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Disabled persons face social exclusion P. 3-6

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Tinubu not under security watch –Presidency www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 5 No. 40

Sunday, October 11, 2015

National Mirror Online

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DSP Alamieyeseigha, ex-Bayelsa gov, dies at 62 P. 7

…suffers cardiac arrest in P/Harcourt hospital

Army boss warns soldiers on relations with politicians

Alamieyeseigha

Rivers probe: Go to court Amaechi dares Wike

Ministerial screening: National interest comes rst, Saraki insists News

Three die, four injured as rock crashes into family home

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What ’s new Politics

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Ministerial nominees and Senate ’s screening

Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK October 11, 2015

Lagos State government has expressed support for Igbologun community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government as they resist moves by Nigerdock Nigeria Plc to force a relocation of the only secondary school in the community.

In an interaction with journalists yesterday, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, said the issue of relocation of the community school from where it is currently situated as proposed by Nigerdock has been

Democratic Institute, 2Face Foundation and Centre For Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution to ensure violence- free governorship election in the state.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Founder and popular musician, Innocent Idibia urged the youths not to engage themselves in violence before, during and after governorship election in Kogi state.

George dissociates self from former Sure-P employees ’ grievances

I have been sexual harassed –Monica Friday Wellness W ll

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Preventing the dilemma of Cholera

Cholera is an acute infection of the small intestine by some strains of a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.

It results in a painless, watery diarrhea in humans. Some affected individuals have copious amounts of diarrhea and develop dehydration so severe that it can lead to death.

Most victims who contact the disease ingest

the organisms, it is spread mostly by water and food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria although symptoms may be mild, while some develop a copious diarrhea within one to five days after ingesting the bacteria and severe disease requires prompt medical care.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has dissociated himself from the grievances of former Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Sure-P employees describing the publication that

linked him with their grievances as outrageous, cruel and outrightly libelous.

Speaking with journalists, George said ‘ “it is a wild thrashing in the wind, a desperate grasping for scapegoat. But this idiocy will never work ”.

Yoruba leaders threaten secession over Falae ’s kidnap The recent kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae by Fulani herdsmen in Akure, Ondo State, may have taken another dimension as prominent Yoruba leaders yesterday, rose from an emergency summit in Ibadan, with a threat that the Yoruba nation might reconsider its place in the Nigerian federation if the country is not restructured

to reflect genuine federalism.

“If we do not see any step in this direction within a reasonable time, the Yoruba may reconsider their place in a union that cannot protect them and would not allow them to protect themselves and use all legitimate and peaceful means to attain selfdetermination, ” part of the communiqué read.

Why security remains priority of my government –Buhari Buhari yesterday said significant improvement in national security remains the top priority of his administration, stressing that the country currently has 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. According to him, other socio-economic initiatives cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke at an audience with Britain ’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton During the meeting, Buhari reaffirmed his administration ’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.

The acting Consul General of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab has said that the United States of America will continue to partner Nigeria to achieve peaceful co-existence and sustainable development especially in the country ’s drive towards attainment of enduring democracy.

She said this on Thursday at a press conference shortly before the premiere of Captive, at the House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos that peace is not negotiable in any nation that aspires to achieve sustainable democracy and development.

Ghebreab said her country; the United States of America is in partnership with The Rock Ca-

thedral to send a strong message that will change people ’s life. ‘ ’We are partnering on a theme to look at a purpose driven life. The movie, Captive shows how the struggle between hope and despair play out ’ ’, Ghebreab said.

The American diplomat reminded all that societies learn from each other and in order to extend the American democracy beyond America, ‘ ‘we decided to share that experience with Nigerians through Selma.

“It ’s a long term commitment and that ’s what we are doing today to send the message about a purpose driven life which will help contribute to having a purpose driven nation. ”

Tunji Oluyemi MD, GLANVILL ENTHOVEN GROUP (INCORPORATED INSURANCE BROKERS)

MON

Ahead of Kogi State Gubernatorial election slated for November 21, 2015, a media campaign ‘Vote not Fight, election not war ’ has been launched in Kogi state.

The Vote not fight campaign was officially launched in October 2014 by 2face Foundation and Young Stars Development Initiative, YDI ahead of March 2015 general election.

It was officially launched by the collaboration of National

US Consular assures Nigeria of America ’s support for enduring democracy

Most of my time is spent on internal and external financial meetings. So, my Mondays are basically for such meetings. This is when planning for the week ’s activities take effect.

TUE

Kogi Election: Vote not ght campaign launched

permanently put to rest.

She explained that Nigerdock had proposed relocation of the school on the premise that there could be harmful air pollution in the environment as a result of the gases being emitted by the company.

According to her, the state government in response to Nigerdock ’s observation ordered an investigation which was conducted by the State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, and Safety Commission.

The meeting continues this second day of the week.

WED

147, 14(3), 65, and 5 of the Constitution of Nigeria. The senate would also insist that all the nominees, especially all former public office holders must provide their assets declaration certificates before they can scale through the screening.

Chairman of the senate ad hoc committee on media and publicity, Senator Dino Melaye provided these explanations yesterday while briefing newsmen at the end of the plenary session.

Meeting with the major clients starts this day. Typically, I ’m in planning section so I meet with the major clients, major contacts and I meet with all those that we need to get our profitability as a company.

THU

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screening of ministerial nominees, which begins in the Senate Tuesday next week, would be guided by relevant provisions of the Senate ’s standing rules as well as relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the Senate has said.

In particular, the exercise would be guided by the provisions of Order 120 of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 and sections

Same applies with Thursday. Those major clients I couldn ’t meet on Wednesday, I do have a date to meet me the next day which of course is on Thursdays.

FRI

Passion

Lagos backs community against Nigerdock ’s plan to relocate school

Most people expect me to work light on Fridays. But nay, it is not like that. I have no light day. Usually I start work before 7am and I leave around seven in the evening. Basically I work five days in a week. It ’s a bit challenging. I wish I could reduce the amount of work I do. Though I do almost same thing in these five days of the week but it ’s not boring.

SUN SAT

After waiting for four months, President Muhammadu Buhari eventually kept to his September deadline for the announcement of his cabinet when he submitted a list of 21 ministerial candidates to the Senate President penultimate Thursday, September 30.

Ministerial screening: Assets declaration compulsory –Senate

I hardly go to parties on this day. I ’m not a party man as such but on Saturdays I like to go to bars to have a drink.

I got to church on Sundays to pray because prayer is power.

Prayer is very important to me. Then later in the afternoon/ evening on Sundays, I see to my personal matters. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

08034108163 SMS Only

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015

A

Disabled persons face social exclusion

s Nigeria basks in the euphoria of its 55th anniversary as an independent nationhood, it iis also l a ti time ffor d deep reflection fl ti and d stock taking. One area for a reality check is the plight of

‘DISABILITY ISSUES OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD’

t h e d i s a b l e d persons in Nigeria, often described as the most marginalized.

Within Nigerian Withi contemporary t Ni i society, there is little appreciation for the disabled. The

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Disabled people in Nigeria constitute one of the poorest, socially excluded and marginalised groups within Nigerian. PAUL OMO OBADAN examines their plight and explores ways by which the problems associated with disability can be ameliorated. common perception, held by policy makers and the co c public at large, is that disabled people and disabilipu p issues are viewed in terms of charity and welfare. ty y is At national level, there is no disability discriminaA legislation that has been enacted within Nigeria, tion le despite despi ite the fact that two bills have been introduced into National Assembly. the N Nat Secondly , there is no form of social protection for disSec co people in Nigeria which exacerbates the level of abled dp poverty pover rty that they encounter.

Experts say that until the Nigerian government Ex xpe passed disability discrimination legislation, and has p pa developed devel lop an effective and efficient administrative infrastructure for its effective implementation, it will be frastr ru virtually virtu al impossible for Nigeria to ratify the UN Convention ventio on on the Rights and Dignities of Persons with Disabilities which contains recommendations for straDisabil

‘DISABLED SEEN AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS’

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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The Big Read

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Disabled seen as second class citizens’

Saraki

Ezeobi

Obi

Abike-dabiri

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 tegic, focused impact on promoting the rights and social inclusion of disabled people in Nigeria.

If not for the activities undertaken by international NGOs, many disabled people would not receive any services whatsoever.

The first ever World Report on Disability, produced jointly by the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, suggests that more than a billion people in the world today experience disability.

People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives.

However, what is very apparent is that disabled people constitute one of the poorest, socially excluded and marginalised groups within Nigerian society.

With regards to social policy in general, and particularly with respect to disability issues, there is an u n derlying ideological belief that these should be addressed through “charity and welfare”.

Hence, social policy issues in Nigeria are not perceived categorically in terms of human rights. Consequently, from a public-policy perspective, there is a prevailing attitude that disabled people should be “cared for”. They are often, treated as second-class citizens, shunned and segregated by physical barriers and social stereotypes. This discrimination occurs in a range of arena, including the workplace, schools, health centers, recreational facilities. As a fallout of social discrimination, economic marginalisation, and a broad range of other human rights

REGRETTABLY, REGARDLESS OF THE HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN

NIGERIA, VERY LITTLE SUPPORT IS ALLOCATED TO THE SUBJECT; PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MATTERS.

violations, people with disability face difficult challenges in living a normal life.

This attitude pervades all stakeholders, including disabled people’s themselves.

Indeed, the challenges that disabled people encounter in Nigeria are daunting, and underpinned by deep-seated and entrenched negative social attitudes regarding disability issues and disabled people, that will take a generation to change.

The Government of Nigeria signed the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (including the optional protocol), on the 30th March, 2007.

Some states have enacted disability legislation, but there are insufficient financial resources to ensure its effective implementation. For instance the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi in his era pointed out that, “There is no social protection programme for disabled

people in Nigeria.

“There is the underlying assumption held by Government that disability is perceived as a ‘charity issue’, and not in terms of human rights. This is a major obstacle in promoting a human rights-based agenda with respect to disability issues in Nigeria”.

As Africa’s most populous nation with an estimated population of 167 million people, Nigeria is ranked 156th in the Human Development Index putting it in the Low Human Development segment.

Based on the World Report on Disability (2011), approximately 25 million Nigerians live with a disability with 3.6 million of them having very significant difficulties in functioning.

Regrettably, regardless of the high number of people with disabilities in Nigeria, very little support is allocated to the subject; persons with disabilities are often excluded from social, economic and political matters. The common perception of disability intervention is often in terms of charity and welfare. Consequently, this viewpoint is a significant factor that inhibits the social inclusion of people with disabilities in the country.

Ms Ekaete Judith Umoh is the National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities.

After suffering from polio as a child, Ekaete was given the loving support from her family who refused to let her disability define her identity.

However, upon arriving at university, Ekaete was placed in a specific block of the hostel reserved only for students with disability. She could not understand and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The Big Read

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Disability is a development not charity issue

should guide them during voting. However speculations have it that on the part of Government they are afraid it is going to have a huge financial implication and burden them. But what they failed to understand is that we are not begging them, it is our right.

On the part of the public and business organizations, it is speculated that they are against it because it is too risky a bill to sign because of the many penalties involved. For instance,

Ms. Ekaete Judith Umoh is the National President of JONAPWD. She sheds more light on the plight of the disabled persons in Nigeria in this interview with PAUL OMO OBADAN

What needs to change to make the lives of the Nigerian persons with disabilities better?

In Nigeria, the rights of persons with disabilities are hardly respected.

For many years now, persons with disabilities through the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities have been demanding the passage of the National Disability Bill.

Yet, Nigeria is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which under Article 4 mandates member states to pass national legislation on disability. They also need love, care and support. Majority of persons with disabilities in Nigeria almost always have a raw deal in terms of acceptance, access and respect for their rights. Our society has yet to come to terms with the fact that there is ability in disability. In Nigeria, many families discriminate against members who are physically or mentally challenged. They are hardly shown any love and care. Instead, they are cursed, insulted and tormented for bringing ‘bad luck’ to the family. Many who are not born with their disabilities could either not get a good spouse to marry or if married, are deserted by their spouses. This is inhuman. In terms of access, persons with disabilities lack adequate access to education, health, recreational facilities and public institutions generally. Many of our public and private offices are not accessible to persons on wheelchairs and crutches. Many of them cannot enter banks, hotels and high rise buildings because of the security doors, malfunctioning elevators and absence of ramps.

In terms of employment opportunities, many PWD, though brilliant and with good academic certificates, are discriminated against at job interviews. Employers see them as a burden as they may not be as agile as their able-bodied counterparts while some may also need regular medical attention. In politics, political party leaders will hardly give them tickets to fly flag of the party at any election; be it local, state or national. This is because of the wrong notion that they are unelectable. They forgot that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd American President, who was elected an unprecedented four times into office, was for most part of his political career confined to a wheelchair due to polio attack he suffered when he was young.

Why has the disability bill not been passed into law?

Advocacy efforts are being channeled to ensure that the Disability Bill before the National Assembly is enacted into law.

There should be a body responsible for evaluating and monitoring accessibility in all sectors of human endeavors for persons with disabilities.

Disability awareness should be incorporated in

Does Nigeria have legislation that directly addresses disability?

There is a 1993 Nigerians with Disability Decree passed by the Nigerian military government in 1993.

This legislation directly addresses disability by providing for the rights and social welfare of persons with disabilities.

Some legislation on disability can be found in some states in Nigeria Lagos State Special People’s Law 2011 set up an Office of Disability Affairs.

Umoh

I FEEL THE BILL HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW HE REASONS

IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL ON THE PART OF

GOVERNMENT TO DO SO.

UGANDA, GHANA, KENYA, SOUTH AFRICA, JUST TO MENTION A FEW HAVE ALL PASSED INTO LAW THEIR

DISABILITY LAW. WHY NOT NIGERIA.

the training of teachers, doctors, architects, lawyers, construction engineers, nurses and the like.

There should be a legal provision that mandates representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy making and to work with government institutions.

The reasons I feel the Bill has not been signed into Law is because of the lack of political will on the part of government to do so. Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, just to mention a few have all passed into law their Disability Law. Why not Nigeria?

Nigeria is just indifferent in matters relating to Disabilities. For instance, in the last election in Ghana held on December 7, special ballot papers were designed for the blind to enable them vote unaided.

In Nigeria, the best is that blind voters are allowed to come to the polling unit with a trusted aide who

Other than the ordinary courts or tribunals, does Nigeria have any official body that specifically address the violation of the rights of people with disabilities?

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is the official body in Nigeria that specifically addresses the violation of the rights of people with disabilities.

The Executive Council of JONAPWD acts as a conduit between the Nigerian government and persons with disabilities in order to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. JONAPWD protects persons with disabilities by reporting any form of inhuman treatment they are subjected to, to the government.

It has been able to establish partnership with other mainstream human rights organisations, like Action Aid Nigeria, coalition for change and PACT Nigeria.

However, it has been argued that JONAPWD does not have the capacity to become an effective rights-based advocacy body as a result of the absence of a strategic plan including an obvious lack of transparency.

One of our major issues is to make them see disability as a development issue rather than a charity issue. So I do training on building knowledge for empowerment and make people see disability as a human rights issue.

Does Nigeria have government departments that are specifically responsible for promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities?

The government department responsible for promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities in Nigeria is the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The ministry provides some basic rehabilitation services.

They also organise seminars and workshops for persons with disabilities. The Ministry is also responsible for the formulation of policies and Programs for persons with disabilities.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 did not accept such an obvious form of discrimination but had to remain since that was the only available accommodation.

‘Given my upbringing, I couldn’t understand why we were being discriminated against. So, my interaction at the university started my career in advocacy,’ Ekaete explains.

Her experience is unfortunately not an isolated one in a country whose mixture of beliefs can often produce a severe level of discrimination towards those with a disability.

Danlami Umaru Basharu is the Director, Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind, ANWAB and member committee of experts of the United Nations Conven-

tion on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

He told Sunday Mirror in an interview that persons with disabilities are not a homogenous group of people.

According to him, disabilities have been clustered into six: the blind, the deaf, persons with physical disabilities, persons with spinal cord injuries, persons with intellectual disabilities and persons affected by leprosy. These different clusters have varying challenges, but above all, the overriding challenges faced by all persons with disabilities include the following, amongst others: Accessibility: The lack of accessibility to physical structures, transportation, information, communication and technology has hampered the development of persons with disabilities in the country. Not being able

to move wheel chairs easily in and out of buildings and places of association for the use of the public, not being able to communicate through appropriate formats for the deaf through sign language, for instance, Braille and audio for the blind, and easy-to-read formats for persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, makes life a lot unbearable.

Education: A serious challenge is faced in the area of education for persons with disabilities. Considering the fact that education for persons with disabilities could be in many cases capital-intensive, not enough is being budgeted towards education for persons with disabilities and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Disability issues often misunderstood’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 more particularly inclusive education, which ensures that all children should study in the same classrooms to help them to grow and understand one another together.

Healthcare: Another serious challenge is in the area of access to health care services. Deaf persons and the blind are usually at the mercy of untrained health care professionals who do not understand their needs on the field.

Because of lack of a sign language interpreter, sometimes a deaf person is sent home with merely paracetamol.

Pregnant women with disabilities have a great problem in accessing beds that are too high for them to climb into.

Political and public participation: Persons with disabilities feel excluded in the political and public decisionmaking processes of the nation. There is a real need to create an all-inclusive society where persons with disabilities can sit round the table in taking decisions that also directly affect them rather than having decisions being foisted on them. We should never lose sight of the disability slogan which states: Work and employment: Like all persons, persons with disabilities have been shut out of the work market, many being discriminated against as a result of disability where they do merit the job. Others, due to employers’ lack of understanding to provide reasonable accommodation that would enable the person with disability feel fully included in the work place, are employed at the mercy of the employer. As a result persons with disabilities continue to remain below the poverty line.

How can government ameliorate their plight?

Nigeria ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in September 2010 whereby it is bound to meet its obligations under the Convention, i.e., providing for the rights of persons with disabilities in the areas mentioned above. Government must create an enabling environment for accessibility to physical structures, transportation, information and communication technology; provide appropriate inclusive quality education, health care, work and employment and above all, provide stringent laws against discrimination on the grounds of disability. By not fulfilling its obligations under the Convention, Nigeria is clearly in violation of the UNCRPD. The Disability Bill This is the sorriest aspect of disability development in Nigeria. The bill which has been before presidents on three occasions has not yet received assent, i.e., in 2005, 2010 and 2015. The bill will now have to return to the National Assembly to commence is progress of passage through the Assembly before being sent to the President for his assent. It is expected that the new APC government, which prides itself on providing change for the people, would speedily assent to the bill as soon as it reaches the table of the president, as it assured persons with disabilities during the political campaign rallies. However, with respect to the bill, it will need to be reworked by the disability community to bring it in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities before being pushed back to the National Assembly, as is now the current trend in many countries of the world that are passing national disability laws.

The role of the media The media is a veritable tool for persons with disabilities to get their message across to the society and government about the issues that concern them. The media can be a positive or negative force for change if carefully harnessed. Some of the challenges we envisage the media encountering include: Lack of understanding of disability issues and persons with disabilities Stereotype reportage of persons with disabilities in the media In the first place, it is very important that a media worker understands what disability is all about and impresses upon the reader or viewer, the needs, yearnings

Roosevelt

Joseph

THERE IS NO DENYING THE FACT THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SUFFER FROM DISCRIMINATION ON A DAILY BASIS WHETHER IN

EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION,

INFORMATION, HEALTH, HOUSING AND EVEN SOCIAL INTERACTION. and aspirations of a person with disability. There must be a clear policy by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) to carry deaf people along in information dissemination by assigning sign language interpreters to all television stations. Furthermore, there are several important messages conveyed on television that are not known to the blind, where messages are merely written on the face of the screen. A serious challenge faced by the print media is the absence of large print newsprint for millions of Nigerians who experience poor vision.

Secondly, some sections of the media seem to have formed the habit of placing people with disabilities in stereotypes which is typical of society. Thus, a blind person is often regarded as a beggar and we find that there is great mysticism surrounding any news reporting of events around the blind or other persons with disabilities.

So, for example, a blind person can use the computer or a deaf person can talk become miracle stories. Media workers need to greatly educate themselves on the abilities of different disability groups. Yes, some deaf people can talk but may not hear and a blind person can use the computer through speech software. If we learn to enhance our knowledge of disability issues as media workers, such events should not form sensational news. We need the media as partners in progress and not sensationalism because that is a great drawback in the progress of persons with disabilities.

A public and policy affairs analyst, Ezeobi argued that the stigma and negative attitudes attached to having a disability in Nigeria are mainly due to the public’s unawareness or disregard of the genuine causes of disabilities. Such poor understanding has prolonged prejudiced traditional beliefs about disabilities. They are being marginalized and humiliated most times.

There is no denying the fact that persons with disabilities suffer from discrimination on a daily basis whether in employment, education, transportation, communication, information, health, housing and even social interaction where persons with disabilities are denied marriage to their loved ones because they are disabled.

South Africa possesses one of the most comprehensive disability rights legislation and policy regimes in the world, and disabled people are involved at all levels of government.

Unfortunately, Nigeria does not have any legislation cur-

rently safeguarding the rights of people with disability.

Joy Joseph a social commentator said it is deplorable the way governments treats people with disability in Nigeria.

According to her, they are discriminated upon because of their physical disability. Some are not allowed to work in the private sector believing they cannot contribute meaningfully to the organisation and society at large. The able also should change their attitudes towards the disabled. They hardly allow the disabled to integrate with them because they make them feel incomplete and worried about their physical challenges.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria had advocated the inclusion of physically-challenged members of the community in the cabinet of Muhammadu Buhari.

HURIWA said it believed that the continuous exclusion of the physically-challenged was tantamount to the gross violation of section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended).

“This persistent rights violations must be torpedoed now,” the organisation had stated.

There an estimated 20 million disabled people in this country with 176 million people, the largest in the continent.

“We therefore urge our President to write his name in gold as one of the respected liberators of Nigerian women and the physically challenged by equitably allotting high caliber cabinet level appointments to these groups of very important Nigerians.”

Ability in Disability Time and time again, disabled persons have proved that, with suitable support, they can live life to the full alongside the rest of us. At the 2012 London Paralympics, which was held from August 29 to September 9, 29 of them (12 bold ladies and 17 determined men), christened “Team Nigeria,” hauled back home a total of 13 medals: six gold, five silver and two bronze medals, when their peers at the Olympics came back empty-handed. But time and time again, their pains and the many barriers they face are forgotten no sooner than their exploits are celebrated.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Life and times of

DSP Alamieyeseigha Diepreye Alamieyeseigha dies at 62 D AYO ESAN

iepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha ,”DSP”, was born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Ogboin North Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Alamieyeseigha

DENNIS NAKU AND OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

T

he first executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha is dead. He reportedly died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State around 4pm at the age of 62.

The former governor reportedly died of cardiac arrest after he was said to have slipped into a coma two days ago and was placed on life support.

There were unconfirmed reports during the week that the British Government was determined to resurrect an outstanding case of money laundering against the former governor and had requested for his extradition to London.

He was governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 to 2005 when he was impeached on corruption charges after he reportedly jumped bail in a London Court.

Alamieyeseigha was succeeded by his political godson and former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who happened to be his deputy at the time.

Close family sources said Mr. Alamieyeseigha was diabetic and was treated in Dubai, but recently returned to Port Harcourt. Born on 16 Novem-

ber 1952 in Amassoma, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He attended Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a Cadet Officer in 1974 and then joined the Nigerian Air Force, where he served in the department of Logistics and Supply. He held various air force positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja. Alamieyeseigha retired from the Air Force in 1992 as a Squadron Leader.

After leaving the military he became the Sole Administrator of Pabod Supplies, Port Harcourt.

Later he became Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development of the National Fertiliser Company, NAFCON. He was elected Governor of Bayelsa State in May 1999 as a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP and re-elected in 2003 but was however controversially impeached on allegations of corruption on 9 December, 2005 The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Esueme Dan-Kikili, confirmed the death of the former governor yesterday as Bayelsans where seen discussing the sad news of a man regarded as the “Governor General of the Niger Delta”.

Tinubu not under security watch –Presidency ROTIMI FADEYI

T

he Presidency has dismissed reports that a leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was under security watch over alleged plot against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in a statement issued yesterday described the report as false and baseless.

Shehu explained that the Presidency was not aware of any such plot against the President.

He said, “We wish to confirm without any

equivocation that the Asiwaju is not of any particular interest to any arm of the security services.

“The relationship between him and the President cannot be better than it is at the moment.

Shehu explained that he had contacted the National Security Adviser, NSA, General Babagana Munguno and Director-General of the Directorate of State Service, DSS, Lawal Daura had also dismissed the report, stressing that both security chiefs are not aware of such security watch on Tinubu.

He advised Nigerians to ignore such false aimed at “breaching the excellent relationship between the pillars of our party and government.”

He attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa and joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a Cadet Officer in 1974.

He later joined the Nigerian Air Force, where he served in the department of Logistics and Supply. While in the Air Force, he held various positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja.

He retired from the Air Force in 1992 as a Squadron Leader and became the Sole Administrator of Pabod Supplies based in Port Harcourt. Later he became Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development of the National Fertiliser Company, NAFCON Alamieyeseigha was elected Governor of Bayelsa State in May 1999 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was re-elected as governor in 2003.

DSP as popularly called, was impeached on allegations of corruption on December 9, 2005.

Alamieyeseigha was detained in London on charges of money laundering in September 2005. At the time of his arrest, Metropolitan police found about £1m in cash in his London home. Later they found a total of £1.8m ($3.2m) in cash and bank accounts.

He was found to own real estate in London worth an alleged £10 million He jumped bail in December 2005 from the United Kingdom by allegedly disguising himself as a woman, though Alamieyeseigha denied this claim.

On July 26, 2007, Alamieyeseigha pled guilty before a Nigerian court to six charges and was sentenced to two years in prison on each charge; however, because the sentences were set to run concurrently and the time was counted from the point of his arrest nearly two years before the sentences, his actual sentence was relatively short.

Many of his assets were ordered to be forfeited to the Bayelsa state government. Alamieyeseigha said he only pled guilty due to his age and would have fought the charges had he been younger. On July 27, just hours after being taken to prison, he was released due to time already served.

In April 2009, Alamieyeseigha pledged a donation of N3m to the Akassa Development Foundation.

In December 2009, the Federal Government hired a British law firm to help dispose of four expensive properties acquired by Alamieyeseigha. Alamieyeseigha had bought one of these properties for £1,750,000.00 in July 2003, paying in cash. He used it as his London residence, and as the registered office of Solomon and Peters Inc. On June 28, 2012, the United States, US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced that it had executed an asset forfeiture order on $401,931 in a Massachusetts brokerage fund, traceable to Alamieyeseigha. US prosecutors filed court papers in April 2011 targeting the Massachusetts brokerage fund and a $600,000 Maryland home, which they alleged were the proceeds of corruption. A motion for default judgement and civil forfeiture was granted by a Massachusetts federal district judge in early June 2012. The forfeiture order was the first to be made under the DoJ’s fledgling Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

Alamieyeseigha was pardoned by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for his conviction on corrupt practices as Governor of Bayelsa on March 12, 2013. His pardon received wild criticism.

He was recently thrown into panic by the request by the Government of the United Kingdom for his extradition.

The former governor returned from Dubai recently as it emerged that the government of the United Kingdom requested his extradition over an unfinished corruption and money laundering case.

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, was quoted to have said that the President Buhari-led government is prepared to assent to the request of the British Government as the United Kingdom has every legal right to demand for the extradition of the former Bayelsa State governor.

“The UK is in principle correct to be making such a request based on the fact that the crime was committed on the British soil. However, when there is delay in trial as a result of time, there may be consideration on legal grounds so that the trial is not seen as oppressive,” he said.

8

NEWS

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ministerial screening: Senate’ll put national interest first –Saraki FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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head of next Tuesday’s screening of the ministerial nominees, the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki yesterday declared that the Senate would do a thorough job by according a high premium to national interest as the ministerial nominees come before the upper House.

The Senate president made the declaration during an interview with journalists when he led the delegation of the Senate on a condolence visit to Ikenne family home of the Awolowos on the death of the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty and Yeye Oodua, Chief H.I.D Awolowo in Ikenne, Ogun state.

Saraki emphasised that the Senate would uphold the constitution by putting Nigeria first regardless of relationship with any of the nominees.

“We have said that for the 8th Senate, it is not going to be business as usual. What I can assure you is that we will go with the constitution, the rules; we will put Nigeria first.

“Screening will be done with level of seriousness and what we are all concerned about is our constitutional responsibilities to ensure that we find people who are fit enough to be ministers and particularly this time, to give Presi-

dent Buhari the support he needed to succeed.

“It is not about who you like or who you don’t like and I want to assure Nigerians that will not be the basis, it will be based on the constitution and based on ability and our own assessment of capacity of the nominees to perform.

With veiled reference to the stringent conditions which the nominees may face, Saraki assured that individual differences would not be an issue during the screening exercise.

“We have spoken with senators and told them that at this moment in time, we have made sure that as much as possible, we share with the public, we try to ensure that all we be covered live so that

everybody can see, we will all be screening from our bedrooms and sitting rooms as well along with the Senators.

Be rest assured that we will do a good job Nigerians would be proud of ”.

Earlier during the visit to the Awolowo family, Saraki had described the late Mama Awolowo as a uniting factor not only in the South West, but Nigeria in general.

Speaking further, Saraki said not only the Awolowo family, but the entire Nigeria has lost a great person.

“She was a great person because since the death of Papa for so many years she continued the life of virtues and his dreams and she sustained it over many years she showed that she was a

uniting factor not only in South West, but, Nigeria in general”.

“I can say that, because just few months ago we were here during the period of our electioneering campaign and I don’t think there had been a campaign in this country that no politician will not stop here to pay respect and honour.

“She earned that because we have many wives and mothers who after their husbands have passed out have not been able to sustain the dream.

I think she has shown herself that in the entire country she is the only person that has been able to achieve that.

That is a great achievement”.

Responding, the eldest daughter of the Awolo-

wo dynasty, Reverend Omotola Oyediran, who received the Senate delegation, thanked the National Assembly leadership for identifying with the family.

She disclosed that the journey to her mother’s final resting place would commence by November 15th when her body will lie in state at her Apapa home of the Awolowo’s in Lagos for an interdenominational thanksgiving.

She further stated that Mama HID Awolowo will also be lying in state at the premises of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper by 16th November to commemorate the date of the paper’s establishment in November 16th, 1949 before her final internment on November 25th.

The Senate presi-

L-R: US Secretary of Treasury, Mr. Jacob Lew; Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Ms. Christine Lagarde and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during the 2015 World Bank IMF annual meetings in Lima, Peru, at the weekend.

Rivers panel report: Go to court, Amaechi dares Wike DENNIS. NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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he immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has dared his successor, Barrister Nyesom Wike to go to court over the recommendations of the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sales of Valued Assets belonging to the state by his (Amaechi) administration.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the the state government told newsmen at a briefing that the commission of inquiry had indicted Amaechi and asked him and others to return the sum of N97billion belonging to the

state.

But Amaechi in an electronic mail issued from his media office yesterday said that rather than engage in theatrics and ‘childish’ tantrums, Wike should prosecute him if there was any case of corruption against him.

The incumbent government has directed its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chinwe Aguma, SAN, to begin a process of prosecuting Amaechi, and other indicted by the panel should they fail to return the said sum.

But the former governor specifically stated that from the way the panel conduct its probe, it was obvious that Wike established it with a

mind set to indict him, maintaining that the outcome of the Omereji commission was not surprising to him.

The statement said, “Indeed, the Wike panel was an inquisition against Amaechi. Wike should go to court if he has any case of alleged corrupt activities against Amaechi. His panel is not and can never be a law court.

Wike’s regular childish tantrums, theatrics, comedy and drama of screaming huge bogus and phantom figures of missing or stolen or misappropriated billions of naira by the Amaechi administration have become a silly and sickening distraction.

“Mr. Wike, since you do not know and none of your coterie of court-jesters is bold enough

to tell you, we will tell you; you sound like a broken record.

Our polity can certainly do without this madness.

“As we expected, the Justice G. O Omereji Commission of Inquiry set up by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike supposedly to probe the immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi did not disappoint. The panel lived up to expectations as a shambolic inquisition panel that was set up to indict Amaechi.

“Crudely, without any sense of finesse or attempt to disguise its mission to ‘hack down Amaechi’, the Omereji panel did the bidding of its paymaster. As we earlier warned, it turned out to be a comedy, a circus show to grab

media headlines with bogus, phantom and fabricated claims of corrupt practices against former governor Amaechi and officials of his administration.

“It achieved nothing beyond political excitements, entertainment and theatrics,” Amaechi said.

He explained that Justice Omereji showed his bias against him and former officials of his administration by showing that they were corrupt even before the facts were brought before the panel.

The former governor recalled that Omereji had once during the sitting of the panel said that he (Omereji) would have locked up “these so-called officials”.

dent was accompanied to Awolowo’s Ikenne country home by other serving Senators which included the one representing Ogun Central and Ogun West Senatorial Districts, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso and Gbolahan Dada respectively.

Others are Senators Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo), Shehu Sanni as well as Abiodun Olujinmi (Ekiti).

Turkey explosions leave more than 80 dead –Officials

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wo explosions at a peace rally in the Turkish capital Ankara have killed at least 86 people and injured 186, according to officials.

TV footage showed scenes of panic and people lying on the ground covered in blood, amid protest banners.

The blasts took place near the city’s central train station as people gathered for a march organised by leftist groups.

The attack is the deadliest ever of its kind on Turkish soil.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced three days of national mourning, and said there was evidence that two suicide bombers had carried out the attacks.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack, which comes three weeks before a re-run of June’s inconclusive parliamentary elections, was an act of terrorism and was “loathsome”.

He has cancelled a planned visit to Turkmenistan.

The rally was demanding an end to the violence between the Kurdish separatist PKK militants and the Turkish government, and had been due to start at 12:00 local time.

The pro-Kurdish HDP party was among those attending, and it said in a statement that it believes its members were the main target of the bombings.

HDP leader Selahettin Demirtas has blamed the state for the attack and has cancelled all election rallies. Mr Demirtas angrily condemned the government as “murderers” and said it had blood on its hands.

The party has previously blamed the government for colluding in attacks on Kurdish activists, which the government denies.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday October 11, 2015

9

Four die, three critically injured as rock crashes into family home FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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t least four persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a huge rock tipped-off its base and crashed into a two-room apartment in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital late Friday night.

The tragedy, which occurred around 8: 30p.m at the Akomoje/Iberekodo axis of Abeokuta metropolis, killed the mother in a family of seven identified as Mrs. Silifat Lawal, her two children- 15 years old Rasheedat, Semiat (12)

as well as a nine-year old grandchild identified as Mariam.

Other members of the family who survived the tragedy included Silifat ’s husband, Mr. Ismail Lawal, Sukurat Lawal as well as another daughter of the family, Rofiat Lawal.

Sunday Mirror gathered that a four-hour torrential rain, which was accompanied by storm last Friday night had caused the huge rock which had been sitting at a distance from the building to shift base and fall on another rock, which crashed on the wall of the two-room building.

The wall of the building however, fell on the family members who had already had their dinner and went to bed earlier than usual as a result of heavy rain.

Head of the Lawal ’s extended family, Elder Gbolagade Ishola, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday amid tears, explained that it took the collective efforts of the neighbours to rescue the three injured victims and rush them to a private hospital in the Mokola axis of the metropolis, while corpses of the remaining four were removed and buried at the early hours of yesterday.

Mrs. Khadijat Adegoke,

a neighbour, who said the sound of the impact was muted by the heavy rain, explained that neighbours got to know of what happened when Mr. Lawal, rushed out and shouted for help.

Adegoke further stated that neighbours rushed to the scene but could do nothing as the victims had already been crushed.

“The incident happened around 9pm. The rain was very heavy since 5pm.

When the rock shifted and crushed them, we didn ’t hear because of the sound of the rain.

“The father came out shouting. We rushed there

only to find out that all the four of them had been crushed to death.

“The father was sleeping in the sitting room.

That was why he escaped with another daughter.

As at the time Sunday Mirror visited the scene of the tragedy yesterday morning, sympathisers were still trooping in at

the place, while the graves of the four deceased were seen just beside the collapsed building.

Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) were also on ground to provide necessary assistance for the family, while officials of the Nigeria Police were nowhere to be found.

Rivers guber: PDP uncovers plot to compromise tribunal judgement OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it has uncovered a plot by the Department of States Security, DSS, to compromise the judgement which the Rivers governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja would deliver on the petition filled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the party has incontrovertible evidence that the DSS has through one of the political nominees from the state, given the chairman of the tribunal the judg-

ment to deliver in the petition filled by Peterside.

He urged the DSS to concentrate on how to tackle the security challenges which has bedeviled the country, especially in the north east part of the country.

The PDP spokesman further urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmood Mohammed, to make sure that the judgement to be delivered by the tribunal is not interfered with by the DSS. While cautioning that the interface will not be in the interest of the peace and harmony in the country, Metuh called on the CJN to note that the quality of judgement to be delivered by the tribunal will affect the level of confidence Nigerians have on the judiciary.

Calabar Tribunal upholds Daniel Asuquo ’s victory L-R: Akpunwa Nnewi, Chief Debe Odimegwu Ojukwu; President General, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike and Ikpa Nnewi, Amobi Moghalu, during the Igbolife Leadership Lecture and Awards in Lagos, yesterday.

RICHARD NDOMA

COAS warns ofcers against fraternising with politicians

he election Tribunal sitting in Calabar yesterday evening upheld election result of Daniel Asuquo a.k.a Dansuki, the House of Representatives member representing the Akamkpa/Biase Federal constituency.

Asuquo ’s victory was challenged by Hon. Mkpanam claiming that the election result which the Independent Electoral Commission declared in fa-

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he Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Turkur Buratai, in Lagos yesterday warned officers and men of the Nigerian Army against fraternising with politicians.

Buratai gave the warning while addressing officers and men at the 9 Brigade in Ikeja, Lagos. ‘ ’I want you to remain professional and apolitical.

‘ ’Any officer or soldier seeing hibernating with politicians or getting involved in politics of whatever nature will not be tolerated and such officer will be dealt with accordingly if caught, ’ ’ he said.

Buratai said that the country must have a professionally responsive Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, which was part of his vi-

sion.

He stated that officers must be professional at all times, adding that soldiers must be responsive in the discharge of their duties. ‘ ’We must conduct ourselves professionally and responsibly to tackle armed robbery and oil theft challenges to a logical conclusion which cuts across most part of the

country, ’ ’ he said.

Buratai also said there were other challenges like administrative and welfare challenges which would also be taken care of.

He commended the soldiers operating in the North-Eastern part of the country, saying they were doing well in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.

CALABAR

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vour of Daniel Asuquo was marred by irregularity.

But Justice M.E. Njoku ’s led judges team upheld Asuquo`s victory saying that allegations put forward by his challenger were not strong enough to nullify the election result in favour of Mkpanam adding that the evidence and exhibit brought before the court by Daniel Asuquo`s opponent were not strong enough to substantiate the fact that the election was rigged in favour of Daniel Asuquo.

NSCDC arrests criminals siphoning Kaduna renery fuel A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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he operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Kaduna State Command have arrested two suspects who specialised in illegal siphoning and

sales of petrol at Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.

Parading the suspects in Kaduna, the State Commandant, Alhaji Modu Bunu, said the suspects, Suleiman Abdullahi,and Ayuba Zeyanu, were arrested with seven 25-litre

jerry cans of 25 litres of petrol Bunu, who warned criminals to stay off Kaduna State, explained that on interrogation, the suspects confessed to have specialized in buying and selling of illegal siphoned Premium Motor

Spirit.

Bunu said: “On the 3rd October, 2015 at about 1800 hours, men of the NSCDC on surveillance at Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, intercepted Ayuba Zeyanu and Suleiman Abdullahi with a

blue Golf 3 wagon loaded with seven jerry cans of 25 litres of suspected siphoned pms.

Items recovered from the suspects include one blue Golf 3 wagon with registration Abuja AU 518 YAB and seven Jerry cans of 25 litres of PMS.

To succeed in antivanadalistion task of the NSCDC and other statutory mandates, the Commandant has enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders and members of the public to collaborate with the corps.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

10

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER OCTOBER 11, 2015

‘Income redistribution critical to Nigeria ’s progress ’ In this interview, Peter Amama Agi, a political activist and university teacher urges Nigerians to stand firm by President Muhammadu Buhari ’s drive towards revamping the nation`s ailing economy. RICHARD NDOMA brings excerpts: Many people believe that President Buhari has been slow in forming a cabinet, what are your views?

