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PDP alleges kidnap attempt on Udom, C’River governor
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110 million Nigerians extremely poor —Osinbajo
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Buhari, PDP in war of words P. 7
President’s real assets hidden with wife’s name —PDP PDP has no shame —APC PMB, man after my heart —Atiku
President Muhammadu Buhari being welcomed by the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, as he arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport yesterday
Like Bakassi, Nigeria set to lose Tongeji Island —Amosun Lawmakers back Buhari on anti-graft court Sealxk T
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Probe Panel: Amaechi’s written request for N30bn missing Should you count sex as exercise? P. 9
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Boko Haram in Lagos, Enugu:
Is there cause for alarm? Explaining the new trend of arrest of insurgents, the Department of State Security Service, DSS has stated that “the group’s new pattern of movement and spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the North East.” Is anyone scared of the new Wilayat Gharb Ifriqiyyah, that is, Islamic State West African Province, ISWAP, as Boko Haram now identifies? Well, picture (God forbid!) a bomb blast right inside the ever busy and bubbling Balogun Market, in the centre of Lagos Island on a hot afternoon at the peak of the market’s business. Armageddon in technicolour! And the fallout? Perhaps even worse. After all, this is Lagos, very well known for its unpredictable mob. Think of reprisal killings and other economically asphyxiating reactions. All these could just happen, not only in Lagos but also in Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi and other places, which Boko Haram, according to latest security reports, may have targeted for its stock in trade, writes NICK UWERU
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arly this week, the Department of State Security Service, DSS, made a statement on what appears to be an imminent threat to Lagos, the country’s commercial capital and the widely acclaimed most populated state in Nigeria. In its continued measure to combat insurgency and terrorism which the country has been combating in the last five years DSS announced what it believes to be ‘sigCONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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‘Terrorists have easy access to IEDs’
They struck in Abuja..
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 nificant breakthroughs.’ DSS claimed to have rounded up notable commanders and frontline members of the Boko Haram from different parts of the country. A number of them were arrested in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe States between 8th July and 25th August, 2015. The agency made a huge break in the arrest on 8th July, 2015 in Gombe State of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos. This resulted in the arrest of Usman Shuaibu, aka ‘Money.’ The terror suspect revealed that he coordinated the attacks these cities with the sum of N500, 000 which was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali. He claimed that the said Ali has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collects monies to fund operations undertaken by their ‘Markaz.’ Also, he revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014. Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks. Another suspect arrested was Ahmed Mohammed, aka ‘Abubakar.’ The suspect is said to be an IED expert. He confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the mentioned attacks in the cities. He also
...with the ease with which
improvised explosive devices,
IEDs, can be made, bomb blasts in populated areas in major cities like Lagos has become a spectre that haunts the public and security agencies in the country alike. stated he was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably Sule and his wives, with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos. Another suspect arrested is Adamu Abdullahi, aka Baba. The suspect confessed that Usman Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Ahmed Mohammed in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks. There was also Ibrahim Isa. He confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks. Muttaqa Yusuf, aka, Mohammed Sani or Mudtaka, another suspect said that one Aliyu believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out. He further confessed that he assisted Usman SHUAIBU in planning and executing the said attacks.
But the real fear is the arrest of other suspects outside the North East ‘war zone.’ Bakura Modu was picked up on 20th July, 2015, at Kara, Isheri Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State; Mustapha Alli Jamneri was arrested on 24th July, 2015, at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State; Abuyi Sherriff was arrested on 7th August, 2015, at Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State; Babagana Ali and Babagana Koloye were arrested the same day at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA, Lagos State; Abba Modu Sagma was arrested on 9th August, 2015, at Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State; Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu were also arrested on 10th August, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State; Baba Alhaji and Abass Ibrahim were arrested earlier on the same day at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo LGA, Lagos State, Adam Wakil
Abdul Jilbe was arrested on 23rd August 2015, at Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State; and Mohammed Usman was arrested on 25th August, 2015, at Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State. Do these arrests send shivers down anyone’s spines? No one can blame anyone who has that reaction. Recall the havoc wreaked by explosive devices kept at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos on January 22, 2002? Located North of Lagos, the cantonment straddles the districts of Isolo and Onigbongo. The military base served as depot for arms caches meant to have been decommissioned earlier. But a sudden fire set off the bombs on that fateful day. The blast killed many of the base staff and their families and immediately destroyed several nearby streets. Tremors from the explosion also collapsed many buildings in the area trapping people in the ruins and starting new fires from damaged cooking appliances. Thousands of people from Ikeja and neighbouring districts, seeing explosions and fires breaking out, fled their houses in an attempt to leave the affected areas. As the streets became more and more crowded, explosions amid the fleeing crowds from shells falling from the initial explosion created panic. A stampede developed as panicking people fled in all directions, trampling those who fell underfoot. Reports also describe people jumping from burning high-rise buildings and being killed in desperate attempts to cross the busy Ikeja dual carriageway. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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‘Home-grown terrorists are hard to detect because they are citizens’
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, security expert and politician says that all must be involved in the fight to check the activities of Boko Haram from spreading further. How best can one describe these unending acts of terror on the country? Terrorism, when it occurs, should be seen as a national disaster regardless of the persons affected in any particular area, state, region or nation. When it occurs, it should not be treated as a political tool. There is though no agreed legal binding criminal law that defines terrorism. But then we may understand it as the systematic use of terror as a means of coercion, unlawful violence and war. It could be in form of civil Disorder, Non-Political Terrorism, terrorism that is not aimed at political purpose but which exhibits conscious design to create and maintain high degree of fear for coercive purposes, but the end is individual or collective gain rather than achievement of political objective. There is quasi Terrorism, activities incidental to the commission of crimes of violence that are in similar form and method to genuine terrorism and so on. How do we tackle the spread of terrorism down south of the country? As a country, we should be united to condemn and fight against the actions of Boko Haram, which is known and accepted all over the world as a terrorist organization. Instead of castigating the government or political party/ parties, we should rather condemn the actions of Boko Haram, which is the common enemy. But what do you think their motive is? The main purpose of ‘Boko Haram,’ is to instill fear in the minds of Nigerians, by causing death and serious body harms to innocent civil-
a Lt, Colonel in the Army, who will report directly to Mr. President. He will be responsible for all the strategy, plans and method of fighting terrorism in the country. Building a Counter-Terrorist plan involves all segment of the society and several Government Agencies. In dealing with a terrorist organization having link with an international terrorist body, the lead responsibility is usually at the Federal Government and international level, because propaganda and indoctrination lie at the core of terrorism, understanding their profile and functions increases the ability to Counter-Terrorism more effectively.
ians, children and women. So therefore, any act or action that will make the terrorist feel that they have succeeded in their plans should be avoided by all. We should rather come together as a people and as a nation to confront them instead of blaming each other.
What would you advise government to do? My advice is that, Government should take an immediate step to setup a “Counter or Anti Terrorist Unit”, whose director should be a well trained intelligent officer, preferably a squadron leader with a rank not more than
ble in the darkness. As the crowd surged towards the plantation, hundreds of panicking people fell into the water. Those on the bottom were crushed by yet more people falling into the waterway, and in the struggling confusion, at least 600 people were killed, many of them children. Many of these bodies drifted down the canal, some being found as far as ten kilometres from the explosion. The final death toll is hard to compute,
although the Red Cross claims that at least 1,000 bodies were recovered. A number of people were reported missing and never found. In addition to the dead, at least 5,000 people were injured in the disaster and over 12,000 left homeless, with entire districts of the city gutted. About 20,000 people had fled the city on the night of the explosion, and the survivors gradually returned over the course of the following week.
What does combating terrorism in metropolitan place like Lagos involve? Most Counter-Terrorism strategies involve an increase in standard policing, surveillance and domestic intelligence. The central activities are traditional interception of communication and the tracing of persons involved in the terrorism. New technology has however; expand the range of military and law enforcement operations. Domestic intelligence is often directed at specific groups, defined on the basis of origin or religion, which is a source of political controversy. Mass surveillance of an entire population might raise objections on civil liberties grounds. Home grown terrorists, especially Boko Haram are often harder to detect because of their citizenship or legal alien status and better ability to stay under the radar.
‘Terrorists have been arrested in Lagos, Enugu’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 In central Lagos there is a large canal, which runs from north to south, parallel to the Isolo-Oshodi expressway through the centre of the city. It borders a banana plantation, which many refugees thought might be safe from the falling shells and spreading fires. Unfortunately, the canal separated the plantation from the city and was covered by water hyacinth and thus invisi-
All these happened some 13 years ago. Between then and now, safeguards have been put in place in the various arms depots in Lagos and other cantonments across the country. But with the ease with which improvised explosive devices, IEDs, can be made, the prospect of a repeat bomb blast in densely populated areas in major cities like Lagos has become a spectre that CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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‘Boko Haram killed 1,000 people between May and August’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
haunts the public and security agencies, not only in Lagos but in other parts of the country. Indeed, in the present worrisome trend, there have been arrests of other insurgents outside Lagos. Ibrahim Audu was arrested, on the 19th of August 2015, at New Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State. Others include Ibrahim Haruna, a 30-year old suspect from Kanawa village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State, who was arrested on 21st August, 2015, at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe State. Mal Ali Mohammodu, a 33 year old suspect was also arrested on 22nd August 2015 at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State. Explaining the trend of arrests, the DSS stated that “the group’s new pattern of movement and spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the North East.” The agency also added that the arrest of Usman Shuaibu aka Money and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. DSS disclosed that ‘Money’ and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another heart-rending bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest. It added that the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country. “The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area,” stated DSS, stating also that the Service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence prosecution of the suspects. Currently, the country is in the fifth year of a bloody campaign against Boko Haram, a group that tags itself now as Wilayat Gharb Ifriqiyyah, that is, Islamic State West African Province, ISWAP, formally known as Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Dawah Wa-l-Jahad, aka Boko Haram. At the height of its campaign, it laid siege on Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, states in the North east of the country. It also occasionally forayed into Kaduna, Kano, Gombe and even Abuja with deadly payloads. The terror group had killed an estimated 20 000 people since 2010. It has also displaced about three million people as well, made Nigeria one of the three leading country in internally displaced people, IDP’s population, globally. Former President,Goodluck Jonathan, is heavily criticised for his handling of the war on terror. But with advent of Mohammadu Buhari, there may still be no respite from the terror attacks. For instance, Stefanos foundation, an NGO, says over 1,000 people have been slaughtered under buhari’s watch since May 29. The Executive Director, Stefanos Foun-
Lawal-Daura-DSS
the group’s
libdo
NIGERIA AND THE WAR AGAINST TERROR
new pattern of movement and spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the
North East
dation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, has said no fewer than 1,059 persons were killed in 75 major attacks in northern Nigeria since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. A research organised by the foundation has revealed that Boko Haram has orchestrated 75 major attacks in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office during which 1,059 lives have been claimed. This was revealed by the Executive Director of the group, Mr. Mark Lipdo. Stefanos Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has been attending to the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons from the various attacks in their camps in Bukuru area of Jos South, Plateau State. Lipdo said the highest number of attacks occurred in Borno State, where 551 people were killed. The foundation said all the attacks occurred between May 29 and August 12, especially under the watch of the recently sacked service chiefs. According to him, Plateau State ranked
second with 19 attacks and 112 people killed while Yobe occupied the third spot with eight attacks and 86 people killed. Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa and Taraba states placed
fourth with two attacks each and a total of 254 people killed. Though two attacks took place in Gombe, the statement said it had the highest casualty figure of 99.
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Obiora Ifoh And Rotimi Fadeyi, ABUJA
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he last may not have been heard over recent declaration of assets by President Mohammadu Buhari and his deputy, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo, as the presidency and opposition elements have engaged each other in war of words. Reacting to the declaration of their respective assets, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, declared that Buhari and his deputy’s attempt amounts to grand deceit. But in a swift reaction, the presidency has questioned the opposition party’s sense of shame given that former president
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September 5, 2015
Asset declaration: Buhari, PDP in war of words
President’s real assets hidden with wife’s name’ —PDP PDP has no shame —APC “the release of a mere list of belongings falls short of PMB, man after my heart-Atiku Goodluck Jonathan failed to declare his assets. PDP spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement said the party recalls that the President in his own words as candidate of the APC on March 18,
2015, at exactly 5 pm. as candidate of the APC stated to Nigerians that, “I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liability and also encourage my political appointees to publicly declare their assets and liability.”
The PDP however, observed that President Buhari and his deputy failed to produce copies of their declarations, detailing the exact nature and value of respective assets. According to Metuh,
Remains of Squadron Leader Adekunle Suara, who died in Nigerian air force (NAF) Dornier-228 Aircraft that crashed in Kaduna Aug. 29, 2015, arriving for burial at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, yesterday.
PHOTO: NAN
PDP alleges kidnap attempt on Udom, C’Rivers gov Obiora Ifoh
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he spectre of governor kidnap again reared its head in Akwa Ibom State yesterday after People’s Democratic Party’s leadership alerted Nigerians on what it claimed to be failed attempts to abduct Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel by the men of Department of State Security, DSS on Friday. Chris Ngige, a former governor in Anambra State is the first sitting governor kidnapped politicians with connivance of men of the Nigerian police. The PDP National
Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus who briefed journalists at the party headquarters in Abuja said, “a few hours ago, there was a civilian coop d’état in Akwa Ibom state where the Department of Security Services (DSS) under the leadership the Director General, Lawan Daura invaded the Akwa Ibom Government House, ransacked the entire government House looking for the Governor to kidnap. “Again we want to alert this nation that it is part of the strategy of the APC and it’s administration to forcefully take Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Abia and Taraba states by force because they are not satisfied with taking over the
federal government they want to now take over all the states controlled by the PDP.” Prince Secondus who said that this nation belongs to every Nigerians, both PDP and APC lamented a situation where states controlled by the PDP are consistently assaulted. He therefore called on the international community to be aware of the situation, while comparing the present leadership with that of PDP. “Let it be on record that we said enough is enough. Our South-south Publicity Secretary will be updating the party on further developments. It will get to a stage where we will invite the inter-
national community to hear our cry. We are stating here that we will not tolerate any act of intimation and harassment by the operatives of the DSS. “For us in the NWC we promise to conduct a free, honest and transparent primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. We will ensure a process that will be acceptable to the people of Kogi and Bayelsa states. “Today we affirm that we are going to keep to our rules and party constitution. After the primary, if you are successful we will come to Bayelsa to campaign with you. This party must be open to all. This party must be taken back to the grassroots.”
credibility, transparency and anti-corruption standards as well as exposes the proclivity of the present administration for deception. “We have noted the release of a flimsy list of belongings of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by the Presidency, who want such to pass as the public declaration of assets as pledged by the President. “Nigerians are not deceived by this poor attempt at window-dressing designed by the Presidency to hoodwink the unsuspecting populace in a desperate bid to shore up its diminished image. “We ask, is the resort to a mere list, instead of true copies of the declaration not a ploy to give the Presidency a window for denial in consonance with their widely observed inclination for flip flopping, backtracking and brazen denials of their statements and actions? “All we want is credibility, integrity and sincerity of purpose. We are not questioning how a President, who by December last year, declared that he had only N1 million in his account, could suddenly now list N30 million in the same bank account by May 29, and after an expensive campaign; we are not yet demanding the public declaration of his assets in his wife’s name. “We are not even applauding the multiplication of his cows from 150 to 250 in a space of three months, arising from his dual and conflicting pronouncements on this issue “What the PDP and discerning Nigerians demand is for Mr. President to always stand by his words and pledge. “Mr. President, this is a mere list of your belongings and not public declaration of assets in fulfillment of your covenant with Nigerians” But swiftly reacting to the charges, the Presidency yesterday faulted the claim of PDP. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Me-
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dia and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said contents of forms as submitted by the President and the Vice President are still being vetted, saying that whenever the process is complete,they would be made public. Shehu said, “PDP doesn’t have shame, neither does it have conscience. If they did, they would have pressured their leaders, meaning President Jonathan and VP Sambo to declare their assets on leaving office as the law requires. “Nigerians haven’t forgotten that against all entreaties, the then President and his deputy adamantly refused to make any form of disclosure regarding their assets. “Now that they are out, they are behaving as if the law does not exist. Is that the party to question this unprecedented step our leaders have taken? They have lost all moral right to pontificate to anyone on matters of probity and accountability”, Shehu added. It would be recalled that Buhari and Osinbajo had on Thurday disclosed the content of their asset declaration form submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau. Buhari had disclosed that he had less than N30 million in his bank account as at May 29 when he assumed office. The President also disclosed that he has 270 herds of cattle and mud houses among other assets Osinbajo disclosed that he has N94 million and $900,000 in bank accounts and houses. Mixed reactions have continued to trail the recent asset declaration of President Mohammadu Buhari and that of his deputy, Yomi Osinbajo. Making their declarations three months after inauguration into office, the public, expectedly have reacted with mixed feelings. While some leading voices have extolled the gesture as demonstrating transparency, others insist that the declarations were mere window dressing.
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September 5, 2015
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Probe panel: Amaechi’s written request for N30 billion missing Dennis Naku
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ritten request of N30 billion made by former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi is missing from the records of the State House of Assembly. Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Sir Emmanuel Ogele, made the revelation on Friday while testifying before the judicial commission of inquiry investigating the sale of valued assets belonging to the state. To authenticate the written request by the former governor and the resolution of the House which approved the request of the governor to withdraw N30bn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund, Ogele had to depose to an affidavit, on September 2, 2015, at the Rivers State high court, in Port Harcourt, claiming that the written request from former Governor Amaechi was, indeed, missing
from the records of the Assembly. Ogele stated in response to a question from the counsel to the commission, Dr. Zaccheus Adangor: “I have made concerted effort to locate the written request all to no avail. I have also contacted some of the lawmakers who were present during the deliberations, but none of them has a copy. “I also contacted the director of legal services who said that she also does not have it.? “We were then operating form government house. So, our packing and repacking of our documents now and then could have contributed greatly to what have happened. “It is not unlikely that we might have lost the document through that process. None of the law makers that participated in passing the resolutions that empowered the former governor to access that Reserve Fund returned to the House of Assembly
and this had made it even more difficult in contacting the former legislators in order to get a copy of the former governor’s written request,” he said. The former governor made the written request, on Thursday, February 13, 2014, asking the House of Assembly to grant him the authority to withdraw N30bn from
the Rivers State Reserve Fund. The House of Assembly granted the request by virtue of a unanimous House resolution, on February 14, 2014. On the same day, the House of Assembly granted former Governor Amaechi another written request of N5bn, bringing the total amount the House
Assembly approved for governor Amaechi to N35bn. On October 20, the House of Assembly approved via a resolution the written request of the former governor to withdraw the sum of N19bn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund. The fourth written request by former Gover-
nor Amaechi was made on May 18, 2015, for N1 billion In all, the Rivers State House of Assembly approved N55bn in 15 months through four written requests from former Governor Amaechi which were unanimously approved by four distinct resolutions of the House of Assembly.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Bature Umar Masari, during a courtesy visit by SMEDAN executives at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja on Thursday.
Insurgency: African defence chiefs Buhari, a man after map out plan to defeat insurgency my heart —Atiku
F
ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has heaped plaudits on President Mohammadu Buhari on his 100 days in office According to Atiku, Buhari has reinforced his confidence. He says that despite the perceived slow pace of his administration, “Nigeria is on the path of progress and bright future.” In a press statement released by his media office in Abuja on Friday, the former Vice President noted that the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari clearly indicated that Nigeria is witnessing a marked departure from the culture of impunity, inertia and apa-
thy in governance. According to Atiku, even within the first 100 days, Nigerians could clearly see real proofs that the country is already moving in the right direction, which he attributed to President Buhari’s leadership by example style. He said the President’s body language has sent strong and unmistakable message that the era of impunity was over, and that “corruption is no longer fashionable.” The former Vice President explained that when leaders lead by example, they could automatically inspire public confidence, which he said is a condition for the success of any government policy.
...As Olonisakin briefs on efforts to end Boko Haram
Ubong Ukpong ABUJA
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hiefs of Defence Staff, and Defence ministers, have convened in Bamako, Mali, to strategise and come up with a peace and security architecture for the continent. A statement by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, yesterday, said that the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who would brief the continental Defence Chiefs on what the country was doing to address the menace of Boko Haram. The meeting he said, was in furtherance of the
multinational approach to fight against terrorism that was ravaging the African regions. The meeting Abubakar said, was aimed at “engendering participants to partner on the enhancement of security cooperation and the conceptualization of the African Peace and Security Architecture in the Sahelo-Saharan region.” He said that it was discussing terrorism, which had become a global problem and required collective approach towards addressing the menace. “It focused on the threats faced by countries in the Sahelo-Saharan region, especially the threats of Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria and other member countries of the Lake Chad
Basin Commission (LCBC) and the threats of Al-Shabab terrorists in Central Africa”, the DDI said. He further stated that the participants agreed on the need to enhance operational cooperation between the affected countries so as to increase the effectiveness of their action against threats of terrorism. In order to promote a shared assessment of the threats risks in the affected regions, the Defence Spokesman, said that the meeting proposed to classify the threats and risks in the regions into four major categories which were Terrorism, Organized Crime (Drugs, Arms and Human Trafficking), Illegal Immigration and Separatism. The meeting, which is ongoing, marked a new
phase in the promotion of regional security and a united front by AU members in the fight against terrorism. “Before the close of the meeting, General Olonisakin would use the opportunity to brief the continental Defence Chiefs and Ministers of Defence of AU about efforts Nigeria and its allied in the LCBC are putting in place to contain the aggression of Boko Haram in the sub-region”n he said. Abubakar noted that in an effort to end the menace of Boko Haram in the country, General Olonisakin, since assumption of office as CDS, has been working round the clock and collaborating with other countries to tackle insecurity and terrorism in the sub-region.
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B’Haram: Police commutes CP’s sack to retirement ...officer negligent in suspect’s escape from custody Omeiza Ajayi
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he Police Service Commission has approved the formal retirement of a Commissioner of Police, Zakari Biu. Biu was earlier dismissed in 2012 following the escape from custody, a high-profile Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto who has been accused of carrying out several attacks on behalf of the sect. However, the commis-
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September 5, 2015
sion said it considered an appeal filed by the dismissed officer and found merit in it and therefore converted his dismissal to retirement. Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement said the decisions were the high points of the 13th plenary meeting of the Commission held in Abuja. The PSC exonerated CP Biu from the issues surrounding the escape of Kabiru Sokoto, an arrested Boko Haram kingpin in Abuja.
