratic process and provide Nigeria with purpose-driven leadership, for even 100 years.

If you check the foundation of the party, a group of genuinely patriotic Nigerians from across the country came together to confront a most vicious military government in order to bring democracy and promote the ideals of unity and progress.

Along the line, that vision was derailed or rather corrupted, so the loss from 60 years to 16 years didn ’t come to some of us as sudden; we saw it progressively coming.

The cardinal principle upon which PDP was formed is zoning. When Yar ’Adua died, some of us felt that the North should be allowed to complete their tenure. Of course, we were overruled, called rebels and all sorts of name. You can ’t shut down any part of this country from power. We believed that zoning provided opportunity for access, and anything that happened to zoning would scuttle the unity of this country and threaten stability and development.

When Jonathan became president, we thought there was an agreement for one term to complete Yar ’Adua ’s tenure. But as we were doing that, we were losing people, particularly from one section of the country. That ’s why when I hear that there is a conspiracy of the North, I laugh it off as after all, politics is about conspiracy, and it ’s a game of interest. So basically, our loss didn ’t come to me as a surprise. We were part of the last national convention. The basic tenets of democracy were not upheld anymore, because there was more impunity, imposition and all that. So it didn ’t come as a surprise, what you sow is what you reap, garbage in garbage out.

At a point, PDP was being run like a business enterprise by some board of directors and ownership being played out.

Instead of Peoples Democratic Party, we now had the Democratic Party without the people. So the people started looking elsewhere and ran into this ‘changeless change ’ we now have. But it was inevitable as some of us saw it coming. It ’s only those who perpetrated the atrocities within PDP that should be responsible for what happened to us.

DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND ONCE THE PEOPLE FEEL THAT YOU ARE NOT CARRYING THEM ALONG BUT MOVING AGAINST THEIR INTEREST, OF COURSE THEY WILL GO FOR A CHANGE, WHATEVER THAT MEANS

Iwuanyanwu

What atrocities specifically?

There was impunity, manipulation and imposition of candidates against the popular will of the people. The people were not allowed to choose. Abuja will sit and decide who is a counsellor, local government chairman. National convention cannot be held, the result is known and people adopted for offices, while others were allowed to run around town and waste their time while their names are excluded in phony manners. Internally, there was no democracy and Nigerians saw it.

Democracy is about the people and once the people feel that you are not carrying them along but moving against their interest, of course they will go for a change, whatever that means.

Can the party redeem itself now?

Yes! What we need now is not just the cosmetic or symbolic removal of national chairman or the BoT but what we need is a total re-engineering, overhaul and rebranding of the party, to inject new people, so that they can bring new ideas. But as long as it is these same people who have held the party hostage and brought it on its knees (they are the ones reviewing the party and want to hold congress), then it will not work. We need to bring on board a lot of people who are disconnected and completely eliminated. Amongst 170 million people, you can ’t come to a situation where 50 or 60 people are ruling a patriotic party.

In clear cut terms, can we get your model for redeeming the PDP? I think that the whole national executives should resign and the executives should do a proper congress up to the na-

tional convention, so that the will of the people will prevail. Let people choose their leaders. Second, the board of trustees are supposed to be the conscience of the party and there are so many people who are there that have no business being there at all. In any case, some of them have left to other political parties. I think we should re-energise and bring in credible people, men of honour and integrity, who have the capacity to act as the conscience of the party into the BoT. A situation where a member of the board of trustees is contesting for the Senate is a conflict. Who would we run to when there is a conflict with other candidates? A situation where a member of the board of trustees is a member of the national executive amounts to duplication. If there is any issue, the person takes undue advantage. A BOT should be a platform for the creme de la creme and composed of the founding fathers and the embodiment of the vision of the PDP, so that other people can also take other positions. If we change the BOT and the leadership from ward to the national level, then we look into our manifesto and make it more populist. The political climate is changing. In 1999, the mantra was let the military go, right now, the people are CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES AUGUST 2, 2015

Suspense over Ambode ’s delay in forming cabinet P 12 & 53

AS SOON AS A PRESIDENT EMERGES, HE BECOMES LEADER OF THE PARTY, JUST AS THE GOVERNORS ARE LEADERS OF THE PARTY IN THE STATE; THE PRESIDENT IS THE LEADER OF THE PARTY IN THE NATION. WE CANNOT HAVE TWO LEADERS, WE MUST CORRECT SUCH IMPRESSION

–IMO STATE GOVERNOR OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA SAYING THAT BUHARI IS THE NATIONAL LEADER OF THE APC AND NOT ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU

How Saraki weathered the storm in Senate

Saraki

Ekweremadu

With the confidence vote of 81 senators and the successful composition of the principal offices, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has successfully weathered the political storms generated in the Senate by his election and that of Ike Ekweremadu, writes GEORGE OJI.

S

ince the event of June 9, which led to the election of the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum (NGF) and one time Governor of Kwara State, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as the President of the 8th Nigeria Senate, that arm of the National Assembly has hardly known any peace. The same also goes to the election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President. Indeed, if the election of Saraki could be tolerated in any way, that of Ekweremadu is seen by the APC as a complete abomination.

The circumstances that led to the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President on that eventful June 9, is still fresh in the minds of most Nigerians. However, the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President is against the wishes of the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the political platform that birthed the Kwara State born politician.

The favored candidate of the APC leadership is no doubt, Senator Ahmed Lawan, a four time senator from the Northeast geo political region of the country.

Unfortunately, it was also the support

11

House leadership crisis resolution:

Beginning of a new era Briefly

Lagosians urged to be patient with Ambode

A

n All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Adetunji Ilelaboye, has called on Lagosians to bear with the administration of Governor Akinwumi Ambode.

Ilelaboye, who until recently was the Chairman, Revenue Committee of the council, said the prime mission of the governor is to reposition the state in order to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

The Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) expert, made the declaration in Lagos at the weekend during a public lecture with the theme: ‘Islam and Public Administration ’, and entitled, ‘How to make Local Governments More Effective ’.

According to him, as far as Governor Ambode is concerned, he has not wasted much time in constituting his cabinet; he needs to be painstaking in picking his team.

“The governor is an experienced civil servant, he has gone up to the apex level, he knows much about the problems of the state and is taking his time to tackle them, ” Ilelaboye declared.

According to him, roads are being rehabilitated across the state, LASTMA has been repositioned, salaries are being paid to civil servants on or before the 25th of every month now, while some civil servants that had been on the seats for a very long time are being dislodged for a new set of people with renewed vigour to come on board in line with the governor ’s programme.

He said through these and many more the governor has been able to achieve much in less than 80 days.

To make local governments more effective, he said, “it is high time the state governors made Councils specialise on one product or the other so as to increase the revenue profile of both state and the councils, without necessarily waiting for the federal allocation before delivering democratic dividends for the people at the grassroots.

of the party that was the greatest undoing of Lawan. Thus, while Saraki was busy building bridges of friendship and understanding among members of his APC and the opposition People ’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lawan was relying and counting on the support of the APC alone.

The final death knell on the political ambition of Lawan becoming the Senate President was however delivered on June 9, when, instead of mobilising his CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

P 52

Ilelaboye

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Politics

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suspense over Ambode ’s de AYO ESAN

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r. Akinwunmi Ambode was sworn-in as the Governor of Lagos State on May 29, 2015 to take over from the former Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) whose performance in office has been adjudged as the best among his peers in the country.

However what is causing concern in the minds of Lagosians especially the opposition parties in the state is that after two months in office, Governor Ambode has not been able to form his cabinet and they believe that this is already slowing down the activities of the government.

Many had expected that Ambode would hit the ground running immediately he is sworn-in but surprisingly apart from the appointment of Mr. Tunji Bello as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, no other appointments have been made either as advisers or commissioners.

Some sources are attributing the delaying in forming the cabinet to the recent crisis in the national assembly which has taken the attention of the national leader of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sometime and has made him to resides more in Abuja than Lagos knowing full well that his input

DESPITE THE CRITICISM OVER THE DELAYED IN CONSTITUTING THE CABINET MOST MEMBERS OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY BELIEVE THAT THE DELAYED IS AIMING AT PICKING THE BEST FOR THE COMMISSIONERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE STATE

which they described as necessary has not been forthcoming hence the delay in the constituting of the cabinet.

Others however felt that the continued delay in announcing the cabinet is creating more confusion and anxiety as many who worked assiduously for the success of the party at the last election are still hoping to reap where they had sown but are tired of waiting.

Political analysts believe that while many states cannot form cabinet because of the financial crisis which has made them unable to pay salaries of workers for months, the Lagos State financial situation can support early cabinet.

Despite the criticism over the delayed in constituting the cabinet most members of the state assembly believe that the delayed is aiming at picking

the best for the commissionership positions in the state.

Reports said that many of them believe that the delay by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to form his cabinet was for the general good of the state.

They were said to have informed that the delay had not affected governance and project executions across the state, and that the governor was taking his time to choose the best for the state.

A member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu, representing Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has passed a vote of confidence on Ambode, saying he will perform.

Emeka Idimogu, an Accountant from Imo State, averred that Ambode ’s long standing service in past Lagos State

Amb bode e

government puts him on a good stead, adding that his recent activities on people ’s oriented projects will make him succeed.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror, Idimogu urged residents of his constituency and Lagosians in general to be patient with the Am-

How Saraki weathered th CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

supporters to face Saraki in an election on the floor of the Senate, he rather led his team to attend an illegal meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and some other supposedly party chieftains at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on a day that the Senate was to be inaugurated by the President, which also had as the only business of the day, the election of the Presiding Officers of the place.

What was also more worrisome to the leadership of APC, and indeed the supporters of Lawan was the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President. Even though there is nowhere in the nation ’s constitution or indeed any other statute in the country where it is contained that it is the party with the majority of elected senators that must constitute or produce the Presiding Officers of the senate, the APC as a party, felt that it was their right to appropriate those two prime offices as the PDP did in the 16 years that the party was the ruling party in the country.

So, this situation set the stage ready for ceaseless crisis for Saraki as the Senate President right from that very day he emerged in office. To get him out of the way, all manners of plots and traps were laid against him.

First, there was the argument by Senator Kabiru Marafa from Zamfara State that his privilege as a senator was breached on that June 9, when he could not participate in the election of the Presiding Officers of the senate, to which he was an elected

IF MARAFA HAD SUCCESSFULLY SUSTAINED HIS ARGUMENTS, THE IMPLICATION OF THAT WAS THAT THE ELECTION OF SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN NULLITY

member.

When Marafa could not explain convincingly who prevented him and some of his other co-travelers on that path from participating in the election process, he was forced to abandoned that line of action.

Secondly, Marafa was also the arrowhead of those who rose in opposition of the 2015 Senate Standing Orders, rule book through which Saraki emerged. On three separate occasions on the floor of the senate, Marafa made unsuccessful attempts to impress it upon his colleagues that the 2015 senate rule book, which was the document that birthed Saraki as the Senate President was forged. Upon, which basis, he wanted the nullification of the election of both Saraki and Ekweremadu.

Marafa ’s major argument was that, the senate standing order 2011, made provision for open ballot system as the mode for the election of the Presiding Officers of

the senate, whereas the 2015 version of the document conversely provided for secret ballot.

If Marafa had successfully sustained his arguments, the implication of that was that the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu as the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President would have been nullity.

Ekweremadu ’s counter argument to that of Marafa was that by virtue of section 64 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, every new senate must come with a fresh rule book to govern its activities and proceedings.

Not satisfied with the explanations of Ekweremadu, Marafa and his group of opposition petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking a probe of the alleged forgery of the senate rule book. In the said petition, which was signed by the Secretary of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, the group implored

Lawa an

the police to unravel those behind the alleged forgery with a view to bringing them to justice.

The Senate Unity Forum comprises, senators who were pushing for the candidacy of Ahmed Lawan as the Senate President.

This was also as the same members of the Senate Unity Forum took another step to initiate a legal action to, again, press for the probe of the senate rule book 2015, with a view also to nullifying the elections of Saraki and Ekweremadu.

Even though there are conflicting reports as to the outcome of the police investigations, the

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Politics

Sunday, August 2, 2015

he war that has seeming ended could not be said to have been on a good and genuine note by both parties considering the issues in the matter. It is crystal clear at this point that the vanquish here happened to be the Speaker, Dogara and his teeming supporters, while the APC, Gbajabianila and Lagos power broker, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, are the victors.

For them, this victory could simply pass for Scene 1, Act 1, or to say it in a clearer term, first step, in reminding them that the party is supreme. The war has just began, and it is as good as saying that this Dogara and his group must be bent.

The APC, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu and the loyalists group, have surely, not forgotten and do not intend to forget how Dogara and Sulaiman Lasun, Lagos APC, emerged as Speaker and Deputy against the will of the party.

Ordinarily, Femi Gbajabiamila would have preferred that he was wearing the crown of the Speaker than House ’s Majority Leader and Mohammed Tahir Mongonu, the Deputy according to the will of the party.

For the role of Dogara and his group, which has been clearly interpreted as anti-party activities, Gbajabiamila lost out as Speaker and Mongonu is nowhere near the corridor of power in the House, as all the principal offices have eluded him.

The party and its loyalists appear not to have any single trust for the Speaker and all his supporters and as such it is doubtful that they would ever risk divulging certain critical party strategies or go to the foor of the House unprepared for anything, as they may not trust that the Sppeaker and ‘disloyal; APC Representatives who are with him, who are seen as opposition, would freely support the course of the party.

Earlier, all efforts by the party to go down to the floor of the House with consensus candidates during the inauguration on June 9 had failed. The APC, having failed to achieve this consensus at several retreats, conducted a straw poll for the then Members-Elect, where Gbajabiamila and Mongonu were favoured.

Dogara and his followers did not like this; they had walked out on the party, telling it to meet them on the floor of the House during the election. Certainly, it happened and Dogara floored his party, and the battle began.

Although the party had no grouse with his emergence at the keenly contested election, it was annoyed because this was not its desire and that Dogara and his men, went into an “unholy ” alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to belittle the party that gave them the position as Representatives in the first place.

The APC had forwarded a communication to the House conveying the list of those who should occupy the four principal offices left to the party. The letter dated June 23, 2015, was addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, signed by the party ’s Chairman, John OdigieOyegun.

Titled, “Party ’s position on Principal Officers of the 8th House of Representatives ”, the letter sought Dogara ’s support to make Femi Gbajabiamila, South West, House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa,

13

House leadership crisis resolution:

Beginning of a new era The almost two months old leadership crisis in the House of Representatives came to a forced end on July 28, basically because the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara finally acceded to his party, the All Progressives Congress APC ’s demand that saw the emergence of Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos APC, as the Majority Leader of the House. Our Correspondent, UBONG UKPONG, examines the said peace, which was rather a child of necessity ending the era of open war and beginning another of cold war among the warring groups.

Dogarra

Gbajabiam mila

THE PARTY ’S NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, NEC TRIED RESOLVING THE CRISIS USING FORMER SPEAKER AND SOKOTO STATE GOVERNOR, AMINU TAMBUWAL

North West, Deputy House Leader, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, North East, Chief Whip, Pally Iriase, South South, Deputy Chief Whip respectively.

This letter did not receive his support and when the loyal party members sensed that he was not going to consider it, they threw the House ’s plenary into fracas leading to that over one month forced recess.

The party ’s National Executive Committee, NEC tried resolving the crisis using former Speaker and Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, but Dogara insisted that having Gbajabiamila appointed House Leader would offend the principle of equity and federal char-

acter.

In a reply to the APC ’s letter on July 16, he made serious effort trying to convince the party Chairman, John OdigieOyegun, to support his course, it was futile.

“This is to formally acknowledge receipt of your letter Ref. No. APC/NHDQ/ NAM/01/015/06 dated 23rd June, 2015.

“After the letter was received but before I could make the necessary consultations concerning the letter because of its sensitive nature, I was served with Court processes on the subject matter filed by some Members of the House and other persons and groups from the North Central and South East Zones of

Nigeria. The Rules of the House enjoin us to make a determination whether discussing a matter pending in Court in the House would be prejudicial to the Case.

“However, before this determination could be made, on the 25th June, 2015, I took steps to discuss the matter in an Executive Session of the House which is open to only House Members and not the public. We were prevented from doing so by some House members who conducted themselves in a most unparliamentarily manner. It is necessary to point out that the mechanism of Executive Session is resorted to in order to iron out controversial matters in an amicable way to preserve the unity and cohesion of the House.

“Since then, efforts have been made by the Party, Progressive Governors and other interested persons to intervene and resolve the issues. We want to place on record, our unflinching loyalty and respect not only to you as an individual, considering your antecedents, but also to the party, APC, under whose platform we were elected to the House. We have no intention whatsoever of disobeying your directives or the party ’s position on any matter. We would, of course, prefer a situation where we are consulted on CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

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Opinion

Sunday August 2, 2015

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

E-mail: sheffie2004@yahoo.co.uk 08094217972 (SMS only)

J

osep Sepp Blatter, the embattled President of the Federation International Football Associations (FIFA) is in the eye of the storm at the moment, facing the most difficult times of his soccer administration career. For the first time in the history of the football-governing body, its leadership is embroiled in and openly accused of high-profile scandals. These have included bribery from member-states towards inducing FIFA to win bids for the World Cup, transfers of tens of millions of dollars to top FIFA officials and money laundering allegations against some prominent FIFA executives. The height of the scandals was the bursting and arrest in the United States two Wednesdays ago, of nine top-notch staff of the organization.

FIFA has always been rocked by crisisthese would include racism and the mild measures against racist acts on and off the pitch, match fixing and controversial criteria in the selection of players for annual awards as well as monthly rankings and onpitch critical officiating that had on most occasions cost nations their glory. About four years ago, an internal soul-searching in FIFA led to the detection of sordid acts of corruption of some football administration patriarchs that culminated in either their suspension or dismissal. Africa was worse-hit with Amos Adamu and company being sent into deserved rest after years of monopolizing the

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

Email: j.agwu@Ofrsc.gov.ng Tel: -8033026491, 8077690055

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oday’s topic is not mine. It is borrowed from a lovely write-up written by one of our very dear pen pusher-Duro Onabule in the Sun Newspaper of July 17,2015 titled, FRSC PAST AND PRESENT. This write-up is not a reaction to the issues raised in the piece which are no doubt numerous including the need for the Corps to bring back one of its noble initiative-speed control, meant to check excessive speeding which, even the Corps acknowledges as one of the major causative factor responsible for deaths and injuries on our highways and a justification for the soon to be implemented speed limiter on vehicles.

While I maintain that this is not a reaction to the piece, I will however, attempt to correct some information contained in his write-up.

I must state here that I was triggered to do this piece with the borrowed heading with slight modifications for several reasons. The first is that I see his write up as a wakeup call to those of us charged with the responsibility of saving lives. Coincidentally, it was published on the same day when as Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Zone 7 comprising the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State, I was busy monitoring a mobile speed patrol initiated by the Zone since December 2014 as a strategy to curb increasing speed related road traffic crashes within the

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The political economy of Blatter’s problem corridors of football in Nigeria and West Africa.

Bold attempts to upturn or make crucial changes in football rules have also been thorny issues that have almost torn FIFA apart, with the radical Europe seeking the displacement of conservative FIFA elements that had entrenched themselves in the organization. This plethora of crises has been a critical factor in the brazen acts of defiance from Europe under the past leadership of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the persistent criticism of the new leadership under the legendary French football star, Mitchel Platini.

The current financial scandals rocking FIFA have however pitched the UEFA and North American soccer-governing body against Blatter with calls for his resignation before the elections twelve days ago. The problem of Blatter got worse with the alleged transfer of cash to his “able” past and present deputies, including those that had been swept off in the deluge of sentences in the past, to compromise hosting bids and awards. Former FIFA Vice-President, Jack Warner of Central America had been linked to a harvest of bribes from Africa and the Americas for hosting of world youth championships and the major World Cup. There was another allegation that a $10m transfer had been made to Valcke, FIFA General Secretary, to influence decision to have South Africa host the World Cup in 2010.

Valcke has denied this, while South Africa, which had earlier denied it, later admitted to “detecting” a transfer to an unnamed FIFA official before the 2010 hosting award was given.

While all these murky waters around the FIFA headquarters continue to erode the integrity of that organisation, it cannot be denied that Blatter’s administration has brought a lot of positive changes to global football. Un-

der Blatter, Africa and Asian countries have done so well and have demystified the European and South American supremacy in world football- Africa and Asia have proven that they can beat the best European and American teams to lift coveted trophies and that they can also host the world. South Africa remains one of the finest hosts of a FIFA World Cup. Korea and Japan have equally proven that they can do better than Europe of America in hosting.

African nations have done so well in the youth and women’s World Cup tournaments- Nigeria has the best record at the Under 17 World Cup with four wins, Ghana has won the championship thrice and has also won the Under 21 World Cup once. By and large, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun have distinguished themselves in FIFA competitions, shattering the myth that soccer in the developing countries was at its recrudescent stage.

It is not that football administration had not been characterised by underground high profile scandals, manipulations and corruption; it always had. But Blatter’s problems began when he made bold attempts to even things and reduce the imbalances in FIFA. He wanted the World Cup to go round the continents, a very irritable step indeed as far as the financial powerhouses behind FIFA are concerned.

Blatter, unfazed, tried to bring the World Cup to Africa, which was condemned in many circles. He did the unthinkable again and brought the youth World Cup tournaments to Africa and Asia- which made him more unpopular.

And the last straw that would break his back is the hosting rights given to Russia and Qatar for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup events. Since those awards were given, Blatter has not had a restful administration. The weather issue concerning Qatar was the first complaint. The US would not accept the fact that an ordinary Qatar would beat it in a contest to host the World

Cup. For Russia, there was nothing really to complain about, but the fact simply is that, the decision has not gone down well with the US and Western Europe.

Blatter thus appears to be another victim of his own radical change philosophy. Simple and straight- the international politics characterized by power play or realpolitik is what is eating up Sepp Blatter and his FIFA administration. The Qatar-Russia hosting bids are his albatross, as in both cases, the Western powers are silently hurt. The Qatar defeat of the US is unforgivable and Russia is historically and arguably the Western world’s worst foe on the planet earth. Since those awards, the US-led crime investigators had probably been underground watching and investigating to find the nail for Blatter’s coffin. And they found it!

No wonder they led the arrests- the first time FIFA would be shamefully going through such a public mess.

Blatter’s declaration to resign in March 2016 further messes things up. It is again unprecedented in history that someone will plan to resign a year after a major crisis has been detected. Blatter had even defied public call for his resignation and gone ahead to contest in an election that he won. It would have therefore been apposite for either Blatter to forget resignation and stay on to power and bear the cross to a wit’s end or resign with immediate effect. All of this pile-up of opprobrious tidings might simply flush down the toilet what is left of FIFA’s integrity and eventually culminate in internal schisms like we have in boxing, which might not be good for the game.

• Dr. Folarin, an Associate Professor, is the immediate past Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

My thoughts on FRSC past and present (1) Zone with specific reference to the Abuja Kaduna corridor which ranks as one of the crash prone routes. The second reason is that within the hierarchy of the Corps, we acknowledge the need to address speed related crashes on our highways even in the face of dwindling resources necessary to sustain this novel and best practices .The third is that we are equally concerned with the perception that the FRSC past is more glorious than its present.

This concern was better captured by the immediate past Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka who throughout his seven years tenure maintained that the glory of FRSC does not lie in its past but lies in its future.

This perhaps prompted him to reel out several initiatives meant to color a more glorious future that recognizes that the challenges of today no doubt differs from the challenges of the early years of the Corps in its sophistication and complexity. One of the highlight of this is the World Bank funded Safe Corridor project which has delivered a country capacity review, acquisition of a number of patrol vehicles, bikes, ambulances and capacity building program that has taken Road Safety from a rule of a thumb road traffic control organization to a modern road safety administration that encompasses safety engineering, road safety audit, data driven road safety education, scientific accident investigation and to a structured vehicle data base arising from the new number plate and biometric based drivers license ,of which the Italian Police ,in a letter to FRSC ,acknowledged as being of higher standard than most European countries drivers license

The same thrust is the focus of the Boboye Oyeyemi leadership which explains why within the Zone 7 Command, we have since last year brought back mobile speed control that involves the deployment of two to four patrol vehicles complimented by at least two of the patrol bikes provided by the World Bank with the sole aim of cutting down road traffic crashes which between January- June 2015 in the Federal Capital Territory stands at 648 reported crashes resulting in 182 deaths. During the last sallah break, I personally led the team along the Zuba-Abaji road with coverage provided by Nigerian Television Authority. Within this period, no death was recorded except those that occurred at night when we do not operate along the highway because of the inherent risk involved. Incidentally, it was in the course of the patrol, that I stumbled on the piece by the respected veteran and I must doff my cap to him for reminding us of the need to bring back the speed control initiatives.

In my piece titled, The World Bank ,ECA and FRSC, published a fortnight ago I captured some of these initiatives but would gladly mention one or two but before I do this, please permit me to run excerpts of the July 17 piece which I said I find very interesting thus; ‘‘The Federal Road Safety Corps was establish ONLY to reduce alarming fatal accidents on Nigerian Federal and state highways rather than the self imposed greed of revenue generation…With the new Federal Road Safety Corps, the mandate remained the same – to substantially reduce fatal road accidents on Nigerian roads. For the first time, there was sanity on all roads.

Whether as marshals or commanders, the strategy of the FRSC men was simple. Be a driver or vehicle owner, everybody on the highways, federal or inter-state roads, would not dare overtake a corps marshal or commander whose official car, so clearly marked, usually and deliberately limited himself to at most one hundred kilometers per hour or even less.

The message was clear. Any driver overtaking a Federal Road Safety Corps speed controller must have exceeded the mandatory limit of one hundred kilometers per hour on Nigerian roads. The culprit was easy to be arrested and prosecuted. Accordingly, the pile of vehicles was always behind the vehicles of the FRSC operative while immediately ahead of him, the road was very clear.

Consequently, there was never the high rate of reckless driving and untimely deaths of passengers in other vehicles or those standing by.In those early days, when FRSC clearly impacted on reducing road accidents, it (FRSC) never struggled for supremacy in collecting driver’s license and vehicle registration revenue which, since colonial days, had been the monopoly, indeed exclusive preserve of local government or at the highest state (erstwhile regional) governments. Suddenly, FRSC became the fat cat consuming (perhaps, hundreds of) billions of naira as driver’s license and vehicle registration.

Continued next week •Agwu, an Assistant Corps Marshal, is Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 7HQ of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

Man in the News Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila

Emerges Majority Leader after dogged battle AYO ESAN

A

fter a protracted crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, its members in the House of Representatives finally bowed to the pressure from the Presidency and the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara last Tuesday announced the emergence of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as the Majority Leader.

Gbajabiamila, representing Surulere 1 Constituency of Lagos State, has been chosen for the position by the party ’s NEC in a letter sent to the Dogara before the House went on break but he was rejected by the Speaker and his supporters in the House.

The announcement of Gbajabiamila as the Majority Leader was therefore contrary to the stand of the Speaker Dogara and his supporters who had insisted that the South-West having produced the Deputy Speaker cannot also produce the Majority Leader thus zoning the position to the North-West.

They openly rejected Gbajabiamila ’s nomination on the grounds that it would not be in tune with the Federal Character principle.

After a meeting last Monday at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have insisted that the party supremacy be upheld.

Dogara therefore last Tuesday after a few minutes of consultation outside the chamber, announced Gbajabiamila as the Majority Leader, Buba Jibrin as Deputy Majority Leader; Ado Doguwa as Chief Whip and Pally Iriase as Deputy Chief Whip thus putting an end to the lingering crisis within the APC members in the House. A few minutes after the announcement, the House was adjourned to another legislative day.

Gbajabiamila had earlier in June contested the Speakership of the House with Dogara but lost in an election that defied the party ’s directive of zoning the speakership to the SouthWest.

Speaking at a post-plenary briefing, Sani Zorro, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, observed that the crises that transpired on the floor of the House “were merely transitory in nature ”.

Zorro, who described the outcome of the appointment of the principal officers as a ‘triumph of internal democracy in the House ’, explained that the resolution was based on ‘patriotism, constitutionalism, reason and ratio-

nality ’.

He assured Nigerians that henceforth, the legislative activities of the House would be conducted without rancour and would be free and peaceful.

Zorro also applauded the intervention of the President, saying that he rose above board by not interfering in the activities of the House, or succumbing to the “dictates of the dictators ” de-

spite the politicking surrounding the choice of principal officers.

Femi Gbajabiamila was born on June 25, 1962. He attended Igbobi College, Yaba Lagos, King Williams College on the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, John Marshall Law School in Chicago Illinois, United States and the University of Lagos.

He was elected to the House in 2003 and got re-elected in 2007.

Gbajabiamila is known to have criticised members of Congress for switching parties. He suggested that many voters don ’t have access to the information to make choices based on every individual ’s stance, and therefore are sometimes only voting for candidates based on their party alignment. He criticised floppers with this in mind, saying the effect “cannot be anything but negative ”.

He was the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives in the 7th National Assembly. As the Minority Leader, Gbajabiamila ’s major legislative interests are the independence of the legislature and welfare. As an opposition politician, he moved a motion invoking the doctrine of necessity which allowed for recently-ousted President Goodluck Jonathan to become Acting President in 2009.

He had sponsored over 28 bills on the floor of the House – about the highest number by any legislator. Among these bills are ‘Nigerian Communications Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2013 to help track the usage of communication terminals by terrorists; Central Bank of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2012 to help strengthen the nation ’s monetary policy; Building and Public Infrastructure Protection Bill, 2011 with the objective to enable maintenance of public buildings and infrastructure and many more.

He was head of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating claims by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON that N140.9 billion (about $1bn), which was owed by Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited and Forte Oil Plc, had been paid. The call for investigation of the reported payment was made by another lawmaker, Bimbo Daramola, who moved the motion that the House set up a panel to verify the claims

by AMCON that the Femi-Otedolaowned two companies had paid back the money which the government paid for petroleum products reportedly not delivered as agreed upon by the dictates of the government ’s fuel subsidy scheme. Daramola had suspected that the payment, if truly made, was “shrouded in secrecy ”.

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES August 2, 2015

Nigeria, a step further to Polio eradication –Expert TITILOPE MORAKINYO

P

oliomyelitis otherwise known as polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus (enterovirus C) which invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal oral route or less frequently by a common vehicle such as contaminated water or food and multiplies in the intestine.

According to experts, polio cases have decreased over the years in endemic countries as compared to the past when ailment are easily spread from endemic areas into polio-free areas.

World Health organisation, WHO, 2014 reports have it that parts of three countries, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan remain endemic for the disease; the three strains of wild polio (type 1, type 2 and type 3). The organisation also claimed that wild polio virus type 2 was eradicated in 1999, while case numbers of wild polio type 3 are down to the lowest ever levels with no case reported since November 2012 from Nigeria.

In an interview with the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad, he said that Nigeria is one step closer to achieving the goal of eradicating polio in 2017. He said poliomyelitis as a highly viral infection that can lead to paralysis, breathing problems or death.

His words: “The term poliomyelitis is from the Greek word polios meaning “grey”, myelitis referring to the spinal cord and it means inflammation. Like many other infectious diseases, polio victims tend to be among the vulnerable members of the society. This includes children below age five, pregnant women and those with immune systems that are substantially weakened by other medical conditions.”

He noted that those who have not been immunised against polio are susceptible to contracting the infection, adding that additional risk factors for polio include living in areas with limited access to running water or flush toilets, travelling to places where live polio virus is kept and having tonsils removed.

Mohammad said his optimism stems from Nigeria’s clean bill of polio after one year since the last case of the disease was reported in the country. As early as 2012, the country with 122 poliovirus cases, had reported the highest number of polio cases globally and the polio epicenter of the world

“The last case of polio in Nigeria was reported exactly a year today in a 16-month-old boy from Sumaila local council in Kano State, and if all pending laboratory investigations return negative in the next few weeks, the country would officially be taken off the list of polio-endemic countries,” he explained.

However, the NPHCDA boss believes Nigeria will only be certified polio-free by WHO in 2017, provided it maintains its zero case status, further strengthens its surveillance system, improves routine immunisation and maintains high quality campaigns, adding that achieving one year without polio is just one of the hur-

dles the country needs to surmount before being certified polio free in 2017.

He, however, maintained that the disease in its most debilitating forms displays symptoms such as paralysis and death. The medic insists that most people with polio don’t display symptoms or become noticeably sick, and when symptoms do appear they come in different forms depending on the type of polio. For non paralytic polio or abortive poliomyelitis, the symptom may appear flu-like and last for a few days or weeks. Such include fever, sore-throat, headache, vomiting, fatigue, back and neck pain, arm and leg stiffness, muscle tenderness, muscle spasms and meningitis “We’re really excited by the historic progress that has been made here in Nigeria; however we can’t get distracted by this progress. We are now looking ahead to our next challenge which is to sustain the momentum on an emergency footing until 2017, with strong government oversight and continued levels of funding, so that Nigeria can hit the three-year mark with no cases, and finally eradicate this crippling disease.”

Mohammad averred that if this progress is sustained with no re-infection and surveillance remains strong, Nigeria and the rest of Africa will achieve polio eradication by 2017.

“Government and partners reiterate that it’s going to take a lot of hard work. Polio campaigns will need to continue and reach all children in the country several times a year. While there is polio anywhere in this world, every child is at risk. Surveillance needs to become even more sensitive so that no virus will be missed. And routine immunisation coverage needs to improve significantly, especially in the northern states.” he stressed Polio vaccine protects children by preparing their bodies to fight the virus. Almost 99 children out of 100 who get all the recommended doses of vaccine will be protected from polio, Mohammad added.