Delay is not denial. This is a man that has come to meet a society that was already economically, religiously and politically bankrupt. He met a people who are already downtrodden and to a greater extent lost belief in our value system, with a depressed citizenry and with a high degree of psychological and suppressive tendencies. He met a resource base that was virtually depleted. What is wrong with taking time to understand that?

What is wrong with trying to have proactive effort in minimizing wastages and curbing leakages in the system? What is wrong with trying to search and bring people of proven integrity to be part of his government? What is wrong with trying to understand the real causes of corruption and initiating credible steps to prevent the collapse of the political and economic system?

Fundamentally, we know that he is very determined to fight corruption, a cankerworm which has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation`s society and basically destroyed our value system. If he is able to conserve money, many things would be done with the money.

At this moment, marrying the craving to curb corruption and the desire to maintain stability in governance is a daunting task and requires a deep understanding of required re-engineering processes in this context. His desire is to ensure that he has a people of proven integrity.

People who are sincere and have the love of the country at heart are his target. So it takes a while to find this kind of people, in a peculiar setting that is as bad as Nigeria is. We experienced sleaze at the highest level. Let ’s see. He is taking his time to comprehend and chart a path for the good of the country. I call for patience and understanding because it is not an easy task correct the many ills that were perpetuated deep in our country.

There was a conscious security or background check on people. Only about two or three passed the hurdle. It will

CORRUPTION HAS BROUGHT ABOUT MORAL DECADENCE, ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGES, DEPRESSION, AND SUPPRESSION OF THE PSYCHE OF THE PEOPLE.

NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WORKING IN

NIGERIA BECAUSE A FEW CABALS HAVE STOLEN EVERYTHING THAT BELONGS TO

NIGERIA bankruptcy originates corruption. And if President Buhari has taken it upon himself, he must be firm. He must not be swayed by the political antics of corrupt politicians who are people with desire to maintain the status quo. If he has begun it, he should sustain it. Now, because he is alone in this onerous challenge, the corrupt people will fight and when they fight, they will sustain the momentum.

Let ’s pray that God keeps him in power.

He is like a saint in the midst of woes.

Agi

be difficult to get a saint in Nigeria. But see, that does not mean that the effort of trying to get a saint should not be sustained. Let ’s wait. The country is moving. There ’s is a paradigm shift in the annals of the nation`s history. Let ’s appreciate the fact that, even though he is being looked upon as slow, his desire for change is something that is seemingly attainable and should be encouraged.

And there is this breath of heated air of corruption brewing from all corners.

The fact that he is there as a president, has brought about psychological re-alignment in the conduct of the people. Now, if he is able to curb corruption, which I have seen as a deep-seated issue that brought decadence in our society, obviously, he will be seen to have succeeded.

Let ’s see how it goes. With the attendant figures of varying proportion emerging, there is certainty proof that the past administration was terribly in bad shape.

The way the country was going called for concern. Corruption is dishonest action that destroys peoples ’ trust in a person or group like the news of corruption in our country. Now, the figures are massive but there are realistic figures.

You can imagine the income we generate from oil. A barrel of crude oil is sold in dollars; the exchange rate is overly high.

If you translate that money even in naira, it is massive. Imagine, trillions! It is rather regrettable that it may appear not to be real. The figures are actually real. But like there say in law, until proven guilty, nobody is guilty. That does not mean that effort should not be made to prove under the law the issue of people ’s involvement in corruption encapsulated in sleaze, misappropriation and so on. Corruption is a cankerworm. Corruption is something very bad. Corruption amounts to double dealing, deceit and deception. It is not only in the financial setting; in our relationship with people also. But see, moral

Are you saying that those found to be corrupt should be allowed to go free or punished?

The law says there should be punitive measures taken against those found culpable. In this context, corruption has brought about moral decadence, economic disadvantages, depression, and suppression of the psyche of the people.

Nothing appears to be working in Nigeria because a few cabals have stolen everything that belongs to Nigeria. Look around, we have about 180 million, if not 200 million people, I have not seen a proportion of about 10 per cent rich in the true sense of it. Everybody, about one hundred and ninety millions are poor.

Look at the per capita income. Look at the GDP. Not in favour of the less privileged.

Everybody believes in egocentrism. Everybody in governance thinks about himself and immediate family and what benefit will be accruable to him directly.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

As Reps move to preserve legislative independence P 12 & 53

11

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES OCTOBER 11, 2015

ONE OF THE VIEWS I HAVE ABOUT APC IS THAT IT IS THE CONGLOMERATION OF INCOMPATIBLES; THERE IS NOTHING BINDING THEM TOGETHER. ALL THAT BOUND THEM TOGETHER WAS TO GET RID OF JONATHAN.

Ministerial nominees and Senate ’s screening

AYO ESAN

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fter waiting for four months, President Muhammadu Buhari eventually kept to his September deadline for the announcement of his cabinet when he submitted a list of 21 ministerial candidates to the Senate President penultimate Thursday, September 30.

He also promised to send the remaining nominees to the senate in a short time.

Though the Senate received the list on September 30, it was not read out to members and the general public until

Saraki

Tuesday last week.

The list of the ministerial nominees include former governors of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); his counterpart from Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and that of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); National Publicity Secretary of All progressives Congress (APC), Lai Mohammed (Kwara); former PDP National Chairman, Audu Ogbeh (Benue); Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Delta).

Others are: Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra); Senator Hadi Sirika (Katsina); Abubakar Malami (SAN) (Kebbi); Abdurahman Bello Dambazau (rtd)

P 13

Briefly

Ifelodun LG suspends Chairman

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–CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO

Buhari

Bayelsa 2015: Dickson, Sylva set for titanic battle

(Kano), Aisha AlHassan (Taraba); Barrister Adebayo Shittu (Oyo); Barrister Solomon Dalong (Plateau); Amina Ibrahim (Kaduna); Osagie Ehanire (Edo); Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa); Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi); Ahmed Ibeto (Niger); Ibrahim Jibril and Udoma Udo-Udoma (Akwa- Ibom).

After the reading out of the names of the ministerial nominees, the senate said the proper screening of the would be minister will begin this week Tuesday, thus leaving room for anxiety and fears among the nominees and their admirers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

ouncillors in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have suspended the Council Chairman, Babatunde Salami for three months, citing his failure to honour the invitation of the house to defend the allegation that he executed sub-standard projects.

The suspension order was unanimously endorsed by 16 out of 18 lawmakers of the council sitting at the Council Secretariat, Share.

The suspension is coming on the heels of the report submitted by the house committee on works investigating allegation levelled against the chairman accusing him of executing sub-standard projects at Babanloma and Ora community respectively.

According to the speaker of the House, Hon. Segun Oluwaponle, a petition was submitted to the house on 6th October 2015, wherein the chairman was alleged to have constructed sub-standard borehole and blocks of classrooms at Babanloma and Ora communities respectively.

The chairman was accused of constructing a handheld bore-hole as against the motorised bore-hole approved by the house, while pupils in Ora live in fear as the 2 blocks of class rooms constructed is sub-standard and on the verge of collapse.

Oluwaponle reminded the house that upon receipt of the petitions, the house mandated its committee on works to investigate the said petition by visiting the site of the project, to authenticate the veracity of the petition.

The speaker therefore called on the acting chairman of the house committee on works, Hon. Taofeeq Oriyomi representing Oke- Ode ward 111 to brief the house on the findings of the committee and where he expressed sadness at the discoveries at the site of the bore-hole and blocks of classrooms at Babanloma and Ora communities respectively.

Moving the motion for suspension of the chairman, Hon. Dare Idowu representing Share ward 111, accused the chairman of consistent breach of the constitution citing instances of his refusal to submit financial report of the council to the legislative, adding that, he also refused to submit the proceedings of the executive committee as may be required by the legislature.

Idowu said “It would be recalled that the chairman has always held the councillors in contempt, in view of this flagrant disregard of this honourable house by the chairman, I hereby move that he be placed on six months suspension ” he added.

Hon. Olakunle Michael, however pleaded for the suspension to be reduced to three months on compassionate ground, while adding that, the council ’s vice-chairman Hon. Lateef Lawal Leto be made to act in acting capacity.

12

Politics

Sunday October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

As Reps move to preserve Since his emergence as Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki, has been in the news largely for the wrong reasons, which has been attributed to his standing against the will of his party to gain his position. Our correspondent, UBONG UKPONG, in Abuja, looks at the planned intervention by the House of Representatives to save the situation.

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n Wednesday September 30, 2015, just before it embarked on the recess for Independence Day celebration, the House of Representatives resolved to wade into the travails faced by the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki.

Hon Raphael Nnana Igbokwe, had brought a motion to the House ’s plenary, under matter of urgent public importance, titled, “Motion on Nigeria ’s 55 years of Independence: Need for vigilance ”, noting that on the following day, being October 1, Nigeria would attain 55 years of independence from the colonial government of Great Britain.

Conscious that in achieving this, the early nationalists made sacrifices and in some instances paid the supreme sacrifice, Igbokwe noted that there were so many good things to celebrate on independence in spite of our challenges as a nation.

He said it was clear that Nigerians were making concerted efforts and sacrifices towards maintaining one united country founded on the principle of equity, fairness and justice, even as he appreciated the role of the legislature in sustaining democracy in a friendly and tolerable political climate.

Raising the concern that the journey CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

The transmission of the ministerial nominees for screening and confirmation by the senate is in line with the provisions of section 147(2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The names on the list after months of speculation in the media did not bring many surprises and many of the names that have been flinging in the media eventually made it.

The reactions of Nigerians were, if these are the set of people that would be nominated while the delays as most of the first batch of ministers are those who had served at various government level in the past with few if any technocrats.

Also , the allegation of corruption trailing some of the nominees made Nigerians to ask how Buhari will fight corruption with those people in the cabinet.

In his own reaction to the list of nominees, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, LP Barrister Kayode Ajulo, “the list happens to be confirming the fears of many that change, as touted by the APC, is little more than a fraudulent marketing gimmick that was used to take advantage of the desires and aspirations of Nigerians.

“Have you seen the list yourself ? What resembles or symbolizes change in the entire list? Nothing ”, he said.

“It confirms a common saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same. President Buhari has spent up to six months assembling a coterie of the same forces that have brought Nigeria to the sorry pass we are currently in.

Honestly, it is not fair on the part of the

to nationhood had its challenges, Igbokwe said it was wise for the House to congratulate the Nigerian people for their patience and sustained support for the country ’s democratic institutions since 1999 and be encouraged by the fact that Nigeria has the potential of economic growth and as well as be a safer place for everyone to live in, saying, “we must not forget where we are coming from.

Looking rather very tactical in his submissions in a motion that had no direct bearing with the present travails of Saraki, the lawmaker having asked the House to congratulate Nigerians on the 55 years of independence, also urged the House to pass a confidence vote on the leadership of the National Assembly and urged all institutions of government to be guided by the rule of law and due process and avoid being used to undermine any arm of government.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the House gave opportunities to members to contribute to the motion and they all dwelt on the matters of the independence anniversary.

However, when given the opportunity to contribute, the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, PDP, made a judicious use of the privilege

and quickly proposed an amendment to the motion seeking to resolve the lingering crisis in the National Assembly.

For him, it was not enough for the House to just pass a vote of confidence on Saraki while the problems are deepened by the day.

He sounded very wise and mature when he proposed that the House “mandate the leadership of the House to meet with the President with a view to possibly resolve all outstanding issues relating to NASS in the interest of Nigerians. ” Equally, Ogor categorically asked the House to “mandate the Speaker to intervene in the issues and challenges being faced by the Chairman of the National Assembly with a view to finding a political solution and protecting the institution of the National Assembly as a whole for the interest of our democracy. ” By his popular amendment, the House resolved to handle the matter as proposed to save the embattled President of the Senate, It would also consider the measures to protect principal officers of the National Assembly against all forms of external attacks.

Speaker Dogara, would embark on a

Dogara

fact-finding mission to ascertain what led to the travails of the of the Senate President, which to him, the Representatives and most Nigerian people is obvious.

Although some have cleverly attempted to exonerate President Muhammadu Buhari from Bukola Saraki ’s travails, by claiming that the Code of

Ministerial nominees a WE HAVE HAD CASES WHERE THE NOMINEE IS DIRECTED TO “TAKE A BOW, AND GO ” EXEMPTING HIM OR HER FROM WHAT SHOULD BE A RIGOROUS SCREENING PROCESS TO DETERMINE CREDIBILITY AND CAPABILITY President. It is not fair to the 16 million Nigerians that voted for him, neither is it fair to the entire nation who has accepted him as president. “ What we have in the much anticipated list is an assemblage of the old guard, the average age on the list is 61 years old, very sad, whereas it is on record that 76% of the winning votes are those within the bracket age of 18-43 years old. Honestly, to say I am disappointed will be a gross understatement ’, Ajulo said.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which is the main opposition party in the country has also described the list of nominees as containing no surprises and wondered why it took Buhari so much time to put the list together.

A public opinion analyst, Comrade Bayo Okunlola said Buhari could as well named the cabinet at Eagle Square immediately after he was sworn-in to office if the names he released now is the ones he

had in mind.

So as the Senate begins the screening on Tuesday, Nigerians are already calling on the senate to do a thorough job and to depart from the old order where most nominees are just allow to take a bow and go.

Ajulo said for long, ministerial screening at the Senate has been a comedy of sorts.

“We have had cases where the nominee is directed to “take a bow, and go ” exempting him or her from what should be a rigorous screening process to determine credibility and capability. The actual screening, when it is even conducted, has been somewhat lukewarm and half-hearted with the panel often being unwilling to ask the tough questions and to inquire into the background and antecedents of the nominee. “Now, given that the APC promised Nigerians change, I expect that it will not be business as usu-

Faye emi

al any longer.

“I expect that the nominees will be required to give account of their stewardship in the various places where they have served prior to now.

“The panel should address any and every allegations of misconduct regardless of whether it has been brought before the courts or not.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday October 11, 2015

13

Bayelsa 2015: Dickson, Sylva set for titanic battle OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

B

ayelsa State is peculiar for one thing: every occupant of the office of the state governor always leave office unceremoniously and in controversial circumstances.

The only exception to this peculiarity is perhaps Goodluck Jonathan, who left to become the Vice President and later President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was controversially impeached in his second term, Chief Timipre Sylva was not allowed by his then party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to seek re-election and was forced out of office.

Governor Seriake Dickson is about to finish his first term and looks set to break the second term jinx, but with the sudden resurgence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state and the vengeance-seeking former governor of the state, Sylva, leading the battle, the state may be set to witness the fiercest political battle of its 19-year existence as a state.

Already the tense atmosphere in the state has been rekindled by last Wednesday ’s emergence and confirmation of former Governor Sylva as APC standard bearer, ending the seeming war between the two Timis - Alaibe and Sylva, as the party opted to allow Sylva take the ticket.

Sylva ’s emergence as APC standard bearer has opened up a straight fight between him and incumbent governor, Dickson. It is also a re-enactment of the 2011 battle, where the duo met to slug it out for the state governorship and what happened then is now history waiting to be repeated or broken.

For Sylva, the scars from the injuries he sustained from that infamous battle with Dickson-backed Federal Government, headed by former President Jonathan, are still very fresh and vengeance is now probably one of the major reasons he seek to chase Dickson away from Creek Haven seat of government.

Sylva said that though those who participated in denying him a second term ticket on the platform of the PDP then had concluded that he was finished, “they never knew I was a tree planted to germinate in another place. They thought they were burying me; they never knew it was a seed they planted. When I became governor, they were fighting me from everywhere even from Otuoke. ” His hunger for revenge from that 2011 episode and the burning desire to right many wrongs and perhaps deal decisively with the PDP and the elements that refused his re-run ticket could be his defining factor in the December poll.

On the part of Dickson, the incumbency factor may play a key role and of course, the support from former President Jonathan, who masterminded the sacking of Sylva from Government House in 2011, may also be a joker.

If the tunes from the opposing camps are anything to go by, then the state is set for a battle of wits, intrigues, maneuverings, and the battle ahead can perhaps be described as a battle of two elephants, in which the grasses always suffer.

The first salvo was first fired by the People Democratic Party, PDP, when it dismissed the ambition of the former governor of the state and gubernatorial

Dick kson n

Sylv va

WITH THE DECEMBER 5 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION AROUND THE CORNER, WE DULY CALL ON THE PEOPLE TO OUT RIGHTLY REJECT

SYLVA ’S CANDIDACY AND HIS APC-LED

POLITICS OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION

candidate of the APC for the December 5 election, Sylva, describing him as unelectable.

Bayelsa State PDP Secretary, Keku Godspower, who said this in a statement in Yenagoa, added that it was a shame and an insult to the collective sensibilities of Bayelsans that of all APC members, Sylva was the best they could put forward as candidate.

Frowning at Sylva ’s choice by APC, Keku said what the party ’s decision meant was that the APC was not prepared for any serious outing at the election because, as he noted, “everybody in Bayelsa knows that Sylva is not electable ”.

He, however, hinted that since Sylva ’s emergence, there are palpable fear, tension and apprehensions among Bayelsans, a development which he attributed to the spate of violent incidents during the recent APC gubernatorial primaries in the state.

Keku also alleged that Sylva has a record of violence and that his second coming will not be different, adding that since the APC primaries, the state had witnessed the influx of cultists and militants.

He added that the influx of these elements into Bayelsa State had created palpable fears and tension among the people, saying that this development, if

not checked, could lead to relapse of violence in the state and the entire Niger Delta region.

Keku, however, was confident that any possible violence would be contained; assuring the people that security agencies in the state will deal with anyone caught breaching the peace or molesting anyone.

The PDP advised Bayelsans to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation, urging them to report any suspicious character to the security agencies.

While asking the people to vote for the PDP during the December election, Keku also called on the Federal Government to direct its security agencies to take urgent steps to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

He said: “With the December 5 gubernatorial election around the corner, we duly call on the people to out rightly reject Sylva ’s candidacy and his APC-led politics of violence and intimidation which has become a well- known trademark of his. ” That salvo did not land before the reply came from Sylva campaign organization, which vows to make the incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Dickson, history as the election fast approaches.

Reacting to the statement of the PDP, that its principal was ‘unelectable, ’ Sylva

Campaign Organisation noted that the APC knew that PDP ’s game plan was to prevent the emergence of a strong and popular APC gubernatorial candidate so that it can easily repeat its trademark shenanigan of aborting democratic competition and stealing victory without a contest.

In a statement, signed by Doifie Buokoribo, Sylva said it was with deception, that PDP in 2011, stole the mandate of the people when both Chief Sylva and Mr. Ndutimi Alaibe were dubiously excluded from the polls just to give Hon. Dickson victory without a real electoral contest.

The statement added: “All the frenzied disparagement of Sylva now by PDP is an understandable manifestation of fear and frustration over their impending, indubitable defeat at the December 5 election. That frenzy is understandable. We will make Dickson history! ” This coming gubernatorial election will clearly not be like other gubernatorial elections held in the state before now, because for the first time, the people will witness a real battle between two strong parties and two popular contenders; unlike in the past when the party at the center decides who win, irrespective of the people ’s will.

Already, signs of things to come ahead the main campaigns have started emerging with claims and counter-claims on facts and figures on governance in the state (past and present) and campaign promises made and fulfilled.

This is also one election that will bring out the best in political strategists, actors, grass root mobilizers and schemers.

For now the Sylva camp has began in earnest as Sylva is set to pick his running mate, who he intends to plot together how to oust incumbent Dickson in the December gubernatorial poll.

Already the 51-year-old former governor has set up his campaign organisation, with Senator Heineken Lokpobri, another man who wants Dickson out at all cost, considering how Dickson plotted against his failed bid to return to the Senate, as the Director General.

It is expected that Sylva will announce his running mate while inaugurating his campaign team.

The election will be the teaming up of vengeance seeking politicians, who felt betrayed by the administration of Jonathan, both as Bayelsa State governor and President of the Federal Republic and those who failed to get party tickets in the last general election against those still left in the camp of the former President.

It is also an election to see if the people will be allowed to choose who represent them democratically; because some observers believe that past governors of the state, from Alameiseigha to Dickson, were never prepared to govern the state, but were largely foisted on the people.

The battle line has now been drawn, with the PDP calling on the security agencies to take proactive steps to place leaders of the APC in the state on its watch list, warning that no one should be allowed to perpetrate crisis in the state and go scot free, pointing out that election is not war or fight, rather it is supposed to be a contest.

As it is, Bayelsa State is set to witness perhaps the most hotly contested gubernatorial election, not only in its history, but in the annals of Nigeria.

14

Opinion

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

E-mail: Sheryfffolarin@yahoo.com 07051653138(SMS only)

O

“

werri-pitality”! That’s the latest addition to my dictionary of vocabularies.

This is courtesy of the one and only “Okosisi”, the amiable and indefatigable

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of my host university in Imo State.

“Okosisi”, a Septuagenarian from his allwhite but clean and well-trimmed hair, very affable and homely in character, is everyone’s delight, any day. A reverend gentleman and professor with academic bias for applied languages, such a terminology from him was not unexpected.

“Owerri-pitality” is another word for the peculiar- according to him, an unrivalled kind of- hospitality that the heartland of the Igbos offers.

The Igbos were known for being great wordsmiths. The forebears before and after independence were intellectual giants, who prized high-sounding vocabs and according to oral history, who mesmerized the English colonial lords at home and abroad, getting them to seek out definitions in known and unknown dictionaries. We have heard fables of what Mbadiwe (a name the Yorubas have fondly defined as “mba-di-iwe”, meaning “I would have become books”) did in London at a time when he conjured a sentence that the British hosts never could crack: “a broken bottle has no mmekwatarism”, Mbadiwe was quoted to have said.

It is not surprising that I would hear

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Nine days of ‘Owerri-pitality’ of Owerri-pitality in the heart of the men of books. After all, even the names of the great Igbo leaders of yore, when comically contextualized in Yoruba, bore semblance with intellectualism: Azikiwe (“Asi-kiiwe”: luck of books), Mbakwe (Mba-ka-iwe: I should have read books”), and so forth.

Okosisi, the IMSU iroko simply brought back the good old days of Igbo ingenuity in academic circles. He had “warned” that we were in for a terrific time as we would be blown away by the enormity of Owerri hospitality: “Owerri-pitality”. I looked forward to the fun. Did I get it?

The Owerri-pitality was of mixed grill.

From the Sam Mbakwe “International” Airport, to the very heart of Owerri- Port Harcourt Road, Bank Road, Okigwe Road, Wederer (I am not sure I got the spelling right), Commissioners Quarters area, etc., the smily face of the “Owelle”, Sir Rochas Okorocha’s portraits on massive billboards dot the entire landscape of the beautiful city.

One important thing is that truly, Owerri is beautiful, and if there is any other better adjective to describe it, I would gladly appreciate that you qualify it more succinctly for me. The aesthetics is either complemented or engendered by the well-laid out estates, magnificent hotels and splendiferous and well-built structures all over the city. I am not sure which is more beautiful and expensive: Enugu or Owerri. By the way, Owerri was the last official capital of defunct Biafra Republic, and as such nothing short of a good foundation in town planning is expected. Enugu was the first capital before it was leveled and taken by the federal forces in October 1967.

Back to the Owelle. The portraits seem to be pointing to the submission that Owerripitality is unique. The Governor is willing to offer smiles here and there, free of charge, on those uncountable billboards. You will

find him everywhere and if care is not taken, you will likely have no other thoughts for the day than the images of the Governor in mind, and you are more likely going to sleep to dream of the people’s governor. And when you wake up, you will unconsciously retort to a last remark in the dream, muttering: “Yes, Your Excellency!”

I was curious to find out what the hospitality is all about. It was not my first time in that blessed city of Ndigbo. But the “warning” and assurances that the people were different set my mind in the search mode. I found out that an average Owerri person, on the street, bus, “Keke” or in your neighbourhood would greet you in a very polite manner.

The people are friendly and respectful.

The ladies are bright and beautiful- they can be mistaken for half-castes or Beyoncé’s half sisters. The men do not behave like the average Igbo man you find in Lagos. Those in Owerri are not loud and they mind their business.

Now I know that Lagos has a rival in “Keke Marwa”. If I am not mistaking, Owerri’s symbol is the “Keke”. They are in their thousands, oozing out their fumes and choking every passenger- another dimension of Owerripitality. I had no alternative to Keke.

I was condemned to hop in and out of it all through my nine days in that city. The beautiful thing however is that you could “chatter” (commandeer) it to any destination for only 200 or 300 naira. On your first day as JJC, you would likely pay as much as 400 naira or 500 naira, which is often the case with “mugus” who are yet to understand the “order of things”.

Interestingly, Owerri roads, as beautiful as they appear, have natural “checkpoints” everywhere: potholes (call them gullies). I considered these to be a kind way of slowing down speeding or potentially over-speeding

vehicles. Potholes exist where they least are expected to be. The rains pour and the motorists wish they had canoes to paddle their way out. Another thing is that the drainages, well constructed, do not empty their wastes. Water is locked in them perpetually and this is noticeable in all the drainages in the city, even in the areas for the biggest. The drainage system in Owerri seems cursed by a “dibia”they simply do not work! This, however is a blessing in disguise for Keke riders, who are seen parking by the sides of the drainages to scoop water from them and “clean up” their machines for work the next day. This is another dimension of how Owerri is nice and magnanimous to its own people.

On a serious note, beyond all these side attractions, Owerri is a pleasurable place to belife is easy and sweet. But you must have the money to buy it. Owerri indigenes pride their town as a place where you come to spend the money and get the best life can offer.

This cannot be truer. “Offe-Owerri” is as “sweet” as sugar and you can make it an afternoon meal for whole nine days.

But it costs N1, 600, per plate and if that is multiplied by nine, what you have is enough to buy a flight ticket to return home.

You spend all on “Offe-Owerri”, or “Oha” or bitter-leaf soup, then what you see on those large billboards will no longer be Okorocha smiling, but crying for you. You might have to be dignified in your obvious pitiable state by pretending to be trekking for Saraki or Dogara.

But is it not worth it? To trek to Lagos and have all the time in the world to reflect and fantasize on all the life beauties that Owerripitality has in nine days, offered you.

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

ABUAD wears a new look TUNDE OLOFINTILA

W

ith the above headline, most readers might be tempted to think this treatise will essentially be on the forthcoming 3rd Convocation ceremonies of Afe Babalola University slated for October 21, 2015: but far from it. Rather, it has so much to do with its Teaching Hospital, the construction of which started in June.

When the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), the Regulatory Body for Education in Nigeria, approved the running of a Medical programme for Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), it was crystal clear that there would be a need for a Teaching Hospital where tested and experienced doctors and allied professionals will train and mentor the university’s medical and allied students.

But then, the five-year old university, which enjoys the unparalleled and enviable record of being the first university to secure full accreditation in Medicine at a go and within five years, was not contemplating building its own Teaching Hospital in the nearest future, at least not in the next 10 years.

And so in tandem with global best practices where universities use thoroughly established and well-grounded hospitals as Training Centres for their

clinical students, ABUAD indicated an interest in using the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti for the clinical training of its Medical students.

However during the NUC’s initial visit to the FMC, the Regulator for University education observed that there was a yawning need to upgrade the facilities at the FMC to meet the standards of a Teaching Hospital for the training of Medical students. This prompted ABUAD to spend over N2.8 billion in a massive infrastructural development of the FMC to put in place the following structures: prestigious three-storey male and female hostels, dining hall, library, four fully-equipped laboratories, well-furnished classrooms, Auditorium and sporting facilities.

Today, the FMC is now wearing a new, elegant, and totally different look befitting of a Teaching Hospital so much so that when the immediate past Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, came for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FMC and ABUAD on November 15, last year, he was so impressed at the transformation that ABUAD has brought to bear on the FMC that he quipped that it would be difficult for any University to match what ABUAD did at FMC, Ido-Ekiti.

One of the key elements in the MoU which was to last for 10 years in the first

instance was that Consultants at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti would not embark on any industrial action.

But less than one year after the signing of the MoU, the Nigerian in the Consultants at the Teaching Hospital manifested to the extent that the FMC Consultants observed the MoU only in the breach. And so, they have been on strike in the last three months contrary to provisions of the MoU and the Hippocratic Oath they all ab initio subscribed to.

Miffed that this untoward development might jeopardize the training of the university’s Medical students who score 94% in their first clinical examination earlier this year, ABUAD Founder, Are Aafe Babalola, SAN, had to look for alternative ways of training the Medical Students.

In a practical demonstration of the aphorism that necessity is the mother of invention, it would appear that the on-going industrial action at the FTH, Ido-Ekiti, is working in favour of the University as it has since commenced the construction of its our own 24-ward multi-billion Naira Teaching Hospital, which will buoy the economy of the state with thousands of jobs, very much against its own wish and at a very huge expense, the 10year agreement under the MoU notwithstanding.

Babalola immediately commenced the building of the Teaching Hospital, so as not to jeopardize the training of the medical students and to ensure that the standard which the university has hitherto been acknowledged globally is sustained.

When the Teaching Hospital, patterned after Chelsea Hospital in England, reputed to be one of the best in the world, is completed in March 2016, Babalola said it promises to be the best around.

His words: “With the facilities we will put in our Teaching Hospital and the world-class Consultants and other professionals of international repute that will teach and mentor our Medical Students, the doctors we will be producing like their peers in other disciplines who have graduated from here, will be high flyers, society changers and great Ambassadors of this University. We are here to change the world”.

He added: “With the Academic, Leadership and moral as well as the Entrepreneurial training they will acquire from here to make them all-rounder professionals that do not have to be scouting for white collar jobs before they can be gainfully employed, the sky is their take off point. They cannot but excel anywhere they find themselves in future”.

Indeed, necessity is the mother of invention.

Olofintila wrote from Lagos.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Man in the News Chief Olu Falae

Terrorised in own backyard AYO ESAN

F

ormer minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, will not forget in hurry his travail of Monday, September 21. It was a day that ought to have been a joyous one as he clocked 77 years, but he ended up in the hands of kidnappers who dragged him over several kilometers for about three days. He has since been released by his abductors.

Falae was reportedly kidnapped by six Fulani herdsmen at his Ilado farm along Igbatoro Road, in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The abductors later contacted his wife and demanded N100 million ransom.

It was also gathered that some of his workers in the farm were also attacked by the suspected abductors, who reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare away people and to forestall any circumvention of their dastardly act.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wole Ogodo, said the victim and his abductors had been having running battles on the farmland for some months, thus escalating in the unfortunate incident as many of Falae ’s workers sustained various degrees of injury.

“Baba Falae has been having a running battle with the herdsmen, and this morning, we learnt that he visited the farm and he was allegedly attacked by those herdsmen. ” Recounting his ordeal, Chief Falae said it was plausible that his ordeal was closely connected to his conflict with Fulani herdsmen who consistently grazed at his farm.

“The cattle rearers have been giving me a hard time for the past two or three years.

Because I have a dam on the farm, so they like to bring their cattle there to drink water, then they eat other people ’s crops, ” he stated.

“This time they ate up my maize farm, two hectares. We took pictures, and it was videoed, the police went there. They were asked to pay compensation, they begged and paid half of what we claimed and we accepted it.

“That was about two months ago. Whether it was one of them who went to bring his brothers to come and deal ‘with this wicked man ’, I don ’t know. It is plausible. My view is that this is my home. I have not gone to farm in any other person ’s territory. I have every right to farm and live in peace here.

So, this is totally unacceptable. ” Reacting to Falae ’s claim, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has demanded the stoppage of nomadic cattle rearing in the South-West. The group said it believed Fulani herdsmen would no longer be tolerated in any part of Yoruba land after what happened to the former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, SGF. In a communiqué issued after its month-

ly meeting at the Akure residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere lamented the insecurity in the state.

The communiqué read by Afenifere Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, described Falae ’s abduction as an insult to the Yoruba, their culture and values.

The group urged the fFderal Government to implement report of the 2014 national conference, saying the issue of nomadic cattle rearing had been addressed by the conference.

“After an exhaustive deliberation on the state of the nation, especially the security situation, the following communiqué was adopted by the meeting.

“A special focus was paid on the recent abduction of one of our revered leaders in Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae while on his

farm.

“Meeting described this as scandalous, gory and chilling the harrowing experience of the 77-year-old statesman in the hands of vandals and miscreants.

“Meeting did not consider it as a mere coincidence that chief Olu Falae, for two to three years before his adoption, has had running battles with the Fulani herdsmen on the very farm where he was abducted.

“The last of such experience was about two months earlier, when the Fulani herdsmen entered his maize farm and destroyed it and Chief Falae pursued the matter with the police and grudgingly accepted half of what the police said they should pay as compensation.

“The Fulani elements coming out to abduct him two months after, is presumably a

vengeance mission for justice that he pursued against the invasion of his farm and the destruction of his handwork. Meeting recalled that for years, farmers in Yoruba land have been expressing what Chief Falae was going through in the hands of this nomadic cattle rearers.

“Meeting also noted that the 2014 national conference, to which Chief Falae led the Yoruba delegation, extensively discussed this matter of nomadic cattle rearing and the conference resolved that it should be stopped and that instead we should have ranches for cattle business. ” As if adding salt to injury, the Fulani herdsmen still went to Falae and destroyed the farm .

This led to a meeting of the Yoruba leaders last Thursday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State where they resolved that the Yoruba nation might reconsider its place in the Nigerian Federation if the country is not restructured to reflect genuine federalism.

Falae was born to the family of Joshua and Abigail Falae. His father was originally from Akure but due to opportunities in cocoa farming, the family and a few other Akure natives moved to a nearby location called Ago-Abo where they settled as pioneers.

His father was later made the head of Ago-Abo village. Falae attended an Anglican primary school in Akure where he met his future wife, Rachael Fashoranti.

He attended Igbobi College from 1953. He completed his Higher School Certificate at Government College Ibadan in 1958.

Falae attended University of Ibadan for his undergraduate studies before pursuing a graduate programme in economics in the United States.

He joined the civil service as assistant secretary of the National Manpower Board. In 1986, he took up appointment as the Secretary to the Government.

He left the post of Secretary to the Government and served as the Federal Minister of Finance in 1990 in the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida. He was relieved from office in August 1990 and he joined the democratic transition programme. Falae ’s foray into politics started during the 3rd Republic He became a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, during the quest for the restoration of democracy in the country. He was jailed by the military government of Sani Abacha but was released in June 1998 after Abacha ’s death.

He unsuccessfully contested the 1999 presidential elections on the joint platform of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, and the All Peoples Party, APP, against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

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16

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES October 11, 2015

Preventing the dilemma of Cholera TITILOPE MORAKINYO

C

holera is an acute infection of the small intestine by some strains of a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. It results in a painless, watery diarrhea in humans. Some affected individuals have copious amounts of diarrhea and develop dehydration so severe that it can lead to death.

Most victims who contact the disease ingest the organisms, it is spread mostly by water and food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria although symptoms may be mild, while some develop a copious diarrhea within one to five days after ingesting the bacteria and severe disease requires prompt medical care. The ailment can quickly become fatal and in most cases, the rapid loss of large amounts of fluids and electrolytes can lead to untimely death within two to three hours. In less extreme situations, people who don ’t receive treatment may die of dehydration and shock hours to days after the symptoms appear.

Cholera is spreading through camps sheltering displaced people in Maiduguri, capital of northern Nigeria ’s Borno state.

Since the first case of cholera appeared one month ago, the waterborne disease has spread through three camps in the city, home to more than 1.6 million people forced from their homes by Boko Haram violence.

According to the world Health Organization (WHO), estimation have been made every year, there are roughly 1.4 to 4.3 million cases, and 28 000 to 142 000 deaths per year worldwide due to cholera.

In an interview with Sunday mirror Dr Mark Anthony, a medical practitioner with Regina Mundi Hospital Mushin Lagos, describes cholera as an infectious disease characterised by intense vomiting and profuse watery loose bowel and that rapidly leads to dehydration and often death.

“When sufferers have being contaminated with the bacteria, they may not become ill immediately, but pass the bacteria

in their stool. When human feces contaminate food or water supplies, both can serve as ideal breeding grounds for the cholera bacteria. Because more than a million bacteria approximately the amount one will find in a glass of contaminated water are needed to cause illness, cholera usually is not transmitted through casual person-to-person contact ”. He said, “With modern sanitation, cholera is no longer as common as it once was, but epidemics still occur when people are inhabited in a crowded and unsanitary condition, such in refugee camps.

Everyone is susceptible to cholera, with the exception of infants who derive immunity from nursing mothers who have previously had cholera. Still, certain factors can make you more vulnerable to the disease or more likely to experience severe signs and symptoms ”. He maintained, “Cholera is likely to increase in situations where a sanitary environment including a safe water supply is difficult to maintain but the bacteria can ’t survive in an acidic environment, and ordinary stomach acid often serves as a first-line defense against infection. But people with low levels of stomach acid such as chil-

HEALTH NEWS Expert tasks FG on health facilities in rural areas

A

specialist in communicable disease control in South Africa, Dr Ayo Olowolagba, at the weekend urged the Federal Government to develop public health facilities in rural areas.

Olowolagba, who is the deputy head, Ethekwini Municipality Health Services, Kwazulu Natal Province of South Africa, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He said there was need to make public health facilities accessible to those at the grassroots in order to tackle emergencies, especially communicable diseases.

Olowolagba, who had been involved in local government health service delivery for 20 years, said the development of public health facilities would pro-

mote longetivity in rural areas.

“Public health development is the beginning of good health to the people.

We need to develop the public health system, especially in the rural areas to check emergencies like communicable diseases, ” he said.

According to Olowolagba, any nation without strong health system is at the risk of being affected by communicable diseases.

dren, older adults, and people who take antacids, H-2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors lack this protection, so they ’re at greater risk of cholera. You ’re at significantly increased risk of cholera if you live with someone who has the disease ”. He added, “On the symptoms he said that “cholera can begin as soon as a few hours after infection. Often, symptoms are mild. But sometimes they are very serious. About one in twenty people infected have severe watery diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Although many infected people may have minimal or no symptoms, they can still contribute to spread of the infection ”.

The Prevention of cholera, the medics

advised “keep an adequate sanitation and basic hygiene needs. Wash hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet and before handling food. Rub soapy, wet hands together for at least fifteen seconds before rinsing.

If soap and water aren ’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Drink only safe water. Eat food that ’s completely cooked and hot and avoid street vendor food. Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and fruits that can ’t be peeled, such as grapes and berries, Be wary of dairy foods, including ice cream, which is often contaminated and unpasteurized milk. ” On the treatment he said, “The disease is treated with intravenous fluids and with antibiotics. The goal is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes using a simple rehydration solution, oral rehydration salts (ORS). The ORS solution is available as a powder that can be reconstituted in boiled or bottled water. Without rehydration, approximately half the people with the ailment may die. With treatment, the number of fatalities drops to less than 1 percent.

During a cholera epidemic, most people can be helped by oral rehydration while antibiotics are not a necessary part of cholera treatment, some of these drugs may reduce both the amount and duration of cholera-related diarrhea ”.

His words: “Developed countries have an almost zero incidence of cholera because they have widespread water treatment plants, food-preparation facilities that usually practice sanitation protocols, and most people have access to toilets and hand-washing facilities. A lot of responsibilities in curbing this epidemic which is killing more of the average citizens of Nigeria lie with the government.

As Nigerians, we should contribute our own quota to battling and finally subduing cholera ”

Army provides free medical service to Bakassi IDPs

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o fewer than 300 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bakassi local government area of Cross River at the weekend benefited from the free medical outreach conducted by the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar.

Commander of the Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said the humanitarian medical outreach was part of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tu-

kur Buratai ’s, vision on civil-military relations.

Reports show that the IDPs are camping at Ikot Effiong/Obutong primary school in Bakassi local council of the state.

Mohammed said the Army decided to reach out to the IDPs because they needed adequate medical service to keep them in good health.

“We are here today to offer free medical treatment to the IDPs. When you look around and see

where they are camping, you will believe that they really need adequate medical care.

“We are here with our full medical team that will carry out different tests on the IDPs and also administer them with drugs.

“Earlier today, we also carried out a similar medical outreach in the barracks where the children/ wards of soldiers and friends of the Army were equally tested and administered with drugs, ’ ’ he said.

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Sunday, October 11, 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 OBIORA IFOH AG ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

The anti-corruption war and call for global support T O n Monday, September 28 at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, the United States of America, President Muhammadu Buhari called on the international community to urgently redouble its efforts to strengthen the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption. “Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government ’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth and the realisation of the well-being of citizens across the globe. Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption, ” was how he put it.

This newspaper sees the present development as a reaffirmation of the Buhari administration determination to confront the twin evils of corruption and illicit financial outflows. Without doubt, the stance of the President and the audience chosen to restate it are indicative of a leader posed to address the most threatening malaise to the corporate existence of Nigeria. It is evidently clear that Nigeria has in Alhaji Buhari a leader with the iron cast resolve to tackle corruption so that Nigeria may survive. It is axiomatic that if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption may eventually kill Nigeria.