‘Nigeria may lose Tongeji after Bakassi’
Nick Uweru
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en years after losing Bakassi, an oil and marine life rich peninsular, Nigeria may be poised to lose another part of its territory unless urgent steps are taken, Saturday Mirror can authoritatively reveal. Ogun State Government, yesterday hinted that laxity on the part of federal government could make the people of the oil-rich Tongeji Island in Ogun State suffer the same fate
as Bakassi, calling on the Nigerian military to help secure the area. The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, blew the whistle in Abeokuta when he received the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Isidore Edet, in his office. Amosun said he had mentioned to the president the challenges confronting the state in its attempt to secure the Island, which is a border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic, but added that more secu-
rity presence apart from the Nigerian Navy deployed to the area had now become imperative to ensure the country did not lose the Island to its neighbour. The state helmsman commended the Nigerian military for its bravery and doggedness in its efforts at tackling the insurgency in the North-east, particularly its recovery of a handful of towns that were once held by the insurgents. He also lauded the military task force, “OP MESA”, for synergizing with the police to rid Ogun State of criminals.
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The governor assured that his administration would continue to support and encourage the security agencies in the state to be more productive, adding that “no meaningful development could thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.” Responding, the new GOC said Tongeji Island was one of the matters brought before him on assumption of duty, assuring that its report would be immediately forwarded to the Chief of Army Staff for necessary action.
Navy Receives new warship
Richard Ndoma, CALABAR
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he Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy on Friday in Calabar got a new war ship called the NNS Centenary, which the Navy said is going to boost to its fleet and strengthen the navy to quell activities of sea pirates along the Calabar water channel and its environs. Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was on ground to receive it at the NNS Victory jetty, said the ship which was the newest in the Navy fleet would help the command carry out its operation efficiently when need be. Ibas stated that the ship is to further reinforce the strength and presence of the Navy in the Eastern flank of the country’s maritime domain adding that the ship was acquired to patrol the maritime domain of the Eastern Naval Command in order to keep the water safe from oil thieves and sea pirates. “When we talk about maritime security you have to know that it goes with development. ``Maritime security
has a nexus with development. Nobody wants to do business in an insecure environment. ``As you are aware, the bulk of the resources that bring development come from the sea and the essence of the new ship, the newest in the fleet is to further reinforce our presence in the Eastern flank of the nation’s maritime space’’, Ibas added. The Chief of Naval Staff maintained that the ship has the capacity to carry helicopters and other vital instrument. “The new ship is capable of staying on sea for two weeks. It is no longer going to be business as usual for the bad guys at sea. ``Those doing their businesses at sea would have confidence to go about their business at ease’’, he assured. He warned criminals operating along the Nigerians water ways to stay off, adding that the Navy was not friendly to such categories of persons. The CNS in the company of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Henry Babalola, later visited Governor Ben Ayade at the Governor’s office on a courtesy visit.
L-R: Mr. Abubakar Usman; Chairman Ladol Ltd, Chief Ladi Jadesimi; President Muhammadu Buhari; Managing Director, Ladol Ltd, Dr. Amy Jadesimi and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chris Van Niekerk, during their visit to President Buhari in Abuja, Thursday. PHOTONAN
Lawmakers back Buhari on anti-graft court
Tordue Salem, ABUJA
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group of lawyers representing their Senatorial districts and Federal Constituencies in the National Assembly, yesterday commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to establish Special anti-corruption courts in the country. The Lawmakers through Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta(Abia-PDP), a co-convener of Forum of Lawyers in the Nigerian Legislature commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to establish special anti-corruption courts across the country. Nkem-Abonta who is a
third-tenure member of the House of Representatives gave the commendation at an inaugural meeting of the Forum held in the National Assembly. He noted that the establishment of the special court was in order in the bid to stem the scourge of corruption, just as he reiterated the Legislature’s commitment to support the present administration. To effectively support the anti-graft crusade, he emphasised the need for parliamentary lawyers and other supportive staff, to improve their capacities with the view to assist the Legislators at all levels. While inaugurating the
forum, Speaker Yakubu Dogara explained that the forum’s objectives include: enhance the role and productivity of lawyers in the Nigerian legislature by organising capacity building programmes and training workshops and seminars in collaboration with durable institutions and bodies for its members. Dogara who disclosed that over 200 lawyers working in various capacities in the National Assembly, observed that the establishment of the forum will help in promoting cooperation and networking among members as well as develop legislative practice as an enviable area of legal
practice in Nigeria. On his part, Senator Ita Enang explained that the inauguration of the Forum was to create necessary awareness on the roles of the Legislature and Legislators in the judicial system. He stated that “lawyers in the legislature either as senators, members o the House of Representatives, members of the State Assembly, as staff of the National Assembly, either as Legal Adviser in the Senate or Committees or Clerks in the legislature that they get on top of their games in terms of what they are expected to do and that the update their skills.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Rotimi Fadeyi, ABUJA
V
ice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said that promotion of Small and Medum Scale Enterprises (SMEs) would accelerate economic development in the country. A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo spoke during a meeting with officials of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), led by its Director-General, Alhaji Bature Masari. Osinbajo said that for the nation’s economy to develop and catch up with the advanced world, a wellstructured small and medi-
September 5, 2015
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110 million Nigerians extremely poor-Osinbajo ...says SME key to enrichment
um scale enterprises sector must be allowed to flourish. “When people are able to do things for themselves that is when we can say we are developed. No country develops without vibrant small and medium enterprises. It is the base for commerce and industry. We need to scale up. We must design a strategy that allows us to create an impact with the people. This is what the big nations of the world are doing”, he stated. The Vice President
stressed the need to refocus and make the SMEs peopleoriented in planning and execution. “Naturally, Nigerians have commercial inclination, the problem is the absence of capacity building. People have ideas, but cannot execute these ideas, some are even lacking in bookkeeping. “We need to focus on the underserved, so that a robust economy can be created. We have 110 million extremely poor people
in Nigeria. Take a look at the artisans. We can give them vocational training, which can lead to a certification process and in turn improve their businesses and lives. After which, they can hire more hands and get others out of poverty as well. We need peopleoriented focus.”, Osinbajo added. According to him, the Informal Sector is huge adding that “if we can focus on the market women, for instance, and help them
build their businesses by training them and arming them with basic business skills, there will be impact, and a positive effect on their value chain”. He also noted that by directly impacting women, who, according to him, were prudent, that will ensure that the entire community benefits immensely. Earlier in his remarks, Masari said SMEDAN has drawn many plans to attract more investment and funding to SMEs He, however, stated that the agency had advised the past administrations to set aside certain taxes on imported items to be used to fund local businesses. Bature said despite en-
couraging entrepreneurs to register cooperatives, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry always insist on the existence of conventional conditions of providing collateral before giving loans, rejecting the cooperative lending models practices in several other nations. Also yesterday, Osinbajo received the executive members of the Northern Reawakening Forum, led by its chairman, Mohammed Kumalia. The Forum leaders told Osinbajo that their visit was based on his deep concern for the victims of the insurgency in the North East whom he had visited and interacted with
Benin comes alive with Glo Laffta Fest
B Nigerian delegates led by the Senate President, Dr. Abukaker Bukola Saraki (4th right) with the Lord Speaker of UK Parliament, Baroness D’Souza (3rd right) and other UK counterparts at a bilateral meeting during the 4th UN International Conference for Heads of Parliaments, which ended yesterday in New York.
FG, Israel partner on water resources
Regina Otokpa
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he Federal Government has concluded partnership arrangement with State of Israel, to develop the nation’s water sector. This would focus mainly on technological transfer, to increase the output of irrigated agriculture for domestic consumption and also dams and irrigation management to help address water and environmental challenges. The Permanent Secretary, ministry of water resources, Mr. Musa Istifanus made the disclosure in Abuja during a dinner organized by the ministry of water resources, federal ministry of environment
and the State of Israel in preparation for Water Technology and Environmental Control (WATEC) 2015 Exhibition and conference scheduled for October, 2015 in the State of Israel. According to him, almost every part of the country has sufficient water, but the challenge was making use of technologies that would be more suitable for a particular region. He noted that what was needed however, was Israeli’s skill which was used to address the water problem in Israel and most importantly, technical know-how on the usage of appropriate equipment, adaptable to different areas of the country to yield more effective result. Istifanus maintained that although Nigeria prac-
tices irrigation system of agriculture similar to that of the State of Israel, Israel however, has advanced technologically in the area of irrigation development and as such the partnership would provide opportunity for the Nigeria to share ideas that would lead to high productivity in the irrigation system of the country. He said: ”The bilateral relationship between the two countries should therefore focus in this area to increase food production to feed the growing population and for exports particularly in areas of comparative advantage to Nigeria”. “It is important to collaborate with the state of Israel in the manufacturing of irrigation equipments adaptable to Nigerian eco-
logical conditions and seek for technical assistance in the area of consultancy services for irrigation development and management. “Technical staff require training in engineering technology and water requirements, water resources management, monitoring & assessment, water quality data interpretation & reporting, river health monitoring and water safety plan. “In the development of catchment management plans for hydrological areas, water allocation strategy and tariff settings, technical transfer on drip sprinkler irrigation and water recycling usage to tackle the problem of desertification to reduce the increasing rate of desertification,” he added.
enin City was set aglow on August 30 as some of Nigeria’s best comedians strutted their stuff at the Best Western Hotel, GRA Benin City, venue of the popular comedy show organized by Globacom, Laffta Fest. Talented humour merchants, Gordons, I go Save, Sim Card, Osama, Youngest Landlord, D Don, MC Casino, and Funny Bones as well as popular musicians MI and Burna Boy unleashed their wit and talent on an excited audience gathered from all walks of life for an evening of fun. It was the first in a series of Laffta Fest shows planned to hold across Nigeria in the next few weeks. In his opening remarks, Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, Mid-West, Augustus Offor, thanked the people of Benin for their faith in Glo, and underscored the importance of the primal city to the history of Nigeria. “Globacom is delighted to have the first in the series of the show in Benin City. Indeed, Benin plays an important role in the history of Nigeria, that is why we are bringing the Glo Laffta Fest, Slide ‘n’Bounce music concert and Dance withPeter reality TV show to you here in
Benin City,” said Offor. The Benin Edition of Glo Laffta Fest also featured up and coming performers such as Warri Boy, R&A, Solution, Vizula, Zeek and Elvis Joe. Some of the high points of the night was the performance of accomplished rapper, MI, whose entry on stage sent the auditorium wild with excitement. He performed his hit songs including OneNaira, a duet with Waje. Bovi was also in his best elements. He engaged the audience with interactive and rib-cracking jokes. Members of the audience who were selected to take part in jokes competition went home with mouthwatering gifts. Some of the members of the audience expressed satisfaction with the show. Stanley Agbokume, a student of the Benson Idahosa University said: “I was one of the first set of guests who arrived the venue. I’ve been looking forward to attending this show and I must tell you, I really had fun. The jokes were quite entertaining and I just wished it will never end.” The next edition of the show is expected to hold at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, September 6, 2015, and in Abeokuta, the rock city on Sunday, September 13.
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REGIONAL NEWS
September 5, 2015
11
South West
Osun lawmakers charge NEMA over burnt Atakumosa market
Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo
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hairman of Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Babajide Omoworare and Hon. Ajibola Famurewa have solicited assistance from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for the victims of the fire that razed the Atakumosa market in Ilesa, Osun state recently. Omoworare and Famurewa in two separate letters sent to the Director General of NEMA said they felt the agony of the victims of the fire outbreak, hence their resolve to garner assistance for them from all quarter for relieve. The lawmaker said as
representatives of the constituency where the awful incident occurred, they could not shy away from the responsibility of making all necessary move to make sure that the victims of the natural disaster in the market get needed assistance to put smiles on their faces. Famurewa, the member representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency, who met with the NEMA DG for personal presentation of the letter, said the fire outbreak has wrecked havoc on the lives of the traders in the market and on the economy of his constituency. Omoworare, the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate, in a letter
titled: “Request for assistance on the fire outbreak at the Atakumosa market in Ilesa-West Local government, State of Osun, sent to the NEMA Chairman said, “it is necessary for the agency to render assistance and intervene in the plight of the traders that lost their goods to the fire outbreak.” The senator described
the incident as ugly and unfortunate, saying that it has dealt a serious blow on the economic activities of the people in the market. According to Omoworare, it would be an appreciated gesture if NEMA could assist the traders in the market to come back to life on their economic activities. The letter reads: “On
Sunday 11 August, 2015, a fire outbreak occurred at the Atakumosa market in Ilesa State of Osun affecting the market and residential buildings in the environs. It destroyed properties worth over N500, 000.000.00 (five hundred million naira only). “It is not in doubt that due to the fire outbreak, the economy of my Con-
stituents was dealt a very serious blow because the market serves as the economic mainstay of the Ijesa people. “I hereby use this medium to seek for your intervention to use your good office pursuant to the statutory role of NEMA to assist the people of Ilesha overcome this economic disaster.”
Association calls for establishment of terminal in Lagos to regulate fishing business
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he Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NTOA) on Friday called for the establishment of a fishing terminal in Lagos to regulate the fishing business. The President of the association, Mr Akinsola Amire, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He explained that establishing a terminal for the regulation of the business was necessary as it would address food security concerns among importers of the product from Nigeria and help develop the fishing value chain, namely: production, processing, storage, and marketing. ``I think you understand why we need to have a fishing terminal in Lagos. Because if for example every fishing company has its own jetty, how do you regulate? How do you monitor? What of the security concerns? How do you know what these people are bringing? Is it fish only or fish plus God-knows-
what? ``So, if you have all of them operating somewhere it is easy for government agencies to monitor the operation both in terms of what is brought in, what is caught, what is landed and what is exported out of this country. “Because the law is that you cannot export anything caught from Nigerian waters except it is first landed in a port in Nigeria. ``So it would have been easier for government to take data of landings, exports, processing and what l will call measuring the value chain.” According to Amire, it is not ideal for fishing companies to set up cold rooms outside the port premises or operate from porter cabins and do business with Temporary Operating Licenses. He argued that companies operating from porter cabins could not make long-term business plans as they would only be exiting on a temporary basis.
L-R: Executive Director, Soft Alliance, Mr. Feyi Agagu; Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Badejo; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Mr. Olumide Oduntan; Managing Director, NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi and Executives Director, Marine Services, NPA, Engr. David Omonibieke, during NPA’s unveiling of the fully Integrated Revenue Invoicing Management Systems(RIMS) in Lagos.
Senator seeks development of cultural festivals as foreign exchange earners Abiodun Nejo Ado-Ekiti
N
ational Assembly member, Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, has canvassed transformation of the nation’s cultural festivals to foreign exchange earners. Raji-Rasaki said such was necessary “in view of the plunging oil price in the international market and the urgency of Nigeria to diversify its revenue base”. The senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during the yearly Udiroko Festival, said “this festival and some other cultural festivals in the country could
serve as great avenues to generate foreign exchange for the country”. She said: “Many Caribbean countries depend largely on festivals as source of foreign exchange. For instance, the popular Rio Janeiro Festival in Brazil attracts not less than two million people yearly and generates approximately $3 billion for the government. Our own Udiroko Festival has the capacity to do even more. “It has high potential in stimulating the local economy; boosting job creation; reinforcing the fight against social vices; helping address social ills and increasing the popularity and dignity of its people. “In the area of job cre-
ation, cultural festivals like the Udiroko celebration can create jobs for tour guides, restaurants, guest houses, horticulturalists, arts and crafts producers and other cultural entrepreneurs,” the senator said. Raji-Rasaki, an Ado Ekiti indigene, said Udiroko was an avenue for Ado Ekiti kingdom to showcase “our rich cultural heritage, our artistic diversity, our oneness, our communal solidarity and our capacity in transforming Ado Ekiti and its environ to a position of international cultural tourism”. According to her, the festival is rich in arts, music, dance, culture, indigenous costume and historical enactments which are attractions to cultural tourists.
The senator thanked the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, for his steps in developing the tourism sector in the state and commencement of work on the long abandoned 2000-seater amphitheatre at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti. She also lauded the Ado Ekiti monarch, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, for the new dimension he had introduced to the festival as a way of making it to be of international standard. Raji-Rasaki, however, charged all Ado Ekiti indigenes “to contribute in promoting this cultural heritage. Udiroko Festival is a treasure bequeathed to us by our forefathers, we owe them a duty to preserve it, revitalise our economy through it and live by the moral values it teaches.”
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REGIONAL NEWS
September 5, 2015
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NORTH
boss rates Unknown assailants attack PHC Nasarawa high Kogi PDP chairman Igbawase Ukumba Lafia
Wale Ibrahim Lokoja
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nknown assailants numbering about 20 attacked the Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engineer. Sam Ihuotu at Abaji, while on his way from Abuja to Lokoja. The State Public Secretary of the PDP, Bode Ogunmola, who confirmed the attack, explained that the chairman was return-
ing from Abuja where he had gone to see his personal physician for medical checkup when the gun men waylaid him and pointed gun on his head. Ogunmola, who hinted that the gunmen carted away valuables belonging to the chairman, however expressed gratitude to God that the party boss is ‘hale and hearty’. “I can confirm to you that his international passport, his voter cards, other personal effects and
some cash were collected from him. Psychologically, people are trying to stabilize him”, he said. The party’s scribe however, could not explain the motives behind the attack on the party chairman saying that only the police could ascertain whether it was a robbery incident or an assassination attempt after investigations. Meanwhile, the PDP has described the Ward congresses conducted in the state as peaceful and
credible. Ogunmola, who spoke on the conduct of the congresses, said the PDP is ready to conduct free fair and transparent primaries come September 10. He debunked insinuations that the party is planning to substitute the incumbent governor, Idris Wada should he emerges the party’s standard bearer at the primaries, emphasizing that the PDP’s constitution does not give room for such.
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xecutive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Nnena Ihezebor, yesterday, said that Nasarawa State is ahead of other states in the management of primary Health Care, PHC, in the country. She said this, during a courtesy visit to Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura at Government House, Lafia, the state capital, while commending the state government for the centralization of PHC services in the state. She added that the state is ahead in the management of PHC noting that Nasarawa ranks among the three states in the country that has made tremendous impact in the development initiative of
PHC. Mrs Ihezebor said the agency is quite impressive about the results coming from the state and urged the state to continue with initiatives that will better the lot of the people of the state. Ihezebor however appealed for the establishment of PHC in every ward across the country to ensure a healthy society. In a remark, Governor Al-Makura thanked the agency for the visit and disclosed that the state government has set up a technical team that meets every month to review activities of the agency, assuring the Executive Director that the state government will soon upgrade existing structures of PHC across the state and establish
Masari worried about Katsina prisons James Danjuma Katsina
G One of the internally displaced persons being helped from a vehicle during their arrival at NEMA transit camp in Mubi, on Thursday.
overnor Aminu Bello Masari has expressed concerns over the poor condition of Katsina prison yards that were established about 100 years ago. Masari said there was
Flood: Gombe residents cry for help Williams Attah Gombe
F
ollowing a heavy downpour that sacked many communities and destroyed properties worth millions of naira in Gombe last Wednesday, some affected residents are still counting their losses, saying help is yet to come from Government. A resident of JekaDafari, Mohammed Garba told our correspondent that many houses were sacked due to the flooding that accompanied the rains which lasted for several hours. Most worrisome to Garba and many other
families, is that two days after, no help nor sympathy is coming from the government except the little help they get from relatives. The rains which started as early as
5:30am, is the heaviest downpour recorded this year, according to some residents. Unconfirmed reports say two children were said to have been drowned during the flood. He appealed to the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to, as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of these residents with relief materials.
Areas mostly hit are Kumbiya-Kumbiya, Herwa-Gana, Jeka-Dafari, Yelengruza, Madaki and many other areas of the State capital especially house built on water ways and mud houses.
Gombe Pilgrims Board assures 37 Muslim pilgrims of their flight Williams Attah Gombe
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ope may not have been lost for 37 intending Muslim pilgrims from Gombe State who missed the last flight of the 1,914 pilgrims who took off from the Gombe International Airport to
Saudi Arabia yesterday. According to the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Usman Gurama, who spoke with our Correspondent in Gombe yesterday, said efforts are yielding fruits in getting their visas ready for airlift from states within the NorthEast or Kano International
Airport. He explained that the delay was due to the challenge of network for the issuance of their visas from the Visa office and gave assurance that any moment from now, the visas would be ready. He said the problem of Visas is not restricted to Gombe State alone, but that the pilgrims would be immediately airlifted within the next two days from any
of the neighboring states. Addressing the 1,914 pilgrims before their departure, the State Amirul-Hajj, Abdullahi Mai-Kano urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country at large. He advised them to always conduct themselves in the way they have been trained and respect the laws of Saudi-Arabia in order to have a successful hajj.
need for the improvement of prison yards in the state, and that one way to do so was to decentralize prisons in state and the country as a whole. The governor was speaking when the Assistant Controller General of prisons, ACG, Zone B, Kaduna, Usman Yakubu paid an official visit to his office. The state along Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and Jigawa make up Zone B of the ACG’s jurisdiction. Masari said the issue of state prisons should have been given constitutional backing in the country. He said his administration would liaise with the federal government and other relevant bodies to reform inmates and keep them from going back to past criminal habits. On his part, the ACG of prisons in charge of Zone B, Musa called on the state government to assist prison yards in the state in the training of inmates.