He explained that there are two types of vaccine that can prevent polio: inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). Only IPV has been used in the United States since 2000 and OPV is still used throughout much of the world.

“Today we are looking forward to 2017. We remain committed to finding concrete and sharp solutions to overcome the remaining bottlenecks until we achieve eradication in this country. We recognise the need to sustain and re-double our efforts to ensure every child is reached,” Muhammad said.

HEALTH NEWS

Patients with diabetes likely to develop TB -Scientists Group tasks NHIS on audio logical services Australian scientists revealed that patients with diabetes were more likely to develop tuberculosis in the tropics than the general population.

A 20-year James Cook University (JCU) study, which looked at data from the Townsville Hospital in northern Queensland from 1995 to 2014, has found the weakened immune systems of diabetics make them more vulnerable to tuberculosis (TB) than the general population.

Director of Microbiology at Townsville Hospital, Dr Robert

Norton, said that people with diabetes suffered from “immune dysregulation” and were more prone to contracting the deadly infection.

“You can have TB your whole life and not know it, but if you suffer from diabetes and your immune system is not functioning well, it can flare up.”

Norton said that the study, published in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, showed that while the overall numbers were lower, the proportion of diabetics developing TB was the same as

in less-developed countries.

He said that scientists had assumed that higher standards of care for diabetic patients and the relative rarity of TB meant there was not as strong a link between the two ailments.

Norton noted that the findings supported the view that there must be screening of patients with diabetes for latent TB in any setting.

“It is especially important because the prevalence of type two diabetes is increasing at a very significant pace,’’ he added.

Chairperson/Interim President of the Nigerian Audiology Association, Dr Irene Okeke-Igbokwe, at the weekend appealed to the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to include audio logical services in its schedule.

Okeke-Igbokwe made the call in an address at the First Audiology Health Conference/Exhibition, organised by the association in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is: ‘Making Hearing Health a Global Priority, Audiology in Nigeria-Challenges

and Prospects’.

She said that the World Health Organisation noted that there were 360 million people in the world with disabling hearing loss.

This, she said, represented 5.3 per cent of the world’s population and 32 million of them were children.

She said that millions of Nigerians suffered hearing loss, following the ongoing insurgency in the North-East.

“Our mission as qualified audiologists is to use this association as a platform and

launching pad of the practice of audiology in Nigeria.

“Hearing loss is preventable through public health actions that include immunisation, healthy ear, hearing care habits and effective treatment for both acute and chronic ear conditions.

“The creation of audiology courses in schools across the country will go a long way in boosting research in the field and also benefit patients who need such services.”

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR  PUBLISHER All the Facts, All the Sides

SUNDAY OLAJIDE  MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON  ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI  SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN  SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA  COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE  EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE  ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN  ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Buhari’s predisposition to negotiating with Boko Haram Reminiscences

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his predisposition to an engagement with the leadership of Boko Haram, the militant Islamic sect that has held Nigeria by the jugular in the last six years through unwholesome serial acts of terrorism that have claimed over 20,000 lives and reduced the North-East part of the country to rubble. The President, who had initially ruled out any dialogue with the sect, betrayed this new thinking in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent for the Cable News Network (CNN), but with the caveat that the price for such engagement is a promised return of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls still in Boko Haram’s captivity.

“If we are convinced that the Boko Haram leadership…can deliver those girls, we would be prepared to negotiate what they want,” was how President Buhari put it in that interview.

Stepping up action on the dialogue prospect, the Federal Government has reportedly begun preliminary investigation into the leadership of Boko Haram to avoid negotiating with impostors. This newspaper is elated by the development and urges all stakeholders in the saga to act concertedly for its success, as the lives of the 219 girls are priceless.

Precisely a year and 110 days today, Boko Haram, in a commando-style operation that caught the nation’s military napping, stormed the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State and abducted 276 innocent students preparing for the 2014 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Providentially, 57 of the teenage girls had managed to escape, while the whereabouts and state of the 219 girls still in captivity are a matter of conjecture.

The abduction of the girls sparked global outrage, and on the home front it became the impetus needed for the birth of a new era of advocacy and activism in Nigeria as Nigerians from all walks of life got united in an uncommon resolve to force the political leadership drop their toga of complacency and indolence. The Chibok girls’

affair provoked rallies in Abuja and state capitals across the country and a serious denunciation of the lackadaisical approach of the Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government to the entire issue. While the Jonathan presidency prevaricated on how to contend with the situation, elsewhere around the world, activists, statesmen and millions of humans openly empathised with the innocent girls and their parents. Spawned by the outrage is the #BringBackOurGirls movement coordinated by concerned Nigerians, but with global support.

IF WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THE BOKO HARAM LEADERSHIP…CAN DELIVER THOSE GIRLS, WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE WHAT THEY WANT,” WAS HOW PRESIDENT

BUHARI PUT IT IN THAT INTERVIEW. STEPPING UP ACTION ON THE DIALOGUE PROSPECT, THE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS REPORTEDLY BEGUN PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION The movement has consistently sustained the momentum to force the Federal Government to act to get the girls released.

Unfortunately, the global activism has not borne commensurate dividends, partly as a result of sloppy and half-hearted approach of the nation’s military to the counter insurgency campaigns. It took a four-nation Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) made up of troops from Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, which the African Union put together to secure the northeastern part of the country from the grip of Boko Haram. The suc-

cess of the MNJTF has still not solved the mystery of the whereabouts of the 219 Chibok girls still in captivity.

The Jonathan government had consistently given conflicting, sometime misleading signals, regarding the location of the girls and their condition until it handed over to the incumbent administration. The administration’s national security adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd), elevated such absurdity to a ridiculous height when he revealed last April that the 219 Chibok schoolgirls and other Nigerians being held by the insurgents would be released before the May 29, 2015 handover date. The date passed with none of the abductees released.

It was under such foggy situation that General Buhari was sworn in and thus inherited the sordid affair. However, President Buhari has maintained a stoic approach to the entire saga.

While not ruling out negotiation with Boko Haram, he has left room for a worst case scenario of never finding the girls for rescue. “We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued.

Their whereabouts remain unknown.

As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them,” Buhari told his CNN interviewer, Amanpour.

We sympathise with Mr. President, but disagree with his defeatist philosophical leaning. He has a responsibility to explore all available avenues to locate the girls, or inform Nigerians and indeed the world of any unwholesomeness in the course of the search for them. If Ahmad Salkida, a local journalist with links with the sect, has repeatedly asserted that the girls are still alive and healthy, he should be contacted for confirmation of his claims.

For us, the major obstacle to the release of the 219 Chibok girls is the internationalisation of Boko Haram through its pledge of allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). However, considering the various networks of communication in the global terrorism world, the problem is surmountable. President Buhari should, therefore, get down to business and rescue the 219 girls.

AUGUST 2 IN HISTORY

1934: Hitler becomes German president Adolf Hitler, the chancellor of Germany, became the country’s Fuhrer (president and chancellor) today, August 4, after German President Paul Von Hindenburg died.

1914: U.S. to give Britain credit As a result of the economic instability caused by World War I, New York Foreign exchange officials were going to discuss the possibility of allowing England an unprecedented amount of $100,000,000 credit.

1939: Germany World War I propaganda begins The German people, under the iron-clad command of Adolf Hitler, were ordered to celebrate the outbreak of World War I, which had happened 25 years before. The anniversary became a military holiday.

1943: Japanese destroyer sinks U.S. ship The future president Lt. John F. Kennedy of the United States command, the PT-109 is sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri while on patrol near the Solomon Islands.

The future president was credited with saving members of his crew.

1955: China frees American prisoners After spending 32 months in a Chinese prison, 11 U.S. military airmen, who the Chinese accused of spying, were to be released. In Geneva, the Chinese Ambassador admitted that the freed airmen should be in Hong Kong by Thursday.

1965: France - Forest fire engulfs camp sites Forest fires in the French Riviera in the south of France have forced hundreds of holiday makers onto the beaches, with many losing all their possessions when they left campsites and homes in the forest for the safety of the sea where they have been collecting.

1980: Terrorists’ bomb kills 70 in Italy A bomb planted by right wing terrorists in a waiting room explodes in Bologna railway station, in Italy killing over 70 and injuring more than 200.

1985:130 die in U.S. plane crash A Delta Air Lines jumbo jet crashed and exploded during a sudden and violent thunderstorm on its final approach to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport killing as many as 130 people.

1988: Russian bases on show to U.S. Defence Secretary American Defence Secretary, Frank Carlucci, got a rare view of Russian military bases and armaments after his Soviet counterparts were allowed the same privilege in America.

1990: Iraq invades Kuwait Over 100,000 Iraqi soldiers invade Kuwait over an oil field feud when Iraqi troops crossed into Kuwait and the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein threatens to turn Kuwait city into a “graveyard” if any other country dares to challenge the “take-over by force”.

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Praise Worship E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com G-mail: ranke2015@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

QUOTE God is not interested in stagnation, He indeed is not a God of a better yesterday; yes, maybe He is a God of little beginnings but He is also a strong believer of steady increase to greatness.

Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke

Sunday August 2, 2015

Preparing for divine visitation, by Pastor Muokaa

Everything is ready

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Street preaching:

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What clerics say

Soul SSo ouul win win Manda for Christ 41

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Vineyard

Briefly Osu congratulates NUJ president

Celebration

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he Director of Social Communications, Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu has congratulated Mr. Waheed Odusile on his recent election as the new President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ.

In a congratulatory message made available to journalists in Lagos, Msgr. Osu also applauded members of the Nigeria media on the peaceful and orderly manner they conducted themselves during the election of their national officers, saying that such was exemplary and worthy of emulation by members of the political class.

He urged the new NUJ leadership to work assiduously in ensuring that the plights of the Nigerian Journalists such as incessant harassment and intimidation, coupled with poor remuneration are promptly addressed in view of the important role they play in national orientation and development.

Sunday August 2, 2015

Nigerians urged to pray for leaders

...as King’s Place holds anointing service

CGEEC seeks God at Ogomida Mountain

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ll is set for a three-day power packed programme of Christ Glorious Endtime Evangelical Church tagged “Remember me oh Lord”

The programme which holds from August 29-31, 2015 comes in two sessions; morning and evening starting from 10am and ends with vigil each day from 10pm at Ori Oke Ogo Mi Da located at Ososun Adejobi, Ifo, Ogun State.

On hand to minister the Word on the occasion is the host and Minister in charge of Christ Glorious Endtime Evangelical Church, Prophet Lai Bamidele and other anointed ministers of the gospel.

GWDIM holds anointing service

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he President, God-Will-Do-It Ministries Int’l, Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Gomba Fortune Oyor will on Wednesday August 5, 2015 host a special interdenominational service of prophetic impartations, declarations and revelations at Eko FM (Upper Suite) Radio Lagos/LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos tagged “Deliverance and special anointing service with Dr. G.F. Oyor.”

According to the convener, Dr. G.F. Oyor, the programme which will come in two sessions; morning and evening; 5:30am to 8:00am (First Session) and 5:30pm to 8:00pm (Second Session) will feature prophetic words and prayer, anointing with oil, word expositions, healing, deliverance, breakthrough, victory among others as he assured that anointing still breaks the yoke, lifts burdens and prospers destinies.

“The Bible states in Mark 10:27 that with God, all things are possible and I know that with personal counseling and prayer ministrations after each session, positive changes will manifest in people’s lives”, he assured.

Choiristers on the occasion

ODINAKA URUAKPA

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he Zonal Pastor of Zone 13 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 8, Pastor Sylvester Ogwu, has urged Christians to continually pray for those in authority so that God would liberate Nigeria and citizens from problems confronting the nation.

Ogwu, who gave this charge at the annual anointing service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, King’s Place, Surulere, Lagos tagged “Loose him and let him go” also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to choose credible people to work with him.

Speaking on the benefits of the programme, he said the church discovered that a lot of people were held under bondage and siege of the evil one which informed the choice of the theme.

“So many people are under bondage of covenants that have been made in the past by their parents that they are not aware of, some are under limitations; financial bondage, so many wrong things are happening, so, we decided to put up this programme to liberate our members and others that have come here seeking deliverance”, he said.

On the present state of the nation, the cleric claimed that Nigeria is under siege: “So many things are happening; things are not working well and what makes up the country is the nucleus of families. If families are not right; if they are not placed in the right position, it would affect the en-

tirety of the country.

“Most families are not living up to what God has ordained them to be. Nigeria needs to be liberated and I thank God for the new government which we need to continually pray to take us to where God wants us to be. It is our duty as men of God to pray for them as the Bible states that we should pray for those in authority; so we continue to pray that God should use the present administration to lead us a right.

The problem with us is that some people do not care, they believe it is not their business whatever the person at the top is doing and this is a wrong notion because if we don’t pray for our leaders when things go wrong, it would also affect us all; we need to pray for those in authority and for God to liberate us from problems con-

fronting the country”, he maintained.

On the complaint by citizens on the slow pace at which the president is handling affairs, Ogwu claimed that Nigerians are always in a hurry noting that this is as a result of the situation in the country, but urged citizens to give the president time to study things well and deliver on the promises he made to the people.

“I think that we should give the president time to settle down because he has said he is preparing a ground for his takeoff, let’s give him the chance. For me, I won’t judge him until he starts off; then I would be able to say what policy is right or wrong. What has gone wrong in this nation may not take just few weeks to fix and moreover, the president has promised to set his cabinet by September and we

are praying for him to choose credible people to work with.

Speaking on the issue of youths, especially their involvement in cultism, Ogwu said that everything starts from the family and the present society where families are bred encourages a whole lot of ills.

“All the things happening now were alien to us. I remember when I was growing up here in Lagos, what students had as top priority at the time was how we were going to build up ourselves, but today we hear of students doing all sorts of things and this is because the kind of society we find ourselves is that that celebrates mediocrity; we celebrate people who have made money dubiously. Every young person nowadays wants to become rich by all means at the detriment of their education.

The church and family has a lot to do to teach these young ones that whatever they want to do, they need to put God first. We have decided to rehabilitate youths in our neighbourhood who are into drug addiction and other vices so that they do not end up as robbers in the streets. We plan to speak to them, teach them vocational studies for free, prepare them for WAEC and GCE; these are things we can do for them to ensure that they become useful to themselves and the society at large”, he revealed.

This year’s programme was a three in one event that saw some pastors being sent forth and awards given to eleven clerics that left the zone on promotion to other places.

L-R: Pastor Moses, Area Pastor, Pastor Oyekami, Area Pastor, Pastor (Mrs.) Ogwu, Pastor Sylvester Ogwu, Zonal Pastor and Deacon Sunday Asiegbu, Parish Pastor at the event

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From the Pulpit 21

Sunday August 2, 2015

Reigning in life by Christ Jesus (1) Miracle Arena with Bishop

Theo Ugochukwu

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his second half of the year, you will not receive insult; you will receive positive results in Jesus name!

Father I pray for this month and this second half of the year. Lord Jesus, I decree all our financial needs be met in Jesus name.

This second half of the year, you will not beg to survive, rather you shall lend to nations. You will have enough to give to the needy and also to propagate the work of the Lord.

There are times God shows us things to prepare our hearts while there are some times, he shows us things for us to pray against and cancel. God showed Joseph that a time will come that all his family will bow to him. Right? He needed that to prepare his mind.

God gave Pharaoh a dream of abundance and famine. Why? So that he can prepare himself.

That was the dream that made Joseph a god in Egypt. That dream was what saved the people of old. Joseph did not start cancelling the dream, rather he charged the people to be prepared.

Most times what you are going through today, you would have seen it long time ago.

It is just that many people see and ignore.

The Shepherd with Pastor Akinyele

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Aluko

ow do you walk as a Christian? Do you operate in the physical or the spiritual? Galatians 5: 16-21 states: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envying, murders, drunkenness, revelling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” The spirit realm, though very big and far over and above the physical, most of us cherish and relish the physical because we can see it. To further make matters worse, the flesh continually struggle to dominate the spiritual with its attendant by products referred to as “the works of the flesh” listed by Saint Paul quoted in the passage above. The world is what it is today because many have allowed the flesh to overcome the spirit

So many see and cancel. Beloved, it is not everything you see that you will have to cancel.

There are some that must come to pass. Even if you pray for now till 5 years time, it will still happen. A young man was brought to me during my counseling session, and immediately I saw him, the Spirit of God revealed to me that the man was already in the grave.

I told him exactly what God showed me. I had to summon my Prayer team that same night on emergency to conduct all night deliverance for him, with hope that God would show him mercy. But even after all said and done, under three days the man gave up a ghost.

Not minding how much we prayed and tried to reverse what God showed to me concerning his condition, it still came to pass. This is a confirmation of what we are talking about.

Another instance was recorded in the Bible, as Jesus saw the agony he was going to go through on his way to the cross, He went to Gethsemane, and started praying to see if he could cancel or change it. But finally, he saw he could not change it; he asked for God’s Grace and prayed for all his disciples. Imagine what would have happened if he had not prayed for strength? He would have just died on his way to the cross. There was no where recorded that every morning, Jesus used to go to the gym. So that day was the first day he carried such kind of heavy load. Physically he wasn’t prepared for it. But God’s Grace saw him through to the cross.

The above scriptural reference is talking about the believers. It is not talking to unbelievers or the heathen. We are they that have received abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness. And because we have

received this gift, we are not permitted to allow death reign over us. The ability to reign has been given to us by the virtue of the abundance of Grace we have received. But why are we not reigning?

The secret to reigning is not just in the Grace but in the last three words in the scripture. Let’s look at it again: (Romans 5:17). “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ)” We reign in life by one man.

Who is that man?

Jesus is the way, is not slang. It is a reality. You don’t know how much Grace you have if you cannot connect to Jesus. We reign in life by Jesus Christ. Without him, the gift of Grace and righteousness you receive will just be dormant. So many regard Jesus as their Saviour and not their Lord.

They choose to listen to situation other than Jesus. They choose to consider what federal high court says order than what Jesus says. They would prefer to obey human laws by a male marrying a male than submitting to Jesus’ word. May the Lord have mercy in Jesus name!

There is a difference between reigning in life and reigning in your place of work.

Reigning in life is a total package. When Jesus needed money, he called forth fishes to bring money to pay tax. When the ship left him while praying, he had to walk on the water. When the crowd wanted to stone him, he walked through their midst without them seeing him. He did this like 3 times. When he needed to feed the multi-

tudes, he didn’t look for savings to feed them or contact the Common Wealth of Nations. All he did was to speak the word and the little food multiplied. Hallelujah!

He commanded the wind to cease and the sea to hold its peace and they obeyed. He spoke the word and the Centurion’s servant got healed from a distance. He rode on a clean donkey that he never paid for. Where ever he went to, he did good. People struggled to listen to him and touch him. Within 3 years, his fame spread abroad. He didn’t need X-factor or American Gots Talent to showcase what he was made of.

If He (Christ) lives in you, then you are Christ’s. And He has said in his word that greater works shall ye do.

What you see him do, you can do greater. As he is, so are we in this world. We are not less than he is. The problem we have is ignorance full stop.

We don’t know what we carry thus we are not reigning. If Jesus can heal the sick, you can heal the sick because He is in you. All you need to do is to submit to his leading.

•For more information, contact: Bishop Theo Ugochukwu – General Overseer, Miracle Assembly Bible Church, a.k.a. The City of Joy, 80, Ajose Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos; Tel: 08033461482.

Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com

Walk in the spirit sometimes not deliberately but totally out of total ignorance having forgotten that we are in the full era of the Holy Spirit.

Like Saint Paul said, when we walk in the Spirit, we bear the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance against which there is there is no law.

Many, in the quest for spiritual power have visited upon themselves that which ought not to be.

The proliferation of Cults in our higher institutions of learning and communities are all direct consequences of the quest for powers that are beyond the ordinary. Unfortunately many of them tap into powers from the pit of hell rather than that which is from the throne of the Living God. We must however understand the Holy Spirit in order to be able to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 2:1) to achieve the following: glorify Christ Jesus (John 16:14), edify the Church of Christ (Eph. 2: 20-22), dwell in us and make us his temple (1 Cor. 6:19), bestow on us Spiritual gifts. (Acts 2:4), anoint us as witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8) and above all adopt us as children (Romans 8: 15-16).

The Trinity is the only Source of the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit combined to bestow on sincere seekers the powers inherent in the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 1:3), (John 5: 21, 25; 6:33), (Rom. 8: 9-13). When the Holy Spirit, is allowed to operate, the individual, the family, the environment and the Church of God, changes drastically for the best.

The case of the Apostles before and af-

ter Pentecost remains a standard test case. The emergence of the persons of Moses Orimolade Tunolase, founder of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Pastor Ayo Babalola of the Christ Apostolic Church, at a time when Christianity was thought to be a strange religion is also an indication of the pervading power of the Holy Spirit and its availability across creed, race and colour.

However, the retention of the endowment of the Holy Spirit is a full time assignment for the Priest and the Laity. To walk in the spirit, we must continually renew our spiritual life and the only one that can do this for us is our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 6: 57, Jesus told His Disciples; John 6:57 “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” We can only continue to live in the spirit if we continue to feed on Jesus Christ. In the same vein, Paul told the Corinthians in Chapter 10 verses 3 and 4 of his first letter: “And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” It takes quite a bit to accomplish this. First our renewal can only come by faith, Galatians 2:20 says: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” It

is good enough to know that Faith does not just come by mere mention however closely one may have been working with Jesus. The understanding of the word and constant prayer is a very powerful key for renewal. This is the spiritual life Paul talked about to the Romans when he said; “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11) and in Verse 4 we are told: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

The Church today needs the newness of life more than before. If we consider the happenings around us and in the global community the challenge is enormous.

However we can overcome if we first allow the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit to pervade the Church and those of us who claim to diligently seek Him. My prayer is that we all shall continue to abide under the shadows of the Almighty and be able to declare without equivocation that He is our strength and power. Let us all with boldness step out to Live, Walk, Pray, Love, Worship and Preach in the Spirit. Happy Sunday and have a blessed month of August.

•Apostle Pastor Akinyele Aluko is the Shepherd of the English Service Chapel, Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere Sub-Headquarters, Ayo Ni O.e-mail: eyealuko2002@yahoo. co.uk, 08050463889.

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Street preaching: What M

orning cry or street preaching as people choose to call it, is preaching carried out by Christians in mostly residential areas in the early or wee hours of the morning.

This practice though an age long one in this part of the world at some point looked like it was no longer in vogue, as early morning preachers began to gradually fade from streets, but fortunately or unfortunately depending on people’s feelings for these brand of evangelism, these voices magnified by the megaphones and bells they carry around, seem to once again be returning into the lives of the people.

Yet, there is a whole lot of angles to this because the voices of these preachers who go about in the streets for some is a welcome gesture while for others, it is a form of noise and disturbance, which they ordinarily would give their all to avoid and enjoy their sweet early morning sleep.

Be that as it may, some Christians would also do anything to have these preachers be regular callers in the street as they claim that the latter’s dishing out the word of God in the wee hours, inspires them and reminds them of their obligations of prayers to the one who sent his followers to go proclaim Him (God) to all who care to listen.

According to Prof. Kunle Macaulay, though it is good for Christians to go about to preach the word of God, but people, Christians in particular, tend to do the right things at the wrong time.

“The Bible exhorts Christians to preach the word of God and it is clear ‘go, world and preach, but the reasonableness of it would depend on human situation. It is unfair for people who work very late, who sleep late to suddenly hear in the morning somebody crying and making unpleasant noise; it is disturbing, I would say that to preach the word of God is good, but when and where is what we have to consider; that is a human situation. God did not tell us the exact time to preach, he just said go and preach; the remaining rests on us and we have to be reasonable. So to me, early morning cry will depend on you and the environment; human situation, where you know that is an industrial area; people go to work very early in the morning, it is not right to go there and disturb them very early; preaching is alright, but the timing should be reasonable”, he insisted.

When asked if Christians ought to feel offended that they were woken by the sound of an early morning preacher who decided to bring the Word to people in the area, Macaulay said: “Like I said earlier, it depends on human situation; if there is a law is against noise, then you have the right to sue the crier because he is disturbing your peace. In advanced countries, even to play radio or television louder than necessary is an offence, but in this country, even if you commit an offence, nobody will ac-

A street preacher in action

Jesus Christ commanded His followers to go into the world and preach the word of God to the people of all nations. Christians have been carrying out this task right from the ascension of Christ, but as no clear time was specified at which preachers should take the Word to the people, some do it very early in the morning and others claim it is an unearthly time to preach as it disturbs their sleep. ODINAKA URUAKPA spoke to clerics to get their view on this. cuse or even challenge you until you commit a serious one that is the time people will talk. The point is that it is unreasonable to make noise very early in the morning; you can cry in the market in the afternoon, people are there, if they can tolerate you, they will listen to you, but for very early in the morning, it depends on the environment and the people; if the people can tolerate you, then go there and cry.

But to me, you know that people go to bed either late at night or very early in the morning and some people wake up very early or very late, so, you should consider that and make sure that it doesn’t affect anyone adversely when you go to make your cry around five or six in the morning. Like I said earlier, the Bible states go into the world, it did not say ‘go in the morning or afternoon’, and it is now left to us to decide when it is reasonable to cry.”

The theologian insisted that leaders of the church are to blame for not properly teaching their members how to apply situations in the Bible to the things they do as Christians and how to go about things reasonably.

“The fact is that if members go out, it means that they are encouraged by the church to go out. It is very easy to know that the pastor of that church is unreasonable and I am not sorry to say that because if somebody is reasonable, when they are teaching, they should also teach properly, when, how

THE BIBLE EXHORTS CHRISTIANS TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD AND IT IS CLEAR ‘GO TO THE WORLD AND PREACH’, BUT THE REASONABLENESS OF IT WOULD DEPEND ON HUMAN SITUATION. IT IS UNFAIR FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK VERY LATE, WHO SLEEP LATE TO SUDDENLY HEAR IN THE MORNING SOMEBODY CRYING AND MAKING UNPLEASANT

NOISE; IT IS DISTURBING,

I WOULD SAY THAT TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD IS GOOD, BUT WHEN AND WHERE IS WHAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER; THAT IS A HUMAN SITUATION to apply any situation in the Bible. If the Bible says pray, then you must know how to pray. There are many people who pray and disturb their neighbour; they pray, they make noise, they hit the wall, stamp their feet on the ground and all these nonsense; very noisy and disturbing, so, it all depends on the leadership of the church. The fact is that we don’t have a church regulatory body like professional bodies like ACTS, engineering and medical association; we don’t have all these bodies controlling the behaviour of church leadership.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and the like, cannot do anything concerning behaviour of Chris-

tian leaders. I always say it; CAN, PFN are like-minded associations; they don’t have proper code of conduct that can control their members, so, they allow anybody to become member. This is the point we have here in Christianity and as far as I am concerned, nobody can correct that leader, but what I know is that a properly trained leader will know that he has a message to deliver to the world, he would know how to deliver it, when to deliver it so that the Word can sink because the Word has a purpose. If you are going to cry in the morning, you are crying for people to know the time is so close for Jesus to come; you don’t go at the time you would frustrate them.

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Sunday August 2, 2015

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clerics say Even if you want to preach the word of God in the bus or any other place, you must know that people will be ready to accept the word, assimilate it, take it and practice it. All these things require training, when I was a pastor, I told my members to go out and pray, have prayer meeting in their houses and office, when you have prayers in the office, it doesn’t mean that you would call people out at the wrong time, may be when they have a 15 minute tea break or one hour lunch break, they can spend five or ten minutes out of this time; that is what is called reasonableness”, he maintained.

Totally in support of the early morning cry by Christians, Pastor Moses Ojo, General Overseer of World Soul Winning Ministry, claimed that some people actually became born again through the preaching of Christians who are in the habit of carrying out the needed morning cry.

“There are cases of people who encountered Christ and became saved due to the acts of Christians who go out early in the morning to minister the word of God. Early morning cry is one practice that Christians need to indulge themselves in and were actually instructed to do. This practice is one of the things that have been abandoned in the church which needs to be revived as Christ Himself in the scripture had assigned His followers to go into cities and places to proclaim the Word”, he stated.

On the hazards and danger that may be experienced by people especially those in remote areas who move about preaching during the wee hours of the morning, ojo said that such hazards on the way is the plan of the enemy to stop the spread of the Word.

“The truth of the matter is whatever you are doing; you must first consider the side effects. Before they go out to preach, the preachers should be able to fortify themselves with prayers; that means praying without ceasing.

They should have prayed well before going out because definitely, the enemy does not want to hear the word of God nor see light because the word of God brings light to any community it is been taken to. There is always opposition and attack, but with prayers, the Holy Ghost goes ahead of them to clear all obstacles that may be lurking around. If the preaching doesn’t have effect, attacks won’t come, but due to the efficacy of this practice, the enemy always looks for ways to hinder it. The word of God is forever sure and faithful; so, all we need to do as Christians is to pray for those doing this work to do it more and that God grants them the grace and power to succeed in this ministry. The Bible states that when a sinner repents from his sins and repents, the whole heaven will rejoice. If 10 or 20 people do morning cry and only one person gives their life to Christ, the whole heaven will be rejoicing so that

THERE ARE CASES OF PEOPLE WHO ENCOUNTERED CHRIST AND BECAME SAVED DUE TO THE ACTS OF CHRISTIANS WHO GO OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING TO MINISTER THE WORD OF GOD. EARLY MORNING CRY IS ONE PRACTICE THAT CHRISTIANS NEED TO INDULGE THEMSELVES IN AND WERE ACTUALLY INSTRUCTED TO DO. is the essence of this act,” he claimed.

The cleric insisted that those who complain that the noise made by these early morning preachers disturbs their sleep are lazy Christians adding that in the past, when people became born again, they were all out for Christ no matter the odds unlike these days where people who profess to be for Christ do not back their words with actions.

“If somebody comes to do morning cry in my area in the morning and wake me up, he is helping me to wake up and do Morning Prayer also and this I also expect from other Christians. We should stop complaining and pray with these preachers; it is very unfortunate that many Christians are not ready for heaven, they are only after their stomachs; anyone that is of God and an ambassador of Christ, wouldn’t complain about things that pertain to God”, he insisted.

On his part, Pastor Nicholas Okafor, Senior Pastor with Freedom Christian Assembly, Surulere Lagos, claimed that the actions of most street preachers are not sponsored or endorsed by their church, adding that any reasonable church leader would know that going out early in the morning into residential places to speak with megaphones or microphones, would be a form of disturbance to the people in the neighbourhood.

“Ironically, this entire act is about Jesus sending His disciples out to deliver His message. In Matthew 10:14, He

instructs that if anyone will not welcome or listen to words being preached to them, they should leave that home or town and shake the dust off his feet. That is not a metaphor, but simple words that go directly against a street preacher’s tactics. I have seen preachers who take to the streets in the early hours of the morning with a wooden box and megaphone to shout out their biblical message to people who are still deeply asleep on their beds or preparing to go out to make their daily bread.

These actions I believe are not sponsored or endorsed by their church because any reasonable church leader would know that going out as early as five in the morning into residential places to speak with megaphones or microphones would mean that you are going to make noise and eventually wake people and some may have worked late into the night and wouldn’t like be deprived of sleep”, he said.

Okafor however claimed that he has never seen or heard any street preacher claim that they reached people with their message more less those who go to preach to people when many are still in their bed and few are rushing to their various business and office for work.

“The reason for witnessing to people is to bring them to God, not drive them away. So why would you rejoice in upsetting people instead of saving them?

Yes, we are to share the Word and witness to others, but only when it is productive and street preaching, espe-

A preacher

cially this morning cry of a thing, goes against this very concept. If you want to reach people with your message and succeed in bringing them to God, it is better that you go to them when they can welcome you into their homes and do a one on one talk with them rather than going to them at the period when many of them are still in their bed and a few are rushing to their various business and office for work. I would advise that the preachers do the right thing at the right time”, he admonished.

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From the

Pulpit Sunday August 2, 2015

Preparing for divine visitation, by Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, explains requirements for divine visitation. Excerpts:

A

mos 4:12 says, “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel”.

Whenever it falls on us to receive any visitor in our homes or offices, one thing that will be paramount in our mind and schedule is to prepare ourselves for the visitation. We all know that the level of our preparation is always according to the respect we have for the expected visitor. There are classes of visitors which range from kings and chairmen to Governors, mayors, traditional rulers and Presidents. In all these classes of people, the measure of preparation for each is determined by the respect we have for the visitor, our expectation and passion we have for the expected guest.

If for instance a president is scheduled to pay somebody who is in need of food a visit, it is expected that the host will be better off after the visit than he is before the visit. This is because it will be very unethical for a President to pay a visit to a

Pastor Muoka

needy without meeting him at the point of his need. The only essence of the visit of the President or superiors is to give succour to the less privileged host. And because he is expected to give succour to his host, the degree of preparation for his visit will be done magnificently than any other.

When this splendid preparation described above is meant for an immortal man, what then will be our preparation when the visitor is no other person than the King of Kings? It is a thing of joy to state that comes this weekend; God is comiing in g in His Majesty to address the need of His people in the Special program titled, ‘ G o d w i l l make y o u to rejoice’.

This divine visitattion ion will definited efinitelly y bring succor to as many as are pre-

pared for the visit and actually participated in the program. I am very sure God will make them to rejoice. But before we get to know the type of preparation that should be made for our God, it is very important we have the knowledge of His nature to enable us meet Him and have Him bless us.

Lev. 19:2 says, “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy”.