However, our worry is how far the West can support Nigeria ’s drive for the recovery of the over $150 billion allegedly siphoned out of the national treasury under this current democratic dispensation. It is a well established fact that the anti-corruption war has become an obsession for President Buhari. It was his unique selling point for the presidency in the electioneering preceding the last presidential election that swept him to power. The President is known to have said he would move against even members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to clean the nation ’s Augean stables. There is no point reiterating the fact that Nigerians and the international community are watching to see how this crusade will pan out given the fact that within the ruling party are individuals

HE APPARENT OPACITY OF

THE NATION ’S PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT IN THE PAST ACCOUNTED FOR THE EASE WITH WHICH PUBLIC FUNDS WERE SIPHONED OUT OF NATIONAL TREASURIES

that cannot stand serious integrity scrutiny that are known closest associates of Mr. President and who are also big financiers of the party, which by extension means financiers of his last presidential campaign.

Internationalising of the anti-corruption crusade might have its own merit given that most of the proceeds of political corruption are laundered outside the shores of Nigeria. However, experience has shown of inexplicable reluctance by western leaders to give unalloyed support for leaders of Third World countries to repatriate such laundered monies from their safe havens in the West.

Such reluctance might have flowed from the apparent integrity deficit of some of the Third World leaders. Good enough, President Buhari does not have such excess luggage. Even at that the slow pace of the judicial process involved in securing the release of such laundered funds must not be overlooked. The experience with the late General Sani Abacha ’s illgotten loot is instructive. It is on record that some of the traced loot have not been repatriated to date.

What this suggests is that the Presi-

dent and his team must be ready to wage unrelenting judicial wars across the globe if need be. Such wars might end in futility without the necessary information backing the claims. It is, therefore, imperative that the Federal Government must enlist the support of the global coalition against corruption led by Transparency International and all other international groups involved in tracking illicit financial flows globally. For this cause at hand, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must tap into their own data base and equally draw on the goodwill of parallel bodies across the globe for the needed support.

We hasten to add that the Federal Government must strengthen national institutions relevant to the country ’s anti-corruption drive. It has become imperative that the EFCC, CCB and ICPC be strengthened, personnel and capacity wise, because they are very crucial to the success of the crusade. Both the police and judiciary are acknowledged not to have lived up to national expectation on this score. President Buhari and the Chief Justice of the Federation have openly expressed grave reservations on the shortcomings of these two institutions in the anti-corruption war.

The chairman of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, has equally expressed similar reservation, which was why he recently advocated that Mr. President reform the nation ’s judiciary to guarantee the success of the anti-corruption war.

The recent institutionalisation of the Treasury Single Account by President Buhari is one policy in the right direction. The apparent opacity of the nation ’s public finance management in the past accounted for the ease with which public funds were siphoned out of national treasuries. It is thus imperative that the governments of the 36 states of the federation buy into the current Federal Government ’s public finance management template. Sustained pressure must be mounted on the state governors by civil society groups and all well meaning individuals and groups to get this done.

This is the only way to make the West believe we are serious with the current anti-corruption crusade.

Reminiscences OCTOBER 11 IN HISTORY 1921: Tuberculosis on the rise in U.S. A new report from state officials confirms that the number of deaths caused by tuberculosis continues to rise in State of Michigan.

1954: U.S. - Marilyn Monroe seeks divorce Marilyn Monroe the world ’s number 1 pin up girl has announced her intention to obtain a divorce from one of the world ’s finest baseball players Joe Dimaggio on the grounds of mental cruelty. They have been married less than nine months.

1965: Pope Paul visits U.S. Pope Paul VI becomes the first Pope to visit the United States when he lands in New York and addressed the United Nations pleading for peace in Vietnam.

1969: China tests hydrogen bomb China has announced a hydrogen bomb was recently tested in the western region of the Chinese mainland and the country had completed its first underground nuclear explosion.

1977: Indira Gandhi freed from police custody Former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, was released after spending 16 hours in police custody for charges of political corruption.

1992: Israeli cargo jet crashes in Holland An Israeli cargo jet suffering from engine problems crashes into an apartment building close to the airport in Amsterdam, Holland killing approximately 100 people in the building.

1993: Russian rebels surrender Rebel parliamentarians led by Vice-President Aleksandr Rutskoi, and Chairman, Ruslan Khasbulatov, surrender to Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, after he brings in tanks to surround the Russian White House parliament building.

2011: 13 killed in Pakistani bus attack Thirteen people are killed after gunmen attacked a bus carrying Shia Muslims near Quetta, Pakistan. Another six people were injured in the attacks targeting Shia Muslims in the area.

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

EDIFYING GOD Sunday, October 11, 2015

God’s time to take over 24

The everyday miracle 42

QUOTE However, every mystery must be received, believed, and put to work for maximum delivery. It is written: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Bishop David Oyedepo

Sanct Sanc SSanctio anctio nctio co ffavo favour avour ourr ccoo from rom omm God God 41

Special titles in the church:

What clerics say

22 & 23

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Vineyard

News Christ Chapel holds camp meeting

Celebration

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rogrammes of the 2015 edition of the annual camp meeting of Christ Chapel International Churches aka Voice of Faith Ministries have been announced.

The six-day event with the theme ‘Reigning with Christ’ is scheduled to begin on October 13 at the church’s Surulere, Lagos centre and continue afterwards inside the Gymnasium hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, will end on Sunday October 18, 2015.

According to the Chairman of the annual church programme, Reverend Mike Udonquak; this edition is unique in many ways, as most of the guest ministers in this year’s camp meeting, last year, prophesied not only that Nigeria’s 2015 elections will be peaceful, but it will usher the country into a new phase of development.

Featuring an array of global ministers essentially from Nigeria, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, the camp meeting will exemplify the nearly four decades of uncompromised commitment of Reverend (Dr.) Tunde Joda and his wife, Reverend Mrs. Ebun Joda to the word of faith when they founded the ministry more than 34 years ago.

Series of activities have been lined up across the centres of Christ Chapel in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Cross River, Nnewi, among others to flag off this year’s camp meeting.

In Lagos, zonal sports meetings involving different games among church members have been going on since July and winners from the zones will converge on October 10 in Surulere for the grand finale of the games and prizes would be presented to winners.

Before the games’ finals, awareness roadshows would be carried out in the different zones across the country to sensitise the public on the programmes of the camp meeting as awareness is created on how Nigerians can benefit from the power packed ministrations that have been prayerfully arranged during the event. A record 20 ministers including gospel artistes like Sinach, Christine Joda (UK), TJ Dairo (UK), CCIC Levites, have been lined up to feature in the elaborate programme of Camp meeting 2015.

Led by Reverend Dr Tunde and Reverend Mrs Ebun Joda, anointed men of God expected at the camp meeting include US based Reverend Mike Moore, co-founder and Senior Pastor of Covenant Life Church Family Worship Center located in Summerville South Carolina, USA, Rich Vera, a debutant at Campmeeting is President and founder of Voice of Healing Outreach, an International Evangelistic Prophetic Healing Ministry.

Also from USA is Reverend Clyde Oliver, a regular guest at Campmeeting, Dr Reverend Ronald Merthie and his wife, Lady Mozee Merthie are global ambassadors of Christ, Reverend Tokunbo Adejuwon of Rhema Bible Training Center, Pastor Poju Oyemade, founding Pastor of Covenant Bible Church, Lagos, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, founding Pastor of the Fountain of Life Ministry, Ilupeju, Lagos, Reverend Solomon Adebara, presiding Pastor of Fountain of Grace Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State, Camp meeting 2015 in the words of the Church Council promises to be a life-changing experience for the thousands of people who will throng the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos for the duration of the programme as they encounter the healing power of Jesus Christ.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Buhari urged to run inclusive government ...as CHTM celebrates anniversary

Pastor and Mrs. Kingson Bona Ogazie, 5th and 6th left, Pastor and Mrs. Badewole Kunle, 3rd and 4th left; Pastor and Mrs. Chinedu Victor 3rd and 2nd right, with other pastors and elders at the event.

A cross section of women on the occasion.

ODINAKA URUAKPA

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he General Overseer of Chapel of Holiness and Testimony Ministries, Pastor Kingson Bona Ogazie has urged President Buhari to make his government and inclusive and encompassing one that would favour not only section, but every part of the Nigerian entity.

Ogazie, who gave this charge during the celebration of 15th anniversary of the church held penultimate week in Lagos, also commended the president for his efforts so far in making life more comfortable and bearable for the citizens.

On his expectations from the president on his choice of minister, the cleric prayed that God bestow the president wisdom to choose the right people into his cabinet.

“President Buhari came in due to the common decision of Nigerians and prayers from us that God should bring in the person he wants to occupy that seat. Since Buhari has emerged president after all the adversity and fear that beclouded the country, I believe we should give him the chance to do what God has led him to do. I believe that God is using him, so, we should give him chance to achieve his purpose. But, if he is there and decides to segregate or favour some section of the country and ignore others, God who put him there will remove him. We all pray for him for wisdom and so far since he came in, we are seeing some changes; there is improvement in fuel and power supply. I must commend him in his choice of NNPC chairman whom I believe will

deliver on his promise to reposition NNPC. I think the president has an agenda, so let us support him to carry it out for the betterment of the country”.

The GO also appealed to the president to put the interest of the masses into consideration in his decisions and planning.

“I don’t expect him to dance to the people’s tune at all times because when he was giving his inaugural speech, he said ‘I belong to everybody, I belong to no one.’ I want to appeal to him that he shouldn’t be rigid. One of the characteristics of a leader is to sometimes listen to those he is leading. People are saying that he is favouring one section of the country in his ministerial list, but i pray God would lead him to choose those whose character can be trusted and who would live up to the responsibilities vested in them” Revealing what led him into the religious life, Pastor Bona said, the call came long before it started; though he never understood what God was trying to do with him, until the year 2000 when the calling came into manifestation.

“It all started when I heard the voice of God telling me find them, gather them; bring them home. I asked God; ‘whom shall I find, gather and bring home?’ The Lord said; ‘those who are discouraged in me; those who are lost in the world, those who were maltreated in Christ who lost their faith because of the character of other believers, they could not carry on; they said in their heart, ‘if this brother or sister could behave this way; what is the need’ and they fail.

God told me I should look for them and gather them because they are His children and I should

bring them home. I asked God to give me grace to have this done and the Lord asked me to look at my hands; it was a dream, I looked at my hands and I saw a rod. The Lord said I have empowered you to do that and I woke up from the dream. I didn’t know how to go about it, until one day, sometime in year 2000; we were in a fellowship somewhere in the town where my ministry started. We were about three or four brothers and some sisters; we were praying at a vigil when the prophecy came from one of the sisters who said ‘son, the hour has come; start your ministry here in Ijegun, you are delaying; start.’ I looked at myself; I didn’t have anything, I was jobless. I had to meet one of my brothers who had an uncompleted building, he agreed that I should use the place and I started with my wife. The place was on for months and nobody came and I began to ask God if He really called me and if He didn’t do something about it, I will start looking for work and I also said to God ‘I want you to do something; I am putting Bible study today, if you know that you called me, bring somebody to the Bible study.

The study was for five in the evening when it was time I didn’t see anyone, but few hours after, somebody came in to join us and I was assured of this calling as I worshipped and praised God. That was how it started, and to the glory of God, we are celebrating our 15th anniversary”, he revealed.

The former educationist revealed that when he first got his religious calling, he preached to the students during morning assembly thinking he could combine his teaching job with God’s work, but God would not have it that way and he eventually resigned from the school where he was Vice Principal.

He also spoke on the challenges that confronted the ministry few years after its inception, listing the loss of his pastors and over 300 members due to gossip as the most trying of them all.

“The period was a terrible one for me because just about four people came to worship with us, out of the hundreds we used to have. I wept and asked ‘God where are you?’ God told me not to bother; he said, ‘what you used to get those people that came and left is still in you, make use of that.’ I began to pray and fast seeking God’s face and gradually, God did His work and people started coming back again and you can see our number today; we are grateful to God”, said Ogazie.

While speaking on the recent case of kidnapping of some clerics and other citizens in the country, Ogazie urged the police to do all they can to put a stop to the act which he said was becoming too rampant.

He also called on governors of states where kidnapping is mostly recorded to work hand in hand with the commissioners of police in their states to combat the menace in their jurisdiction.

“The president has just stayed a hundred and some days in office and we are still looking on him to do some work via his ministers, we believe that kidnapping will become a thing of the past in this country”, he submitted.

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From the Pulpit 21

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Manna Prayer Mountain, celebrating independence with ODM VICTOR UDOH

I

t was a fun day as members and readers of Our Daily Manna, ODM, the bestselling devotional from the stable of Manna Prayer Mountain International took to the streets to celebrate with Nigeria on its independence day last week.

Nigeria’s 55th anniversary, celebrated every October 1, was being marked with a Rally/road walk across all the states of the nation.

Despite cloudy weather that indicated imminent rain, in Lagos, headquarter of the church in Ogudu, members nevertheless turned out in their hundreds in stylish attires of the country’s green and white colours to celebrate the country’s anniversary.

Children were not left out in the festivities as many kids, leading convoys of trucks, buses and cars, stormed Lagos metropolis and rural areas, sharing the daily devotional, ODM free to the delight of the numerous lovers of the book and the teeming populace.

The event entitled: One Nigeria, One ODM, according to the organisers is about bringing lost souls to Christ.

Prior to the rally/road walk, as early as 9am the church held a prayer meeting to kick-start its celebration of the nation’s Independence Day. This was followed shortly by a press briefing where principal officers of the church bared their minds on what the day meant to them.

Senior Pastor of Manna Prayer Ministry, Dr Chris Kwakpovwe, said at 55, Nigeria has much to thank God for.

“At 55 years, Nigeria has a lot to be grate-

TIME OF REFRESHING with

REV. JOHN AYO

OLADAPO ayoladapo2003@yahoo.com, 08035608098, 08159992030 I. Introduction We have some people in this world that do not see beyond their nose. The more you can see far ahead determines the more you will go. We need to see beyond our nose so that our short-sightedness will not hinder us from getting to where God desires us to be in life. We need to see beyond physical, we need to see afar off in order to walk with Christ.

Our seeing should be like that of the eagle. The eagle is a special bird with special abilities in many areas such as strength, longevity, sight and all other features in its body. In this presentation. We focus on the mystery behind its eyesight. The eagle’s eyesight is keener than that of most vertebrates e.g. man. An eagle has two focusing points in each, one for close objects and another for distant objects, its eye is equal to that of a man with binoculars. The eagles can see small objects from a great distance.

The eagle is a bird with unusual ability to see far ahead. It can fly vertically skyward heading for the sun. The eagle’s special

Members of Manna Prayer Mountain International displaying Our Daily Manna booklet during the Independence Day.

ful for. There’s a lot of blessing we have with ODM in Nigeria,” said Kwakpovwe who was represented by resident pastor Daniel Egbo.

He reiterated that the programme was being carried out to fulfill the injunction of Christ to make disciples of all men.

“ODM is changing lives; it is present in about 75 nations and it is spreading fast.

That is why as a church, we are praying for the nation that God should keep us so he can meet us alright,” the minister said.

He however deplored the challenge of leadership confronting the country, saying it is the reason the nation is at its current crossroads.

“It looks like Nigeria is struggling, but we are praying to God to strengthen our leadership in order to be able to take Nigerians to greater heights. God has really blessed this

country, and we need people that can really guide this country. That is why we pray that this year, Nigeria can recover from every loss, including insecurity,” said Kwakpovwe.

Deacon Adegbe Ibrahim, head of the board Manna Prayer Mountain Ministry, stated that the event themed: One Nigeria, One ODM, was carried out in line with biblical injunction in Luke 4:18 to make disciples of all men.

Describing ODM as an international ministry, Ibrahim explained that it is an annual ministry project that goes beyond mere youth affair, and which foreign nations now emulate.

He said: “Our ODM rally is about giving liberty to the truth, which can only be done by letting people know what is available to them.

It is a way of evangelising; it helps wipe away the tears and agony of people.”

Corroborating the previous speaker, wife of the senior pastor, Rev Ejiro Flora Kwakpovwe, Assistant General Overseer, AGO of Manna Prayer Mountain International, driver of the campaign, said if every Nigerian could only take ODM seriously and pray with it, Nigeria would be a better country.

According to her, the message of One Nigeria, One ODM, is one of peace.

“We are taking it to every nook and corner. The objective is to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

“Indeed, if every Nigerian is born again, we would have a better country,” she noted, and called for unity and togetherness by the entire citizenry in order to take the country to higher heights.

Earlier, Head, Mission and Evangelism of the church, Pastor Baba Hassan, stated that the celebration of the country’s 55th birthday was ample opportunity for “Nigerians to pray together, unite, stick closer to God, forgive one another and pray that God will provide our leaders with greater wisdom to lead the people aright.”

On the issue of insecurity plaguing the northern part of the nation, the cleric maintained that with unity and forgiveness, the story would be different, and urged the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to redouble efforts in addressing the menace. He also enjoined Nigerians to use the opportunity of the independence anniversary to be happy and celebrate themselves, expressing confidence in the military troops to overcome insurgency within the country’s shores.

See beyond now ability to see what seems impossible for the other birds is taken as a challenge for us today to see that we can go extra mile in making the purpose of God for our lives come to pass. It is high time we began to project into the future Beloved, for you to have a brighter and a meaningful future, you need to see God. You need to come to the lord and walk with him like the people of old. Jacob wrestled with God to settle his destiny and at last he declared “…I saw God face to face…” (Gen.32:30). Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel…” you too can see God. What is not possible with man is what God specializes in making possible Ii. God’s plans for your future God, the creator of the heavens and earth, your redeemer and Lord and a perfect God did not create this world by accident. He has good plans for all that He created. You are not a product of chance; He had planned for you before you were born. God told Jeremiah: (Jeremiah 1:5) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Every soul on earth is a special creation of God. God has big plans for you right from the womb, you are not just in this world without a purpose. You are here for a purpose; you

need to understand the reason for your existence before life can be meaningful to you.

God declared His mind in Jeremiah 29:11 to his people.

For I know the plans I have for you Declares the lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future.

Through the Israelites sinned against God and they were in exile (as you too have sinned against God) yet God re-affirmed his love and plans for them. This same God has plans for your life. His plans include: A. Plans to prosper you God’s plan for your life includes prospering you in every area of your life, therefore you must not fail, you must not be discouraged, you must not give up. What is the situation? What is the problem now? What is that thing that is threatening your life? You need to know that you have a future, God has better plans for you, do not give up, do not quit, do not lose focus on God. You have a future.

B. Plans not to harm you God does not do evil; his plan includes redeeming you from the hands of the enemy, delivering you from the attack of the devil. God does not harm, that is why he explicitly declares here that “…the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you” do not harm your future, believe in the Omnipotency of God, He is able to hold your future for you C. Plans to give you hope and future

To hope means to look forward expectantly for God’s future activity. He wants your future to be meaningful. With faith, look unto God for a meaningful future, he has brighter plans for you which must come to pass if you can follow him.

God’s plan for your life among other things include “…plans to give hope and a future.”

Giving a future goes beyond physical or material peace of mind, it is to give you eternity.

To give you everlasting life. this is far more important than all other things we have been discussing since. God does not want your life to end in this world, He does not want you to enjoy Him and all the good things of life here alone and miss the greater joy that is up there. God wants to give you a future.

The joy of eternal life is far greater than any enjoyment we can think of on this side of eternity.

CONCLUSION :Do not forget that you have a destination, you have a focus, you have a future. God brought you “OUT” to bring you “IN” you must get to your destination, you must not crash on the way, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Heb.12:2). You will surely get there •For Counseling Contact: Rev. John Ayo Oladapo President, Ondo State Baptist Conference Ayoladapo2003@Yahoo. com, 08035608098, 08159992030

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Special titles in the T

itles such as Reverend, Bishop, Cardinal, Primate and a host of others, accompanying the names of men and women who are ordained or called to work in the vineyard of God so to say have become a common phenomenon in Christendom.

Yet, there are some Christians who frown at the idea of such titles being attached to the names of clerics, as they argue that no part of the Scriptures addressed to Christians whom are the body of Christ encouraged anyone to use titles that are rampant among Christians today. This group of believers claims that in the Old Testament, God had prescribed certain titles among the Jewish religious hierarchy such as the High Priest. They also claim that the words of Jesus, spoken to those living in a culture rife with such titles in pagan religions, expressly forbade any such distinctions.

Many base their argument on the gospel of Matthew chapter 23, verses 8 to 12 which states “But you are not to be called Rabbi, for you have only one master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth father, for you have one father, and He is in heaven.

Nor are you to be called teacher, for you have one teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

In his book, Biblical Eldership, American writer, Alexander Strauch states that the modern array of ecclesiastical titles accompanying the names of Christian leaders Reverend, Archbishop, Cardinal, Primate, Metropolitan, Canon, Curate etc is completely missing from the New Testament and would have appalled the apostles and early believers. He also claimed that both the Greeks and Jews employed a wealth of titles for their political and religious leaders in order to express their power and authority, but the early Christians avoided such titles.

According to Strauch, the early Christians used common and functional terms to describe themselves and their relationships. Some of these terms are brother, beloved, fellowworker, labourer, slave, servant, prisoner, fellow-soldier, and steward. Other terms they were addressed by include prophets, teachers, apostles, evangelists, leaders, elders, and deacons which he claimed were used within the first churches, but these were not used as formal titles for individuals. All Christians are saints, but there was no ‘Saint John’, Strauch further claimed.

All these claims notwithstanding, some Christians would also argue that the Bible was not written to give details of all ways the church should operate. This school of thought also argue that the church has grown from the little community it used to be during the apostles’ time, and it (church) has

Titles attached to the names of clerics have always been usual in Christendom, though some Christians do not support the usage of these titles which they claim is unbiblical and at the same time elevates church leaders to a plane above the other brethren in the assembly. ODINAKA URUAKPA speaks to clerics to get their views on the issue. mingled with different cultures and acquired some of the things that are good in these cultures to enrich itself.

According to Director of Studies, United Bible University, Ojodu, Ogun State, Professor Kunle Macaulay, Christianity should be based on humility and not classification.

“Christianity is about humility, it has nothing to do with classification.

If you look at the Bible, you see that it talks about there being no Jew or Gentile. There is no man; there is no woman because before God, we are all equal in His sight. This is what we call the classlessness of Christianity.

Christianity is classless; there is no poor man, there is no rich man before God. What is happening today is that religion is trying to imitate the secular world. People in the church are trying to tell others that they are big; they are important and they want to show this. What we are talking about is what is called clericalism and there is nothing like that in the Bible. Though the Bible talks about some people God appointed, some officers like apostles, prophets, teachers and so on, they were functional positions and they are not meant to make a person bigger than another person; these people had specific responsibilities. When you look at Christianity, Christianity is a universal priesthood, everybody

CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT HUMILITY, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CLASSIFICATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE BIBLE, YOU SEE THAT IT TALKS ABOUT THERE BEING NO JEW OR GENTILE. THERE IS NO MAN; THERE IS NO WOMAN BECAUSE BEFORE GOD, WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN HIS SIGHT. THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE CLASSLESSNESS OF CHRISTIANITY. CHRISTIANITY IS CLASSLESS; THERE IS NO POOR MAN, THERE IS NO RICH MAN BEFORE GOD. called by God, is given the responsibility to tell other people about Jesus Christ and bring them to Him (Jesus); that is Christianity. But what we are witnessing today is what we are talking about now.

You can see people calling themselves Apostle, Bishop, Archbishop, Reverend, Prophet and such other names. As far as Christianity is concerned, it has a purpose, it has a mission to be accomplished and that is the most important thing for all true Christians”, he explained.

When asked if it right to challenge these clerics for the titles bestowed on them since they (titles) are not mentioned in the Bible, Macaulay said: “You

don’t have to challenge anybody. In my own school, I tell people, if your pastor is doing anything you think is not right, don’t challenge him. You can pray and correct the person, but don’t ever challenge him because he will tell you he was called by God and he is anointed or ordained by God to do that. Don’t ever confront a man of God; leave him alone.

You see, God calls every one of us and He is going to judge us at the end of the day.

“Those people who are using Bishop, Archbishop and the rest do so for selfish reasons and at the end of the day, they will be judged because like what

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church: What clerics say the Bible said, if you believe prophets because they are prophets, then, you have the gain of a prophet. For me, I think we should teach the people, create awareness, and let people know what is right and what is wrong. When I write or when I teach, I tell people ‘if you see a pastor that demands money before praying, then definitely, he is not a good pastor.’ If people get to know this, they will know the difference between a good pastor and a bad pastor.

They should realise that the title is not important; what is important is the flow of the Holy Spirit from you to other people because the Bible states that from you would flow the power of God to bless other people; that is the most important thing whether you are a Reverend, a minister, Deacon or Bishop; it doesn’t matter.”

On the inculcation of borrowed culture such as titles being held by men of God in the church, the theologian said: “The first thing is to think about what the Bible says; what is the vision of God for the world; that is the most important thing and whether you are a prophet or minister, it doesn’t matter. As long as you are a worker in the vineyard, delivering the message of God to the world; that is the most important thing. Concerning whatever is not in the Bible, there is what we call extra-biblical books; there are people who try to write another Bible or who try to write Bible from a different perspective. These are false teachers; everything in the Bible Hs being given to us. The Bible states that nothing will be added or subtracted from the Bible, so I don’t see how anybody can come up to say there is culture; there is tradition.

There is biblical culture, there is biblical tradition and everything is right inside the Bible. From Genesis to revelation, we must not add or subtract.”

On his part, Rev. Fr. Paschal Obioma, Director of Catholic Apostolate, Abbi, Delta State, insisted that Christians are not supposed to bother themselves with dogmas about ethos and nomenclatures in the church since the Bible is not a dictionary or church manual.

“Who bothers himself with dogmas about ethos and nomenclatures? The Bible is not a dictionary for how good it is and the Bible is not a manual of activities for the church. Some of these titles are just recent things; they were not even there when the Bible was written and the church had not developed to the level it is now. I don’t know why people should be quarrelling with these nomenclatures. When somebody has nothing to do, he would begin to quarrel with all these things. The fact is that it is not a highly important thing for anybody to waste their time on”, he said.

On the argument that followers of Christ such as Paul when referring or addressing other disciples either called the person by their name or by the qual-

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW GIVES A CLEAR ACCOUNT OF HOW THE EARLY CHRISTIANS ADDRESSED THEMSELVES. I WOULD ADVISE THAT THE PRESENT GENERATION CHRISTIANS READ MATTHEW CHAPTER 23, VERSES 7 TO 12 TO GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF HOW TRUE CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE ADDRESSES. ities they possess, Obioma said: “There are elders, there are the presbyters, and there are deacons. If you go to the letter Saint Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, go and read them where he instructed them on the qualities of those who should be deacons, those who should be elders and all other titles. These titles were in existence then, though not as the way we have it now. The church was still coming up then.”

On the belief of sects like the Jehovah witness that everybody in the fold is equal therefore, there is no need for Christians to bothered about being bestowed with any kind of form of religious title, the priest said: Jehovah Witness is not a typical example of a Christian church because the way they operate, they are not like Christian churches. The Jehovah witness’ beliefs and doctrine are quite different from the Christian churches; they don’t believe in the things Christians believe in.”

Obioma further argued that the fact that some of the titles do not appear in the Bible does not mean that people should condemn their existence or authenticity.

“Whoever is saying if it is in the Bible, then it shouldn’t be used by Christians that person is just speaking out of ignorance; how many things do you find in the Bible?

The Bible was not written to give us details of all the ways the church should operate and moreover, the church has not remained

the little community it used to be during the apostles time. We have what we call incultovation now i.e. the church moving out to different cultures and accepting some of the things that are good in the different cultures to enrich the church. Some of these titles originated from different culture and they are titles that bring respect to those who hold them and if they are maintained in the church also, they show a kind of respect to those people who answer them. The church is not allergic to incultovation; Jesus came within a culture and did whatever He did within that cultural leaning also”, he explained.

In his contribution, Pastor Folarin Adebola notes that in keeping with Jesus’ command, biblical elders did not permit themselves to be addressed by honorific titles such as Primate, Elder, Bishop or Reverend.

“The gospel of Matthew gives a clear account of how the early Christians addressed themselves. I would advise that the present generation Christians read Matthew chapter 23, verses 7 to 12 to get a clear picture of how true Christians should be addresses.

Such titles that abound in Christendom these days naturally elevate church leaders to a plane above the other brethren in the assembly. The problem is that congregation and clergy alike are responsible for creating what is called the current Christian guruism, which is rampant in the church today wherein religious leaders are recast

into spiritual celebrities and lauded with fan club status. By contrast, New Testament leaders were viewed as ordinary brethren and were just as approachable and accessible to the saints as any other believer in the church.

For this reason, First Thessalonians 5:12-13 exhorts the saints to intimately know their leaders. This is a near impossible mandate to fulfill in most contemporary churches where the pastor is trained to keep his distance from the people lest he lose his authority. In this regard, the common image of church leaders as sacred men of the cloth is utterly foreign to the biblical concept”, he submitted.

Adebola also claimed that rather than gaining honour through titles and position, New Testament believers received honour primarily for their service and work.

When you go through the scriptures such as Acts 15:26, Romans 16:1, 2 and 4 and a whole lot of others, you would read there that the early Christians referred to each other by personal names Timothy was plain Timothy, same with Paul, Titus and the other disciples.

They also used the terms brother or sister or by describing an individual’s spiritual character or work. In Acts 6:5 Stephen was described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 11:24 Barnabas was referred to as a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

Philip was called the evangelist in Acts 21:8.

Also in Rom. 16:3, Paul asked timothy to greet Priscilla and Aquila whom he referred to as his fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

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From the

Pulpit Sunday, October 11, 2015

God’s time to take over (2) General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, teaches on God’s time to take over. Excerpts:

L

ast week I told you that God has come to take over your problem, for it is His time to take over that battle you have been fighting long ago to no avail. He has come to deal with your enemy, that mounting that has remained insurmountable shall now be surmounted.

God has come to lift up a standard against all negative flood targeted against you by the enemy and to put your enemy to flight.

Isaiah 59:19 says, “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

Over the period you have been struggling with that family problem and till now do not know how and when it will be over, it may have been tumultuous paying school fees, gaining promotion, dealing with recalcitrant spouse, feeding the family and you have been asking when the problem will come to an end. I want to assure you that God has come to take over the difficulty, for it is God’s time to takeover. The battle is no longer yours but that of the Lord’s. He shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace.

As He make known Himself to your enemy today, impossibility in your life shall become possible. Your troubled soul shall have peace. If you are bound, today, liberation is coming your way. If you are sick, no matter how many years you have been afflicted; today the yoke of that sickness shall be broken in Jesus name.

Matthew 17:14-18 says, “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.”

The ease by which our Saviour cured this lunatic demonstrated the ease He could solve any problem when He comes into your situation. With a mere spoken word He delivered the lunatic from the malice and power of Satan. It does not matter how long or strong Satan’s possession may be on a p e rson, G o d c a n eject and Pastor Muoka

cast him out both easily and speedily as was the case of the lunatic. Your case will not be an exception, God has spoken that it is time He takes over your matter. And so, you shall be transformed, blessed and advanced in your entire endeavour in Jesus name.

Mtt. 8: 16 says, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: When God takes over your problem, you will assuredly be elated for joy because the work will be thorough. You will not only experience an improved better life, but all your enemies shall bow to you. You shall be made whole in all ramification of life.

Mtt. 9:20-22 says, “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And the woman w a s made whole from that hour” The woman with issue of blood was made whole instantly, and the sickness was taken away.

Today, your sick-

ness must be taken away, promotion shall replace your demotion, and blessing shall rejoice over your burden. Your problem will never survive today, as the Lord did it for them the moment they had encounter with Him, that same God will do it for you.

Matt. 11:4-5 says, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers and cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

During the Bible days, Jesus raised the dead, made the blind to see, made the lame to walk, cured the lepers and had all sicknesses and diseases completely taken away

by His power. We should take note He has not changed. What He did yesterday, He could do again today and ever more. There was no exception as all those that came to Him had their problems solved. Therefore, certainly, if you are sick, you shall be healed, whether your sickness is spiritually or not, you must be healed, whether you have nothing working in your family or not, your family must be healed, everything about you that needed divine touch, will receive it today.

This is because the Lord is taking over your matter.

Mtt. 15:30 says, “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet; a n d

he healed them:” No sickness or disease has ever escaped the supremacy power of the Lord. The story is the same today as it was in the beginning.

And if that been the case consider yourself as a privileged person for salvation is coming on your way, deliverance is coming on your way, abundance of blessing is coming on your way, and unspeakable joy shall be your portion in Jesus name.

I do not know what you are going through, but what I can assure you is that impossibility in your life must be made possible. If you are bound, today, liberation is among your way. If you are sick, no matter how many years; today the yoke of that sickness shall be broken. If you have any person that died suddenly, today that person is coming back to life. So, as the Lord has healed them of old, today shall be your turn, I said today shall be your turn, your turn to be healed, your turn to be promoted, delivered and favoured. I do not know what your problem is but, get ready, for, by the power of this gospel your case will be over.

OUR EXPECTATION AND GOD’S INTERVENTION do Beloved, having known what God can d done by taking into account what He has don be before, your expectation therefore will b that whatever is your problem shall be taken over from you today. No matter how deteriodeterio see rating those problems may be, you will se them no more. Victory shall be your portion; portion Jeincluding, deliverance and dominion in Je sus name.

In Isaiah 45:19 says, “I have not spoken in not secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said no vain: unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain declare I the LORD speak righteousness, I declar things that are right.”

Beloved, the Lord has not availed this thi benefit message to you so that you will not benefi from it neither is He calling you to seek Him decin vain. There is no doubt that all the dec laration of God come to pass. So, you are a privilege person for, whom God wants tto proviredeem, He reveals His nature and by prov deliverance. dence leads him in the way of deliverance vain, So take note, you can never read this in vain afflicthat problem shall be no more, that afflic your tion, that poverty and that sorrow in you shall life, in addition to curses, barrenness, shal that be seen no more. Remember tha nothing can hinder hinde said Him. He sai “I will wil work

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

PASSION

A Lifestyle Magazine

APPLAUSE

‘I have trained over 70 girls in fashion-designing’ >>27

I have been sexualy harassed -Monica Friday

>>26

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Passion

Sunday, October 11, 2015

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I have been sexualy harassed –Monica Friday Nollywood actress, Monica Friday, is not given to equivocation. Unlike some ladies he had on several who’d pretend about it, she minced no words in admitting that she occasions been sexually harassed. This Mass Communication graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, in this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, also speaks about the When did you start acting?

I started acting professionally in 2008 and that was through casting and audition. I have been able to feature in numerous movies ovies both long and short ones, soap operas and TV series. ies. I have featured in such soap operas as ‘Dear Mother’, other’, ‘U&I’, ‘Hood Rush’, ‘October 1st’, ‘Iquo’s Journal’, ‘Saviour and nd Do Good’, a TV series which h is running on Africa Magic c Durban every day. I’m expecting xpecting a few other jobs bs like ‘Abducted’, ‘Unsponspoken’, a movie from om Remy Vaughan n Richards, ‘First Lady’, and ‘Situationship’, an online series.

Which of these movies or soaps brought you into the limelight? ight?

‘Do Good’ brought ught me into the limelight because I portrayed ayed my artistic poise very well as the character acter of ‘Kevwe’ and the series is showing everyday in different African countries. This iss a huge platform that any upand-coming actor or admires because it’s an opportunity to showcase wcase your talent to the world.

Which was more challenging?

For now, I think nk it’s ‘Abducted’ that was most challenging. Naturally turally, I hate bush paths, but in this case, I shot in n a very thick bush and there was nothing like shortcut rtcut to my falls. So, I had bruises in the course of shooting. I think that movie really made me stronger er and I conquered my fears.

What thrills you most about being an actress?

My creativity thrills me most. Most times, I just come up with h dynamic performances.

What thing has acting cting stolen from you?

Acting stole my privacy.

What else do you u do aside from acting?

Aside from acting, ting, I’m an entrepreneur. I love business.

How hot and daring ng are you in romance roles?

I’m very believable evable in romance. I portrayed that in movies entitled ‘Living Spirit’ and ‘Situationship’ that are re coming out soon online.

Who would you like ike to be paired in romance roles to bring out your best? est?

I have a whole lot of them that I desire to work with but I would love to be e paired with Femi Jacobs.

If acting nude would ould add meaning to a movie, would you do it?

It depends on the kind of nudity. If it’s bikini or half clothes on, that’s cool, but completely naked, no! I won’t deliver.

Fashion covers one’s flaws and flaunts the good sides.

What part of yourr body would you love to flaunt?

I love to look good ood and trendy. I can proudly flaunt my legs, arms and tummy ummy.

What fashion accessory can you spend a fortune on?

I can spend a fortune on bracelets acelets and wristwatches. I’m getting more and more of them.

Where do you think women are no not ot getting it right in fashion?

I

really don’t know b e cause

t h i s generation n is on point.

How did you yo ou handle it when you were w harassed hara assed sexuse exually a in Nolly-

wood?

J u s t like other fields, I have experienced sexual e harassment.

I always walk away awa ay because I know w who I am and what w I can do.

More so, there are many so ma any doors of opportunity opport tunity.

What lesson has h life taught taugh ht you?

Life Lif fe has taught taugh ht me that God

is the e creator of time and season.

What is your life philosophy?

My life philosophy is treating people the way I would want them to treat me.

What are the qualities of your

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ideal man? must My ideal man mu us hardworking, be hardworkin ng cheersupportive, chee er lover ful and a love e of God.

Applause

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‘I have trained over 70 girls in fashion-designing’ ADAEZE AMOS

I

f you are a woman and you use your talent or career to empower other women or girl-child, you are definitely adhering to the maxim that says when you train a woman, she would train the world. How else can you give back to the society if you cannot say with conviction that this is the person you have empowered!

Valerie Boglo, the CEO, Valisimo Fashion House, a graduate of Mass Communication, says she has empowered over 70 girls using what she has talent for. She does this, as she says, in order to help the society.

“Though I studied Mass Communication, I opted for fashion designing because of my undying dream for fashion right from the time I was a child. I started learning how to make dresses at the age of nine and that was when my passion for fashion began. Over time, I went to school and I was still learning how to sew partly. That was truly my beginning into the journey of fashion. I opened my outfit some years ago and it has been fulfilling apart from the fact that one of my biggest challenges in this business is the erratic supply of electricity.

“It is usually very difficult to do a lot of things when you don’t have power supply. I wasn’t satisfied doing this business without using it to empower others. That was why I opened a fashion academy. I can proudly say that I have trained and empowered over 70 students who are notable fashion designers,” she affirmed.

Interestingly, what motivates her creations is what she comes across in the streets.

“My everyday life inspires my styles.

I might go on the street of Lagos and see

some people dressed up, individuals going about their daily activities. Every day is a runway for me. Each day people dress up to step out, that is a mini fashion runway for me and I derive my inspiration from what I see people wear,” she revealed.

Regardless of the fact that Nigerian women are highly fashionable, there are some fashion blunders that get on her nerves.

“When I see women wear tight dresses as if they were forced into them puts me off. Also, when I see a wrong figure putting on a wrong dress pisses me off.

This messes the whole thing up because no matter how beautiful and expensive a dress is, if it is not your size, it will not look good for you. There is no dress that doesn’t have its fitting. But if a wrong body frame is putting it on, definitely it is not going to look good. I still insist that ladies wear their right size of dresses. Also, dress the way you want to be addressed. This is important. If you dress in such a provocative way, people would address you that way. If you dress with a sense of having other people in mind, then you will be respected. Dress for people to admire you, don’t dress for people to talk down on you,” she counselled.

Does this also apply to plump ladies?

“Oh yes, this also applies to fat ladies because I believe they too can be fashionable. It is just that the media tend to promote strikingly slender figures a lot. That is why it looks as if plus-sized ladies are not meant to be fashionable.

So, even if you are plump, as far as you wear a dress that is your size, you would look good. You may really opt for caftans, but not all the time anyway. But remember there are some caftans that are very sexy. Although there are some that would make you look like a mummy and there are others that would make you

look like a chic. So go on those sexy ones and make sure the colour suits your complexion. Put into consideration your body shape. There is the round figure shape, there is the figure eight woman, and so on. Now, when you know your size, you would know how to dress well.

But if you do not know your size and you are putting on a dress meant for another body shape, you would look funny,” the fashion pundit said.

Also, colour can make a fat ladies appear slimmer.

“This depends on the shape of your face. If your face is roundish, sometimes if you put on black, you may look funny.

It therefore depends on your physique.

That is why I would not limit colours to some people. I would say pair your colours very well. If you do, no matter what, they would look good on you,” she affirmed.

There is something that thrills this fashionista a lot.