Politics
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
September 5, 2015
13
Kogi politics and Audu’s second coming
Lekan Adejuwon
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he race to the Lugard House seat of power in Kogi State last week began in earnest as the All Progressives Congress (APC) organized its primary election to choose its flag bearer in the November 21 governorship poll. The primary election, which started in the early hours of last Saturday and lasted till 11 am on Sunday, was described by many as free, fair credible and transparent. At the end of the keenly contested election, former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, emerged the governorship candidate of the party beating 27 other contestants to the chagrin of many watchers of Kogi politics. In his acceptance speech the two-time former governor, who urged other contestants to accept his emergence and work for the victory of the party at the general election, also pledged to abide by the party’s ideology in driving the state forward if elected. Audu polled 1,109 votes to beat his closest rival Alhaji Yahaya Bello who scored 703 votes. Justifying the credibility of the process, Yahaya Bello, who was the first runner up of the election while conceding defeat, called on supporters to accept the result of the election and plan ahead for the 2019 governorship poll. He described himself as the ‘party’s son that will become man for 2019 guber race’ Bello also advised the winner to carry all aspirants and stakeholders along, pledging that they would work with him to win the election. With emergence of the former governor who recently dumped his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party for APC, the ruling PDP appeared set for a running battle with opposition in the Confluence state. The Igala-born politician has been the recurrent decimal in Kogi politics since the aborted third republic when he took the first shot at the Government House in 1992. His second coming between 1999 and 2003 under the All Peoples Party, APP was seen as a consolidation of his first tenure, even though his attempt to run a second term was cut short with the coming of Ibrahim Idris of the PDP. In what some have seen as a miscalculation for a man that has been at the helm of affairs of the state twice, many political watchers are of the view that at this point, Audu should play the kingmaker or godfather and leave the stage for young politicians. But Audu took the state by surprise penultimate Saturday when he returned from a foreign trip to the waiting crowd of members of APC Youth wing in their thousands drumming support for his return as governor. The youths who practically held him hostage at the front of Murtala Mohammed bridge at Jamata demanding that he throw his hat in the ring said, they would not allow him to enter Lokoja, the state capital unless, he made a commitment to them that he would contest the election in order to salvage the state. Like Ayodele Fayose, the present governor of Ekiti State, who came back to power seven years after impeachment with sundry allegations of corruption and money laundering still tied around him by antigraft agency, the Kogi APC governorship candidate had been a guest of the EFCC in the past twelve years answering similar charges but whether history is going to repeat itself in Kogi is a matter of conjecture. However, many observers of Kogi politics have envisaged a tough battle between the ruling PDP government led by the incumbent governor, Capt. Idris Wada, giving the fact that the PDP in Kogi State had suffered a huge setback in the hands of the opposition
Abubakar Audu
APC in the March 28 presidential and national assembly elections. The setback which has been described as unprecedented was the first of its kind since the party took the baton of power in the state in 2003 as the final result declared by Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, shows the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari polling 264,851 votes to defeat PDP’s President Goodluck Jonathan who scored 149,987 votes. The APC, in addition, also won all the three senate seats and six out of the nine House of Reps seats. Taking a cue from a relatively seamless primary election held by the APC, the PDP may have looked at all options and conclude that a rancor-free primary and the choice of candidate will determine how the party will fare at the poll. To this end, the party has hatched a plan that will provide a soft landing for the incumbent governor to fly the party flag at the poll. Though, there are other three suspected aspirants; Mohammed Alli, Jibrin Isah, both from Dekina LGA of Kogi and Banjo Ametuo Moses from Kogi Central, efforts are being made by the party to present a consensus candidate in the person of Wada. It would be recalled that Wada himself has not openly accepted to run for second term, but the numerous adoptions by different groups within the party may have gingered the governor to declare his ambition very soon. What cannot be taken away from Kogi politics is the geographical configuration of the North Central State with three ethnic groups comprising the Igala, the Okuns and Igbira. By reason of population, the Igala from Kogi East, has continuously held on to power since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in 1999 despite the persistent call for power shift from Kogi East to either Central or West. Proponents of this call have thrown up the argument that the easiest way to dislodge the Igala of Kogi East from power is for the Kogi Central and West to come together in one accord and vote one candidate, but a lot of other stakeholders believe such arrangement should be negotiated. Chief Bode Ogunmola, Kogi State PDP Publicity Secretary shares this view in a television interview where he was quoted to have said; ‘I am from the Central Senatorial District, it is my wish that one day I should
be the governor of Kogi State, no doubt about that. But what we are saying is that we should sit around the table and talk about it. “The Eastern flak has nine local government areas, Central has five and the West has seven. Let us sit down and talk, we want power shift, but when election is over, you go back to sleep and forget about it “Let us sit down as reasonable human beings and agree that when this district finishes, the seat goes to Central. Let us have a template. He said With the result of the last Saturday’s APC primary, it appears the power shift to the other two senatorial districts may be nearer than expected if the two zones agree to work in unison. Analysts say that if three of the major contestants from the central part of the state had settled for a consensus candidate, they would have possibly taken the day. This is largely because, the two zones together, polled a total of 1,412 higher than the 1,109 votes that gave Audu victory at the poll. A kogi State based political analyst, Kabir Jamiu said; ‘The two parties have 50-50 chance of dominating the politics of the state as of now According to him; “The APC has the national strength but the PDP still controls the state till 2016 and controls the grassroots. So, as it were, PDP and APC stand in pole positions to tangle ahead of the next governorship election in the state” Meanwhile, a new twist was on Wednesday added to Audu’s victory as protesting youths from Kogi State stormed the APC secretariat in Abuja demanding that the party leadership should drop the candidature of the former governor over what they called his alleged ongoing trial by the EFCC. At the gate of the party’s secretariat, scores of protesters with placards urged the party leadership to reverse the nomination of Audu, if it wanted to win the election. Addressing newsmen later, the leader of the protesters, Suleiman Muhammad, contended that Audu’s ongoing case with EFCC was enough to disqualify him from the contest. He said: “We are here to protest against the candidature of Prince Abubakar Audu, on the platform of APC for the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State. We say ‘no’ to Abubakar Audu because he has N11 billion corruption case with the EFCC. Until he clears himself of the case, he has no moral right to present himself for an election”.
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POLITICS
September 5, 2015
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War against corruption not limited to PDP members – Idimogu Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo II State Constituency. The Peoples Democratic Party Lawmaker speaks on the fight against corruption by the APC-led federal government among other issues. LEKAN ADEJUWON brings the excerpts.
H
ow will you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort in fighting corruption? , Well, for me it is okay in the sense that some of us, when I said some of us, I mean those of us who are given opportunity by Nigerians to serve use the opportunity to enrich themselves. Let justice take its course, that is my own position because the resources is a common-wealth, it belongs to all Nigerians and if you are in a position of power, you are not expected to use that position to exploit other Nigerians, so if it has happened like that sincerely, let the probe be conducted but there must be due process and let it not be one-sided or an avenue for witch-hunting. Everybody involve must go through the probe process irrespective of party affiliation, religion or ethnicity. The issue is, let the due process be followed and let everybody be giving every opportunity to defend themselves. For me again, yes, we have started the process of recovering stolen money but it must not just be under former President Jonathan’s government alone, there were other governments before the former regime, there was the late Yar’Adua government, even before that time, there was Obasanjo government was there, we should extend the probe to all these governments. Although Rome as a city was not build in a day, the issue is what President Buhari has started, let him go beyond Jonathan’s government that is my position. Many Nigerians said Buhari with 100 days in office has only concentrated on fighting corruption. Don’t you think this will have adverse effect on his other programmes? Yes, it will have effect depending on how we manage it. When I said it will have an effect, it doesn’t mean other things would standstill while chasing those who looted our treasury but the issue is that we need resources to run the government and government job is to take care of the masses and of course you cannot take care of the masses without finance; that is why for me, if really money were looted, and it is somewhere, then they should get it back. That is just my position. But the country must move forward and it’s not only at the national level,
what of the state, local government councils. And you may talk about the appointment of ministers not forthcoming, well it’s the right of the president to decide and no one can decide that one for him. You can only recommend and he will take his time to do it as he wants, so it’s left for him to appoint because even though they are going to work for Nigerians, it’s the president that they are going to work with. The same scenario is playing out in the Lagos State, commissioners have not come on board and perhaps, they are looking at the federal level to take a cue from the centre. So, it is important to fight corruption but I think other activities have to go on in the course of that. Some people are even suggesting that there should be a special court to try the corrupt people. Do you agree with this position? Looking for special courts for the trials of the alleged corrupt persons under Jonathan administration to me is not what the President can create with a mere fiat or just through a statement. I don’t think he can just get up like that and pronounce it without consultations on it, bearing in mind that this is democracy. There must be a process and I think he must have done his consultation before arriving at such a position. The question first of all is whether the constitution permits that and if it does, then he is on the right track and if not, it means that the constitution has to be amended to accommodate the special courts and that means it has to go through the national assembly because we are not in a military regime that you can just wake-up and decide that by a fiat and that is why I have been hammering on due process because the law has to take its due course and you have to do it by such a way that it wears human face and by human face I meant, it must not be draconian. Nigerians have to accept it through their representatives in the NASS, so it has to go through them before its establishment. If there is law that backs it, well and fine, but if there are no laws as we speak, it will be a nullity. I still believe in the judicial system as we have today, we still have competent
Idimogu
judges. Like in Lagos State for example, there are courts that handles criminal cases and I believe they have capable judges that can actually dispense cases without bias. I think instead of creating special courts, he should make the courts work and the question is; who are the judges that are to preside in these courts. Are they the people in the system or those out of the system? A retired judge who was retired at 65 years then you begins to ask, if he is fit, if he is retired and you are going to bring him back why did you retired him, and now you recall him to come and preside over a corrupt case. I don’t think that would work and I know that the constitution will take care of all that. Are you saying running special courts presided over by retired judges to try corruption cases will be an indictment on the serving judges . Partially, that is what it means. It only expressed the fact that the present courts and judges, have no capable hands especially those that are handling criminal cases because, anything that has to do with corruption and criminality have to do with criminal justice system; In fact, it’s an indictment on the present judges and even on the current Chief Justice of the federation, which means the judges are not good and that they lacked the discipline to try the alleged corrupt persons and for me it is not good enough. Do you agree with the PDP senators that the present fight against corruption is targeted at the PDP members? For now, I don’t see it like that, even though when you look at what is happening, the feelers seems to be like its tinted towards people from the opposition
camp. Mostly people we are seeing to be affected are the opposition party members and people are not seeing people from APC being prosecuted but we are just watching, he has not started but you know that one thing lead to another thing and I don’t want us to jump into conclusion and conclude that it is one sided because the fight has just commenced and you know at times when you start a fight, you don’t usually know where it will end, and how it will last. But I hope and believe that the president is not a bias person and as a principled person who wants to maintain his integrity and credibility as he has shown all the years, he has to be straight and unbiased and try every person that is involved either from PDP or APC, and they should be treated the same way. For the interest of the country, for his image and the respect all of us have for him, I want him to go like lady of justice, and allow justice to take its course. It will not be fair for the president to limit his fight against corruption to those who served under Jonathan alone. People have condemned what they called the newspapers trial of some former government functionaries. What is your position on this? If it has been established, you cannot fight it quietly or secretly. Let people know that you are fighting corruption by making it known and by doing so, you create fears into others who may wish to go the same but if you are doing it close doors, people will not know that something is happening. We need to know and that is the only way it can have effect on people. Where it will be unfair is when you don’t have evidence and you are just blackmailing people in the name of fighting corruption, it won’t be good.
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September 5, 2015
Talking Politics
‘Buhari didn’t make specific ‘President to give primary promises on 100 days’ school pupils free meal’ Shehu Garba, Senior Special Assistant to the President — on Media and Publicity
— Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo
“O
ne of the most important interventions required in the education sector is capacity building to improve teacher quality. “This programme is intended to drive teachers’ capacity development; boost basic education; attract talents to the teaching profession. Better educated population increases economic potential for productivity.” “The All Progressives Congress has made a commitment to provide one-meala-day for all primary school students. That would create jobs in agriculture, including poultry, catering and delivery services.”
“T
he president never promised anything to anyone. It is on record in that lecture at Chatham House that they asked him a question relating to expectations and what he specifically would do in relation to certain documents that were flying around committing him to this thing or that thing within 100 days. “In that lecture, the video is already now viral on the web, he (Buhari) said ‘it contained falsehood and he was not going to be engaged in deceit. He said he would go in there, will see what is there and get the intelligence – the knowledge of things that are going on and fully commit himself to serving Nigeria”. “My point is that the director, media and communications of that campaign, I was responsible for internal and external
communications and these so-called documents that are being flown around didn’t have my signature. “I didn’t fund them and I didn’t authorize them. From what President Buhari himself had said at Chatham House, he had no iota of knowledge of those documents. So, people cannot hold him to account on something to which he did not commit himself”.
‘Federal character drawing Nigeria back’ —Senator Ben Murray-Bruce
“N
igeria must make progress though tribe and tongue may differ. The only way to do that is by saying goodbye to ethnicity, and hello to merit. “Compare the progress that Nigeria made before the quota system (1960-66) and the retrogression we have made since 1966 till date. The difference is clear. “Federal character cannot make an electrical power station work. It can’t make refinery work. Only merit can ensure this. “As a result of federal character, Nigeria Airways went from 30 aircraft to bankruptcy and a debt of over $60m by the year 2000.
Quota system and federal character led to a sense of entitlement in beneficiaries and resentment in others. Merit is a better way of life.”
‘Dissolve courts-martial’ — Human rights activist, Femi Falana
“T
he immediate past military authorities put several soldiers on trial for demanding for equipment to fight the war on terror. Seventy of the soldiers were convicted and sentenced to death while scores
were jailed by courts-martial. “As the demand of the soldiers was legitimate, the military hierarchy could not justify the spurious sentences. To avoid further embarrassment, thousands of other soldiers who were indicted for the same ‘offence’, were summarily dismissed from the army. Convinced of the illegality of the treatment meted out to the soldiers, we approached the federal high court and the National Industrial Court for redress. “It is gratifying to note that the Buhari Administration and the Chief of Army Staff have decided to reinstate 3,032 among the dismissed soldiers. “However, we urge the Federal Government to extend the commendable gesture to several officers and soldiers who are currently standing trial. The trial should be terminated while the courtsmartial are dissolved forthwith”
‘We predicted Buhari ‘ll rubbish confab report’ —Senator Femi Okurounmu, Afenifere chieftain
“T
he President is doing just what we had predicted that he would do. “Those of us who believed that only former President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to implementing the resolutions of the conference made it clear before the elections that if Buhari wins, that would be the end of the recommendations of the conference. “We predicted this and shouted from the rooftop, but the people knew better and they have chosen him. So, I am not surprised that he is not keen on implementing the resolutions. “We support all the measures taken by Buhari so far, like the war on corruption
but we believe that if we implement the report of the National Conference, the tendency towards corruption will reduce permanently”
‘APC not executing holistic war on corruption’ — Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of PDP
“T
he onus lies on the APCled Federal Government to wage a credible holistic anti-corruption war by first purging itself of unclean association and coming out clear on sleazes already going on in government quarters since it took office in May. “Whereas the PDP restates its respect for the person and office of the
President as well as our support for the war against corruption, it is incumbent on us to alert Nigerians of the prevailing circumstances around this government that are capable of fundamentally undermining good governance if left unchecked. “Charity, they say begins at home. For the APC-led Government, it has now become a question of ‘physician, heal thyself.”
‘Buhari can’t make naira equal to dollar’
— Dan Nwanyanwu, former chairman of Labour Party
“E
very discerning mind knows that this administration is not executing a credible holistic war against corruption because it is a product of corruption, surrounded by corrupt persons; a factor apparently responsible for its obvious blind eyes to huge sleazes now being perpetrated in government agencies by persons claiming closeness to the President.” “The APC and its presidential candidate made a lot of promises during the campaigns. We knew that some of these
promises were not realisable. For example, there is no way one naira will be equal to one dollar. I know that without being an economist. “But let us put all those campaign promises aside. We know our country. And we know where we are. And that is why I said that the APC as a political party should realise that the campaigns are over. They should stop defending the indefensible as regards whether they made certain promises or not. You do not learn how to write with your left hand in old age.”
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Living
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September 5, 2015
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Dogs: Are they friends or predators?
Dogs made the news recently in Nigeria, when a ‘mad’ member of the canine family made food of a four-month-old baby in Asaba, capital of Delta State. The unfortunate infant was ravenously consumed before it was rescued stone dead from the animal’s strong jaws. Certainly a critical loss, the life of the baby’s family has been turned upside down since the ugly incident, writes JULIET UMEH
I
t was a moment of grief, utter confusion and free flow of tears for Mrs. Akowe, mother of four-month-old baby eaten up alive by a bull dog last week in Asaba, Delta State. The pandemonium that resulted from the act made both residents and passers-by in Okpanam Road and its environs perplexed. Many even found it hard to understand what went on between the baby and her nanny and the dog inside the car as at time the mother of the baby left them. According to a report, the nightmare
took place when Mrs. Akowe entered a supermarket to do some shopping for her baby. Before she returned, the bloodthirsty and flesh-hungry dog started eating up the innocent child, but the frightened nanny was said to have speedily run into the supermarket to alert the mother, who came immediately and raised the alarm, but before help could come the way of the baby, the wild dog had eaten up part of the baby’s stomach. Some good Samaritans rushed in and took it to a nearby hospital, where it was confirmed
dead. Also, people around vented their anger on the cannibal dog, brought it to justice by sentencing it to death. George Ojeogwu, an eye witness, said, “I can’t really say how it all started, but I saw the young girl shouting that the dog is biting my madam’s baby. We all rushed to the scene, but the child was in a pool of its blood. The woman frantically shouted for help, saying she was taking the dog to a veterinary doctor for treatment. I talked with the nanny and she said the dog was well fed before leaving the house, meaning that the dog was not hungry.” But only few people knew that preceding the Asaba mad dog incident was that of a four-year-old, Omonigbo Abraham, whose body was devoured late last year. On that faithful Thursday afternoon, according to a report, residents in Adegboyega Street, Akesan Estate, Igando, Lagos, were thrown into awful disbelief as they watched the trauma of Omonigho’s scalp being eaten by the two dogs. The ugly incident didn’t stop there; the dogs further chewed the skin and exposed the victim’s skull during the attack. The dogs dragged him through his parents’ compound for more than one hour while seven policemen from the Igando Police Station and hordes of sympathisers stood at the gate, looking confused as they helplessly
watched from the entrance of the house to escape being attacked by the savage dogs. Speaking with Saturday Mirror last week, the immediate elder brother of the victim, seven-year-old Osemudiamen, who witnessed the incident said, “We were riding a bicycle in the compound when the big dogs —Jack and Gadaffi — started barking at us. Later, they moved towards us. My elder brother and I quickly ran upstairs and locked the door while Omo (Omonigho), who could not run fast, was left behind. “When he got to the door, he knocked that we should open for him and as we did, one of the dogs forced his way into the house with him. We all ran out. Bobby and I also jumped down from upstairs. But Omo could not, so the dog attacked him. The other dog also joined in the attack and there was nothing we could do,” Osemudiamen bitterly recalled. Another eye witness also said, “The police came, but could do nothing. The dogs were growling as they ate the child alive, this sent fears to everyone. Nobody could move inside to challenge the dogs. Everybody was just shouting in confusion and wielding sticks.” In the western world, despite the fact CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
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‘Any breed of dog can kill’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
that dogs are majorly pets they play with, maintain just like their children, they too are not free from the attack of dogs. Some months ago, an 11-month old Ava-Jayne Corless in far away United Kingdom, was found dead after sustaining deadly multiple injuries caused by a nine-stone dog as she slept alone. During an inquest, her mother, Chloe King, 21, described the nightmare of finding her daughter’s lifeless body and how she wished she could have been the one who was attacked instead. Little Ava-Jayne was killed in February as she slept at Miss King’s then boyfriend, Lee Wright’s home, in Blackburn, Lancashire, while the couple were watching television in the living room downstairs. Her mother recalled: “I said I just wanted to die. Why could not I have died? Why did the dog not attack me? I said I did not want to live either if Ava did not make it.” Research has shown that more than 1,000 children were hospitalised in 2014 after they were seriously attacked by dogs. This latest shock figures show that newborns and youngsters under 10 are the most vulnerable to dog strikes, with many of them suffering serious head injuries. Of the 1,160 children mauled in 2013, almost half of them had to undergo plastic surgery to treat the horrific injuries while more than a quarter required facial surgery. The appalling figures show an increase since last year and come amid fresh warnings for parents to be cautious when children are around dogs. But UK’s largest dog welfare charity, ‘Dogs Trust,’ said: “Young children should never be left alone with a dog. Whilst it should be remembered that there are over eight million dogs in the UK which live happily as much loved family members, a dog’s reaction and behaviour in certain situations can strongly differ from that of a humans.’” However, most hospitals Saturday Mirror visited in Lagos also confirmed attending to few cases of dog bites, but none was able to release statistics; maybe their medical records departments are yet to compile and store such. Nonetheless, the important question in the lips of many is: Why will a dog attack or eat up a baby it’s expected to protect? A veterinary doctor and Managing Director of Diamond Veterinary Centre, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty-Olueko, responded to the questions thus: “Definitely, they must have had that dog before the baby was born. Dogs are jealous animals, but apart from that, such is abnormal. Dogs don’t eat babies, they protect their owners’ babies; they protect lives,” she explained to Saturday Mirror. She however pinpointed a factor that could account for a dog’s strange behaviour: “The only thing that might be responsible for the dog’s action could be because the dog was used as guard, it must have been fed with raw meat and blood. Also, maybe it was starved for a day or two because they wanted it to be aggressive; if not, dogs don’t eat babies. Some
people raise dogs to attack human beings and eat flesh. We call it pick at, abnormal feeding habit. “And that is anti-social and also an unacceptable behaviour. If dogs go about violently attacking human beings or other animals, such should be destroyed. When they go about attacking human beings or other animals, it is highly unacceptable,” Dr Doherty-Olueko concluded. Also speaking with Saturday Mirror, Mr. Faith Akosa, a popular dog trainer in Maryland, Lagos, blamed the deadly action of the dog on the way it had been
breeds of dogs such as Alsatian or German shepherd, Bull dog, Terrier, Labrador, Cooper, Gunner, Lea, Marley etc, each dog has its own characteristics and personality. Although barking dogs may not bite, they may scare somebody to death. But according to a famous UK dog trainer, Cesar Millan, “Certain breeds of dog have earned their terrible reputations, often labelled as vicious because of their apparent predisposition to violent interactions with other dogs and humans. Still, it has been suggested that training and domestication could iron
Wild dog
handled. “It might just be the way they handle that dog. Probably, the dog had been going to play with the baby and they had been scolding it and had been taking the dog away from the baby, Mr. Akosa said. However, while attacks are coming from different directions against the Asaba woman whose baby was devoured, the popular judgement is that the woman should be arrested for carelessly exposing her baby to danger of a wild animal attack. Some others pointed finger of blame at the breed of the dog saying that some dogs are more ferocious and perhaps that dog was one of them and shouldn’t have been left alone with a little innocent baby. Though globally, there are over 1,000
out the kinks in the nature of an aggressive canine. “It’s not the breed that makes a good companion,” says Millan. “All dogs are great companions. Communication creates a partnership and dogs have the simplest communication on the planet. “So, almost any breed of dog can be a wonderful companion, but almost any breed of dog can kill. It’s true, though, that certain breeds are most susceptible to falling victims to a powerfully aggressive nature, and with a combination of improper care and the physical attributes and characteristics of a violent breed,” he recounted. There are still insinuations that the man-eating dogs were not vaccinated in the first place for them to have behaved
Definitely, they must have had that dog before the baby was born. Dogs are jealous animals, but apart from that, such is abnormal. Dogs don’t eat babies
in such dangerous manner. Dr DohertyOlueko stated that Mrs. Akowe’s husband said they noticed that the dog was infected with rabies and they wanted to go and treat it. “But there was nothing they could have done, because there is no treatment for that. Probably the dog became violent because dogs don’t normally eat human flesh except when they are sick. The dog was already mad and there was nothing anyone could do because it already had the rabies virus, a condition caused by laser virus. They should have vaccinated that dog a long time ago,” she said. Dr Doherty-Olueko said one of the physical signs of rabies among dogs is their fear of confined places also called claustrophobia. “They are afraid of being in an enclosed place. So putting the dog, a crying child and her nanny in a car was too claustrophobic for the dog which already was down with rabies,” she said. But the veterinary doctor was quick to highlight what the Nigerian law says about dogs and vaccination. “There is a law in this country that anybody that must keep a dog that will stay with human beings must vaccinate it at least once a year. Dogs are more resistant to rabies, because before a dog comes down with ailment, it will take some time. They have more resistance and it is cheaper to control,” she said, adding that even government has subsidised vaccination against rabies. “If the dog was vaccinated, it would have been given a certificate and if it was not vaccinated, those people should be punished for keeping the dog. So many people vaccinate their dogs, but if it is not done by a veterinary doctor, it is not normal and not accepted,” she stated. Also in the western world, with the increasing figures of dog attacks, concerned people are not relaxing in finding a solution to the danger mad dogs pose to the health of human beings especially children that they have become a terror to. Earlier this year, tougher new laws came into force for dog owners in England and Wales who allow their pets to attack people. Under the revised 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, a person can face up to 14 years in jail if his dog fatally attacks, and up to five years, if an injury is caused. And any attack on an assistance dog could see the owner face three years in jail. According to the report, it is the first time, police and local authorities will demand that owners take action to prevent dog attacks – such as a muzzle or obedience classes – or risk a hefty fine of up to £20,000. The people also identify the problem as not of the dogs but of bad owners. A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said it is often “not a case of ‘bad dog’ but rather ‘bad owners.’” “Dogs are highly social animals, but when they’re abused and denied, the opportunity to engage in natural behaviour or fulfil their basic needs in life including adequate food and water and socialisation with others, it’s hardly surprising that they lash out in frustration. It’s usually not a case of ‘bad dogs’ but rather of ‘bad owners.’”