Moses was commanded by God to let the people He has called and made special people to Himself to be on familiar terms with His nature and ensure they conform to that nature.

He made Moses understand that He is one who is devoid of all pollution, idolatry and superstition both of soul and body. Thus He required all that will come to Him to conform to His nature. Moses must make known God’s statutes to the entire congregation, and proclaim such through the camp. It is required that Israel should be a holy people, because the God who called them is holy God. Their being distinguished from all other people by peculiar laws and customs was intended to teach them a real separation from the world and the flesh, and an entire devotedness to God. “1Pet 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”.

We should remember that God is not a man.

While men have sinful nature, God has a holy nature. He is pure and holy and thus no unholy person can be allowed to be in His presence.

We are the followers of the holy Jesus, and therefore must be, according to our capacity, consecrated to God’s honour, and conformed to His nature

and will. So, for us to be among those He is coming to address their problems and bring succor to their needs comes this special program this weekend, we must prepare to be holy. If you wish to be blessed by the Holy God you must endeavour to be holy. If you desire to be delivered on the day of His visitation, you must endeavour to clean yourself from all pollution both of the heart and body.

If your case is disappointment and lack of promotion, and you want to experience favour, you must prepare to be holy in order to be allowed in His presence. If you are a pertinacious sinner and you are looking for mercy, He is coming toward us in mercy but you must mus be holy to meet Him. If you and you wish to be fruitful, you are barren, a must be holy. He has given us promises to us to prepare, we must therefore encourage u prepare to meet m Him. The will of God in the as the New Testament Church Old as well a locked up in the repositories of an was not lock tongue, but communicated plainunknown ton ly and openly to the people. He said, ‘Ye shall be holy, for I am holy’. There is no ambiguity in God’s rrequirement. The people of God from the world, for they must be separated sepa are required to be holy, for His character, His services are holy. laws, and ser 1Thes. 4: 7 says, “For God hath not called uncleanness, but unto holiness”. us unto uncle When He called us to be His followers, it was not that we should lead lives of impuholiness. We should, therefore, rity, but of h purposes for which we are called fulfill the pu kingdom. The Christian calling deinto His king mands purity of life both in the physical and Holiness is the sure foundation on spiritual. Ho hopes of perseverance and eterwhich our h built upon. God is the creator of nal life are b female and He has called men and male and fem women to the state of holiness.

19: 10-11 says, “And the LORD said Exodus 19 unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctoday and tomorrow, and let them tify them tod clothes, 11 And be ready against wash their c day: for the third day the LORD the third da down in the sight of all the people will come do upon mount Sinai”. days of Moses, whenever God proIn the day posed to visit the Children of Israel, He must direct Moses to sanctify them to conform nature of holiness. This is because to His natur no eye shall see the Lord. without holiness holi accordingly would cause them to Moses acc cleanse and prepare themselves. The cleans outward washing of clothes comoutw manded was a sign of the inward ma cleansing of the heart from sin, cl which God required of every w one. During those Bible days, o two things particularly were prescribed as instances of their preparation. First, in token of p CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

PASSION A Lifestyle Magazine

Sunday August 2, 2015

APPLAUSE ‘I ventured into politics to serve others’ >>27

Life has taught me that anything can happen at anytime –Kiki Omeili, actress

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Passion

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Life has taught me that anything can happen at anytime –Kiki Omeili, actress

She is a medical doctor but she chose to become a Nollywood star because of her passion for acting. ‘Kiki’ Omeili is a television and film actress. She became popular through her current role as Lovette in the TV series titled Lekki Wives and her brief role in popular series, Tinsel. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, the diva who graduated with a medical degree from the University of Lagos speaks about her lifestyle and why she chose acting over medicine.

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I was born in Lagos, and I’m the second of four children of Charles and Maureen Omeili. I’m of Igbo descent and hails from Nimo, in Anambra State. My father Charles was a banker with First Bank Nigeria and retired as a general manager, while my mother Maureen was the Controller of Prisons in Ibadan, Oyo State. I’m down to earth, easy going, hard working and fun loving.

Can you trace your journey into the acting world?

I began performing in stage plays all through my primary and secondary school years. This continued when I got into the university as I was a member of the drama club and acted in various productions as well as taking part in several drama competitions. In 2006, I obtained a Medical degree from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

You are a medical doctor, why did you choose acting over medical practise?

Because acting has been my passion . I started acting at a point in my life where I was doing it for the love of it and not for the sake of it.

Who are those in Nollywood that lured you into acting?

Nobody in Nollywood lured me into acting. I started doing it because I always had the passion for it.

Name some movies you have starred in?

They are Lekki Wives, Married But Living Single,

Oblivious Sting, The Antique, Gbomo Gbomo, Express, The Glass House, BehindThe Smile, Same Difference, Couple of Days and many more.

Which of them is most challenging?

Well, earlier this year, I had to play the role of Blessing in a movie titled Gbomo Gbomo produced by Walter Banger. The character is a gangstar and very unrefined.

She is someone I have nothing in common with. But I had to make her very believable . That was quite challenging.

Which of them shot you to the limelight?

It was Lekki Wives. Because it was a story that was very engaging and a lot of people could relate to. The acceptance was overwhelming.

How do you cope with fame?

Well, fame is a strong word, popularity maybe. It comes with the package, so I take it in my stride.

How do you feel about the fact that you don’t have privacy based on what you do as an actress?

Well, you don’t have privacy, that’s true. I think it’s also possible to keep certain aspects of your life private if it’s important for you to do so. It’s something you sign up for when you start acting. So, even if you aren’t happy about it, you have to deal with it.

What is the craziest thing a male fan has ever done to you?

Nothing comes to mind right now. Maybe stalking on

social media has come the closest.

What is your life philosophy?

My life philosophy is if you want it, go and get it.

What lesson has life taught you?

Life has taught me that anything can happen to anyone at anytime. And that is just because you hear stories about things happening to people and it seems surreal, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you.

Let’s digress a little to fashion/style. How do you think life would have been without fashion?

Life would still be life but I guess just a little less exciting without fashion. Fashion gives you somehting to look forward to. New trends can be a breath of fresh air, and you know more about people and how they express themselves through the things they wear.

What then is your style?

My style is simple, class and elegant.

Where do you think ladies in this part of the world are getting it wrong in the fashion world?

Oh who am I to judge? I say live and let live. People wear whatever they feel they look good inand are comfortable in, regardless of the opinions of others. That being said, I think there is a tendency for people to follow trends instead of paying attention to themselves individually and knowing what they look good in.

What fashion accessory forms a larger part of your wardrobe?

Bags and shoes.

What were you doing before you started acting full time?

I’ve always been a big fan of the media. I love the fact that one can communicate with so many people via the media and touch so many lives. So what I was doing before I started acting full time was presenting a health show on the radio, called ‘Balancing Lives.’ I would pick a medical-related topic

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Applause

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‘I ventured into politics to serve others’

ADAEZE AMOS

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and tell people all they need to know about it.

So, I did that for a very long time.

I also used to write newspaper health articles, but majorly, what I do now is writing for some health blogs when I have the time.

And also I used to do some pro bono health work. So, these are some of the things I do to bridge the gap between my profession and the media. I use the media to push out health in-

he is indeed an amiable woman, an amazon who makes womanhood proud in every ramification. Honorable Folashade Olabanji-Oba is a real estate consultant and a founder of Shelter of Grace. “Shelter of Grace is an empowerment and training center. It serves as a voice for the voiceless.

This is however not restricted to women because we have a lot of men that we have trained in different fields like, agriculture, fish farming, mechanics, shoe-making and so many other skills,” she said.

She is today a politician and people wondered why she opted for that after studing Business Administration. “After studying Business Administration, I also studied Real Estate and Mortgage Banking, which is what I am still doing up till date. As a Real Estate Consultant and Developer, politics came out of my desire to serve God and people. It started like a ministry and I made up my mind to give my life to God and live the Christ-like life as much as I could. At the time I made that call, so many things were not right in my life. Hence I needed an inner peace.

For me peace is priceless, but the peace I so much craved for came from knowing and loving God and giving Him all that was in me irrespective of the challenges I was going through. I knew he was bigger than my problems.

I thereafter started reaching out to the community but I first started from children then delved into my community. Funnily enough, I ventured into politics because of voluntary services, I just wanted to be of help and I’m glad I’m doing so,” she said.

Aside from being a politician, she is also a philanthropist.

And one wonders how she combines these two duanting tasks and still takes care of her home. “It is difficult because they all need adequate attention. There are some days I spend more time with my family, but I would say it has to do with balancing my priorites well,” she stressed.

Another thing this happily married woman has passion for is marriage. Maybe because when the homefront is in order, the government has less work because good home affects the society positively. Hence, she hates it when marriage start hitting the rocks because she strongly believes that can be avoided when God takes the number one position in marriage. “Let us always put God first in our marriage. Let us stop being greedy and not expect so much from our husbands. Yes, let us curb greed, because there is so much competition all over the world amongst our girls today. A lot of our young girls want everything all in one day; they don’t have time to go through the natural process of patience. So, once you pick a partner, put God first in everything you do with him,” she said.

She unveiled factors that make divorce rate increase.

“I think marriage is all about luck and marrying the right spouse. That is something everybody should pray for, especially for your children starting from when they are still very young.

Marriage is a make or break thing in life. One of the best things you can do for yourself when you meet anybody, apart from all the pretty faces, is to intimately know the God you serve.

You must marry somebody that has the fear of God. And that does not mean you won’t be faced with challenges. Challenges are guaranteed in life, but the attitude/plan you have towards them determines the altitude you get. So, it is very important that you agree on how you plan your life. You cannot be going to Abuja and marry somebody in Kano; you people will not be going in the same destination. You must make sure you have a true life partner, with complementary vision and mission,” she said.

This interesting personality used her own marriage as a study case of how marriage should commence between two adults. She started her story right from when she met her husband and how she met him. “ My husband was my brother’s friend. Anytime, he visited my brother, he would tell me to please, help him get a good wife like me. Whenever I asked him what he was looking for in a woman, he would reply that he needed a good wife material like me. He asked me what if he proposed marriage to me. I replied that he was too hard a person for me that I wouldn’t marry somebody like him. I told him I loved soft-spoken, gentle guys. One day, he looked at me and said he wanted to tell me something. He wouldn’t look me in the eye, because he was shy. The following week, four of his friends called me saying they wanted to take me out for dinner. I didn’t have any choice than to go with them. He was there smiling at me.

One of his friends said they had a message for me from one of their closest friends who loved me so much. They said he secretly adored me and was always singing my praises. They said he could not sleep well because of me and wanted to marry me.

“I was shocked and wondered who the person was, and why he could not confront me personally. So, they called his name.

He sat there looking at me, and I said, but this is him sitting down here; does it mean he couldn’t talk for himself ? I looked him straight in his eyes and asked him why he couldn’t talk. He replied that they were asking me and that I should answer the question. However, I insisted he should be the one to propose to me and he did and demanded my immediate response. I accepted to marry him after hesitating fro a while,” she said Meanwhile what made me agree to marry him “was that he was good in making me laugh. I used to call him a comedian, while he would call me Iya Jesu, lets pray. Obviously, I like to serve God. I think he used that to sweep me off my feet,” she said, finally.

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

upon a time GROWING UP Once The disobedient lamb with

Aunty Titi

Hello children, How are you enjoying your holiday? Ensure that you help mummy and daddy in doing the house chores.

There are interesting stories, jokes, riddles and other articles for you this week. Please don ’t forget to send in your questions and observations. Have a wonderful week.

Borneo elephant

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he Borneo elephant is a sub-species of Asian elephant which includes the Indian elephant, the Sumatran elephant, the Sri-Lanka elephant and the Borneo elephant. The Borneo elephant is also known as the pygmy elephant as it is the smallest of the elephant sub-species.

As its name suggests, the Borneo elephant is found exclusively on the island of Borneo in the Malaysian state of Sabah and parts of Indonesian Kalimantan. Most of the Borneo elephant ’s natural habitat has been destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations and less than 1,000 Borneo elephant individuals left in Sabah.

The Borneo elephant has smaller ears than the African elephant and the Borneo elephant also has a more curved spine than the African elephant. Unlike the African elephants, the female Borneo elephants rarely have tusks, and if the female Borneo elephant does have tusks, they are generally barely visible and can only be seen when the female Borneo elephant opens her mouth.

The Borneo elephant follows strict migration routes that are determined by the monsoon season. The eldest elephant of the Borneo elephant herd is responsible for remembering the migration route of its Borneo elephant herd. This Borneo elephant migration generally takes place between the wet and dry seasons, while problems arose when farms built along the migratory routes of the Borneo elephant herds, as the Borneo elephants caused a great deal of destruction to the newly founded farmland.

Borneo elephants are herbivorous animals meaning that they only eat plants and plant matters as it enables it to gain all of the nutrients that they need to survive.

Borneo elephants eat a wide variety of vegetation including grasses, leaves, shoots, barks, fruits, nuts and seeds. They often use their long trunk in gathering food and due to their large size; Borneo elephants have very few predators within their natural environment. Besides human hunters, tigers are the primary predator of the Borneo elephant, although they tend to hunt the smaller Borneo elephant calves rather than the much larger and stronger adults.

Female Borneo elephants are generally able to breed by the time they are 10 years old, and give birth to a single Borneo elephant calf after a 22 month gestation period. When the Borneo elephant calf is first born, it weighs about 100 kg, and is cared for not only by its mother but other female Borneo elephants in the herd (known as aunties). The infant Borneo elephant remains with its mother until it is around 5 years old and gains its independence, with males often leaving the herd and female calves staying.

Today, the Borneo elephant is considered to be an animal that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct due to the fact that Borneo elephant populations have been declining at a critical rate. Borneo elephants are thought to be suffering primarily due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation and hunting for their ivory tusks by human poachers.

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address jokkyisland@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 08050324794

nce there was a disobedient lamb. His mother always loved her child so much that she worried about the safety of the child.

His mother always warned him, “Be careful! You must not go into the forest. Wild animals live in there. They may threaten you. Sometimes they would eat you. ” But the mischievous lamb never listened. The lamb casually went into the forest and played there for a long time till it turned dark in the evening.

One day, as usual the lamb wandered far off into the forest. There he saw a spring. “I am thirsty. Let me drink some water, ” he thought.

He decided to take water from the spring for his thirsty. While the lamb was drinking water in the spring, a wolf watched from behind a tree.

“A lamb! My lucky day! ” the wolf thought, approaching the lamb. The lamb was not aware of the wolf for some time. There was no one besides these two animals to save the lamb from the wolf.

“You know this forest belongs only to wild animals like me. Why have you come in here to take water from this spring? ” asked the wolf.

The lamb knew that wolves were dangerous animals. “Mother has warned me about wolves. I am sure this fellow wants to eat me for his lunch. This fellow is ferocious. I must escape from this animal, ” he thought.

The wolf continued, “You are also dirtying water. How will I drink this polluted water now? ”

“But the spring flows from where you are standing down to where I am standing, Sir! ” said the lamb, in a meek voice. The wolf was surprised to hear such an intelligent answer from the lamb. But the wolf was just looking for an excuse to kill the lamb. “How dare you argue with me?

I think you are the same lamb who had abused me last year, ” the wolf shouted.

“Last year? Bur Sir, I was not even born then! ” the lamb squeaked. The lamb feared that the wolf was looking after a pretext to kill the lamb.

The lamb became cautious of its words and gestures. This way both the lamb and the wolf talked to each other cautiously.

The lamb heard some woodcutters.

They were coming the way in which the lamb and the wolf were standing. “ ”If I can keep talking to this wolf for a little while longer, the woodcutters will be here. They will chase him away, ” thought the clever lamb.

So, he said, “Mr. Wolf, you are right. I have dirtied the water. But, I did not mean to upset you. ” This way the lamb kept on talking for few more minutes. As the lamb spoke, the woodcutters arrived. They saw both the lamb and the wolf.

They caught the wolf and beat him before letting him go. The lamb was relieved to be safe. He ran back to his mother. He told her his mother what had happened in the forest with the wolf and the woodcutter. And then he promised his mother never to wander into the forest again.

WORDS ON MARBLE

If the means you employ to motivate others are hidden from them or seek to bypass their conscious minds, then one is becoming a manipulator rather than a motivator.

-John Adair

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

Dude Style

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

‘I wouldn’t give up sewing for anything’ Dozzy Nnamdi Obinwanne is the creative director/CEO of Dozzy Couture. He is also a member of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, FADAN. In this interview with Victor Udoh, he speaks about his love for fashion and challenges facing the industry in Nigeria. Excerpts: Why did you go into fashion?

I have been in love with fashion ever since I was a kid. I started sewing in secondary school, but did not want to go into it fully then. I later studied Geology and Mining at Federal University of Technology, Owerri; worked in a lot of firms before deciding to open my own clothing line, since fashion is something I know how to do best. I knew I was good at it, and decided to go into it fully. I therefore took more professional courses on fashion; since then, God has been great.

How was your growing up years?

It was not easy, but I thank God for the kind of parents I have. They gave me the opportunity and have supported me all the way. My mum bought my first sewing machine.

If not for fashion what else would you do?

I would be professional geologist because I studied geology and mining. Maybe I would have been in the oil industry if not for fashion. In fact I was there until I ventured into fashion fully.

How would you rate our fashion industry?

Recently, we are making waves, and I believe we would get there in time. We may not be able to compete with international market right now, but we are trying to create our own markets. So, gradually the Nigerian fashion industry will get there.

Right now, after this show, some fashion designers in Nigeria and I would be going to Cotonou for ECOWAS Fashion Week coming up next month. No doubt, we are going places.

How would you advise the government on fashion?

One challenge facing most fashion designers is funds. Take electricity; we all work with electricity. Without power, we cannot do anything. Also if there is funding, I believe the fashion industry in Nigeria will make progress. If the government can come in and support the fashion industry, like they are doing with the Nollywood, it would be great for the industry, its people and the country.

What basic challenges do you face as a fashion designer?

The basic challenges we are having now is electricity; if we have constant electricity in Nigeria it will help us to do our job better. Moreover, we will achieve excellence in our work.

How do you give back to the society?

Presently, I am giving back to the society through my clothing line. I have a lot of people I trained, which is a way of empowering people. That way I have helped the society.

Who inspires you?

Several fashion designers who I respect so much, inspire me. In Nigeria, there are the likes of Mudi Africa; I love his stitches a lot and have learnt much from how he handles the business side of fashion. Yomi Casual is another individual I respect so much; I love his consistence in the business. So is KUO Couture, who I respect so much and all the members of FADAN. I give them kudos.

What is your philosophy of life?

I am a free person and don’t bother myself too much. I do the best I can and leave the rest for God. On daily basis, how do you get inspired?

I am inspired by day-to-day activities. It what I see along the way, sometimes it could be structure, building, people and my envi-

may be

ronment.

How did you feel following your first sewing experience?

I felt good because one of the first persons I sewed for was my relative and brother, and they appreciated it. I must say a big thank you to them because they have always been there for me, especially my wife.

How do you cope amid all the big names in the fashion industry?

I don’t see any designer as my competitor; neither am I scared of any competitor.

That aside, I tend to go the extra mile and do things in an extraordinary manner.

People love new styles.

How will you compare our fashion to that of Europe and America?

What they do don’t really inspire me because we have our own style. I tell people every day that instead of imitating them, we should improve on our style. By doing this, we would make progress. In fact, we are there already.

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Weddings Engagements You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby.

You can call this line 08050324794

CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS AUGUST 2, 2015

I was attracted by her calmness –Groom

BABIES OF THE WEEK

TITILOPE MORAKINYO

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kure, the Ondo State capital, hosted the wedlock between Ayomide Balogun and Omolara Omokore recently.

The event, which took place at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Idande, Oke-Ijebu area, was witnessed by numerous guests among who are relatives, colleagues and well wishers who came from far and near to felicitate with the couple.

In his exhortation, the officiating minister, Pastor Adeola, advised the couple on the three pillars that uphold a Christian marriage, which are love, respect and tolerance.

After the Church blessing, all roads led to the multipurpose hall of St. Matthias Anglican College, Alagbaka, also in Akure for the reception.

The colours of the day, red and white characterised the atmosphere in decoration drapes, wedding cake and aso-ebi worn by guests, who were sumptuously delighted as food, drinks and souvenirs were in abundance while the Immaculate Band was on hand to serenade the air.

Ayomide decked a white shirt, black trousers, red waist coat, cravat and pocket square, complemented with a white jacket taped with black velvet.

Omolara, on the other hand, appeared in a dazzling white bridal

Adegboyega Balogun

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gown, hair accessories and jewellery. After cutting the cake, the couple changed their native outfit ofwhite lace and red aso-oke to rock the floor stot danced tremendously to the amusement of everyone.

How did they meet? Ayomide disclosed that they met five years ago at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Higher Ground Parish, Rivers State. He got attracted by her calmness and saw a good wife in her.

They became friends, while he was observing her character, until last year when he proposed marriage. He

advised bachelors to allow God to have his way.

Describing her husband, Omolara said. “He is jovial and lovely ”.

She advised spinsters that, “there are still good men out there, just be good so that you can find them. ” Their traditional wedding held earlier at the bride parents ’ home at OkeIjebu where they both wore the Yoruba regalia of white lace and turquoise blue aso-oke.

Ayomide teaches at University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while Omolara works as a nurse.

degboyega Balogun was born into the family of Chief and Mrs. Balogun at First Inland Hospital. He weighed 3.35kg at birth.

His mother, Mrs. Balogun, who is a nurse, told ‘Sunday Mirror ’ that her pregnancy period was smooth and she had no surprises whatsoever because she knew what pregnancy entails.

Speaking on her body changes, she said she only had swollen face, especially her nose and

this started from the seventh month.

Speaking on the choice of name for her baby, she explained that it was easy to name her because he is of a royal lineage.

“The name Adegboyega means ‘Crown exalts the chieftaincy ’, she said.

Mrs. Balogun told Sunday Mirror that her son is the first male child of her husband, hence they would expect so much from him. Both parents wish that their son becomes a lawyer.

Joy as Okim gives daughter out for marriage

N

ational News Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Sunny Okim, recently gave his daughter, Dr. Utibe Okim, out for marriage to Dr. Jideofor Alex Okoro. The solemnisation of holy matrimony took place at The Salvation Army, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

Admonishing the new couple during the well-attended occasion, the presiding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Friday Ayanam, Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army, Nigeria Territory said, “Both of you should love each other even as Christ loves the church. You must be to each other a friend and companion, till death do you path. ” The reception followed immediately and was graced by eminent personalities with Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Professor Comfort Ekpo, as chairman of the occasion.

Highlights of the event included

Mofeayo Adeyemo

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a scintillating performance by South Africa-based contemporary gospel artiste, Chy Whyte, who set the hall on fire with her hit tune, ‘Song of Victory ’.

Speaking to our correspondent af-

ter the occasion, Okim said, “I ’m the happiest man today and I eagerly look forward to becoming the youngest grandfather on earth soon. ”

rs. Yemisi Adeyemo never knew she was pregnant until she started having morning sickness as this was her first pregnancy.

“I went about my normal daily activities without knowing I was pregnant. It wasn ’t until I started having morning sickness that my husband asked me to go to the hospital for test. That was when I was told I was pregnant and I had to register for antenatal clinic, ” she said.

Mrs. Adeyemo had

her baby girl at her local maternity centre in Ondo State. She is named Mofeayo.

She said Mofeayo means, ‘I desire joy ’. They see their baby as a source of joy, she added.

Mofeayo is described by her mother as always quiet.

“I believe she takes after me in that aspect, ” she said.

The Adeyemos disclosed that they want their daughter to be known worldwide and would support her in all she does in life.

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What to wear ‌to Igbo festival AUGUST 2, 2015

ADAEZE AMO MOS

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are to kn know what to wear to such Igbo festivals as chieftaincy title ceremonies, Ichi Ozo, Igba Offala chieftain and some other native festivals of Ndi Igbo? Then what Nollywood goddess, Eucheria Anunobi check out wha is sporting on this page. what she wore to promote culture of Ndi This was w the red carpet of Africa Magic Igbo recentIgbo, during th gorgeous in Igbo blouse and george wraply. She looked g per. Take a cue from her this Sunday for that festival you are getting set to attend.

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Perfect Cut

Sunday, August 2, 2015

African Look

Fashionistas now

George wrappers evergreen in fashion world ADAEZE AMOS

G

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

eorge are evergreen clothing materials, really. The reason is that even our mothers and grannies tied them in the days gone by.

Amazingly, they are still visible in the fashion circle. Women still knot them to different traditional occasions.

These native fabrics can be tied into different styles depending on your choice. Remember not to leave your neck bare. After all, what are those coral beads in your jewellery box for!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 2, 2015

glow more in red ADAEZE AMOS

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he colour red happens to be the favourite colour for many ladies and nd that. you don’t blame them forr tha at. Some ladies hardly say loud colour y it lou ud th that at c olour red is their very best colour colo lou ur because some people tend to spiritualise spiriitu tualise the hot colour. But the fact still remains remains that they are happier in n theirr favourite favourite e colour.

Red Red would get you noticed even in the maddening colour maddening crowd. It is the very colo our that is suitable for both light and dark skinned ladies. If you doubt this, check s,, che hec he ck out these ladies.

Perfect Cut

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L Learning the kissing game 34

Sunday, August 2, 2015

OVE

TALK

with Yemisi

Adeniran

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hat kissing is very important in the game of intimacy is an understatement. It is a key instrument and that real romantic couples cannot but observe before making love. It serves as a form of introduction.

However, much as almost everyone would agree that kissing is significant, hardly do many make the best use of it. For instance, for most men, it is most of the time not properly explored before a plunge is taken into the real sexual activity. That is, even when it is being carried out as foreplay, it hardly lasts. It is done in a hurry.

Many may not agree with me, but the problem many have is that couples don’t know how to kiss! Yes. Kissing is not all about putting the lips together or running the tongue on the other person’s tongue or lips. Effectively done, it gives a good feeling that couples would normally want to last very long.

Why most couples prefer to get it done with very fast is because they don’t enjoy it the way it should be. The truth of the matter is that only if couples find time to learn or do it the proper way would they know what they are missing.

Let’s go through the techniques as put down by those who know better: Do a few soft kisses. Start slow with soft, gentle kisses and skip the tongue and the teeth — for now. If your partner seems receptive, you can move forward to French kissing. In case you don’t know, French kissing is a system whereby you use your tongue during a kiss. One cannot understand why it is so referred in Western culture, anyway. While doing the kissing, avoid making your lips smack as the sound might distract. All you need to do is

Models

slow down and part your lips a little bit more if you find out that you are smacking. Also, avoid your lips against partner’s mouth. The slow gentle move allows you to ascertain the level of his or her interest. It also allows the partner to stop if he or she feels uncomfortable.

Maintain a moderate level of saliva. Avoid too much saliva. In case your lips are becoming too wet, you should withdraw and nicely reduce it.

“Lock” lips. If your initial kisses have gone well, try a lip lock, which can lead to closer kisses. Essentially, you’ll “stack” your lips. Putting your partner’s lower lip between yours is the safest bet. Most people have larger lower lips, making them easier to grab gently with your lips.

Breathe while you kiss. Ideally, you’ll be able to breathe softly through your nose while you’re kissing. If that’s

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not possible, though, break away for a second to take a breath. It will be wrong to feel suffocated. If you breathe hard, you will only be showing a sign of being nervous or that you are rather excited, making your partner feel flattered.

Don’t hang your hands. Put them to use. You can place your hands lightly on your partner’s shoulders or around his or her waist. (In Western culture, girls generally put their hands on boys shoulders while he puts his hands around her waist.). You could pull your partner closer.

Also, put your hands on the sides of his or her face, using your thumb to sweep across the cheekbone, or put one hand under his or her chin and tilt it upward. Another seriously good move is to put both hands around the back of your partner’s head and tangle them in his or her hair, gently pulling.

Test using tongue. Once you’re in a lip lock with your partner’s lower lip between both of yours, lightly run the tip of your tongue over it. If you can move it slowly, the better. Then, gauge your partner’s response. If he or she presses in closer or returns the gesture, you’re probably clear to keep increasing the intensity of the kiss. If your partner pulls away, maybe it’s best to pull back the tongue for now and stick to lips-only kisses.

Try French kissing (if you like). Sweep your tongue along the inside of your partner’s lower lip. Try to move slowly and lightly at first, increasing speed and pressure only if your partner seems to respond well. Slide the tip of your tongue inside your partner’s mouth and gently move it against the tip of his or her tongue. Use light, darting motions and keep your tongue moving — letting it sit limply in your partner’s mouth isn’t appealing and will bring a quick end to the kissing. Try deeper and harder strokes if your partner seems responsive.

Be sensitive however, to your partner’s response to know whether to slow down or pull the brake. Ensure not to be too excited also to avoid hurting each other. Remember again that either of you can take the lead and of course, there is still room for an improvement. Enjoy.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults I have been married for six years and intercourse has been a problem. I don’t get wet easily and my husband doesn’t have the patience. He acts like everything is my fault so we quarrel over this regularly. I am bruised after sex sometime so why will I want it. Please I need your help – Chinonso This is a simple matter. Not all women lubricate adequately during sex, even with foreplay. Sometimes there is a bit of lubrication in the beginning but as the intercourse progresses, it dries off. This causes the pain you are complaining about. That is why every woman needs a lubricant.

It is affordable and easy to use. Get the Smooth & Slick Lubricant. Apply it generously over your genitalia before intercourse. It will prevent the dryness, bruising and pain – Uche Please I need your help with a matter that is very embarrassing for me. It is about premature ejaculation. Sometimes I ejaculate and stain my trousers even before sex takes place. It is that bad –Chris Such drastic premature ejaculation that takes place before penetration is common when you don’t have sex regularly or when you are in a new relationship. It gradually stops when your sex life is up and running. As for normal premature ejaculation that takes place one to three minutes after penetration, you can easily deal with that with the use of an ejaculation delay ointment or cream. Ask for Forever Yours Delay Cream or Stallion Delay Cream. Apply any of these all over the penis a few minutes before penetration and you will last as long as ten to twenty minutes before ejaculating – Uche When I am fully erect, my organ is 6 inches long. I want a penile extension that can enable me satisfy my wife after I have ejaculated. I hear you have such - Idris At the moment I believe we have the 8 and 10 inch penile extension. Any of these will do. It all depends on what size you prefer. Also you don’t have to wait till you ejaculate before wearing it. Penile Extensions can be worn just like condoms to prolong action and prevent premature ejaculation – Uche I really feel like a fool. I have been suffering from premature ejaculation for years and I always read your article about solutions to premature ejaculation but I thought it was all fake

until I finally decided to try it and got the Gladiator Delay Cream. I last longer now I must confess –Chinedu I have little sexual experience and just got married. How can I learn? Effiong Effiong you can get substantial sex education from the right books and films. I will recommend two adult educational films for a start. Get Maximizing G Spot Pleasures and Adam & Eve Legendary Sex Positions movies. Between these two instructional videos, you will do just fine – Uche I am 39 years old and I have been having difficulties with getting in the mood for sex with my husband until I came across the Total Diva supplement. It saved my marriage and restored my sex drive. Thank you so much –Vivian Please what is your best penis enlarger and can I use it with my Max Stamina erection supplement? James If you are taking Max Stamina supplement already, then it is better to enlarge your penis with a penis pump like the Machismo Pump. It is not advisable to combine two erection supplements – Uche I have received the My First Rabbit Vibrator. I don’t usually kiss and tell but I had my first orgasm last weekend and I am very pleased – Evelyn I have been experiencing weak erection for some time and eventually bought a Penis Pump. My erections are harder after pumping. It is just that when I start having sex, it will get soft again – Samuel If you are using a penis pump to get an erection, you must use it with a Cockring. Once you pump and get your erection, wear the Cockring immediately and you will maintain the erection for up to twenty minutes – Uche During intercourse, when I ejaculate, what comes out is really small - Zikora Sperm quality has nothing to do with semen quantity. Sperm quality is what determines your ability to get a woman pregnant while semen quantity merely leads to a longer ejaculation time and more enjoyable intercourse. So until you start trying for kids, you have nothing to worry about. If you choose to increase your

semen quantity for the fun of it, then take Max Load Supplement – Uche Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Anu Sosanya

08023012293 (SMS ONLY)

‘I ate over-spiced noodles that made me purge’

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Causes of dark line on your protruding belly W

hen Veronica became pregnant, her tummy had no dark line. But when it became well protruded, there was a dark line on the centre. She wondered what it was and what caused it.

As her belly got bigger, the line became more obvious that immediately she pulled off her dress, it was the first visible thing on her very light-skinned tummy. When she went for her antenatal clinic, she raised her dress, showed it to her doctor and asked what the line was and if it was a sign that something was wrong.

The doctor didn’t hesitate to explain what caused it.

“The new dark line that goes from your pubic bone up toward your boobs is called linea nigra in the medical world and it is yet another wonderful

outcome of those raging hormones which caused an increase in your skin-darkening melanin. While it may not be the most welcome physical change, it will go away immediately after delivery. So don’t worry,” he said, sounding nice.

“Dark lines may also appear around your belly button, areolas and vagina, too, but they should all disappear between nine and 12 months postpartum,” he stressed.

Some other pretty common skin changes include spider veins, pregnancy mask, skin tags, stretch marks and pimples. All these would disappear when you are delivered of your baby. But most often, stretch marks can be stubborn but with time they would clear away.

considered this the naughtiest thing that ever happened to me recently because I could have stopped it from happening but I persisted.