“That I can turn a fabric into a dress wearable and functional for someone thrills me a whole lot. When I see pregnant women dressed in right styles, I also feel thrilled. I would say dress appropriately. If you are pregnant, you don’t need to wear very tight tops such that the size of your stomach would be on display. Also, if you are above some certain age, please limit your colours and leave such for the younger ones.

There are styles that can grace an adult.

If you are not a baby, please don’t dress like one. Don’t dress half-nude if you want people to respect you. That is my bottom line on fashion. Every day that you wake is a new opportunity to perfect your styles. Also remember that in fashion there is nothing like you know it all.

So, if you commit a fashion blunder, ensure you correct yourself next time and move on,” she counselled.

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

GROWING UP with

Aunty Titi

The Fox

Hello Children, How are you? I am sure you have settled down for the new term. Ensure that you read your books to excel in your studies.

In this edition, we have interesting stories, cartoons and other articles for you. Remember to always observe hygiene. Also, don ’t forget to send in your questions and comments.

Once upon a time

T

The cunning Fox and the clever Hen

O

nce upon a time, there lived a very cunning fox who always wanted to cheat and deceive others with its awful and stupid acts. The fox used to deceive others with its sneaky mind. He used to speak to other animals sweetly to make him trust.

One day he tried to cheat and have fun with a hen. He befriended the hen gained the trust.

The fox acted like he is a very good friend and cares a lot for the hen. One day, he invited the hen to have a feast with him as he wanted to treat his friend with delicious food. The happy hen accepted the invitation.

The fox promised to offer rich and tasty foods for the hen. Considering the delicious dinner proposed by the fox, the hen remained hungry for a whole day.

Fox took the hen to his home. He apologized that he could not make anything due to his illness and offered soup. The hen although disappointed, cared for fox and was happy with the soup.

The cunning fox put the soup in a shallow bowl and offered it to the unsuspecting hen. The hen was stunned to have the soup in the shallow bowl. The long beck of the hen prevented it from putting its head inside the bowl. As the fox easily licked the soup from the plate, the hen wasn ’t able to even wet his taste a bit of the soup. It was just able to touch the soup with the tip of its beck.

Fox enquired the hen, ‘How was the soup?

Don ’t you like it? ’

Hungry hen replied, ‘Oh it was good, but I have stomach upset and I can ’t take anymore soup! ’ I ’m sorry for troubling you, said the fox.

The hen replied, ‘Oh dear, please don ’t say sorry. I have some health problem and cannot enjoy what you offer. Please take care of your health. ’ And left the place thanking the fox!

However, in the meanwhile the hen understood that it was cheated by the fox and decided to give it back. After few days, the fox met the hen again and decided to play another prank on him again. This time it was hen ’s turn. The hen welcomed the fox happily and invited to pay a return visit to have a dinner.

The fox was happy and they decided on a date to have the dinner. Hen asked fox ’s favorite food and offered to cook the same for the dinner.

The day arrived and fox reached hen ’s place. The hen served soup to the fox and asks him to have soup first.

The soup was served in a narrow jar with a long-neck. The hen was able to drink the soup very easily with its long beck, however fox couldn ’t.

The hen asked fox to enjoy the soup, and there are many foods waiting in the row. The hen showed several delicious foods in the long-necked jars. The disappointed fox said, ‘My stomach is very painful. I ’m leaving now ’ and left the place running.

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

he fox is a scavenger, carnivore dog with a flattened skull, upright triangular ears, pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or brush) generally found in urban city areas in the northern Hemisphere. The fox is a nocturnal mammal, meaning that it only goes out at night to hunt for prey.

Wild foxes tend live for around 6-7 years, but some foxes have been known to be older than 13 in captivity. The wild fox hunts for the mouse and other small mammals and birds, but foxes appear to enjoy all species of insect.

A fox is generally smaller than other members of the dog family like wolves, jackals and domestic dogs. Foxes can be a pest in the cities as they are often seen tearing into rubbish.

There are about 12 species of fox found around the world, which include the urban fox or red fox, the beautifully white Arctic fox, the sand fox which is a lightcoloured specie found in desert regions and the tiny yet big eared fennec fox.

Foxes have been the victims of fox hunting in some region, an extremely controversial sport that involves humans on horses hunting out the fox, led by a pack of hound dogs which would find the fox by following their scent.

The fox is also found in the rural areas of the Northern hemisphere, but fox populations in cities outnumber that of the countryside. Due to their scavenging nature, foxes move to the urban streets where food is more readily available.

The largest specie, the red fox has the male weighing an average 4.1 and 8.7 kg (9.0 and 19.2 lb), while the smallest specie, the fennec fox, weighs 0.7 to 1.6 kg (1.5 to 3.5 lb). Fox-like features typically include a triangular face, pointed ears, an elongated rostrum, and a bushy tail. Foxes are digitigrade, and thus, walk on their toes. Their claws are not retractable and therefore compared to a feline ’s, relatively dull. Fox vibrissae, or whiskers, are black. Whiskers (carpal vibrissae) are also found on the forelimbs and average to be 40mm long, pointing downward and backward. Other physical characteristics vary according to habitat and its adaptive significance.

Fox species differ in fur color, length, and density. Coat colors range from pearly white to black and white to black flecked with white or grey on the underside. Fennec foxes, and other species of fox adapted to life in the desert, such as kit foxes have large ears and short fur to aid in keeping their body cool.

Arctic foxes, on the other hand, have tiny ears and short limbs as well as thick, insulating fur, which aid in keeping the body warm.

Red foxes, by contrast, have a typical auburnpelt, the tail normally ending with white marking. A fox ’s coat color and texture may

vary due to the change in seasons; fox pelts are richer and denser in the colder months and lighter in the warmer months. To get rid of the dense winter coat, foxes moult once a year around April; the process begins from the feet, up the legs, and then along the back.

Coat color may also change as the fox ages.

The fox ’s dentition like all other Canids, are incisor: 3/3, canine: 1/1, premolar: 4/4, molar: 3/2 = 42 (Bat-eared foxes have six extra molars, totaling in 48 teeth). Foxes also have pronounced carnassial pairs which are characteristic of a carnivore. These pairs consist of the upper premolar and the lower first molar and are work together to shear tough material like flesh. Their canines are also pronounced, another characteristic of a carnivore, which are excellent in gripping onto their target prey.

In the wild, the typical lifespan of a fox is two to three years, although some may live up to ten years. Unlike many canids, foxes are not always pack animals. Typically, they live in small family groups, but some (arctic foxes) are known to be solitary. Foxes are omnivores; their diet is largely made up of invertebrates such as insects, and small vertebrates such as reptiles and birds, and can also include eggs and plants. Many species are generalist predators, but some (such as the crab-eating fox) have more specialized diets. Most species of fox consume around 1 kg (2.2 lb) of food every day. Foxes cache excess food, burying it for later consumption, usually under leaves, snow, or soil. Foxes tend to use a pouncing technique where they crouch down to camouflage themselves in the terrain, then using their hind legs, leap up with great force to land on top of their targeted prey. Using their pronounced canine teeth, foxes grip on to their prey ’s neck and shakes it until the prey is dead, or until the animal can be disemboweled. The gray fox is one of only two canine species known to climb trees; the other is the raccoon dog.

The female fox (vixen) has four pairs of teats. Each teat has 8 to 20 lactiferous ducts, which connects the mammary gland to the nipple, allowing for milk to be carried to the nipple in a lactating vixen.

Vixens are in heat for one to six days, making their reproductive cycle twelve months long. Like other canines, the ova are shed during estrus without the need for the stimulation of copulating. Once the egg is fertilized, the vixen enters a period of gestation that can last from 52 to 53 days. Foxes tend to have an average litter size of four to five with an 80 percent success rate in becoming pregnant. Litter sizes can vary greatly according to species and environment – the arctic fox, for example, can have up to eleven cubs.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Dude Style I like looking sharp and smart –Damola Adegboye Who do you W aspire as spire to be like iin n the h comedy d world? ld?

I have a lot of people I admire but I perpetually aspire to be like Saco because of his leadership style.

Not necessarily because he is a comedian but because of his approach to the job.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was fun. I am from a very lively family. I grew up in Mushin, Lagos, had my primary education in Bosby Day Nursery and Primary School and Tunyo Primary School. I proceeded to Federal Government College, Ikirun where I had my secondary education, Osun State University where I had my first degree and the University of Ibadan where I had my Master’s degree in political science.

Why did you choose comedy as a career?

For me, comedy is an inborn thing. It was initially a hobby, but when people started seeing value in it, it developed into a career because it was converted from a hobby to a product that has monetary value.

Can you briefly define your style?

Simplicity, elegance and maturity.

What is your style signature?

I really don’t have a particular one, but you will always see me looking sharp and smart.

I try tr ry as much as a possible to marma arar ry both of them togethther. I have a timetable that I work with, th, and it has been of good help to me.

Dam Damola Adegboye is one of Nigeria’s celebrated comedians.

In th tthis interview with VICTOR UDOH, this first-class graduate of P Political Science and International Relations speaks about hiss passion p for comedy and lecturing. to do best. Be humble and focused; you will rise to where God wants you to be. I also encourage as many as possible to go school.

Comedy seems to be the rave now but your education is a lasting legacy that can’t depart from you. I graduated with a first-class and I had been doing comedy before I graduated, so it is possible to combine successfully with the help of God. Are you actually enjoying in ng what you do as a comedian? co om median?

I am a enjoying what I do; do o; one of my aims is to to make people happy hap ppy y and I find fulfilment film ment in it. it

What Wha kind of comedy do you think Nigerians want that you are giving them?

For me, I do ethical jokes, I do it clean and How do you give back to the society? make sure it’s family I try as much as possible to assist the he friendly. Most importantfew I can, and also help in charity work. k. ly, I make sure people can relate with Tell us your achievements so far. what I say on I have been privileged to enjoy some me stage. awesome platforms that I can’t count nt within and outside the country. I’ve ve been privileged to anchor Babatunde e Fashola younger brother’s wedding, co-anchored Pastor Poju Oyemade’s wedding, and other high profile weddings.

I’ve done a lot of corporate events with reputable national and multinational organisations like KPMG, Union Bank, Stanbic Bank, First Bank, Nestle, UAC Foods, Flour Mills of Nigeria, to mention a few. God has been faithful. One that is dear to me is a comedy performance of an old woman’s testimony that went viral.

When did you start having passion for comedy?

It started from childhood where I used to mimic my teachers at home after school. I see it as inborn thing, and also I was in my church drama group, all these add together make me know I will be a comedian.

Apart from comedy, what other things do you do?

I am a lecturer in the same university I came out of as a first-class. This made the school authorities retain me as a junior lecturer. So if I’m not doing comedy, I would be lecturing.

What happened to you when you were a child that you still remember?

A lot of things happened. One was as when I went to visit my cousins and d I stood in a colony of soldier ants and d I didn’t notice until they were all over me.

How do you combine them?

What is your philosophy of life?

Keep doing well at what you know how ow

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

Where do you think Nigerian comedians are not getting it right?

I really don’t know, but I feel the originality is not really in place. I feel comedians should adopt their own style and avoid being who they are not.

What stands you out in the comedy world?

I think my style and my approach to the job stand me out. I can fit into any kind of crowd conveniently. God has always helped me.

Have you been embarrassed on n stage before? anThe first wedding I a chored, in 2009, my dressing dressin ng was terrible, and for the whole who ole of that day I wasn’t comfortcomfor able with my presentation.

It was a nasty experience that day.

Where do you see comedy in the next five years?

I see comedy as a big business in Nigeria. Moreover, it’ll be bigger and better structured and will compete globally.

&

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS Sunday, October 11, 2015

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

You can call this line 08050324794

Splendour as Ogiemudia weds Taylor

I

t was a day of bliss as Sarian Ayotunde Taylor and James Osas Ogiemudia exchanged marital vows in style at their traditional and church wedding ceremonies recently. Their traditional wedding took place at the Vitoria Hall located at Olaniyan Close, Ikeja, Lagos, while their church wedding was held at The Wesley Cathedral Church, Olowogbowo, also in Lagos.

These were followed by a grand reception at Lagos City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island.

Recounting how they met, the couple said they got together at a church in London five years ago and became friends.

“Having met in the church in London five years ago, we got attracted to each other and started this relationship which took off from ordinary friendship and grew into an everlasting love story, ” they chorused.

A team of policemen piloted the couple as they cruised in their limousine

BABIES OF THE WEEK

Michael Ayomide Adeyemi

M from the church to the reception venue where family members and guests were entertained.

In the hall, the bride ’s family wore plum purple and gold clothes while the groom ’s appeared in gray

and purple.

It was fun all through as the floor was turned to a dancing competition, led by the couple. The bride danced her heart out that no one could compete with her.

I cherish Tunde ’s calmness –Chioma

C

hioma Nwokocha and Babatunde Craig met three years ago at a wedding ceremony of their friend.

The couple got married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ajah, Lagos.

According to the groom, when he got to the wedding venue, there was no available seat. He stood beside a tree and waited to take photographs with the couple. Another lady joined him as he waited.

Gradually, they started a conversation.

When I kept talking to her, I was no longer thinking of leaving soon.

She was so easy to talk to, Babatunde recalled. They exchanged phone numbers and kept in touch.

Four months into their friendship, they started dating.

On the day of their wedding, it was obvious to family members and friends that they were

fond of each other, as they conversed continually. At a point, they had to be cautioned twice by the master of ceremony who amusingly asked them to stop talking.

For her dress, the bride wore a mermaid design white gown while

the groom opted for a black suit with blue bow tie to match.

Asked what they love about each other, the bride said she cherishes his calmness during turbulent situations, while the groom explained that he loves her sense of humour and simplicity.

ichael Ayomide Adeyemi was born at Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Lagos. He weighed 3.6kg.

Speaking to Sunday Mirror on behalf of his wife, Mr. Michael Adeyemi, explained that during her pregnancy period, she slept a lot and ate less food.

He also said that the wife had no labour delay during her delivery.

On what he loves most about his son, he said, “Everything!

I just love him so much. He is very cheerful and plays a lot while awake, and this makes me believe that he is a healthy child. In fact, he enjoys breast milk. ” On the choice of name, the father revealed that, “being my first son, I named him after myself ”.

Abiola Atoyebi

A

wal Abiola Atoyebi was born at The Redeemed Christian Church of God maternity home, Oyingbo, Lagos to Mr. and Mrs. Lateef Atoyebi.

He weighed 3.9kg at birth.

Mrs. Atoyebi said that apart from the normal things that occur to women during pregnancy, such as swollen feet and occasional heart burn, she felt unusual pain at some point.

“Unlike in my first pregnancy, which happened to be a girl, I experienced pain during Awal ’s. I started feeling this pain when I was five months gone and I got a bit panicky since I did not feel such the first time. I thank God that the pain eventually stopped and everything fell into place ”, she said.

The mother also revealed that she enjoyed

eating fruits during the period.

“Though fruits are part of a normal diet for pregnant women, I had this passion for carrot and pineapple, which I craved for all the time ”, Mrs. Atoyebi revealed.

According to the parents, Awal is special and dear to their hearts because he brought divine favour and financial breakthrough to the family.

“Awal is a special baby to us and so dear to our hearts. From the period of pregnancy to his birth, we have experienced divine favour as we have had financial breakthrough since he came into our lives ”, said the parents.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What to wear …‌to church on Sunday Sunday, October 11, 2015

ADAEZE AMOS

S

unday is the day of worship. So if you must go to church today, you should not be seen in a revealing dress that would expose your body. Remember that you are going to the presence of God. If your job demands putting on corporate attire from Monday through Friday, then you may opt for something different on Sunday.

You can slip into a simple and nice top on a wrap and still look cute.

Check out what Ruth Soma, a model, wore recently to church. No vital part of her body was on display yet she was cute. You too can try this style today.

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Perfect Cut

Sunday, October 11, 2015

African Look African print fabrics, essential in your wardrobe ADAEZE AMOS

T

his home-made fabric is a necessity in every fashionista’s wardrobe, especially with its splendid colours and durability?

But there is still a handful of ladies who hardly ever consider African print fabrics good for glamorous events.

To such ladies, please note that African fabrics can be worn to those dignifying events you have been attending on how it is des designed. All you need do is to give it to a good fashion designer, who would give depending you those mind-blowing styles you have been longing for. There is no style whatsoever this fabric canbe used for. So, why not try it and see what you have been missing! not w D e f i nitely, after you have been convinced about the versatility and beauty of this fabric that realise a must have in fashionista’s you would d ealise it should sh hould be n every fashionista s wardrobe.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mannequin

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Perfect Cut

ns shouldn’t guide your fashion sense ADAEZE AMOS

I

t is true that inside so many fashion houses and their show glasses are shapely mannequins adorned dorned in all sorts non-living models are usually placed there to showcase or display styles of dresses of styles. These non ses for buyers. But dresses on mannequins, don’t forget to put your body frame into consideration. when you admire dr n.

Check if the style would fit your bust, backside, shoulder and so on. Remember that there is no way a dress can be w well made and it comes come out perfect on you if it is not your size.

So, don’t force yourself into an undersized dress just because you you ou must wear it! Mannequins Man an nne neq qu uin ins shouldn’t always guide your dress sense, g y sens stick to what fits you.

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

L

OVE

TALK

with Yemisi

Adeniran

Enjoy sex despite your heavy weight

Y

ou may have noticed that owing to your heavy weight, your sex life is fast becoming unexciting and that much as you had always looked forward to a fantastic time in bed, you get disappointed or end up disappointing your spouse.

It is, no doubt, a clumsy experience having to go around, shifting here and there while making love, because of your weight, but that should not be the end of the world. There are some tricks you just must try to boost your sex life. Here are a few of them: Make up your mind. It is a general practice for an average man to run away from issues that appear as facts. Besides, it is a common thing for us to always want to be like another person. So, it is important that

Models

you, as an overweight person overcome this feeling by coming to terms with who you are. If you have done this, you should also make up your mind to embark on steps that will help you begin to enjoy sex henceforth

no matter what. With this state of mind, you are sure to be starting well and you will by every means get better result.

Shed off some weight. It ’s absolutely possible to enjoy a satisfying sex life whether

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you weigh 130 pounds or 330 pounds. If you ’re overweight and struggling to keep things steamy, though, it ’s time to take action. That doesn ’t have to mean going on a diet, although shedding just 10 pounds can stimulate sex hormones and improve health.

Try a new position. Experiment with positions that take the weight off your joints (and your partner): Try spooning side by side, rear entry, and modified missionary positions with pillows under the female partner ’s hips.

Enjoy intimacy. Sex isn ’t just about intercourse. Explore other forms of intimacy, including oral sex, manual stimulation, toys, and even just kissing and cuddling.

Read up. Try and lay hold on books that do a great job of dispelling myths, helping readers boost self-esteem, and offering detailed information about sexuality. So, remember, being overweight doesn ’t mean your sex life is over. With a little creativity and a few adjustments, you can get - and stay satisfied.

Stay healthy : While self-esteem may play a role, it ’s not the only factor involved. Conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes often accompany obesity and can impair blood flow to the genitals, resulting in problems with erectile dysfunction in men and arousal in both men and women. Extra weight can also stress the knees and other joints, making some sexual positions uncomfortable.

It is important to add that while most overweight women are likely not to enjoy sex; their male counterparts may not experience the same. Recent study confirms that men who are overweight do not only enjoy sex more than their slimmer mates, they are also likely not to experience premature ejaculation. In other words, they last longer in bed than the slimmer men. This is possibly because heavy men typically have higher levels of the female sex hormone called estradiol, which delays climax.

As for a woman who is overweight, just have a new disposition to your situation by coming to terms with your peculiarity. The best way to catch your fun is to engage in new sex styles, shed some weight and watch your health.

Remember that being on the big side does not mean you are unfit. Try these suggestions and you will definitely feel cool with yourself henceforth.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

H

ello everybody and welcome. Before taking a few questions today, we will like to update you on exciting new products for adults. The first of these are top quality vibrators for women. Every now and then, we get emails from women about their lack of sexual enjoyment.

Studies show that only around twenty five percent of women have orgasms during intercourse. Does this mean that the majority of women shouldn ’t expect to ever enjoy sex as much as the others? Absolutely not. That is because adult toys, supplements and arousal gels are being manufactured to ensure that any woman can get the best out of her love life. The vibrators that just arrived are the best in this department. They are mostly rabbit vibrators with the ability to stimulate internally and externally. Some of them also thrust in and out like the Luxe G Plush Thrusting Rabbit and the Thrusting Purple Rabbit. A good vibrator is such a great investment for women and we have some amazing ones in this new collection. Amongst those also are the Ovo K5 Rabbit, the Pirate Katsunis Revenge of the Sea Rabbit and the Elegante Rabbit Vibe by Elan. These toys have all won different awards in many industry ceremonies.

Of course a toy is not complete without a good orgasm gel to aid lubrication and arousal. So new in this collection also is the Jo Oral Delight Arousal Gel. In addition to being able to lubricate and sensitize the user, Jo Oral Delight Arousal Gel is also edible so it is perfect for oral sex. A little dab of this gel massaged on to the clitoris will transform any sexual experience to a phenomenal one.

And then for the men, we have new enlargement and performance supplements that you will absolutely love.

There used to be a time men dreamt about penis enlargement with no idea of

how to get it done. Back then one will research the costs of enlargement surgeries and it will run into millions of naira.

Today, we have supplements that can enlarge the penis and give men better and stronger erections without hassle.

One of such top quality penis enlargers is Prosolution. Prosolution is a world renowned and doctor approved penis enlarger that enlarges the penis in length and width while also reviving lost sexual desire, improving libido and better ejaculatory control. It is ranked among the top two penis enlargers in the world and is taken daily.

The second of these supplements is Stiff Nights, a herbal male performance supplements that helps men with weak or no erection get back their erections while also enabling them with multiple rounds of performance, stamina, prolonged action and an enlarged penis.

Stiff Nights also ensures that when you climax the first time, within five minutes, you will get a second erection. This aspect of it will benefit those men that complain that it takes them hours to get a second erection after ejaculating the first time. The dosage is one capsule with a second capsule taken 24 hours later. The effects can last up to two days in the system. Stiff Nights works on stimulation. This means that you will not be walking around with an unwanted erection except for when you are stimulated in anticipation of sex.

Next week, we will discuss more new products. Let us now take a few questions from our readers.

I am 58 years old and my erection is no longer as strong as it used to be. Some days it is hard enough for intercourse and at other days it is just flappy. How do I know which supplement is best for me? Jide Jide there are several supplements that can help you. From what you have

described, a basic erection enhancer is what you need. So supplements like Magic Mike, Stiff Nights, Libigrow or Man Up Now can all help you – Uche I just saw your sex products on the Sunday paper. I just want to know if there is any product that will make me enjoy sex more, reach orgasm and I don ’t know if you have breast enhancement cream – Mrs Olusola Yes we have different products that can aid female sexual enjoyment. The Sex Accelerator Gel and the Ovo K5 Rabbit Vibrator will help you reach orgasm and enjoy sex. If you are also experiencing lack of sexual desire, then Kangaroo for her or G Female Oral Tablets will help you with that.

And for breast enhancement, we have the Max Enhance Natural Breast Cream – Uche And that is it for today.

Adults in need

of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 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.

ZEE VIRTUAL MEDIA LOVE AND SEX PRODUCTS For strong erections/performance, get Rhino 7, Libigrow or Man Up. For Penis enlargement get VigRx, Vimax, Extenze or Potent Pump.

To maintain erection use Couple ’s Vibrator or Sta Hard Cock Ring.

Stop premature ejaculation with Forever Yours Cream or Gladiator Cream.

For painful intercourse use Mood Sensitive Lubricant or Colt Lubricant.

To reach orgasm, get Nympho ’s Desire Arousal or Encounter Orgasm Gel. Female libido boosters are G Female Oral Tablets or Kangaroo for her.

To tighten vagina use Liquid Sex Tightening Cream or Tighten it up V Gel. Women ’s Vibrators: Hunni Bunny Vibe or Fancy Night Heat Series.

To attract a partner use Optimale Cologne or Sex Aphrodisiac Essence.

Male Masturbators are the Real Skin Latin Pussy or Hustler ’s Choco Pussy.

Female strap-ons are the Afro Wooper Strap-On or Limited Edition Strap-On. Male strap-Ons for weak erection: 6 inch, 8 inch or 10 inch Penile Extension.

Educational adult lms are Adam & Eve Sex Positions & Maximising G Spot.

Feature Films: The One, One Wild & Crazy Night or Young Hollywood We also have magazines, lingerie, games, love cushions and condoms.

To order by phone, call: 08171912551, 08027901621, 08051924159, 07038845262 or easily order at www.zeevirtualmedia.com & pay online.

Other payment options include bank deposits, internet transfers, phone Transfer or cash on delivery. We deliver discreetly all over Nigeria!

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I ’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Habibat Oluwashola

߾ࠆ߾ࠀࠁ߾߿ࠀࠀࠇࠁ ߶ࠡࠛࠡ ࠝࠜࠚࠧ߷

Pregnancy tips to ponder

I

f you ’re getting set to be pregnant this year, that is a good idea as you are obeying one of the biblical injunctions which says, “Go ye into the world, multiply and replenish the earth ”.

So, if you have got your mindset ready to carry and nurture a baby in your womb for nine months, there are some things you need to be ready with before you embark on this ‘journey ’. You shouldn ’t be caught unawares with any complication.

Medical experts have asserted that millions of women give birth every year, and nearly a third do have some kind of pregnancy-related complication. They said those who don ’t get proper prenatal care run the risk of not detecting such complications on time. And that can lead to dire consequences for both the mother and her baby.

Thus, it ’s imperative to start prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before a woman becomes pregnant. If you ’re planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider for a complete checkup. Routine testing can make sure you ’re in good health and that you don ’t have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy. If you ’ve been having any unusual symptoms, this is a good time to report them.

If you ’re already being treated for a chronic condition such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), a heart problem, allergies, lupus (an inflammatory disorder that can affect several body systems), depression, or some other condition, you should talk to your doctor about how it could affect a pregnancy.

In some cases, you may need to change or stop certain medicines — especially during the first trimester (12 weeks) — to reduce risk to the fetus.

Or, you may need to be even more careful about managing your condition.

For example, women with diabetes must take extra care to keep their blood glucose levels under control — both before they begin trying to conceive and during pregnancy.

Abnormal levels increase the risk of birth defects and other complications.

This is also a good time to talk with your health care provider any habits that could pose a risk to your baby, such as drinking alcohol or smoking.

Ask about taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, calcium, and iron.

It ’s especially important for women who plan to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid because neural tube defects (problems with the development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she ’s pregnant.

If you or your partner have a family history of a significant genetic dis-

order and think either of you may be a carrier, genetic testing would be wise. Talk this over with your health care provider, who can refer you to a genetic counsellor if necessary.

Your first visit: You should call to schedule your first examination during the first six to eight weeks of your pregnancy, or when your menstrual period is two to four weeks late. Many health care providers will not schedule the first visit before eight weeks, unless there is a problem.

During your first visit, you ’ll be asked a lot of questions about your health and habits that may have an effect on your pregnancy. It ’s important to try to remember the date of your last menstrual period so your doctor can estimate the duration of your pregnancy and predict your delivery date.

You can expect to have a full physical, including a pelvic and rectal exam. A blood sample will be taken and used for a series of

tests: • A complete blood cell count may be needed.

• blood typing and screening for antibodies against a substance found in the red blood cells of most people • for infections such as syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) • for evidence of previous exposure to chickenpox (varicella), measles (rubeola), mumps, or German measles (rubella) • for cystic fibrosis (health care providers recently started to offer this even if there ’s no family history of the disorder) Some blood tests are offered only to women of certain ethnic backgrounds, who may be at higher risk of carrying genes for specific diseases. For example, women of African or Mediterranean descent are usually tested for sickle cell because they ’re at higher risk of these chronic blood diseases or carrying the sickle cell trait, which can be passed on to their children.

During the first visit, you also can expect to provide a urine sample for testing and to have a Pap test (or smear) for cervical cancer. To do a Pap smear, the doctor uses what looks like a very long mascara wand or cotton swab to gently scrape the inside of the cervix (the opening to the uterus that ’s located at the very top of the vagina). This generally doesn ’t hurt; some women say they feel a little twinge, but it only lasts a second.

‘I saw my friend and her guy have sex ’

T

here is a naughty thing that I did that is still registered in my brain. As you well know, the human brain or mind is like a computer.

There are things you just see, even at a glance, they would just register there and you can easily remember them when you want to. This story I ’m going to share with you is one of such things that my brain recorded.

It happened one day when a friend of mine visited with her boyfriend.

They always feel at home with me. Invariably, my home is like a safe haven to them.

To my surprise, they were already having sex right there in my room and I suddenly bumped in.

I came to pick my biro and I didn ’t know because I wasn ’t expecting them to be that ‘busy ’. So, when I opened my door and saw the two adults ‘sweating

it out ’, I felt guilty that I didn ’t knock before entering. So, when I stood at the doorstep and looked at them, they didn ’t even look at me and never cared if someone came in. They were actually in their own world.

Unapologetic, because they didn ’t even need it in the first place, I picked up what I came for and closed the door gently.

I consider this naughty because I should have knocked on the door before entering knowing that my friend was with her boyfriend. Even when I entered the room, I didn ’t close my eyes. I looked at them very well although it was for a few seconds before leaving.

•Oluwashola aka Omo Jinad, is an actress, movie producer and TV host.

–ADAEZE AMOS

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wolf Blass wine

n 1969 Wolfgang Blass purchased a 2.5 acre landholding in South Australia.

Four years later, Wolf Blass Wines was born with the first vintage of Wolf Blass Black Label. From humble beginnings in a tin shed in the Barossa Valley, Wolf Blass Wines is now one of the most successful and awarded wineries in Australia.

The piece of land happened to be on Bilyara Road and when researching the name, Wolf discovered that it is the Aboriginal name for “Eaglehawk”.

As the eagle is also the national emblem of Germany, Wolf ’s homeland, he decided that the Eagle would also appear on all of his wines – a legacy that continues today.

In 1974 Wolf Blass Black Label won the highly coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy from the Melbourne Wine Show, the first of three consecutive wins, generating substantial publicity and hype. In 1999, Wolf Blass Black Label made history, becoming the only wine to win the Jimmy Watson Trophy an unprecedented four times.

Since then, growth has been impressive and inspiring with Wolf Blass winning more than 3,000 awards at national and international wine shows, including most recently, International Red Winemaker of the Year at the 2008 International Wine Challenge in London.

Wolf Blass Wines have always had a unique and highly distinguishable style. With a strong focus on careful fruit sourcing, fermentation, maturation and blending, the wines deliver lifted vibrant fruit flavours, a soft rounded palate and well integrated tannins that are the hallmarks of the entire Wolf Blass range.

Today, Wolf Blass wines are exported to more than 50 countries and the Wolf Blass brand is recognised internationally as a producer of premium wines.

Afang Soup

A

fang Soup, like the Edikang Ikong soup, is native to the Efik, people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states of Nigeria but enjoyed by all Nigerians. It is also very nutritious as the soup consists mainly of vegetables. Afang soup is prepared with a generous quantity of Water leaves and the wild herbal Okazi leaves.

How to cook The Nigerian Afang Soup should not be confused with the Okazi Soup native to the people of Imo and Abia States of Nigeria. While Afang soup is prepared with basically vegetables, Okazi soup is simply the Nigerian Egusi Soup cooked with thinly sliced Okazi leaves.

Ingredients for Afang Soup • 400g sliced Okazi/Afang leaves | about 4 handfuls • 250g Water leaves • 20 to 25 cl red palm oil (about 1 drink glass) • Beef, Kanda and Dry fish • 2 tablespoons ground crayfish • Pepper and salt (to taste) • 2 stock cubes Notes about the ingredients 1.

Great alternative to water leaves is Lamb’s Lettuce, known as

Canonigos in Spanish.

Before you cook the Nigerian Afang Soup 1.

Wash, drain and slice the water leaves into tiny pieces. Grind or pound the sliced Okazi leaves. In Nigerian markets, the sellers of these sliced Okazi leaves have a machine for grinding it. You can also grind it with your blender with a small quantity of water. Take a look at the ground Okazi leaves.

2.

Grind your pepper and crayfish and cut the onions into tiny pieces.

Cooking Directions 1.

Boil the beef and Kanda with the diced onions and stock cubes in a very small quantity of water. When done, add the dry fish and cook for about five more minutes.

2.

Now add the palm oil, crayfish and pepper. Once it starts boiling, add the afang (okazi) leaves, water leaves and periwinkle. When the okazi leaves have softened and the water has dried up a bit, add salt to taste and leave to simmer for about five minutes. The Afang soup is ready!

Serve with Garri (Eba), Semolina Fufu, Amala, Cassava Fufu or Pounded Yam.

Growing Up

Sunday, October 11, 2015

YOUNG FASHION

37

WHO INVENTED WHAT?

Sneakers

S

neakers are a synonym for “athletic shoes ”, the generic name for the footwear primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise. Additionally, in recent years, sneakers have come to be used for casual everyday activities. The term describes a type of footwear with a flexible sole made of rubber or synthetic material and an upper part made of leather or canvas. Examples include athletic footwear such as basketball shoes, tennis shoes, cross trainers and others worn for specific sports.

Native Americans discovered Popcorn Popcorn was fi rst discovered thousands of years ago by Native Americans in North America. First traces of popcorn are from 3600 B.C. It is one of the oldest forms of corn. Due to its history, it is hard to give credit of the popcorn’s existence to a particular person.

DO YOU KNOW? Spider

WORDS ON MARBLES Formal education will make you a living; selfeducation will make you a fortune.

-Jim Rohn

A

JOKE

cruise was sinking in the ocean; there were five people left in it and the last lifeboat could only hold 4 people. The five people were: a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a boy and the captain who was supposed to be the last one to abandon the ship.

As the cruise was in international waters, it was under the jurisdiction of the country that the cruise was registered. That country ’s law allowed the captain to decide who could be left in such a case.

The boy said: “I am young and my future is bright. I may be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer and etc. I may help, or save many people in the future. I think I deserve a seat. ” The teacher said: “I teach young kids like this little boy. Without us, the young

kids will not be successful. I think I deserve a seat too. ” Then the doctor said: “I have saved many people ’s lives and may save yours too, especially in this lifeboat. I think you need me. ” The lawyer said: “I am a lawyer; I can help you all to claim the millions of dollars from government. I am a witness and also a victim; if I survive, the chance to win the case is 100%. The boy is a minor, his compensation will be less.

Let me have his seat! ” Without wasting a second to think about it, the captain announced: “You, the lawyer, stay with the cruise. ” The reason was the boy was the captain ’s son.

The moral of this joke is you should know the relationship of your audience.

FAIRY PUZZLE

S

piders (orderAraneae) are airbreathing arthropods that have eight legs and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other orders of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica, and have become established in nearly every habitat with the exceptions of air and sea colonization.

As of 2008, at least 43,678 spider species, and 109 families have been recorded by taxonomists; however, there has been dissension within the scientific commu-

nity as to how all these families should be classified, as evidenced by the over 20 different classifications that have been proposed since 1900.

TONGUE TWISTER “I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream... ” “Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear.

Fuzzy wuzzy had no hair.

Fuzzy wuzzy wasn ’t very fuzzy, was he? ” “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood ”

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

38

Movies & Music

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Waje, Eva, Bez delight Lagos fans T

he trio of Waje, Bez Idakula and Eva Alordiah held down the city of Lagos in a spectacular evening of 100 per cent live music experience.

The event which took place at Lagoon Restaurant, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, showcased a lot of performances from top celebrities in Nigeria, and also some of the artistes from Tenstring Music Institute.

According to a statement by the founder of Tenstrings Music Institute, Mr. Akapo Emmanuel, ‘the Ones2Watch Project is a series of promotional activities culminating in a world-class music concert featuring some of the incredible talents the institute has groomed to date, alongside several notable musicians and comedians.

The purpose of this event is to create platforms for the student to showcase themselves to the whole world, and also allow the student to experience the stage performance, alongside some of the notable celebrated artistes, which is also a means to create a need between them and record label owners.

The concert which was covered by over 50 local and international media organisations, including MTV, Soundcity and MNET, was aimed at giving the audience a stunning shower of good music and the projected artistes a strong push that would launch them directly to millions of fans around the world.

Tenstrings Music Institute is Nigeria’s leading college of music which currently ranks as the best-spread and most patronised music school in Africa. It was established about eight years ago and has trained over 5,000 persons.

Bez

xxxx

Davido to premiere 5 videos on MTV Base Davido

ith just a few weeks to the reease of his sophomore album, “Baddesst”, multiple award winning pop sta ar, Davido is set to premiere five fresh h videos off his first album, OBO Gene nesis on Africa’s biggest music channel, MTV M Base.

The videos w which include, New Skul Tinz featuring la abel mates, Sina Rambo and B-Red, Blesss Me featuring May D, Dollars in The e Bank featuring Kayswitch, Video an nd MaryJane are all unreleased videos from his debut album, OBO and aired d on MTV Base’ show tagged, Davido Exposed E yesterday.

Davido who sspoke about all five vide s on the exclussive show revealed that eo “New Skul Tinss” is his least liked video “N and he would ha ave loved to re-enact the Michael Jackso on concept for “MaryJane”.

The talented d performer also revealed that he w will be shooting his next video in Tokyo or Jamaica as no one in the Nigerian n market has really explored those cou untries. He also makes a hilarious promiise to “jump out” of the plane like his p popular hit video, “The Sound” featurin ng Uhuru.

An excited D Davido commented, I’m glad I am releasiing these videos now…

Took me a whiile to decide whether I wanted to releasse them before the new album dropped but I’m happy I’m releasing them no ow… Nobody has seen this video! It’s ab bout to be shown to the world for the firrstEbuka time and exclusively Eb ka on MTV Base.

BET’s reality show comes to Africa

B

Zikhona Sodlaka

ET hit Top Actor is on the hunt for the hottest acting talent on the continent as auditions fire up ahead of season 2. Come along and show off your acting skills could be starring in Top Actor Africa, the TV seand you co ries that puts pu a dramatic new spin on the reality genre. coming weeks, BET is staging public auditions in In the co Nairobi and Johannesburg, searching for talented Lagos, Nai description – from heart-throb heroes, leadactors of every ev ing ladies to t villains and femme fatales. Whether you have had previous previo experience or not doesn’t matter – we are looking for fearless, strong personalities, full of ambition who will do what it takes to be Africa’s and confidence, confid Top Actor,” Acto said Alex Okosi, senior vice-president and managing managin director, VIMN Africa.

“Top Actor Africa is an amazing platform for discovering this generation’s next great talent. African actors are increasingly taking their rightful place on the world stage, and we are delighted to extend this w empowering opportunity to aspiring actors across the empowe continent.” contine Hosted Hos by South African movie star Zikhona Sodlaka (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” & “Genera( tions”), the first season was won by South African tion drama dra student Altovise Lawrence, an increasingly popular figure on BET itself, where she now hosts pop an entertainment news show, BET Buzz. e If you’d like to see your name in lights, come along to the auditions, and you could be one of 12 lucky thespians competing for the chance to win the title “Top Actor Africa”.

At stake are career-launching prize package that includes US$10,000 in cash, a one-year contract with international representation and access to Hollywood auditions.

Top Actor Africa auditions will be held in Lagos on October 5-7, Nairobi on October 10 and Johannesburg on October 14-16.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Princess Daniella Okoye wins CAMA 2015

T

he just-concluded Classic African Merit Award (CAMA) 2015 wouldn’t have been complete without the appearance of the Little Princess of the Universe Daniella Okoye.

She won the fifth edition of CAMA as the Best Teen Actor of the Year 2015 alongside Rasikimo, Amanda Ebiye, Asandrea Collections, Dino Moleye, Deacon Iyke Kalu, Wofai Samuel, Imelda Jay, among others.

The award took place at the 10 Degrees Event Centre Billings Way Oregun, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria.

However, this new achievement is rooted back to her hard work as an emerging actor in the Nollywood industry, which earns her a lead role in a movie entitled ‘Elisa’.According to Daniella, “winning a crown is not enough, I still need to put more effort into ensuring that I’m at the top of my game because I love entertainment and it doesn’t distract my education.”

The survivor show premieres on Africa Magic showcase

Tosyn

Guinness celebrates #madeofblack heroes in Lagos, Enugu

I

Princess

One of Glass House Entertainment’s rich human-interest show, The Survivor Show, premieres on Africa Magic Showcase C Channel 151 today by 6pm.

The Survivor Showwa as created exclusively to celebrate people wh ho have been through n ar-death accidents, illnesses or incidents. ne The concept is ce entered on the everyday experiences in tthe course of life with an aim of putting ou ut more knowledge on how to reduce, preve ent and handle dangerous likely-to-occur in ncidences. These survivors are interviewed d on the show by Tosyn Bucknor and their sto ories are showcased in photo and video docu umentaries that revive their experiences in tthe most amazing and dramatic way possible e.