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Near-Constant Electricity: Red card for generator dealers? Eric Elezuo
I
f there is any dividend of administration, democracy of otherwise, Nigerians required from any government, it then privilege to enjoy electricity in its constancy, or simply put, uninterrupted electricity. This is because, according to majority of Nigerians, that is the pivot around which economic indices revolve. True to the assertion, the nation has been literarily smiling of late, owing to reports from various quarters around the country that power, and by extension, electricity, has improved tremendously. In fact, power has been restored better than it has been in the last couple of years, prompting many families and offices to re-integrate through staying together at home, develop businesses that electricity had hitherto been an impediment as well as save resources that would have been expended on fuel, diesel or repairs of generators. The constancy or rather nearconstancy of electricity or what most people would call improved power supply has not only been witnessed around the country, but testified about by all and sundry, lending credence to the fact the
present administration is really out for business. The situation is boosted by the decision of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), after a running a running battle with the National Assembly, to finally review fixed charges towards eliminating it thereby, ensuring that no Nigerian pays for electricity not consumed. Not only that, distribution companies (DISCOs) are also to halt bulk metering, and take cognizance of the fact that individuals are to take responsibilities of their own personal metres. The improved power supply is one of the campaign promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led
government of President Mohammadu Buhari, and the bent is bent on delivering the promise. But according to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lai Mohammed, neither the party nor the president has done anything physically tangible to increase power production, giving credit to the credibility of the party and the integrity of President Buhari. “I say it anywhere I go that even though we have not added one single megawatt to power, there has been improvement… I maintain that this improvement is as a result of the kind of integrity that President Buhari has brought to leadership,” he said. Collaborating the stand of the APC’s
When it became impossible not to use generator, I had to buy myself ‘I pass my neighbor’. That’s what I have been using to beat the power problem. But today, I don’t even remember that I have a generator. Even when the power is interrupted, you can be sure that it will be returned in a couple of minutes
spokesman, the Managing Director of the Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Engr. Bala Usman Mustapha, stated that gas supply was an added advantage to the rosy period. “The improvement in the power supply is due to gas supply increases to the thermal generating plants, and also because of the zero tolerance to corruption policy of the present government of President Buhari,” the Yola DISCO boss said. The whole situation therefore, boils down to while Buhari is watching, everybody is working, stating the obvious fact that there is nothing wrong with the power generating, transmitting and distributing systems, except for its personnel who are supposedly neck deep in corruption. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Godspower Igali, agrees that there is substantial improvement in power distribution, stressing that distribution has improved from 4000 megawatts to 4800 megawatts since inception of the present administration. He however, described the development as miraculous in apparent in apparent display of efforts to down play Buhari’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
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supposed integrity as the bedrock. He said: “The improvement in power distribution is miraculous as a total of 4800 megawatts are being distributed as against the original 4000. This is as a result of workers redoubling their efforts, and working in a more concerted manner.” Mr. Igali added that the vice president, in particular, has been holding almost daily meetings with DISCOs. But while the regular citizens rejoice at the current situation of improved power supply, no one gave any thought to generator manufacturers, distributors, sellers, repairers and anyone who is involved in one way or another with generator. For many years, the average Nigerian has depended on generator to power his home, pump water, transact business of whatever nature, and every other thing humanly possible. In fact, the ownership of generator is the determining factor of one’s status in the society. A home without one is considered ‘poor’ and unable to ‘meet up’. This was because the electricity company operational in the country had become an eyesore, going deeper into the abyss of non performance, year in year out. The abysmal performance prompted the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to change the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The change was only in name as its performance remained the same – the organization was rot personified and nothing worked, making Nigerians pay everyday for darkness. In the quest to make things for the better, the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan unbundled the outfit, privatized it and separated its functions to units of generating, transmitting and distributing companies. Not until the dying days of the administration did an iota of dividend was noticed in the efforts as like old wine in new bottle, the outfit remained literarily comatose, prompting the then Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, to say in frustration that only a ‘miracle’ can save the power sector. Today, that miracle has happened, and a sub-sector is the worse for it. Andrew Idiase is a resident of Agboju Amuwo, who uses the popular ‘I pass my neighbour’ generator. He confessed that in the last two months, he had not any cause to use it because electricity has been near constant, adding that on a daily basis, the DISCOs leaves power for a cumulative of at least eight hours, stressing that for a people that witness power supply for not more than 30 minutes on a daily basis in the past, that is something to celebrate. “When the craze for generator started, I had to buy myself ‘I pass my neighbor’. That’s what I have been using to beat the power problem. But today, I don’t
even remember that I have a generator. Even when the power is interrupted, you can be sure that it will be returned in a couple of minutes, and that’s what exactly happens. If things continue like this, very soon, the generator will be a thing of the past in this country,” he said. A pastor in the Mebamu area of Lagos could not but agree, saying that most times, even before the ushers rush to put on the generator, power will be restored, giving kudos to whoever has allowed God to use him for such a wonderful transformation. The testimony is everywhere, and in every state of the Federation; a situation that may just make generators be confined to the museum in the shortest
possible time. At the Alaba International Market, Ladipo, ASPAMDA, Balogun market and many other axis of generator sales, the situation has turned worrisome, as many dealers flagrantly accused the Buhari administration of conspiring to drive them out of business. Mr. Uche Ukpachi, a heavy duty generator at the Alaba International Market told Saturday Mirror that business is no longer the way it use to be, blaming the situation on ‘this so called light’ that has become the hallmark of homes and offices in recent times. “When we were clamouring for change, we never knew it will affect us like this. our business has dropped drastically
When we were clamouring for change, we don’t know it would affect us like this. our business has dropped drastically because of this so called light everybody is enjoying
because of this so called light everybody is enjoying,” he said. However, a generator attendant at a popular company on Victoria Island which uses a particular generator which its manufacturers have a office at Gbagada, was all smiles for the development, saying “I wish this is sustained. This people shakara don too much. There are so many geneator companies operating in Nigeria. Some of them are JMG, John Holt, Tiger among others. These companies discovered a market that seems it will never end, and had rode on the wings of the power sector incompetence to feed fat, remitting fat gins to their home countries at their country of operation. Not only that, their treatment of their Nigerian staff has been described as bizarre. “But today, that monopoly seems to have come to an end, thanks to the Buhari revolution,” a Jos resident said. If this situation prevails, and that is the prayer of Nigerians, except those who have one or two things to do with generator, what becomes the generator business? Is this the end of the road for them? Your guess is as good as mine.
Entervaganza
The Saturday Mirror Magazine
Sex talk Should you count sex as exercise? P.32
Fashion Alluring maxis P.28
Relationships Are ‘Sugar Mummies’ worth the trouble? P.32
Emma ... rising singer
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ENTERVAGANZA
Septembert 5 , 2015 ba boys are business men, and they want to make money.
Celebrity
It’s wrong for musicians to pirate their own songs —Justin Ige
No Music Day, which was propounded in Nigeria by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) was observed by Metro FM in the morning of Tuesday, September 1st, 2015, and Justin Ige, of Creative Legal, a media and entertainment law outfit and consultant to COSON, was hosted to speak about NMD. Also present was Rex, an artist. The ensuing interview, published on this page, was syndicated by entertainment personality, Ibrahim Babatunde Ibrahim, so that it can be understood why No Music Day should be observed and its benefits for the media and entertainment industry in general. What is copyright in itself? Copyright can be referred to as a basket of rights. Basically, it’s the authorization to be able to do certain things such as broadcast, copy, duplicate, perform publicly, as well as its adaptations. These are some of the parts of the acts which copyright controls technically. What is the idea behind No Music Day? The idea behind the No Music Day is this. In most cases, when you have something in abundance, sometimes you don’t take a while or a step back to appreciate its value. But if you are deprived of that very thing just for a little while, you begin to realize how much it is. The No Music Day is just a device to make people reflect on the value of music. Imagine a whole day without any form of music in your house, car, radio, television, all your advert jingles without music, your film without music, and so on. The theme for this year’s No Music Day is ‘Music, the Untapped Alternative to Crude Oil.’ What are the prospects and possibilities of music in monetary terms? The reality is that money is being made a whole lot. Less money is also being made and the other reality is that a lot of the little money is being made by the wrong people. When you say the wrong people, are you referring to the pirates? Yes the pirates! And there are different categories of pirates, not just physical pirates which most people generally refer to as the Alaba boys but we also have digital pirates, people who release music online without authorization. Some are even free
but they are depriving people of their income by the bit. Sometimes back, we got reports that some artists actually go to the pirates to get them to make duplicate copies in order to sell their music as they were finding it difficult to break through demands of the industry? I understand and I’m aware of that. They were using the method of compilation albums, which initially the Alaba marketers of that time pay to get done. Then later the artists started paying to have their works on these mixes. It’s wrong to do that, but the Ala-
It is wrong for who to do that? (Ige): It is wrong for artists to do that. But if you (artist) decides to be like Esau of the holy books who sold off his birthright for a plate of porridge, fine! But that’s shortchanging your destiny as a talented artist and not having foresight. Most artists want the hot plate of porridge but never look at the future ahead. Though I’m not sure most artists still do that. (Rex): They still do. It’s an industry. In fact, it’s a sub-industry on its own. A while back, a guy hit me up on Facebook saying he is into promotions and stuff and can help get my music into Alaba. I was like, fine, I can send you my music to put it out for free. But he said I have to pay for that service and I told him point blank that that’s the twisted side of his business and the guy challenged me back saying this is Nigeria and further asked if the radio stations that play my songs pay me royalties and the truth here is we are actually not getting paid. (Ige): You see some radio stations are paying and some artists are getting their royalties. Two years ago, about N100million was distributed to artists and some artistes that I know about got as much as N3million for that year. But as an artist, you have to qualify and you need to practically do certain things to get that much. If you are Mr. A as a musician or artiste, are you getting paid? Or rather what are you doing to ensure you get paid? The structure is there, the platform is there. So to just generally say“we are not getting paid” or “we are not seeing the money” is so not true. Let’s break it down here. What exactly should an artist do to get their money especially if their song is being played on air? The question we must ask is what category of artist qual-
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ifies? There are different categories of artists and most artists don’t really know who they are. Are you a performer, or a song writer, singer, a record label executive, your own publisher, producer and so on? These are all kinds of categories that can affect how much an artist earns as royalties. For example, you go to COSON, the organization responsible for collecting and distributing royalties and you register your work as an artist. Meanwhile, you are also the one publishing your work. 50% of royalties is meant to go to the artist and the other 50% will be unaccounted for. It remains in there as unclaimed in the account waiting for someone to come claim it. So who does the awareness of these information? Is it the artiste’s manager, the record label company or the lawyer like yourself? Lawyers are very private people. Some of us involve ourselves in some social crusades like this but it is not the responsibility of lawyers in any way. If you have a business, make efforts to understand the laws guiding the business and how the industry operates as well as the structures within that industry. So I think the investor or the artiste or that entertainment entrepreneur has the responsibility to be educated about his business. Yes there is a COSON, there is a Copyright Commission that have some more responsibility to disseminate information but I feel that the primary responsibility lies with the people who have invested their intellectual property and resources in making this music that we all love. In as much as artists collect royalties, do artists pay taxes? We will have to ask the tax authorities about that. How then do you account for royalties? Well, at Creative Legal, we are legal consultants to COSON and not employees of COSON who are involved in the collection of royalties and the actual copyright administration of royalties to artistes. But the truth is all broadcast stations do have that responsibility to pay royalties and also provide a log. So if you as a radio station pay your royalties to COSON and don’t provide a log, you have only fulfilled half of your obligation and I want to believe Metro FM does both. Sure we comply. Let’s look at the concept of music as an alternative to crude oil which ties in with the theme for this year’s No Music Day. Tell us more about this. The intellectual property business as it relates to music is very huge and has a lot of potentials; we can go to some statistics. In Nashville USA that’s just one city, the music industry helps to create and sustain more than 56,000 jobs. That’s for country music. Yes it is, but that’s the industry there, and their industry shows that they have about 10 billion USD annual economic impact for music only and that’s about N4trillion. Imagine Lagos generating or allowing music to contribute about that for Lagos State. Do you know that Lagos generated N246 billion for 2014? Now that’s a lot of money for just one year, isn’t it? Imagine N4 trillion in addition being introduced into Lagos’ economy from music alone and then imagine what Lagos State will be making?
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September 5, 2015
D’Banj hosts Bono with cocktail party
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ne entertainer who surely knows how to make the news and continues to make himself relevant with his moves is multiple award-winning singer, D’Banj. Though a lot of negative reports have trailed him in recent times, especially with regards to his music, that the music he’s been churning out recently is below the standards that made him popular, he keeps forging ahead to the surprise of his detractors. One way he really surprised his critics recently was with his win of the MTV Africa Music Awards evolution category this year. His detractors didn’t expect that he would win it, but he did, and it has further boosted his profile. And when internationally renowned musician, social crusader and co-founder of ONE.org, Bono, of famous band, U2, came into town recently on a working visit, one of the celebrities that played a crucial role in the success of the visit was D’Banj. In addition, he hosted Bono and his ONE.org team with a cocktail party at the Osborne Foreshore Boat Club, Ikoyi, Lagos, and he and his colleagues used the opportunity to showcase their music abilities to Bono.
Jimmy Jatt, Bono and D’Banj at the party
Emma Nyra to perform at NAFCA
Firewood
Emperor
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mbitious rapper, Da Emperor, who has been flying high musically since his much-talkedabout song, Para Mode, was released a couple of years ago, has explained why
he featured popular singer, Oritsefemi, on his latest single, Firewood, which is currently rocking the airwaves. “Since I dropped Para Mode, I can’t just drop any song any how again,” he told ENews. “Para Mode has set the standard which I must meet, if not surpass, and since I prefer to surpass my previous standard, I featured Oritsefemi on Firewood so that it’ll be even more successful than Para Mode.” Speaking further, he said, “Featuring Oritsefemi on Firewood has turned out to be an astute move that I don’t regret one bit. The song is gaining more appeal by the day, and I haven’t even dropped its video. So what will happen when I drop the video? Africa will shake.”
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ecognised singer, Emma Nyra, has been confirmed as one of the performing music artists at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards scheduled to hold next Saturday in California, USA. Nyra became known in the country when Iyanya featured her on his song, Ur Waist, which was a monster hit. She has since released some of her own songs, and Elele, on which she featured Davido, is arguably her most successful song so far. In its own case, NAFCA is a movie awards ceremony that prides itself as Africa’s version of the renowned American movie awards popularly known as Oscars.
Idowu Adanini celebrates birthday
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ast Saturday was a memorable one for Idowu Adanini, the third daughter of popular socialite, entertainment promoter, entrepreneur and Cowboy Association of Nigeria founder, Ademola Adanini. That Saturday, August 29th, Idowu attained five
years of age, and her parents celebrated it for her with a lavish birthday party in Ikorodu, Lagos. Her father flew into the country specifically for the party which was well attended by Idowu’s friends and those of her twin sisters as well as friends and colleagues of her parents.
Idowu (middle) and her twin sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde
Nyra
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September 5, 2015
CLASSICAL LYRICS
E-NEWS
There is no point in marriage, Don Jazzy finally reveals
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equel to E-News’ story on why it seems strange that former partners, Don Jazzy and D’Banj, are not yet married or single parents, despite all their colleagues already in one or both categories, Jazzy has come out to speak definitively about marriage for the first time. And unlike all these years when he beats about the bush regarding marriage, he hit the nail on the head this time around when he was asked specific questions about his marriage plans while in Mauritius to perform at the Multichoice Africa Content Showcase. On when he’ll get married: “I have absolutely no idea.” On if he already has children: “I don’t know if I have a child somewhere. Someone might come to say I have a 9-year-old boy and we do a test and it is mine.” And then letting his guard down, he made the disclosure that bests describes his mindset on marriage. “If I have a child before wedding, then I won’t get married anymore because there is no point.”
Jazzy
Saeon in fresh, shocking spat
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Saeon
aeon is a very good singer. That can never be in dispute. And since she’s so good, she’s supposed to be as in-demand as her fellow female singers like Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade and even Victoria Kimani who was a mediocre singer until Saeon blasted her mercilessly for being a wack singer so she quickly upgraded herself. So, Saeon is supposed to be one of the hottest singers out there, but she’s not, even after investing millions in her brand, and she has now come out to reveal why she’s not doing as well as she should. According to a report trend-
Writivism gets new coordinators
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agayi Peter, renowned Ugandan poet and lawyer and Valerie Bah, writer and photographer have been named Writivism Coordinators for Anglophone and Francophone Africa respectively. They are joined by Roland Niwagaba, tech-preneur and IT professional and Emmanuel Kwezi Tabaro, Zoology graduate and youth opinion leader as Communications Manager and Administrator respectively. The four replace Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire, Rebecca Rwakabukoza and Lewis Ainebyona who have been sole program director, communications manager and sales assistant respectively. Bwesigye is now in charge of Fundraising and Partnerships at the three-year pan African literary initiative, joining fellow co-founders Naseemah Mohamed and Kyomuhendo Ateenyi on the Board of Directors in charge of Man-
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agement and Finance respectively. The new team officially started work on September 1st, 2015 with a Miles Morland Foundation-sponsored internship for some members of staff at Storymoja in Nairobi, Kenya. “As co-founders of the Center for African Cultural Excellence (CACE), we are very excited about this new team, made up of individuals who have been involved in our programing in the past. Their experiences as workshop participants, mentees, festival volunteers among other roles inform their enthusiasm and passion towards the vision and mission of Writivism and other projects of the organization” Naseemah Mohamed, Director (Management) who led the recruitment drive said. The new team will be in charge of recruiting supporting volunteers and other people to help them carry out their duties. Jacky Kemigisa and Elizabeth Kitego have
Bah
ing now, she has recorded a song, Storig, in which she blasted her record label, Baseline Music, which also represents Skales and Aaramide, saying that Baseline is not doing what it should to promote her. And truly, this seems to be the case. Anyway, her grouse with Baseline brings back to mind the one she had with Wizkid which made her disclose that she paid him all of N1.5m to feature on her most successful song thus far, Boogie Down, yet he refused to tweet its link.