It happened when I was with my sister and her husband in their house. We couldn’t go to the kitchen to cook that night because we were tired or should I say we were lazy to cook even the simplest food such as noodles which we had in the kitchen. But later on in the night, we became hungry, very hungry that we needed something to douse our hunger. Guess what we did?

We had to send a boy in our neighbourhood to help us buy cooked noodles around. He agreed and collected our money. We were happy that soon we would eat. The guy bought the cooked noodles but to our surprise he got an extra peppered/spiced noodlles. When I tasted it, my heart skipped. I knew we were in for trouble because we don’t eat much pepper naturally.

So, I didn’t tell her it was very chilly, I wanted us to eat it not giving it away to the lad who bought it for us because I felt he purposely bought over spiced one. Also, we were desperately starving.

I ate it gradually pretending to be enjoying it but what gave me in was the running nose I started having because of the pepper. It was my running nose that scared my sister and her husband from joining me. But I continued!

Before I knew what was happening, I had already taken two big bottles of water because my throat was hurting and my tummy became bloated due to much water that I had drank. While eating, my sister and her husband realised what I was going through and the fact that I refused to stop eating. I desperately wanted to finish it. They started making jest of me. For the next 20 minutes I wasn’t comfortable with my tummy, my tongue and my throat. My running nose didn’t help matters. My body system somersulted so much that the food purged me all through the night.

Can you imagine? That was something I could have prevented.

Anu Sosanya is a Nollywood actress –ADAEZE AMOS

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Barbera wine

arbera wine has made Italy’s Piedmont region famous. The region has a treasure of well-known wines. Chief among these is Barbera, the supple, cherry-inflected red made from the grape of the same name.

When grown on prime sites and farmed for quality (not quantity), as with this example from the Molino estate, Barbera wine yields lush, fruity reds with crisp, food-friendly acidity and low tannins. The Molino brothers—Franco, Tommaso and Dario—own six vineyards in Treiso, which is the heart of Piedmont’s Barbaresco zone. This Barbera comes from the Ausario vineyard, located on the prime southwestern side of one of Treiso’s most important hills. Its excellent sun exposure got grapes for this cuvée perfectly ripe.

There’s both heft and suppleness to this juicy red, which delivers loads of energetic black plum, tea and black cherry flavours on a complex, mediumbodied palate. Bright and bold, it’s a refined interpretation of Barbera that doesn’t sacrifice sheer drinkability for complexity.

Barbera is an incredibly food-friendly wine, as its high acidity and low tannins make it a natural with tomato-based sauces and meatless meals.

Jollof Spaghetti J

ollof Spaghetti or Spaghetti Jollof is a quick meal that got its name from the popular Nigerian Jollof Rice. It is quite easy to prepare and can be made with or without vegetables.

The recipe below shows how to prepare with common vegetables.

easy-cook vegetables of choice Cooking directions Before cooking Jollof Spaghetti Wash and chop all the vegetables you’ll be using.

Then prepare your stew, if you don’t already have some stew.

Ingredients: This recipe serves 2 to 3 persons 50 pieces spaghetti (approx. 200 grams) 4 cooking-spoonful red stew (tomato stew, chicken stew or beef stew) 1 carrot 1 handful green beans 1 small Irish potato (optional) 2 runner beans (optional) 2 table spoonful Sweet Corn (optional) 1 onion (chopped) Meat or Chicken stock (you can use water as a substitute) 1 tablespoonful ground crayfish (optional) 1 Maggi cube Vegetable oil Scotch bonnets peppers/atarodo (to taste) Salt to taste Water You can also add chopped whole tomatoes, green bell pepper or any other

1. Put some water to boil, when it starts to bubble, add the spaghetti and a little salt and parboil for three minutes. Then strain into a sieve.

This pre-cooking process helps to get rid of the excess starch that comes with most spaghetti, but you can leave it out if your brand of spaghetti has low starch content.

2. Place the prepared stew into a pot, pour the vegetable oil in the pot, add the vegetables, the ground crayfish, salt and pepper to taste. Add a little of the meat or chicken stock into the stew pot and leave to boil on high heat for 5 minutes.

3. Add the precooked spaghetti 4. When the liquid in the spaghetti is almost dried, add the remaining stew to the top, cover the pot and simmer for 1 minute until the spaghetti is done.

Now mix thoroughly and turn off the heat... and your Jollof Spaghetti is ready.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing Up

Sunday, August 2, 2015

TONGUE TWISTER

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WHO INVENTED WHAT? Joseph Gayetty originated toilet paper

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We surely shall see the sun shine soon Swan swam over the sea, Swim, swan, swim!

Swan swam back again Well swum, swan!

oseph Gayetty invented toilet paper in 1857. His new toilet paper was composed of flat sheets. Before Gayetty ’s invention, people tore pages out of mail order catalogs - before catalogs were common, leaves were used.

Unfortunately, Gayetty ’s invention failed. Walter Alcock (of Great Britain) later developed toilet paper on a roll (instead of in flat sheets). Again, the invention failed.

In 1867, Thomas, Edward and Clarence Scott (brothers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) were successful at marketing toilet paper that consisted of a small roll of perforated paper. They sold their new toilet paper from a push cart - this was the beginning of the Scott Paper Company.

DO YOU KNOW?

Human brain

POEM Two Little Kittens Two little kittens, one stormy night, Began to quarrel, and then to fight; One had a mouse, the other had none, And that ’s the way the quarrel begun.

“I ’ll have that mouse, ” said the biggest cat; “You ’ll have that mouse? We ’ll see about that! ” “I will have that mouse, ” said the eldest son; “You shan ’t have the mouse, ” said the little one.

B

r a i n is a jelly like organ composed of 80 per cent of water. The human brain is more powerful and active at night than a day.

It can hold as much as information that is equal to five Britannica Encyclopedias. An average individual uses no more than five per cent of the human brain in the entire life.

Similarly, the person who dreams a lot tends to have a higher IQ. The brain controls and directs the vision; the eyes can always see the nose.

I told you before ‘twas a stormy night When these two little kittens began to fight; The old woman seized her sweeping broom, And swept the two kittens right out of the room.

The ground was covered with frost and snow, And the two little kittens had nowhere to go;

So they laid them down on the mat at the door, While the old woman finished sweeping the floor.

Then they crept in, as quiet as mice,

All wet with the snow, and cold as ice, For they found it was better, that stormy night, To lie down and sleep than to quarrel and fight.

RIDDLES Question Tuesday, Sam and Peter went to a restaurant to eat lunch. After eating lunch, they paid the bill.

But Sam and Peter did not pay the bill, so who did?

Answer: Their friend, Tuesday.

Question What gets broken without being held?

Answer: A promise.

Question What is always coming but never arrives?

Answer: Tomorrow Question What goes through towns and over hills but never moves?

Answer: A Road

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Movies & Music

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

& usic M Movies With Victor Udoh 07067124302 e-mail: victorudoh804@yahoo.com

Ushbebe rocks Uyo I

n a bid to taking his annual comedy show to the next level, one of Nigeria’s finest comedians, Justice Emonaerere aka Ushbebe, who is known by his slogan ‘Ya Dadi’ has taken his show to Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.

The event, which is the third in the series, will showcase a larger crop of top artistes and promises to be more hilarious than the previous edition that took place in Lagos.

The show is entitled, ‘The Chronicles of Ushbebe, Live in Uyo.’ It is supported in concert with Play Terrace lounge, XYZ Prints, Monty suits, Eni Stores and Planet FM. Top comedians like Akpororo, Helen Paul, Accapella, Gandoki and Last Prophet will feature in the show. Top musicians including Applaudise crooner, Iyanya, Tekno, Imanse and Terry G among others, are billed to perform to the teeming fans in Uyo. According to Ushbebe, the brain behind the event, he says he decided to take the show to Akwa Ibom because of the love and hospitality the people showed him the last time he performed in the state. According to the top shot comedian, it is payback time as he wants to make them experience the biggest and most hilarious moments ever through the show.

His words: “The people of Akwa Ibom State are very warm.

They showed me so much love that I can’t forget the fun we all had together the last time I performed there. Now that I am opportune to perform here again, I would also want the people to experience a different comedy show like never before in the state.”

The event will hold at Emerald Event Centre on Friday, August 28, 2015.

Next Chronicle of Ushbebe show is billed for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Ushbebe

Dbanj, Patoranking, Yemi Alade receive N500k premium watches, from Vintage Concepts at Mama 2015

W

inners and performers who attended the just concluded MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZuluNatal were presented with a classic timepiece from Vintage Concepts worth a cool N500,000.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2015, brought to you

by KwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut Vodka and in partnership with The City of Durban, took place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on Saturday 18 July 2015.

Performers at the hit show, including Seyi Shay, 2Face, Bucie, Sauti Sol, Yemi Alade, K.O., P-Square, DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Big

Patoranking and Dbanj

Nuz, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond, Flavour, Toofan, D’Banj, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest, were also presented with a limited edition case of Absolut Vodka.

Some of the performers have already taken to social media to name-check the watches, including Best New Act winner, Patoranking, and awards host, Anthony Anderson.

Yusuf Timi Abubakar, of Vintage Concepts said, ‘Vintage Concepts is a brand that combines timeless style with an appreciation of talent, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our timepieces with African artistes associated with the MAMA.”

Wilson

Sunny Nneji, Daniel Wilson set to perform your favourite classics today

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overs of good music now have something to look forward to as legendary pop act, 2Baba alongside veteran musicians Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sunny Nneji, Danel Wilson, Niyola, Queen Moda, Dammy Krane.

The event themed Eargasm will hold today at the ThisDay Dome in Abuja with the music icons billed to give fans an unforgettable experience.

According to the organiser of the show, Efe Omoregbe, ‘We thought to create an opportunity for lovers of good music to come out and network while still enjoying great music from these amazing talents. It’s going to be a great show because it will have these amazing music talents perform not only their songs but also songs of other popular acts as demanded by their fans, so we can have 2face performing a song by Timi Dakolo or Sir Victor making a jazz version of KSA’s songs’.

Plan and prepare to be a part of it.

Neji

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nollywood’s Prince and Princess Pageant debuts

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Movies Movie es & M Music usic

Sunday, August 2, 2015

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Jaiye Kuti set to receive most friendly Nollywood actress

ssociation of Movie Producers AMP, is set to organise its beauty pageant, Prince and Princess of Nollywood with the aim to develop the talents of young people, promote African cultural heritage ome Sunday, 20th September, as well as engaging the youths.

2015, at Times Square Event in The pageant, which targets young people ages 17-25, will be drawn Lagos, Jaye Kuti would be honfrom across the South-South (Uyo), South East (Enugu), South West oured with Most Friendly Nollywood (Ibadan), Central zone (Lagos) and the North (Abuja).

Actress in this year Nigeria Media Disclosing this at a press conference in Lagos recently, the Managing Nite –Out Award, which is the 9th ediDirector, Heritage International Ltd and founder of the pageant, Mr. tion.

Tanko Ebute, said the pageant is aimed at protecting the art, culture According to the organiser of the and tourism activities as well as showcasing the potential in all the yearly event, Mr. Shola Olugbero, the state of the federation and Nigeria at large through entertainment. choice of Jaye Kuti who is also reHe said, “We want to engage and create employment opportunities cently crowned as the Queen of Soap for our teaming youths across the country which is paramount looking Opera in Nigeria is by public choice. at the unemployment situation in the country and this will be achieved “ It was difficult for us to arrive at through setting up of different offices across the country, thereby inthe choice of Jaye Kuti. We received creasing the commercial activities of all the hosting zones and Nigeria many names, but she came tops, we at large”. just hope she will keep her statue as Nothing that a skill acquisition centre for entrepreneurship trainmost friendly actress even after the ing for youth and women empowerment programmes would be estabevent.” lished, as well as educational support programmes, he called on interThe award, which we also parade ested youths to make enquiry on internet to find out more on how to be have Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor part of the show. of Akwa Ibom State as co-Host/ SpeSpeaking at the event, AMP president, Ifeanyi Azodo said the pagcial Guest will be Jim Obazee Chief eant is a welcome initiative as young talents would be engaged in film Executive Officer, Finacial Reporting production, directing of plays, recording and waxing of musical shows, Council of Nigeria as key note addancing, cinema, and video recording. dress.

Each of the first place winners (male and female) of the pageant at the zonal level would take home a deep freezer and cash price of N100,000 while the second and third place winners get flat screen television sets, N50,000 and home theatre, with a N30,000 cash price respectively.

However, each winner at the grand finale will get a Toyota Corolla It was a rousing reception for the All Africa Saloon car, a N500,000 cash prize, with a year acting contact, the second Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with and third place winners get deep freezers and N300,000 and flat screen the African Union Commission, AUC, as the TV with N200,000 cash rewards, respectively. awards project held its AFRIMA 2015 Stakeholders’ Conference for the northern region of Africa in Morocco on Thursday, July 23 at the Sofitel Hotel, Casablanca. On Friday, July 24, The AFRIMA delegation also had extensive and successful deliberations with the government of Kingdom of Morocco in the capital city of Rabat as represented by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and cooperation, Mbarka Bouaida; Culture, Mohammed Amine Sbihi and Director, strategy and Cooperation, Ministry of Tourism, Tarik sadik.

With the theme: Integration of Africa through Music and Culture, the Stakeholders’ Conference was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Morocco; 2014 AFRIMA winner for Best Male Artiste Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan and the Sofitel Hotel Casablanca aimed at communicatDade ing the objectives and ideals of AFRIMA to the stakeholders in Northern Africa.

AFRIMA is a continental awards initiative that rewards the abundant talents in the African music industry, while celebrating and showcasing the rich musical and cultural heritage of Africa to a global audience for socio-economic competitiveness. Some of the objectives of AFRIMA include using music and culture to foster deeper interaction of Africans, enhance creative and skilled capacity in the African music industry to contribute to the GDP of states and reduce poverty on the continent.

The Morocco Stakeholders Conference was attended by members of the Moroccan media, music industry practitioners, corporate sector Ayinde

C

Kuti

Warm reception as AFRIMA holds morocco stakeholders’ conference

executives and addressed by the representatives of the International Committee of AFRIMA namely: AFRIMA President/Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada; Head of Culture Department, African Union Commission (AUC), Ms. Angela Martins; Chairman, AFRIMA International Media Committee, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Member, AFRIMA Sponsorship & Brand Communications Committee, Mr. Jire Anifalaja and AFRIMA Project Director, Ms. Adenrele Niyi.

Sharing with the conference participants, 2014 AFRIMA winner Ahmed Soultan said his artistic vision to cross regional borders with his music was further strengthened after winning the AFRIMA trophy at the awards ceremony in Lagos. “I always believe that as an African, my music must touch base with people who love music either in Africa or abroad. That is why I support what AFRIMA is doing for African music, they are recognising true authentic music and supporting the dreams of many artistes for recognition for their work”.

Similar to the echo from the participants at the stakeholders’ conference, the Honourable Ministers of Culture and Foreign Affairs expressed the desire of the government of Kingdom of Morocco to support and host AFRIMA next editions after the expiration of hosting right of Nigeria in 2016 as AFRIMA objectives aligns with the cultural diplomacy policy of Morocco.

While delivering her speech through Mr. Abdellatif Jouibli, the conference interpreter, Angela Martins, reiterated the African Union’s commitment to the integration of Africans through culture. “The African Union has been collaborating with AFRIMA for a long time because we see it as a platform for the integration of Africans.”

40

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

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A model

During a fashion show one cool Sunday evening at Yard 158 Oregun, Lagos, models were doing what they know best on the fashion runway. Celina, who was sitting on a chair in the big hall, was enjoying poses the models were striking as they became hotter on catwalks. A style aficionado herself, she was well dressed.

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ccording to Celina, “I have always loved to dress well right from when I was a teenager. I am always selective about what I wear.

Though I don ’t go for very expensive dresses, my style must have a touch of class. That was the way I grew up because fashion is also a lifestyle for my mother.

“Interestingly, while I was watching and sipping my soft drink, a guy walked into the hall which was full to the brim. He was looking for where to sit. As he moved, I sized him up and I noticed he was cute. I beckoned on him to come and sit beside me, gently removing my handbag which I placed on top of the seat and placed it on my lap. He smiled as he walked to where I was,

looking at me admiringly.

He sat down, introduced himself and stretched out his hand towards me for a handshake, ” Celina said.

When the guy spoke, his baritone voice was killing. “My name is Darlington but I wouldn ’t mind if you call me Darling. “I wouldn ’t mind at all.

“Mine is Celina but you can call me whatever pet name you choose. ” “Let me call you Darling as well, ” they both laughed.

The duo watched the Galaxy Television fashion show.

“We had a great laugh.

In fact, what I enjoyed so much was not the show proper, but Darlington added fun to it. He was cracking jokes and I laughed heartily. Before the show was over, we were already friends. We exchanged addresses and phone numbers. That was when I got to know that Darlington is a lawyer by profession but he chose not to go to court.

He said he gave his litigation jobs to his younger colleagues because such jobs could keep him busy but there was not much money to show for the stress. He is strictly into property and, according to him, God has

been blessing him.

“I told him that I am a journalist who works with one of the national newspapers. He liked me and I could see that from his eyes. When a guy likes or admires me, I usually know from the passion in his eyes. Darlington ’s love was obvious, ” she recalled.

The fashion show marked the beginning of a sizzling affair between Celina and Darlington.

“Every day he called me on the phone just to know how I was faring and I longed to receive his calls, especially at nights before I slept. Even when I call him first, he would tell me to drop my so that he would call me back and save my credit; not minding that he credits my phone often. We started being together so much that any bystander would think we had been dating for several years. He stopped attending his Pentecostal church and joined me in mine. He said he wouldn ’t mind fellowshipping in my church because he saw I could quote the Bible copiously and that I was very good in prayers.

I usually led the prayer in the morning. Whenever he woke up, he would call me and we would pray togeth-

er on the phone. He was satisfied with that and had to become a member of my church. He went for baptismal class and was baptised there, something he didn ’t consider important until I convinced him, ” she said.

When Darlington proposed marriage to Celina, she accepted enthusiastically.

“I loved him. He has those attributes I cherish. Even when I took him home and introduced him to my family, my sisters who were waiting to laugh at me if he was not handsome enough swallowed what they planned to say.

My immediate younger sister who had been very selective about men said he was a yuppy. She advised me to take extra time to look good for he is the kind of man that could easily be snatched away. We laughed heartily. I believed her because she is known for her bluntness, ” she said.

Before the traditional marriage, Celina ’s mother travelled from Lagos to Isiala Mbano, in Imo State, to Darlington ’s village to make enquiries about him and his family. But what she discovered put a hold to the marriage.

•To be continued

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NOTICE: Please note that we don ’t do personal connections outside this column. Calls to connect privately are not allowed. Just send an SMS or email and we ’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you!

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From the Pulpit

Sunday August 2, 2015

41

Soul winning: Mandatory for Christians The God Almighty does His work and He does it miraculously. It is the work I implore the people of the world particularly the Christian to do. The Bible says in the Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”.

Therefore there is time for everything but I would like us to focus and look at the time of planting and time of harvesting.

What is the meaning of harvest? Harvest is what Cain and Abel observed and they were the first set of people to embark on livestock and rearing of animals and planting of food crops. Cain and Abel brought to the Lord as offering some of the fruits of the soil and fat portions from some of the firstborn of flock respectively.

The Lord favoured Abel and his offering more than Cain. So Cain was very angry (Genesis 4:2-5). God favoured Abel because Cain did not offer God tangible fruits from his harvest. Harvest started with Cain and Abel because they were the first set of people that Adam and Eve had.

Harvest and Tithes started with people when annually they offer to God part of their proceeds from their farm product or work. All that I have narrated concern livestock and farm products but my major concern on human being. How many souls have you won for Jesus into the ministry?

My errand for the followers of Jesus is to commence winning souls for Christ. How

General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this exhortation, lists the virtues of someone with deep thoughts and the follies of those given to shallow thoughts. Excerpts:

many people have you won their souls into your ministry? The Pastors, Patroness, Deacons, Deaconess, the church workers.

Choirmasters are expected to ensure that the ministry where they worship or serve God do grow in population by winning souls for their respective ministries.

The he Shepherd in charge of a ministry must be a respectable, kind, loving and disciplined plined person that the members are proud d of. A person that has firm control of man, material and money of the ministry.

All these hese people are soul winning persons for the he ministry. Soul winning is the harvest of all members of the ministry. Soul winning ning can be done in various ways. For instance nce you can win souls when you see people le that need food to eat and you are providing iding for them.

You u see people that need clothes and you provide ide clothes for them or render help for people le that are troubled. If you talk and invite e these people to be worshipping with you in n your church they will oblige: Similarly people’s souls can be won through patience. nce. A female member of my ministry in n Headquarters won souls by being patient nt and generous. She is the Iya ya – Loja general of one of the markets in Lagos. s. She was a staunch nch member of Muslim before sheave her life to christ. t. Her soul was w o n when s h e

brought a medically certified dead body of her first daughter to me. God Almighty revived the dead body and came live through me. Subsequently she became a member of my ministry. By this miracle, many people became member of the church prior to her being follower of Jesus Christ and born again.

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

She was a tough woman that could not be over- ride easily. She became a different person after I counseled her to be patient and enduring. One of her tenants slapped her when an argument ensued between them. She did not revenge but cried to me that I caused her the embarrassment by counseling her to be patient and enduring. I pacified her and she went back home.

In fact many people thought she would revenge by engaging thugs and area boys to deal with the tenant who had already fled with his family. Instead the woman went in search of them, settled the matter with them and brought them back to her house. She preached the word of God to them. She did not allow the spirit of anger to take control of her. To the glory of God, this woman is now gentle, generous to the extent of help she helped a lot of female members of my ministry to secure shops where she was the Iya- Loja general. Therefore let people emulate this woman, be friendly and help your neighbours who need help. My message is for people to go on a soul – winning exercise by spreading the good news. The Bible says in the book of Mark 16:15-16 “ He said to them, go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”.

•For further enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288, 08023991354. w w w. fa c e book.com/pastoroloruntimilehin.

‘Preparing for divine visitation’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 cleansing of themselves from all sinful pollutions, they must wash their clothes. Not that God regards their clothes, but while they were washing their clothes, He would have them think of washing their souls by repentance. It becomes us to appear in clean clothes when we wait upon great men; so clean hearts are required in our attendance when preparing for the coming of our God. Secondly, in token of their devoting themselves entirely to spiritual exercises like evangelism, fasting and prayers upon this occasion, they must abstain even from lawful enjoyments during these three days, and not even come at their wives. In so doing the Lord visited as He promised and blessed them.

This we ought to do now that God has remembered us and has promised to visit and give us answer to our prayers. For we are very sure His visit will change our lives and make us better, because when He comes into a situation, there is always a solution.

Jer. 29: 11-14 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye

call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive”.

The Lord will give you in this His coming, not the expectations of your fears, or the expectations of your fancies, but the expectations of your faith in preparation. The various packages of blessing He is coming to deliver to us will not depend upon our merits, but upon His own mercy, and kind thoughts and purposes He has for the seed of Abraham His servant. Our required preparation and example of old Amos 4: 12 says, “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel”.

Everybody must be in attention to receive God’s blessing comes this program From Sorrow to Joy. There is no doubt that after that day our lives shall never be the

same again. The dumb shall speak; lame shall walk, blind shall see and the afflicted delivered. If we could honour human beings, the honour we have for God should be higher. If we believe that God is higher than the President, we must therefore prepare to honour Him in a special way. We must not come alone as that will amount to greediness. We must all go out to invite people that are deaf, insane, blind, afflicted etc. When we invite them with faith and believe that God will heal them, am assuring you my God will give answer to their problems.

It is no longer in doubt what our God can do. This is because testimonies are everywhere to attest to what He can do.

Mt 9:32 -33 says, “As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel”.

Mark 2: 1- 5 says, “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee”.

In the Scriptures above, it was very clear that wherever our Lord Jesus Christ went during His earthly sojourn, He was always greeted with multitude of afflicted people and He healed them. Those that have knowledge of His visitation went about inviting people to come and the people they invited did not regret honouring the invitation. Likewise, you are expected to go about inviting people for this crusade as a matter of preparation. And in so doing God will see your good work and bless you.

Rev. 22: 12- 13, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last”.

Christ is talking to you; He says He is coming to establish comfort and support for His followers. So take advantage of this visitation and get yourself prepared for He will make you to rejoice in Jesus name.

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From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)

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nvitation can be a call to a party like marriage ceremony, thanksgiving service, birthday, graduation ceremony even naming ceremony. Chambers’ Twentieth Century Dictionary defines invitation as an act of inviting; it can be a written or verbal form with which a person is invited. There are many invitations from Jesus to people including the present world. There is a story in the Bible which Jesus told his disciples one day, he said to them that the kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

The bible story went further that he sent some servants and said, Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner.

My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet. The Bible confirmed that nobody paid attention to the servants and that some people mistreated the servants and some of them were even killed. It is interesting to observe that the king was not disturbed by the refusal of these invitees to attend the wedding banquet. He then said to the servants, “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find’’. Matt. 22:1-9 The Bible confirmed that Jesus was first sent “to redeem those under the law” Gal 4:5.

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”.

Jn. 1:10-11. God has not condemned the world but he wants everybody to come to him, Jesus sent his disciples into the world to deliver

Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

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ivine increase is guaranteed for every child of God according to scriptures.

The promises of God cannot be broken and indeed His words do not have the capacity to return to Him void, Isaiah 55:11. Once He has said it, the fulfillment is certain. Today, by the grace of God I want to first and foremost rekindle your hope in the infallible word of God. All that we see, perceive and feel are products of the ever powerful word of God and there is nothing in all of creation that is not a direct result of His word of power Colossians 1:17. Therefore, your success story, your path to glory and His purpose for your life is already assured only hold on to Him and in little time, you will see its reality in Jesus name.

God is not interested in stagnation, He indeed is not a God of a better yesterday; yes, maybe He is a God of little beginnings but He is also a strong believer of steady increase to greatness. God called Abraham, a seventy-five-year-old man; the father of many nations, He told him, his children will be as innumerable as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the seashore Genesis 22:17. All these God said because, He saw the great ending from the hopeless

Sunday August 2, 2015

Everything is ready a message of salvation. He said “Go intothe world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mk.16:15-16. This message started in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago and has gone round the entire world. Some of the preachers of this message had been condemned, imprisoned and killed. Today, many people are sincerely preaching the same message while some people are “selling” the message after reinterpreting it wrongly to suit their hearers.

The message is still the same, “come to me all you who are weary and burdened..’’Matt: 11:28. It is still the same message, “I go to prepare a place for you…..” John 14:1-3. Secularism has reduced faith to nothingness. Modern education has no regard for anything that cannot be scientifically assessed and proved and so theologians are finding it very difficult in the world of science to present Jesus who was born by a virgin, who walked on water, who raised a dead man and commanded evil spirits that obeyed him. The story of Jesus who died on the cross and resurrected the third day is a myth to many.

Jesus told us a story of ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom with a lamp each in their hands. He called five of them foolish ones because they never had enough oil in their lamps and the remaining, he called wise ones because they filled their lamps with oil. This shows that they all knew that the bridegroom was coming but only five virgins actually prepared for his arrival.

There are proofs that Jesus is coming back to “take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” he said. Jn. 14:3b. It is evident that Jesus is the road to heaven.

He said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” Jn. 14:6. The invitation is very clear and it is free. He told his disciples, “Free-

ly you have received, freely give” Matt. 10:8b.

He went on. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come” Matt. 24:14. This message is meant for everybody in the world. It is an invitation of God to all human beings in the world to enter the kingdom of God God created man and man disobeyed God and separated himself from God. God sent Jesus Christ into the world for reconciliation through his death on the cross. The blood he shed on the Cross paid for the sin of man and his resurrection from death gives power to overcome death and all evil forces. Jesus started and completed the works of salvation and does not require any help from anybody.

The invitation is clear and open. It does not require an attendance in a particular church service, payment of any fee or performance of any rites.

The Bible said, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood…… Romans 3:23-25a. What God requires is simply repentance of sin and confession with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and Saviour. It is imperative that we answer the call of Jesus Christ, accept his invitation, believe that he is the Messiah, the Saviour of the world and that he loves us. We need to trust him, believe him and obey him.

It is a vital choice that Jesus wants us to make. But he has given us free – will to take this choice or reject it. It is now and not any other time. Jesus assures those who make this choice a glorious future hope – an eternal life where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away” Rev. 21:4. The choice is yours.

Satan is out to deceive the world because

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according to the Bible, he is always out “to steal and kill and destroy” Jn 10:10a. He has many agents who do not only preach another gospel different from what the first Christians preached but use “mind theology” to confuse people. They dis-spiritualize the Word of God and make people believe that they can develop themselves spiritually without Holy Spirit. Many people have moved away from the domain of Christ, they have severed from reality. Christian leaders make common-sense decisions instead of leaning on Christian religious understanding.. Christianity is not about what you think or what Christian leaders say but what the Bible says. Jesus said, “….

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” Jn. 8:31-32. What Jesus is saying here is that the first thing is to understand his teaching that removes any obstacle and can set you free. Many Christian leaders have become “superior persons” who want God to do their wishes.

God does not want us to walk in the light of our conscience or command of any church leader but walk in his light that is Jesus. John said that he is “the true light that gives light to every man….. Jn. 1:9.

Everything is ready in Nigeria for the betterment of the people of the nation. We have excellent natural and human resources that can make this country one of the great nations of the world but we need everybody both people in the government and all Nigerians to think and act according to the will of God. God has provided all we need; I therefore request that people in government should ask for the wisdom of God. •Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1

Divine Increase (2) beginning.

Sir/Ma; you are discouraged today because you cannot see anything about the future, all you are aware of is continuous labour and struggle but let me remind you that you serve a God who specializes in making great endings out of little beginnings by introducing ‘divine increase’ into the equation Job 8:7. Dare to take Him at His word today and see Him lighten His path for your life.

However, little beginnings will only end in utter frustration if the demands and the requirements of a divine increase are not adhered to. Let me tell you this and please read carefully; the word of God is a promise to every child of God but it only becomes an unbreakable covenant to you when you locate what you must do to make the promise a reality.

Read carefully; Solomon went from zero to hundred quickly because he provoked God’s attention through a significant sacrifice according to 1 Kings 3. According to Genesis 12, Abraham received a promise from God but had to fulfill divine demandsleave your people to a place I will show you, circumcise yourself and all the males with you, sacrifice to me Isaac your only son; Abraham the father of many nations had to fulfil many responsibilities to make the promises of God become a covenant to him and his generation.

According to Luke 5, Peter the Apostle and his men had toiled all night and caught nothing, he was on the verge of giving up when the master came and asked to use his boat. Oh, Peter at that point would be cranky,

tired and weary but decided to do the master’s bidding and at His command, his zero beginning became and unstoppable, a net breaking and a boat sinking increase.

We spoke about the power of a little beginning last week but we are emphasizing the power of responsibility in ensuring divine increase. Sir/Ma, you started well and you may have been struggling for a while trying to break even but as I said earlier, God ensures that you path enjoys a steady increase

by His help until you are great. However, the help of God has demands and you must locate the demands for your destiny.

First and foremost, you must be born again; until you are born again, you are not a candidate of divine increase, Romans 8:17.

Secondly, your confidence and hope must be in Him continually as you daily stay in His presence to hear Him speak His plan for your life and destiny. Abraham obeyed the voice of the Lord, Peter obeyed the command of Jesus. Labour without the voice of the savior is frustration. How, do you locate His word for your increase? Become a student of the scriptures and meditation for in His word is His wisdom and His voice for your life.

Never start a day without His blessings, never do a thing that will take His hand of favour away from your life, family and business. Remind Him constantly of His word as you discover His promises for your life and whatever He tells you to do, do them expressly without grumbling.

Finally, God will bless you so that you will become a blessing to others, God will remember you when you are kingdom orient-

ed, Apostle Peter had to become a vessel for evangelism before becoming a candidate for divine increase. Solomon, had to part with a significant sacrifice to qualify for a glorious destiny. Please serve God with a reckless abandon, evangelize, give out of the little you have, for every income ensure you pay your tithe, be an intercessor and your divine increase is guaranteed in Jesus name. God bless you.

Remember, salvation is the first key to make you a candidate of divine increase, it is a scholarship for divine help and favour.

If you want to say yes to Jesus or want to come back to Him after you have been gone for a while, the process is simple: Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

• Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory • Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour.

• Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them.

• Welcome into God’s family.

Now you can enjoy and experience total wealth in Christ. Please locate a bible believing church and share you new-birth experience with the church leaders.

•For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

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Sunday August 2, 2015

Objection sustained!

Pastor

Ade-David Email: jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com

A

ye sleepers, brother in the lord exposing the deed of Satan is not glorifying him but to wake up and see beyond your nose what his doing against you.

Job 2:6 “And Lord said unto Satan, behold he is in thine hand; but save his life” Satan the adversary, the abuser and accuser. The one who assaults, attacks, and deceives ‘But not forth thine hand not and he will erase thee to thy face’ job 2:5.

Satan originally an angel of God had become corrupt through his own pride.

The one who once led the heavenly worship assembly into the glory of God’s presence.

He was identified as an anointed cherub it is the word ‘mimshach’ Lucifer, the anoint cherub. His name was changed to Satan when he launched his all out assault on his angelic country man and waged external and internal was against creator who he supposed he could over throw. Isaiah 14 refers. At the heavenly court we learn a great deal about Satan.