The Survivor Sho ow does not focus on b inging back bad m br memories from the experiences of the surv vivors but rather seeks to celebrate their surrvival in unique ways, some of which includ de music from the famous DJ Neptune, special c celebrity appearances, games, cash prices and a lot of giveaways.

Ayo Alaba Idowu, CEO o of Glass House Entertainment, says that The Surv vivor Show is a show that brings a complete fu un-filled experience to its audience with situattions everyone around the world can conn nect to irrespective of age, co olour, and gender.

The Survivor Show is one of many TV contents from Glass House Entertainment, a fast growing media and entertainment company in Nigeria.Some existing contents include Hope234(airing on Africa Magic Urban by 8pm every Saturday), The Proposal Show, Once Upon a Time, and The Legendary Show. The Survivor Show is sure one of the best human-interest shows to look out for on African TV.

39

n the last couple of weeks, all across Nigeria, Guinness has been celebrating the unsung heroes; people who are doing ordinary things in extra ordinary ways; the dancers, the singers, the drivers, the barmen, the mechanics, the teachers. All those united by their shared black attitude, the people’s made of black heroes.

Following several weeks of nomination and voting for the best stories in their cities, it was time for Lagos and Enugu to turn up and celebrate their winning heroes at the #madeofblack heroes’ party held at Toscana Niteclub in Enugu and Xover lounge in Lagos.

It was an evening of fun and positive energy with family, friends and Guinness lovers celebrating the real people, those who believed in their dreams and dared to follow it. The party was all about the real heroes and they were awarded and treated like stars.

The Lagos heroes who were nominated are Tayo Faniran, 1st runner up of BBA season 9, Tunde Adebanjo aka Euro, Temitope Okupe, Tony Chukwu, Caleb Oziegbe, Adonu Anthony Reuben, David King-Amin, Josephine Njokwu, Josephine Ukeme, DJ Toxic, Adekunle and Tina Nwosu.

Their unique stories are a clear demonstration of the black attitude i.e. Adekunle, stands out as the guy who wakes up every morning to sweep the Anthony pedestrian bridge despite his disability and he has done this for the past 12 years while Josephine Ukeme, a policewoman n has become very popular by her sheer passion and commitment to o duty. Josephine tirelessly controls ls traffic at the St. Agnes Junction on in Yaba and through her sheer dedication to duty; she has continually ually made life easier for road users. sers.

In Enugu, the experience was super exciting as fans gathered to celebrate brate their chosen made of black heroes, nominees from the coal city includes: cludes: Yellow man, a policeoliceman, Engr. ngr.

Kelvin Igwu, a Lecturrer, MC C 4 God,

Uche, Ifeanyii a n d Nneka A n i e z e.

Their stories show resilience nce and the true ue definition of black.

To make the events memorable and create eate the Guinness experience, Ol-

Tayo

amide and Phyno were on ground to party with the heroes and thrill guests to an experience of a lifetime, in celebration of the chosen #madeofblack heroes. DJ Spinall took the Lagos party to another high while Slow Dog came out of the kitchen as usual to put some heat on the Coal city. The parties also featured scintillating performances from other artistes including Sexy Steel, DJ Toxic, amongst others.

Speaking at the spectacular event, Portfolio Marketing Manager, Guinness, Ms. Liz Ashdown, said the #madeofblack campaign celebrates individuals who are made of more, bold and determined in achieving whatever they set their minds to accomplish.

“MADE OF BLACK is more than an ad campaign, it is a movement. It’s about the people making bold choices, those who ask ‘why not... those doing things their way and carving a path for themselves.

This year Guinness is turning the camera around to focus on the real ‘Made of Black’ heroes from various strata of life across Nigeria.

This is our own way of taking the made of black experience to the streets and making Nigerians a part of it”, she said.

In the coming weeks, the campaign train will move to Port Harcourt and the ancient city of Benin.

It will be their turn to nominate and celebrate their own Guinness #madeofblack heroes. Guinness urges more Nigerians in Port Harcourt and Benin to get on the nomination train, and have a chance to attend the events in Port Harcourt and Benin.

40

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)

‘Help! My twin brothers scare suitors off ’

In need of a serious relationship/marriage Uche, 20, from Anambra needs a God-fearing, handsome, caring and rich guy of 25 years and above that will take care of her -08144815735.

Edwin is my name. I ’m looking for a sexy and romantic lady of 17 years for friendship -08094186336.

My name is Uche, 42, an engineer from Anambra State. I ’m 5.8 ft tall and a Christian. I need a 28-35 working-class graduate from Anambra for marriage -08062227333.

Taiwo Olumide is my name. I ’m a student, light -kinned and tall. I need a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. I ’m live in Ibadan -08072225028.

Paul is my name. I ’m 50 years old. A graduate of University of Uyo, I ’m from Akwa Ibom State. I need a lady for wife -07030809667.

I ’m Jude, 28 years old. I ’m shy, friendly and live in Lagos. I need a caring, understanding female friend from any state. She has to be between 19 and 35 years old -07032292819, 08097013057.

My name is A1, 23, from a Yoruba-speaking state. I ’m young and beautiful, a mother of two beautiful girls. I need a 28-40-year-old rich man who is ready to take good care of me. Trust me, I ’m ready to put smiles on his face anytime. I wouldn ’t mind Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or even a white man -08107346507.

Mohd, 40, wants a mature lady, tall, sexy, with bleached skin and big boobs. She has to be a working-class living in Kaduna, between 25 and 35 years old, for friendship -080 37348310.

My name is Ade, I live in Lagos. I am a worker and student. I ’m 27 years old.

I need a caring, sexy lady between 20 and 25years old -0708857453.

My name is Afam, 25, a graduate. I need a sugar mummy for a serious relationship -07060932985.

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Ayo, 30, a civil servant needs a godly and educated Yoruba lady, between 24 and 29 years of age, for a relationship that would culminate in marriage -07033318447.

Moses, 27, needs a serious relationship that can lead to marriage.

She should be between 21 and 28 years old. She should be a workingclass, dark-skinned and beautiful. She should be living in Lagos -07087764057.

A model

Cornelia is sad at the moment because of what her twin elder brothers are doing to her. She said her brothers are not helping matters in relation to suitors coming to ask for her hand in marriage.

“

Now because of their great expectations from suitors who had been wooing me and the embargo they placed on me, they no longer come as before. I ’m worried, ” she bemoaned.

Cornelia has three siblings. “My elder sister Elizabeth who was the first born and then my immediate twin brothers Thompson and Timothy, who are five years older than me. According to my mother, she never knew she would have still been able to conceive and gave birth to me after five years of having my twin brothers. She said she thought she wouldn ’t be able to get pregnant again because of the complications she had when she had my twin brothers. When I was eventually born, I became the toast of the family. I was loved and pampered.

My twin brothers were always there for me, protecting me from any abuse one could think of. More so, they said I was the prettiest in the family, so I was loved. They expected a lot more in return probably from

men who were wooing me. That was how I grew up, ” she recalled.

Elizabeth, the first born, was the first to get married.

“My father loved her so much that people were thinking she wouldn ’t get married early enough. But she proved them wrong.

When Uncle Akanna, my elder sister ’s husband who lived in Malaysia because of sent his people to come and see my parents and declare their marital intention over Auntie Elizabeth, they came very ready. They brought all they were being asked without bargaining over it. When the Malaysian returnee eventually came home to my village for my sister ’s traditional marriage, it was a carnival-like event …a marriage in the entire Umuagu village that won ’t be forgotten.

My mother who always loved to boast of good things that happened in her family was all over the village inviting both her friends and enemies to the marriage ceremony. She wanted them to come see for themselves what God had done for her.

“While the marriage preparation which took almost a month was going on, my mother would wake up early in the morning to pray. Her prayer usually started at 4 until 5. One hour shout prayer, where she would thank God for his goodness in her life and family. She would recount her miracles one after the other and the whole village would be listening in envy. She would proudly say that God went to Malaysia and brought a special suitor for her daughter, so that her enemies

would die in envy. She I ’m Dennis by name and I ’m 25 years old. I live in Abuja and I ’m worknever cared who was lis- ing. I need a lady between 20 and 23 for a serious relationship that tening and that was a kind could lead to marriage -09030465717. of prayer I didn ’t like be- I ’m Sunday, dark, 35 years old and 6ft tall. I ’m a civil servant from Ondo cause, according to my fa- State. I need a God-fearing lady between 25 and 32years old. She has ther, it can ginger enemies to be a working-class from any part of the world -07031151927. to attack the family.

But mama never saw 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 things our own way. She would tell me that if in- email and we ’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you! deed the enemies wanted to stop it, they would have done that joints gulping and buying palm wine for even without her prayers because they his friends and well wishers. too see in spirit. So, it was through her “The first assistance he asked from his prayers my sister ’s marriage was made son in-law a few months after the marpublic, they had already known where riage was some money for a chieftaincy. her suitor was coming from. Those mon- He said he had come of age for such a ey-mongers in my village got prepared title but because of a lack, he couldn ’t go and jacked up the bride price and things for it. Uncle Akanna who didn ’t see anythey wrote on their list for the marriage. thing wrong in a man obtaining chiefI thank God that my brother-in-law was taincy gave him money for that and even equal to the task, ” she said. made the ceremony colourful with his After Elizabeth ’s marriage, Pa Em- presence. manuel, (Elizabeth father ’s life) changed He came with some of his friends and for the better. business associates. As if that wasn ’t “Papa, who was always gloomy be- enough, the car he brought to Papa which fore his daughter ’s marriage, was now was used to convey him and Mama to the all smiles. I could remember how my venue of his coronation, was eventually mother usually asked him what he was left for him by my sister ’s husband. He brooding over and he would scornfully has been cruising round the whole vilanswer her that he was battling with the lage as a titled man. My mother ’s old nonsense called life. But after the mar- habit of praying loudly in the morning riage, life started making a meaning; has increased, ” Cornelia said. it was no longer nonsense, but fun. He was always seen in the village drinking •To be continued.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday, October 11, 2015

41

Sanctioning favour comes from God and man T

here are two things people should be requesting for, the anointing of blessing from God and man. If God blesses a person, man will say it will not get to the person and it will not. If a man blesses a person and God say it will not get to the person it will not.

People should pray that God and man should show them favour. Most people are deceiving themselves that nobody can do it for them except God and nobody except those that are helping them.

God exists and man is there for man. God created man to have dominion over other creatures and coordinate the affairs of the world. Therefore whatever man does, it is God that does it because God has given man authority. When God created man on the sixth day, He empowered man with the power of the world. It is in this world that we see electricity, clothes we wear and other things invented by man. We may be saying these things were made possible by God but they belong to the world. Imagine God told Satan that Job was in his care and he could collect whatever he wanted from him because everything he possessed belongs to Satan except his life which God owns.

That was why Satan was able to destroy all he had. Worldly things belong to the world and heavenly things belong to heaven. It is God that gave the world the power and the people controlling the affairs of the world are exercising this power. The Bible states that Daniel requested from God understanding and humility, but the grant was withheld with the angel God sent to deliver the grant to Daniel for twenty-one days until angel Michael came to rescue of the angel in captivity. The principality of the world felt that their consent should have been sought before delivering the grant to Daniel. In fact the angel was refused to pass through cosmic level to meet

General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, advises that God should take care of your affairs. Excerpts:

Daniel (Daniel 10 verse 12-13).

In the same vein, both the federal and state governments make plans for the betterment of Nigerians but some powerful and influential people will prevent other Nigerians from receiving the benefits. It is a pity that those in authority will not call them to order.

Brethren do not say everything must be done for God. Jesus was given both the worldly and heavenly power that made it possible for him to heal the man who was blind from birth and the cripple. In this world, many things are blocked or prevented to manifest, but many men of God are unlocking these things because they were given the knowledge of worldly power. What they need to do is to connect with God to enable them carry out the work.

The grace of the world and heaven are powerful, also anointing of blessing of the world and heaven are powerful. Be afraid of your father as well as your mother because they brought you to this world.

Many people are saying that it is God alone they fear. Let me tell you; the day of your death will not complete before you are killed suddenly. My prayer is that we will not offend the world in Jesus name.

Amen.

Many people will claim they have God alone and nothing can happen to them.

Yes, but God will be watching when the principality and rulers of the world are inflicting pain and suffering on you. God will not intervene because he has established a boundary between heaven and world.

Imagine the suffering the rulers of the

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

world subjected Jesus who claimed to have both worldly and heavenly power. It was the suffering and torture that led to his premature death. God refused to intervene in Jesus’ plight until he voiced out saying ‘father why have forsaken me.’ Jesus knew that all power belongs to God and He had rejected him. Even when Pilate told Jesus that he has the power to set him free. Jesus disagreed telling Pilate that he would not have power over him if it was not given to him from above (John 19 verse 10-11).

God refused to intervene because he had given the rulers of the world power and they were exercising the power at that moment. It is in heaven that God will judge all that happened. What about you? How friendly are you to God? If the principality and rulers of

‘God’s time to take over’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 and who shall let it” (Isaiah 40:13). Nobody can stop Him from taking over your matter and no demon, sickness, disease, poverty, physical or spiritual affliction of any kind can hinder Him. So you should be in expectation to recover everything your enemy has stolen from you and your family, everything must be recovered.

Mtt. 15: 13 says, “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” The garden and temple of the Lord which is your life shall be cleared of weeds.

Whatsoever is not planted of by our heavenly Father, the great Husbandman shall be rooted up. All the encumbrances, including the accursed things in the garden of your life shall be purged because it is God’s time to take over His garden and restore its dignity and flavor. All the while, the seed of God which you represent has been covered by weeds which have hindered hitherto its growth and progress but power must change hand today, every plant not planted by the Owner shall be uprooted.

Devil may have been rejoicing because he thought he has buried you in the grave of poverty, sickness, pain, disappointment, confusion, sin or occultism but little did he

know that you are a seed of God Almighty and that wherever you are buried you can germinate. God can turn any situation to good soil for His seed to sprout. A seed cannot become a tree except it dies and when it dies; it will grow and become a mighty tree. Do you see yourself; you shall come out strongly from that sickness, from that poverty, disappointment, demotion, etc and shall be what God wants you to be. The purpose of your creation shall be actualized in Jesus name.

In Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

I want to let you know that man’s condition is a lost condition, and every unregenerate man is a lost man, because in his original nature he has lost his God, his soul, happiness, liberty, Excellency, gaiety and grace. However, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ has brought succor and salvation to man. His manifestation has restored all that man lost. Whatever you have lost is coming back to you, just be in expectation for God Almighty will take over your entire problem. What you are expected to do now is to align yourself with the Saviour so it shall be well with you, so that your lost glory shall be restored. The great errand that Christ came into the world upon was to seek and to save lost sinners: this He has

done by His blood, word, and by His Spirit.

Mtt. 11:28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Today, as you come in expectation, as you come with that load, the Lord will take over it. Why are you toiling and creating burden for yourself while you have somebody who has offered to take over your trouble. Do you not know that as you are carrying the heavy load which nature has laid upon your head, every step you take reduces your strength and renders the load more oppressive? This message is meant among other things to design action plan for your escape. So, if you are a sinner, wearied in iniquity, through this message you are invited to come to Christ and find relief. If you are burdened with the guilt of your crime and thinking you may not be forgiven, God is inviting you now to partake in the benefit of His sacrifice and receive pardon cum mercy. If you are a believer and feel the enemy is pressing you into temptation by intimidating your carnal mind, God is inviting you through this message to appeal to the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for you and have it cleanses you from all unrighteousness and powerfully secured you in every temptation.

So, all are invited to come, and all are promised rest, therefore come.

the world are punishing you and you are claiming to be a child of God, there is nothing you can do. That is the people of the world. I want to implore you and draw your attention to this mystery of this world. It is my responsibility to teach people this mystery and the mystery is that there are anointing of blessing of the world and that of the heaven.

Finally do not underestimate the rulers and principality of this world; they can be destructive. My prayer is that God in his infinite mercy will give everyone both anointing of blessing.

•For further enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288, 08023991354. www.facebook.com/pastoroloruntimilehin.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your cares upon for He careth for you.”

God shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. So, cast your entire burden upon Him and I am assuring you He will sustain you. If you have lose your job, friend or properties or you are sick, under heavy trails by the enemy, or you feel you have no strength and are in danger of being crushed by what the devil laid upon you, God is calling you to cast that burden upon Him, for He cares for you.

I don’t know the problem you are going through, one thing that is very certain is that all your problems shall be no more in Jesus name. Remember the Bible said concerning Jesus, that He healed them all and also it said that He healed them there. I am confident He will heal you all and He will heal you here and you shall go rejoicing in Jesus name. So I want you to bid your problems bye –bye, bid that enemy terrorizing you bye-bye, including that affliction, cancer, barrenness and that crisis in your marriage, because after today, you will see them no more. I do not know how many years, you have been in that trouble neither do I know who may have afflicted you or who may have been battling to destroy your life, but look at them for the last time. There is nothing to fear again, God who is coming to take over all the problems is greater than all.

From the Pulpit

42

Learn with Kunle

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

I

t is interesting to note that the world is a miracle created by a miracle God. We live in miracle and surrounded by miracle and still many people are looking for miracle. No wonder some people realize the need to perform miracles hence they deceive people who are seeking for miracles.

Miracle is an extra ordinary event attributed to divine agency. There are many types of miracle but here I will only mention three types – Healing miracle which is common during the time of Jesus Christ and which many men and women of God are performing today to prove the healing power of Jesus Christ. Divine Providence – this exhibits the power of God to provide for all the needs of man. “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Phil 4:19 and Protection miracle God is able to protect people from all dangers of the world. Daniel in the lion’s den was protected from being hurt by the hungry and fierce lions.

Dan: 6:16-23 while Peter was miraculously released from prison Acts 12:6-11. There are promises of protection in the Bible. God said, “I (God) will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I, will counsel you and “watch” over you” Ps. 32:8. The greatest miracle in the Bible apart from the creation of the world and everything in it is the resurrection of Jesus from death.

Bible is a book that expresses the mind of God. It is expected to inspire your heart and challenge your mind. Some believers of Jesus use Bible as a book of devotions. They use it as a series of devotional readings. This write up is to prove the livingness of an everyday God who provides everyday miracle. I hope you will discover or rediscover him.

Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

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ames 4:6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the hum-

ble.

Welcome to the month of October in the name of Jesus, as the year moves towards its successful end you will be remembered for good and God will do a quick work in your life in Jesus name.

You are preserved and protected for the rest of the year in Jesus name.

This month we shall delve into an issue that is misrepresented, misinterpreted and misused in the Kingdom of God. We indeed have spoken about so many things this year but everything we have been charged to do and become bothers on the grace of God made available to us as children of God. However, we belong to generation that perverts the definition of grace, misappropriates and misrepresented grace.

How? First and foremost, there are so many definitions of grace in the body of Christ. Various books, video and audio messages have also tried to do justice to the definition of the grace of God. Most,

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The everyday miracle Jesus once made a promise, “And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter to be with you forever” Jn. 14:16. Today, many people look for God in a building called “Church” or in the Book called “The Holy Bible”. Many people look unto the sky when praying because to them God is in heaven.

Christianity has a lot to do with faith and not with material things. The Word of the Bible is too theological for many people to understand.

Sincerely speaking, to discover God’s presence today means learning to think theologically.

Theology simply means thinking about God and seeking things from a different viewpoint.

It is mostly finding God or his wish in human situations. God is with us and in us in spirit.

I read of recent in national newspapers a Christian topic titled “Sowing seeds; the biblical facts”. Bible must be studied historically, exegetically and theologically. Literal understating of the Bible is not enough. Bible becomes useful only when it can be applied to human situations. Jesus during his time talked about the things that people were familiar with. The common professions then were farming and fishing, hence he talked a lot about plants, fruits, harvest and farmers. He also spoke about the prodigal son, ungrateful servants, animals and birds, shepherds and sheep. There are more spiritual lessons to be learned from the story of sowing and harvesting than telling people to sow seed of faith in order to make money for the pastor.

The idea of the more you sow the more you harvest is very magical and psychological. It is playing on people’s minds and it is very deceitful. If Jesus were telling a parable today, I am sure he would mention microwave ovens, cars, football, supermarket, television, banking and accounting. Jesus wanted the people of his time to worship a living, everyday God and that was why he drew his examples from their everyday life which they understood very well.

Churches today have lost the real message of the Bible. The preaching, teaching and think-

ing of the present Christians focus on long time ago which makes Christianity irrelevant to the modern day. A modern trained pastor will not say “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do not pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?” Matt.7:16 because many people will not understand this.

Christianity is about relationship with God. God can be found in the individual experiences especially in our challenges. David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” Ps.23:4.

King Nebuchadnezzar said, “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me” Daniel 4:2. David and King Nebuchadnezzar experienced the presence of God and received their miracle. Kanu a popular footballer who had a heart problem once said, “I was surprised when doctor told me that I will never play football but I “determined”. So, he got a healing and played football for many years after the heart operation.

How can you explain Golda Meir who became Prime Minister of Israel at 71, General Muhammadu Buhari who became President of Nigeria after four attempts or how do you explain how Pat Utomi became Presidential adviser at the age of 27. Your miracle is not in the church or miracle ground as professed by the modern Christian leaders. It is in you. God is still performing miracles daily in the lives of believers of Jesus Christ.

Churches today look backwards and talk about miracles in the Bible but I assure you today that you can experience the everyday miracle of God in your life. The real miracle at Pentecost was not fire, wind or speaking in many tongues. It was the discovery that God had not left them alone.

In a new and different way God was present. It is time for you to discover for yourself that God is still present not only in religious ceremonies like night vigil, Holy Ghost night, and miracle services but in your daily situation, he may be saying something to you that will bring your miracle.

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In your daily walk, you can start to see, hear and feel the presence of an everyday God. The Bible told us many stories as Jesus provided miracles. Mary the mother of Jesus at a wedding ceremony told Jesus “They have no wine” Jn. 2:3 when they were short of wine. He provided better wine. Bartimaeus, the blind man called on Jesus “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me”. He had his eyes restored. A woman Mark reported that “she had suffered much under many physicians and had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse”.

Luke himself a physician confirmed that “she could not be healed by anyone” but by touching the hem of Jesus garment, she got healed. Miracle is an everyday event and it is meant for all including you.

My observation is that many claim to be Christians but do not behave like Christians, dress like Christians or even talk like Christians.

Christians are recognizable when in public.

We are human beings but when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we become special people – spiritual people, supernatural people, specially controlled by God and walking in Christ every day. We all have a God–conscious spirit that does not only produce miracles but when properly used can transform others in our society.

My advice to you today is that you should surrender your life completely to Jesus. What I mean is that you should allow evil things to get out of your life, then, you will have cause to praise the Lord every day.

•Prof Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email: profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com Twitter : @KunleMacaulay1

•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

The grace of God (1) agree that grace is God’s free gift, a gift man does not deserve but beyond this simple meaning that does not scratch the tip, what else do God’s people know about His grace? If we lose a complete understanding of this then we stand the risk of taking for granted the great salvation we have received.

Secondly, grace is misappropriated and this is to be expected because, when the definition and the purpose of a thing is not known, its abuse will become the order of the day. Godliness is absolutely impossible without the grace of God. Every child of God has an ability to be godly by the grace of God. Titus 2:11-12 speaks about the grace of God which has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and live righteously and godly in this present world (paraphrased). Acts 20:32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Godliness is possible for you and I as a result of God’s own grace made available to us.

However, when a man continues to wallow in sin and refuses to live a righteous and godly life despite the grace made available, he misappropriates grace. Sir/ Ma, when the Holy Spirit continues to speak to you on certain besetting sins and you do not see the need to adjust then

you misappropriate grace. Remember, we definitely cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound.

Thirdly, grace which is absolutely the working of God is misrepresented and ascribed to self. Look around you and see millions of people who thrives on the grace of God. Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:10 says, I am what I am by the grace of God…. Every child of God carries a measure of the grace of God and this gives you the ability to carry out your endeavours and be successful.

However, instead of acknowledging God’s hand in our dealings, we see people use big words and confusing terms to justify their success and achievements.

Some even go as far as recognize that it is the work of God’s grace but refuses to ascribe the glory to Him. Remember the passage at the beginning which says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. We are in a proud generation.

Sir/Ma please read carefully and understand that if any child of God is to make relevant and expected exploit in the kingdom, in fact if you will start to live a godly life and work to bear fruits in the kingdom then you must have the correct knowledge of grace not as the world interprets it but as the scriptures defines it.

Not as people think it should be described or defined but as God originally purposed it. Hence, we have decided to devote sometime to the workings of grace so that you

will know what to do in order to make things work for you and ascribe the glory to God when things are working for you.

Finally, understand this that the greatest misappropriation and abuse of the gift of God is for a man or woman to remain unsaved. You have no excuse because God has made available salvation to you free and all you need to do is to say yes to Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and savior and only then can you get a full understanding of all the is made freely available to you in Christ by the grace of God. If you want to say yes to Jesus right now, the process is simple: Father, in the name of Jesus, I acknowledge this moment that I have sinned, I ask that you wash me with the precious blood of Jesus and let your Holy Spirit take over my spirit, soul and grant me the grace to live a righteous and holy life acceptable in your sight.

I am a child of God today and I ask with faith in Jesus name. Amen. Congratulations!! Welcome to the family of Christ and begin to enjoy dominion today.

Remember, locate a Bible believing Church around you and begin to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.

•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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Raising Champions with Bishop FELIX

ADEJUMO

S

uccession plan is a plan targeted for raising next generation leaders. Any leader without a successor or succession plan can be regarded as a failure. Your vision, plans dies after you die if you don’t have people you have trained or mentor after you. The scripture says let each tree produce after its kind, you must have persons you have mentor,

Today, I will be teaching you about succession plan. In the Book of 2 Timothy 2:1-3, Apostle Paul said “Therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also”. This is one of the most powerful statements that Paul made to his son in the Lord. This shows that after our departure on earth our good works must continue, having being a mentor to you. You must also mentor others. I will like to show you how to raise next generation leaders.

Basic component of a Successive plan; 1.

Plan for it If what you live for does not out-live you, you have not lived at all. Life must not end with you; you must not only exist but also live. How can I live my life, so that life can continue after me?

How can I live my life that the work I do can continue after me? You plan for it. Whoever fails to plan, plan to fail. You must consciously plan for raising champions and leaders. It does not happen by chance, it is a deliberate ACT and ART to raise future leaders. I stated that it is an act because your conscious actions and steps are needed, and it is also an art because it can be learned and cultivated. Truly, leaders are born but leadership is an art that can be learned. Therefore you must plan and take strategic steps to raise competent leaders after your kind and in the steps of our Lord Jesus.

2.

Your future is in you seed: I am talking to leaders of today that will produce leaders of tomorrow. When talking about leaders, am not limiting it to the church, am also talking about leaders at home, market place, leaders in politics, leaders in business, leaders in every facet of the world.

Life is governed by laws of reproduction.

If you don’t follow the law, there will be extinction. “While the earth remaineth seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not seize (Genesis 8:22)” Look at these bible verses very carefully; Is the earth still remaining? Yes, there is a difference between seedtime and harvest, seed has timing, but harvest is not limited by time,

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Succession plan because the bible does not say seedtime and harvest time, this is an indication that harvest is continuous, there is a time you sow the seed, but harvest is continuous. In a relay race, you don’t run it alone, a set of people will start; on your mark, get set, go!!! They have in their hands what is called Barton, they will hand it over to the next set, if they don’t hand it over to the next set they will be disqualified, because you are not meant to run it alone. Everything God gives you is in form of a seed. When God created Adam in the garden (Genesis 1:26) Adam was in existence before Eve came out of Adam but God blessed them both. Why did he do that? He put a seed in Adam’s hand and that is the future we are seeing today. He blessed them; he said be fruitful and multiply. The word multiply suggests what? That means that you have the ability to do it. He also said subdue, control, have dominion over everything that I have made.

Everything that God created carried the seed. The plan has the ability to bring out the seed that will guarantee the continuity of the plant. You can only count the number of plant that a seed can produce. So everything that God gives comes in form of a seed. What is your seed? Your seed is your ability to become something you have not become, your seed is your potential, what you have not become, but you are capable of becoming I am not afraid of anyone who has crossed the bar of 60years, but I am in awe of anyone who is young i.e. the children, the youth. WHY? They can become something wonderful, and unimaginable. That is why Jesus said let the children come to me, forebear them not, for theirs’ is the kingdom of God. This is because they have potential to do great and mighty things that the elders cannot do.

When I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 1978, then I was the head of many departments in my church, today that young man who headed departments is a leader of leaders and have many churches under my influence by the grace of God. There is a future, you must not ignore today; That your son/boy that sings at home is your future, that your Boy plays football is your future, so nurture him well, encourage with every resources, so that he can become best in his potential, every potential remains inert until it is nurtured and developed.

Potential have the capacity to die when it is not nurtured. The seed am talking about here is the generation yet unborn.

God gave Adam and his wife the power of procreation , there are over 7 billion people in the world, every promise that God gives is meant for you and your seed. In the book of Genesis 22, when Abraham offered Isaac as sacrifice, God knew Isaac was the seed, even though He has the ability to raise him back to life, he didn’t allow him to kill the seed. Isaac was the generation God promised Abraham.

He said in blessing, I will bless thee, in multiplying I will multiply thy seed. He was not going to multiply Abraham but his seed. Out of Abra-

ham, Isaac came out, Isaac gave birth to Jacob and Esau, Jacob was the seed, God was following a pattern, Jacob had twelve sons and God choose Judah and on and on. Until that seed that God promised in Eden came out in form of Jesus Christ.

If you eat your seed you have eaten your future, if you don’t nurture your seed, that seed can never nourish you. It is the seed that you nurture that will nourish you. So take care of your children.

3.

Conciously build an enduring structure: All leaders build a structure that will last long (Deuteronomy 1:8-). The best legacies a great leader can leave behind is a structure that endures and guarantee continuity, your house, your cars, your church, your company is not your legacy, the best legacy is a structure. God told Hezekiah go and put his house in order, Paul said let all thing be done decently and in order, there must be structure. Your strength is determined by your structure, how strong is your structure? Look at some organizations today, you will see good structures in place, without a strong structure, is a matter of time that organization will disappear. So spend time on yourself to build a structure if you want have a future, because you will not be here for forever.

Brethren, now, I understand what aging does to a man. One day I slipped in my house, and it took me time to get on my feet. I remember when I was within the age of 30-35years you wouldn’t catch me on that spot, no wonder when Jacob was about to die the bible says he gathered himself. If you think you are going to continue with your present strength, you are deceiving yourself. A time will come when you will not be able to grind the meal, those who will do it for you, are those you have put in place- the structure you put in place. If you don’t want to be afraid of the future, please build an enduring structure.

In the book of Acts 6:1-4, there was murmuring between the Greek and the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministrations, then the twelve Apostles called the disciples together and said to them that it is not reasonable for us to leave the preaching of the word of the Lord and serve tables. Wherefore look among yourself seven men of honest report full of the Holy Spirit that we may appoint over this business- praise God that statement came out of the mouths of the Apostles What will are doing for God is business, and in any business you expect profit? Wherever there is business there is returns. Please don’t be too religious about your life, when you are not making progress, then it must be a concern to you. When you are not making progress, what the things you have to do?

• check yourself, • Check your structure; it is the law of cause and effect. The bible says the word of the Lord increased and the number of disciple’s multiplied greatly, why? The Apostles said they were going to concentrate on the word.

Let others also serve the table. Everyone has a measure of grace to do one thing or the other, so do your own, and I will do my own, then the burden will become mature.

When Agape started in 1988, it started with me, my wife, my sister-in-law, my two children, my mechanic, my wife’s staff that we ministered to and they gave their life to Jesus. Since then God has taught me how to focus on structure, the few people that came, I was seeing them as leaders, I was not seeing them as just members of the church, as I bless them, I was giving them a sense of belonging and making them stake holders without them knowing it, I made them take ownership of the ministry. To the Glory of God, some people who had been with us since 1988 are still with us. I saw potentials in them and raise them as leaders. When we started they were calling me commissioner for youth, some people even thought I will impregnate the girls and the church will come to an end. But to the glory of God, the church stands because it has a structure that is strong and enduring. Growth comes from within; if a leader stops growing, the church under him will stop growing. I am not a Bishop who is not conscious of foundational structures. Please build a solid structure, it is the structure that will carry the weight, train people regularly formally and informally, give them platform to perform, check them on how they are doing, if you are a great leader don’t be afraid of their rising, don’t get jealous of their success.

Any structure without discipline will collapse, if there are no brake system in a car that car is going to have an accident.

There must be discipline. Whenever you are given an opportunity don’t misuse it, for instance, you are to take an offering in church, that is not a time to preach message, take the offering for five minutes and leave, when leading praise and worship and the person for the next assignment comes to you to take over, hand over the microphone to the person without delay. When asked to represent your superior in office, don’t prove to be the boss. Any assignment given to you that you don’t understand; please go back to the person who gave you the assignment. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Finally, I want you to know that anyone who fails to nurture his seed, the future is not guarantee. Your structure is very important, build an enduring and long lasting structure, don’t envy, Gods has given everyone what is going to secure our future, don’t be jealous, you may be age- mate but you are not grace- mate. I commit you to God to guide and keep you, H e will make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, in Jesus name. Amen •For more information contact us at: Agape Christian Ministries, Possibility Ground Church, 1, Agape Avenue, Ilesha Road, Akure , Ondo State, Nigeria.

Tel: 08034735425, 08035066656, And 08180299999

News

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RCCG holds area convention in Edo

he Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Redeemer Men fellowship, Kings Area, Edo Province 2 held their men Area Convention tagged “A Successful Marriage in the Eyes of the all sufficient God with 3 days activities full of anointing.

During the 3 days Convention which started from Thursday 24th September where Pastor Eyesan Dabor presented a paper- The role of men in settlement of conflict in a successful marriage was attended with large turnout of members from the Zone. Pastor Eyesan Dabor who during the lecture advised men to be sensitive in conflicts resolution in order to have a successful

marriage explained that men should know ways of resolving conflicts in their marriages. He however explained that spiritual, finance, morals, pride, nosy neighbors etc are causes of conflicts in marriage and every man must always guide against all this to have a successful marriage.

However, Pastor John Ogbe of Divine Pavilion, Edo Province 7 while giving a lecture on the role of men in financial success in a marriage explained that every successful marriage must have a strong man who is financially disciplined and good manager of such resources.

He enunciate that for a marriage to be successful financially, the head of the family must be

financially faithful and should be able to account for little or more funds available to manage the family effectively and should be able to save and be able to define priority before any projects are taken.

The Grand Finale witnessed a large turnout of faithful from the zone last weekend when Pastor Henry Aghedo APICP (CS2), Edo Province 5 gave a lecture/sermon on what is expected from men in the sexual aspect of marriage. Quoting Genesis 17:5, the cleric advised men on how to manage sex problems in their marriage.

Since God created man and woman to mul-

tiply, sex must be adequate and honoured in a successful marriage. God created woman from man so that the purpose of creating man can be fulfilled. Aghedo listed communication as an important factor in marriage adding that couples should be able to build strong intimacy and always do things together.

He enjoined all present to put the fear of God in all they do or say as a Christian and must be able to put across a good reputation as a good Christian where their marriage should be seen and used as a good example to people in and around.

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From the Pulpit

T The voice of wisdom o

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

W

elcome to the month of October.

It shall be to us, a month of recoveries in Jesus’ name. It is important to know that we live in a Kingdom that is governed by mysteries and it is by these mysteries that we command mastery over the issues of life. As it is written: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; see also Matthew 13:54; Mark 4:11).

But, what are mysteries?

Mysteries are simply divine secrets embedded within scriptures. Paul the Apostle said: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8).

Interestingly, mysteries are mostly authenticated by testimonies. Jesus said: If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him (John 10:37-38).

Most of these mysteries may not be explainable, except by the proofs that they engender. For instance, how do we explain our translation into the Kingdom

Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Engaging the Mysteries in the Word! of His own dear Son? Simply by proofs!

It may be inexplicable scientifically, but the proofs of our repositioning cannot be denied (Colossians 1:13).

It is also important for us to know that mysteries are mostly wrapped up in biblical simplicities. That is, they seem too simple to be true. This is why many complex minds miss out on the blessedness of the mysteries of the Kingdom. As it is written: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

However, every mystery must be received, believed, and put to work for maximum delivery. It is written: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). It is also written: And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45; see also Deuteronomy 28:1).

One of such Kingdom mysteries is the Holy Communion.

What is the Holy Communion?

The Holy Communion is a Kingdom mystery ordained in redemption for our total health and vitality, among other things. We understand from scriptures that Jesus is the Great Physician and the Communion is His great prescription that will always deliver the miraculous.

Jesus said: I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat

thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world...

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed (John 6:48-51, 53-55; see also Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

By reason of the manna from heaven supplied to the Israelites, they knew no sickness or disease for 40 years. However, Jesus, the ‘Bread’ from heaven in a figure, carries greater virtue than the manna the Israelites partook of in the wilderness.

This is why it is impossible for sicknesses or diseases to resist the efficacy and the authority of the mystery of the Holy Communion (Deuteronomy 8:4).

The Communion is also a Kingdom toast for strength, health and longevity.

It is written: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (1 Corinthians 11:29-30). That means when we partake of the Communion without an understanding of the mystery or believing in its worth, it offers us nothing. However, when we take it worthily, we are expected to be strong, healthy and enjoy longevity.

Furthermore, it is an eternal life medication that swallows up our natural life and infuses us with divine life, which is the God kind of life. Moreover, it is

ordained for our justification against the accuser of the brethren (the devil) and it always leaves us with something to show (1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 12:9-11).

Friend, there is no medication on the earth that compares in virtue with the Flesh and the Blood of Christ from the Communion.

This is because everything we need to stay alive and well is contained in it.

However, it is important to know that the Communion is an exclusive reserve of the redeemed child of God. Are you born again? 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: The Force Of Freedom, Breaking The Curses Of Life, Born To Win, Exploring The Riches of Redemption and satan Get Lost. I will conclude this teaching next week.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.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 77475468; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

News

Nigerians urged to be patriotic ODINAKA URUAKPA

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he Chairman of 2015 Reachout Nigeria campaign, Pastor Richard Ezimako, has called on Nigerians to exhibit a patriotic spirit as well as strive to make the country great again since no one else, but the citizens will build the country and put her in a worthy place in the comity of nations.

Ezimako, who gave this charge during Christ Embassy’s distribution of the October 2015 edition of Rhapsody of Realities, a publication of the church, to mark the country’s 55th independence anniversary celebration, further called citizens to a renewed faith and hope in the Nigerian nation.

He said: “It is another time of the year to reach out to Nigeria. The Reachout Nigeria campaign of Christ Embassy was established six years ago to build and rekindle the patriotic spirit and generate the drive of foundation building in Nigeria both individually and collectively. Many people, who have lost faith and hope in the country, will now have a renewed lease of life as a result of this initiative. Carting our minds back to our formative years, it was a flamboyant celebration of our independence, but this elaborate celebration fizzled out as the

...as Christ Embassy reaches out to citizens economy seemed to be taking a down turn.”

According to Ezimako, many of her citizens believed that there was nothing worth celebrating in the nation, but with the coming of Reachout Nigeria, there was quite a dramatic turn in their belief.

“Citizens now go as far as adorning themselves in beautiful green white green colour; thanks to Christ Embassy which has made this event memorable for the people. Today, churches and organisations have taken cue and are now making something big from this celebration. Reachout Nigeria affords every citizen the opportunity to be part of the celebration of Nigeria’s greatness. It also avails them the opportunity to declare their faith and pray for the nation and people. The result has been phenomenal, as citizens are making remarkable progress in all ramifications.

Ezimako revealed that this edition tagged “Donning a new nation” the church is set to distribute 30 million copies the Rhapsody of realities throughout the nation.

“In a country with a population of over 120 million people, this percentage we have targeted to reach with the gospel on this oc-

casion of her 55th independence celebration is sure to reflect positively in the nation; more so, as she has just transited to an era of change in her political history.

It is our earnest desire to inspire hope in the citizenry and impact the governance of our nation positively especially as we strive to establish the desired change. We believe in unending possibilities of greatness in our nation through the influence of God’s word as contained in the Rhapsody of reality which is currently distributed in 642 spoken languages in the world”, he revealed.

He further revealed that his year’s campaign is flagged with exciting programmes geared towards bringing peace and light to the country and also meant to leave an indelible mark in the soul of the nation.

“Activities lined up include Reachout Nigeria concert, the love world parade and the love world exhibition. We have a yearly tradition, where we set a number of developmental projects to be executed across the nation. The man of God, Rev (Dr.) Chris Oyakilohme has mandated us to adopt our host communities of resi-

dence as our responsibility and engage in community development projects in schools, prisons, police stations, medical facilities and other public agencies.