Reggae Blues Artist: Harrysong featuring Kcee, Olamide, Iyanya, Orezi Chorus (Harrysong) After the reggae play the blues The blues, the blues Make you do as I do I do, I do Enjoy yourself baby boo Bae boo, bae boo Even your boo get a boo A boo, a boo Share the gala, share the booze The booze, the booze Everybody wanna groove Dey groove, dey groove As far as E-Money dey pay Dey pay, dey pay Ibiro pop champagne oh ah ah Verse 1 (Olamide) Bobo see Baddo wey dem dey boo Dey boo, dey boo He dey tell Amokachi the bull The bull, the bull See money for floor like swimming pool The pool, the pool E dey gimme wings like Redi Bull The bull, the bull Baby anything you want make I do I do, I do I no be tiger back to my bull My bull, my bull Oya now, our master oh E dey gbadun oh If your body touch omoge, she go get belle Jesu … Chorus (Harrysong) After the reggae play the blues The blues, the blues Make you do as I do I do, I do Enjoy yourself baby boo Bae boo, bae boo Even your boo get a boo A boo, a boo Share the gala, share the booze The booze, the booze Everybody wanna groove Dey groove, dey groove As far as E-Money dey pay Dey pay, dey pay Ibiro pop champagne oh ah ah Verse 2 (Kcee) Ladies call me talk and do I talk, I do Cos I no dey for cock and bull The bull, the bull Dance for reggae, dance my blues The blues, the blues Na turn by turn life dey do Dey do, dey do Oya my madam Dance for me my madam I like how you gbalam I will spray you many dollar eh Oya my madam, dance for me my madam I like how you gbalam I spray you many dollar eh Chorus (Harrysong) After the reggae play the blues The blues, the blues Make you do as I do I do, I do Enjoy yourself baby boo Bae boo, bae boo Even your boo get a boo A boo, a boo Share the gala, share the booze The booze, the booze CONTINUES NEXT WEEK
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E-NEWS
September 5, 2015
PFWA update
Anderson’s tears save him from elimination
Anderson crying
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ast weekend was another exciting one on Project Fame West Africa. The weekend is when some of the contestants are eliminated, and some are placed on probation which precedes elimination, so the weekend is definitely the most exciting time on PFWA. And last weekend lived up to the usual PFWA top billing. Since all the contestants came into the weekend on probation with the power to save them in the hands of voters, hearts were in mouths to find out those the viewing West African public did not deem worthy of their votes. And when Saturday’s elimination show began, without much ado, the hosts revealed the names of the five contestants with the least number of votes, which meant that all the contestants, except Biko, Joy, Anderson, Jeff and Kumi were saved by the viewers’ votes. But just before the least-favoured five performed again for a chance to get back into the Academy, Isaac Geralds, who was a PFWA Season 4 standout contestant, thrilled the audience with one of his hit songs, Fall In Love. Biko, Anderson, Kumi, Jeff and Joy then mounted the stage one after the other to perform again. In the end, the judges decided to keep Kumi, the faculty saved Jeff, and the remaining contestants saved Joy. And that marked the end of the road for Anderson and Biko. As always, the moment of goodbye is the hardest. And it was quite obvious that saying goodbye was very hard for Biko and Anderson. Biko’s parting words were heavy with emotions, while Anderson could not hold back tears as he gave a brief appreciation speech. The show then ended with the two’s last performances. Biko performed Ordinary People by John Legend while Anderson took a bow with Story Of My Life by One Republic. With the tempo of the show heightened with the exit of the two contestants on Saturday night, there was no time for the remaining contestants to dwell on the latest eliminations as Sunday night was the nomination show. And Sunday’s show began with an impressive performance of Kelly Clarkson’s Because Of You by Joy. Arewa then delivered a believable performance of Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart by Alicia Keys. Deinde stunned everyone with a smooth performance of As Long As You Love Me by Backstreet Boys and oh yes, he didn’t forget his lyrics. Taking the stage next was Chike who sang Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie. After these set of performances, it was glaring to all that the contestants had woken up to the reality of the competition. Pearl was up next and she decently attempted Blank Space by Taylor Swift, while Oluchi gave Madonna’s tough song Take A Bow a good shot. Kumi brilliantly delivered
All the contestants all on probation again
Joseph, Biko, Anderson, Bolanle
From This Moment On by Shania Twain. Jeff did incredibly well with If You Are Not The One by Daniel Beddingfield and Ada closed with That’s The Way It Is by Celine Dion. However, that wasn’t all. In an unprecedented turn, just before the judges gave their verdict on those who will be going on probation, the hosts, Joseph and Bolanle, announced that there was a little surprise for West Africa and lo and behold, after much consideration, and based on the values and credibility of the show, Anderson, one of Saturday’s evictees was given a second chance and recalled to the competition. He then performed Story Of My Life by One Direction for the second time. But one of PFWA’s selling points is that it’s unpredictable, you never know what will happen next on it, as buttressed by Anderson’s surprise recall to the Academy. So, shocking all the contestants again, they were all placed on probation again and your votes will again determine those who will be saved tonight.
Geralds
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September 5, 2015
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Judith Audu steps up her game I
t’s said that the patient dog eats the fattest bone. What this simply means is that patience is a virtue, and anyone who is patient will eventually attain what he or she wants. One person whom the above adage is applicable to is actress, blogger and onair personality Judith Audu. She’s one girl that has patience in abundance to the point of exasperation, but that patience is paying major dividends for her now. After putting in years in Nollywood hustling roles and networking and not really being recognized in terms of awards, she was swamped by nominations last year for her short films, Not Right and Alpha Mom, and won best actress at the In-Short Film Festival. And right now, Audu, who is as ambitious as they come, has now stepped up her game a further notch by capitalizing
Audu
on her recent successes to produce her first full length feature film, Just Not Married, which has been long in the pipeline but is now a reality after years of patience. “I’ve always wanted to produce my own
full length movie,” she told E-News, “but I had to be patient for a variety of reasons to do so. And after I successfully produced my first short movie, Not Right, and it was extremely successful, it motivated
EbonyLife’s Fifty selected to screen at BFI London Film Festival 2015
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he British Film Institute (BFI) has unveiled its programme for the 2015 London Film Festival. Clare Stewart, Festival Director, announced this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events, including the highlyanticipated Nigerian movie, Fifty, which has been shortlisted under the Love Category. Fifty is directed by Biyi Bandele and executive-produced by Mo Abudu. Fifty is one of 238 fiction and documentary features, including 16 world premieres, 8 international premieres and 40 European premieres. It stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim. It represents Abudu’s quest to showcase African women coming of age, loaded with increasingly similar aspirations and dilemmas faced by their contemporaries everywhere, while yet navigating unresolved traditions and obligations. Set in Lagos, a city of disproportionate and breathtaking contrasts, Fifty celebrates the pulse and energy of this fast developing metropolis and explores the diversities and complexities of its colourful people through the lenses of its
me to finally go for the full length this time. So I just want everyone to watch out for Just Not Married. Even though I say so myself, it’s going to be the bomb. Just watch out.”
Femi Adebayo’s advice on how to be successful
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re you a fan of top Yoruba Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo? If he adviced you, would you take the
advice? Well, Adebayo has advice for not just his fans, but anyone who cares to listen. According to him, if you want to be a trophy winner, all you have to do is start drinking trophy beer. After being signed on by Trophy beer as its ambassador, he posted the following message online: “It’s high time we started drinking Trophy to get trophies. Come on and join the winning team. #TeamTrophy #TrophyAmbassador #TeamFemiAdebayo #Trophy4Trophy.” So, what do you think of Adebayo’s advice? Is it good or bad?
Nse Ikpe-Etim; Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive Officer, BFI; and Mo Abudu
women. Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive Officer, BFI, during her opening remarks declared this year’s festival theme as The Year of the Strong Woman, a fitting theme for Fifty, a riveting exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, seduction and infidelity.
Fifty will have its BFI premiere on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 at the Vue 7 Cinema, London, and a special grand Nigeria premiere on December 13th, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Abudu, Bandele and Ikpe-Etim were present at BFI’s announcement.
Adebayo
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Leggy Delight from
a f o o M
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September 5, 2015
le StyGlam and
with Yemisi Adeniran
H
(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com
ot, straight and spotless legs are a girl’s delight any day. They are everywhere and simply irresistible. Whether you are tall or short, fair or dark skinned, they go a long way to help you make the loudest fashion statement whenever and wherever they are displayed. You can choose to dress them up in cute mini gowns, knickers and skirts and you are sure to have applause. But wait a minute. Are they well shaped and are you proud of them? If they are, you can flaunt them with as much swagger as possible. Just put on those cute mini-dresses, knickers and miniskirts and you are good to go. In colourful pieces that had sensual silhouettes and structured ensembles of tulle, taffeta, floral laces, tieand dye print fabric and chiffon, these models from Yinka Fashola of Nigerian label Moofa make a display
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STYLE & GLAM
September 5, 2015
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Fashion
S
ince colours and prints are the rules of the fashion scene right now, your yuletide fun may not be complete without appearing in one or both. However, to be a cynosure of all eyes, you really need these guidelines. The first rule of thumb when it comes to wearing a print dress is to select a print that is scaled to your body size. So if you have a full-figure body, larger prints complement your frame without making your curves too obvious in comparison. If you’re petite and or skinny, smaller prints will suit you best without overwhelming your stature. If you’re petite and a plus size - you can wear medium and some large sized prints as long as they stretch vertically to create a lean line. Short statures are easily affected by colour-blocking - it makes them look shorter and wider. Long, vertical prints are great for elongating and slimming down any body figure. Secure a few versatile styles: You would want a long dress that is easy to mix and match as well versatile to wear for various occasions. You can never go wrong with solid neutrals such as black, brown, grey, white (beige, cream), dark navy blue and olive - as they will go with absolutely anything. This is a nice feat if you love wearing accessories - because they won’t overwhelm your maxi outfit or battle with the dress. Accessories such as jewelry, scarves and shoes are the best way to create various fashion looks with your basic long dress. Pearls and crystals turns up the glam-factor - while beads and hemp infuse a casual bohemian vibe to the outfit. If you are the classy type who prefers to look simple and sophisticated - then versatile, no print, no fuss long dresses are a must! Right shoes The long length of a maxi dress speaks for itself - so there is really no need to wear anything too trendy. Instead, you need a pair of shoes that will help bring the dress into the spotlight. In general - strappy sandals in a neutral and simple style suit the long dress look the best. While flats are not recommended for their less glamorous look, open-toe and strappy pumps will go great with it. Boots are strictly a no-no - they’ll only outdate the look! For a casual outfit go for airy open flats such as gladiator sandals, or if you’re wearing the dress to a formal party, add more height with heels. Define your waist with a belt Most long dresses are loose-fitted and might make you look boxy. Solve that with a belt wrapped around your waist, right below your bust or around the thinnest part of your waistline. You may get your tailor to define your waist on the dress if you don’t like belts. A belt will also give a whole new feel to your outfit - making it look well-polished and chic. Generally, skinny belts look better on skinnier figures. But if you’re medium to large built you can buy a double skinny belt
Fashion
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n frenzy
September 5, 2015
STYLE & GLAM
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s i x a m g n i r u l l A
n frenzy
Fashion Guest
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STYLE & GLAM
September 5, 2015
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‘ I am The 10 DONTS exploring my of good sleep youthfulness’
Beautiful DOYINSOLA MAJEKODUNMI is a down – to- earth fashion freak. She is young and enjoying her youthfulness. “I am in my youthful days and will explore it perfectly. This is the best time to do this but we should be sensible about it,” she tells YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview You are beautiful and attractive, how have you maintained that? Thank you, I always say it runs in the family I always give glory to God in heaven for the perfect shape and to my sweet mama whom I got the shape from, I also do my exercises well, and I watch what I eat. I swallow good food to sustain a good skin and body system. It is always difficult sometimes to adhere to the body rules but all the same, I still endeavour to do all perfectly. You always appear beautiful everytime. What keeps you on? Well, I have always loved to look good and I enjoy doing this. I believe this is how it should be. There is this idiom that says it is good to make hay while the sun shines. I am in my youthful days and I should enjoy it. I will explore it perfectly. If I don’t do this now, I wonder when I will. However, I am not the type that will go about this carelessly. This is the best time to do this but we should be sensible about it. How will you then describe yourself? I am just like every cute girl who has principles and believes the future is dazzling, I am a realist to the bone, and I am very creative and stylish As a beautiful lady, how do you cope with male admirers? It is normal to have them around us and I am used to having them coming. I just remain calm and respond well when they approach me. I don’t snub, I keep friends.
You just said your opinion about ladies and youthfulness. Don’t you think this belief can push one off caution if one gets drunk with this belief? I don’t think so. I just believe the youths should explore their youthfulness to the best of their ability while they are young. This is a time when we are strong and fresh. But when I say we should explore, I do not mean it in the negative aspect. I mean we should do everything with caution and with a good sense of responsibility.
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on’t eat a large meal or drink lots of fluids right before bed: There’s nothing like a full bladder or stomach to disrupt your sleep. Getting up to urinate will interrupt sound rest, so drinking too much before bed may mean multiple trips to the toilet during the night. Eating a large meal near bedtime may provoke heartburn symptoms when you lie down that can make you uncomfortable.
Don’t just lie there and suffer: If you are having trouble getting to sleep, the last thing you need to do is lie there awake. If this happens chronically, as may occur in insomnia, you may learn to associate your bed with anxiety and not being asleep. Rather than tossing and turning, try a relaxing activity like reading.
Don’t sleep somewhere that is too cold, too warm, or too noisy: It’s no use trying to sleep somewhere that is stimulating to our senses. If the stereo is blaring, the lights are on, and it’s stifling, how can you expect to sleep? Don’t take prolonged naps: If you sleep well at night, napping may not be a problem. However, if you are having trouble sleeping then, the last thing you need to do is to add fuel to the fire by sleeping during the day. Naps diminish your ability to sleep at night, and excessive daytime sleepiness may suggest a sleep disorder.
Don’t use your bedroom as a stimulating multipurpose room:
Filling your bedroom with televisions, gaming systems, computers, telephones, and other gadgets will ensure a plethora of stimulation will be at hand. Unfortunately, none of these will help you to sleep better. Using them just prior to bed will prompt your brain to be active, and this is the last thing you need to fall asleep.
Don’t take alcohol, coffee, or cigarettes just prior to bed: Alcohol may cause you to feel a little drowsy, but it fragments the stages of your sleep and makes it more disrupted. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, soft drinks, and foods like chocolate work as stimulants to keep you awake. Likewise, nicotine from a cigarette will ruin your ability to sleep, and the craving associated with withdrawal may wake you during the night. These things should be avoided in the six hours before bed.
Don’t sleep less when you are busy: We all get busy for different reasons, and it’s easy to find extra time by sleeping less. Unfortunately the quality of the time we spend awake is significantly impacted by not getting enough rest. If you cut back on sleep, you may find that you aren’t gaining much if you spend the day bleary-eyed and befuddled.
Don’t stay active until the moment you hop into bed: Sleep is a
quiet, relaxing activity, so it doesn’t make much sense to try to transition to that directly from something that is quite the opposite. Our bodies don’t do well with abrupt changes. Quiet sleep rituals such as reading, listening to calming music, or taking a nice bath helps prepare us mentally and physically for sleep. Don’t exercise before bed: Although it is ideal to exercise every day -and this will likely ensure a good night’s sleep -- doing it right before bed is a bad idea. It causes difficulties, as your body will be revved up when you should be winding down. Don’t vary your sleep time: We are creatures of habit, and our sleep is no exception. If you go to bed and get up at different times every day, your body will have no sense of when it is supposed to feel tired and sleep. By keeping a consistent schedule, we are able to sleep better.
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September 5, 2015
Male Essentials
08036961187
with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com
Why you have bad breath –and how to fix it
Is a funky mouth killing your style? Get your oral health in order to improve your look
B
ad breath stinks, but what can you actually do about it? Chew some gum? Suck on a mint? These strategies offer some benefit, but they’re short lasting. And brushing your teeth? Very important, of course, but not that effective as a treatment by itself, according to a scientific review by researchers in Brazil. You need a complete strategy. So let’s start with the root cause of bad breath: volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). While they sound more like fumes you’d emit from your exhaust than your mouth, scientists say these substrates are what typically lead to halitosis. Volatile sulfur compounds are thought to arise from the interaction of oral bacteria that occurs in conditions like gum disease and infections, and within pockets and crevices of your teeth. But your tongue is the real problem, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Turns out, its large sur-
face area – with all the tiny cracks and grooves – allows it to harbor lots of the microorganisms that lead to VSCs. In fact, in separate studies, scientists in Japan found that “tongue coating” had the greatest impact on producing volatile sulfur compounds in people’s mouths. This would also help explain why your breath is most likely to stink in the morning, since the compounds build up overnight. Which brings us to that complete strategy.
1. Clean your tongue
This helps disturb and remove the bacteria that create volatile sulfur compounds, and leads to a reduction in their odor. You can do this by literally brushing your tongue, but an even better approach is to scrape your tongue from back to front with a plastic tongue scraper (£3.40, boots. com). When you brush your tongue with a little toothbrush, you might just
be moving smelly bacteria around to different places on your tongue. But the larger surface area and flat design of a tongue scraper allow it to carry more bacteria out of your mouth when you scrape it forward, says Denis Kinane, the dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. According to a Cochrane review of scientific literature, people who use a tongue scraper reduce volatile sulfur compounds by 42 percent, compared to 33 percent in those who brush their tongue. Plus, the effects of the tongue scraping last longer.
2. Brush and floss twice a day
You’ll remove tiny food particles and microorganisms that can lead to those volatile sulfur compounds. If you don’t floss, try it and then give the floss a sniff. Smell nasty? You’ve probably uncovered a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria – and hopefully gained motivation to start flossing
regularly. Keep in mind that gingivitis and periodontitis can lead to volatile sulfur compounds and bad breath, so regular dental checkups are a must. Research also links gum disease and cardiovascular issues. So take heart from a better oral regime.
3. Keep your mouth wellhydrated
When you experience “dry mouth,” dead cells on your tongue, gums, and cheeks can build up. Without enough saliva to wash them away, bacteria will begin to feed off the dead cells and multiply. This produces a bunch of sulfur-related molecules that trigger bad breath, Dr. Kinane says. If you frequently feel like your mouth is dry, try an over-the-counter rinse like Biotene, which has been shown to help with dry mouth. If your breath really reeks and you don’t have a rinse around, simply swish your mouth out with plain water. The rinsing action will physically remove some of the stinky bacteria, says Dr. Kinane.
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Male
September 5, 2015
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Relatio
Angle
Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com
Are ‘Sugar Mummies
Age is a number
S
ome say it’s the newest fad in town, while others say it’s been around for a long time. Be that as it may, it’s real and it’s happening everyday now. The Cougar experience is becoming an everyday thing now and older women are no more ashamed to be seen with men half their ages. Why would any man want to date an older woman? Well, some men say that not only are older women more matured and financially independent, but they are also better lovers. How far that is true depends on the side of the divide you are. It is quite typical, almost a cliché to see older men with younger women. In fact, it is the standard that men date younger women. The reversal of the standard is what a lot of the older folks cannot fathom. Personally, I do not see anything wrong with it, but I can imagine how my parents would have reacted if I had brought an older woman home as my intended when I was about marrying. My thinking is that, a man in his mid to late twenties who dates or marries a woman in her early to middle thirties will go through an enriching life changing experience. The average woman in her twenties is energetic, ambitious and out to get things done. But the average thirties woman is likely to have lived a little more. She’s learned a few tricks and has found out that the world isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. She’s less likely to be over-enthusiastic about driving twenty miles to go to a dance club, pay hard earned money and sit all night doing nothing more than hearing the same music she’d have heard in the sanctuary of her home. She’s the kind of woman a real man would wish for. Older woman here does not mean a real generational age difference. I’m not advocating that women should be cradle snatchers or that men should date and marry women whose biological clocks have gotten to a stage where it is no longer possible to give birth. By older woman I’m talking about that age difference
of not more than 15 years. I know I’ll most likely be crucified for this, but those women too need a life and the society should not tie them down with rules and regulations. Most men are terrible figuring what a woman wants but the beauty of the older woman is that she wouldn’t beat around the bush in telling you what she wants and what she doesn’t want. She has learnt the value of how precious time is. And this has culminated in her becoming more matured to appreciate the truer things in life like love and mutual respect. One of the things I also admire in the older woman is that there is no curfew to beat. By this I mean you won’t have to rush her home every time she’s with you because she has to get home before daddy. On the other hand, the merits for the older woman can also be liabilities. The independence that a matured older woman brings into the relationship can also lead to aloofness on her part. Also, the fact that her biological clock is ticking faster than the man’s will make her to be desperate to settle down quickly. With the experience she has is also a body that may not be so firm again unless she spends hours at the gym. Dating/marrying an older woman is not a crime, even if our society is not yet fully permissive of it. It does not merit a psychological evaluation. Neither does it involve binding nor casting of demonic spirits or witches as our people will have us think. The act itself is not wrong, it is only the motives behind it that we can question since a lot of young men see financially able women as meal tickets to a better life just like their younger female ilk who see dating older men as a means of becoming financially okay. Finally, women love to feel appreciated, desired, alive, and when you are an older single woman, there’s no one better to fill those needs than a man who is a few years younger to make you feel all those. Like the popular saying goes, ‘age is nothing but a number’.
SEX TALK
This column is x-rated
Should you count sex as exercise?
You will be surprised how many calories you burn during every act in the journey of sex! Check out our sex calorie counter and amaze or amuse yourself. ing. In those rare instances where a man The act of insertion If the woman or man is ready/willing --------- 1/4 calories If the woman or man is not ready/willing------ 274 calories
Putting on a condom With an erection....................... 6 Calories Without an erection.................... 315 Calories
Positions
Missionary.............112 Calories 69 lying down......... 178 Calories 69 standing up......................... 312 Calories Wheelbarrow........... 386 Calories Doggy Style.................... 400 Calories Italian chandelier........... 972 Calories
Satisfying Partner
Most experts agree that size means noth-
has a genuinely small member, he may have to compensate by working slightly harder, which is actually good for weight loss. Small member ------------ 163 calories Normal size ----------- 22 calories Oversize -------------- 15 calories Tremendous ------------ 8 calories
Sex related noises
Short gasps (per gasp)3 calories Wheezing 5 calories Squeals 4 calories Ecstatic moaning 11 calories Low growling 8 calories Squishing 10 calories Shouting 16 calories Screaming 18 calories Urgent begging 22 calories Any short speech giving partner directions - 25 calories
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RELATIONSHIPS
September 5, 2015
onships
Female
33
Angle
JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com
s’ worth the trouble?
Socially stigmertising!
W
This column is x-rated *Please don’t stop,” and “Just a little more” are common examples of such speeches.