He is accountable to God. All angelic beings good and evil are compelled to present themselves before God (Job 1:6) God knew that Satan was intent on attacking job. Satan is real and alive on earth. Knowing this about Satan should

The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses

L

Alu

et us take our scripture from Herr. 8:22 and we will read it together. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

May God add blessing to the reading of His word. There is a balm in Gilead.

(Sings Hymn 54—There is a Fountain) There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains, And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.

That is the balm in Gilead And rev.

12:10 says, And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

He accuses us day and night. A sister after her deliverance said the demon that had been tormenting her told her she should pay the money he (the demon) paid the sister’s mother. And when the sister asked how much he paid, the demon said N1,500. The sister has been suffering because of that little money! And there may be somebody here; all that was paid to a Babalawo to cast a spell on you was just

cause us to remain close to the one who is greater than Satan – God almighty himself.

He even went into God presence to make accusations against Joshua the high priest (Zach 3:1:2) Job was a model of trust and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in an especially harsh manner. Although God loves us, so dearly, believing and obeying him do not shelter us from life’s calamities, setback, tragedies, and sorrows strike Christians and non Christians alike. But in our test and trials, God expects us to express our faith to the world.

Satan raised objection against Job. God had said – have you noticed my servant job / he is the finest man in all this earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears his God and stay away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity. ‘Objection my Lord ‘yes, but job had good reason to fear God. You have always put hedge of protection around him. (Isaiah 22:8) the invisible yet powerful shelter and defensive wall the Lord build around his people. Angel, prosperity, wealth, prayer, warriors and intercession, prophetic words and prophecy, prosperity and provisions, as well as good relations all contribute to a potent hedge ‘skin for skin a man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health even he will surely curse to your face’.

Objection sustained!

‘All right, do him as you pleased the Lord said to Satan but spare his life’ (Job 2:6) Satan left the Lord’s presence, and struck Job with terrible boils from head o toes. God removes the hedge to allow

Satan to come in at will to pillage and plunder Job he was left with broken hedge.

Today it happens when in absences of prayer prophetic, impact and importation, pastor ship, personal economy and employment viability are all reason for this rejection of God, and Christ, back sliding-sleeping Christians, disobedience and reducing.

As in the case of Job, God allows the hedge around a life to rupture to affirm our personal allegiance to him before all creation; it brings him glory to restore his manifold as the end of the test period.

The way of the slothful man is a hedge of thorn, but the way of righteousness is made plain’ (proverb 15:19) good righteous, and upright conduct sowing and reaping, and a pure, forgiving heart increases it more.

The guardian angel over one’s life and those God dispatches as critical times in people lives are essential feature of the hedge of potential. Satan wanted to prove that Job worship God, not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They have fair weather believers following God only when everything is well and they get what they want, but adversity destroys this superficial faith. However adversity strengthens real faith by pushing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms. In all the pains and suffering Job did not sin by blaming God. Even when the wife said to him are you still trying to maintain your integrity ? Curse and die’ Job did not say any word. Job was a man of great endurance.

The Lord was so kind at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

Those who endure the testing of their faith they experience God’s great reward in the end. Thank you Jesus, for it is through him we can fortify our hedge or sustain by compliance with the conduct of his kingdom. We must learn all the kind about the rule, percept, and wisdom of God spiritual kingdom.

If not an individual may maintain a deficient or bankrupt hedge even though they may be doing all they know to be richer.

Job afflicted was the third son of Issachar, the son of Jacob (Genesis 46 vs.

13, Ezekiel 14 vs. 14. 14, 20, James 5vs 11) was tested with a life filled with prestige, possession, and people he was suddenly assorted on every side, devastated, stripped to his foundation.

Jehovah cared for Job so much that he revealed himself personally and shared with him the vision of comic responsibilities. A God who confesses his burden to human being is a God who is profoundly involved in human destiny.

He is also a God who respects human independence, who wishes to have the free gifts of human services, and towards that end there is testing of human being. The restoration of Job is not the point of the book: it is merely the recognition of Job’s integrity and in line with divine generosity.

Satan’s theory was that no man serves God without personal material gains, if he would not bless a person in such a way. He would automatically course him.

Then of course is not true for millions have loved and served God without such personal material gain.

There is a balm in Gilead N200!

Chorus Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

He paid it all. And Prove. 26:2 says. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Whatever is the reason for the curse working against you, Jesus has taken care of it.

You don’t believe it and that is why you are not excited about it. As for me, when I think of all that Jesus did I get excited. This is because at times Satan comes to remind me of my past. I was married for 20 years and had no child. When I kneel down to pray, Satan will remind me of several abortions women I was involved with committed. He will tell me I was paying for my past. At times like this my mind will go to one terrible one that was done and the devil will tell me that child that was aborted is my child. Then I will remember Jesus paid it all. Satan is a liar!

This is because, if a man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old thing have passed away.

That voice that reminds you of your past is a strange voice. Was it not Satan that made me do those bad things he is accusing me of ?

I am talking about the evil things I have done and you are looking at me as if you are so innocent; that you don’t have yours. Yours may be worse than mine and if you stand here to talk about them, people may stone you! Bt no matter what happened, the blood of Jesus is the strongest bleach that ever existed and it has the capacity to wash every stain.

That is why the next verse, verse 11 is so important. And they overcame him by the

blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The blood of Jesus Christ is still speaking now. He didn’t go to the Cross of Calvary in vain. The demons troubling you are only succeeding because of your ignorance. As the Bible puts it my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge here is the one that can make you tell Satan, yes I did those things but Jesus has paid the price.

Praise the Lord. There is a young man I met during my prison ministry at Ikoyi prison. He was a policeman and he was accused of giving arms to armed robbers. He was arrested after the police smashed the robbery gang. While the trial was going on, many of his colleagues died in detention.

After many years, it remained only him. He went on trial and as is usual, the Judge after reading out the case against him asked if he was guilty or not? But as you know, there is a Judge hat is higher than all the Judges.

The young man pleaded not guilty. The Judge looked at the young man and the paper and reeled out is confessional statements where he owned up to all he has been accuse of. The young man said, that was then. That was the former me. The one standing before you now is not the one that did it. The Judge was confused and asked him what he meant.

He told the Judge that he is now born again.

That is what knowledge does. The Judge looked at the prosecutor and asked, are we not interested in their changing? Why should we condemn him again when he as changed? Let us give him another chance.

Church, I know this man personally and up till the day the judge released him, I was

one of the first people he came to meet. He was my convert.

One qualification for you to be free from demon husband is for you to receive the Holy Ghost. This is so important because it keeps you anchored and it takes away fear.

It gives you God-consciousness. He is a spirit of boldness so you fear nothing. You can boldly say, greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. When you give your life to Christ. He gives you a seal/mark so that when the devil sees you, he knows you belong to someone and this is made possible through the blood of the lamb.

They overcome by the blood of the lamb.

Two things are achieved b the blood – The blood washes away the sins that the accuser of the brethren as been accusing you of. So when you give your l fie to Christ, and as you enter that water for baptism and you come out, every sin you have ever committed till that day is washed away. Even God will not see your sins. So Satan is a liar if he is telling you that your past is still hunting you.

It is a lie! My past cannot hunt me now! It is thus saith the Lord.

He shouted on the Cross of Calvary. It is finished. This included my past that the devil using against me and this is made possible through the blood of Jesus, for the remission of my sins.

Hebrews 9: 22 says, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

•Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com

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From the Pulpit

T The voice o of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

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welcome you to the month of August. It shall be a month of victories and new beginnings for you in the name of Jesus! Let us begin this month’s teaching series with kingdom stewardship. Kingdom stewardship (serving God) is an asset of inestimable value, which launches us into a world of wonders without end. This means wonders would never cease in the lives of those who truly serve God. As it is written: And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days, I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26).

That is why Kingdom stewardship is the gateway to a world of fulfilment. It is not a waste of time, as it pays the most and the best (Job 36:11).

What is Kingdom stewardship?

Kingdom stewardship is all about serving God and the interests of His Kingdom as a lifestyle. However, it takes the mantle of the zeal of the Lord to keep serving God unreservedly, unashamedly and tirelessly. For instance, the Bible refers to Apostle Paul as a zealous man, who served God relentlessly (Acts 26:22).

Furthermore, the Bible admonishes us not to be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

Priesthood House with Pastor Bola

I

Bello

n our last discourse, we noticed that culture was a major identity of any kingdom in the earthly realm. This was emphasized and so correspondingly and significantly the same with the members of the kingdom of God. Though, the culture and the ethics in the kingdom of God are considerably different from the culture and ethics of the people of the earth, and this is what makes the kingdom of God exclusive from others.

It is therefore needful to take note of the statement of Christ, when he said; “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence (Jn. 18:36).

What this denotes in its origin is that, the nature in which the kingdom of the earth is run is unlike the system of the kingdom of God. The ethics of the kingdom of the earth is about struggle, enmesh with internal wrangling, bickering and great effort for leadership engagements.

It is also established in the pomp and pageantry of material glory with ambition to lord things over others and to exploit and oppress others for own advantage. This is not the same in the representation of the divine kingdom on earth but it comes with mentality of service where all are regarded as servants with heavenly character. Also,

Sunday August 2, 2015

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Unveiling the Blessedness of Kingdom Stewardship!

That means, if we faint before our day of reward, we have lost it. Unfortunately, some stewards give up a few days to their rewards, while some quit an hour to theirs.

Concerning Abraham, the Bible says: For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:13-15; see also Matthew 24:46).

Therefore, we need the mantle of the zeal of the Lord to remain steadfast in our stewardship so as to obtain the promise.

Avenues for Spiritual Stewardship • Physical stewardship: This is our physical engagement in diverse service groups, through skills and services offered for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. • Spiritual stewardship: Just as the spirit is superior to the soul and body, likewise, our spiritual stewardship surpasses physical stewardship in returns, as it is the most profitable of all spiritual engagements in the Kingdom (Matthew 6:6, 18; Luke 18:2830).

We engage in spiritual stewardship in two main ways, among others: • Prayer & Fasting: This is a covenant secret investment with visible returns.

It includes praying Kingdom advancement, Kingdom enlargement and Kingdom expansion prayers. It also involves praying for the salvation and establishment of souls (Colossians 4:12; also Matthew 6:6, Luke 2:37).

• Soul-Winning: From scriptures, we

understand that the soul of man is the most valuable asset to God. As it is written: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

(Matthew 16:26; see also Luke 15:7) From the above scriptures, a man’s soul is much more valuable than all the wealth of the world put together. That means when we engage in spiritual stewardship, which is largely about soul-winning, we commit God for unusual dimension of returns (John 4:36; Galatians 6:7-9).

What, then, are the returns on spiritual stewardship?

• Divine Protection: Everyone serving God, particularly in soul-winning and ingathering of souls is entitled to divine protection (Job 1:8-10).

• Divine Exemption: Serving God entitles us to divine exemption from the day of trouble (Malachi 3:17-18; Malachi 4:1-2).

• Divine Health: From scriptures, we understand that we are ambassadors of Christ because we engage in reconciling the world with God. The Bible says: ...but a faithful ambassador is health (Proverbs 13:17).

That means everyone involved in reconciling the world to God, enjoys divine health in return (Proverbs 13:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

By redemption, every believer is ordained to be fruitful. Therefore, it is risky to be unfruitful as Christians (John 15:16). In order words, the future of an unfruitful believer is not secured. Jesus said: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2).

Thus, when we become casual about spiritual stewardship, God will never be committed to our affairs. Moreover, nothing pays like serving God. This is why we must not be lost in the crowd; rather, we must engage with God in this season of harvest by committing to Kingdom advancement, Kingdom promotion and Kingdom enlargement. As we do so, it shall be our season of supernatural encounters in Jesus’ name!

Friend, promotion and enlargement are the preserves of the saved. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins.

Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me!

Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you.

Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww. org

Church as God designed it – The burden of the kingdom and the reign of Christ on earth (5) the kingdom of God is not set up through canal swords or by taking up of arms or weapons of physical warfare but in the demonstration of meekness, peace, righteousness and joy in the Spirit with the attitude of living right before God. In this consideration of the kingdom of God, we will be looking at what should be the ethics of the people of the kingdom of God and the nature of their lifestyles.

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mat. 6.10). This statement was an expression of the yearnings of the apostles on what should be the urgent need of the earth - the hunger for the divine kingdom. The word for “kingdom” is the call for the reigning of the heavenly kingdom on the earth. It is a call for divine law, rules and order which should obliterate the rules and the laws that govern the systems of the earth.

Rather than the crave for the advancement of the will of man, which is centered on self, the need for the divine will which is kingdom base should be the aspiration of all and sundry. The beginning of the divine kingdom was ushered by the Messiah himself, when he came through the flesh to introduce the kingdom of God on earth. The word “Messiah is the same word for Christos, the anointed one, who was appointed to establish the kingdom; Daniel 9:25-26. The Messiah was an example of what should be the ethics and character of the people of the kingdom and he taught it in his sermons severally. We need to look at some of these ethics one by one.

Blessed are the poor in Spirit: for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven” (Mat. 5:3). The indices of “poor in the spirit” do not imply the poverty in material possession. Being physically poor is not the criteria for being a member of the kingdom, neither affluence nor riches of the earth is the consideration for the membership of the kingdom. It however, represents a state of heart or soul which is seen as poor and in need of divine helps and requires to be liberated from the ignorant of the program and the agenda of God for the earth. When such soul realizes its state of indigent, it has facility and predisposition for salvation. It is a kind of the heart that gasps for the knowledge of God and seek for the kingdom of God to be established here on earth. A heart who seeks not for his own things but the things of God, such would surely inherit the kingdom of God on earth.

To be poor in the spirit is to have a humble opinion of self and to see the Almighty God who has the capacity to fill the emptiness of man. Rather than the care for the wealth and the anxiety to become the mould of the world, what such soul craves for is hunger and thirst for the things of the kingdom and its urgency for now. In His sermon, Jesus Christ posit, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mat. 6:33). Those who are destitute of the knowledge of what the kingdom of God entails present the glory of the earth to men in their sermon. When we are acquainted with the message of the kingdom and advance this course, we will all come to the experience of the kingdom of God. The needs of man are wrapped in the kingdom of

God when it is set up. Proper alignment with divine kingdom will bring his providence and provision of its benefits in all strata of human needs. The blindfold upon the earth must be taken away through the message of the kingdom of God and its desire by all and sundry.

Another ethic of the people of the kingdom of God on earth is found in Romans 14:17-18; “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serve Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.” The kingdom of God is not consist in the observation of annual festival, where we celebrate and slaughter rams and fowls as being observed during Christmas or other festivals. These does not in any way add to our righteousness but come with propensity to become stumbling blocks to us. What however, constitute the kingdom of God is righteousness. Righteousness is the judicial act of God, where the sins of men were forgiven through the atonement of Christ. It is another word for justification, where all are pronounced not guilty as a result of accepting the faith of the son of God, which nailed him to the cross of cavalry. In other words, man is only qualify as a member of the kingdom of God through his acceptance that the death of Christ has brought salvation to man rather than own work. This is the righteousness of God imputed to man.

•Pastor Bola Bello – The Priesthood House, bolabelo@gmail.com 08033704564

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From the Pulpit

Sunday August 2, 2015

Wait for your time

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“ returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.”

(Ecclesiastes 9:11) There is time for everything. The best and easiest way to kill your life is to struggle to manifest in another’s person time. Learn to wait for your time. Doing the right thing at the wrong time is all together wrong. People delay their breakthrough because they rush into other people’s timing. Joseph had to wait for his time despite all the things that he passed through. But when his right time came, he became the king as prophesied. “…But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:.. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.”(Genesis 40:14 & 23) Joseph was trying to seek the help of the chief butler in advance so that He could speak on his behalf to the king for his release. But God had another plan for Joseph; God was not just planning a release for Joseph but a lifting to the throne. Just imagine, if the chief butler had eventually helped Joseph out of the prison before his appointed time; what do you think would have happen to him? May be at best he will be given some provision and returned back to his father.

Bishop Opayinka

“And it came to pass at the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.” (Genesis 41:1) The plan of God for Joseph was for him to remain in the prison for another two years and then bring him out to be placed on the throne.You can’t beat your divine time.

“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feetthey hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.(Psalm 105: 17-20) Patience is one of the Gifts of the Spirit as seen in Galatians 5:22. You need to be patient

while you wait on God. It might not be as quick as you think but the good news is that, the reality of your desire is certain. Every child of God has a calendar for his or her destiny. You will need to be patient enough to allow God to bring the contents of His calendar for your life to fruition. Patience makes you to wait for the time of God. Patience makes you to see God as a faithful God even though it seems there is an apparent delay. Patience makes you to keep your eyes on God even if it appears as if God is not forthcoming. Patience helps you to build up your faith in the ability of God regardless of the intensity of your challenges.

And the LORD answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon table, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry.(Habakkuk 2: 3-4) The Lord told Habakkuk to patiently wait for the manifestation of what has been revealed to him. Waiting may be particularly difficult especially when so many voices are speaking contrary to what God has told you.

But you must learn how to trust God for his word and rest on Him that He would not fail you.

But, impatience makes you to see God from the negative and opposite side. Impatience makes you to search for other alternatives other than the ability of God. Impatience makes you to belittle the ability of God. Impatience makes you to complain about your situations

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and even causes you to doubt the intervention of God. Impatient people are professional complainants. They complain virtually over everything that comes across them. Impatience creates another calendar for you other than the original calendar that God predestined for your life. Through the force of impatience, you force yourself into fulfilling the calendar of another person. Impatience makes men to jump over the plans of God for their lives. It is the safest way into one’s early grave. Patience protects you against satanic bullets but impatience exposes you to the destruction of the enemy. Impatience brings you down and fixes you at the bottom. The Bible clearly instructs that, those that trust God will not make haste.

We should not allow impatience to hamper us from enjoying the miracles that are meant for us.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Isaiah 28:16 …He that believeth shall not make haste; do you believe?

See you next week as we journey to the throne together. Bishop Joshua KolawoleOpayinka is the presiding Bishop of Glorious Tabernacle International located Behind Ondo State Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State capital. Share your testimonies and prayer points with me at: O8060297831 joshuakolawoleo@ yahoo.com

Service the master key to a distinctive life Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-time Evangelical Church, Abule-Egba, Lagos, in this sermon, teaches on the forces of wickedness. Excerpts:

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very kingdom star is made by a secret.

When you serve God diligently he made people to serve you. If you serve God, today, situation will make people serve you tomorrow.

In the book of Exodus 23, 25-26 the bible says “And ye shall serve the lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water, and I will take sickness way from the midst of thee, there shall nothing cast their young nor be barren in thy land, the number of thy days I will fulfill”.

That means your service to God is the only highway to God’s divine provision for your life, your serving God is another secret of escaping the traps of sickness.

Serving God also gives you longevity. It makes you live a long life.

By the Grace of God, live been in full time ministry in the last 16yrs now, through my own ministry started 10yrs ago.

I’ve served under so many ministries before now, but the fact remains that in the last 26yrs I’ve not had any course to go to the hospital and lay down or treatment, and I’ve been so diligent in God’s work, with every seal in me, with every strength in me by grace.

Serving God is not by force serving God is by choice, when you are being forced to serve God, that is no service, but when you choose to serve God he made all things work well for you I want to let you know that it is your kingdom addition that determines your kingdom addition.

People can accuse you of over do so many things, but there is only one thing, you cannot overdo and that is your service to God. Service has no overdose or excess. It is your kingdom addiction that determines your earthly promotion when I see people when they are looking for something from God,

they become humble , but the moment they get what they wanted, they become so restless in complaints, e.g my job will not permit me to be in the service on Sunday, or I returned from work late so I may not be able to come to church on Sunday. When he was looking for job he never got tired, but the moment he got the job, the he lost steam to serve God. No man can deceive God, you can only deceive yourself.

Take for instance in the circular world and in the spiritual world no man is even entrusted into a leadership position without being a servant first.

I have seen cases of sisters in the church, that were so devoted charming, but the moment she got married or gave birth he start giving all manner of excuses over their plight, when she was looking for husband she doesn’t see any reason to give excuse, but the moment God grant her, her heart desire, she becomes so pre-occupied that she doesn’t have time God again. That is the main reason why you see so many when they are looking for the for the fruit of the womb, they can go into any length to get that child or be pregnant, but the moment they got pregnant or gave birth they have forgotten an excuse not to serve God. Listen to me whatever you use as an excuse not to serve God, will become a god in your hand. Until you are ready for God, you are not ready for good. When you are married and you don’t serve God, you will discover you will be running from pillar to post seeking for one prophet or the other, running from one church to another.

It is not the church but it is your choice.

If you take God for granted you will remain grounded in life. When you live your life for God he will make people look for you.

When you are connected to God, he will

connect you to the world. In the book of Matt 6,33 “The Bible says, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. “That means when you seek God faithfully with a genuine heart, he bring addition to things of your life. I want to encourage you to stop living for things and start living for God. When I gave my life to Christ in 1998, I have no two clothes, I only have a shirt and a trouser, it is that same cloth I will wear throughout the week, and on Saturday afternoon I will remain indoor to wash it and dry it, so as I can look fresh and clean in the church on Sunday, these were the ways I live my life for God. I was not moved by what people say about me and my life; I was only moved by my passion for God. And I was doing just that, God began to compel people to move towards me to favour me.

If you give and excuse of not having transport fare that made you not to go to church, it is not an excuse for you not to serve God. Our fathers have no cars or buses, but they still serve God diligently with all their heart. Such people don’t have the heart to serve God but the moment such people needs God, they will find means of getting to church.

One day I had to trek from Isheri Idimu where I was living when I started my ministry in Lagos, and I had no money on me, we had a service that day, and I could not get anyone that could give me money, I then trekked from Isheri-Idimu to Abule Egba where I have my church, which is a distance of not less than twelve to thirteen kilometers. Will I use myself excuse not to conduct service for the people of God. When you love God, excuse will not be your portion or part of you.

Excuses have made so many believers to be excluded. When you have passion for God’s

Pastor Bamidele

work, he will make you to speak in the midst of kings..

When you are too busy to serve God, remember it’s that same God that made you what you are today.

When you serve God, he will make you, and when he make you no satan can unmake you. It was David’s commitment to his father and God, that made him to become the preferred of his father’s children, he was the youngest, but he end up becoming the greatest.

In the book of Job 36 “The Bible says, “If you obey and serve him (God), you will spend your days in prosperity, and your years in pleasure. The Bible does not say if you fast or pray but that if you obey and serve him, so your obedience to service is the one that guarantee your prosperity. Get this clear when you are serving God and you love him, you will serve him with your resources.

Some Christians claimed to be born again, but their pocket is not born again. If you genuinely love God you will love him with what you have. If you dedication does not include your resources then your love for God is a mere deceit and pretense.

•For counselling, contact: Pst_lai@yahoo. com.

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From the Pulpit Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

T

Bona

he devil has a mandate, he also has a mission, his mandate is unfolded in the single statement he made in Exodus chapter 15:9. “The enemy said I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my lust shall be satisfied upon them, I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them “Critical analysis of this statement revealed to us the mandate of satan on earth against humanity. He also has a mission, as revealed to us in John 10:10A. “The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy” The fulfilment of the mandate of devil is the actualization of his mission. In other words, the realization of the mission of the devil on earth is actualizing his mandate. What I am saying is this, the devil can only steal, when he has pursued his victim and overtook him. He can also kill when he has succeeded to divide the spoil of his victim, and had his lust satisfied upon him.

He finally destroy his prey when he draw his sword. Beloveth, my heart has been touched as I imagine the degree of the cruelty of devil against human beings in fulfilling his mandate and mission. For sometime now, I have patiently listened to pathetic and heart breaking stories which borders on the extreme wickedness of devil on living soul, God created in his image and likeness.

I have also watched with a lot of passion thousands shedding tears uncontrollably under the weight and torment of these demons operating behind evil family altars. I have seen cases of men and women, who have reached the top of their careers in life, business, professions, marriages, academics crashed down from the top of the ladder of glory by the wicked activities of powers of evil family altar. I have seen wonderful marriages with promising futures suddenly cracked and broke down irreconcilably because of the nefarious activities attached to the powers of evil family altars. I may not know the extent you have suffered under the pressure of your own evil family altar. However, irrespective of how you believe this teaching I assure you that seventy eight percent of what you are going through in life are all traceable to the menace of the powers attached to your evil family altar.

Hour of Change with Primate

I.O

Oyelowo

F

‘’

ight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good before many witnesses. ‘’ 1 Timothy:12.

The context of fight here is different from the one mentioned in both 1 timothy 3;3 which reads thus: ‘’Not a striker’’ and 2 Timothy 2:24 which says: ‘’ And the servant of the Lord must not strike, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach patient.’’

These two verses refer to a physical combat while 1Timothy 6:12 focuses on Christian’s life race.

Faith on the other hand, is anchored on the life, persecution, death, resurrection and ascension and second coming of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says:’’ Hope is the substance of thing hoped for, the evidence

Sunday August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Breaking the powers of evil family altar (7) The mode of their operation The primary aim of the devil is to fulfill his mission. To achieve this, he divided his mission into three goals: 1) Goal A to steal 2) Goal B to kill 3) Goal C to destroy Goal ‘a’ to steal The Greek word for steal, is klepto. Meaning, to steal one’s mind, consciousness, heart, spiritually, physically and material things. He achieves this, by turning people away from the word of God and things of God, to things of this world.

He makes sure he occupies their time, or mind with other thing that would not please God. He could steal you, by occupying your interest with a movie in the television, instead of allowing you to pray. By the time you finish watching the movie, he brings serious weakness upon you.

You will eventually end up without praying that night. On Sundays, he could steal, you away from the church by occupying you with friends, by the time those friends are gone, it will be too late to go to church. He has one thousand and one methods of stealing his victim. He always present to you what you like most. He could use your husband, wife, children, family issues, or the like. Those things you so much cherish are what he uses to steal you away from the presence of God, for His wicked purpose. Many people have either had serious mishap or disaster or even death in a particular week, which could have been averted in the presence of God, had it been they were in church on that week Sunday service. Devil knowing what he had purposed for them that week, deceptively stole them away from the presence of God by occupying them with something that did not really matter. May be he has occupied you with your boyfriend, girlfriend, club meetings, towns meetings, social gatherings, other functions, watching footballs and or having nice time with friends. One of these things mentioned could be what the devil uses to steal away the love of God in you.

He does it continually on you aiming at fulfilling his mandate. That he has not succeeded on you up till now is because of the grace of God covering you. I therefore plead with you today having received this understanding to shun away device of the devil to steal you away from God’s presence either for prayer meeting, fellowship, Sunday service, or your personal quiet time.

The devil does not want you to believe God. His mission is to ensure that he steal your faith, and trust away from God. This he does by presenting

to you discouraging situations which tells you that God is a liar. Dear child of God, do not allow any challenging situation you are facing now to discourage you in Christ. Those challenges are not real, they are illusions and imaginaries, they will surely fade away with time. Look unto God without shaking you faith he will surely see you through in Jesus name.

In Genesis chapter three, we observed that the devil stole Eve away from the presence of God by engaging her in a long useless conversation. Beloveth, what has the devil engaged you with? Is it money business, work, cosmetics, fashion, husband, wife, or children? My dear, I beseech you to come back to your senses now, for it is written in the book of Proverbs chapter 16:25 “”there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” Goal ‘b’ to kill It is the mode of operation of the devil to kill before finally destroying his victims. There are many people today, who move about the streets of our towns and villages in our society who we already dead in the spirit but they still live physically. The devil, has succeeded to killing their souls, or stars, professions, business, careers, marriages, academics, health and visions. Such people are just roaming about aimlessly. In Genesis chapter three we discovered that after the serpent has succeeded to steal Eve out of God’s presence, and made her to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. He did not stop there, he entered Eve, to deceive Adam to eat the fruit. Immediately, their glory was taken away from them. They discover they were naked. Their glory was the presence of God which covered them. The testimony of their glory was the Garden of Eden. Nevertheless, since the devil has killed their glory, they were naked and driven out of the garden. Thus because of sin of disobedience Adam and Eve lost both their glory and the testimony of their grace. Sin kills.

Sin is both a killer and a reaper. Thousands of many Christians today, have lost their glorious in ministries, marriages, business and careers because of sin. What have you lost because of sin. Has the Lord casted you out of your garden because of your life of sin. Examples of those who have lost their garden of glory because of their unfaithfulness are: 1) Those whose marriages are broken because of infidelity 2) Those who have lost their jobs because of sin of corruption 3) Those female students who have had

their careers stopped because they were pregnant out of wedlock 4) Those students in our institutions of higher learnings who were expelled from school because of cultist practices 5) Those respected men and women of God whose ministries folded because of sin of immorality 6) Those apprentice who were casted out of their masters house without settlement because they were caught stealing their master’s money Goal ‘c’ to destroy The devil destroys finally in hell fire. It is in hell fire he destroys those souls he was able to steal, away from God, and killed their love for the things of God, when they were on earth.

Revelation 19:12-15 “And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened, and another book was opened which is the book of life, and the death were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works” And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” TESTIMONIES FIVE YEARS WAIST PAIN DISAPPEARED I have been having this waist pain for five years now. I have done series of laboratory test on it. Medications have been given me for it by different medical practitioners. I have gone to different hospitals.

When it seems as if it is gone, it will re-surface again with severe pain. This waist pain has prevented me from doing what I am supposed to do as a man. To the glory of God during one of the Bethsaida healing meeting, the man of God led hand and prayed for me, since three weeks now I have not heard the pains again. Brethren, I am healed, praise the Lord!

Bro. Christopher

ADDRESS: Pastor Kingson I. Bona General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries No. 6, David Egbetuyi street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun-Ikotun, Lagos 08023404926, 08038206508 Website – wwwchapelofholiness.org

Fight the good fight of faith of things not seen.’’

Each Christian is given one or more of the gifts of the spirit as enumerated in 1 cor.

12:3-12 it is imperative for a Christian to his/ her gifts. In order for him/her to know the area of his/her calling. This being accomplished, he has to conform to the image of Christ.

In other word, he has to develop Jesus’ life style. This quality will go a long way to attract people to him. It is also very important for a Christian to discipline himself spiritually just like an athlete disciplines himself physically. There are certain things he has to abstain himself from.

Also, he has to run according to the rule governing the race he is competing for otherwise he will be disqualified. The rules and regulations for Christian life race is the Bible. This sacred book is comprehensive enough to guide him through. All he has to do is to take the book as his companion. He should read and digest it on a daily basis as this will go a long way to help him achieve his goal. (2Tim. 2:4-14; 1 cor. 9:24, 27; Joshua 1:18).

Bear in mind that the goal of athlete is to win a prize which is perishable, but the goal of an average Christian is Eternal life’’ in Christ As mentioned earlier, in this write up the Christian’s faith is anchored on persecution and patience. Any one who wants to fight a good fight of faith will have to endure persecution as our Lord Jesus Christ was not free from it during his earthly ministry, but he endured it to the very last end.(2 Tim 3:12) Life of prayer is also important if success is to be recorded. Our Lord Jesus Christ always went unto the mountain to pray when ever he did wonders and signs to refill himself with Holy Spirit power. Sometimes he did it alone, and in some cases with his disciples. (Luke 18:1) The proof of the good fight of faith is found in Galatians 5:22-23 which are as follow; ‘’Love , Joy, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Peace and temperance’’. These qualities are the end product of the good fight. These fruits of the spirit can be likened to the product of company. Its quality will determine whether it will be bought or

not. It is no wonder many people are running away from the church nowadays because these fruits do no reflect in the behavior of majority of the so called Christians.

Paul was convinced that he had fought the good fight of faith. No wonder, when the time of departure from this world was nigh, he wrote that he had fought a good fight.

In essence, what he was saying is that the assignment committed to him based on his gifts of the Holy spirit has been faithfully completed and kingdom of God which is the prize of his fight has been won not only by him alone, but those who follow his foot step.

(2Timothy 4:7-8) 1 pray that the assignment committed to each of us shall be faithfully discharged so that we become candidates of the kingdom of God. I close this article with the passage taken from Matthew 25:34-40 Till then Shalom!

•You can contact us at: The Word of Life, Agbo Igbala Ti Kiish Aladura Church 70 Patey street Lagos State. Tel: 07040517413

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard

Ojemeni (JP)

T

he last plague out of the 21 plagues that will be descended on the inhabitants of the earth, during the great tribulation period, the 2nd 31/2years that will culminate the 6,000 years man’s earth lease in 2040AD is found in Revelation 16:21 “And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” The next items in God’s Endtime program are the second coming of Jesus Christ i.e. the revelation of Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ is in two phases. Phase 1 is known as the rapture of the church and will take place before the 7 years peace treaty of the anti-Christ with Israel and her Arab neighbours.

That is before the 1st 31/2 years, i.e. 42 months before the reign of the anti-Christ. In God’s numerology, 42 stands for the coming of Jesus Christ.

Even in His first coming as the Lamb of God to die for our sins, He came in the 42nd generation from Abraham the Father of Faith. Matthew 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”

Fourteen generations into 3 segments gives you 42 generations. And so the phase 1 of the second coming of Jesus Christ known as the rapture of the church will take place 42 months before the reign of the anti-Christian the New World Order government that will soon be ushered in immediately after the rapture.

All preparations towards the final take-off of the New World Order government are in offing.

The only thing hindering the anti-Christ and his government is the rapture that has not taken place. The presence of the true children of God on earth who represent light is what is hindering the manifestation of the anti-Christ. You see there is no way you can have the fullness of darkness when light is still there. The bride of Christ will not be in the world when the anti-Christ will

From the Pulpit

Sunday August 2, 2015

47

The end of the great tribulation Bishop Bernard Chukwuma Mbamalu Ojemeni, General Superintendent of Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc, in this piece, gives an insight into the New World Order. Excerpts: emerge. The rapture would have taken place.