These projects are our social responsibility aimed at improving the living condition of the people”, said Ezimako.

The Reachout Campaign leader charged Nigerian Christians to consider at all times what they can do for the country rather than what the country can do for them.

“Remember that Christians are the restraining force of evil in our country; and there is this saying that evil prevails, only when good men do nothing. With this campaign, we are restoring our land and freeing those under the captivity of the evil one and leading them into their inheritance in Christ. The word of God planted in our nation, is sure to produce fruits of righteousness even unto generations yet unborn. No one but us can make Nigeria great. God has given our ministry a big place in this country and the world stage. We want to make sure that we bring about the desired change in our environment with this campaign”, he maintained.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Coming out from every captivity

have a good news for you today, it does not matter the dream you have had, it does not matter the person appear to you, no matter what is going on in your body, you are coming out of captivity today in Jesus name. God will surely deliver you from your captivity. John 10:10 says, the devil came to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Jesus came to give you life abundantly. The devil came to steal, to steal your strength, your soul, your life and your glory. His mission is to steal the soul of men and destroy them. Devil kill a lot of people every day, he destroys lives, marriages, businesses, future, children, families.

If Christ had not come, life would have been difficult for us and our future could have not been restored back to us. When Christ came, He began to scatter the plans of the devil. Luke 11:14, it was not the plan of God for man to remain mute, man was not born to mute, but the devil made us that way but Christ came and saved us. God is not happy that we are in difficult situation. Mark 9:23-28, devil will remain in our life if we do not cast him out. There are some situations that are not hospital situation but spiritual situation. You must be ready to cast out the demon because the grace has been given to you, the devil cannot withstand the name “JESUS”, heunderstands the power of God. The devil enters into our life because we allow him. Mark 16:17.

The power you carry.

From Matthew 10:7-8 Jesus told the disciples, as you go preach the kingdom, heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the

The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses

Alu

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From the Pulpit

Sunday, October 11, 2015

n Bride Assembly, if we catch you as a homosexual, we will bind you physically and take you to Yaba Psychiatric Hospital!

In Rom. 1:18, Apostle Paul caught the picture of how man has degenerated. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” He explains what he means by holding the truth in unrighteousness in verse 19-25. “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22. Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things.

In some places in India, they will not eat cow because they worship cow. Some worship other animals as their gods. You can imagine a god that is eaten! Verse 24-25. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25. who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Bishop Opayinka

dead, and cast out devils. Whenever you are faced with any challenge from the devil, you don’t need to cry to the Pastor first, cast him out in the name of Jesus When you do not cast out the devil, the devil will cast you out. Jesus said Behold; I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the powers of the enemy Luke 10:19. Jesus has given us the power but we don’t know the power we carry: (i) Power to cast out the demons.

Mark 16:17, (ii) To speak in new tongues. (iii) Power to preach (iv) Power to heal the sick (v) Power to cleanse (vi) Power to raise the dead.

When you do not cast out the devil, then you are disobeying God. Jesus went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38).

SOMETIMES THE DEVIL MAY REFUSE TO LEAVE, WHY?

i) Because of the fear in your heart is that the devil will not go, the devil will not go because you do not believe. ii) When you are not in fellowship with God. If you are not a child of God, he does not hear you, so you cannot cast out the devil. If you are His sheep, wherever you are and you speak, the devil will obey you. iii) When your body is empty, empty of the Spirit and the presence of GodLuke 11:24-36. The Bible say when evil spirit departed from a place, it goes about seeking rest. After a while it comes back to where it has left, if it found the house garnished but empty, it comes back with seven other demons stronger than itself.

How can you keep your house occupied The reason why so many people cannot sustain their healings, their miracles is because the devil came back, it came back to put them in captivity, to steal their joy and healings. It is very important that you come out of captivity, but it is much more important that you keep yourself out and maintain your freedom out of captivity. The house of your spirit must not be empty, if must be filled with the Spirit and the power of God. What must you do? (i) Maintain the presence of God in your life: Get yourself into deep relationship with God; God is with you when you are with Him (ii) Be committed to God and yield yourself to the instructions of God.

(iii) Fellowship with God:Strengthen your fellowship with God, both in personal fellowship and in the house of the Lord. The devil comes to break your fellowship with God. It does this by deceit.

It tells you it does not matter, the devil always look for a chance to do a quick work against you.

Give no room to the devil. God expect you to work in the day and worship Him in the evening or night. Never have you lavishthe wisdom and knowledge of God on frivolity. You can live 366 days without negative testimony if only you can fellowship with Him. Each time you appear before God, you see new things, and each time you missGod’s presence you miss good things. I command you out today in the name of Jesus, from every cage, snare and trap of the devil. I decree you out spirit, soul and body. Decree over your life: I am coming out, my spirit is coming out of every bondage, my soul is coming out of every captivity, my body is coming out of every captivity of sickness and affliction. I am coming out in Jesus name.

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

Homosexuality: An abomination (5) Amen.

When you take a wood that has been created

by God, carve and paint it and then begin to worship it more than the creator of that wood, is it not foolishness?

Verse 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

Vile affection here is when a woman will look at another woman and begin to have sexual feelings. It is truly affection but it is wild. It is the same thing with a man that will be sexually attracted to a fellow man. It is vile! You want to hold and kiss him or fondle him. And since he also has a hole, you want to enter that hole too! Can you imagine where a man will derive pleasure from! The Bible calls it vile affection; a crazy affection! It is not human because God did not create anyone that way. He didn’t create a man to have sexual affection towards his fellow man. And in most cases, a man becomes so protective of another man that he won’t allow any woman to come near him. And for the homosexual, no matter how beautiful a woman is, let that woman come naked to him, he will have no feelings for that woman. But when he sees another man, his feeling will be aroused.

This is more of a psychiatric case because God purposely created a woman to be attractive to a man. That is why her physique is different from that of a man. A man’s body is filled with bones and muscles. A woman gets attracted to this because it is a symbol of protection. A woman needs protection and when she sees a man with muscle, she feels secured around him. It is not for sex but for protection.

The woman is made pretty to attract the man so that you can fulfill the law of procreation.

The woman is designed to satisfy the man in every way. When a man that is designed by God rejects what God has created for him and

begins to look elsewhere, it is a vile affection.

This affection gets to a point where a man will profess his love to another man to the extent of desiring to marry him. And they are saying it is their human rights. ‘This is the way I like to live my life’ they will tell you. You are like a mad man that is living and eating from a dunghill and people are saying you are mad but the man will tell them it is the way he wants to live his life. ‘I like to sleep in the dunghill. I am enjoying my life’. Truly, he is enjoying it but by a spirit. The same way, we that are not homosexuals know that you have a serious psychiatric problem. It is not normal. See what God says concerning it.

Verse 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

There are some women that sleep with dogs. Some who don’t want to have children just surround themselves with pets like dogs and cats. And you dare not touch those pets because they will sue you. That is where their affection is.

We have animal right groups internationally. If you maltreat even your dog, they can take you to court and you can be jailed because to them, animals have the right to life.

Let us read verse 26-27 again. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

The recompense is the incurable sicknesses prevalent in the world today. The anus is a waste canal and putting your private organ

there, what would you collect? Waste!

Verse 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; No conscience anymore! Verse 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evilmindedness; they are whisperers When we say fornication, it is the commonest sin. You are not married to a man; God did not ordain a man you are not married to have sex with you. It is only your husband that should have sex with you and it is for procreation. God gave women womb to fulfill his ordained purpose of being fruitful and replenish the earth. But what are women doing with their womb? They are taking contraceptives and if they mistakenly conceive, they abort.

Why? ‘I was not ready for the pregnancy’. You were not ready but you went to sleep with him!

The doctor then does what he wants and the reward is what we see now; all manner of things inside the reproductive system.

No animal has sex for pleasure! All of them have sex for procreation. God ordained it that way. You can’t see a dog having her puppies through caesarian. No matter how a male dog disturbs a female, if she is not on ‘heat’, the male does not even bother to come near her. But when she is on ‘heat’, she excretes some things that smells and even when a male dog is a kilometer away, it will perceive the smell. But it is only the humans that you will see the female hanging around hotels looking for men.

•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 Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

Bona

Continued from topic 14 of last week

D

ays are gone when problems and many human challenges are swept under the carpet, because of heresies and man-made doctrines, that were preached then. Countless number of Christians are today being re-oriented with the fact that palliative measures and teachings of what people want to hear cannot bring solution to stubborn problems. These days all over the world, the Holy Spirit has ignited Pentecostal fire in the heart of many believers which has stirred up to a great extent radical changes in the prayer life of many.

I believe enough is enough. I also believe that we are in for surprises, because God is prepaid to raise any person up from the dung hill, to a seat of honour to dine with prince and princess, provided such person is prepared to be aggressive in prayer to break the protocol. Dear child of God, how is your prayer life? Is it full of fluctuations, caused by weakness, laziness and excuses.

Mark chapter 10:46-52. The Bible says “And they came to Jericho, and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people blind Bathimeaus, the son of Timeaus, sat by the high way side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus thou son of David have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace, but he cried the more a great deal. Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, be of good comfort, rise he calleth thee. And he casting out his garment rose and came to Jesus. Jesus answered and said unto him. What will thou that I should do unto thee. The blind man said unto him, Lord that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him go thy way

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Breaking the powers of evil family altar – The summary thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. As I had already said, no one can ever enjoy total life victory or breakthrough without applying some measures of force or violence on the field of battle.

In the field of battle there is no gentleman.

The only language soldiers understand in the battle field is move and attack. The word move is a function of force. It is not contested that God blesses, but the approach to receiving the blessing in something else.

In the passage we read above, blind Barthimeaus received his sight from Jesus, but he fought for it. Through his aggression he was able to break the protocol. Remember, Bible said that Jesus stood still. That means Jesus was on a motion for another purpose, but because of the aggression and perseverance of the cry of blind Bathimeaus, Jesus had to suspend every other pressing matters to attend to him. That is breaking protocol.

Dear child of God, could be the reason why your case has not been attended to by heaven is because you are comfortable being on the long queue. Today, why not rise up in holy anger and aggression to break the protocol, so that your testimony could come earlier than expected. Remain blessed. This is the end of this teaching on breaking the powers of evil family altar.

The mystery of polygamy This is another source of spiritual bondage that has ravaged a great number of people, worldwide. Cases of polygamy is more common within the black continent, than in the Western world. In the black continent, it is a major source of foundational bondage.

This is because history has shown that seventy-seven percent of the spiritual problems of many people are traceable to foundational polygamy. Those, whose foundations are polygamous has a lot of both spiritual and physical battles waiting for them. However, it is highly disheartening that those who are held captives by the powers of foundational polygamy are not aware. They spend their prayers hours binding witches and wizards. While the rest would go about casting out spell, believing, they were spelled. The

truth is that the demonic powers attached to foundations polygamy operates through the genes. Those, who are attacked by the powers of foundational polygamy may not understand a) Why things are turning upside down for them b) Why they behave the way they do c) Why they cannot control their excesses d) Why they see themselves doing what they hate to do e) Why they cannot help themselves Powers of foundational polygamy are the architect of many causes of marriage divorce that has plunged so deep in our society today. God hate it with perfect hatred.

It was not in the original plan of God. In the beginning God made them, man and woman. That a man should leave his own family and cleave to a woman in marriage union, thus forming the institution of marriage.

As time progressed, because of lust and insatiability in man, God permitted marriage of more than one wife. Which is the origin of polygamy.

What is polygamy?

It is an act of marrying more than one wife. Matthew 19:4-6 “And he answered and said unto them, have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female. And said, for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Here Jesus, re-emphasized that they were only made for each other. Two, which in marriage union become one flesh.

He did not advocate polygamy. Polygamy was man’s desire not God’s desire. Many families are already broken, scattered and stolen become of the menace of the powers of polygamy. The power of polygamy has marine spirit origin. That means they came from water. Almost all idolatrous families are polygamous. Powers attached to foundational idolatry manipulated their worshipper to embrace polygamy.

Why is it a mystery?

The spirit of polygamy is a foreign spirit.

It was not there when God laid the foundation of institution of marriage on a holy ground. That a man, should leave his father and mother to cleave to his own wife, and they shall be one flesh. The spirit of polygamy creped into families at the fall of the first man and woman on earth. In Genesis chapter 6:5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thought of his heart was only evil continually” When this spirit entered into the heart of man, the thought and imagination of man became corrupted against the holy ordinance of God. Before creation, heaven and earth had existed made by God. The Bible told us, that the entire earth was covered with water and was full of darkness. It was also void, and empty.

Prayer point Every seed of quarrel and divorce sown into my marriage by powers from my village river which is today shaking violently the foundation of the peace in my marriage be uprooted by fire in the name of Jesus.

Testimonies YOKE OF POVERTY BROKEN I joined this church, when things were very hard for me and my family. I had a house, it was uncompleted building. That was where I was living with my wife and family. Few months after joining this church I began to see the light of God in all did. My first son travelled outside the country. Today, God has actually broken the yoke of poverty in my life and family, you see I have built a new house and completed the one I was living before. God has also blessed me with a new jeep, praise the Lord!

Bro. Akebwe 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

Deliverance prayer for multiple breakthroughs Freedom Hour with

Prophet S. O.

Akinpelu

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Tel: 08080720684, 08056763215

evelation 3:7, these things saith, he that is holy he that is true, he that hath the key of David he that opened and no man shortest and shuttled and no man opened.

God is unlimited and is interested in demonstrating to you is vast resources by plunging you into multiple break-through.

As someone put it,, God is a God of Too much, he has all power to do more than what you expect from him. Any time the window of heaven open the unprecedented happens likes Jacob in Genesis 28:12-16, and he dreamed and behold a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. (That means an open heaven for him) Vs 14: and the seed shall be as the dust of the earth and thou

shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south and then, the seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed (that is multiple breakthroughs.

When Jacob was running away from the wrath of Esau a heaven was open for him and he saw an Angels ascending and descending upon him.

This mark Jacob as first encounter with God and it brought promises, blessing and a reaffirmation of the Abraham covenant.

Also Elisha when the Syrian army laid a siege on Samaritan and the famine in the land was severer and everything was expense, Elisha gave a prophecy of God deliver (2 kings 7:1-20). Vs 1-2. Then Elisha said hear the word of god thus said the Lord, tomorrow about this time tomorrow, measures of time flour will be sold for a shekel, and you measuring of barley for a shekel on the gate of Samaria.

Then a lord also will hand the King learned answered the man of God, and said behold, if the Lord will make the windows in heaven might this things be? And he

said behold thou shall see it with thin eyes but shall eat thereof.

God indeed open the window of heaven, the Syrian was scared about the heavenly noise and they filed over night there was divine provision. Also psalm 78:23-29 also record how God supernatural feed the Israelis in the wilderness for 40 year by open the heaven.

Paying your tithes will cause the window of heaven to open.

It will cause God to rebuke the devourer and hindering power so that you can receive multiple breakthrough Malachi 3:1012, As you pray this prayer with faith I God he that open and no man can shut will step into your situation and open the window of heaven so that you can received your multiple breakthrough.

He will also shut the door of poverty, Failure and lack for you to enjoy multiple breakthroughs.

You have to be saved, confess your sin and accept Jesus as your lord and savior; you can now say this prayer. Read psalms 110, 90,88,85,54, inside original Goya oil

add little salt into it for 7 day and use it to anoint yourself every day.

Prayer points 1.

I withdraw my benefit from the hand of oppressor.

2.

Let all unprofitable mark in my life be erased with the blood of Jesus.

3.

Let every power chasing away my blessing be paralyses in Jesus name.

4.

I break all curse of leaking blessing in my life in Jesus name.

5.

Let the anointing for spiritual break through fall mighty on me in the name of Jesus.

6.

Lord let every negative plan and activities against my life be reversed to good in Jesus name.

7.

Lord I thank you for answering my prayer For prayer and Counseling on your dream, call: 08080720684, 08056763215.

Prophet Sam O. Akinpelu of The Living God Freedom Church C&S Prayer list Chapel Agbado Railway Station Alagbado. Lagos

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard

Ojemeni (JP)

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he sin of unforgiveness is one sin that anybody who is heavenly minded must fight with the last pint of his or her blood. Having an unforgiving spirit spells a great doom to its victim. If you are a born-again child of God and you are still having unforgiving spirit, you are simply digging your grave.

This particular sin has led many children of God to hell fire. Many people claim to have forgiven those who offend them only in the mouth while their hearts are far from what they say, thereby turning themselves to be hypocrites. In our Lord’s prayer, Jesus said we should pray to God to forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. The implication is that we can receive God’s forgiveness when we ask, only when we have forgiven those who trespass against us.

He said if we fail to forgive our offenders who ask for our forgiveness from our hearts, God will not forgive us our offences when we ask for forgiveness. If you cannot have mercy on your fellow human being, and you want God to have mercy on you, He will not. Some people received God’s mercy in their lives and refused to show mercy on those who offend them. And what they do not know is that sooner or later God is going to pay them in their own coins.

Unforgiveness can deny you of your salvation. In Luke 17:3-4 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

And Apostle Peter in Matthew 18:21 came up with this knowledge of forgiveness of 7 times in a day to somebody who offends you and ask for forgiveness and Jesus knowing whom man

From the Pulpit

Sunday, October 11, 2015

47

The evil of unforgiveness Bishop Bernard Chukwuma Mbamalu Ojemeni, General Superintendent of Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc, in this piece,teaches on The evil of unforgiveness. Excerpts: is, that is easy for man to offend his fellow more than 7 times a day now came up with a figure that will be very difficult to be achieved. Which is 70 x 7 times in a day. A total of 490 times. Matthew 18:21-23 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” When Jesus was saying 70 x 7 times, He was having in mind the number of years (70 x 7 years = 490years) God’s program for Israel that will last 490 years before Israel will be totally forgiven, restored and be fully reconciled to God with Jerusalem as God’s headquarters on earth during the millennial reign of Christ. Israel has spent 483 years as at A.D. 33 when Christ was crucified opening up the door of the church age – A.D. 33 to date which is 1,975 years having taken into consideration the 7 years the change of the Jewish calendar to the Gregorian Calendar of 1582 A.D. brought about. We just have 25 years more to the last 2000 years of man’s 6,000 years earth lease. 7 years to the end of the remaining 25 years will witness the commencement of the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy i.e. the remaining 7 years to complete 490 years. Thus 483 + 7 years = 490 years. It then means the church age has only 18 years to run its course. Within this period, so many world shaking events will take place including the last sign before the rapture which is supernatural destruction of Russia and her allies, all things being equal. When Jesus said the number of forgiveness is 70 x 7 times in a day, He is indirectly saying that man should continue to forgive nonstop because come to terms, there is no way somebody can offend his fellow for a number of 490 times in a day.

In Matthew 18:22-35, we see an account of a servant who was forgiven by his master of a

great debt and he went home and was celebrating his freedom. He received forgiveness because he asked for it. And the master had mercy on him. He went and found a fellow servant who was owing him a little amount and held him to pay. And the fellow servant begged for forgiveness and mercy and he refused and sent him to prison. The news got to their master and their master called him and asked the whereabouts of his fellow servant. And when it was clear that he failed to forgive his fellow servant and sent him to prison, their master then withdrew his forgiveness and he himself was equally sent to prison. That is how he lost his freedom or salvation so to say when we fail to forgive our fellow human beings, God is not happy because He is eventually going to lose both of us to the devil in hell fire.

That is why the Bible is very particular about question of forgiveness. Unforgiveness has the capability of denying the answer to our prayers.

Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” And we discover that it was when Job prayed for his friends who spoke harshly to him during his trials, that God answered Job’s prayers of healing and restoration. As long as he was holding them in his heart nothing happened.

But the moment he let go and prayed them which means he has forgiven them from his heart, God restored him. The earlier you forgive, the quicker your prayers will be answered. Job 42:10-17 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his

acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone an earring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.

And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.” From the above passage, you can see how forgiveness can turn around one’s fortune. An adage says the person who holds his fellow on the ground in also holding himself. Think of this picture of two people holding themselves in a dispute and someone is in upstairs throwing down money for them and because they fail to let go, they missed the blessing. This is how we also miss God’s blessings in our lives if we fail to forgive one another. In conclusion, if you know you have not repented from all your sins, please do so now and give your life to Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. I invite you to come and worship with us on Sunday 9am in the address below:

•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

Bringing out your prisoner from prison (Isa. 42 vs 7)

Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-time Evangelical Church, Abule-Egba, Lagos, in this sermon, teaches about solving problems. Excerpts:

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here are so many factors that can entrap a man into a prison.

What do we mean by the word prisoner? A prisoner is a person that is confined to a place where people that has committed a crime or an offence that is griven are being kept, for them to learn, for them to be reform and also for them to be sober over the offense they must have committed.

A man is sentenced to a prison by a legitimate court set up by the Government of the day. If it is canal, but when a man is imprisoned by the court of God, except God himself is merciful unto that person, he may not come out of it in all the rest of that person’s life.

In a short while from now after my illustration I will be showing you two or three people that are imprisoned in the bible over the offence committed or they lied against them and they were imprisoned.

There are two types of prison, we have the spiritual prison and the canal prison.

In any case no one is good out of the two, but the fact is that when you are in a canal prison, your freedom will be restricted to only the place that the government has made available for people of your type who must have committed one crime or the other. In the case of the spiritual prison you can still enjoy your freedom of going out, doing things that others do, but not having the good result they have.

People may not know that your life is caged, but you yourself will know that your life is not moving forward, I pray as I proceed further in my illustration you will have a better and clearer understanding of what am saying.

The bible says”He that break the hedge, serpent shall bite when you break the law of God, you will go low in life. The bible says “righteousness exalt a nation but sin is a reproach. In another scriptures too the bible says “Friendliness with the world is enmity with God”. The moment you are not in line with God, you are already on your way to the wilderness. Your wilderness experience is your prison experience. So many factors often lead a man to prison, I mean the spiritual prison and the canal prison.

Men can cook has against you to imprison you but get these right in a short while i.e. in a matter of time the truth will naturally prevail and God will set you free because of your truth. No matter the persecution you face in all the journey of your life as a believer always learn to stand by the truth.

When a believer is under the yoke of oppression or depression it is as if that man is imprisoned.

Let me give you about four illustration of a man that imprison himself.

(1) UNFORGIVENESS:- If any man carries an unforgiving spirit, he becomes a prisoner of himself i.e. Unforgiving spirit is a terrible spirit. In the book of Matt 5:25-26, the bible says” Agree with thin adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver to the officer, and thou be cast into prison”. As long as you can not let go any issue you have against your fellow being, you are only imprisoned yourself

and the person you kept in mind. So learn to forgive whoever must have offended you.

(2) The second main thing that often make a believer to put himself in prison is when you are deep inside sin. The bible says Righteousness exalt a nation but sin is a reproach Proverb 14:34. The bible says the wages of sin is death. The death is not a physical death, and that death is what is literally called prison experience. That is why I often says, when you dip your hand in sin, you will sink and before you sink you will stink.

(3) In the book of exodus 10:16, the bible says pharaoh hardened his heart against the children of God i.e. the Israelites, when you disobey God, you will end up in spiritual prison. Disobedience of Saul to God’s instruction was one of the things that made Saul to loose his position, when you disobey God’s instruction you will go low in life.

In the book of Romans 5:19, The disobedience of Adam to God’s instruction in the garden of Eden brought about the imprisonment of the whole world, if not for the coming of Christ, who had to go through the cross that saved the world, only God knows how man would have suffered in this world. In verse nineteen, the bible says” for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. When you disobey God you will fall from Grace to Grass. Every spirit of disobedience that is radiating round your life and destiny be broken in Jesus Name. When you disobey his instructions you will end up in

Bamidele

destruction, and when you are destroyed you are already imprisoned. Who is the prisoner yourself that disobey him. That is why I often say that “obedience does not bring down, but obedience only set you up.

Obedience is the acceleration of great destiny.

(4) Association, the bible says who you relate with determines how far you go in life.

It is the company you keep that determines the level you go in the journey in life. In the book of Genesis 13:7 “And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and herdmen of Lot’s cattle, and Abram said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me, if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if thou depart to the right hand then I will go to the left.

•For counselling, contact: Pst_lai@yahoo.com.

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From the Pulpit

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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https://letsgobible.wordpress.com

his is an article sent to me, which l love to share with you also. It’s so important to have knowledge of this in this generation, knowing full well that the devil is set to use all ways to get people distracted from the kingdom of God.

Are you rushing through life with a packed schedule that pushes you along? Do you often find yourself stressed and exhausted from trying to fit too much into too little time?

If you look beneath your busy lifestyle, you’ll discover that it may be covering up something you lack spiritually. God intends for you to live a peaceful life, with plenty of time to rest. You can start enjoying that kind of life once you heal from the factors that are driving your busyness.

Here’s how to recover from being too busy: Acknowledge the unhealthy rhythms in your life and count the cost of them. God has designed you to live rhythmically, but some of the rhythms you’ve chosen for your lifestyle may not be serving you well. Maybe you have a tendency to sign up for more than can reasonably fit into your schedule because you’re driven to feel needed, or perhaps you neglect to make time to spend in prayer with God each day. Whatever your unhealthy rhythms are, note the toll that each one is taking on your life in specific ways, such as leaving you with a sense of anxiety or a lack of purpose, or disconnecting you from important family relationships. Confess to God the different ways that your busyness has caused you to sin – from shortchanging your

Sunday Mirror Sunday, October 11, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

11 ways to recover from being too busy children the attention they deserve from you, to cutting corners in any of your business practices. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you change every unhealthy time rhythm in your life to a healthy one.

Set goals to bring rest to your body, mind, and spirit. Think and pray about specific ways that you’d like to enjoy life physically, mentally, and spiritually after you’ve recovered from being too busy. What would your life look like if you’re feeling peaceful within yourself and engaged with God and other people?

Tune out distractions and tune into God’s presence with you. Practice eliminating things that distract you from using your time well so you can better focus on God’s constant presence with you. For one 24-hour period, turn off your TV, iPad, smart phone, and every other device that typically distracts you from sensing God speaking to you. Use the time that you would otherwise have spent distracted to pray throughout the day, asking God to help you notice him at work in your life and to give you peace.

Dare to be yourself. Have you been bragging to others about how busy you are in order to make yourself seem important to them? If so, stop wasting time trying to manage other people’s impressions of you. Have you been spending too much time working in an attempt to earn money to buy what you see that others have? If so, stop comparing your life to other people’s lives. Embrace your unique callings from God and ask him to help you be content with who you are and what you have.

Enjoy some “bedhead days. “Receive God’s gift of rest fully on certain days when you’re not scheduled to work and can relax with your family. On these “bedhead days,” take a

break from stressful obligations like errands and chores and just pursue restful and fun activities together – from sleeping in and eating leisurely meals, to playing games or taking a long hike outdoors.

The more rested you are, the more you’ll be able to focus on pleasing God alone rather than giving into time pressure from other people.

Discover Sabbath shalom. Choose to follow God’s command to observe a weekly Sabbath day, in which you rest and focus on worshiping him. In the process, you’ll invite God to pour peace into every part of your life. When you experience peace with God, within yourself, and with other people, you’ll experience the blessing of “shalom” that will promote your wellbeing spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thank God for giving you the gift of rest.

Teach your kids how to rest. Stop overscheduling your children’s lives. Free time is a crucial part of their healthy development, teaching them how to reflect on their experiences in light of biblical truths, express their God-given creativity, and discern God’s voice speaking to them. Keep your children’s lives simple, choosing their scheduled activities sparingly rather than signing them for every sport team, music class, or other activity that happens to interest them. Give them room to breathe so they can learn the life lesson that’s more important than any extracurricular activity can teach them: to rest.

Follow the example that Jesus set of living at the right pace. Jesus modeled the kind of life that everyone should aspire to live – including the proper pace. Jesus’ pace of life was rhythmic (he engaged

with people and then withdrew to pray in solitude at regular intervals), relational (he spent his time focused primarily on investing in relationships, communicating often with God the Father in heaven and people on Earth), and resolute (Jesus insisted on building times of peace and quiet into his busy schedule to maintain a healthy balance).

Praise God rather than seeking praise for yourself. Check your motivations for the work you do on a regular basis. Are you truly spending your time trying to bring glory to God and express your love for him?

Or are you staying busy trying to show other people how important you are and earn their praise? How willing are you to serve God in obscurity, doing good work privately for the sake of pleasing God alone? Rather than trying to promote yourself, trust God to promote you to bigger assignments if and when the right time comes for that.

Delegate tasks to others who can help.

Enlist help from other people whenever you can’t reasonably complete tasks on time.

Don’t be afraid that doing so will make you replaceable; instead, trust in God’s design for relationships of people working together.

Start living out the dreams that your new schedule helps you reach. Now that you have a healthy margin in your schedule, you can fit in the activities that are necessary to make your God-given dreams come true. Celebrate by starting to live out your dreams!

•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

Abiding in God’s presence (1) Miracle Arena with Bishop

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Theo Ugochukwu

he God we serve is a very present God and to enjoy the full presence which his divine presence presents you definitely have to be presently present in His presence. If you call God your father, it will be a serious dishonor to your destiny if you are far from His presence. Psalm 91:1 -3 says “He who dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadows of the almighty, I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust. Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence”.

This scripture describes the relationship of the son who is close to the father. The child that is constantly close to the father, benefits from the father. When you go far away from God, your destiny becomes a question mark; you will run dry of divine happenings.

A river that departs from its source shall eventually run dry. Psalm 16:11 says “you will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever more. God’s presence brings joy and happiness in anyone’s life.

What breaks our relationship with God is nothing but sin, because the bible says again in Isaiah 59:1-2 “behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear”.

When the relationship between you and your God is broken, you are on your own.

A man started having extra marital affairs to the extent that all he labored for got finished by strange women.

By the time somebody brought him to me he has run dry, I asked him whether he use to pay his wife before they sleep together, and he said no, but before he came to the realization of what has happened to him, he has run dry. Sin is a killer of destiny. Sin separates you from the joy and prosperity of marital blessings.

When the prodigal son left his father, he was on his own. Luke 15:13-14 “ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country and there wasted his possessions with prodigal

living; so when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land and he began to be in want”. He was living comfortably when he was with his father, but the moment he broke away from the covering and the presence of his father, he lost all that he had. The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with you, when you are disconnected from your heavenly father. Because your father is your teacher, your protector and your counselor.

The moment the prodigal son was disconnected from his father, things he never experienced in his life choked him. When you are disconnected from your father, your enemies and adversaries will come after you. It is deadly to confront the enemy when you are disconnected from the presence of God. Some years ago, while waiting in prayer for the move of God in the ministry, the Lord told me to tell the members to embark on a 30 days prayer. Four days to the breaking of the fast, the lord said that I should not break it with them until I heard from him.

That was the beginning of a life of God’s divine presence. My own ended in 400 days. The last day of the 400

days, I saw in a revelation a very big sign post, what was written on it was “AT LAST”. This encounter became the turning point in my spiritual life.

Again the Lord said to me on the 21st of July 2015, that all Fridays in Nov. 2015 should be Freedom Night.

Anytime you run after the healing and leave the healer, you will lose the healing. If you run after the miracle and leave the miracle God, you will lose the miracle.

It is dangerous to run after blessings and leave the blesser.

This is the reason a lot of people are asking questions today. I have been worshipping God for many years, yet no change in my life and situations. It is not about running from one programme after another. It is all about abiding in God’s presence.

Today, I pray that you will return to the Holy presence of your Heavenly Father, Amen.

•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

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday, October 11, 2015

NIPC seals deal with border communities on investment promotion OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, has promised to work in close collaboration with Border Communities Development Agency, BCDA, to attract investment opportunities into the country through border areas.

NIPC Executive Secretary, Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba, who spoke in Abuja at a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mrr. Numoipre Wills, also promised to use the LAKAJI Development Projects being piloted by NEXTT and USAID to bring beneficial investments into the border communities along the corridors.

The United States Agency for International Development Nigeria, USAID, in collaboration with the NIPC is currently implementing the Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport, NEXTT, Project which is expected to promote investments, trade, and the economic wellbeing of Nigerians.

The project is an integrated approach to economically develop the Lagos - Kano – Jibiya, otherwise known as LAKAJI Corridor of eight contiguous states by promoting investments

in agribusiness, advocating business friendly policies along the Corridor and supporting the development of infrastructure.

She stated that the Commission was determined through its mandate of promoting and attracting investments into the country to ensure that beneficial investments were brought into the country in order to create wealth and generate employment for Nigerians and also develop the communities.

Hassan Baba commended the Executive Secretary of

BCDA for identifying with the commission with a view to promoting its agency activities and realizing its set goals.

She added, “I welcome this collaboration and we will use the LAKAJI Project that we are promoting in liaison with NEXTT and USAID to develop the border communities through investments in Agriculture and Agro allied, cold chain and other small scale businesses in order to open up the communities.

Earlier, Wills said he was in the commission to seek

VICTOR UDOH

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L-R: Business Development Manager, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo; Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas; Marketing Manager, Information Technology and Mobile, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; Founder, Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundaye and Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, during the launch of Galaxy Note at Nike Art Gallery, in Lekki, Lagos, yesterday.

LCCI Women Group to host international confab

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he Women Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, LCCI, is to host an international conference, designed to evolve strategies to increase the participation of Nigerian women in business.

The Conference is billed for October 13 in Lagos according to a statement, signed by the Chair of the Women Group of the LCCI, Hon. Adenike Shobajo.

The theme for the Conference is: “Developing the Next Generation of Female Entrepreneurs.’’

Shobajo said that, “the

conference would bring notable women from diverse backgrounds in business and industry together, to evolve strategies on how to boost women entrepreneurs in the next generation.”

The Special Guest of Honour for this year’s conference include Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande, (CON) who is also the Deputy President of the LCCI and a Former Minister of Commerce and Industry. Others include Princess Sarah Sosan, (OFR) and some prominent women leaders from Nigeria and abroad.

The President of the LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, (FCA) is to preside at the one-day event.

The Women Group of the LCCI is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of female members of the body in the promotion of their businesses and key projects of the LCCI. The group also arranges programmes, geared towards promoting women empowerment.

It also networks with women organizations at the state, federal and international levels the aforementioned.

He however complained that the border communities had been neglected over the years for lack of social amenities, pointing out that “my mission to NIPC is to seek for their collaboration to develop the communities through the LAKAJI Development Projects which the commission is promoting”.

BoI empowers rural dwellers with 24KW solar system OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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Reverse ban on rice importation, group urges FG

rewa United Consultative Forum, AUCF, has called on the Federal Government to immediately reverse the ban on rice imports in the interest of the nation.

National President of AUCF, Ado Shuaib Dansudu, in an interview with Sunday Mirror, described the ban effected recently by Central Bank of Nigeria as wrong and detrimental to the nation’s economy.

“Importation of rice stopped by CBN is wrong: this is the rainy season and what was planted is yet to germinate and mature for cultivation. Also though rice is now a common staple for Nigerians, Federal Government banned its importation without providing any alternative, thereby inviting problem. Now, bag of rice that sold for N7,000 goes for N12,000 while that of about N12,000 sells for N18,000. The poor masses are suffering,” he warned.

for closer working relationship in order to develop the border communities through investments and provision of social amenities.

He stressed that the mandate of his agency is to build schools, health centers, promote agriculture and small scale enterprises in the communities.

he Bank of Industry, BoI, has brought succour to thousands of rural dwellers with the installation of 24KW microgrid solar solution in Idi-Ita/ Onibambu community in Ife North Local Government, Osun State.

Managing Director, BoI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, who spoke during the commissioning of the project at the weekend, stated that the N44m rural electrification project being finance by the bank in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, would provide electricity to over 200 homes not connected to national grid.

Apart from the bid to replicate this off-grid solar system in four other locations across the country in the next few months, Olaoluwa added that the target of the development finance institution was to install solar systems in 100,000 homes in the next five years.

The BoI boss noted that benefiting communities would be required to pay a token for electricity consumed, unlike the old system in which payment was by fiat.

He said, “We want our rural communities to take control of their energy generation and to pay for only the energy used. Our medium term vision is to have 100,000 homes installed with solar systems in the next five years through a combination of micro-grid and stand-alone solar home systems.

“This is essentially a pro-

gramme aimed at poverty alleviation and rural economic development, and we are ready to partner with the State Government and other stakeholders to replicate this project being commissioned in Idi-Ita/Onibambu, in other communities within the state.

According to him, with the solar system, each home would have sufficient solar electricity to power three LED light burbs, one electric fan, one radio/Television set and mobile phone charging.

He said the model being employed was a commercially sound model for delivering power to Nigeria rural homes at affordable rates, to provide a long term alternative to the problematic national grid.

On the vision behind the rural electrification project, he said, “The vision was informed by a study of development over several centuries. Up to 200 years ago, there was no national grid.

The first electricity grid was established in New York in 1882. Based on discussion in global energy circles, it is obvious that the current configuration of the national grid is not sustainable, not only in Nigeria, but also on a global scale.

“With this solar system, the children of these two communities can read late in the night if they want, they can play and basically enjoy the good things of life. And we are hoping that, first, this can help to further develop the communities, and we can begin to see a slowdown in rural urban migration. This is the sort of impact that we seek to make at the Bank of Industry.”

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Sunday October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We ’re committed to quality education –Amosun FRCN boss tasks staff over

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he Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has reiterated his administration ’s commitment to do everything possible to ensure that education in Ogun State is affordable for all.

The governor stated this yesterday, while speaking at the 23rd and 24th Convocation ceremonies of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

“Undoubtedly, you will agree with me that, affordable, qualitative education takes a focal point

in the 5-Cardinal programme of our mission to rebuild Ogun State, ” Amosun said.

He added that his administration ’s commitment towards rebuilding Ogun State has started yielding positive results even at the Olabisi Onabanjo University.

“For this great citadel of learning, I am proud to reiterate that there has been improved service delivery to both members of staff and students alike.

“The peaceful conduct of examinations, timely processing of results and

issuance of certificates and transcripts to graduands is also an attestation to the improvement in this great institution, ” Amosun said.

He added that, “In fact, it has come to our notice that OOU has gained full accreditation for Medicine and Pharmacy programmes from the NUC while the results of others are being awaited.

“I am optimistic that the University, by this encouraging performance, will soon attain her target of full accreditation of all other new courses. ”

The governor said, “In the last four years, Olabisi Onabanjo University has risen steadily from its low public rating to an enviable one.

“You will also note that the University ’s various monumental infrastructural development in all its campuses; have no doubt transformed the aesthetics of its landscape and this has also boosted the students ’ morale as they now find themselves in a conducive environment that can compete favourably with any tertiary institution in Nigeria. ”

L-R: Head Teacher, Alaba Primary School, Mrs. Taiwo Olukemi Abosede; Deputy Director, Schools Administration, Education District VI, Oshodi, Mrs. Aiyeola Olabunmi; Country Chief Security Officer, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Van Wilberding; Director, Special Education, SUBEB, Mrs. Bunmi Oteju; Officer in Charge of Public/Private Participation Programmes, Local Government Education Authority, Mushin, Mustapha Razaq Adewale; Head Teacher, Odu-Abore Primary School, Mushin, Mrs. Oyeniyi Oyewunmi Olufunmilayo with students, during the presentation of educational support kits to pupils in the school during NBC ’s ‘Back to School ’ programme in Lagos, recently.

quality service delivery AYO ESAN

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irector-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mr. Ladan Saliu, has tasked workers in the organisation particularly the broadcasters to rededicate themselves to quality service delivery, declaring that broadcasting is about the public and being a broadcaster makes one a citizen of the world irrespective of whether one was of Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo background.

The director- general said this at the Merit Award ceremony organised by the Lagos zone of the corporation in recognition of staff, members of management and radio stations that had distinguished themselves in service delivery in 2015.

Various categories of staff members, including a cleaner, driver, secretary, engineer, presenter, news reporter, sports reporter, producer, news caster, among others were honoured.

Saliu also charged the staff and management to appreciate the fact that today ’s audience was getting very sophisticated.

According to him, the demands of the public are getting very intellectually robust coupled with the

onslaught of the social media, saying that in itself was redefining the general landscape of the media industry generally.

However, he said if the social media was succeeding there was no excuse for professionals in broadcasting to fail, adding, “because if we take our jobs seriously, then the issues that play out in the social mediaand don ’t mistake about it, we are in fact part of social media family- will only add value to what we dish out, not in a reverse order. ” Speaking essentially on the Award ceremony, the FRCN director- general, who in his opening remarks sought the views of some retired and serving gurus in the profession, including Patrick Oke, among others, said the day ’s event summarised their dream of a better broadcast industry in Nigeria.

“To go straight to the point, today ’s event, the Award ceremony, reflects the dream of a young lady, who said she wanted to see FRCN operated like BBC and CNN in the next five years, it embodies the expectations of Cordelia in terms of creativity and the need to be upwardly professionally mobile.