Approaching Orgasm
Letting go 5.5 calories Controlling yourself 79 calories Digging nails into your partner’s back 11 calories Trembling 15 calories Shaking 20 calories Shuddering 25 calories Trying to keep eyes open 33 calories
Orgasm Real Faked
27 calories 160 calories
Consequences of Premature Ejaculation Even if you have a good heart, it takes much understanding not to feel like a victim when your partner climaxes after three seconds of intensive sex, especially if he immediately sits up to watch the football on TV. For Women Frustration 8 calories Anger 15 calories Violent mood swing 20 calories Suppressing rage 25 calories
Not suppressing anger 65 calories
This column is x-rated For Men: Cursing 10 calories Apologising 3 calories Snivelling 5 calories Pleading for mercy 8 calories Begging for another chance 15 calories
Possible side effects of good sex
The first indication that sex was a positive experience will be a buzzing in the pelvic area. You might also feel pleasantly light. If sex was really terrific, you feel dangerously drained, as though your body had been connected to a large milking machine for several days. Additional reactions include: Swooning 6 calories Palpitations 10 calories Shortness of breath 5 calories Perspiring 8 calories
Getting caught
By partner’s spouse 60 calories By your spouse 60.5 calories Trying to explain 165 calories Stuttering 28 calories Throwing 40 calories *Calorie counts here are flexible, depending on type of spousewhether understanding and openminded, or narrow-minded and
e often hear the saying: “age is nothing but a number”, but what really determines veracity of the popular statement is the set of facts preceding/surrounding its use. For instance, the 21st century employer may not necessarily consider age when promoting an outstanding employee, just like a job seeker is not likely to refuse a job offer just because he/she is much older than his/her boss. However, marriage is a different ball game and in the case of a man marrying an older woman, issues abound. People say it is peculiar to African/ Nigerian culture, but I grew up “knowing” that a ‘normal’ marriage relationship is one between a woman and a man who is older than she is; even same age marriages were not seen as ideal. I learned at an early age that any woman who dated a younger man was a “sugar mummy” so it is difficult to comprehend the idea of a man dating or marrying an older woman. In considering this issue, some people feel it is the degree of the age disparity that would determine whether the disparity will yield negative results, but in most cases, problems occur even when the disparity is just one year. We must admit that times have changed and the rate of marriages between older women and younger men has increased tremendously. According to a doctor in the U.S, “years ago, many women married for social status and financial security, and that often translated into marrying older, more established mates. But today, many career-oriented women are not necessarily looking for men to take care of them. They have their own jobs and paychecks, their own homes, cars and comfortable lifestyles. Consequently, women can afford to date younger men who may be just establishing their careers”. However, when one thinks about the role of a man in marriage and in the society at large, it is not difficult to see why people frown at older women/younger men relationships. The man is the head of the home – the provider, protector, guide, guardian and decision-maker, and the woman must submit to him and support whatever decision he takes regarding her and their children. As most of us know, submission is not so easy even where the person to whom you are to submit is older, so you can imagine what effort an older woman must put in to submit to a husband who is younger than she is. Imagine a woman who has bossed or bullied her younger brother or sister
for many years being expected to submit to a man who is the younger sibling’s age-mate or younger? Another factor to consider is the fact that most of the woman’s friends would be older than her husband and vice versa. This could cause some kind of social imbalance. This is not because men cannot relate with older women in social environments; it is simply because the basis of the relationship will affect the way they relate. People try to hide age disparity from their friends and family, but this world is too small to keep such secret for a long time. Nothing is hidden under the sun! Some scientists have conducted detailed research into marriages between older women and younger men and their findings are quite interesting. Some say that a woman who marries a younger man is likely to age faster than if she marries an older man. Interesting! Here are some reasons that have been given in advising against an older woman/younger man marriage: 1. It is natural for girls to be attracted to older men (and vice-versa). 2. The female matures earlier (physically, socially and emotionally). 3. The husband is ALMOST a substitute for the girl’s father figure. 4. The husband’s age gives him added authority as head of the family. I am not propounding a theory that a marriage relationship between a man and an older woman cannot be a happy and successful one; I just strongly believe that before two people take steps in that direction, they must carefully consider the pros and cons which are inherent in such marriage relationships. We know that marriage itself generally comes with challenges, but I strongly believe that an older woman/older man marriage is likely to face more challenges than usual. A man who wants to date/marry an older woman has to consider if he will tolerate occasional incidents of insubordination, the imbalance between his friends and hers, as well as the probability that his wife will age faster than himself. He also has to be ready to stand being looked upon as a weak hen-pecked man. On the other hand, a woman who wants to marry/date a younger man must decide whether she is willing to submit to him, and put in extra efforts to look, feel and act younger. She also has to be ready to handle the social stigma that comes with marrying a younger man. So, is it ideal for a man to marry an older woman? I strongly doubt!
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September 5, 2015
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Woman
‘I respect women in extraordinary endeavours’
Although Madam Favour Elechi was born with no silver spoon in her mouth, she is today living her dream. An artiste cum entrepreneur, she told YEMISI ADENIRAN about her exploits in the multi - networking marketing business and how it can be a means of stemming the tide of unemployment among the youths of the nation. For how long have you been in the networking business? We are into multi networking business. I have been in the business for the past four years and we are expanding from one country to another. We started from Nigeria; we have a branch in Port-Harcourt and in Abuja; also we have another branch in Togo and in Accra, Kumasi in Ghana; Monrovia, Liberia. And we are planning to go to South Africa. What motivated you to join this multi level networking marketing business? I got motivated into the business by a friend while at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN. The product was Forever Living product which I started marketing and I found it interesting. Initially, I was not
doing the business by buying their product to use. Along the line, I lost my father which made things difficult for me. That stimulated my zeal on the job. To save me from dropping out of school, I registered for the product and started off from there. I got into Tianshi, then Tasly Greenworld. And today, the rest is history. Of course, the journey has not been easy. Mind you, starting up a business in Nigeria is not easy. When I started a lot of my friends discouraged me but today they have seen the result. What are your challenges in this business? There are lots of them. For instance, some people love paying good acts with evil, but that should not stop one from do-
ing good. There is also the problem of lack of trustworthy staff, but we have continued to manage those available. We are also confronted with the challenge of exchange rate; the dollar against the naira. At present, the economy of Nigeria is not stable. Sometimes, one has to travel far away for about two months to keep the business alive. We travel to different branches to know the situations of things; the staff, the facilities among other things. So, it is very demanding. What was your growing up like? Growing up was tough because I didn’t come from a royal family. Nevertheless, I decided to take my destiny in my own hands. My father was a transporter and my mum, a trader. At the close of school,
everyday, I go to the market to assist my mother in her trade. With that background, I became more hard working and brilliant, especially in business. Today, this is helping me in no small measure to manage my company properly. Most challenges I encountered while growing up provided me with a good background. I am grateful to my parents who through the help of God were able to raise me well. I used to have this mentality that if my father could be a bicycle rider and still achieved as much as he did, I have no excuse not to make n indelible mark on the sound of times in my own era. I am therefore determined to lean on God and do my best possible to achieve this.
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35
September 5, 2015
Exposing one’s body is morally wrong and does not attract
men’s respect.
What attracts men to women are dignity and integrity.
Do you think you are impacting on the society through your endeavour? Yes and I am proud to say with all modesty that I am laying down a good legacy. Legacy is not about buying cars, building houses, but by letting people know how to make good money. I recruit people from remote areas. Like when I traveled to Ghana it was not easy because people doubted the efficacy of the products but I recruited those you see riding cars today. So giving back to the society is about bringing people from nowhere and empowering them to become somebody. That is the best way to give back to the society. Not many people enjoy networking business. What’s your own secret? God has been my strength. Besides, I believe that anybody that wants to be a successful business person must understand what he wants by setting a standard. Before I joined Crystal Life, I had studied the system. I knew what I wanted and I set a standard for myself. So, if one is going into a company he should know if such has good reputation or not. As you can see, we have been able to give out 408 cars in four years because we have a good market, structure, and plan. We also make sure we make the products always available for distributors and with that, we can keep the business going. So I want to encourage people to set a standard for a goal to be achieved and it will be so. How have you been able to manage your home alongside business demands? In everything one does, one should be able to set limits or have work schedule. I map out my strategies for each week and ensure that my family is aware of my engagements. This way, they are involved in all that I do and we all okay with it. If you had not found networking business, what would you have been doing? I would have been a pastor, and I’m not limiting myself to networking business. I am also an artiste; I launched two albums before I got into networking. I have some organisations that have promoted my songs. I have other things I might still venture into like schools and Non-Governmental Organisations where we can collaborate with the government to help the less privileged. What is your advice to the government? I want the government to look into MultiLevel Marketing Business, MLMB because it is an avenue that gives a lot of people opportunities. For instance, Crystal Life has empowered a lot of people. We have about 800,000 people in the world currently, and they are being paid every month. So the government should invest in the business to empower more people to crush the problem of unemployment which is a major menace on the country. At least some states have been embracing the initiative but we want many more to join in the campaign.
What is your educational background? I finished as a law student at UNN but I am not practicing. This is because I am comfortable with business ever since I was in school, and I see the future therein. I am one of the first persons in Nigeria to run MLMB successfully and delivered, giving people their right, which I have done in several countries. What is your philosophy of life? It is to help people who are in need by making them happy. To show people what I did to be somebody in life and to bring the best out of them. And God has always being my pillar. I encourage people to rally support for others who are in need. What is your most remarkable day of your life? It is my birthday because my parents told me they had me over three years in the womb before I was delivered. So, the day I was born is my most remarkable day in my life. And this day I spend in prayer, thanking God for the life He gave to me that fateful day because the enemy never wanted me come. My pregnancy and delivery were mysterious and thus remarkable. Have you ever encountered any negative thing that almost discouraged you in your business? In 2009 when Tianshi wanted to give me a BMW car, two months before this award, I had a fatal accident while traveling from Lagos to Onitsha for a business seminar. I thought I was gone because many people died and I suffered severe injuries; but God kept me alive. When I recovered, my mum was bent on stopping me from continuing in the business. I almost consented, but later resolved to forge ahead. I am glad I am still in the business. How do you get inspired? I get inspired when I see women do extraordinary things. I am moved by Oprah Winfrey ad read her books and watch her shows. Also I’m inspired by Joyce Meyer’s book, Don’t give up. She got me to keep saying ‘if women like this can, why not me’. Whenever I am down and I read these books, I get fired up. What would be your advice to African woman? They should trust in God to be successful and should work hard irrespective of their husband’s status. They should also believe in themselves and not despise days of little beginnings. Why do you dress well all the time dressing? Being a public figure one is expected to dress good to promote your status. As a company director in Africa, people would want to meet you for many things either officially or personally. And if I don’t look right, my reputation will be questioned. And any dress a woman of status wears must show modesty. So whatever one preaches should be promoted. What is your reaction toward women who expose their body? I am not in support of it and as a public figure, dress responsibly matters a lot. Exposing one’s body is morally wrong and does not attract men’s respect. What attracts women to men is their sense of dignity and integrity. For instance, in my seminars, I meet a lot of men who pass compliment on my dressing and my carriage, describing me as unique. So, women should take a leaf from that. What is your last advice to your audience? Be a boss of your own, trust in God and believe in yourself by pursuing your dream and don’t despise your little start.
Keeping ABREAST
Is your face real?
Man sues new wife over too much make up
H
e may have agreed to take her for better and for worse. But for one Algerian groom, seeing his new wife without make-up was a step too far.
The husband was so shocked after seeing his bride’s face the morning after their wedding that he failed to even recognise her. He even accused her of being a thief that had broken into his house. After realising it was in fact the woman he had married only yesterday, he decided to take her to court - accusing her of inflicting ‘psychological suffering’ by ‘cheating’ him with her make-up. The groom is now seeking $20,000 (£13,000) damages.
Newspapers in the North African Arab country said the groom swore in court that he even mistook his wife for a ‘thief who came to steal his apartment’, Emirates 24/7 reports that, “He said he was deceived by her as she used to fill up her face with make up before their marriage,” quoting a court source. “He said she looked very beautiful and attractive before marriage. But when he woke up in the morning and found that she had washed the make-up off her face, he was frightened as he thought she was a thief. The groom told the court that he wants $20,000 damages for his psychological suffering.
Parenting
36
September 5, 2015
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Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression
Coping with hearing impaired children
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ny kind of early hearing loss can be a serious problem. It can affect language development, which experts believe is built during the early months and years of life. If diagnosed and treated quickly, hearing problems in babies and children can be stopped before they lead to any language problems. But it can be hard to spot hearing loss. Many hearing problems aren’t found until a child is 2, when speech and developmental delays start to show. If you think that your child may have a hearing problem, talk to your child’s doctor. Get your child’s hearing tested as soon as possible. If your child has been diagnosed with a hearing problem, get help right away. The earlier children with hearing loss get help, the better. Causes of Hearing Loss in Children? The causes of hearing loss in children include: Otitis media. This middle ear infection happens often in young children because their Eustachian tubes (the tubes that connect the middle ear to the nose) are not fully developed. Fluid builds up behind the eardrum and can become infected. Even if there is no pain or infection, the fluid can affect hearing if it stays
there, at least temporarily. In severe and long-lasting cases, otitis media can lead to permanent hearing loss. Problems at birth. Some children are born with hearing problems. More than half of hearing problems in children born with them are due to genetics. Others happen during the pregnancy or from prenatal care. Hearing loss can also happen when a pregnant woman develops certain conditions such as diabetes or toxemia. Being premature also raises a child’s chance for hearing problems. Illness or injury. Many conditions can cause hearing problems in young children, including illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, measles, chickenpox, and the flu. Head injuries, very loud noises, and certain medications can also cause hearing loss Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Children As a parent, you are likely to be the first person to notice hearing problems in your child. Some early signs of a hearing problem include: Not reacting to loud noises Not responding to your voice Making simple sounds that taper off Pulling or rubbing an ear often Be constantly gets cranky for
no obvious reason Stops paying attention and have little energy Does not understand directions Often ask for the TV or radio to be louder Have a fever Have ear pain What to do - Check with your child’s doctor if you think that your child has hearing problems. Common treatments for Children With Hearing Loss Treatments for children with hearing loss depend upon the cause and amount of hearing loss. Watchful waiting. Because the condition often clears on its own, sometimes the first treatment for otitis media is simply to watch the child for any changes. Medications. Your pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics or other medications for your child. Ear tubes. If the problem continues and seems to be affecting your child’s hearing, your pediatrician may suggest that your child get ear tubes. These allow fluid to drain and can help prevent infection. If your pediatrician thinks your child needs ear tubes, he or she will refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, also known as an otolaryngologist. Inserting ear tubes is a minor outpatient surgical pro-
cedure, but your child will have to have a general anesthetic in the hospital. Hearing aids. Children with hearing loss can begin to use hearing aids when they are as young as 1 month old. A hearing specialist will help make sure that your child gets the correct hearing aid for him or her. Implants. Many children and adults get cochlear implants, electronic devices that help with hearing. These are usually used for children with serious hearing problems, when hearing aids have not helped. Other hearing devices. There are many other devices that can help children with hearing loss. Ask a hearing specialist about what might be right for your child. Here are a few things you can do to help your child -- and yourself: Early help can teach your child to communicate through speech or signing, or a combination of both. If your child needs ongoing help in school, work with your school administrators to make sure he or she gets it. As your child grows, it’s likely that his or her education program will need readjusting. So you will need to stay involved to ensure your child gets the help he or she needs.
Early treatment and support from you increase the chances that children with hearing loss will learn to communicate and to participate in school and other activities. This is especially true in children who use cochlear implants. Children with cochlear implants who have supportive parents show better performance than children with less supportive parents. The same is true for children who use hearing aids. Educate yourself. Web sites, as well as government and nonprofit groups, can help you keep up with the latest developments and research. Communicate. Seek out support groups and online chat communities for parents of children with hearing loss. These groups can provide information and a sense of community. Stay in touch with your child. Some children with hearing loss feel socially isolated. But early treatment and the use of hearing aids can reduce the chances of social isolation. Take care of yourself and your other relationships. Getting help for children with hearing loss can take all of your time. But don’t neglect your own well-being or other relationships. Make time for your spouse or partner, stay in touch with friends, and do things you enjoy.
found on top of ParentingUpdate Teacher 7-yr-old pupil in school toilet
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29-year-old Mathematics and Social Studies graduate of a college of education, Mr. Seun Oyeleke, has been caught pants down with a seven-year-old female pupil in a school toilet. Oyeleke teaches at a private nursery and primary school on Church Street, Osogbo, Osun State. A parent whose children attend Oyeleke’s tutorials, who is identified as Mrs. A Ajiboye, had been informed by her son, who attends Oyeleke’s tutorials with his five-year-old sister, that the teacher was fond of taking the girl out of the classroom to an unknown destination. “I told my brother, who is a policeman, and he urged me to be patient. My brother then devised a plan with which we caught
the teacher,” Mrs. Ajiboye said. Ajiboye told her son that whenever the teacher took his sister out, he should run home and inform her immediately. But on this fateful Saturday, Oyeleke took another girl to the toilet on the school premises and the boy quickly dashed home to inform his mother. The mother rushed to the school, where she found the teacher on another seven-year-old inside the toilet. Mrs. Ajiboye told the story: “When my children were leaving for tutorials on Saturday morning, I told my son to rush back home whenever the teacher takes any girl to the toilet. “At about 11:30am, my son rushed in to inform me
that he had taken another girl out. I quickly rushed to the school, went to the toilet and forced the door open. I met him on top of the little child. “I was very furious and I began to shout and wail. I called on neighbours to come and see what was happening. He was subsequently taken to Dugbe Police Station in Osogbo.” The molested 7-year-old said: “He took me to the bathroom in the building and removed my pant and lay on me and later asked me to wear my pant back and return to the class.” At the police station, the teacher pleaded, “Please, spare me; I didn’t know what came over me. The effect of what I did just dawned on me. I did not rape them. I only had sex with them. It’s the devil’s work.” (PunchMetro)
zzI did not rape them. I only had sex with them. It’s the devil’s work –Teacher
Oyeleke flanked by his victims
People
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
September 5, 2015
37
Meet man who defrauded pensioners of £5m life savings
zz Godwin Nwaofor was jailed for targeting American pensioners with letters informing them they had won the Australian Lottery zz He received around £1million from the scam and blew it on luxury cars, gold jewellery and expensive champagne at top nightclubs in London
ing’ and showed him to be a proven liar. “You have a tendency to be dishonest in your dealings with landlords, agencies, the police, HMRC, and car hire firms,” he said. “You also moved addresses regularly to ensure your whereabouts remained a mystery.” Police identified 406 victims from two notebooks found at Onyeachonam’s Canary Wharf penthouse when he was ar-
A
conman funded a playboy lifestyle by cheating pensioners out of their life savings. Godwin Nwaofor, 36, kept a ‘suckers list’ of potential victims to send bogus letters, saying they had won the Australian Lottery. The Nigerian received around £1million from the scam and blew the money on luxury cars, gold jewellery and expensive champagne at top nightclubs in London. Nwaofor was a ‘willing and enthusiastic lieutenant’ to the mastermind of the con, another Nigerian, Frank Onyechonam, who was nicknamed ‘Fizzy’ for his love of vintage champagne. Onyeachonam was jailed eight years last year, after he was exposed as the chief player in the scam. He drove a Maserati and fired bubbly corks across exclusive private members clubs, as he lived a life of fantastic luxury on his victim’s life savings. The scam started with a bogus letter to a vulnerable pensioner telling them they had won the Australian Lottery. The letters were sent by a ‘lottery agent’ targeting mainly American pensioners informing them they had won a life-changing prize and requesting a modest sum to release the funds. Believing they had won, victims were hooked into paying fees to release their ‘winnings’ through an agent who would demand ‘activation fees’ to release their cash. In some cases, dupes set up businesses in an attempt to receive their winnings and became unwitting money mules laundering cash from other victims. Nwaofor, a father of two, regularly switched addresses to avoid being caught. One victim, a 76-year-old woman, who believed she had won $1.85m, tried to track down Nwaofor after the FBI told her she had fallen victim to a scam. She flew to the UK and went to the ad-
Godwin Nwaofor, 36 living the good life
dress she had for Nwaofor, but found that he had already moved on to another address. Judge Richard Hone QC said the evidence in the case, at Central Criminal Court, against Nwaofor was ‘overwhelm-
rested. They seized Louis Vuitton shoes, Gucci handbags, a collection of expensive watches and dozens of designer shoes, as well as 5,000 pictures of Onyeachonam flaunting his wealth at exclusive upmar-
ket venues including the Guvnor Bar in Docklands, East London. One picture shows him showering a friend with champagne. In others, he poses with scantily clad blondes or waves wads of £50 notes. There was also evidence of extensive communication with a Lagos resident nicknamed ‘The Chairman,’ who is alleged to be the global mastermind of the fraud. He is said to live in a private gated community, is a ‘celebrity’ around Lagos and drives multiple supercars, including a Maserati and a Porsche. Detectives fear the scale of the fraud could even mushroom to £30million if all the details discovered in notebooks and emails can be traced to victims. Nwaofor moved to the UK in January 2006 from Nigeria and soon married a German citizen. He has two children with her, aged six and six-months-old. He broke down in tears as he was jailed for seven years on Thursday morning. But the judge said he did not believe the remorse was genuine. “Just as a crocodile sheds its tears while devouring its prey, so the copious weeping in court is not hypocritical remorse, but tears of frustration that in spite of your careful concealment, you have been well and truly rumbled,” the judge told him. “This Australian lottery scam has brought penury and debt to your victims who were ruthlessly milked of their hard earned savings.” The judge said although ten victims were traced by prosecutors as having fallen for Nwaofor’s scam, that was probably the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ “Vast sums of cash you used to fund a luxury lifestyle, with top of the range hire cars, large watches, gold jewellery, expensive nightclubs’, said the judge. It shows you made the best part of £1m yourself.” Nwaofor, of Camberell Green, South London, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, converting criminal property, and acquisition of criminal property. He will serve half his sentence in prison and the remaining part on licence and will also now face confiscation proceeds. Frank Onyeachonam, of Canning Town, East London, the mastermind of the fraud, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud between January 2005 and December 2012. He was jailed for eight years in 2014 (Culled from mailonline.com)
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September 5, 2015
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‘My motherin-law rules my home’
• I know I married two women, mother and daughter. The first four years of my marriage was sweet, but trouble began when my second wife (mother-in-law) started living in my house —Husband • I have been managing the marriage. I have been smiling outside and shedding secret tears, all because I don’t want to leave my husband because of my children —Wife
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48-year-old woman, Florence ltianu, resident at 4, Kaka Street, Agege, has pleaded with the Agege Customary Court to dissolve her 12-yearmarriage over battery, threat to life and lack of care.