God will not subject the bride of Christ to unnecessary hardship like when it will be compulsory for one to receive the mark of the beast before one can buy or sell, have access to one’s money in the bank etc.

Today, some people have been denied of cashing their money from the bank because they have not done their bank verification exercise. I for one was denied of cashing my money form first bank when I could not provide my verification number – BVN. And I went and I was captioned before a number was issued to me and I was able to cash my money from the bank. This is preparatory to the final stage of globalization when it will be a plantation of a kind of bio-chip into one’s forehead or right hand with the code number, 6.6.6. which w.w.w. dot other information necessary to identify oneself represents, will be the order of the day. Now BVN is not yet 666 and that is why I went and was captioned.

There is no implantation of bio-chip into the forehead or right hand yet. And secondly there is no arrest or threat of killing or torture to death by refusing to obtain a BVN. Sometimes, 1 hear some people saying that the rapture will not take place before the introduction of 6.6.6. and that even at the moment some people abroad have been chipped in their right hands and so the theory of the rapture before the introduction of 6.6.6. is false. But what I say to such people is that if truly some people abroad have been chipped, they did it on voluntary basis. And even at that, they are doomed.

After the rapture it will be by force. The implication of receiving the mark of the beast is far reaching. Revelation 13:16-18 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 14:9-12 “And the third angel

followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

There is no way God will allow His true children the - five wise virgins or the bride of Christ to be on earth during the introduction of 6.6.6.

This is because there is no way they can receive the mark. And the penalty for rejecting it is death. It then means they will all be killed by the anti-Christ and his global police or guard. Then who will be the living who will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, from where they shall be ushered into the City Hall of Heaven for the wedding of the bride and bridegroom? I Thessalonian 4:16-17 “ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” John12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.1 Corinthians 15:51-58 “Behold, I shew you

a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” And again what does God gain or achieve by allowing His true children to suffer hunger, lack, deprivations before they will be finally tortured to death or killed? The Bible, the word of God did not say so.

To the faithful children of God, hear what God said concerning them. Revelation 3:10 “ Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” As I was saying, the phase 2 of the second coming of Jesus Christ will be at the end of the 42 months of the great tribulation. In summary, just as Jesus Christ came in the 42nd generation from Abraham in His first coming as the lamb of God, crucified on the cross of Calvary in A.D. 33, so will He come in the phase 1 of the second coming 42 months before the reign of the anti-Christ and in the phase 2 of second coming after the 42 months of the great tribulation.

•For further information, contact us at: Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc.16/18, Johnson Street, off Kajola Street, Yakoyo, Lagos. Tel: 08023261219, 09095268897, 08036116881; Email: bishop.bernard@yahoo.com

Photo News

L-R: National President of the Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, Dr. Aaron Nuhu, BSN Patron, General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon and General Secretary, BSN, Rev Dare Ajiboye at the 48th National Board Meeting of the organisation held recently in Warri, Delta State

48

From the Pulpit

Truths to remember when you hate your body

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

A

Sunday Mirror Sunday August 2, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

write up by Debra Fileta that I so much love to share with you.

Imagine you overheard a conversation between two people that sounded something like this: “Those thighs look disgusting. And I hate the way your arms look in that shirt.

You’re so fat. No one is ever going to find you attractive. Why do you even bother trying to look nice? Nothing you wear is going to change the fact that you’re just plain ugly.”

The truth is, any one of us listening in on a conversation like that would be absolutely horrified. We’d probably stop whatever we were doing and intervene on behalf of the victim who was getting bullied.

Because deep down, we all believe that words like this have the power to destroy and tear down.

In fact, words like this are completely unacceptable, and even considered by many to be abusive.

Yet one thing I hear time and time again working with men and women struggling with body image issues is that these are exactly the kind of conversations that are taking place in their minds on a daily basis.

As a licensed professional counselor, I know full well the powers that self-talk has on body image. But as a woman who has struggled with body-image issues myself, that reality takes on a whole new meaning.

I’ll never forget the season of my life in which I struggled the most with my body image.

I was a few months past the delivery of my second child when it hit me: my body will never be the same again. My clothes didn’t seem to fit right, and nothing I put on made me feel good about myself. My mind swirled with non-stop thoughts about how awful I looked, which then started impacting how awful I felt.

It was a terrible cycle of negative thinking which led to negative feelings. And I

couldn’t seem to shake it.

The interesting thing about that time period is that I actually weighed less back then than I weigh today. But as I write this article today, I am at a much better place with my body image. Because you see, our belief about our bodies has so little to do with our actual bodies, and so much more to do with our perception of ourselves. My perception of myself was tainted, because I was looking through a foggy lens obscured by insecurity and fear. And it was fueling the negative thoughts and feelings that I had toward myself.

But why are so many of us SO comfortable speaking words to ourselves that we would never dare utter to another person?

That’s the question we’re posing today. Because when it comes to addressing body image, our internal dialogue plays a huge role in how we feel about ourselves, and in turn, how we behave.

The truth of the matter is that our words, whether audible or not, are powerful. The Book of James, chapter 3 reminds us that the tongue is a small part of our body that can have big consequences. Our words have the power to build us up, and the power to completely tear us down.

In counseling, we refer to this internal dialogue as our “self-talk.” Essentially, it’s the conversation that is happening in our mind as we think and interact with ourselves.

It’s the thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about who we are and what our place is in this world.

In order for me to get to a better place, I had to start doing things differently.

1. Choose to stop thinking negatively.

First and foremost I had to take some major inventory of my thoughts. Believe it or not, your brain is actually train-able.

Patterns of thinking will easily develop based on the route you encourage your thoughts to go.

I had been stuck in some seriously catastrophic patterns of thinking that had become so natural I hardly noticed them. I had to start taking the time to listen for my negative self-talk, begin to write it down, and call it out for what it was: straight up

lies.

The second part of this process was not just calling out the lies, but replacing them with truth. I had to begin developing a totally new value system that was based on the value and worth that God had for me.

I memorized verses, talked to God, and read books that reminded me of what my true measuring stick was, and I had to daily (sometimes hourly) choose to measure myself up against the unfading qualities of the internal rather than the external.

2. Take inventory of who you spend time with and what is coming out of your mouth. This was huge for me. I realized that so much of my time was being spent with people just like me stuck in a rut, measuring themselves up by standards that were pretty much unattainable.

And we were all falling short together (group failure can be addictive).

Every conversation and interaction was reinforcing my need to focus on my shortcomings, whether it was through complaining, comparing, or competing.

I had to make a point to limit my time with the people that only added to my physical baggage, and hold myself accountable for the things I was allowing to come out of my mouth.

The less you think about something the less you talk about it and the less you talk about it, the less you think about it. It was time for me to start making some real changes.

3. Get involved in things that promote your true self.

It’s easy to get caught up in a faulty measuring stick when you feel as though you have nothing else of value.

I knew that I had so many qualities and talents that had been hibernating due to my fixation on the physical. I had to take the time to stretch those muscles again and realize that I had so much more to offer the world than my appearance.

I had to learn to love myself from the inside-out. I got out there and vol-

unteered, used my leadership qualities, wrote encouraging notes, pray with others, and spent time with those in need. I took advantage of these little things that reminded me that I had so much to offer and gave me a fresh glimpse of the world around me.

The truth is a negative and self-deprecating person has the ability to be just as vain and conceited (if not more) than someone who is arrogant and prideful, because at the end of the day, whether negative or positive, both individuals are fixated on SELF. Getting out and getting involved helped me take the needed time and energy to focus my life on others instead of being so completely wrapped up in myself.

4. Take a look at the deeper issues. For some individuals, the concept of body-image issues runs very deep.

A few of the above steps might be helpful to some extent, but won’t have the power to pull them out of the trap of their body-image obsession. Control issues, abandonment fears, and lack of boundaries in their world are just some of the things that might be fueling the need to focus on the physical.

Eating disorders, anxiety and depression, and even identity issues can begin to creep in.

If this is you, don’t take these things lightly. The longer you are in this trap, the more difficult it is to get out.

Take some time to address these issues by finding a Christian professional counselor and give yourself the opportunity you need to focus on gaining control and getting your life back.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be a person that sees the good inside of others, encouraging them to live out the Godgiven qualities and value that is unique to them. But at the end of the day, that can only begin when I learn to see - and speak - the good inside of myself.

•You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

News

I’m on divine mission to save CCC, says Oshoffa

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ev. Olatosho Mathew Oshoffa, son of the late Celestial Church of Christ, CCC founder, Pastor Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa has stated that he is on divine mission to save the Celestial Church of Christ church CCC, after nearly 30 years after the founder’s demise.

Oshoffa made this statement after the recent judgment of an Ilaro High Court in Ogun State which terminated the tenure of his elder brother, Emmanuel Oshoffa as the head of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Worldwide.

The leadership tussle took a new dimension, as Rev. Olatosho Mathew Oshoffa, the 10th

son and 20th child of the late Celestial Church of Christ, CCC founder, Pastor Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa, emerged as Unification Leader.

Oshoffa’s appointment and declaration as the unification leader of CCC took place at Imeko, Ogun State on June 10, 2015 after series of consultations as he revealed that he was on divine mission to save the church, after nearly 30years that things have fallen apart, claiming that his calling was of God and that God is always ready to back him.

Rev. Olatosho Oshoffa, claimed that he regretted the

age-long acrimony and despicable unreligious doctrines among other ills in carried out in the church, maintained that the founder, the late Oshofa, would be happy in his grave that the powerful Celestial family he founded in 1947 and led for 38 years is in the unification process.

Corroborating Olatosho’s divine mission, first, is the Pastor/Spiritual Head CCC Worldwide, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Pastor Paul Suru Moforikan, who recently at the Annual Adult Harvest and thanksgiving service of CCC Apedahun Central Parish Synagogue of Christ

(Ile-Itura), Opa Ilesha Road, Ile-Ife, State of Osun, claimed that the new unification leader was divinely chosen, while urging those challenging him to sheathe their swords.

Also in support of Oshoffa’s emergence as unification leader, Pastor in charge of CCC, Ijeshatedo Parish, Pastor Joshua Owodunni, claimed he was truly chosen by God to unify the Celestial family, adding that the founder, the late Pastor S.B.J Oshoffa appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to support the Unification Leader.

Other clerics who are in

support of this new choice are Prophet Michael Adeniji, P.R.O. Niger/Nassarawa/Abuja Diocese, Prophet Benjamin Kehinde, Prophet Gabriel Emiola Ogunsanya (Ilesha North Diocese), whom all maintained that Olatosho Oshoffa has a divine mission and possessed good leadership qualities and humility, as he is divinely talented and gifted. They also claimed while that crisis is evil and would do the fold no good, urging the members to be unified as unification is paramount and a task that must be achieved in the Celestial family.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday August 2, 2015

NNPC partners Seplat to obtain loan for cash call obligations

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and JV partner, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc are looking to secure loan facilities up to a limit of $300m (N59bn) to fund joint venture cash calls.

The corporation through its subsidiary Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, is to form an alliance

with Seplat to secure the loan just like it has done with other operators with which it has participatory interests.

Due to the challenges facing it in funding its cash call obligations over the years, the company recently entered into strategic alliance agreements with Septa Energy and Atlantic Energy for the funding of some of the di-

vested assets assigned to it by the NNPC With the sustained fall in global oil prices, the revenues of oil companies have continued to take a hit, with many slashing their capital expenditure budgets.

Seplat, while announcing its half-year results, said, “The NPDC and Seplat have agreed to jointly source loan facilities, up

to a limit of $300m, to fund joint venture cash calls with effect from January 2015.”

Under the agreed structure, once such facilities are in place, the NPDC and Seplat would each contribute an allocation of crude oil production proportionate to their working interest in order to repay such loan facilities, it said.

“Consequently, the com-

pany (Seplat) has engaged with potential lenders to implement this arrangement,” it stated.

Seplat, which saw its half-year revenue slumped by 36 per cent to $247.58m and pretax profit down by 73.5 per cent to $41.26m, said it had continued to fund the NPDC/Seplat JV despite being owed substantial sums in unpaid cash-calls from the NPDC.

‘Investment in tourism can create 200,000 jobs’ BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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resident Muhammadu Buhari and state governors across the country have been urged to invest more in tourism sector to solve the problem of unemployment.

Publisher, Suzanne Magazine, Kunle Victor Fagbade, in a chat with newsmen in Osogbo yesterday, said that while tackling other challenges militating against economic growth, over 200,000 jobs can be created through right investment in tourism sector.

As part of ways to improve the internally generated revenue of the governments at all levels, Fagbade noted that if tourism is given due attention, there would be more cash flow in the industry for other developmental projects that will make life better for the citizens.

He said, “Aside from fostering unity among people, good and well managed tourist sites also attract visitors from all parts of the world and in turn boost the economy of their host country or state.

“Government at all levels should look beyond oil as we are facing disappointment in the sector now but rather see tourism as an advantage and tap into its rich potential”.

L-R: Past Presidents of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Mr. Charles Azubuike Chijide, High Chief Jas Kolawole Oyekan, Chief Babu Foluso Akinbobola, Chief Ipoola Ahmed Omisore and Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Alhaji Bello Garba Kankarofi cutting the tape at the official commissioning of the newly constructed OAAN ultra modern office complex in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, at the weekend.

Hard times hit oil exploration companies, record drop in profits GBENGA ODOGUN

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

O

bviously these are not best of times for the oil exploration companies as the dwindling price of crude in international market is beginning to impact negatively on the their operating profits.

Reports of the second quarter released last week revealed lower than expected result by almost half when compared to last year.

Exxon Mobil Corporation, the world largest publicly traded oil company has its profit slashed to $2 billion from $7 billion recorded last year.

Consequently, the company’s share fell 2 percent to $81.40 in premarket trading.

Similarly, Second-quarter profit at oil producer Chevron Corp tumbled 90 per-

cent, missing analysts’ expectations, amid weakness in oil prices Chief Executive John Watson bluntly said the results were “weak” and that he was working to slash costs by renegotiating supply contracts. Earlier this week, he lay off 2 percent of the company’s staff.

Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, said it earned $4.2 billion, or $1.00 per share, in the quarter, compared with $8.8 billion, or $2.05 per share. Analysts, on average, had expected a profit of $1.11 per share, according to Thomson Reuters Oil and gas output grew 3.6 percent to 4 million barrels oil equivalent per day (boed).

Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, said it earned $4.2 billion, or $1.00 per share, in the quarter, compared with $8.8 billion, or $2.05 per share. Analysts, on average, had expected a profit

of $1.11 per share, according to Thomson Reuters Oil and gas output grew 3.6 percent to 4 million barrels oil equivalent per day (boed). “Multiple efforts to improve future earnings and cash flows are underway,” Watson said in a statement on Friday.

Chevron earned a net income of $571 million, or 30 cents a share, compared with $5.67 billion, or $2.98 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding one-time items, Chevron earned 97 cents a share. By that measure, analysts expected earnings of $1.16 per share.

Shares fell two percent to $91.25 in premarket trading on Friday.

Chevron would have posted a loss had it not been for its downstream unit, which makes gasoline, lubricants and other refined products, where profit quadrupled to $2.96 billion.

Refining units tend to be

far more profitable when oil prices are low, a key advantage for Chevron and other large energy companies as an internal hedge for times when core operations, such as oil production, is weighed down by weak prices.

Crude prices in the quarter fell more than 40 percent from a year earlier, hit by growing global supplies and worries about slowing demand from China.

Chevron would have posted a loss had it not been for its downstream unit, which makes gasoline, lubricants and other refined products, where profit quadrupled to $2.96 billion.

Refining units tend to be far more profitable when oil prices are low, a key advantage for Chevron and other large energy companies as an internal hedge for times when core operations, such as oil production, is weighed down by weak prices.

NIHOUTOUR graduates 500 tourism students in Abuja JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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s part of its effort to grow hospitality industry in the country, over 500 tourism students were yesterday in Abuja conferred with higher diploma and other certificates in hospitality, tourism management and IATA certification, among others.

The combined convocation ceremony of 11 sets from 2003 to 2014 students took place at the National Centre for Women Development with graduates from eight centres, Osogbo, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun, said the bedrock of hospitality industry is training, adding that the agency would not relent in its efforts to fulfil its mandates.

According to her, the sustainability of this sector and its immense contribution to the socio economic development of a highly endowed country like Nigeria cannot therefore be over-emphasised.

“There is no local government area in Nigeria that does not have one form of tourism resource or the other.

These can be harnessed to stimulate youth empowerment, infrastructure development and peaceful co existence.

“But this will require inputs of a well trained and retrained manpower.

In view of this reality, the need for human resource development becomes critical.

“Currently, we offer postgraduate programmes in hospitality and tourism, we also provide training at the diploma and certificate levels to cater for junior and middle cadre level, which is critical for the sustenance of the industry.”

She added that “NIHOTOUR remains the foremost trainer in the travel trade and is currently ranked as one of the best in Africa.

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

2015 Hajj: Transportation of pilgrims to commence Aug. 18

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he National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Saturday announced that it would commence transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on August 18.

The Chairman of the Commission, Malam Abdullahi Mukhtar, made the announcement after inaugurating the Medical Team for 2015 hajj exercise in Abuja.

Mukhtar, who was represented by Dr Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of strategy, said the Commission was fully

prepared for this year ’s Hajj.

He said all necessary arrangements had been put in place for the commencement of the exercise.

Mukhtar added that the Commission had provided medical facilities for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and urged them to discharge their duties as expected of them.

He promised that this year ’s exercise was going to be different from previous exercises because of the level of the Commission ’s preparation.

In his remarks, the Commissioner in charge of the Medical Team, Dr Ibrahim Kana, commended the Commission for the medical arrangements put in place for this year ’s exercise.

He said, “With what I have seen on ground, I have no doubt in my mind that this year ’s Hajj will be exceptionally successful.

“With the kind of professionals that made up the Medical Team, the sky is just our starting point. ’ ’ Kana promised the team of adequate accommodation in the Holy

Land, and warned, however, that team members should not occupy a whole room for whatever reasons.

“The culture is one bed space per person and not a whole room per person and please people should not lock rooms for whatever reasons.

“We will make sure nobody suffers, whatever the team is entitled to will be given, no denial. ’ ’ Kano also urged the team to give the best services to the pilgrims and promised them of safety of their luggage.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG excludes varsity governing councils from dissolution order OMEIZA AJAYI

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday clarified that his order directing the dissolution of boards of all federal agencies does not cover governing councils of federal universities.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

He said the president has approved that the Governing Councils of Federal Universities be exempted, for the time being, from the dissolution of Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-Owned Companies announced on July 16, 2015.

“All Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities have been informed of this exemption through a circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi ”, he said.

NDLEA commander decries poor state of Zuru

rehab centre National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commander in Kebbi, Alhaji Abdullahi Zungeru, has decried the poor condition of the drugs rehabilitation centre in Zuru local council of the state.

Zungeru made the remark yesterday when he received the wife of the state governor, Dr Zainab Atiku, when she visited the centre.

The commander, who lamented that the centre had been abandoned for years and lacked medical personnel, staff and toilet facilities, appealed to the state government to rehabilitate it.

He said that the lack of facilities and staff had exposed the inmates to many health hazards.

He added that the situation became worse as the centre had only one guard and one nurse.

He appealed to the state government to assist the centre with medical and administrative personnel and rehabilitate the skills acquisition facilities for the training of inmates.

NGO wants Ortom to conduct staff audit of Benue workers L-R: Assistant Corps Marshal, Command Administration and Strategy, Mr. Augustine Aipoh; Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; and Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, during a special operation ‘Scorpion ’ patrol targeted at trailers and tankers in Lagos.

UDUTH Sokoto increases cost of services by 20% not 400%, says CMD

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anagement of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, yesterday clarified an alleged 400 per cent hike in the cost of the hospital ’s services, saying the increase is only 20 per cent.

The hospital ’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Yakubu Ahmed, gave the clarification when he addressed

newsmen in Sokoto.

He said the 20 per cent hike in the cost of services was due to dwindling cash allocation from the Federal Government.

Ahmed was reacting to a report by a media organisation in the state which quoted some patrons of the hospital as decrying the over 400 per cent increase in the cost of services and drugs at the hospital.

He explained that “we

had to increase the cost of services we render to the public by about 20 per cent due to decreased cash allocation from the Federal Government for our overhead costs in recent months.

“We were formerly receiving about N42 million monthly for overhead, which now dropped to barely N11 million per month.

“For instance, we pay

about N17 million to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company monthly. ’ ’ The chief medical director said that the measure had become necessary if the hospital was to sustain the provision of services to patients.

Ahmed said the increase was effected with the consent of members of the community, the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.

T

he Chairman, Benue NGO Network, BENGONET, Mr. Justin Gbagir, has advised Gov. Samuel Ortom to conduct an audit of civil servants in Benue to weed out ghost workers and reduce monthly wage bill.

Gbagir told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in an interview on Saturday in Makurdi that the current wage bill of N3.7 billion being incurred by the state was unacceptable.

He said the audit would determine the actual staff strength of the state, saying that a lot of administrative lapses in the last regime in the state might

have been responsible for the huge amount.

He commended Ortom for his management of the resources of the state, urging him to continue the good work.

“What he (Ortom) has done shows an improvement over what we witnessed in the past eight years in this state.

“It shows transparency and accountability on the part of the governor, but I want him to do more in all aspects of spending.

“He should not rely on existing figures because they could be misleading, but carry out a staff audit of the workforce in the state, ” he advised.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday August 2, 2015

51

The scam called Osun coalition AMITOLU SHITTU

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emocracy, and by extension, the society, is better served when the marketplace of opposing views is very wide and robust. And just as any authority requires the conducive atmosphere to thrive and deliver on its assignments for which it is constituted in the first place, those who come to equity must also come with clean hands when they put the authorities to task on issues of accountability, transparency and good governance. here is an ongoing trend in Osun, South-West Nigeria which is at best a tragic abuse of the basic tenets of democratic environment.

T

In recent times, there has been an orchestrated campaign against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his government.

At the forefront of these campaigns is a group that goes by the name itself Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun.

This was the group that claimed responsibility for disrupting the peace and tranquility of the state capital on July 4th with its now failed and politically motivated protests ostensibly in support of a misguided judge who went the way of the opposition and outside the norm to write a petition against the Governor with a barrage of allegations not in any way different from the same spurious ones amplified repeatedly by the opposition in the state.

The group has also caught in on the national wage crisis in which Osun is

one of the states owing salaries to claim to be fighting in the interests of the workers. It is instructive that the leadership and members of the labour in Osun have dissociated themselves from the violence unleashed on the state capital few weeks ago, accusing those behind the protests of opportunistic use of the workers’ strike to fan the embers of discord in the state.

And what is the character of this group? A cursory look at its emergence just seven days before its failed protests in Osogbo shows that it is no more than a motley crowd of bellyaching individuals whose selfish expectations from a government that is committed to collective (rather than selfish individuals) aggrandizement knows no limit.

By its own admissions especially through a press statement it sent out on July 8th, 2015, the fake group (for want of any other name to call it) had exposed itself by confessing that it was less than a week old.

“For your information, CSCEO is just a week old today. We have no allegiance to any political party in opposition to Osun state government nor financiers as being wrongly insinuated by the ruling APC regime, rather, we are together as men and women previously slumbering but have all been woken up by the realization of the doldrums in which we now find ourselves as a result of the recklessness, cluelessness (sic) and wanton disregard for time-tested principles of public management and international best practic-

es of those who we have trusted with our collective destiny in the last four years.”

That was part of a mail sent out by Seun Adeoye, a former reporter of The Guardian who left in an inglorious manner and whose current assignment is to send out such malicious messages in the name of the coalition.

While the group lies to unsuspecting members of the public it enjoys no affiliation with and sponsorship or romance from any political party or politician in Osun, discerning minds must demand from Seun Adeoye, the gains and reasons for the anti-Aregbesola errands he runs for the defeated candidate of the PDP, Iyiola Omisore, that of the Accord Party, Niyi Owolade and Social Democratic Party and, Mr. Segun Akinwusi.

Media platforms become terribly abused when charlatans like these hide behind the credibility that civil rights activism can provide to inflict anxieties, falsehood and concoctions on unsuspecting members of the society.

The daily purveying of falsehood in forms of emails to media houses to confuse people, malign the government and curry undeserved sympathy are not only condemnable but also immoral.

Need we say anything else especially when the group of very credible, notable and known civil rights and pro-democracy organisations in Osun came out to put a lie to the activities of this group to unveil the scam behind it?

In Osun, the story of pro-democracy and human rights struggles are incomplete without ample mention of the likes

of Comrade Amitolu Shittu, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Wale Adebisi, Waheed Adediran, Saka Waheed, Bashir Oduwole, Abbas Onaolapo, Barrister AbdulFatai Abdulsalam and others. These are integrated and identifiable with the struggles of the indigenous people.

When their names are mentioned, the indigenous people easily recognise the activities of groups such as the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People, Climate and Environmental Development Initiatives, CEDI, C3G, Coalition of Groups for Good Governance, the Caring Heart Foundation, many of these with as many as 50 affiliate smaller groups operating in partnership with groups to jointly review and take actions on issues bordering on the collective interests of the Osun people.

None of those emergency civil rights activists and masquerading as coalition of groups for the emancipation of Osun comes near the credentials of those who recent history has recorded as having rendered selfless services for the promotion of an egalitarian society in Osun.

Men and women of goodwill must ignore the antics of these few elements who only abuse media privileges to disseminate lies on behalf of politicians who have no longer have any legal means to challenge the Aregbesola mandate but have now resorted to violence, falsehood and misrepresentations to slow the government down.

• Shittu, Executive Director, Committee for the Defence and Rights of the People, lives in Osun

of the tragic news of Olanle’s death. Still reeling from Olanle’s demise, Eni, now a senior editorial board member of the The Union, a national newspaper daily, was devastated, at least going by her post that morning.

I had to make enquiry for myself to confirm the worst. He was actually dead and in a most gruesome manner. Again, it happened on his way home after alighting from a bus at Toll Gate, along Sango-Otta Road. A trailer, reportedly, had veered off the road and rammed into Olanle. That gentle, amiable, diligent personality so rampant in TELL newsroom and operation was crushed to death.

Yes. Ebenezer Olanle, TELL’s man was killed while still on foot, closing at odd hours.

Dear Mr. Odusile, you may start to wonder why I have bothered you with the news of Mr Olanle’s tragic demise; after all, he is not even a journalist. You see, I am of the opinion that Olanle’s untimely death is fallout of the big distress in the media industry. Many of your colleagues, me included have suffered gravely from this distress. Some have lost their lives on account of this. Must we recount how many family members of journalists have died because we couldn’t provide decently for their health? How about the many families broken on account of the inability of the bread winner to provide adequately?

If I recollect, TELL is one of the media houses NUJ has picketed for owing backlogs of salaries. Now, I am not asking you to continue with the campaign left by your predecessor. Indeed, if you ask me, I don’t think such method will yield sustainable dividend for our industry.

In the short term, you may be able to get media owners to pay some of what they owe.

But you can be rest assured that the cycle will

continue in no time. Do you know why? Well, here is my guess: the major stakeholders, us all, do not see our industry like other sectors like Banking, Textile, Agriculture, Aviation, etc. News is business, believe me. Our failure to collectively see our industry in this light has greatly hobbled our growth.

It might seem like the best idea to hold media owners responsible for this malaise. But you see, picketing them amounts to just treating the symptoms of an ailment; or at worst treating malaria with leprosy medication.

My take is that we must begin to see the media industry like its peers I earlier enumerated. Only then can we ask that Federal Government and the society give us the enabling environment to thrive. After all, if banking, aviation, textile and even manufacturing could get bail outs from government, why can’t the media industry? Tell me, my dear president Odusile, which one of these industries has not got a government sponsored bail out at one point or the other? Even state governors with their baggage of profligacy got a bailout from President Muhammadu Buhari.

This, my dear president, is the crux of the matter. Our industry is dying, and the practitioners along with it. This, for me, is where you have to make a difference. True, there has been an upsurge in social media. But would you want to thrust responsive and responsible journalism into the hands of faceless bloggers and wandering wannabes on the cyberspace?

I could have loved to do this piece some other way, but with the tragic death of Olanle and what the man has put into the media industry, I feel that I couldn’t find a better anecdote to illustrate our plight. I hope to write on a more comprehensive marshal plan on how to rescue the media but this will have to do for now. Until then, I remain truly yours in pen pushing.

Mr. Odusile, meet Ebenezer Olanle!

My point exactly!

NICK

UWERU E-mail: nickuweru@gmail.com 08182042961

DEAR MR. WAHEED ODUSILE

I

would have loved to start this missive by the traditional words of congratulation.

But if you would permit my bluntness at

this point, I must tell you that there is nothing to cheer what so ever in your new challenge as the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ. Rather than the usual felicitation, I wish to tell you the tragic story of a certain Mr Ebenezer Olanle. I am hoping that by telling you about him, you may at least grasp the enormity of the task I believe is ahead of you at this particular time.

You see, Olanle was never a journalist. So, the name might not ring a bell. Olanle was an integral part of TELL’s operations, though.

His presence in TELL newsroom was ubiquitous. His forte was compugraphy. When TELL, Nigeria’s principal weekly news magazine computerized its systems in the early 2000, you would think that men like Olanle would be downsized. But from his experience, I learnt that diligence in a man can stand whatever test of system upgrade. I knew why TELL couldn’t let go of Olanle when, eventu-

ally, I joined the magazine in 2005.

He taught me how to key in my stories with the computer. He took me through the maze of internet and intranet system necessary to function in the newsmagazine. God, was the man indispensable to the newsroom: very few people remained immune to Olanle’s charms.

His wits and jokes at difficult times lift veils of melancholy in the newsroom. We taunted him ceaselessly, but you can be sure that Olanle will return the favours with interest; he was everywhere in that quiet but assertive manner around us; much like a guiding sprite, navigating us through the rigours of magazine production.

Then there was that night. I think it was some time in 2006. Olanle was inexplicably absent from work. We were understandably concerned. After diligent enquiries, we learnt that Olanle had fallen victim of the ‘one chance bus’ robbers. Salaries were bad in the industry, even at TELL at the time. So Olanle had nothing on him to placate the robbers. In fact, his explanations that he worked with TELL seemed to have infuriated the thieves the more. He was made to lie down on the road and flogged mercilessly. After the torture, he was mercifully allowed to go. You can imagine our concern at learning of this horrid experience. For men with less fortitude, the option would have been to quit TELL or even the media industry.

That decision would have been justified.

How could he have put in so much for an industry and yet couldn’t afford a decent car to take him home at the close of work? But you see, Olanle was a highly committed man to TELL. Then early this week, on Monday, I opened my Facebook page only to be accosted by a post from Helen Eni, a former senior colleague of mine at TELL. It was Eni that gave me the gist

52

Politics

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

House leadership crisis resolution: Beginning of a new era CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

matters concerning the House before directives are issued and made public.

“We feel strongly, that the issue of federal character in the election or appointment of principal officers of the House is a cardinal legal, moral and constitutional principle that should be respected by our party. It is however obvious from the letter under reference that this principle was not taken into consideration.

If the letter is enforced the way it was conveyed, it will lead to the following unjust result: Speaker: North East:, Chief Whip: North East, Deputy Speaker: South West, House Leader: South West, Deputy House Leader: North West and Deputy Chief Whip: South South.

“This will totally and unfairly exclude the South East and North Central Zones in the distribution of these political offices and lead to undue concentration of some offices in the South West and North East Zones of Nigeria.

“The House Rules provide that in filling the positions of Majority leadership of the House, namely, leader of the House, Chief Whip, Deputy Leader, Deputy Whip of the House, each candidate; “shall be a member nominated from among the members in the majority party in the House ” “Furthermore, Order 1, of the House Rules provides that “In all cases not provided for hereinafter or by sessional or other orders, Precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by Resolution regulate its procedure ” “It is evident that there are existing Precedents and Practices which the House has been following for a long time and in particular since 1999. Since 1999, Zonal Caucuses of a Party have been primarily responsible for nominating Principal Officers of the House, other than the Speaker and Deputy Speaker that are elected by the entire House. ” All these meant nothing to the APC Chairman and the party as a whole as they insisted that the party had spoken.

No one was willing to pay the price for peace even after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the party Chairman, Dogara and Gbajabiamila for dialogue, it was deadlocked.

It appeared that it was only a last minute afterthought as the principal actors in the House took more than necessary time to resolve to respect the President ’s intervention before coming into the Green Chamber, while everyone waited under serious tension.

Finally, at the end of the day ’s business on July 28 resumed plenary, Dogara made the announcement out of serious pressure, even though he looked relaxed.

The Leadership of the House made it clear that patriotism, constitutionalism, reason and rationality, guided the steps of the leadership of the House, to accede to the demands that has finally seen the emergence of Femi Gbajabiamila as House Leader, Alhassa Ado Doguwa, Chief Whip, Buba Jubril, Deputy Leader and Pally Iriase, Deputy Whip.

Equally, the Speaker also an-

Monguno

Iriase

FOR ME IT WAS NOT ABOUT ME, IT WAS NOT ABOUT OFFICE, IT ’S NOT THE OFFICE THAT MAKES YOU A LEGISLATOR, THE LEGISLATOR MAKES THE OFFICE

nounced Leo Ogor as Minority Leader, Yakubu Umar Barde, Minority Whip, Chukwuka Onyema, Deputy Minority Leader and Binta Bello, Deputy Minority Whip, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. It was clear that the storm is not over.