Recruitment: NIS warns Osun lecturers demand exclusion from Contributory Pension Scheme public against fraudsters BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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cademic staffers in Osun state-owned polytechnics and colleges of education, have told Governor Rauf Aregbesola to forthwith exclude them from further deductions to the contributory pension scheme.

The lecturers said this through a letter addressed to the governor dated October 7th signed by the officials of Council of Academic Staff Unions of

Osun State Owned Tertiary Institutions, CASUOSTI, that include chairman, Lasisi Jimoh; secretary, Olusegun Lana and PRO/ Chairman Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Iree, Dotun Omisore; ASUP chairman, Esa Oke, Adesola Akande; COEASU Ila-Orangun Chairman, Segun Onifade and COEASU Ilesa Chairman, Oladele Ojo. The letter reads, “That in the interest of all concerned, Mr. Governor should direct immediate

suspension of the CPS and deactivation of the old defined scheme, at least for workers of the state owned tertiary institutions-polytechnics and colleges of education.

“It is noteworthy that members of the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital are not under the scheme.

“It is also remarkable that even the Federal Government at a point excluded some agencies initially captured under the CSP from the scheme (e.g.

Nigerian Army, judges, Directorate of State Security. ” They also asked the governor to release all previous deductions made from their salaries, adding that repayment of bank loans taken by members of the council were being deducted without remitting the fund to the banks.

The governor was also asked to fulfill the agreement reached with the unions on staffing of the affected institutions.

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he Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has warned members of the public to beware of activities fraudsters.

This is contained in a statement issued by the NIS spokesperson, Mr. Ekpedeme King, yesterday in Abuja.

King said that the Service was not engaged in any recruitment exercise.

He cautioned members of the public, especially the youths, not to pay money to any faceless individual in a bid to get em-

ployment into the service.

“The attention of the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Martins Abeshi, has been drawn to some faceless individuals deceiving unsuspecting members of the public for placement into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“It has therefore, become imperative to state categorically that the Nigeria Immigration Service is not engaged in any recruitment exercise ”, he said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Justice Abdulkadir A. Jega: Good night TUNDE OLOFINTILA

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n my career as a Journalist, I have had to interface with all manners of newsmakers, particularly in the Judiciary, my preferred area of interest. It was in pursuit of this self-inflicted pastime of reporting from the hallowed bowels of the courts, where lawyers slug it out to resolve the mystery of legal cases or at workshops, seminars or other learned conferences where they dig deep into the foundation, practice and interpretation of the Law, that I met Hon. Justice Abdulkadir Abubakar Jega, the immediate past Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

The erudite Jurist was one of the numerous victims of the calamitous and unfortunate stampede that claimed many lives during the recently concluded 2015 annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

To be precise, I met Jega, who was dubbed NADECO judge, on account of his no-nonsense posture, during his stint as the Judge at the Federal High Court, Fate Road, Ilorin, beginning from 1993.

A cord of acquaintance was soon struck between Justice Jega and myself as with others like Kayode Abdulwahab of Thisday newspaper, Biodun Awani of the Daily Times and Emma Okere of Ra-

dio Nigeria as well as Tunde Oyekola of the Nigerian Tribune and many others.

At this point, let me recall the case of Panat Nigeria Ltd Vs Kwara State Government, its Attorney-General and others. Not a judge given to frivolities, there was this particular sitting when the upright, downright and forthright Judge gave a ruling against the state government and some of its principal agents in very strong words on account of the way the sale of then Kwara State Feedmill (which was bought by Panat Nigeria Ltd) was handled and the case prosecuted.

Of course, this writer reported the proceedings as contemporaneously and as detailed as possible the following morning, a development which led to his being invited by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police, for allegedly reporting what was not contained in the record books of the court presided over by Jega.

The former NBA President and Attorney-General of the bigger Ondo State, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former Osun State Attorney-General, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN and Jimoh Lambo Akanbi, Esq, as he then was (Akanbi has since been invited to the Federal High Court where he has being holding sway in the last decade or

so) as well as Tunde Olomu, Esq, then a State Counsel with the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, who participated in this prosecution of this case, would remember this very vividly.

Following this ruling which the state government considered harsh and unbecoming of a Judicial Officer, it found a way of hitting back at Jega: pronto, his Police Orderly was withdrawn. As early as 7.50 am the following day, the largely unruffled Jega called me (may he never call me again) and asked about my whereabouts. I told him I was already in my office, some 10-minute drive to his court.

He immediately “issued a subpoena” for me to come to his court before his 9.00 o’clock customary sitting time which he observed without fail. On getting there, the first thing I noticed was that his Police Orderly was not with him and I asked why to which he quipped “Your people have withdrawn him, but I can assure you that will not prevent me from sitting”.

Because of the sterling qualities inherent in him, the dandy and sartorial Jurist was soon elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench where he rose rapidly to become the Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal until his demise in faraway Saudi Ara-

Re: FRSC declining morals - Putting the records straight (1) BISI KAZEEM

O

ur attention has been drawn to a publication in the National Mirror authored by Dr. Sherrif Folarin on 29 September, 2015 titled “FRSC DECLINING MORALS”.

The Federal Road Safety Corps is a child of necessity born out of the need for a credible and effective response to the rising increase in road traffic crashes in 70s, which was a result of the upsurge in vehicular traffic resulting from the economic boom during the period.

Deriving from this concept, eminent personalities with impeccable records on public administration such as Prof. Wole Soyinka and Dr. Olu Agunloye were from inception, saddled with leadership roles which took the Federal Road Safety Corps to enviable heights from 1988 when it was established, till date. It is however, imperative to put the records in proper perspective by stating that Prof. Wole Soyinka was pioneer Chairman of FRSC Board while Dr. Olu Agunloye was Director of Organisation and Chief Executive of the Corps and later transited as Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC. Presently, the Corps still remains committed to the visions of its founders as made manifest through the leadership initiatives and penchant for improved service delivery of the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, who was part of team that started the FRSC from its cradle stage.

The law setting up the Commission allocated 24 “core” mandates to it, including the design and production of driver’s licence and number plates in addition to other related functions, anchored on creating a safer motoring environment in Nigeria. It is instructive to recall that Section 4 of the 1999 constitution empowers the National Assembly to enact laws in the course of discharging its statutory obligations.

This same authority culminated to the

FRSC Establishment Act, 2007 as a product of the nation’s legislative body and from Sections 5 and 10 of this Act, the FRSC was empowered to make regulations such as establishment and regulation of ambulance services, make laws on the speed at which motor vehicles of any class or description may be driven either generally on any specified highway or within a define area, make laws on the design and production of drivers’ license, regulate the establishment, investigation and certification of driving schools, clearing obstructions on any part of the highways, educating drivers and other road users on proper use of the highways, collaborate with government agencies and other relevant bodies engaged in road safety activities or in the prevention of road crashes on the highways, make laws on excessive noise or emission from vehicles, maximum laden weight of vehicles and trailers and the maximum weight to be transmitted to the road or any specified area thereof by any vehicle or trailer and to also determine the various fines to be paid by traffic offenders.

Improved road use education remains part of the FRSC core mandate from inception as encapsulated in its 2015 corporate strategic goals which seeks to improve stakeholders’ collaboration and public advocacy on proper use of the highways. This article of faith has remained a critical of the Corps as numerous public enlightenment projects have been initiated and vigorously pursued by the Corps, in its resolve to make Nigerian highways safer.

Worthy of note is the Corps’ status as an elite government agency with properly defined and structured modus operandi. The Corps has never and will never ambush motorists in the discharge of its statutory functions. In the last decade, the FRSC had introduced a new dimension to its advocacy by reaching out religious leaders and Muslim clerics, in addition to traditional rulers, to utilize them as complementary agents to shore up the safety consciousness/driving

culture of their congregations and subjects.

The new drivers’ license was widely presented and demonstrated to the different levels of the polity and stakeholders, including the media executives and journalists.

The FRSC also embarked on extensive consultations to attract public understanding and buy-in for the new scheme.

It is noteworthy that the new driver’s licence scheme is the result of a tripartite arrangement involving the Commission, state governments and the Joint Tax Board (JTB) which is the coalition of the internal revenue services of all the states and FCT, chaired by the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

FRSC has no statutory responsibility to fix road taxes and so, it was the decision of an appropriate authority and in this case the JTB that approved what is the prices for the drivers’ licences and vehicle number plates. In the same vein, the sale and issuance of the licences and number plates are the responsibility of the state governments and FCT. They sell and collect the revenues that accrue from those items, while FRSC design and produce same in line with its statutory responsibility.

We wish to reiterate that the FRSC was not established as a revenue generation public institution and has never operated in this direction. Price fixing for number plate and driver’s license is not under the purview of the FRSC but exclusive preserve of the Joint Tax Board .

The FRSC has not abandoned its primary responsibilities even in the face of increasing spate of road crashes involving articulated vehicles. It is on record that the present dispensation of the Corps has initiated and sustained series of strategies towards road crash reduction in Nigeria such as the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS), Driving School Standardization Programme (DSSP), re-certification of commercial drivers including routine medical checks and other proactive strategies towards

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bia recently.

That was the stuff this Kebbi prince was made of. He was a quintessential judge who adorned his Bench with proven integrity, industry, character and learning as well as honour. He approached his job with humility and reverence, and if one may borrow the lingo of the law, he did justice to all who bow before the throne, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

Painful as his death is, one is persuaded by the fact that the renowned Jurist and defender of the lowly and the oppressed lived a most fulfilled life fighting for the emancipation of the down-trodden, characteristic of the Jega dynasty, thereby leaving his giant steps on the sand of Judicial times.

His sterling and robust contributions to the Judiciary and the administration of Justice in Nigeria will remain in the psyche of many as they will be written in indelible ink. While wishing the departed Jurist a most-deserved rest, I pray that God will grant the Judiciary, his primary constituency, the people of Kebbi Sate and the entire Jega dynasty the grace and the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss.

Good night brother.

Olofintila wrote from Lagos.

addressing the menace of road crashes involving heavy duty vehicles such as a comprehensive research in 2010 which indicated that articulated vehicles accounted for 40 percent of crashes in Nigeria between 2007 and 2010. This finding was also followed up with multi-pronged advocacies with relevant stakeholders to reverse this unpleasant trend. It is therefore unfair to state that the FRSC “pulled the panic button” by suddenly embarking on nationwide awareness programmes to conscientize Nigerians on safer road use.

Also noteworthy is the present status of the Corps which has enhanced its capacity to fulfill its statutory mandate of enthroning sanity on the nation’s highways namely : staff strength of 12,000 in 2007 to about 23,000 today; absence of internet facilities which has changed to 371 V-Sat installed in all Commands, turning it into one of the largest Wide Area Network (WAN) in the public sector; data collection that used to be an annual ritual has turned into a daily activity using the technology platform developed; the number of ambulances available to FRSC for rescue activities has grown from about 17 in 2007 to about 64 in 2013, out of which a carefully orchestrated plan to deploy them at about 75 kilometer intervals on critical highways, code-named Zebra, has commenced. To date, 24 emergency ambulance centers have been set up.

In the same vein, road safety studies have been incorporated by the National Council for Education and approved by Federal Executive Council (FEC), and today, primary and secondary school pupils would be availed of an educational strategy that would lead to a culture change in the future.

The absence of regulatory frame-work for many facets of the road safety sector has been addressed by the introduction of standard school bus adopted by the National Council for Education.

Continued next week

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‘Govt can still provide free health, education ’ members are earning is too much. It is just ridiculous. I think they should only be paid sitting allowance and you would find out that only people who want to serve are the ones that would come into office. I will not stop my business because I am a governor. You can see the big gap between the affluence and the poor.

Prince RotimI Paseda contested the Ogun State governorship election on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN during the April 2015 general election. In this interview with FEMI OYEWESO, he speaks about his aspiration for the governorship of the state in 2019 saying that free health and free education programmes are still uppermost in his mind.

He also speaks on other issues as they affect Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

Excerpts: You are a businessman, and your coming into politics came to many as a surprise.

Why did you venture into politics?

Recently before the elections, I was shown a property where Chief Obafemi Awolowo grew up when he was going to school in Omu. His father had a shop there and it is about three doors away from our family house. I marveled when I was shown the house.

I came home one day and I opened the newspaper and I saw this caption, UPN. Something triggered in me. I took the newspaper down to my parents. I told my mother that I wanted to do this UPN thing and she said do it, because that is Awolowo ’s party. I was shocked because I expected her to say no. My dad also supported it and said I should go ahead but he said I shouldn ’t join them in a door-die politics. For those that know me, when I am determined, I don ’t give. So I met with Fredrick Fasehun who was putting everything together then. That was how I started. I never thought of doing politics, all I was looking for was how to give back to the society by getting someone credible that can fly the flag of UPN and we can nurture and support.

This is why I accepted. I am here because I believe there are two basic solutions to our problems. Free education at all levels. I believe strongly that if we keep that money, we can use it for something else. It is supposed to be a state affair. It is about financial engineering. I come from a school of thought that there is something called mince tested free education. In England, my kids don ’t pay fees. They are born there and they go to school free. It is free but not free. By the time they graduate, they will start paying it back from their salary. If they are not earning anything, they don ’t pay anything.

I am determined to shift things a little bit. Let the poor masses enjoy the wealth of the country.

The other thing is health. It is very sad that our hospitals are the way they are.

There is no reason why our people cannot be given free health.

Those are the two things that will keep me in politics. Those are the two main things. And I want to tell you that until I achieve free education and free health for the people of Ogun State, I will not stop.

If you were to advise incumbent Governor Amosun, what advice would you give?

He should surround himself with the right people that have the interest of everyone at heart. If he does that, he will get the right answer and he should also be prepared to take constructive criticism.

How will you advise President Muhammadu Buhari?

He should not allow anyone to stop him from what he sets out to achieve having waited this long. My advice again to him is that he should also ensure that the people that surround him have the best interest of Nigeria at heart. On Boko Haram, even in civilised countries, they go to the round table with terrorists.

The best thing is to look for peace first, while preparing for war. There is nothing wrong with sitting down with Boko Haram or any other group and discussing way forward. In most cases, you will find out that psychologically, they are tools for certain people.

Pas seda

THE PROBLEM OF NIGERIA IS POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. IF THE HEAD IS SPOILED, THE BOTTOM IS ALSO MESSED UP

Why don ’t you team up with other political parties that share your sentiment, sell your idea to them, so that you can achieve your goal?

When I believe in something, I believe in its entirety. There is something I read about Obafemi Awolowo when he said there will be a time when the left and the right will come together and form a government. In that government, the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN will be dominant.

That is playing out now. Teaming up is not a bad thing but you have to be careful of who you team up with and what the person stands for. I don ’t think that I will risk my name and my integrity by jumping ships unnecessarily. I don ’t see how APC in Ogun state can tell me that they are for free education or they are free health. It is just lip service. How can somebody like me team up with a group or party that doesn ’t really understand the importance of free education or health? If you can tell me a political party is genuinely committed to free education and free health, then I will be willing to team up with them.

What strategy would you employ in achieving free health?

In terms of health, I am not really going to say too much but I can assure you, it is going to be free, not quasi-free. Not free when it is convenient, not to people that I like or to UPN members, it is going to be free to everybody because we have the resources but they are not just doing it right. For those that know me, when I say I will do it, I will do it because I have looked at the statistics and we just need to shift our priorities a little bit and we will be able to give our people what they deserve.

What are the main reasons why things are not working in Nigeria?

The problem of Nigeria is political leadership, there is nothing else. If the head is spoiled, the bottom is also messed up. Buhari emerged president and the third day, you would see people stopping for traffic light. If we change our method of appointing and electing leaders and take more care at looking at them, we would go a long way in building a strong nation that we want. The problem here is to keep them poor so you can control them. The other thing is about the benefits of being a leader. I subscribe to the fact that what our National Assembly

What is your prescription for corrupt public officers?

If we want to be honest, we will be honest. I don ’t believe in witch-hunting. If the good people of Ogun State open their eyes and allow somebody to steal all their wealth and then in the next election, they are still hailing the person, well as you lay your bed so you ’d lie on it. If I were in the presidency, my first priority will be give me back the money. Punishment aside. If you have stolen N10billion, just give me nine so that I will be able to use it for something tangible. The bigger the debt, the easier to collect back. If at the point of trying to get the stolen wealth back, I met some obstacles, then I will start talking about punishment.

How would you describe states that cannot pay salaries and what would you subscribe as penalty for public fund looters?

If you cannot put food on the table at home as a father, have you not failed? A state that cannot take care of its obligation, especially the working masses, is indeed a failed state. It has failed itself and it has failed its people. It is simply misplaced priorities. You would sit down and watch an innocent citizen build a house on a plot of land. You gave that man building permission and control, he borrowed money to finish and he has been living there for over four years.

And then you would come around and say they are illegal. Even in the most civilised countries, in the UK for example, there is a thing that is called validity after a period of time. For allowing them to do all of those things and they have been there and established, that legalizes where they are. I believe that if we allow people to steal our money with impunity over a period of time, we have legalized it for them because they will come back with the money to slap us in the face.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

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53

legislative independence

Lasu un

Conduct Bureau was just doing its work without the President ’s influence, it is clear now from the House ’s position that only Buhari could resolve the crisis if he desires to so do.

When the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, moved against Saraki ’s wife, the cry was witch hunt, as Saraki alleged that it

was politically motivated, but out of sentiments some shouted “no ”, claiming that the EFCC has now woken up and empowered , and that it was fighting corruption.

In a very spontaneous manner, the Court of Conduct Bureau, CCB, moved against Saraki citing issues of false declaration of asset of over 12 years ago, when he was Governor of Kwara state.

Again, Saraki claimed it was a witch hunt and political persecution, but again, some said they are just doing their job without influence from any quarters.

It has always been clear that the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Presidency would never allow Saraki to have a peaceful tenure office as Senate President because his supposed sins are still fresh and probably not yet forgiven.

Saraki head is on the chopping block for not just entered into what the APC called “an unholy alliance ” with the PDP to become Senate President against the party ’s will, but for ensuring the emergence of Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP as his Deputy. He also ignored the party and President ’s decisions in selecting the Principal Officers of the Senate.

Consequently, the party and President are furious, even though they may pretend not to be.

The general belief is that the only way the APC could get Saraki to his knees was to ensure that he is convicted of a crime, rubbished out of office by whatever means and have his political career and ego destroyed forever.

THE GENERAL BELIEF IS THAT THE ONLY WAY THE APC COULD GET SARAKI TO HIS KNEES WAS TO ENSURE THAT HE IS CONVICTED OF A CRIME, RUBBISHED OUT OF OFFICE BY WHATEVER MEANS However, the House of Reps believed that it would not be good for the legislature sit back and see this happen, as the issues in the matter ab initio touched on the independence of the legislature.

The APC had earlier fielded candidates of its choice for all majority positions in the Senate and House, but some lawmakers preferred that every qualified and interested legislator should be allowed fair opportunity for contest, which they said was never done, hence the revolt by that led to the subsequent emergence of Saraki as Senate President and Dogara as Speaker.

In view of this, some lawmakers are already feeling that the APC and Presidency were on a vendetta mission to the National Assembly.

The House is throwing back the ball into the court of the Executive to undo what it may have done because in the days ahead, they might not tolerate any attempts to infringe on their right or attack its Principal Officers, whom they hold in high esteem.

and Senate ’s screening A FOCUSED, PATRIOTIC AND OBJECTIVE LEGISLATURE REMAINS D KEY TO ANY RESOURCEFUL DEMOCRACY

Fash hola a

The Senate, under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki, cannot afford to let Nigerians down now. Indeed they should not compromise or make light of their duty to screen this set of ministers painstakingly ”, Ajulo said.

Also speaking on the planned screening of the nominees by the senate, the Coalition

Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has tasked the Senate on the need to allow for open mind during the screening exercise CACOL said its call is coming against the background of discordant tunes emanating from across the ranks of members of the red chambers.

“The body language of some vocal senators since the submission of the list by the president, has so far given a lead to what is likely to witness a war of allegiance rather a supposed constitutional exercise aimed at ensuring that those given the mandate to administer the affairs of governance as ministers are eminently qualified to do so.

“If the grapevine account is anything to go by, the senate, in the course of carrying out its duty in this regard, might turn out to be a ’house of commotion ’ in which tent-pitching and premeditated vendetta, premised on political persua-

sion, take precedent over consideration for merit. This is why CACOL considers it expedient at this point in time, to remind members of the upper chambers that their allegiance as representatives of the Nigerian people should be first, to the people and the nation of Nigeria and therefore should take precedence over all other considerations.

“A focused, patriotic and objective legislature remains d key to any resourceful democracy and for our hard-fought democracy to be successful and to stand the test of time, a healthy synergy between the executive and the legislature cannot be substituted ”, the group ’s head, Debo Adeniran stressed.

“Although CACOL has overtime remained in the forefront in demanding on behalf of the Nigerian masses that a thorough screening job be done by the law-making body, to ensure that people

Ogor in his argument had said that in a civilian dispensation, the legislature was the foundation of democracy.

He urged members to protect the legislative arm and fence off any external influence.

He said the onus was on them to protect the legislature in order to make it truly independent.

“Mr. Speaker, we have had issues and the legislature as an independent arm of government is under threat.

“We have to protect our own. As an amendment to the motion on the Independence Celebration, I am proposing that the House takes a position to ascertain what led to the travails of the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

“We need to know what exactly is happening to the Chairman of the National Assembly. I am therefore urging the Speaker to investigate and report back to the House, after which we shall take a position on the issue ”, he had urged the Speaker.

off character be assigned h t and d iintegrity t it b i d ministerial responsibilities, this however should not be done on the altar of score-settling and blinded antagonism – all in the name of politics. They should remember that the common interest of Nigerians is Nigeria, Adeniran said..

The Senate has also responded positively to the clarion call by Nigerians for a thorough screening as it has said that the screening of ministerial nominees, would be guided by relevant provisions of the Senate ’s standing rules as well as relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended..

“In particular, the exercise would be guided by the provisions of Order 120 of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 and sections 147, 14(3), 65, and 5 of the Constitution of Nigeria. The senate would also insist that all the nominees, especially all former public office holders must provide their assets declaration certificates before they can scale through the screening ”, the senate said. .

Chairman of the senate ad hoc committee on media and publicity, Senator Dino Melaye provided stated that these conditions and procedures were agreed upon by the senators during their executive (closed door) session Thursday , which lasted for about two hours.

He said the old practice of according special respect for some ministerial nominees by allowing them to ’ bow and go ’, has been modified.

According to him, henceforth, the only persons that would be accorded such special privileges would be former National CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

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Ministerial nominees and Senate ’s screening CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

Assembly members.

He stated that the privileges to be accorded to past lawmakers arise from the fact that as former members of the National Assembly, such persons have automatically satisfied the basic condition for being a minister as contain in section 147(5) of the constitution, which states that, “No person shall be appointed as a minister of the government of the federation unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representative. ” Melaye further disclosed that a decision was taken that all former National Assembly members nominated as ministers would be made to face the screening of only the Senate President, who may wish to asked such candidates few questions before he is allowed to bow and go.

A new privilege that would be extended to past lawmakers who would be appearing before the senate for screening according to Melaye is that they would be given priority in terms of being invited first before their other colleague nominees for screening.

He also disclosed that in line with order 120 of the senate standing orders rule book, the senate would insist that all the candidates must tender their assets declaration certificates a s a pre condition for their confirmation.

Order 120 of the senate standing orders 2015 states that, “The senate shall not consider the nomination of any person who has held any public office as contained in part 11 of the fifth schedule of the constitution prior to his nomination unless there is written evidence that he has declared his assets and liabilities as required by section 11(1) of part 1 of the fifth schedule to the constitution of

Amaec chi

Ekw werrem mad du

THE SENATE SHALL NOT CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF ANY PERSON WHO HAS HELD ANY PUBLIC OFFICE AS CONTAINED IN PART 11 OF THE FIFTH SCHEDULE OF THE

CONSTITUTION PRIOR TO HIS NOMINATION UNLESS THERE IS WRITTEN EVIDENCE THAT HE HAS DECLARED HIS ASSETS AND LIABILITIES the federal republic of Nigeria.

Such declaration shall be required for scrutiny by the senators. ” Melaye in addi-

tion disclosed that in the screening process, the senate shall not have course to import any ethnic, religious, cultural or

indeed any forms of primordial considerations, but must apply the principles of federal character, fairness and equity to all.

He in addition stated that the ministerial nominations by the President must satisfy federal character principles. Melaye expressed optimism that before the completion of the screening of the first batch of the nominees, President Buhari would live by his honour and would forward the remaining names, which would then reflect the representatives of the remaining states.

He expressed hope that the resume and curricula vitae of the ministerial nominees would reach all the senators before tomorrow (Monday) to enable the lawmakers pose informed and incisive questions before the candidates during screening.

He reiterated that in line with the tradition and norms of the senate, if two senators from a state oppose the candidacy of any nominee from that state, such a nomination stands automatically disqualified.

The lawmaker also confirmed that the senate has continued to receive more petitions against some of the nominees, stressing that, “all of these would form part of the materials we would use to carry out the screening. ” This was also as the Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged the senate committee on petitions, ethics and privileges to ensure that the committee concludes work on all pending petitions about the ministerial nominees before the commencement of the screening exercise on Tuesday.

With flood of petitions against most of the nominees already in the senate , the screening and how the senate handle it will be a thing of interest to Nigerians.

‘Govt can still provide free health, education ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

What are you plans for other sectors like agriculture and infrastructural development?

Remember I said that we should go back to what we know. Ogun State has no business being in poverty. We are number one. We have extensive agricultural produce that we can export. What did Awolowo use to build what we enjoying now? Cocoa was our crude oil then.

We still have the same resources and the same space of land we have then and some of those things are still there. Why can ’t we go back to what we know? Maybe when this oil starts going, our eyes will open and we would know. Agriculture is very important to me as well because that is what I intend to use to fund my state, not the oil. I intend to empower mechanised farming. Not the joke and mediocre type that we gave here. I intend to re-orientate our youths. The word farming doesn ’t sound good. If you tell a teenager or a university graduate to come and farm, he will shy away from it.

But we need to educate them. That could be my first priority. Let them see farmers like they do in civilised countries.

Farmers use Wi-Fi, they drive around in

jeeps, they have offices, they go on the internet to enhance what they do. Once you make it sound a little more enticing a bit, you would find out that people will start coming back to it. My first day when I came back to Nigeria, I went into tilapia farming. Even though it was a new thing to me then, the farm is still there. Farming is a priority. That is our crude oil and if that is so, it means that I am going to bring our people locally and teach them how it can be done properly. I don ’t want people abusing me on the street, raining curses on my generation to come. So I have that behind my mind.

In terms of housing, I still don ’t understand why our houses are expensive.

I don ’t understand why the state cannot go back to the cooperative system of building that we used to have. It is done in Israel. A group of community come together, acquire a land, plan it, the bricklayer is from there, the electrician is from there. They get paid and they do it well for themselves. It is a minimalistic approach that will reduce the cost. I am committed also to making sure that we have adequate housing within the state.

Road that is a very paining topic for me. I love my state dearly but I don ’t think we need six lanes. There is bridge in Ijebu Ode, anytime I ply it. I look behind to

see the number of cars that are following me. In civilized countries, they do traffic management survey. On what basis are we to construct six lanes? The road to my home town is disgusted. What are we going to do with four lanes between Ijebu Ode and Owowo? Whatever is there is sufficient, just manage and make it usable. You can then divert the money into something else that is constructive. They have started and we can see that everything has stopped and nothing is happening. I pray to God that they would be able to finish it but if they don ’t, I will have to because government is a continuum.

But you would not find a Paseda as governor building bridges. Even if I have to, it would be absolutely necessary where I put it. You would not find me putting a six or four lane anywhere in Ogun State.

My interest is to maintain what we have.

I am not going there to amass. The easiest way to amass wealth is in construction and I will do less of construction.

Employment, the man at the top is doing a good job. Let us take a holistic look at it from the grassroot. We all know that once we have 90 percent stability in power, everything changes. It changes entirely. The welder would weld. It will bring about entrepreneurship. Employing people for me is fine but we will concentrate

a lot more on entrepreneurship because that is what makes a state developed. We should have a lot of functioning cottage industries. That is what is happening in China. I don ’t believe in employing more staff when the state cannot take care of its expenditure.

What was the cost of your governorship campaign in the last election?

All I can say is that the physical cost of election can never be quantified. I have people managing my business and I watch and take decisions based on advice and I have come to a situation where I have to keep 26 hours of the day sleepless, get on the back of the truck.

I am a strong person, so I got used to it.

When everybody was doing this election thing it is the end of the world for them, like if they don ’t get it, they would die, I was enjoying myself doing what I like.

With the risk, threat comes with life.

There is physical and spiritual and all sorts. The financial cost is manageable and my friends were able to support me in a little way. But I believe God cannot put you where you cannot manage. He has put you there because He knows you can manage it. And I am praying to God that I will be able to manage the 2019 election.

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

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‘Income redistribution critical to Nigeria ’s progress ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

lance framework as well as training and retraining of our security personnel in the interest or pursuit of conducive environment good enough for investment.

As big as it is, if we recover the money and bring about the re-distribution of income in the society why not. It is the best bet for us. I even suggest that the corrupt people should be annihilated if found guilty. Punitive measures should be taken against the rich and the poor in the same measure. I don ’t encourage plea bargaining at all.

Can we say you are strongly in support of the CBN ’s ‘toothpick alert ’ as described by some economists?

If you have a need and you can ’t meet with that need, you will be triggered to create something to meet up the need.

Now we are so much looking upon countries outside to put everything we need in Nigeria. Close the importation of toothpick and all that and ingenuity will be triggered, creativity will evolve. This man did it in Ghana and today, Ghana evolved. Others have done it. Why don ’t you just believe that, Nigerians that are doing good outside can do well inside.

That ’s about what I think we should do.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, had in an interactive forum with journalists, said that one of his administrative policy thrust was to make the state an economic hub where moneys for Cross River State would remain in the state only to the extent that the State Government provides the infrastructural structures that should drive that process. We must encourage the fact that, inside of Cross River, whatever it is that will spur investment is implemented.

So far so good, I believe the background he has in private sector would help in this direction. Let ’s hope his plausible dreams turn out real.

Only recently the President gave a deadline when monies accruing to the nation`s coffers should be deposited in one account otherwise known as Treasury Saving Account, TSA. What is your take on this?

Good for us to guarantee easy control and uncomplicated monitoring of our financial assets with a view to ensuring effective and efficient resource management. And then we are able to ensure strict adherence to the tenet of accountability and transparency not unmindful of prudent utilisation of wealth. The emphasis is on lucidity as far as our economic interest variables subsist. If it is something that worked somewhere, why not, it can work in our country. It is a plausible initiative that should be encouraged by all government institutions.

What do you think is the root cause of sleaze, moral bankruptcy in public institutions?

Greed! It evolved from the society. We celebrate those who are corrupt. Until we change that consciousness and look at what is real and live a life of contentment then the challenge will remain the same. Somebody was telling me not too long ago, that those who steal one naira are put in prison while those who steal in billions are celebrated.

Since there any law that favours those who steal more. Why then is this scenario playing out?

The judiciary is corrupt. The legislature which should make the law is corrupt. The executive anchors and drives the vehicle of corruption. There ’s a rippling effect between the decisions taken at one side of the government to another. We must stay and think about this; where is Nigeria heading to? We must have nothing to do with gratuitous acquisitiveness. We must steer clear of those things that bring about ethnic sentiments. I mean egocentrism. Now that President Buhari is in power, I just believe that he will not focus his direction in the North rather he should emphasise merit and abstain from mediocrity. He should make it in such a way that every part of the country is involved. He is a leader for Nigeria not a leader for the North or the South or the West or the East. Nevertheless, let ’s believe that in all sincerity, God will give him the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to be able to pilot the affairs of this country, with highlighting curbing corruption as a very fundamental stipulation.

His motive of sincerity, integrity and candor should be encouraged. Let ’s see. I know he will not compromise on his current integrity standing.

Assuming you were the president, what will you do differently to bring succour?

I could have industrialised the country and place premium on skills acqui-

Agi

THE JUDICIARY IS CORRUPT. THE LEGISLATURE WHICH SHOULD MAKE THE LAW IS CORRUPT. THE EXECUTIVE ANCHORS AND DRIVES THE VEHICLE OF CORRUPTION.

THERE ’S A RIPPLING EFFECT BETWEEN THE DECISIONS TAKEN AT ONE SIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ANOTHER sition. My leadership style could have focus on encouragement of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. America is thriving because we have a lot of entrepreneurs in America.

In Nigeria, there is a battle of conflict of interest between the political sector and the economic sector. But you must marry both. Which means, that the political interest of those in leadership must be to encourage those in the private sector?

Have a sustained policy on infrastructural development and good tax incentives to encourage foreign direct investment and local participation in the economy.

By and large, let ’s start evolving a situation where skill acquisition becomes paramount. Skill acquisition thrives on; if there is creativity and initiative come into reality. Now, we must have it at the background that we must go to school to have an exposure that should trigger the necessary change. At the macro-level, what is it that is happening? If you look at the macro-economic policies triggered in the country, sometimes I am wondering why such should happen. The inflation rate is so high, the banking sector are the

conduit agent for institutionalisation of sleaze. Everything about insider trading, insider corruption, money laundering, lack of funding of the real sector and all other polity thrust affecting our socio-political and socio-economic situations. See, we need total re-alignment, re-invigoration, re-engineering of the processes of our financial system. The man at the helms of affairs is the governor of the CBN. Let ’s see how he drives the financial system. Today, there is a policy that induces inflation. Our exchange rate seems to be diminishing.

Now he must make conscious effort to stabilize the naira. And then to greater extend discourage too much emphasis on importation and create a platform for industrialisation within. We depend on products from other countries. Why is this case? Government must work to ensure the re-orientation of the people to appreciate local products; let ’s go abroad and just copy the development strides there and come to do same. Security is another area that I must address as President. I must work to improve on our security intelligence and surveil-

Ayade has also proposed a tax relief for low income earners what is your take on that?

Low income earners are those at the lower base of the society. It is the way of putting more income in their pocket. It just does not stop there. They must pay tax. I think government should provide an opportunity for them to have access to more income. If you are providing that opportunity for them to have access to more income they will be encourage and not complain when the time for tax payment comes up. The factor that you are saying there should not pay tax will make them lazier. More so, decisions on tax abolition require the intervention of the Joint Tax Board initiating a bill at the Center. The Governor feels the pulse of the downtrodden, which is good but the economic interest of the state with low income standing does not call for tax holiday and exemption at this point.

May God help the Governor achieve his good intention for Cross River State as he leads us possibly to the Eldorado we are clamoring for.

Only recently the gale of defection is seriously being witnessed by the PDP to the APC by political heavy weight in the state what do you think is responsible for this?

Nigeria politics is that of interest.

Where there is a change of guard, there is benefit in that change. Let ’s migrate from where we are otherwise that guard will turn against us. Our politicians are like prostitutes. I can ’t imagine a republic cross-carpeting to be a democrat just like that. Again, most of them are unsure of any benefit under the current arrangement and must seek it somewhere.

So, they are finding a way to do what!

Move from any attempt by the President Buhari coming after them.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SMExtra

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WITH OBASOLUYI TELEWA 07033840936 EMAIL: BAZO_TELEWA@YAHOO.COM

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015

Narrow escape: Technician who survived electrocution recounts ordeal “ When the incident happened and I survived the electrocution my hands were amputated. The management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, promised to take care of me. To my dismay it was sack letter I was presented with, without the original movable hands they promised me. These were the harsh words of delusion, pity and despondency used by Mr. Kehinde Emmanuel Adeleke to describe his current situation while speaking with Sunday Mirror, over the weekend, at a location in Lagos. The 45-year-old Ekiti State-born PHCN staff narrowly escaped death by the whiskers while on duty.

People who knew him when he was still very active with his hands are always in tears whenever they come across him trying effortlessly to do one or two things he could easily do before with difficulty because he has no workable hands.

The wife, children, family members and associates are still in shock at the reversal of fate bemoaning that life at times could be nasty, brutish and uninteresting.

Mr. Olasunkanmi Arigbabu is a friend of his. He spoke to our correspondent in tears. ”Life is vanity. I have known Kehinde for over 16 years. He knows the job very well. He could use his hands then. Whenever there was problem on the electric cables around the areas he was covering, he made sure it was rectified on time. Because of his devotion to the job, he was named Kehinde NEPA “, he lamented.

Though he is alive to tell the story, others like him weren ’t all that lucky.

On Septmber8, 2015, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) community was thrown into serious mourning when a PHCN cable fell on one of their own on the University campus. One Miss Oluchi Anekwe , a 300-level Accounting student met her untimely death after an electric cable fell on her. She died in the process.

Last week, on October 6, 2015, a 15 year old resident of Ishaga Road in Idi-Araba area of Lagos state was electrocuted by a life wire that was disconnected by officials of Eko Electricity Districity Company. According to him, “for the over forty years I have spent on earth I never knew that one day I will be without the hands Almighty God gave me to explore the world and fend for myself and family, at the same time become useful to my country and the larger society ”, he disclosed to our correspondent in a thoughtful mood. According to him, “on January 25, 2013,I was working at Oworo Undertaking when the current was unexpectedly released but I narrowly survived electrocution. At that time, we had completed our assignment at Soluyi and Balogun area of the State. We were returning to base when my assistant manager who was with us informed me that the Senior Manager called that we should go and disconnect Water Corporation because the management defaulted in payment of bills. When we got there we put the ladder

Adeleke

and as usual I mounted it. I did not know that would be the last time I would be using the hands that God gave me. As I was up there working on the cables, light was restored. It caught me but somehow I survived electrocution but my two hands gave in to it. I did not know how I got to the hospital where I spent where I spent some time before being transferred to another hospital in Akoka . My colleagues told me all that happened when I regained consciousness .There I spent another two weeks on the hospital bed ruminating over my situation.

I felt saddened because of my wife, children and my family in general .With hands gone ,to sustain my life and dependants I knew at that moment would be herculean. Only God can send his Angels inform of humans to rescue me from my parlous state, he disclosed to Sunday Mirror.

I was not well attended to by the hospital management because they had issues with PHCN over finances. Remaining there without proper attention worsened the condition. That was the reason for my transfer to the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Igbob , Lagos. When we got there they requested for medical report, x-ray and blood test but the former hospital did not do anything regarding all these because of the issue they had with our management.

Immediately, they said we should go and do it. We did the x-ray and blood test. When

the result came out, they said it was over for my hands and that they would amputate it. Mere hearing the word amputate , made me lose my memory for sometime .Orthopaedic said had the case been referred to them immediately it happened they could have revived the hands ”, he sobbed as he spoke . According to him, the “Igbobi hospital said they had the drugs they could administer even on the third day it happened but two weeks was too long a time, he stated.

When they said they would amputate my hands and I was greatly troubled. My management called me to say I should summon courage and that no matter the case maybe, they would stand by me ”, he added.

Before my hands were amputated the hospital held a meeting with my management where they agreed to take care of me. I alsos called our Union chairman, Mr. Pius to inform him about what the management agreed on with me. Pius told me that they held a meeting with the management and they promised to stand by me .It was then they carried out bilateral below elbow amputations. In a letter made available to our correspondent dated May 15, 2013, had on it a medical report from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, that recommended bilateral myoelectrical prosthesis to enable him

perform basic functions .When the hands were gone I wanted to die but my wife, children and family members prevailed on me insisting that even those without legs are still living and giving glory to God. “That was when I resented the urge to kill myself ”, he bemoaned.

“PHCN paid for the hospital bills and also gave me some money.

The management said they would provide me with useful and movable artificial hands to be carried out in Germany as recommended by Orthopaedic management .The meeting was headed by the Principal Manager (medical service) in person of Dr.E.L Thilza . They fully agreed to execute the plans within two months.

Later, I left Igbobi for Ikeja Medical Centre after the operation. I told the management that I would not be able to go home because of my situation and they agreed with me. I spent another four months there recuperating.

From there I was moved to Otto book, New Delhi, India for the bilateral myoelectrical prosthesis. At the Indian hospital I suspected foul play. The movable artificial hands promised was not implanted, the ones given me could not function accordingly. I could neither eat with it, open door nor wear and remove my clothes with it. I made enquiries and the Indian doctor told me that the person that brought me told them only made provision for the ones given.

The Indian doctor said the hospital have useful movable artificial hands at their headquarters in Germany. He said the price of ordinary hand was 4lag 7 and the useful one was 80 lag in Indian currency, he stated .According to him , “when I discovered the short fall, I called the management from there and they promised to make provision for movable artificial hands whenever I come back to Nigeria. As I arrived in the country, to my greatest surprise they asked me to write a letter to make my request official. I wrote to them thanking them for their efforts and sponsoring me to India.