‘Pastor behind breakup of my marriage’ —Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike
• He got my wife a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to pursue her case, gave her N500, 000 for her mother’s burial and even bought her a blackberry passport phone! Stories by: Muda Oyeniran
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opular Nollywood actor and producer, Emeka Ike, has accused a pastor as the one behind the ongoing crisis in his marriage. The actor, in a statement, revealed that he’s crying out because of the “desperate desperation” of the pastor to destroy his family. Recall that for a while now, Ike has been having issues with his wife, Suzanne, with the wife filing a divorce suit before a customary court in Lagos. Suzanne is seeking dissolution of her 12-year marriage over alleged assault from her husband. The actor claimed that the pastor got his wife a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to pursue her case, gave her N500, 000 for her mother’s burial and even bought her a blackberry passport phone! Emeka Ike said he is writing the statement to let the whole world know the “devil” behind the plot to destroy his home, after all efforts to beg his wife to drop the divorce bid failed. The statement reads: “I want people to look into this issue critically. I’ve never beaten this woman in my life. When she ran out
of home, I called my pastor and they took us for counselling. For one week, I was begging her every day; I would go home alone and she would go home alone as well. “At a point, pastor asked us to write five things we like and dislike about each other. The pastor said that maybe we could work it out. I wrote mine, she wrote hers and she never said there that I used to beat her. I still have that document with me. She gave me what she wrote and I gave her what I wrote. If I used to beat her, she could not have left it out from that then. Any man that beats a woman is a coward. I know that someone somewhere must have done something to her. How can I beat a woman I adore so much? I love my family and this is very unfortunate. Her children have been begging her to come home, and she has refused. “I am pretty sure my wife is acting confused; she is acting as if she is under a spell, which is psychological and then she is acting under blackmail. There was a time I accused her of bringing men to my house. I mean, which woman will wake her husband up in the middle of the night and say to him: ‘Share your property I want to get my share now from
what you have?’ Tell me, which woman will do that if not acting under a spell? “There was a time I traveled and she closed down my school and sent all the students away. So, there is a lot to it, other than the allegation of battery against me and I want the whole world to know. My name is precious to me and I don’t want anything to drag it in the mud. This Pastor just absorbed my wife into his church without making any effort to get in touch with me. If as a pastor, your church member is having issues with her husband, and you
failed to do anything to resolve it, what kind of pastor are you? When I called him, he refused to pick my call. He also failed to react to a text message I sent to him. Is that a man of God? Even, if you have a police case, they will make effort to hear from you before taking a position, not to talk of the church. When we went to court, I told my wife that I’m interested in amicable settlement of the matter, and that I still want her back. But she refused. Even, if you don’t CONTINUED ON PAGE 39
The defendant in the case, Donatus, however said his motherin-law turned herself into his wife in his house, and that was the beginning of his crisis. “I know I married two women, mother and daughter”, the husband said. “The first four years of my marriage was sweet, but trouble began when my second wife (mother-in-law) started living in my house.” The wife on her part said, “I have been managing the marriage. I have been smiling outside and shedding secret tears, all because I don’t want to leave my husband because of my children.” “Since the inception of the marriage, I have been the head of the home because my husband is so stingy and won’t part with any money unless it is stolen from him. I have been responsible for the house rent, feeding, children school fees and other expenses in the house. “All my husband does is to sit down early in the morning and be expecting food to walk in on its own to his table. I would not have thought of leaving him if not for the beating I do receive from him. He beats me any time he asks for money and I refuse. He nags and complains a lot. He talks like a parrot and has threatened to kill me.”
‘He drugged me because of sex’
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30 year old woman Glory Ojuala has recounted at the Customary Court in Ejigbo Lagos State how her husband, Alex Ojuala had maltreated her just after she gave birth to their third child. The nursing mother said Alex had drugged her for three days straight so he could have sex with her even though she was still in recovery. According to reports she subsequently filed a petition for her 15-year
marriage to be dissolved, citing more issues of neglect and witchcraft. There was a lot of back and forth during the court hearing with accusations of infidelity and voodoo charms being tossed around by both husband and wife. Glory accused her husband of cutting the family’s daily feeding allowance to N100 to punish her for refusing to have sex. She also said he drugged
her drink while she was eating and that she woke up in the hospital three days later. Alex apparently admitted to drugging her for sex but insisted he takes care of his family, providing them with N200 daily. He was no longer interested and asked the court to dissolve the marriage while pledging to provide N10,000 for the upkeep and education of the children. (Nigerian Eye)
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DIVORCE COURT
September 5, 2015
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‘My wife jumps from man to man’
• Anytime I caught her with a man, either in my room or outside, she always vowed never to do it again, but she would still go back to her vomit. I have married another woman who is not jumping from one man to another, and I am enjoying peace —Husband
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n Igando Customary Court sitting in Lagos has dissolved a 10-yearold marriage between Mrs Caro Waheed and her husband, Sulaimon, over abandonment. The court president, Mr Ruphus Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile the two parties had proved futile and that the court had no choice but to dissolve the union. “Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” Adeyeri ruled. The petitioner, Mrs Caro Weheed, 35, a trader, had filed a suit seeking for the dissolution of her 10-year-old marriage over abandonment. “My husband abandoned me and the children for four years. I was the one paying the house rent and feeding,” she said. Caro said that her husband only paid school fees of her first child and second child, and had refused to pay the fees of her third child, claiming that he was not the father. “I have been the one paying for the school fees of my last child; my husband refused to be responsible and has nothing to do with the child,” she said. The mother of three submitted that the last child also belonged to her husband. She begged the court to separate them and let her move on with her life as “my husband has denied me a lot and does not want to have anything to do with me again’’. The respondent, Mr Sulaimon Waheed, 39,a welder, denied the paternity of the last child. He told the court that his wife, Caro, was adulterous. Sulaimon said that he packed out of the house four years ago, and that his wife became pregnant after that. “I cannot be a father to another man’s child,” he said, stressing that he abandoned his wife due to adultery. “I ran away from home four years ago, because of my wife’s infidelity. “Anytime I caught her with a
‘Pastor behind breakup of my marriage’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 want me, what of your children. I asked her and she still would not listen to me. I want the whole world to know because there is a lot of misinformation out there. The lawyer which the pastor hired for my wife is also frustrating every attempt I make to resolve the matter peacefully.” (Culled from Naija.com)
man, either in my room or outside, she always vowed never to do it again, but she would still go back to her vomit. “I have married another woman who is not jumping from one man to another, and I am enjoying peace,” Sulaimon said. He told the court to grant his wife’s request, saying that he was no longer interested in the marriage. (NAN)
‘My husband has turned me to a prostitute’
• He will not give me money except he has sex with me. I am a wife and not a girl friend or sex worker, so I stopped him from having sex with me —Wife • She always starves me of sex and will not even allow me to touch her. Any time I tried to force myself to do it, she will pick up a dangerous weapon to stab me. Any time I am short of money and my wife paid the children’s fees or buys food in the house, she will tell our neighbours, her friends and even inform her family —Husband
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detoro Onipede has asked a Customary Court, sitting in Igando, Lagos, to dissolve his 20-yearold marriage, over ‘sexual intercourse’ issues. 50-year-old Onipede filed a suit on 21 August seeking for the dissolution of his marriage, which had produced three children, on the ground of sex starvation by his wife. Onipede claimed that his wife refused to have sex with him since 14 years ago, when
she gave birth to her last child. He also accused her of emasculating him, by telling people, whenever she assists financially in the home. He said, “She always starves me of sex and will not even allow me to touch her. Any time I tried to force myself to do it, she will pick up a dangerous weapon to stab me. Any time I am short of money and my wife paid the children’s fees or buys food in the house, she will tell our neighbours, her friends
and even inform her family.” He told the court that he wanted to move on with his life, and as such, the union had to be dissolved. Responding to the allegations, 42-year-old Olubunmi, said she stopped allowing her husband to have sex with him, after turning her into a prostitute. “My husband had turned me into a prostitute; he will not give me money except after making love to me. I am a wife and not
a girl friend or sex worker, so I stopped him from making love to me,” Olubunmi said. The wife, however, begged the court not to grant her husband’s desire, saying she was still in love with him. In his ruling, the President of the court, R.I Adeyeri said, “all efforts to reconcile the couple had proved futile as the petitioner insisted on divorce. Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to go their separate ways.”
‘My husband refused to have sex with me for eight years’ • I want to have another baby because our son is 12-years-old and I am not satisfied with only one child —Wife • I don’t want to risk her life because she gave birth through CS, this is why I have distanced myself from her —Husband
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wife, Adeola Adelani, has approached the Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 14-year marriage saying she had been sex-starved for eightyears. Adeola said :“My husband refused to make love to me for eight years. I want to have another baby because our son is 12-year-old and I am not satisfied with only one child,’’ she told the court. She also accused her husband of abandoning her and their child for an unknown destination since 2013. She claimed that her husband had refused to disclose where he lives and where
he works, but said that he always sent his son’s school fees and house rent through her bank account. Adeola also said her husband told her pastor that he had married another woman and had children, and that she should find another husband for herself, claiming she was a sad woman with neighbours referring to her as a “rejected and abandoned property.’’ She asked the court to dissolve the marriage so she could continue with her life. On his part, Olajide, 45, a businessman, did not deny the allegation of starving his
wife of sex, stating he refused to make love to his wife because he did not want her to have another baby because the first baby was born through Caesarean Section (CS). “I don’t want to risk her life because she gave birth through CS, this is why I have distanced myself from her and I want her to take care of our child. Besides, I did not abandon my wife, I only decided to move closer to my work place due to the distance from my house.I always squat with my friends and I come home once in a while,’’ he said. He also said he had no other wife or children anywhere and
agreed to the dissolution of the marriage because he was also fed up with the union. Giving his ruling, the President of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, said: “Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage. The couple can no longer stay together because the marriage has broken down totally; both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways. Both parties are to keep the peace all the time; any violation of the order should be reported to the police for redress.
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EVENTS
September 5, 2015
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Blockbusters Festival brings out the stars Last weekend, Blockbusters Festival held in Lagos, and it was attended by the crème de la crème of Nollywood. Tunde Kelani, Kehinde Bankole, Ini Edo and Zeb Ejiro were some of those who were present at the festival where eight blockbuster films were screened.
Tunde Kelani
Zeb Ejiro
Bolanle Olukanni
Ini Edo
Funlola Aofiyebi Raimi
Lilian Afegbai
Kehinde Bankole and Diana Yekini
Mary Lazarus
Olisa Adibua
OC Ukeje and Lillian Amah
Shawn Faqua
Tope Tedela
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September 5, 2015
Preeclampsia
Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions
Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)
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reeclampsia is a disease of pregnant women and it is not a nice one. It’s disliked by everyone concerned with its management; the doctors, the pregnant women and even the relatives. It is a poorly understood disease that has succeeded in confounding even the developed world where for instance it has been on the increase in the United States for about three decades. Affecting about 5% of pregnancies worldwide, preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, with 1 in 10 maternal deaths resulting from it in Africa. Definition: Preeclampsia, formerly referred to as toxemia of pregnancy is a condition that occurs in pregnant women commonly in the second half of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure, high level of protein in the urine, with or without swelling of the feet, face and hands. When it is severe and untreated it leads to eclampsia (convulsion in pregnancy). Causes: What causes preeclampsia is largely unknown, though it is recognized that there is malfunctioning of the placenta and researchers believe this is somehow related to poor nutrition, bad blood vessels leading to insufficient blood supply and genes. However, there are factors that make some pregnant women more disposed than others to the condition such as: –carrying the first pregnancy –being older than 40yrs while pregnant –being pregnant as a teenager –having high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity prior to getting pregnant –carrying more than one baby i.e twins or triplets And –having a relative who has had preeclampsia Symptoms: This is exactly where the danger lies. Most women with preeclampsia will not have symptoms. Instead they are diagnosed usually as a result of routine antenatal checks. This poses
a big dilemma for the care givers who recognizing the fatality of the condition will advise a form of treatment upon diagnosis which is totally unacceptable to a woman who believes nothing is wrong with her. In a particular case, a couple came to the clinic complaining of the pregnant‘s wife having persistent headache and some blurring of vision. She was in her 36th week. When she was diagnosed of severe preeclampsia with imminent eclampsia and asked to be admitted. They both laughed it off. Discussing the immediate delivery of the baby was not even entertained. But I am fine doctor! Just this headache! I still went to work this morning! At the end, the couple decided to go and think about it and get back. When he was describing what later happened right at the hospital reception while waiting to collect their medications, the husband said his wife kept repeating ‘’darling I can’t see clearly’’ ‘’ I can’t see clearly’’ and her grip on his hand tightened, just before she had the first seizure. Preeclampsia is that deceptive! When there are symptoms it could be: Oedema: swelling of the limbs and face, which doesn’t count much for a symptom, as some degree of oedema occurs in almost all pregnant women.OR Sudden weight gain At this time, signs such as high blood pressure and protein in the urine can be detected via routine antenatal tests in the hospital.
When it becomes severe; symptoms of complications set in. By all means preeclampsia should not be allowed to get to this stage where symptoms appear such as: Persistent headache Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Visual disturbances i.e. seeing flashes of light Right upper tummy pain Reduced urination At this point the battle is to ensure the condition does not progress to convulsion (eclampsia),organ failures, clotting disorders or even death. Treatment: As a matter of fact, the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. Because preeclampsia occurs largely while the baby is still too young to be delivered, the doctor and the patient needs to set their eyes on several monitors, including the well being of the baby, and that of the mother. The target being, to push the pregnancy until the baby is old enough to be delivered, at the same time preparing the baby for emergency delivery, also checking to ensure the mother is in good enough condition to deliver the baby safely. At any point where prevailing factors suggest that delivery must be effected to save the mother and child’s lives or even that of the mother alone, it is promptly done irrespective of the age of the pregnancy. Delivery then must be via the fastest route possible, either via induction of Labour or Caesarean
sectioning. Where the symptoms are mild enough as to support conservative management, the woman may benefit from: Bed rest Adequate rehydration Reduction of salt intake Blood pressure lowering drugs and anticonvulsants Medications to mature the baby’s lungs in anticipation of delivery Close monitoring; which sometimes may warrant admission. Prevention: It may be difficult to prevent preeclampsia developing, bearing in mind it is not yet a fully understood phenomenon, but its complications can be averted The first and perhaps the only step to ‘prevent’ it is to register early for antenatal and attend clinic regularly, for preeclampsia is easier to manage when diagnosed early. Other measures include: Controlling your weight and other conditions such as diabetes prior to getting pregnant Taking Supplements such as calcium and low dose aspirin prescribed by your doctor Conclusion: Never ever preeclampsia!
underestimate
You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng. every Wednesdays and Fridays(48pm)
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September 5, 2015
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Benin Walls: Relic of a lost empire By Nick Uweru
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an-made wonders such the Great Wall of China, the Coliseum in Rome, Taj Mahal in India and Cairo Citadel in Egypt attract millions of visitors every year over claims by the monument to architectural brilliance of the past. But in Benin, the Iya, defense moat, also known as the Walls of Benin, lies fallow, crumbling away in Nigeria. As a relic of a once-great empire and a site of colonial resistance, this could be the country’s biggest tourist attraction if properly tapped. Its far flung empire used to stretched from the western Igbo tribes on the shores of the Niger River, through parts of the southwest including present day Ondo State, and the isolated islands of Lagos. This was the Benin Empire, famed for nurturing of artistic creativity and using advanced techniques in its bronze and ivory sculptures (especially its life-sized bronze heads) that predate similar works in the Western world. It was a flourishing land until it was laid waste by the British Empire. Its many riches in bronze, ivory, hide and many other artistic works were stolen living at as relic of its former majesty, the Iya, defense rampart or moat that protects the Benin City from invasion. The Walls once protected a proud state. Construction started on the Walls of Benin in 800 AD, now situated in modern day Benin City, capital of Edo State, and continued into the mid-1400s. Stretching seemingly endlessly across the land, the Benin Moat is the world’s second longest man-made construction, falling short of only the Great Wall of China. The Walls of Benin, built as a city fortification against neighbouring rivals such as the Oyo Kingdom to the south and the Sokoto Caliphate in the north, is estimated to be 10,000 miles in length and 2,000 square miles in area. Excavations by British archaeologist Graham Connah in 1960 uncovered a rural network of earthen walls that, he estimated, if spread out over five dry seasons, would have required a workforce
Palace Wall, Abomey, Benin.
of 1,000 labourers working ten hours a day, for seven days a week to construct – a rough total of 150 million man hours. But this civilisation’s fate began to change in the face of foreign aggression. Towards the end of the 19th century, the British Empire began to try and forge a closer relationship with the Kingdom of Benin. Yet all overtures were rebuffed by a cautious King Ovonramwen. The British launched a punitive expedition in 1897, using superior armoury and ammunition to
Walls of moat
overpower the Benin army. Benin was razed to the ground, with much of the wall destroyed in the process. Treasured art was looted and sold to collectors abroad. Many of these artifacts still adorn museums around the world today, including the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the British Museum. The invasion and eventual annexation of the Benin Empire by the British Colonial forces in 1897 led to the destruction of long stretches of the wall. Although a limited renaissance is taking place in the Nigerian art
scene – with Yoruba and Benin bronze sculptures fetching high prices on the international market – harsh economic times have led to a widespread disregard for this period of history. Too often the remnants of the Wall of Benin have been ‘developed’, plundered or desecrated. The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has since been given responsibility for the protection and preservation of the city walls and moat. Legal instruments have been created which forbids any person to willfully destroy, deface, alter, remove or excavate them. Yet today, the wall and moat are in a state of disrepair: no more than a common dumping site, overgrown by vegetation and targeted by unscrupulous developers. In the absence of law enforcement and proper funding, conserving the walls is a near impossible task. The walls and moat could prove to be a stimulus for a flagging tourism industry; its legacy is one that in the face of current external landgrabbing and foreign exploitation of Africa’s natural resources should never be forgotten.
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September 5, 2015
LEISURE
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September 5, 2015
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From the Civil Service Nigeria to host World Pension Summit M
rs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, the Director-General, National Pencom Commission (PenCom), said on Friday that Nigeria was ready to host the second edition of the World Pension SummitAfrica Special in Abuja. Anohu-Amazu said this in Lagos during an interactive session with newsmen on the upcoming event and the launch of a new logo for the commission. She said the event was scheduled for Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with the theme ``Building Sustainable Pension Systems in Africa’’. The director-general explained that the successes recorded by Nigeria in pension administration since the inception of the new system gave the country the lead in Africa. ``I am happy to say that the successes recorded so far in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, lends itself to be replicated in other jurisdictions across Africa. ``It is with this in mind that the commission partnered with the` WorldPensionSummit, The Netherlands’, a global pension brand, to host the maiden edition of the WorldPensionSummit - Africa Special – in Abuja, Nigeria, last year, to discuss and share ideas on pension administration in Africa. ``The summit was adjudged a great success as over 400 delegates from 23 countries, including 15 African countries attended,’’ she said.
According to her, the forthcoming summit would once more attract diverse experts from
across the world in the areas of investment, infrastructure financing, real estate and other pension-
related fields. Anohu-Amazu added that ``reforms and developments in African pen-
to the needs of retirees. She warned that nonremittance of deducted pension contributions by employers of labour would henceforth be treated as an act of economic sabotage. She disclosed that the commission had estab-
lished a call centre in Abuja to receive genuine complains from aggrieved pension beneficiaries and resolve same with minimal delay. She gave the number of the call centre as: 070002255-736266 and 0700-callPenCom. However, the directorgeneral advised employees to blow the whistle in cases of default by their respective employers to safeguard
sion systems (regional reports’’ and global developments in pension systems’’ would be part of issues to be addressed at the summit. The event was also
graced by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina, NLC and TUC representatives as well as other stakeholders in the pension industry.
...as commission rebrands, launches new logo
T
he Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Chinelo-AnohuAmazu, on Friday pledged to rebrand and strengthen the administration of pension system in Nigeria. Anohu-Amazu made the promise in Lagos at the launch of a new logo for the commission and media interaction heralding the 2015 ``WorldPensionSummit’’. She said that the commission would continue to promote, sustain and professionalise pension regulations and supervision in the country. According to her, the Pencom laws are undergoing reforms to further strengthen Nigeria’s pension administration system. Anohu-Amazu said the pension administration would be made transparent, accountable and responsive
their future. Anohu-Amazu advised state governors and leaders in the private sector to key into the new pension system to promote the welfare of their workers. She said that about 63 per cent of the N5 trillion pension funds are being invested in Federal Government bonds and other zero-risk capital markets to boost the system.
According to her, no single fraud case had been recorded since the inception of the scheme in 2004 because of the safety valves put in place. On the logo, AnohuAmazu said the new features include solid bars depicting strength, grey signifying transparency and Nigeria’s coat of arm symbolising authority. (NAN)
L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule(right) being accomplaining by Chief Medical Director, Clinix Healthcare Centre, Dr. Uche Ejiofor(left) and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, during the opening of Clinix Healthcare Centre in Lagos, yesterday.