However, Zoro said that what has just happened was a demonstration of internal democracy that played out in the House, adding that it is a triumph of dialogue which shows that the 8th House has demonstrated maturity.

Having resolved the leadership crisis, House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Sani Zoro assured that members would be of good behaviours and get down to work, saying that what happened has strengthened democracy.

“Tomorrow ’s House will be very bright, it is going to be eventful. What Mr President did was fatherly engagement. What he did, has clearly shown that he is not the so called dictator that our opponent called him. The President is the game changer ”, he said.

But unfolding events are beginning to show that there is cold war going on.

Some Representatives had confessed that the said peace is merely on the surface.

House ’s Majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, while interacting with correspondents in Abuja on Friday, had expressed some reservations that that the party has been hurt by members who were disloyal.

For him, “Hitherto, before now there are few people who had an idea or cared about House leadership Majority Leader, but because it has generated so much interest, a lot of people have begun to understand the role of the Leader of the House.

“Sometimes, maybe more important than any other office in the Leadership because it is really the Leader of the House that drive government policies as far as the legislative arm is concerned.

“Let me make this very clear, what I said about protectionist; I will tell you to the extent they went. A lot of people don ’t know this, long-time ago, I saw the president and my party and I explained to them that thing has been framed to be about me, was never about me and that is what my members believe and I told Mr. President and I told the party that I

wanted to withdraw from this thing, so for the sake of the president, for the sake of the House for the sake of the country.

“I told the governors at the meeting four weeks ago that I have never been a member, it was not about office and I told them that I would leave this thing in a heart beat without thinking of it. I wouldn ’t even think twice about it and I will go and sit on the floor of the House without even accepting anything even a chairmanship.

“I have been a chairman of the committee in this House and never been a deputy chairman and I made it clear to them that I have turned down things in the past, I have been offered National Honours and I turned it down, I was meant to be a Deputy to Aminu Tambuwal we turned it down before Emeka Ihedioha took over and there have been many other things in the past.

“For me it was not about me, it was not about office, it ’s not the office that makes you a legislator, the legislator makes the office. It ’s not vice versa and I made it clear that I will leave it but on principle but my members refused.

“When I told the President to allow me leave, he did not accept it, he was reluctant my party did not accept it and I thank God for that they did have that kind of confidence in me to be able to deliver the goods for the party, who am i to say no? ” So, Gbajabiamila was pushed beyond limit in his quest for leadership in the House and so the APC in its bid to assert supremacy, and the President really may not have been happy with the who crisis that was overblown However, it has become very instructive for all to stop the war and pretence and go down to work for Nigeria and Nigerians to experiance positive change and prosperity.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, August 2, 2015

53

elay in forming cabinet AS I TALK TO YOU, THERE IS CONTINUITY IN THE STATE, AYOBO/IPAJA ROAD IS BEING CONSTRUCTED; BEFORE THE DEPARTURE OF THE LAST GOVERNMENT, THE PROJECT WAS STOPPED, BUT WORK IS NOW GOING ON

Tinu ubu

bode-led government, adding that, they will soon start reaping the dividends of democracy.

“It ’s just about eight weeks now that we were sworn in. Things are moving well, even though commissioners have not been appoint-

ed. It is also same at the federal level, ministers have not been appointed.

“But I must say that without the appointment of commissioners the full scale of governance might not commence. Having said that, it does not mean that we have not been sitting at the Lagos House of Assembly to deliberate on the way forward. We have regularly been sitting.

“In Lagos state, the government is doing well even though some people are saying that we are slow. ” Adebisi Yuppie (APC-Alimosho 1) said the delay had not in any way affected the governance and ongoing projects handed over to Ambode by his predecessor.

“Have you not seen work going on? I just pray all other states are like Lagos.

Our civil servants are highly educated; they are productive and have been exposed to a lot of trainings. ” “As I talk to you, there is continuity in the state, Ayobo/Ipaja Road is being constructed; before the departure of the last government, the project was stopped, but work is now going on . “ A new government has to be careful; you just don ’t employ people whose capacity you don ’t know; you have to get security reports on them, ’ ’ he said.

On the people ’s expectations that the governor was going to immediately swing into action, Yusuff said, “the same people will complain if he employed the wrong hands in his cabinet.

While soliciting for patience, he stressed that Lagos was known for integrity and hard work, which should be

sustained.

In his remarks, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC-Somolu 1) said the governor was working hard to create wealth and bring foreign investment to Lagos.

“He (governor) has said that he was going to create some agencies and merge others to reduce cost.

The Lagos State chapter of the APC is said to have thrown its weight behind Ambode, over his failure to announce his cabinet since his inauguration on May 29.

A top official of the party who does not want his name in print said the delay in forming cabinet by the governor is not slowing down affairs of government in the state.

The party is in full support of the governor ’s decision to announce his cabinet whenever he deems fit, the party official had told Sunday Mirror.

He is of the opinion that majority of the governors who were inaugurated alongside Ambode on May 29, 2015 have not also announced their cabinet saying Ambode is a tested, trusted and highly meticulous leader, and that the people of the state should give Ambode ample time to choose the best hands he deems fit to work with.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna said there was no official reaction on the issue when contacted .

he storm in Senate SARAKI ALSO ENSURED THAT HE GOT HIS FOOT SOLDIERS TO BE APPOINTED INTO THE REMAINING POSITIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF THE SENATE

Ndu ume

truth of the matter according to political pundits, is that nothing concrete will result from the said investigations. This is because, the issue of the senate standing rule is purely an internal affair of the senate, which results from the constitutional rights of section 60 of the 1999 constitution for the senators to design the rules to govern their procedures or activities.

The same goes for the legal action on the same matter. The truth of the matter is that at the end of the day, the senate will very likely move against Marafa and his colleagues for external-

izing what constitutionally ought to be a purely an internal matter of the senate.

While all these we ’re going on, Saraki maintained his cool, and again, continued to consolidate his election victory as the Senate President by winning more supporters to his side, even as he masterminded some high profile visits to his office as part of efforts to legitimize his election.

Saraki also ensured that he got his foot soldiers to be appointed into the remaining positions of the principal offices of the senate. For instance, he successfully ensured that Senator Ali Ndume emerged as the new Senate Leader as opposed to the choice of the APC leadership of Senator Lawan Ahmed from the same North east zone.

In the same vein, Saraki successfully ensured that Bala Ibn Na ’Allah (Kebbi, Northwest) became the Deputy Leader and France Alimikhena (Edo, South south) as

the new Deputy Chief Whip of the senate against the APC choices.

By last Tuesday, the composition of the principal officials of the senate was completed with the successful appointment of the minority officials by the opposition PDP. In a letter written by Ekweremadu on behalf of the PDP senate caucus to the Senate President, and read on the floor of the senate by Saraki, the former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio emerged as the Minority Leader and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South), the Deputy Minority leader.

In the same vein, Senator Philip Aduda (FCT) is now the Minority Chief Whip, while Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South).

What sealed the crisis in the senate and finally brought respite to Saraki was the vote of confidence affirmed on him on Tuesday by 81 senators, who cut across all

the two political parties in the senate, as well as across the two warring factions of the senate.

The number, which is more than two third members of the 109 senate, comprises 46 People ’s Democratic Party (PDP) senators and 35 All Progressive (APC) senators.

Incidentally, some of the most vocal antagonists of Saraki, like Senators Kabiru Marafa, Abdullahi Adamu and Shehu Sani were among those who supported the motion.

In addition to the confidence vote on the leadership of the senate, the lawmakers also resolved to call on the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used by any person or persons to harass, intimidate or blackmail the senate, senators and or their spouses.

Entitled, “Vote of Confidence on Principal Officers of the Senate, ” the motion was sponsored by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East).

Moving the motion, Anyanwu noted senate ’s dismay, the continued harassment of the senate and senators, the National Assembly management and spouses of senators by security agencies of Government.

He expressed the determination of the senate to continue to perform its constitutional duties and responsibilities without fear or favour, plus the focusing on matters of interest and importance to the ordinary people of Nigeria in view of the enormous challenges facing the nation.

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Politics

Sunday August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senators laud Saraki ’s reconciliatory moves AYO ESAN

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he Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has commended the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for his broad-mindedness and the non-partisan approach he has adopted in constituting the committees in the legislative house.

Abdullahi said it took a peace-loving, patriotic and large hearted leader like Saraki to continue to make reconciliatory moves aimed at harmonising all the tendencies in the legislative chamber.

The Senator noted that apart from always reaching out to members of the Unity Group who did not support him during his election, the Senate President has also proved that as a first among equal, it is his responsibility to carry along all Senators, be they members of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, or that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He noted that it was the Senate President ’s large heartedness that made him to give the chairmanship of one of the two influential committees that he has constituted so far to a member of the Unity Forum.

Senator Jide Omoworare from Osun East, a member of the Unity Forum was last Wednesday named the chairman of the powerful committee on Rules and Business. Also, Senator Kabiru Marafa, the spokesman of the group, was named a member of the same committee.

Abdullahi noted that “the Rules and Business Committee is the engine room of the Senate that directs the activities of the legislative house. That position given to Omoworare is so influential that it is next to being in the leadership of the Senate. ” “ It only shows that this Senate President is working for peace and stability of the institution. This is just one example of the several efforts he is making to ensure there is peace in this Senate and I only hope that all my colleagues will reciprocate his gesture ”, Abdullahi said.

Also speaking on the peace moves being made by the Senate President, Senator

Peter Nwaboshi from Delta State said the Senate President was spreading the olive branch to those who are aggrieved by the events surrounding the emergence of the leadership of the Senate.

“I am indeed thrilled by the Senate President ’s decision to fully reconcile the entire Senate. He is really reaching out to all and sundry and trying to carry everybody along. I think he is the right man for the job

now. That is why he is being broadminded in his choice of committee members ”, the Senator said.

He added that the choice of Senator Barnabas Gemade as the chairman of the Adhoc Committee on review of state of the roads and areas suffering environmental degradation despite his being a henchman of the Unity Forum also showed that the Senate President wants all hands on

deck in the plan to make the current Senate achieve its objective of serving the people.

Senator Gemade was a former minister of works, a position which placed him in good stead for the assignment In his own comment, Senator Lanre Tejuosho from Ogun Central, praised Saraki for laying emphasis on merit and ability in choosing which Senator serves in which committee or handles what assignment.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) presenting a gift to the National Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, (Prof.) Adisa Ademola Bello, during a courtesy Visit to the Governor/Conferment of fellowship Awards on some Mechanical Engineers at Governor office, Abere, Osogbo on recently.

Salawu, ex-Kogi deputy gov dumps PDP, joins guber race WALE IBRAHIM, LOKOJA

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he former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu has dumped the People ’s Democratic Party, PDP and pitched tent with Labour Party in his bid to join the governorship race in the state.

Salawu who served under the immediate past governor of state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris for two terms is now jostling for the number one sit at Lugard House.

Source told Sunday Mirror that the former Deputy Governor who was a member of PDP board of trustee has converted one of his buildings to his Campaign office in Lokoja, the State capital.

It was gathered that the building located at Lokogoma area of the state capital has been adorned with LP colour, logo and posters of the former Deputy Governor, Dr. Philip Salawu in preparedness for the governorship race.

The same office which was donated

to the former President Goodluck Jonathan as Kogi State Campaign Headquarters is now wearing a new look.

Chief Salawu who has been agent of change for development had contested PDP governorship primaries twice in 2011, he was part of the PDP primary that produced Alhaji Jubrin Isah (Echocho)and the incumbent Governor, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada.

It was gathered that Chief Salawu will soon make his intention to vie for gubernatorial race public

Buhari urged to revive discipline culture AYO ESAN

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to set machinery in motion to fight social disorder, indiscipline and all forms of anarchy in the country as well as renewal of pursuit of a civil discipline that will respect the rights of Nigerians as well as demand action from them.

The call was made by the lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye while speaking on the spate of moral decadence among the younger generation at a programme organised by New Era Youth Forum in Osogbo.

According to him, if the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) of the Buhari/Idiagbon regime of 1981 had been sustained by successive administration, the spate

of indiscipline among the teeming population would have been successfully curtailed.

He said corruption that has pervade all sphere of lives in the country is a form of indiscipline that has become part of the social order in almost three decades, saying a subtle campaign against indiscipline would go a long way to curb the menace especially among teenagers To actualize this agenda, Oyintiloye said the Federal Government should strengthen all enforcement institutions as well as set up a Discipline Corps especially among youths in order to restore sanity in the society.

“It is important for all of us to realise that our society is suffering from lack of discipline and this has eaten deep into all sectors. This is one of the primary problem facing Nigeria as a nation as most people do not see corruption as an social vices that most be corrected.

“The issue is that we must all agree that we have a issue with discipline among the population and I would be of the opinion that a civil discipline corps should be put in place to revive the culture of discipline among our teeming youth population ”.

The lawmaker identified gaps in social settings which include high level of chaos on highways, market places and disorderliness in public places among others, saying, orderliness is the first law in heaven and indicator of civilization in any society “No society can achieve any significant development if the people live without any form of discipline, I think Nigerians must come to term with the fact that development has its sacrifice, hence, we must all be ready to compromise our usual comfort zones and give up some bad habit in the interest of national development ”.

Stressing that war should be waged against indiscipline to restore civility, Oyintiloye maintained that democratic settings places value on human dignity, hence youths should be empowered, trained and engaged to take a lead in this direction.

“It must be done with consciousness of human right, courtesy and community service. We must do it in a cultured way in line with African tradition ”, he said.

“However, respect for human rights principles should be ingrained in the consciousness of the youths as well as all agencies of governments that interact with the public.

“It is high time we seek to return orderliness and discipline into our lifestyle and live in accordance with the dictate of humanity rather leaving in a country liken to a banana republic, where people behave just the way they want at the detriment of rule of law ”, he said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview

Sunday, August 2, 2015

55

‘Jonathan should not have gone for another term ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 asking for the dividends of democracy and it must be seen in the manifesto.

As you advocate for some of these changes, the crisis in Anambra and Kogi PDP does not suggest change on the part of the party; does it?

I am totally disappointed that anybody wants to go to any state and be doing congress or convention now. Once the head is rotten, the body follows, it ’s the same syndrome. What we are asking for is that there should be a committee set up to review the party. I have no confidence in the previous committee and I have said it before, because it is the same people that have held the party hostage that are members of that committee. They should ask people across what went wrong and we will tell them.

Not those who inflicted the wrong, it ’s like being the judge in your own case, it cannot work. That is why they have the audacity and impunity to be talking about congress.

No, we have to first put our house in order, get a template to find out where we went wrong, ask our people questions and then develop a blueprint. There has to be a roadmap. It ’s not selecting Anambra today, Imo tomorrow by the same people. If we continue what we were doing with the same people, we will get the same results; that ’s my fear.

Two months down the line, how do you see the Buhari presidency?

I think there was an overwhelming clamour for change, and I had warned that change for the sake of change is not it. If we are going to change for the better, then it ’s good for us. I have also said that the only good thing about APC is the pedigree of Buhari and Osinbajo. Every other person in the APC is like another PDP member. And two trees cannot make a forest in a population of 170 million people.

What you are seeing now is Buhari trying to grapple with the issue of leadership, he wasn ’t prepared as far as I am concerned.

For instance, what they called merger, if

they have truly merged, this fragmentation within the party of CPC tendency, new PDP and others which is manifesting now would not have been there. There was a conspiracy and not a merger. If we merge, then the identities of the merging entities will diminish, but that is not the situation now. What we are seeing now is a contention within APC, to show you that there was no merger. It will take some time before it settles. But Nigerians voted for change and they are in a hurry. There is an urgent need for that change, not the masturbation of “I reduce my salaries ” or symbolisms of “I didn ’t buy new cars ”.

What about your allowances? What about security votes that runs into N500 million

WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW IS A CONTENTION WITHIN APC, TO SHOW YOU THAT THERE WAS NO MERGER. IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME BEFORE IT SETTLES

a month? Why don ’t you talk about that one rather than a salary of 7 to 12 million?

We have to go for the real thing. I trust that Buhari has the pedigree and the capacity, but it ’s not all about one person. He has to engage people who share his vision and that ’s where the problem lies.

In your state Imo, your party got its nose bruised at the last gubernatorial election.

Is it res judicata for the PDP in Imo State?

I can tell you that I was involved in the entire election in Imo State. Imo is a PDP state, but the culture of impunity and this business template is the problem. What I saw was satanic extortion in the name of primaries. A kind of ‘Those who have money can buy, highest bidder situation ’ where they were not thinking about winability, integrity or acceptability. They just collected money from somebody and announced the person as a candidate. The corruption in the system is what the problem is and I think everybody is on the ground now. Formally, they will lose and then come to Jonathan at the federal level and be eating, now they have been shut out at Abuja, they ’ve been shut out in Imo State, so they are forced to think now. I can tell you that there is thinking going on. Imo is a PDP state and for as long as they don ’t do it right, they will continue to lose during the election. But the flesh is somewhere else and the spirit elsewhere. In spirit, Imo is a PDP state.

NEWS

‘Sack of Bayelsa APC Leadership , not a ght against Buhari ’ OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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action of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Bayelsa State led by Chief Richard Perekeme Kpodo has described as “untrue ” and “ridiculous ” the claims in some quarters that the decision to sack the Tiwei Orunimigha-led State executive was aimed at embarrassing and fight President Muhammad Buhari and the leadership of the Party.

Kpodo, also debunked the claim that he and other aggrieved members of the APC in the state are being used by the Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson to scuttle the party in the State saying this was ‘nothing but a cheap blackmail, insulting and a deliberate attempt to de-

viate from the issues of alleged fraud and diversion of party fund leveled against the past State Executive Committee of the Party ’.

He said the decision to move against the Tiwei Orunigha- led leadership of the party was due to excessive politics of exclusion, diversion of state party funds and the dumping of those who risked their lives for the setting up of the party and its structures in the State.

Kpodo in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, said despite the campaign of calumny against the party leadership and lingering feud in the State chapter of the APC by the disgruntled few, the hundreds of APC loyalists and Volunteers remained focused and in full support of the steady sail of the administration of

President Muhammad Buhari and the National Leadership of the APC to secure Bayelsa for a better future.

Kpodo, who had served as a Security Adviser under the administration of Chief Timipre Sylva, noted that the events that led to the removal of Chief Tiwei Orunimigha and bias conduct of the former Bayelsa Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva was made known to the National Leadership of the Party through a petition filed at the National Secretariat of the Party without due acknowledgement.

“I was one of those who sacrificed all to support the election of President Muhammad Buhari. When the New PDP was formed out of the PDP before the General election I was the Chairman of

the New PDP in the State. I was declared wanted by the Police on the order of the State Government and was hiding from one house to the other within and outside Yenagoa. Many leaders of the APC including the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwanso and the New PDP Chairman, Kawu Baraje and others are aware of my plight. ” “When the APC was formed, and many of our supporters could not come into Yenagoa out of fear of intimidation and harassment, I came back to Yenagoa and mounted the first flag of the Party on my property at Etegwe and the building was immediately earmarked for demolition. Undaunted, my loyalty to the Party and President Muhammud Buhari remained unshakeable, “, he said.

Buhari directs education ministry to adopt Sambo ’s book for school curriculum AZA MSUE KADUNA

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Buh hari

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the Federal Ministry of Education to look into adoption of two Islamic Studies books written by the late Justice Muhammad Bashir Sambo in the secondary school curriculum for all Federal Government Colleges.

The President said such books have become very essential in the face of declining moral and religious education in the country.

Buhari gave the directive in Kaduna while launching the reviewed editions of books which were first published in 1974.

The books co-sponsored by Bashir Sambo Centre for Islamic Da ’awah and Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, in memory of the late Justice Sambo, former

Judge of the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Code of Conduct Tribunal were reviewed by Mallam Mukhtar Lere to conform to the current academic curriculum of 6-3-3-4 system in the country.

According to the President who was represented by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, “I know the late Justice Bashir Sambo very well. I first met him on television when the late Justice Bashir Sambo, along with Mallam Umaru Sanda and Justice Muazu Aliyu, all of blessed memory, were teaching on television on the Islamic Da ’awah.

“After a long and distinguished career, and as an educationist, the late Justice Bashir Sambo not only wrote this book that was used in secondary schools in Nigeria at a time, but went on to become a distinguished Judge at the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Code of

Conduct Tribunal. So Justice Bashir Sambo was a distinguished public servant, educationist and a great teacher.

“Though he went to a secondary school called Alhudahuda College, Zaria, he ended up teaching at a great school called Barewa College, Zaria.

“I thank the co-authors for updating these books and structuring them in a way that matches new secondary curriculum. I call on the ministry of education to look at these books with the view to adopt them in all government colleges.

“There are similar Islamic books that teach moral upbringing of our children, but these books are facing extinction, I therefore call on Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation to go into research and bring out these books and update them for the benefit of Islamic education in our society.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU Sunday August 2, 2015

Killed: This image, which has been widely circulated online, is believed to show Sana bin Laden, the half-sister of Osama, sitting on a plane. She is thought to have died in a airplane crash in Hampshire on Thursday

Osama bin Laden’s eldest brother Salem, right, who himself died in an aircraft crash while flying in the United States in 1988 (also pictured is Salem’s first wife, Sandi, and the couple’s child)

Plane exploded after overshooting runway

: Late terror mastermind Osama bin Laden The bin Laden-owned Embraer Phenom 300, pictured, had just arrived from Milan when it overshot the runway

How Osama bin Laden’s sister, stepmother died in private jet crash

Osama bin Laden’s father Mohammed, left, was killed in a crash in 1967 in a plane with the same tail number

The rows of parked cars at British Car Auctions near Blackbushe Airport that were destroyed by a plane

The £7m jet crashed into a car park and exploded after hitting the ground

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sama bin Laden’s stepmother, halfsister and brother-in-law are thought to be among four people killed after a private jet owned by the family exploded into a fireball after overshooting a runway while trying to land outside London.

Rajaa Hashim, Osama’s stepmother, her daughter Sana bin Laden, and Sana’s husband Zuhair Hashim, have been named as the victims, according to NBC News.

A picture has now emerged purporting to show Sana sitting on board an aircraft, though it is not known which aircraft it was, or when the image was taken.

She was killed alongside their Jordanian pilot, Mazen Al Doaja, when their £7million Embraer Phenom 300 jet overshot the runway at Blackbushe airport yesterday afternoon.

Sana was known amongst Saudis as ‘Mother of Orphans’, a sign of high esteem in Arab societies.

She was a renowned philanthropist with

an active role in supporting orphanages and sponsoring orphans in Saudi. She was the sister of the renowned businessman Saad bin Laden.

Despite her wealth, she lived in a humble apartment and didn’t have any house help.

Well wishes have taken to Twitter today to pay their respects. FatmaAlkheliwi wrote: May God rest Umm Saad’s (Mother of Saad) soul in peace.

The family’s pilot has now been named as Mazen Al Doaja and his family have paid tribute, saying they are in shock over his death The family’s pilot has now been named as Mazen Al Doaja and his family have paid tribute, saying they are in shock over his death ‘I learned a lot from her and was witness to many great acts of philanthropy on her part.’

Fahdabntsaud wrote: ‘May she rest in

peace. We will miss you. We will all die one day, but the tragedy of your demise will not be forgotten by those who loved you and those to whom you dedicated your time and efforts.’

AlmansourMousa added: ‘A noble, charitable lady known for her goodness and generosity especially towards orphans.’

Her husband, Dr. Zuhair Hashim was an architect and a scientific researcher and writer.

The aircraft was owned by Salem Aviation, based in Jeddah, which is controlled

by Osama bin Laden’s family.

The jet was completely destroyed after it overshot the runway while trying to land at the Blackbushe Airport on the HampshireSurrey border.

The family of captain Al Doaja have said they are in shock over his death, and have decided to bury him in Al Baqiea in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement by

his brother on Saturday.

‘His body will not be brought to Jordan.

He will be buried in Saudi as per the family’s will.’

The time of the funeral hasn’t been set yet, but he confirmed that Mazen’s parents and son will attend.

Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, Osama’s father, is believed to have had around two dozen wives and a total of 54 children.

Saudi law allows for a maximum of four wives at any one time, though Mohammed bin Laden divorced frequently.

Rajaa Hashim was among those wives, making her Osama’s stepmother, while daughter Sana would have been his halfsister, making Zuhair Hashim Osama’s brother-in-law.

Mohammed bin Laden was originally from Yemen but moved to Saudi Arabia in the 1930s and became a building contractor for the SAudi Royal family.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SMExtra

Sunday August 2, 2015

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Bin Laden’s father, brother also perished in similar air crashes Impressed with his work, they made his construction company the favoured contractor for many of the kingdom’s building projects, which became more and more spectacular as the country was flooded with oil money.

He married Hamida Alia Ghanoum sometime in the 1950s, and in 1957 she gave birth to Osama bin Laden, believed to be her only child.

While he grew up among the lavish trappings on wealth in the family’s palatial home in Jeddah, he would go on to live a sparse life as the leader of hardline terror group Al Qaeda.

After masterminding several bomb plots around the world, including an attack on the World Trade Centre car park, he became the world’s most wanted man in 2001 after terrorists from Al Qaeda crashed two planes into the towers, killing more than 5,000 people.

He went into hiding and was believed to have been living in the tribal mountainous region of Pakistan, until he was discovered living in a compound in Abbottabad.

He was shot dead by a team of Navy SEALs in May 2011 during a raid on the compound.

In the wake of the plane crash yesterday, emergency services raced to the scene shortly after 3pm when the aircraft crashed into an overflow car park attached to the British Car Auction.

The Saudi Arabian embassy in London expressed their condolences to the bin Laden family for their loss following yesterday’s accident.

Although based in Saudi Arabia, the plane was flying into Hampshire from Milan. The bin Ladens have interests in northern Italy.

The crash is not being treated as terrorism-related.

According to AvGen Limited, who monitor flights arriving and departing Heathrow Airport, their equipment picked up the doomed jet as it approached Blackbushe Airport.

Their data suggests that the aircraft was flying at 1,250 feet when it approached the airfield. It then climbed rapidly 500 feet.

When the pilot steered the jet to the runway, he started losing height at a rate of 3,000 feet per minute in the moments before the crash.

Bin Laden’s father Mohammed originally registered the tail number of the aircraft involved in yesterday’s crash in the 1960s.

He was flying the aircraft with the number HZ-IBN, when he died in another crash in 1967, however his family retained the registration.

The aircraft was registered to Salem Aviation - which was named after the dead terrorist’s eldest brother, who himself died in a crash in 1988 when he ploughed into powerlines in San Antonio, Texas.

A source close to Saudi Arabian authorities said: ‘Saudi officials in contact with members of the (bin Laden) family.

They are aware of the reports and are carrying out checks with members of the family for further information.’

A spokesman for Blackbushe Airport said: ‘A Phenom 300 Jet with four persons on board crashed near the end of the runway around 3.09 PM while attempting to make a landing.

‘The scene was attended by Blackbushe Fire & Rescue within minutes, followed by Hampshire Fire, Police and Ambulance units.

‘Emergency services are currently controlling the scene.’

The South East Coast Ambulance Service sent out a tweet saying they have had reports of four casualties after the incident near Farnborough.

The aircraft is understood to have been owned by a Saudi Arabian national.

All staff and customers at the British Car Auction site escaped unharmed.

Acting chief inspector Olga Venner, of Hampshire Police, speaking from the scene, said: ‘We can confirm that there were four people on board, including the pilot.

‘Sadly, there were no survivors. No-one on the ground has been injured and we would urge anyone with any information, including pictures or videos, to contact 101.’

In a statement, an airport spokesman said: ‘Blackbushe Airport confirmed that a Phenom 300 jet with four persons on board crashed near the end of the runway around 3.09pm while attempting to make a landing.

‘The scene was attended by Blackbushe Fire and Rescue within minutes, followed

by Hampshire fire, police and ambulance units. Emergency services are currently controlling the scene.’

Robert Belcher, a local aviation enthusiast, said he was driving home when he saw a plume of black smoke coming from the site.

He said: ‘I was passing the airport on my way home and there was a big column of smoke in the air.

‘The fire service had closed the road behind me.

‘I could see the plume of smoke waving from about five miles away and was hoping it was just a car fire rather than an aircraft accident.’

Mr Belcher said he was ‘shocked’ when he discovered that a jet had crashed.

He added: ‘Apparently the aircraft was landing and just didn’t stop.

‘At the end of the runway there is a car park because the airport is used for car auctions and it’s gone into there.

‘I assumed it was cars on fire in the auction yard.

‘Local people have said that it was this aircraft which is registered in Saudi Arabia.

‘It’s been a regular visitor to the airport for a few months.’

Andrew Thomas, who was paying for a car at the time of impact, said the plane ‘exploded’.

‘I saw it when it had just happened, and could see the plane and cars in flames,’ he told BBC Surrey.

‘The plane nosedived into the cars and exploded on impact.

Local resident Daphne Knowles, 70, told GetSurrey: ‘I was in a field with the cattle and I heard an aircraft coming very very

Osama bin Laden, circled, lost his father Mohamed and his eldest brother Salem in two plane crashes

fast from behind me. The engines were screaming far too much and the aircraft was trying to land - I’m a glider pilot and I thought it’s far too low to the ground.

‘Two people said they thought it had to swerve to miss another aircraft as it went in, but I didn’t see that myself and can’t confirm, then there was a huge black cloud of smoke which went up.’

Joe Ramos’ was first alerted to the drama by his son and told how the plane suddenly crashed into parked cars at a neighbouring auction site.

Mr Ramos, who was working nearby, said: ‘There was a loud bang and then my son quickly came in to the auction hall where the cashiers are, saying a plane had gone down.

‘We quickly went back out only to see a private jet had gone over the fence of the airport.

‘It’s actually clipped the fence, spun

around and crashed into the cars where they are sold.

‘There are approximately six to ten fire engines and ambulances on the site. Everyone was evacuated from the site.

‘You can no longer see the plane in the fire as it’s spread on to the vehicles surrounding it.

‘The fire started at the front of the plane and worked its way from the front of the jet to the back and spread outwards onto the parked cars.

‘The whole place was engulfed with very thick black smoke which the fire brigade is still trying to get on top of.’

The Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accidents Investigation Branch were among the professional bodies investigating the crash.

The nearby A30 was closed in both directions due to the incident.

Bin laden family still big business in Saudi Arabia

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he Saudi Red Sea trading port of Jeddah is the business HQ for the construction family’s fabulously successful Saudi BinLadin Group (SBG).

The bin Ladens made their money by gaining exclusive rights to all religious building projects under Saudi control in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, Mo-

hammed Bin Laden then branched out into lucrative civil projects.

More than a dozen bin Laden brothers and half-brothers sit on the SBG board and help to run its operations from regional HQs across the Middle East.

SBG is estimated to be worth many billions of pounds.

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North

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nasarawa refutes WAEC fees indebtedness claim IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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asarawa State Government has made it categorically clear that the state has not made any commitment with regard to payment of

WAEC fees for students of public schools.

Rather, the state government said since the assumption of office in 2011 by the incumbent All Progressives Congress, APC, it had been paying National Examination

Council, NECO, examination fees for all students in public schools which is in consonance with Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura ’s free education policy.

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to

Governor Al-Makura, Tukur Ahmed, stated this in a press statement issued in Lafia, the state capital, in which he refuted a publication in one of the national dailies, not Sunday Mirror, that the state is among those that are

indebted to WAEC to the tune of N4 billion.

The statement reads in part: “The attention of Nasarawa State government has been drawn to a publication in one of the national dailies on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 entitled, ‘N4bn debt: Parents in Nasarawa appeal to WAEC ’.

“Nasarawa State Government wishes to state that it is not indebted to WAEC as portrayed by the publication. We therefore call on the public to disregard the report, and as well urge media practitioners to always crosscheck their fact from relevant agencies for clarification before going to the press. ”

Al-Makura offers 10 HIV/AIDS positive persons automatic employment IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

N Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar (Standing 5th-R); Dan, Iyan Misau, Alhaji Alico Mohammed (middle); Former Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Mohammed Zango (Standing 5th-L) and Others, during the Sallah homage paid by officials of Misau Emirate Council to the Government House in Bauchi yesterday.

Guber poll: Group mobilises for Ugbane ’s emergence as APC ag bearer WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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head of Kogi State gubernatorial primaries, a political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, Volunteer Network (AVN) in the state, said it had mobilised over 20,000 volunteers to canvass for the emergence of Senator Nicholas Ugbane as flagbearer of APC for the governorship election slated for November 21.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the state coordinator of the group, Mr. Tony Akeje,

and the secretary, Babatunde Oyejide, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

It stated that if the two term senator is voted into power he would massively transform the Kogi to an agrarian state by tapping the huge agricultural potential involving over 80 per cent of the population in the state.

Members the group said they were in Lokoja to mobilise the youth, market women and men to support the Ugbane project, noting that they are convinced that if given the

mandate, the senator will maximally utilise Geregu power plant to kill the generator culture.

The group, which members cut across the ethnic divides in the state, noted that so far 20,000 volunteers had been recruited to carry out the senator ’s political manifesto to the nook and cranny of the state for the purpose of winning confidence and support of the electorate for his candidature.

“Senator Ugbane was a commissioner for Education and served in different ministries in the administration of the for-

mer governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, and was reputed to be the brain behind some of the achievements recorded at the time, especially the establishment of the state university and Obajana Cement Company which has remained the selling points of former governor Abubakar Audu, ” the statement added.

The group therefore urged the electorate to get it right this time by rejecting money politics and door-die attitude of some politicians whose ideas may not tally with the present reality in the state.