I told them in the letter that my condition remained the same because I cannot use the hands for anything since it wasn ’t the original one they promised. Till now, I have not received any reply from them. They asked me to write another letter that they wanted to buy a house for me. I wrote the letter, whether they bought it or not I cannot say. Along the line, someone advised me to result to legal means to press home my demands. I consulted Barrister Festus Keyamo and he took up the case. He wrote to PHCN management that they should do normal treatment for me and pay me accordingly .They replied him that him that he should give them time. Yet, nothing was done.

Head Communications and Strategy, Ikeja Electricity Distribution PLC, Mr. Olanipeku Adeyanju , while speaking with Sunday Mirror, admitted that Adeleke worked with PHCN but cannot comment on the situation for now since the case is in court. According to him, “it is a management issue, the case is in court I cannot comment on it for now pending the determination by the court but that does not foreclose any negotiation between the management and the family. We planned to compensate him but the court is stalling our efforts now ”, he disclosed to our correspondent.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday October 11, 2015

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Kogi Guber: APC chieftain drums support for Audu OMEIZA AJAYI

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head of next month ’s gubernatorial election in Kogi State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC

Hassan Namiji Aboh has described the party ’s candidate, Abubakar Audu as a well-packaged solution to the myriads of challenges facing the confluence state.

Aboh, a native of the

state said this at the commissioning of a party office he set up in Egume to bolster the strength of the party and boost the chances of its candidate.

According to him, the people of Egume, his im-

mediate community and Dekina Local Government as a whole have resolved to make the candidacy of Prince Abubakar Audu their only alternative as they believe he possesses the merit, competence,

and capacity to bring smiles on the faces of Kogites.

He added that the party in the area has now embarked on a robust sensitization campaign to get the electorate buy into the vision of the APC. Aboh, who worked assiduously for the success of the party in Dekina Local Government during the Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly elections earlier this year, has also initiated and currently facilitating a Prince Abubakar Audu door-to-door campaign in Egume community and

other localities in Dekina Local Government with the ultimate aim of ensuring the return of Audu to Lugard House.

He urged leaders of APC in the state to always embark on brainstorming sessions before the November gubernatorial election to ensure a landslide victory for Prince Audu at the polls.

He also added that all hands must be on deck to continue to showcase and sensitize the people of monumental landmarks of Audu which are still visible on Kogi ’s landscape till date despite his exit from office for more than a decade.

Osun East: Tribunal reserves ruling indenitely BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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Second Left, Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2, Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu (2nd left) counselling graduates of his free computer training during their graduation ceremony in Lagos recently

Lagos lawmaker empowers constituents AYO ESAN

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member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 11, Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu has graduated 341 youths from his constituency who had benefited from free computer training he instituted.

The youths who were drawn from various wards in the Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 11 received the free computer training and graduated in Lagos.

Idimogu, who was full of joy at the graduation ceremony which was witnessed by former Minister of Works , Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leaders in OshodiIsolo said the free computer training is the first among various empowerment projects that he is determined to implement as a legislator saying it is in fulfillment of his sincere commitment to his constituent.

“Our vision is to be a parliamentarian of dis-

tinction representing the people for an effective legislation and grassroot development while our mission is to serve the people of Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 11 with almost dedication in the Lagos State House of Assembly for an improved welfare and infrastructure ”.

“My goal is to see to the betterment of the people of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 11,, Idimogu said.

He said it is noteworthy that the free computer training is his personal initiative to give back to the people of his constituency and to support the less privileged that may not be able to fund such trainings like this to be able to undertake such.

He advised the beneficiaries of the free computer training to build upon the knowledge and subsequently channeled it to positive and productive use in their career or life endevours saying ‘ practically our generation or age cannot do away with information technology IT/Computer as our

endeavours solely depend on them ”.

He told the constituent that he will always be glad to receive their well thought advice, counsel and meaningful contributions for the benefit of their constituency .

“Once again, I wish to use this medium to reiterate my commitment to you as a dependable and credible representative of the people. So far we have contributed majorly in the debates on the floor of the House as my be testified to by those who have been monitoring the events in the state parliament.

“We have also nominated about ten major roads within the constituency for urgent repairs as a palliative measures which was evident in the roads currently undergoing repairs such as Oke-Afa, Jakande/Ejigbo roads, Okota Roundabout/Cele Roads among others.

“This is just a few among other efforts geared toward a well-being of our people. Kindly be assured that the on-go-

ing road projects within the constituency will be completed in due course as none has been abandoned. Be on the lookout for more meaningful contribution as soon as the House stabilizes ”, he said.

He said he will soon embark on a town hall meeting to brief the people of his constituency about what he has been doing and to get feedback from them.

He assured them that he will soon embark on other empowerment schemes like quiz competition in schools in months to come.

he tribunal panel hearing matters emanating from the 2015 National Assembly polls in Osun State, has reserved ruling indefinitely in the matter involving Osun East Senatorial District.

Prince Francis Fadahunshi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is challenging the victory of Senator Babajide Omoworare of the All Progressive Congress, APC, who was returned elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. While the hearing lasted, the petitioner called 30 witnesses and presented documentary evidences before Hon. Justice A. G. Kwajaffa-led panel.

The 1st and 2nd respondents, Senator Babajide Omowoware and All Progressive Congress, APC, called nine witnesses, while the 3rd respondent, INEC, did not call any.

Adopting his final address before the panel, counsel to the 1st respondent, Mr. Ipoola Binuyo, urged the panel to dismiss the petition because it was frivolous and unwarranted.

Counsel to the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, also told the panel to dismiss the petition because the petitioners failed to prove their case.

INEC counsel, Olorunfemi Olalekan, aligned self with 1st and 2nd respondents ’ counsel, saying the petition should be dismissed.

Counsel to the 1st and 2nd petitioners, Mr. Nathaniel Oke, SAN, urged the tribunal to grant the reliefs of the petitioners, saying they have proved their case based on documentary and oral testimonies by 30 witnesses.

He noted that the respondents out of their nine witnesses, called three from areas his clients did not challenge which makes their testimonies

Govs Forum mourns Umahi ’s mother

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he Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF has described as painful, the death of Mrs Margette Umahi, the mother of Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, who died on October 6, after a brief illness.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of NGF, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zam-

fara yesterday in Abuja.

Yari said that the death of Mrs Margette Umahi was not only a loss to the Umahi family and the good people of Ebonyi but to the entire nation.

He said that the deceased died when her motherly advice and prayers for her son as governor were needed

most.

Yari noted that the late Umahi who died at a Hospital in Enugu, was a devoted Christian who lived an upright life serving God and the people of her community.

He prayed God to grant the Umahi family, and the people of Ebonyi the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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North

Sunday October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kogi bailout fund: Labour expresses concern over delay tactics WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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orried over the delay by the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the bailout funds to Kogi State, the state Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has expressed concernd over the politicisation of the funds due to the state.

The union has also threatening to lock down the entire state if the mon-

ey is not released within a week.

It lamented that despite the move by the state government to satisfy the conditions stipulated before the fund could be accessed, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was yet to release the money.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Onuh Edoka, who spoke to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, noted that

some powerful politicians within and outside the state had been accused of playing politics with the money.

The Federal Government had granted the state about N50.8bn as bailout for the purpose of settling the backlog of salaries owed workers in the state.

Meanwhile, there were insinuations that some politicians were using their influence to block the state government

from assessing the fund because of the coming election, believing that it would shore up the popularity of Governor Idris Wada among the workers if the salaries are paid.

The organised labour has expressed frustration over the development, threatening to block all the roads leading to Lokoja if nothing is done to address the situation before one week.

Edoka, who decried the delay tactics, stressing that other states had been accessing the funds and stringent conditions were said to have been set for Kogi State before it could access the money.

“Our hope towards accessing this life-line is about to crash as a result of some political wrangling, especially between the two political parties that are contesting the

state gubernatorial election next month, ” he stated.

“According to our findings, investigation reveals that some powerful politicians in the country using the CBN have decided to frustrate the effort of the state government. The CBN has been making extraneous request from Kogi State government before this money is finally released. ”

Niger Youth Forum condemns APC ’s imposition of aspirants in LG primary PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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Galadiman Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun (middle) with members of Bauchi Jahun Elders Forum, during Sallah homage in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Gombe, Bauchi Leather workers urge establishment of tanneries

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ome dealers in hides and skin, producers of bags and shoes in Bauchi and Gombe, have called for the establishment of leather industries to boost their business in the respective states.

The traders, who made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, lamented that the absence of modern tanneries in these areas was adversely affecting their business.

The makers of bags and shoes in Bauchi said that they were travelling to Jos, Aba or Kano to purchase leather, as there were no

leather factories or tanneries in the state.

A shoemaker, Malam Umar Isa, said establishing leather industry in the state would boost their trade and pave way for other economic activities.

“If government invests in leather industries, we will do better than we are doing now and our production will increase.

“Some of us are talented but because the source of raw materials is far from us, we are being confronted by a lot of challenges.

“Accessing raw materials in Bauchi is difficult;

if you want something unique, you have to travel to Jos, Aba or Kano, to purchase the raw materials, ’ ’ he said.

Another shoe maker, Malam Ahmad Ibrahim, said that lack of leather production company in the state was affecting the shoe and bag making trade in the state.

He said that he had trained lots of youth but due to financial constraints, most of them were unable to start their own business.

“Starting up business requires reasonable capital as one needs lots of

items to make quality products.

“Procuring the raw materials means having to travel to other states and the logistic expenses add to cost of production, ” Ibrahim said.

Also speaking, Malam Sani Garba, a furniture maker, said that leather, being a raw material that added value to his products, should be made available in the state as it would boost the trade.

Garba said that if the government floated a leather industry, more than 70 per cent of their problems would be solved.

WALE IBRAHIM

pact positively on the rural communities in the country.

Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada has lauded the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, HIRD, as an initiative designed to provide affordable and time health care intervention for large population of the

country ’s rural dwellers who lack access to basic medicare due to the locations.

Wada who gave the commendation while speaking at flag off of NYSC Health Initiative for Rural dwellers HIRD week at Ozi in Kogi Local government area of the state yesterday, stated that the programme

is novel and worthwhile initiative conceived by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier Johnson Bamidele Olawunmi.

He explained that the initiative is in tandem with his administration transformation agenda in taking health delivery to the door steps of the rural dwellers in the state.

1,000 people benet from NYSC free health initiative for rural dwellers LOKOJA

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t least no fewer than 1000 residents of Ozi community in Kogi Local government area have benefited from the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers Scheme.

The one week free healthcare services was initiated by NYSC to im-

he Niger South Youth Forum has accused the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the State of the violation and abuse of procedures in the conduct of the recently, concluded local Ggovernment party primary elections.

In a petition written to the party secretariat and signed by the President of the Forum, Mohammed Katcha also accused the party of masterminding the destabilisation of their party in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The petition alleged that the party collected between N100,000 and N200,000 from councillorship aspirants, while N10m to N15m was collected from chairmanship aspirants as waiver for each from the zone. It allegedly decried the imposition of candidates from above.

Katcha expressed fear

that if no action is taken by the administration of Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on the issue, the APC might suffer a great set back in the forthcoming local government elections.

“The problem was a collaborative efforts of some of the ward, local and state executives to achieve their political gains, especially, areas like Lanle and Busu wards in Lavun and Gbako local governments. We condemn the role played by the state party secretary in the choice of candidates because the majority was victimised in the whole process. ” Reacting to allegations, the state APC Secretary, Barrister Mohammed Liman described the allegations as baseless and without any iota of truth.

He stated while that the party actually gave waver to aspirants who applied through their wards to local government upward to the state for consideration without any payment.

Lalong extols Gbong Gwom Jos virtues at 64 JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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lateau state Governor Barr Simon Bako Lalong has extolled the laudable achievements of His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba CON, Gbong Gwom Jos who clocked 64 years yesterday.

The royal father is also the President, Plateau State Council of Chiefs on the occasion of his 64th Birthday.

The governor said, “As a Government, we recognize your commitment to the sustenance of peace

and mutual coexistence amongst all citizens of the state; a thing that have engendered a hospitable working environment on the Plateau for all citizens of the State.

As you continue to commit yourself to the peace building process on the Plateau and the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Berom Nation, we pray the Lord Almighty will keep and sustain you, grant you strength, wisdom, good health, long life and above all a peaceful reign on the throne of your forefathers.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South

Sunday October 11, 2015

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Military begins onslaught against criminals in Ikorodu ...Police allay fears of residents FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Lagos State Government on Saturday explained the heavy presence of security operatives in Ikorodu and its environs, saying the onslaught is part of efforts to liberate residents from hoodlums, pipeline vandals and other undesirable elements that have continued to make the ancient town the base of their nefarious activities.

Briefing journalists after an emergency Security Council meeting, State

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said government is committed to ensure that the hoodlums terrorising Ikorodu, disturbing the peace in the town and making life unbearable for residents, do not have a field day any longer.

He said that security surveillance will be carried out 24 hours throughout the week, adding that the activities of the hoodlums and the criminal elements in the area had become unacceptable and uncontrollable, hence government

cannot fold its arms, but take necessary actions by deploying security operatives to the area.

“Government will not allow criminal elements in the state and we want to say that the immunity for the vandals is over, the arbitrarily and uncontrollable rape, vandalism and harassment is over ”, he said.

Owoseni appealed to residents not to panic as they may witness or hear sporadic gun shots, urging them to go on with their normal activities.

He however cautioned

them to restrict their movements to areas where the operations are not intensive.

Assuring residents that innocent citizens will not be harassed or molested during the operations, the Police boss said it has become necessary to restrict the operations of tricycles and motorcycles throughout the period of the onslaught so as to prevent the fleeing hoodlums from using them as get-away transport.

He said the restrictions on both okada and tricycle

operations in the area will be total, thereby urging residents to consider the inconveniences witnessed as a result of the restrictions as a necessary sacrifice.

“Residents are advised to restrict their movement and be informed also that we are going to restrict the use of both motorcycle (okada) and tricycles (Keke Marwa) in the area to ensure optimal and maximum performance for the operation.

“As government, we are concerned about the security situation in the state especially the activities of hoodlums and vandals

in the area. We are assuring residents that the end of such activities is near and it won ’t be business as usual in the area, they should not panic as we have directed security operatives in the area not to harm innocent civilians but make security of lives of the people their utmost concern ”, he said.

Among those also present at the briefing include the Director, State Security Service, Mr. Kunle Ajanaku; the Chief of Staff, Mr Samuel Olukunle Ojo, and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, among others.

Ex-lawmaker urges Fayemi to reconcile Ekiti APC groups ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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Sympathisers and the family members of late Austine Igwe who was killed by unknown gun men, at Shell Petroleum Company, Kolo Creek oil flow PHOTO: NAN station, Imiringi, Bayelsa State, yesterday.

Delta ex-SSG preaches peace, unity among Isokos, Deltans AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

T

he immediate past Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, has charged the people of Isoko nation and Deltans to close their ranks and work for the unity of the land and entire state for development.

The Delta State pioneer chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, gave the charge yesterday at Igbide, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state during a courtesy visit on the President General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Chief Paul Ufuoma Omu. Macaulay, who is just back from a leadership

and management course at the Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Oxford University in the United Kingdom advised the Isoko people to work in unity for the good and development of the Isoko nation.

According to Macaulay, on his return from abroad, he decided to embark on a thank you visits to traditional rulers and leaders in the area for their supports and encouragement while he was in government in the past 12 years.

“I was in government for 12 years and I had supports of good number of persons. It ’s a friendly visit which I never planned but was surprised with the levels of reception accorded me in Isoko since Saturday.

My 12 years sojourn

in government was very rewarding that I brought peace to Warri, contributed my quarters to the development of Isoko and the entire state. I also contributed to the Oleh campus of the Delta state university financially and otherwise. The engineering faculty is my baby project and we must not allow it to die. It must succeed.

“I call on my Isoko people to close their ranks, whatever differences and work for the good, unity and development of Isoko and indeed Delta state. Isoko must be united for our common goals, Delta state must be united for peace and development. ” The former SSG however advised the Isoko people to build their own, speak with one voice for the prog-

ress of the land and refrain from things that could be inimical to the peace and unity of Isoko and Delta state at large.

Macaulay, used the medium to disassociated himself from the rumour milling around the state that he may have concluded plans to dump the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress, APC. “The rumour that I want to dump PDP for APC is nothing but laughable. This rumour has been on even before we left government so it not new to me. But I want to say that I have invested all my time and life in PDP. I am still a full member of the party. My body and soul still belong to PDP and as such I can ’t afford to leave the party I have contributed so much to build. ”

ormer House of Representatives member, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, has appealed to former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to use the opportunity of his nomination as minister to unite the fragmented All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

Faparusi hinged such unity on the need to make the party a formidable force ahead of the 2018 governorship election in the state.

Faparusi, who represented Emure/Ekiti East/ Gbonyin Federal Constituency in the immediate past House of Representatives, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that there was urgent need for coalition of forces within APC to be able to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.

At present, the APC in the state has several groups including Fayemi ’s group; APC Action Group led by Senator Babafemi Ojudu and the Bibire Group led

by Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, among others.

Faparusi said that Fayemi as a minister in President Muhammadu Buhari ’s cabinet would automatically become the APC rallying point in the state, urging him to provide purposeful leadership that would unite the party, rather than ripping it further apart.

The former lawmaker expressed confidence in Fayemi ’s ability to replicate the legacies he left behind as Ekiti State governor at the federal level, saying: “There is need for Dr Fayemi to address all the contending issues at his home base for him to earn respect of his colleagues at the Federal Executive Council.

Delta youths accuse council boss of neglect AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

Y

ouths in OgwashiUku, Aniocha South local government area of Delta State have accused the council chairman, Mr. Isaac Anwuzia of deliberately turning a deaf ear and neglecting the plight of the community.

The aggrieved youths under the Ogwashi-Uku Youth Development Association, OYDA, also frowned at a recent statement credited to the council chairman that he is not answerable to the people of Ogwashi-Uku.

Addressing a press conference in Asaba yesterday, President of the OYDA, Port-Harcourt branch, Mr. Ubabudike Osume, expressed the youth body ’s anger over the comment by Anwuzia, who is a son of the community, describing it as the height of irresponsibility.

“Only recently, the OYDA was reliably informed by the elders council of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Union, ODU, that our local government council chairman, Mr. Isaac Anwuzia, told them to their face that he is not answerable to the people of Ogwashi - Uku.

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Xavi: Spain believed we could beat anyone in 2010 P. 62

Sport KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015

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Lawal Blame Oliseh for DR Congo defeat Oliseh

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oliseh bemoans central defence P. 61

ormer Nigeria international Garba Lawal has blamed the Super Eagles’ 2-0 international friendly loss to DR Congo on Thursday to the fallout from Tuesday’s fracas between manager Sunday Oliseh and former captain Vincent Enyeama.

In his assessment, Lawal said the team’s display against Congo was disappointing, while indicating the Oliseh-Enyeama feud created disunity in the team.

The former Nigeria midfielder expressed disappointment at the trainer’s poor show of maturity in the face-off, urging Oliseh to see himself as the father and act like one going forward.

“Actually the game was not good enough and for us to lose the game by 2-0 is disappointing,” Lawal told Goal .

“The rhythm of the game and everything about it just went wrong. If DR Congo could beat us now it means football is changing and there is no small game either.

“Before we think we will meet any small country, we think we could beat them. Now we can see now that there are no small games.

Every game for national teams now is like a cup final in Africa.

“It is going to be tough on Sunday and everybody knows our game against Cameroon on Sunday is always kicking and pushing. I believe we all got it wrong, if we lose a game, we should know something is wrong.

“Whether we like it or not, in football there are ups and downs.”

He praised retiring record-capped Enyeama, but has decried the Lille goalkeeper’s humiliating exit, insisting his 13 years of patriotic services for country was no easy feat.

“Well done to Enyeama, 13 years is not easy and he is been doing wonderfully for the country. But I could have loved to see him retire in a better way and not like this,” he continued.

“The whole years since he came in and started very well and had ups and downs with the national team. Nevertheless, Enyeama has been wonderful, but whether we like it or not, he is going to leave the team and the team will continue. Only that I didn’t expect him to leave this way.

“You and I were not in the camp, but I think when this kind of incident happened I believe the coach could have done better. I don’t know how it degenerated to the point where a coach and his captain will be involved in such kind of confrontation and such exchange of words which doesn’t make sense at all.

“When a coach is new in a place he should call the oldest player here and tell him he is a new coach and I want to select my captain because every coach has his own philosophy.

“He should have made him understand that he is even more important than his captain and that would have made Enyeama happy bearing in mind he could leave soon and not thinking of the armband.

“Oliseh has to learn how to control his temper. As a coach and a manager, you are like a father and must act as one. I think he should know how to control himself. When you are a coach you need to learn how to manage everybody, even your technical crew,” he lamented.

“Now there is no way you can convince Enyeama to play for the team - he is not going to come back with what has happened. Normally, even if he did not retire I don’t expect him to play every game because he has contributed a lot to the team. What has happened has happened we move on.”

Lawal decried the impact of the recent events on the psyche and comportment of the squad.

“Whether we like it or not, the players will begin to hold side talks - they will be talking between themselves and there is no way you stop the side talks because the camp will be divided into two.

“No matter how disciplined you are, no one can stop that. Whether it divides the team or not, the players need to take responsibility now that Enyeama has left and has paid his dues.”

He, however, urged the Nigeria Football Federation to mend the crack walls that may have been created within the team from the fallout.

“The NFF are there and need to do everything to help the team remain united. It is important for the NFF to boost the team up now and tell them what has happened, has happened let us remain focused as a team,” he concluded.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Oliseh bemoans central defence

Knockout

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igeria head coach Sunday Oliseh wants a quick response from his charges ahead of Sunday’s international friendly against Cameroon.

The Super Eagles were beaten 2-0 by Congo DR in their last friendly international on Thursday with Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Mkololo netting for the Leopards at Stade de la Cité de l’Oie, Visé.

Oliseh is now looking for a rapid response that will see his side bounce back against the four-time African champions.

“The most important thing was allowing the boys rest after the game with DR Congo and freshen up the minds.

“We have to take the positives from that defeat against Congo DR. “We desperately need cover for the central defence position as the duo of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo were badly

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IFEANYI Eduzor

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Golovkin: Lemieux is acting like a star

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oxing Superstar and WBA, IBO and WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (33-0, 30KOs) has accused IBF Middleweight champion, David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) of acting like a star but vowed to beat him when they meet in a unification fight slated for October 17 at the Madison Square Garden.

Golovkin who has knocked out an astound-

ing 20 opponents in a row and will be making his 15th world championship defense noted that he is not scared by his opponent’s behavior but is focusing on how to be the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.

“Lemieux is acting like a star but that does not disturb me because I have what it takes to silence him and add his belt to my collections because my target now is to become the undisputed middleweight champion.

Oliseh

missed in the defeat to Congo DR. “We are building and we are getting more and more players buy into our philosophy and the cohesion is getting better,” he said.

Oliseh has so far managed three games as Nigeria coaches and has masterminded one win, one draw and one defeat.

Mbia promises victory over Eagles …Saviour warns team mates

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kipper Stephane Mbia has said that Cameroon aim to beat Nigeria, while Nigeria U23 star Godwin Saviour has warned the Super Eagles will be up against it when the two rivals do battle in a friendly in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday night.

Mbia, who played a pivotal role for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon

on Wednesday in a 3-1 win over Saviour’s KV Oostende, said he expects a tough match against the Super Eagles even though both teams are rebuilding.

“I will do my best on the pitch and contribute meaningfully to the game,” Cameroon skipper Mbia told AfricanFootball.com “Nigeria are a big and good foot-

ball nation, so we must not think we will have a smooth ride over them. We will put in our very best in the game to make our supporters proud of us.

“Both teams are rebuilding but even despite that it’s going to be a tough game as ever between the two teams. I know it will be a difficult game.

Pacquiao plans to retire next year

Obi suffers another injury blow

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igeria international Joel Obi has suffered yet another injury setback according to his Italian club.

The former Inter Milan midfielder suffered a hamstring injury on Friday at training with his Serie A side.

According to the Torino website, the midfielder will undergo a new scan in a week to determine the extent of the

injury and when he will return to action.

The first test carried out on Obi showed lesion of the first/ second grade at the rectus femoris of the right thigh, and thus he missed a friendly against Lu Monferrato.

Injuries have been the bane of the skillful player’s career and so limiting his appearances for club and country.

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Obi

‘Oliseh must improve man management skills’

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ormer Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi, has advised Sunday Oliseh to work on his human management skills in order to succeed with the Super Eagles.

Amokachi made this remark following the clash between

Amokachi

Oliseh and Vincent Enyeama, which led to the latter retiring from the national team.

Speaking on AIT sports show, Amokachi, a former Super Eagles assistant coach, said: “Man management is very key when it comes to a football team and this is because you work with about 36 people which consist of not only the players, but the medical staff and the technical staff.

“You need to be in tune with man management skills and make sure you try to keep everybody happy. And if a coach doesn’t have that, he will strug-

Manny Pacquiao ( R) throws a punch at Timothy Bradley during their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

gle.

“It is the same problem Jose Mourinho is having in Chelsea.

If you have a team where the players are very loyal to you, then you suddenly change, believe me it will hit you. And when it hits you, it will be very bad,” Amokachi said.

He remarked further: “For Oliseh and his boys, I am sure it hasn’t come to that, but there should be respect when it comes to players and coaches.

“I have worked with different coaches; both local and foreign, and I have learnt a lot when it comes to managing players.

ilipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao says he is likely to retire from the sport after one more fight next year.

Pacquiao, who lost to Floyd Mayweather in his last fight, wants to run for a seat in the Philippines senate in 2016.

Britain’s Amir Khan is one potential opponent for 36-year-old Pacquiao, with American Terence Crawford among the other contenders.

“I think I’m ready. I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years,” the six-weight world

champion told ANC. “If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family. “I will have to give up the other things that require my attention.”

Pacquiao said he “cannot say” whether his last fight would be a rematch against Mayweather, with the American having pledged to retire after his defeat of Andre Berto.

The Filipino, who underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff after the fight against Mayweather, boasts a fight record of 57 wins, six losses and two draws

I’m searching for new trainer –Groves

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uper-middleweight contender George Groves has officially stated that he is on the lookout for a new trainer after splitting from Paddy Fitzpatrick in the wake of last month’s WBC title loss to Badou Jack.

In a bizarre twist of fate, the Sauerland promoted fighter conceded that he would be receptive to the idea of working with former Carl Froch corner man , Robert McCracken, despite the perceived history of ‘bad blood’ between the two camps.

It’s no secret that Groves previously got under the skin of Froch and was famously beaten

in back to back title challenges to the veteran former world titlist in 2013/4, although now retired, Groves says if McCracken is receptive to the idea of training him, then so is he.

“If he was working with Froch then it’s unmanageable,” Groves said in his first sit-down interview since the Badou Jack disappointment.

Groves is insistent that rejoining former trainer Adam Booth; with whom he split shortly before the first Froch fight is not an option, although the possibility of seeking out American based tutelage is

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Sport

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

There is a select group of athletes in every sport who, at their peak, make the game look effortless, entirely graceful and ultimately easy. In tennis there have been the likes of Steffi Graf and Roger Federer, gymnastics has seen Nadia Comaneci, Michael Jordan has done it in basketball, Tiger Woods in golf and in football one of those players is Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi

Stringing together a seeming endless array of passes with ease, Xavi became the essence of Spain’s attacking brand of football and completed an astonishing pass completion rate of almost 90 per cent in the winning run to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy in South Africa.

n i a p S : i v a X e w d e v e i l be t a e b d l u o c anyone in 2010

What was your first ever memory of watching a World Cup? I can remember, though I don’t know if the memories are from the actual time or later on, the mascot from the 1982 World Cup in Spain; Naranjito.

Then I remember Diego Maradona, in the 1986 World Cup, I was six years old by that point, with the famous Hand of God. I remember that incredible goal he scored against England, which went down in history, the success of the Argentina national team and Maradona’s impact.

I’ve never seen a World Cup match in person. Not until I played in one.

But I’ve watched the vast majority of them on TV, even the World Cup in the United States, which was shown at three or four in the morning in Spain.

All of us would get up, my family, my brothers and sister, to watch the games.

I followed every World Cup, all of them.

Football is my life, my passion, and I love watching it.

The World Cup in South Africa was the first on the African continent and the first Spain won. You were an influential member of that team.

How did you help your country to that historic success?

We didn’t start the World Cup well.

We lost to Switzerland, which made us hesitate a little. We were nervous and more tense than usual. The team stuck to its guns, though, even if we didn’t play well until maybe the Portugal game. We played well against Portugal in the last 16, and that’s when we started seeing Spain perform.

We really y had to fight against ainst Paraguay in n the quarter-final,, but then we played ayed a great game in the semis and we played well against the Netherlands in the Final too. To some extent we built on the success we’d had d in the European Championships. We had a winning mentality. We believed lieved we could beat anyone and we felt important out on the pitch. I think we had a great World d Cup, even if we didn’t start rt too well.

Now the first st World Cup in the Middle East is just years away.

You have had the chance to see the plans and progress that at Qatar is making towards thatt tournament.

How do you see the development here? e?

I’m excited ed about it all, about being involved in this project, about ut coming here with my family mily to work, because it’s a genuinely marvelous project for this country, for Qatar. I think it has the infrastructure to host a historic World Cup. Today we’ve been shown the future stadiums and they’re going to be wonderful.

Speaking in an interview;’ the Al Sadd midfielder talks about his earliest memories of the FIFA World Cup, Diego Maradona, Spain’s memorable triumph in South Africa and the passion for football in the Arabic world.

starting”.

Even more so when the best teams on the planet are involved. For players too it’s going to be interesting not

Eve r y thing’s going to be very close together. That’s spectacular for the fans, because they’re going to be able to see a match and then, a couple of hours later, see another ten minutes a w a y.

That’s fantastic, that’s truly fantastic, being able to say “look, one game’s finished, another’s now

h av i n g to travel, b e i n g able to stay in the same h o t e l th rou g h out. There really are some very good advantages.

Having gone all the way to the title in the first edition on the African continent, do you think every region of the world should get a chance to host this event?

This is the first Arab country that’s going to host a World Cup. I think that football is universal, global, and an Arab is global country has earned the right to host a World Cup. The passion felt for football here is incredible.

People follow the Spanish

league really closely, but watch everything, they wa everything. They’re footeverythin followers, they’re faball follo about it and they natical a deserve to host it. truly des are off to a good Qatar ar qualifying for start in q the 2018 FIFA World Russia. How Cup in R see the team do you s their chances for and thei qualification? qualifi Yes, I think that Ye they can qualify, though it won’t th be easy because in Asia there are major nations, big teams, but they should get through the group they’re in now. Let’s see what happens in wh the other group, th who they’re w drawn with next, dr but I think Qatar bu have the talent to be able to rreach Russia. one of their goals It’s on somehow, I’m going and, som to help them in every can to achieve that way I ca experience, that objecexperien Let’s see with those tive. Let’ games c coming up, how approach them, they a think they’ve got a but I thi chance. finally, with that And fina outstanding football outstand which you posmind wh sess, it must be a step that you logical s also become a would a coach…? coach…

I like the pitch, being close to tthe football, what happens in the game itgoing to learn the self. I’m g trade – II’ve already starteducation here at ed my ed Aspire Academy. I’m the Aspi following Spanish football from over here while I’m still playing, and I’m enjoying myself. really e After that, I don’t know what the future will hold for me, but of course I’d love to return to Barça one day.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

M

anuel Neuer has revealed his lofty ambitions for the season, with a Bayern Munich treble and Germany winning Euro 2016 on his hit-list.

Bayern lead the way in the Bundesliga, holding a seven-point advantage over second-placed Borussia Dortmund after eight games played.

The aim for further glory on the international stage hit a snag with 2014 World Cup winners Germany losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, meaning Joachim Low’s men are yet to secure their

Sport

Sunday, October 11, 2015

place in France.

However, Neuer is confident they can get at least the point they require to book a spot at the European Championships when they host Georgia in their final qualifying clash on Sunday.

“The treble with Bayern Munich would naturally be the ultimate goal for all of us,” Neuer told a press conference.

“And of course I want to win the European Championship with the national team this summer.”

“We will beat Georgia and go to France.

Neuer targets Bayern treble, Euro glory

Mourinho

Zidane: No preferential treatment for son Enzo N

R

Neuer

Mourinho will find Chelsea solution –Fergie

Enzo

eal Madrid Cast Castilla ttiill til lla coach Zinedine ZiZiithat dane has declared d tth ha att he does not favour hiss sson on on Enzo zo over other players. internaThe former France intern rn national nal is in his second season seaso on on at the club’s he helm of his former club b’s ’s second ond side, who play in the he he third rd tier of Spanish football.

Castilla occupy fourth position n in Group 2 of Segunda B, with h Enzo featuring in all seven of their heir league fixtures so far.

However, the coach has insisted ed his selection decisions are based on merit and claimed his son does not receive preferential ial treatment.

“It’s It’s tricky, but in the dressing room my son, Enzo, has to be just ust like any other player,” Zidane ane Sr told L’Equipe.

“Then, Then, at home, he becomes my son again, but at the club I treat at him like everyone else. I’m demanding manding and perhaps I’m even n a little tougher on him, but I know now he has more to offer.”

“Enzo Enzo is playing more because se he deserves it.”

63

Neymar backs Barca to retain CLS crown

eymar believes his Barcelona team can this season become the first club to defend the Champions League.

The Brazil international scored the third goal of Barca’s 3-1 win over Juventus in last season’s final as Luis Enrique’s men completed a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League.

No team has been able defend the continental title since the introduction of group stages and change of name from the European Cup to the Champions League in 1992.

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ir Alex Ferguson has backed Chelsea to regain their usual elite form under Jose Mourinho after a dismal start to the Premier League season.

Chelsea are 16th in the table after earning just eight points from as many games and suffering four defeats -one more than they lost during their entire title-winning campaign last season.

Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager who is in the United States promoting his new book “Leading,” said that he was as surprised as anyone by Chelsea’s lacklustre start.

“For Jose, it’s probably the first time it’s come up, a situation whereby his team is now fifth-bottom of the week. Unbelievable,” Ferguson said.

“Everyone, including myself, are thinking they were going to be difficult to beat. But great managers find solutions.”

Ferguson also said Mourinho had a clear plan in his bombastic interview following Chelsea’s most recent 3-1 defeat to Southampton, in which he spoke uninterrupted for over seven minutes and said he should stay on as manager.

Dybala ‘has a bright future ahead of him’

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uventus attacker Paulo Dybala is destined for big things, according to Argentina teammate Lionel Messi.

Dybala, 21, has yet to win a cap for the Albiceleste, but was selected in Gerardo Martino’s latest squad after impressing with four goals in nine games since arriving at Juve from Palermo in the summer.

The former Instituto player remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss against Ecuador on Friday, yet Messi is sure the youngster will make a big impact for club and country over the coming years.

“Paulo is a great player and he has a bright future ahead of him,” Messi, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, told Tuttosport.

“I have no doubt about it that people will talk about him a lot over the next few years.”

Argentina continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Paraguay on Tuesday.

N I G E R I A

N45bn

Vol. 5 No.40

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Corruption Project

Back Page

Comment E-mail:

nwaunah@yahoo.com Jim Unah is Professor of Philosophy, University of Lagos.

with Jim Unah

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N150

-Amount Kogi State local council workers received as bailout from the state governor.

he All Progressives Congress— APC—government of President Muhammadu Buhari’s pet project to fight corruption to a standstill has become the central focus of the administration, rather than a well-articulated economic agenda for national development. There is talk about a pact with foreign governments of the United States of America and Great Britain as well as other European countries to join the Buhari government to ensure the repatriation of corruption monies back to Nigeria.

The first reported move of the multilateral global cooperation with the country to tackle the corruptors is that of the arrest of the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in England, penultimate weekend. Although granted bail almost immediately pending formal charges and arraignment in a London court, the UK National Crime Agency, NCA, reportedly seized $41, 000 ( forty-one thousand US Dollars) from Mrs. Alison-Madueke, on the allegations of bribery and attempt to launder a mind blowing sum of 13 billion pound sterling (equivalent of about N3.9 trillion).

The London arrest of Mrs. Alison-Madueke was carried out almost simultane-

ously with the raid of her Abuja residence in Nigeria by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission—EFCC. What was recovered, assuming the official raiders disclosed the exact amount, was a couple of millions in local Naira currency. Though she was said to have pleaded not guilty to the earlier charge of having presided over a ministry that was alleged to have made $20billion US Dollars vanish into thin air, the recent discoveries regarding bribery and money laundering in faraway Britain speak volumes for the quantum of financial crimes perpetrated by state actors in past governments.

The main concern here is not whether or not the Buhari government should fight corruption and recover stolen funds. For that is to be expected by Nigerians given the change mantra of the ruling party at the center, the APC. The main concern is whether the strategy being adopted will, at the end; produce the desired result—that of repatriating the funds looted from public coffers.

Have the financial advisers of the Buhari government considered the length of time required to track down and repatriate stolen funds, as well as the cost of logistics and litigation to the tax-payers? Have they weighed the amount to be recovered side by side with the cost and time frame for processing fund recovery from overseas countries? I am not too sure that all of the late Abacha loots have been fully repatriated even as we speak. Now, if it has taken this long to track down and repatriate the loot of a dead former head of state, is it the loot of living corrupt persons who are doing battle and creating obstacles for the state that can be quickly repatriated?

Some of the corrupt individuals have stolen so much that it may take a life time of battles to successfully nail them and bring

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F I G U R E S

N150m

-Stolen funds allegedly recovered by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.

them to justice. This raises the question whether plea bargaining would not produce the desired result of speedy recovery of stolen monies, better than the current man-hunt of culprits all over the place.

I think that the Buhari government should invite former state actors with allegations of missing or stolen funds hanging around their neck for negotiation to return a large portion of what was stolen or missing under their care. With the right kind of pressure and a promise of soft-landing, the goal of speedy repatriation would be achieved faster.

This is because the banks or vaults where the stolen or missing funds are kept would more speedily honor the request of their clients to make transfers to state coffers, than when the fund custodians believe that their clients are under persecution or torture to release funds to whomever.

Unarguably, the countries pledging their support for the Buhari anti-corruption war may frankly want to help. But there is a huge gulf between what state actors promise and what can speedily be realized with banking policies in the countries where these stolen funds are stocked. However, if there is a new government to government cooperation to ensure speedy repatriation of stolen funds that could not be applied to the much talked about Abacha loot, then, it is all well and good.

Whichever strategy is adopted by the Buhari government to deal with the culprits and produce the desired result, it is important that the proceeds of corruption be lodged in a designated account in the Central Bank of Nigeria and earmarked for specified projects for public benefit; never to be shared out to state and local governments for undisclosed activities.

I THINK THAT THE BUHARI GOVERNMENT SHOULD

INVITE FORMER STATE ACTORS WITH ALLEGATIONS OF MISSING OR STOLEN FUNDS HANGING AROUND THEIR NECK FOR NEGOTIATION

TO RETURN A LARGE PORTION OF WHAT WAS STOLEN OR MISSING UNDER THEIR CARE. WITH THE RIGHT

KIND OF PRESSURE AND A

PROMISE OF SOFT-LANDING, THE GOAL OF SPEEDY REPATRIATION WOULD BE ACHIEVED FASTER.

If the Nigeria masses have suffered because funds for basic infrastructure like roads and railways or electricity were not applied because they were stolen by public officers, and if now the funds are recovered, it is only fair that the repatriated funds should be committed to public infrastructure provisioning immediately.

There must be something Nigerians can point to with joy because public interest is served directly from the proceeds of corruption. Nothing will be achieved if the corruption fund is not applied for concrete and visible public utility.

Nadal to face Djokovic in China Open final R afael Nadal will face Novak Djokovic in the China Open final after the Serb beat Spain’s David Ferrer 6-2 6-3.

Nadal, 29, earlier reached his sixth singles final of 2015 with a 7-5 6-3 win over Italy’s Fabio Fognini.

Fognini had beaten Nadal three times this year, including the US Open third round, but the Spaniard crucially broke his serve at 5-6 in the opening set.

“Happy to be back in a final. Thanks all for your support. Vamos,” the 14-time Grand Slam winner tweeted.

The semi-final featured

six breaks of serve, five in the first set alone. In the second set, Nadal broke 28-yearold Fognini again to go 4-2 ahead and held out for victory.

In Sunday’s final, Nadal, whose world ranking has dropped to eighth, will be seeking a fourth trophy in a season in which he has failed to win a Grand Slam title for

the first time since 2004.

World number one Djokovic, 28, reached his sixth final in Beijing with a 73-minute straight-sets win over 33-yearold fourth seed Ferrer.

Nadal

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