AAEUN commends Buhari for steps to boost food production PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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hairman of Agricultural and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Niger State Council, Comrade Bako Abdulrahaman, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his proactive steps taken to boost food production and re-focus on agriculture in the country.

He also called for the setting up of Special Agricultural Schemes in or-

der to better the lot of its members.

Abdulrahaman made the commendation when he received the National President of the Union, Comrade Simon Anchaver, and other national officers at the commissioning of Agric house at the cost of about N7 million yesterday along Layi Estate in Minna, the state capital.

The state chairman of AAEUN expressed joy with the Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar

Sani Bello, for facilitating the revival of all important agricultural sectors in the state.

National President of AAEUN, Comrade Simon Anchaver, commended the leaders of the state union for building the Agric House, in spite of the little resources at their disposal even as he called on members to take the advantage to their benefit.

He also charged the federal and state governments to provide adequate

funds for the agricultural sector in the areas of affordable and adequate inputs, implements and soft loans for the farmers in the country to boost food production.

It was learnt that the state union used its check up dues to build the agric house with library facilities and to serve as secretariat of the union with the sum of N300, 000 earlier given to Niger chapter by the National President to support in furnishing the facility.

asarawa State Government yesterday offered automatic employment to 10 persons living with the deadly virus, HIV/AIDS who graduated from Mother and Child Enhancement Foundation, McCEF. Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura made the offer while speaking at the 5th graduation ceremony of trainees of the McCEF, an NGO founded by the state first lady, Salamatu Tanko Al-Makura.

The governor also announced a cash donation of N100,000 to each of the 40 graduated trainees drawn from Obi and Doma local government areas of the state to enable them start their businesses.

He explained that the gesture was meant to alleviate the hardship being faced by the victims of the disease and fast tract the viability of their acquired skills.

Al-Makura commended

the first lady for the initiative, noting that the gesture was in line with his administration ’s commitment to enhancing the living condition of the people, especially the vulnerable group in the society.

He also commended the beneficiaries for knowing their health status hence the governor promised to showcase them to not only the state but the entire world.

Earlier, the first lady, who is also the executive director and founder of the McCEF, revealed that 40 persons drawn from two local government areas of Obi and Doma were trained in various skills acquisition programmes of the organisation.

She explained that the gesture was borne out of her desire to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the state, but however regretted that people infected with the virus have gone through a lot of sad experiences as a result of stigmatisation even from their loved ones.

Benue urges landowners to obtain relevant documents HENRY IYORKASE

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pecial Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Bureau of Lands and Survey, Professor Jonathan Uever Ngutyo, has observed that over 80 per cent of landowners in the state are without valid documents.

Ngutyo made this revelation at the weekend in Makurdi while speaking with Sunday Mirror.

He explained that most landowners erect structures without bothering about the acquisition of requisite documents on their property in the state.

He emphasised the need for landowners to make

conscientious effort to ensure that appropriate documents were obtained with a view to avoid that their land was not taken over by the state government.

Ngutyo stressed that there are conflicting issues bedeviling land allocation in the state as the immediate past administration could not pay compensation to the villagers but instead retrieved their land and allocated some plots out to them.

The adviser observed that in most cases some of the plots that were reserved for the government were also sold out by the same people who were not adequately compensated thereby creating a threat to peace.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South

Sunday, August 2, 2015

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Police rescue 8 pregnant girls from baby factory in Asaba THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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he police in Delta State have rescued eight pregnant girls from a “Baby Factory ” operating in Asaba, the state capital.

A statement by the Po-

lice Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, disclosed that the operator of the “Baby Factory ” has been arrested.

It equally disclosed that a pastor, who operates a church in an Ozoro Cemetery, Isoko North Local Government Area of the

state has been arrested while performing spiritual healing at the cemetery yard.

It was alleged that the cleric is suspected to be a ritualist.

Kalu explained that on Friday last week police detectives from GRA Divi-

sion Asaba, while acting on a tipoff raided a suspected baby factory opposite Federal Radio Corporation, Asaba.

The operator identified as John Mary Ihezun is said to be undergoing police investigations in Asaba.

The statement reeled out the names of the girls to include Ihezue Nkemjika, Amaka Agu, Isioma Anukwu, Blessing Okafor, Imezoma Okeke, Chioma Oje, Precious Ihemine and Nzube Chukwu.

It added that two boys, Prince Chukwu and Obum Nwankwo were also arrested from the said baby factory.

“Police detectives from GRA Division Asaba, while acting on a tipoff raided a suspected baby factory at opposite Federal Radio Corporation, Asaba and arrested its

operator, one John Mary Ihezun ‘m ’ ”, Kalu stated.

About the arrested pastor, the statement said “On 30/7/2015 at about 2230hrs, Surveillance patrol team from Ozoro Division while on routine patrol arrested one Pastor Oro Oboreh ‘m ’ of Christ Freedom Family aka Amazing Grace, Ozoro, in a cemetery at Ozoro with one Chioma Praise (f), aged 14 years.

“The suspect claimed that he was performing spiritual healing on the said Chioma Praise to enable her attain academic prowess. ”

...nab mastermind of two cop killers in foiled kidnap attempt OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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L-R: An Associate of wife of former Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Yinka Yusuff; Resource Person, Mr Niyi Adedsanya; wife of immediate past Governor of Lagos and Chairperson, Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), Mrs Abimbola Fashola and immediate past Lagos Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs Olusola Oworu at a Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network Forum organized by Learn in Lagos, yesterday PHOTO:NAN

Uvwie NURTW crisis escalates, 2 police ofcers shot THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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he brewing crisis in the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW) in Uvwie Local Government Council, Delta State, has left at least two police officers injured.

Sunday Mirror reliably gathered that the offers were shot by youths suspected to be loyal to the factions embroiled in the fracas which started last Wednesday.

Sources told our correspondent that several persons have been left injured

following the crisis as it was learnt that the deposed NURTW leadership led by Napoleon Adobu, which enjoys the support of the council chairman, Hon. Henry Baro, has regained control of Uvwie Central Motor Park.

However, about 44 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

While confirming the case of the injured policemen, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said the police officers were shot at different locations in the council.

Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP,

in a statement made available to Sunday Mirror disclosed that an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and a sergeant deployed to maintain peace in the area were presently receiving treatment in hospitals.

She stated that, “On 29/7/2015 at about 0700hr, the Area Commander, Warri received information that following the change of leadership by the National Union of Road Transport workers Union (NURTW) Uvwie chapter, leading to the emergence of one Ariyor Francis ‘m ’ as chairman, pockets of violent protests erupted in the area.

“Based on the report, patrol teams were quickly mobilised to the scene, and at Jakpa junction, the protesters shot at the policemen, as a result of which an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was hit in his buttocks by a bullet from one of the protesters.

“The victim was rushed to Central Hospital Warri for treatment. Later, the police reinforced and trailed the protesters to Agofure Motor Park on NPA –DSC expressway Warri where the said protesters had gathered to cause more crisis and destruction and arrested 44 male suspects. ”

uthorities of Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday confirmed the arrest of the mastermind of Thursday night ’s killing of two policemen during a failed attempt to kidnap the Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, Elder Remember Ogbe.

The State Police Command through its spokesperson, Butswat Astimin, said the men of the Anti-kidnapping squad on Thursday night arrested a 24-year-old man, Seigha Oduwaiye, alleged to be the mastermind of the failed kidnap attempt and killing of the two Police corporals.

“The men of the Antikidnapping unit have arrested the mastermind of the foiled kidnap, one Seigha Oduwaiye 24 years, from Akassa Brass Local Government

Rep seeks extension of Abuja-Lokoja dual carriage way to Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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ational Assembly member, Hon Kehinde Agboola, has expressed concern at the state of the roads linking Ekiti State to the Federal Capital City (FCT) and Lagos.

Agboola, a House of Representatives member representing Ekiti North Constituency I, appealed for extension of the dualisation of the Abuja-Loko-

ja road to Ekiti State and to the Lagos link road for the benefit of road users in Ekiti.

The lawmaker, who spoke at his Odo Oro hometown in the Ikole Council area of the state during a thanksgiving service and reception over his election, said rehabilitation of the road across the country was necessary for safety of lives, transportation of goods and services and overall development of the country.

He assured the people that among other programmes targeted at ensuring better lives for his constituents, a bill for the inclusion of the dualisation and rehabilitation of other roads in Ekiti State in the budget would soon be presented to the House of Representatives for necessary action.

Agboola, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who said the event was to appreciate God and his con-

stituents for the honour, pledged to build a church in the community to expand the people ’s scope of worship.

He, however, dismissed insinuations that there was crisis in the National Assembly, saying: “There is no crisis in the Senate and House of Representatives, but in the APC caucuses in the two chambers. The seeming crisis in the National Assembly is about the desperation of APC. ” Also speaking at the

event, Senator Duro Faseyi said: “There is no crisis in the National Assembly. What we have is APC meddling in the affairs of the National Assembly. But nobody can impose leadership on us. ” Faseyi, who represents Ekiti North Senatorial District, appealed to the APC to leave the National Assembly alone so that it could concentrate on the legislative and oversight functions Nigerians had voted members to perform.

Area. The suspect has made useful statements.

The men of the Anti kidnapping unit have intensified efforts to arrest his fleeing cohorts, ” the police statement said.

Meanwhile, the victim of the failed kidnapping, Ogbe, described his escape from the armed kidnappers as “miraculous ”.

According to the statement issued by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Nehemiah Ayogoi, the armed attack against the council chairman was an “unsuccessful assassination attempt ” and the policemen killed were security details attached to the office of the local government chairman.

According to the statement, “The unidentified gunmen who invaded the premises of the Chairman at about 8:55 p.m. on Thursday 30/7/2015 made frantic effort to shoot directly at the chairman but were resisted by the gallant Police officers who lost their lives in the process of the gun duel which lasted for over 30 minutes. ” “Angered by their inability to snuff life out of Chief Ogbe, the assassins resorted to damaging property belonging to the chairman before speeding off with an unregistered Toyota jeep.

Chief Ogbe, who seemed visibly unruffled, urged law enforcement agencies to immediately swing into action to investigate the unprovoked and unwarranted attack by the unidentified hoodlums. ”

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Forlan: World Cup means everything P. 62

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Oliseh urged to get English duo P. 61

AUGUST 2, 2015

Community Shield:

Wenger, Mou take rivalry to Wembley PIUS ANAKALI

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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he brewing rivalry between FA Cup holder, Arsenal and Premier League champion, Chelsea will be re-ignited today when the team sides meet in the 93rd Community Shield.

Today’s match been tipped to go either way will be hotly contested. Already book makers are tipping Chelsea to win the match as Mourinho aims to extend his unbeaten streak over Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

With a full squad to choose from, Chelsea analysts ts predict dict are worthy favourites.

Arsenal has had a not too impressive recentt record ord against their London rivals and for thiss reason, son, not many think they can get past the e Blues. ues.

They have failed to beat the Blues in theirr lastt eight clashes and have not scored a goal in n five e matches.

However the Gunners have enjoyed d a productive oductive pre-season so far, winning g the Asia Trophy and Emirates Cup p but Chelsea will be a step up from m the quality of opposition n previously viously faced.

Everton, Lyon and Wolfsburg rg are not quite in the e same Saintme league as Pariss SaintttGermain lona, rmain and Barcewho recently o Chelsea have y faced. ed.

Yet some still believe thiss could be Arsenal’ss year Wenger’ss ar after succession off FA Cup t r i p Sanchez. u m p h s, b u t J o s e Mourinho urinho willl want his champions ampionss Chelsea to stamp p

their authority on English football once ce again.

To make this early-season encounter nter even more enticing is the transfer of Chelsea legend gend Petr Cech to their bitter rivals across London, gifting ting Arsenal one of the world’s best goalkeepers, and finally ally filling a position they have struggled with for years.

Will that tip the balance in Arsenal’s ’s favour?

Today’s encounter is one that both h sides will be eager to win because they meet in the league e at Stamford Bridge in September, and gaining the upper hand could deliver the psychological advantage needed for an edge in that meeting. has already The war wa ar of words between Mou and d Wenger Wen kicked-off ff for another campaign before beforre the e traditional seacurtain-raiser. son curta ain-raiser.

The self-styled se elf-styled ‘Special One’ publicly publiclly questioned que estioned whethWenger rivals in recent er Wenge er has spent less than his title t r years. The Th he Arsenal manager, in reply, correctly c ectly pointed out corre Mourinho that Mou urinho was wrong to do so.

Which continue W is a theme set to con ntinu ue this summer, as Chelsea ponder po onderr spending than m o r e than £30m, th a new British transfer record rec cord for a defender, on Everton’s John Stones, Stone es, and an nd Arsenal squad seem content with the sq quad already at ttheir heir disposal.

The only new arrival at the th he Emirates so far, Petr Cech, is one that th hat Chelsea Ch helsea could rivals, regret selling to their Premier Prem mier League L and Cech’s personal battle with w the th he man who replaced him as Mourinho’s number p n numbe er one, Thibaut Courtois, is likely to take centre C centrre stage sta age on Sunday.

While neither side will wantt to lose lo ose at readWembley, there’s a danger of re W eading g too much into Community y Shield Shi ield results - something Arsenal sena al fans discovered the hard way llast season.

Lesss than three months after beating M Man City 3-0 at the home of English ffootball, Wenger’s side found d themselves and themselv ves six points behind City a

trailing Chelsea by 11 after eight Premier League fixtures.

The Gunners have been more c o nv i n c i n g than Chelsea in preseason, although a al though admita ad mittedly

against teams

Hazard

with slightly less quality. Even so, the 6-0 drubbing of last year’s Ligue 1 runnersup, Lyon, was particularly eye-catching and featured six different goal-scorers.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are sweating over the state of Diego Costa’s hamstrings again after Mourinho’s number one striker limped off during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Barcelona. The Spanish international is a doubt to face Arsenal, and may not be risked with Swansea lying in wait six days later.

This weekend’s fixture also provides Wenger with an opportunity to break his barren spell against Mourinho, whom he has never defeated in 13 meetings as Arsenal manager.

Psychologically, at least, another Wembley victory against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon could prove an even bigger triumph for Wenger.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday August 2, 2015

Oliseh urged to get English duo F ormer Nigerian international Ajibade Babalade has advised coach Sunday Oliseh to persuade Jordon Ibe and Alex Iwobi to switch allegiance from England to the Super Eagles.

Both English players are of Nigerian descent and despite having played for England’s junior national teams; they can still represent their country of birth before they receive senior national team caps.

“Our team need quality players at the moment, because we have been lacking quality in every department,” Babalade said. “Ibe and Iwobi are quality players. There are other good young European-born players of Nigerian descent we can persuade to play for us.”

The former defender also added that Oliseh should not succumb to pressure from pundits asking for the axe

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Joshua gets Klitschko praise

W Oliseh

of veterans John Obi Mikel, Emmanuel he continued.

“We need their experience to win Emenike and Brown Ideye from his segames.

We shouldn’t write them off lection. “They are good players and they because they struggled to regain their should be invited to prove themselves,” best form last season.”

Oshaniwa completes Tynecastle switch

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Oshaniwa

LMC lifts suspension on Six stadia

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Heartland (Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri), FC IfeanyiUbah (Gabros Stadium, Nnewi) and Abia Warriors (Umuahia Township Stadium).

The clubs had their grounds decertified from Match Day 11 after they were inspected and adjudged not fit to host Glo Premier League matches. The clubs were directed to repair the observed defects and notify the LMC for further inspection.

The LMC in the circular said it has received and reviewed the preliminary reports from field inspections which shows that there has been appreciable level of im-

Igboun scores first goal for Ufa

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orld heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua is the most promising boxer he has seen in 25 years.

Joshua, 25, is undefeated in 13 fights since turning professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012.

WBA, IBF and WBO champion, Klitschko, who has trained with him, said: “Joshua has the qualities that not many boxers have had.”He definitely has the potential to become a real big star in boxing.”

In May, Joshua beat

American Kevin Johnson, who had not been stopped in 36 previous fights. Johnson had also gone the distance with Wladimir’s brother, Vitali, a former world champion.

Klitschko, who fights Britain’s Tyson Fury in October, said he was also impressed by Joshua’s all-around attitude.

“Anthony has all the tools to become that great champion inside and, most importantly, probably, outside of the ring,” said the 39-year-old.

The Ukrainian, who has not lost a bout in 11 years, added that he “could not exclude” the chance of fighting Joshua in the future.

“Starting from Nigeria and playing in Israel to land here in Scotland is a big progress for my career.”

Oshaniwa, who has 17 caps, played in all of the Super Eagles’ matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But he only made 13 appearances last season as Ashdod suffered relegation from Israel’s top flight.

igeria left-back Juwon Oshaniwa has signed for Hearts on a three-year contract saying he is advancing his career by moving to Scottish football.

The 24-year-old World Cup defender has spent the last three years with Ironi Ashdod in Israel’s Premier League.

“I am happy because I have made a big step in my career by joining Hearts,” Oshaniwa told BBC Sport.

ix clubs whose grounds were decertified from hosting Glo Premier League matches have been granted provisional approval by the League Management Company (LMC) to return to their grounds while further inspection would be carried out to ascertain the appropriateness of repairs done.

In a circular to the Clubs, the LMC listed the clubs that have been granted provisional approval to return to their home grounds as Giwa FC (Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos), Nasarawa United, (Lafia Township Stadium), FC Taraba (Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo),

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t took new Ufa signing Sylvester Igboun 140 minutes of game time to open his goalscoring account in the Russian Premier League.

Against Kuban Krasnodar, which you can rightly call his away debut, the ex FC Midtjylland star struck in the 51st minute, equalizing Vladislav Ignatyev’s goal he scored ten minutes before the intermission.

Igboun has lasted the entire duration in the last two games played by Ufa, having missed their opener in the RPL because he arrived in Russia barely 24 hours before the clash against Spartak Moscow.

While in Denmark, if the 24 year - old was not scoring he was creating chances for his teammates.

Igboun

provement towards meeting the required standard required for top level league football.

It further said: “Consequently, the following Clubs are hereby given the provisional approval and option to use their home venues for a trial period in the next four matches”.

The circular signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar informed the affected clubs that final inspection will be carried out on each stadium during match days to determine the correctness of the repairs on the pitches and compliance to continue to host matches.

Anthony Joshua (L) in action with Dorian Darch during their heavyweight title fight.

Boxers commend GOtv boxing tourney

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igerian boxers have commended leading cable television provider, GOtv for a successful hosting of the third edition of GOtv boxing night held last Sunday at the Indoor Sports Hall of National, Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Some of the boxers told Knockout the organization must be commended for its efforts at reviving professional boxing in the country even as they appealed to other corporate organizations to emulate them.

“GOtv must be commended for giving out the sum of N1 million to the best boxer of the

tournament which has never happened in the history of professional boxing in Nigeria.

“Apart from this, the company has also shown its commitment to the development of the game by organizing two championships this year and there is need for other corporate organizations to emulate them”, they said.

Winner of the N1million jack pot and light welterweight boxer, Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi noted that the prize money will motivate him to win laurels for the country.

The GOtv Boxing Night was also supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

Olagbade targets continental title

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fter a successful In 164 matches the attacker defense of his title played in the Superliga, he found against Abolaji the back of the net 47 times, cre“ Afonja Warrior” Rasheed, ating 30 assists in the process national light middleweight champion, Sule “Tyson” Olagbade says that his next target is to have a shot at the African title.

Olagbade last Sunday during the GOtv boxing night recorded a unanimous decision against his challenger in a 12 rounds title defense.

He told Knockout shortly after the fight that having successfully defended his title, his next target will be the West African

title.

“My successfully defense of the title did not come to my fans as a surprise because they know that I am the best light middleweight boxer in the country.

“The fight confirmed my superiority in the light middleweight category and having successfully silenced all opposition in the country, I am looking forward to having a short at the West African title which I am convinced belongs to me.

According to the Police Officer, commendation must go to the sponsors of the tournament, GOtv for its efforts at reviving boxing in the country.

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SundayAugust 2, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A member of a select band of players to have won an adidas Golden Ball at a FIFA World Cup an accolade bestowed on him at South Africa 2010; former Uruguay striker Diego Forlan is also something of an authority on world finals qualifying competitions. One of the leading figures on the Celeste scene since the turn of the millennium, Forlan was a witness to one of the more unusual sequences in world finals qualifying history, as Uruguay contested four consecutive intercontinental play-offs, a hurdle they successfully negotiated on three of those occasions, in 2001, 2009 and 2013.

Forlan: p u C x x d x l r o W means g n i h t y r e v e

FIFA.com: It was shortly after announcing your retirement from international football that you were invited to represent your country and continent at the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. That must have been a special moment for you.

Diego Forlan: Yes, it’s an honour. To me, the World Cup means everything. When I was a kid, I used to watch loads of videos of different World Cups. I’d watch them over and over again and I loved them.

Now, having had the opportunity to play at and enjoy three World Cups, I’m very proud to have attended hee draw on 25 July. There’s also the fact that I never got the chance to play in St. Petersburg. Everybody’s told me that it’s a great city, one of the most beautiful there is.

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you think about the World Cup qualifiers?

There are a lot of things… Obviously, the good times come to mind, and the bad, like in 2005 when we lost to Australia in the play-offs for Germany 2006, which was a tournament I really wanted to play in.

But football gave me a second chance and I had the opportunity to go in 2010, which was a spectacular tournament. And from the qualifiers, if there’s one game I remember, one key game, it was a make-or-break match against Ecuador in a 2-1 away win for Uruguay in October 2009. We simply had to win it, and it was in a difficult place to go too.

We knew it was a huge game and that it was going to be very difficult, which is exactly how it turned out, though we ended up getting a late winner from the spot in the very last minute. As amazing as it might seem, I didn’t know for sure at that stage that it was

going to make any difference, but we won all the same and it was a big step for us ahead of the final match against Argentina, where we still had a chance of qualifying directly. As it turned out, we went into the play-offs and beat Costa Rica.

It’s what the whole world is waiting for, what you dreamed about as a child: playing for your national team, singing the national anthem.

Do you think there is a big difference between the way people see the current Uruguay team in South America and, say, the generation before you?

Yes, it’s changed a lot, though Uruguay have always earned respect, both for their history and the quality of players they’ve always had. The change has come about at team level, I think. In the last few years Uruguay have played the big teams at their own game and been the equal of them. People have started to see that, like at the 2010 World Cup. As someone involved in the whole process, was there a key moment in the shaping of that new mindset?

It came before the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela.

That’s where it started. Then came the qualifiers and that game against Ecuador that I was talking about.

Amazingly, we won it and that’s what took us to where we are now, with people seeing Uruguay the way they do. If we’d lost, though, they’d have had a different view of us and we’d be talking about a different future now. And that all comes down to one result.

Do you remember your first World Cup?

In 2002… yes, of course. I remember our preparations in Japan, in Gotemba, and then in Korea too: the friendly matches and going to Singapore for a friendly.

I’ve got some very nice memories.

And obviously I had the chance to play for 45 minutes, when the team were losing 3-0 to Senegal in the first half. It was our last match in the group and our chances of going through were pretty slim, even more so with that result. So I came on at a difficult time and in a position that I’m not used to, on the right side of midfield.

We got the first goal and then I scored what I have to say was a great goal, one of the best of my international career. Then we got the equaliser. I went close with another chance before that, and we almost scored in the closing seconds, but out we went. We so very nearly made it to the next round.

Despite the result, I have to say it was a great experience on a personal level, as it was my first time with the national side and it came at the World Cup, too.

You’ve played for big clubs throughout your whole career, but is it true that the atmosphere and the pressure experienced at a World Cup are something else entirely?

It’s your country, it’s everything. Nowadays things are changing and there are other important tournaments, too – but obviously the World Cup is the World Cup. It’s what the whole

world is waiting for, what you dreamed about as a child: playing for your national team, singing the national anthem. You used to experience it as a fan, so you know what the supporters are going through in those moments before a game. They’re things you saw as a kid and dreamed about.

It’s where the best players are and where they’re ready to give their best; where they dream of bringing joy to their family, their friends, the people they know, the people back home. It’s the most important event on the planet.

When you speak, you give every impression of having all the ingredients required to make a good coach. Is that something you’re considering?

Nowadays yes, a little more.

To be honest, I’d love to work as a duo with my brother. He played football too, as a defender, and my dad was a player, too. We’re a very close family as a whole and of course the three of us – my dad, my brother and I – are always going on about football. They were both defenders and I’m a striker, so we could get a good team going.

My brother’s doing the coaching course already and I think I’ll get started any time now. Later we’ll see. We’ll have to see how things turn out, but I enjoy watching, listening, asking questions and being with coaches and other colleagues. I know that I’ll do something that’s linked to football.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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ouis van Gaal has reportedly told the Manchester United board to sell David De Gea. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid but negotiations between the two clubs have shuddered to a halt.

De Gea has just one year remaining on his deal at Old Trafford and the two clubs are some way apart in their valuation of him. But Spanish newspaper AS say that Van Gaal has resigned himself to losing his No.1, and has told the club’s board to sell him this summer rather than lose him for free next year.

Sport

Sunday August 2, 2015

LvG asks Man Utd M to sell de Gea Wenger must buy Benzema – Keown

de Gea

Di Maria wants to join PSG –Pastore J

avier Pastore has revealed that Angel Di Maria has told him he wants to ditch Manchester United and join Paris Saint-Germain.

A move away from Old Trafford has looked likely for some time after the Argentine endured a rough debut campaign under Louis van Gaal following his British record £59.7 million switch from Real Madrid last summer.

The winger has looked set to join PSG for weeks, with Laurent Blanc admitting that a deal is “close”, while he has also been fined by his current club for not joining the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States.

Pastore, who recently committed his future to the French champions by signing a new four-year contract, is confident Di Maria will join him at the Parc des Princes and believes he will be a decisive player if a deal is done.

“I told him to join us,” Pastore told Le Parisien. “He also asked me many questions about the club, the city and the way of life for his family.

Zola: Qatar would be ideal for Balotelli A l Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola has urged controversial strikers Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano to move to the Middle East to jump-start their careers.

With Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero unwilling to play 10million to purchase Balotelli from Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers seemingly not interested in playing the 24-year-old after a poor first season at Anfield, the Italy international needs to find a new home.

Cassano, who has also been linked with Sampdoria, is a free agent after leaving Parma in January.

Zola, who took over at Qatar Stars League club Al Arabi on July 11, reckons a stint in the tiny West Asian kingdom could give Balotelli and Cassano a stressfree period to focus on football and regain confidence.

63

artin Keown reckons Arsenal need a world class striker to claim a first Premier League title in 12 years and that Karim Benzema is the right man for the job.

The former defender, who left the club at the end of their Invincibles season in 2004, thinks Arsene Wenger must prioritise a new forward.

Benzema

Cahill:

Cahill: Big-spending rivals will make Bayern title race tougher future G d e d i c unde - Guardiola P Di Maria

ep Guardiola has no offers from other clubs and has not made any decision on his future beyond the end of the season, the Bayern Munich boss has insisted.

Guardiola, 44, entered the Guardio Gu o la, a, 44 4, hass en nterred d tth he he final year the contract he fina fi na al ye earr off th he co on ntra actt h e 2013, and ssigned si igned iin n 20 201 13, a an d th tthere here h e was fresh lation att th fr res esh specuu lati la t on ti n a the weekend has already w we week eeken ek ken end that he h as a a lrea eady dy agreed with agre ag reed ed d tterms e ms er wiith w h ManMan nCity chester C itty ffor or the 2016-17 season. th he 20 016 16-1 -1 17 se easo on on on.

Balotelli

Guardiola

ary Cahill expects the battle for the Premier League title to be far more challenging this season after Chelsea’s rivals splashed the cash in an attempt to dethrone the London club.

Jose Mourinho’s side won the title at a canter last term, finishing eight points ahead of previous champions Manchester City.

City have reacted by signing England internationals Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, while Manchester United have brought in the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger,, Memphis Depay Schneig p p y and Morgan g derlin. Arsenal Arse Ar se ena nall are a e also predicted ar predicte ed to be contenders among the contend ders after luring Petr Cech luri lu ring ri ng P etrr Ce et ech ffrom rom ro m Chelsea, with h Arsene expected Wenger exp pected to business do further b usiin us usiness ness before the ttransfer rans ra nsfe f r shuts att tth the window shu uts ts a he end of this month. mo m onth. nth.

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Vol. 5 No. 30

Sunday AUGUST 2, 2015

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Comment E-mail:

nwaunah@yahoo.com Jim Unah is Professor of Philosophy, University of Lagos.

with Jim Unah

ow that the storm triggered off in the public domain by the confused and arbitrary fixing of cut off marks by the JAMB has settled, howbe-it, temporarily, owing to the reluctant return of the behemoth national examining body to the status quo ante , last week, it is now time to take a more critical look at the matter.

One of the reasons given by the authorities at the JAMB for the arbitrary fixing of cut off marks for some first generation universities especially the Universities of Lagos and Ibadan, and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is that these universities are over-subscribed, whereas several other universities such as states and private universities are grossly under-subscribed. To redress the imbalance, the JAMB avers, there is a need to spread the candidates across the universities in accordance with their performances, to ensure that otherwise qualified candidates are not denied a space in the nation’s institutions of higher learning.

The JAMB might have meant well; but whether now or in future the authorities at the JAMB should not treat the candi-

dates and their choice of universities as if they were entirely misguided.

There are many different kinds of reasons why candidates and their sponsors prefer certain universities to others, and some even reject unsolicited offers made by the JAMB several times before they eventually qualify for the University of their Dreams. It is for this singular reason that the authorities at the JAMB should not be allowed to abridge the right of candidates to make a choice with the national cut off mark in mind.

The second reason that the JAMB should be disallowed to use different cut of marks for different institutions is that it digs away the ground on which it stands. Once you allow that candidates can shop from one university to the other with different cut off marks, through the JAMB, the legitimate question arises as to why the candidates should not be permitted to do so all by themselves.

If the question is answered in the affirmative, the JAMB would automatically be abolished. I do not think that the JAMB should unwittingly and unilaterally call for its own abolition.

Once a national cut off mark is determined, no authority or institution should unilaterally be allowed to shift the goal post for the candidates. A uniform cut off mark should remain the pre-condition for qualification to write the post-UTME screening test. Over the years the postUTME screening test has become the integrity test for the JAMB. If the JAMB now begins to fix arbitrary cut off marks

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N324m

- The sum Fidson Healthcare posted as profit in six months

for the universities, it means that somehow, indirectly, it has surreptitiously abridged its integrity test.

This is so because where 250 marks has been fixed as cut off mark for candidates to qualify for the post-UTME test for some universities and another set of marks for some other universities instead of the national cut of mark, you deprive some candidates from competing fully for the university of their first choice.

What this means is that the JAMB would be the ultimate determinant of which candidate is placed in which university. Where 250 marks is arbitrarily fixed by the JAMB for a particular university, it means that candidates with 249, 248, 247, 246, etc. will be moved to other universities before the post-UTME screening test. This is where the problem lies because candidates in this category, that is, candidates that scored 249 to 240 marks, for instance, could score better than some candidates that scored 250 marks and above in the post-UTME screening test .

That is what has been demonstrated by the post-UTME test results since inception.

Until the country is re-structured into a true federal system that makes allowance for leap-frogging universities to capture the best candidates, only a minimum national cut off mark should be allowed for listing candidates for the post-UTME screening test in the universities of their first choice. If a national cut off mark has been fixed in a stakeholders meet-

Suarez: I’m not among world’s best arcelona star Luis Suarez insists he does not consider himself among the world’s best players despite his performances in recent seasons.

The controversial Uruguayan scored 25 goals in all competitions for Barca last season, following on from prolific campaigns at Liverpool.

But he is unfazed by where he stands among the world’s best players.

“One always tries to accept praise and the things fans say, but I don’t consider myself the most humble nor one of the best,” Suarez told ESPN FC. “I just try and do my work the best I can. I’m in the best team in

F I G U R E S

Confused and arbitrary fixing of JAMB cut off marks (II)

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the world and doing things I never imagined doing, but that job I leave to the rest so they can give their opinion.”

With Lionel Messi and Neymar, Suarez helped form a devas-

tating Barca attack that won the treble in 2014-15.

The 28-year-old said he had to maintain a good level to keep up with his fellow stars.

“You’re in Barcelona and you

have Leo and Neymar by your side so you have to be one of the best,” Suarez said.

“I have the privilege to play with those quality players, just as much them as the whole team, in-

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF REASONS WHY CANDIDATES AND THEIR SPONSORS PREFER CERTAIN UNIVERSITIES TO OTHERS, AND SOME EVEN REJECT UNSOLICITED OF-

FERS MADE BY THE JAMB SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE

THEY EVENTUALLY QUALI-

FY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF THEIR DREAMS.

ing as 180 or 170 marks to accommodate candidates from educationally less developed states in a ludicrous unitary-federal structure, so be it.

My point in all of this is that what has been thrown up in the confused and arbitrary fixing of cut off marks by the JAMB recently and the crisis that the troika of candidates, parents, and the JAMB has been entangled, is the dire need for the devolution of power to the federating units of the country and the critical institutions of society, to enable them develop properly and attain the height of their potentiality.

If this does not happen, first rate universities, candidates and forward-looking regions would have to continue to be bogged down by the albatross of the less developed in the country.

cluding [Andres] Iniesta, which was a dream for me to play by his side, with players that I enjoy playing alongside.

“Being on the best team in the world fills you with pride, leaves you calm, shows you how hard it is to get here. And that’s why you have to enjoy the moment once you’re here.

Suarez

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