Jega assumes work, inspects projects as PLASU governing council chairman
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rof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Governing Council, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos on Thursday assumed work by inspecting some projects and presiding over the council’s meeting in Bokkos, near Jos. The projects inspected by the former INEC boss shortly after their inauguration by Gov. Simon Lalong, include
the N114 million TETFund Lecture Halls and Office. Others are the N72 million Entrepreneurship Centre and the N69 million 250-capacity theatre. The university’s Acting Director of Works, Mr Aku Ayok, who took the council members round the projects, said most of the projects were TETFund’s with some
completed while othersat near completion. The PLASU Vice Chancellor, Prof Doknan Sheni, said that the greatest challenge of the university was non-accreditation and funding. ``A total of 319 of our students could not graduate last year due the issue of non-accreditation of our
courses by NUC and we still have another set of 400 students in their final year, `` the VC lamented. Sheni said there was need for the rapid infrastructural development in the university and recruitment of the staff to meet up with the NUC accreditation. Jega, who expressed gratitude to the Plateau Government over the
appointment, said that the university was founded on very lofty objectives with a very good mission and vision statements. According to him, the role of the council is defined by law and that it will do everything possible to see that staff worked together to stimulate the growth and development of the university. (NAN)
Sport
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September 5, 2015
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AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles battle Taifa Stars in Dar es Salaam ...as Okunowo, Akani warn against complacency
Super Eagles players in a prayer session before a match
Ifeanyi Eduzor
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igeria’s Super Eagles will today continue their quest for qualification for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup slated for Gabon when they confront Taifa Stars of Tanzania at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam. Nigeria is second in Group G behind Egypt and will be seeking to maintain their winning start following a 2-0 triumph over Chad in the first match of the qualifiers while Tanzania will be hoping to bounce back to reckoning after losing 3-0 away to Egypt in their first game in June and get maximum points in their quest for a first ever AFCON appearance since 1980. Both teams have not met at the senior level since December 1980 but have met at the junior level with Nigeria having an upper hand against their East African counterparts. A win for Nigeria will see them keep their hope of qualification alive while it might just be the end of the road for Tanzania. Today’s match is expected to be explosive because apart from both teams going through a rebuilding process, both Coach
Sunday Oliseh and Tanzania’s Boniface Charles Mkwasa are having their first major competitive game. On paper, Super Eagles have an edge over their host considering that Tanzania is not a power house in African football and are ranked 140th in the world; 87 places below Nigeria who is ranked 53 but recent experience has shown that there are no more football minnows in the continent. To ensure he records a comprehensive victory over the Tanzanians, Oliseh picked a crack squad made up of mainly foreign based players such as Leon Balogun, Kingsley Madu, Godfrey Oboabona,Kenneth Omeruo, Joel Obi, Lukman Haruna, Rabiu Ibrahim, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa, Emem Eduok and Moses Simon amongst others to prosecute the encounter. It is true that Tanzania does not have high profile players like Nigeria but that doesn’t mean they don’t have players that can hurt the Super Eagles. Mbwana Samatta is the biggest player in the squad. The TP Mazembe striker is the toast of Tanzania football and Tanzanian fans will be counting on him to clip the Eagles wings in today’s match. Thomas Ulimwengu, team mates with Samatta at TP Mazembe is another player Sunday Oliseh must keep an eye on. The
lanky attack minded midfielder comes with a bag full of tricks and is one of the leaders of the Taifa Stars. Although, team captain and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama did a last minute withdrawal from the game citing some family problems and will be replaced by Wolverhampton Wanderers of England safe hands; Carl Ikeme while Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel were left out of the Super Eagles’ squad but the Super Eagles handler is optimistic his team will over-run their opponent in today’s cracker. Speaking shortly before the team’s departure to Dar es Salaam, Coach Oliseh admitted that he is in a “tight corner” ahead of his maiden assignment following the late withdrawal of Enyeama “The late withdrawal of Enyeama put me in a tight corner ahead of the encounter but I am optimistic that we are going to grab the three points at stake in today’s game. ‘’The whole team understands the importance of the match and they have all vowed to get a good result in Tanzania”, Oliseh said. Meanwhile two ex- internationals, Gbenga Okunowo and Waidi Akanni have advised the Coach Oliseh led side to avoid
complacency when they play Tanzania today in Dar es Salaam. In an interview with Saturday Mirror, Okunowo noted that there is the need for the Super Eagles not to underrate their opponents but to approach the game with all seriousness it deserves to enable them achieve victory. The former FC Barcelona and Portugal’s Benfica right back while expressing optimism that the Super Eagles will defeat Taifa Stars reminded the Nigerians that their host will be playing under a lot of pressure and as such should not be underrated. Also speaking on today’s encounter, former Super Eagles defender, Waidi Akanni stated that the Super Eagles have what it takes to beat Tanzania but should be mindful of the fact that Tanzania will be counting on home support to overwhelm them and as such should be focused throughout the duration of the game. “I have no doubt that Super Eagles will overrun Taifa Stars in today’s encounter but they should be focused and not allow their vociferous crowd to distract them”, Akanni who played for the Nigeria U-20 team that won bronze at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship finals in the Soviet Union cautioned.
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No title regrets for Ferguson
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Messi will never leave Barca — Fernandez
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ionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to the club’s sporting director Robert Fernan-
dez. The forward was linked with a move to Manchester City last season following a dispute with Coach Luis Enrique. However, after suffering a dip in form he returned to his brilliant best in the second half of the campaign as Barca won the treble for the second time in their history. “Messi will play for the club for the rest of his life,” said Fernandez. “He has many years of football left in him. Other people
Messi
think not, but he’s so intelligent positionally and knows where to be on the field at the right time. “As people get older they lose things but he’s smart enough to keep producing extraordinary performances. He has that gift.”
Perez: Red Devils lack transfer experience
Ferguson
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ir Alex Ferguson insists he has no regrets about taking a hard line approach to management even though he admits it may have cost Manchester United Premier League titles. Ferguson won 13 league titles with United during his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford before he retired at the end of the 2012/13 season. However, he believes he may have won even more silverware if he had not adopted a tough disciplinary approach. The likes of David Beckham, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud Van Nistelrooy all in-
curred the Scot’s wrath during his reign at Manchester United. “People will give a manager plenty of opportunities to crack the whip so it’s best to pick and choose your moments,” Ferguson writes in his new book which is out on September 22. “You don’t have to dish out a punishment very often before everyone gets the message.”I place discipline above all else and it might have cost us several titles. “But if I had to repeat things I’d do it precisely the same because discipline has to come before anything else.”
M
anchester United’s “inexperience” in the transfer market led to the collapse of David De Gea’s move to Real Madrid, says the Spanish club’s president. Florentino Perez drew parallels with United’s failure to sign both Real’s Fabio Coentrao and Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Her-
Bayern rejected offer for Muller, says Rummenigge
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ayern Munich turned down an extremely lucrative offer for Thomas Muller this summer, according to President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Manchester United and Real Madrid were among the clubs linked with the striker, who has scored five goals in three Bundesliga matches this season. But the German champions refused to sell the 25-year-old, even though there was apparently a hefty sum on the table. “I’m talking about figures which were very high indeed,” said Rummenigge. “If I were a bank manager then I would have had to accept it. “But as a football club we allowed ourselves to close the door on it, and this door is remaining closed. I can promise that to everybody. “But one thing is for certain; in view of the increased television money in England
Perez
Costa: I’ve filled Ribery’s gap
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ouglas Costa believes he has proven to be an effective replacement for Franck Ribery at Bayern Munich in the early stages of the season. Injury limited France international Ribery to just 15 Bundesliga appearances last term and he has been out of action since
Davies retires from football
Muller
things are not going to get any easier for Bayern in future.” That influx of money from next season is set to make the Premier League even more enticing when it comes to signing the top players in future.
Courtois tips De Bruyne to excel at Man City
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helsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois thinks Belgium team-mate Kevin De Bruyne will make an instant impact in the Premier League. Manchester City concluded a long pursuit of the playmaker by finalizing a £54.5m deal to buy him from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg on the final day of the summer transfer window. Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Asmir Begovic faced each other as Belgium beat Bosnia in the European Qualifiers. The deal was a drawn-out one but does not appear to have affected De Bruyne, who made one and scored one in Bel-
rera on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2013. Goalkeeper De Gea’s move fell through as paperwork was not submitted in time.”They lack experience,” Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER. “This same thing happened to Coentrao and Herrera.” Real and United blame each other for the delay in sending the documents to finalise De Gea’s transfer. The Spanish club said they did everything they could to complete the £29m signing of the 24-year-old, but missed the deadline by two minutes. United who were hoping to sign Keylor Navas as part of the deal said they submitted all of the paperwork two minutes before the 23:00 BST deadline. Perez said the Red Devils only agreed the deal 12 hours before the transfer window in Spain closed, and then took eight hours to return documents.
gium’s 3-1 win over Bosnia in the European Qualifiers on Thursday night. Courtois, whose club side Chelsea trail De Bruyne’s new employers by eight points in the Premier League, feels the performance is a testament to the player’s qualities. “He shows his quality and mental strength that after two weeks of negotiation and difficult days he managed to play a very good game and he helped to secure us the victory,” he said. “It is very good for him and we are looking forward to having him in the Premier League and show his quality there.”
F
ormer Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies has announced his retirement from football after being without a club since the end of last season. The 38-year old was released by Preston in July after making 43 appearances for the Lancashire club, who won promotion to the Championship last season. Davies, who made his England debut at the age of 33, announced his retirement on Twitter. “It’s been emotional. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way #22seasons,” he tweeted. Speaking to talkSPORT, Davies added: “I’m officially retired. I’m not playing anywhere at the moment and I’ve spoken to a lot of people about it. It’s a big decision for me and my family, and it just feels like the Davies right time for me.”
Costa
March. Brazilian forward Costa was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for Euro 30 million to increase coach Pep Guardiola’s options on the wings, but while he admitted he wants to emulate Ribery, his former coach Mircea Lucescu insisted the 24-year-old is not yet at that level. Costa, though, believes he has got off to a bright start at the Allianz Arena, having bagged two assists and one goal in his opening three Bundesliga appearances. “Guardiola has trusted me 100% from the beginning he told reporters. “I felt immediately at ease in the team. I think I have filled the gap that Ribery has left since his injury well. “I have to use this opportunity. When I came to Bayern, everyone was talking about Arjen Robben and Ribery.”I have given it my best. “Guardiola is a coach who prefers attacking football and we do in the national team also we have a lot of possession, you can see it in our games, this fast paced play I think suits me.”
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SPORT
September 5, 2015
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International Pairs:
Organisers promise million naira entertainment
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United new signing, Martial, is mummy’s boy M
anchester United spent £36million on Anthony Martial but supporters are forgiven if they do not know much about the 19-year-old France starlet from Monaco. Martial prefers to stay in, enjoys home-cooked meals by his mum, is a television addict and likes to relax with his family following training sessions and matches. The striker is married to childhood sweetheart Samantha and the couple have an infant daughter named Toto. They are currently expecting their second child. Martial’s transfer fee, which could rise to £58m with bonuses that include him being named European Footballer of the Year, made him the most expensive teenager in history. Mrs Martial posted a pictured of her husband with a Manchester United shirt on Instagram, saying: ‘A new life begins in England ... we will never
forget Monaco ... thank you all for your support.’ She has already been making WAG connections in England, within hours of flying to the UK. Martial’s lifestyle, however, is at odds with his new-found fame. ‘After training, I like to come home and find my wife. I am very homely,’ he previously told France Football. The Paris-born starlet has been dubbed the new Thierry Henry but, just like any other teenager, has a love for video games, including FIFA, and TV shows such as Dexter. His pre-match rituals include listening to music and, as a Catholic, praying. Following a game he texts his wife Samantha immediately who, during their time in Monaco, enjoyed going on undisturbed walks. ‘We can walk quietly, you are not bothered much,’ Martial said. After joining arguably the world’s most famous club in
football, that will probably change. But a source close to Martial told The Sun: ‘Anthony now carries the glamorous title of being the most expensive teenager in world football, but his life is just the opposite. His idol as a youngster was Sonny Anderson ‒the Brazil striker who scored 71 goals in 110 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon between 1999 and 2003. ‘My first jersey was that of Sonny Anderson,’ Martial says. ‘When I was little, I was a fan of Lyon.’ His love of Brazilian football doesn’t stop there, as he adds: ‘I liked Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.’ In a tweet in March last year, he praised Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who helped the English side overcome Olympiakos in the Champions League last 16. He said: ‘Giggs is 40 years old. Respect.’ The Welshman will now be coaching Martial, as he assistant manager at Old Trafford.
s preparations for this year’s edition of International Pairs competition gathers momentum, organizers of the event, Falcon Golf Development Company, has promised participants and winners of the competition, a once-in-a-life time entertainment. The Chief Executive Officer of the outfit, Remi Olukoya, who spoke to newsmen during the week, also explained why the event had to be moved to the golf section of the Ikoyi club 1938. According to him, unexpected clashes with other tournaments on the day it was first scheduled, the need to give the participants value for their money and the desire of the organizers to accommodate more participants necessitated the move to Ikoyi club. The competition, Olukoya explained further will now be played over two-days from September 18th to 20th. Already there are excitement in the air as interest in the competition grows. “We have to change the venue and the date because of clashes with some other competitions noticed. But we have finally agreed to the new date which is September 18-20. Unlike the former ar-
rangement that would have seen players play over 18-holes, we have decided to make it a two-day competition, so as to give all players opportunity of winning”, he explained further. With interest in the competition growing by the minutes, Olukoya says slots will only be given out on first come first serve basis. While calling on golfers not to miss the opportunity of playing in the competition, he said, the new International Pairs is a brand new competition designed to showcase the best players in Nigeria who can compete with the best in the world. “We want it to be a unique event in all aspects. In terms of organization, entertainment and even the trophies that we are given out to winners are unique”, Olukoya said with lots of excitement in his voice. “The participants are reminded that as they participate and or sponsor, they are supporting our dream of setting up the first of its kind Golf Academies in parts of Lagos State that will create the enabling environment for the development of young boys & girls who shall be the future of Nigerian Golf Professionals in years to come”.
McIlroy wants to keep top spot
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ory McIlroy is confident of winning more tournaments this year and retaining his newly-reclaimed world number one status. The Northern Irishman returned to top spot last week, despite not playing, as the man who recently replaced him, Masters and US Open winner Jordan Spieth, missed the cut at The Barclays. But McIlroy, who won two majors last year, knows Spieth and US PGA Championship winner Jason Day are right behind him heading Deutsche Bank Open in Boston. McIlroy said: “I feel I am holding this ranking based on what I
did last year but hopefully I can get another couple of wins before the end of the year and I feel I am playing well enough to do that.” Day is now the game’s form player having followed up his PGA success by winning The Barclays, the first event of the FedEx Cup play-off series. McIlroy feels there is very little to choose between them and believes the competition will force standards higher. Any of the three could be number one by the end of the week’s events in Boston. McIlroy said: “I feel we are pretty close. I feel the level I played at last year, they saw that and attained that.
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September 5, 2015
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Suwon Invitational:
Eaglets’ beat Brazil 2-1
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Super Eagles’ players celebrate after winning a match
AFCON Qualifier: Enyeama’s absence will affect Eagles —Nwosu F
ormer Golden Eaglets head coach, Henry Nwosu has described as huge setback the absence of Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama in the lineup against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania. The bereaved Lille of France goaltender will miss the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against the East Africans on today at the National Stadi-
um in Dar es Salaam. Nwosu said Eagles will sorely feel the absence of the former Enyimba shot stopper in goalkeeping department where he reigns as a colossus. “Enyeama’s absence is a setback to the side’s Afcon campaign against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam today. “Right now we do not have credible replacement of En-
yeama; that’s not to undermine the potency of the goalkeepers in the squad. “Enyeama’s absence will certainly hurt the team especially in the goalkeeping area,” said the former Nigerian captain to supersport.com. Nwosu however said that the three-time African champions will overcome the Tanzanians’ hurdle right there at their back-
yard. “Tanzania is not a big time football nation but as it’s today there is no pushover in the round leather game. “However, I do not see Tanzania beat us on their home soil, I believe Eagles will win right there in Dar es Salaam no matter how hard the opponents come in the clash,” said Nwosu.
igeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets on Friday beat the Junior Selecao of Brazil 2-1 at the on-going Suwon Continental Cup International Youth (U-17) Football Tournament in Korea. Kingsley Michael and Chukwudi Agor scored two first half goals while David Enogela conceded a second half own goal. With the victory, the Eaglets shot their way to the top of the 4-Nation Tournament with four points following their 1-1 draw on Wednesday against South Korea. Nigeria went into the lead through Michael in the 20th minute when he delicately placed the ball behind Juliano after the burly goalkeeper re-bounced Victor Oshimen’s powerful shot. Twelve minutes later, Osimhen again laid the ball on the path of Chukwudi Agor who shot from acute angle to score his first goal in national team colours. The Brazilians swooped on the Eaglets in the second half and Evander saw his shot ricocheted off the bar in the 54th minute and goalkeeper Udoh Akpan was at his best to punch away Vitinho’s volley in the 60th minute.
Oduah canvasses for seasoned sports minister Ifeanyi Eduzor
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ormer board member of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Prince Isidore Oduah has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a technocrat as the country’s Sports Minister warning that appointing a politician to the position is capable of retarding sports development. He told Saturday Mirror that Nigerian sports is witnessing a steady decline because the wrong people are managing the sector positing that once a sound administrators is saddled with the responsibility of administering sport, Nigeria will regain its lead-
Ifeanyi Eduzor
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he second edition of VCN U-15 championship will kick off today at the Jalisco play ground, Oshodi with 24 teams participating. Sponsor of the tournament, Chief Vincent Nwaribeaku told Saturday Mirror during a press conference to herald the championship that the competition which is slated for September 5- October 18th, 2015 at Jalisco
Oduah
ership position in the continent. “There is need for the President to appoint a technocrat who understands the terrain as Sports Minister. “We need a professional who will not depend on advice from
civil servants to run the country’s sports because they will never give him good advice. “I don’t care the region or state the person comes from but he must not be a politician but an articulate person who will take grassroots sports development serious. According to him, what Nigeria needs is to tap from the experiences of veteran sport administrators who are willing to help the country overcome its dwindling fortune in sports even as he canvassed for the reviving of state sports councils. “We have very good veteran sports administrators who are willing to offer their services for the good of the country. There is also need to revive sports councils
VCN U-15 tourney begins today playground and Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will provide a platform for young and talented footballers to display their talents even as he stated that the football challenge is to discover quality players in the mould of Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Agali, Taribo West , Adokiye Amiasiamaka, Segun Odegbami,Kanu Nwankwo, Christian Chukwu, Micheal Dominic, Bienda Alada and Vic-
tor Ikpeba amongst others. “Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents and we have decided to create an ideal environment for such talents to be exhibited. At VCN sports Ltd, we firmly believe that besides dealing in quality sports wears and kits, footballers should get the right direction to perform optimally. “VCN in conjunction with Prince Wale Atiba of optima
in all the Local Government Areas where athletes could be easily discovered. “You remember that great athletes like Mary Onyeali, Mercy Nku, Falilat Ogunkoya and Ezinwa brothers, were all discovered from the grassroots and as such development programme should be revived. “Other states should emulate Lagos State Government which recently appointed a seasoned sports personality, Ayo Agbesowa as the Director General Lagos State Sports Commission On the poor performance of “Team Nigeria” at the just concluded World Athletics Championship in Beijing, China, he blamed the AFN for not doing enough to develop the athletes.
concepts have fine-tuned strategies towards quality sponsorship and organization of the championship”, said Nwaribeaku as he confirmed that the eventual winner of the grassroots football tourney will go home with a golden trophy, gold medals and N200,000 while the first and second runners- up would get N100, 000 and N50, 000 respectively beside prizes for the Most Valuable Player, Best behaved team, Best coach, Highest goal scorer and Best Goal keeper.
Amuneke
Yaba Tech agog for ARS 5 national final
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eason five of the annual male and female U-17 Airtel Rising Stars competition will be rounded up today at the Yaba College of Technology, play ground. The final which promises to be explosive will see Port Harcourt male team meeting Lagos while Abuja female team will confront their counterparts from Port Harcourt. To get to the finals, Port Harcourt boys overcame their counterparts from Abuja by 2-1 while their opponents recorded another 2-1 victory over Abuja in their match decided Friday. Abuja having lost two matches in a row emerged the second runners- up while Lagos girls who suffered a defeat from their Abuja counterpart on Thursday and also played a goalless draw with Port Harcourt on Friday earned the 3rd place finish in the female category. Top executives from the Smartphone network, Airtel Nigeria, sport icons, captains of industry, ex-Super Eagles International and popular Nigerian artistes are expected to grace the Airtel Rising Stars finals which promises to be explosive.
Crime Watch
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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September 5, 2015
Police arrest deserter for extorting Motorists
Akeem’s fake ID card
Patience Ogbo
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43 -year -old ex policeman identified as Lawal Akeem has been arrested by policemen attached to the Lagos State police command for impersonation and extortion. Akeem, who is in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, is undergoing interrogation over allegation that he deserted the police but was caught with a fake police identity card which he used to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public. According to the police, the suspect was exposed after a motorist fought with him at the Maza Maza area of the state last month. It was learnt that officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, who were on patrol duty at Maza Maza arrested Akeem and took him to their office at Alausa but he was later transferred to, SARS Ikeja, after he confessed he deserted from the police. Following investigation, the police found a fake police identity card on the suspect bearing his name and rank as a sergeant. The suspect however denied the allegation. He said, “Yes it is true that I deserted from the police but I had to leave work because I am sick. I lost my wife last year when she went to give birth to our third child and since her death I have been depressed because her death affected my mental health”. Narrating where he served while in the Police Force, Akeem said, “I was working as a sergeant at the Bompai Division at
Sabon Gari Kano state. I was transferred from Lagos to Kano in 2013 during the heat of Boko Haram but I got a call last February that my wife was rushed to the hospital to give birth. I took permission and came to Lagos to be with her but sadly, she died during child birth. I have been depressed and hypertensive since my wife died. I went to the hospital to treat myself but I have been very sick despite all the treatment I received. My family members took me to a traditionalist in Ogun State and I have been going there for treatment. I did not go to my office in Kano to take medical leave. I just stayed away and the authorities stopped my salary”.
Akeem
Also narrating how he got into a fight with the motorist, Akeem said. “I have two children and I went to visit them in my relative’s house at Badagry. That fateful day, I was trying to cross the road at Maza Maza area of the state when the driver hit me with her car. I ran after her and she had to stop because of the gridlock. I told her that she hit me but she
started shouting and called me a thief. She came out of her car and tore my cloth and we started fighting. The RRS men came and I introduced myself as a police sergeant. They asked for my identity card and they took me to their station. That identity card was given to me by the police authority. I am sick but I am not a thief ”.
Pastor, wife arrested for child trafficking
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he Abia State Police Command has arrested a 71-year-old man, said to be a retired pastor, and his wife for allegedly stealing a baby. The suspect and his wife were apprehended by the police, following an alarm raised by the mother of the child. Joshak Habila, Abia State Police Commissioner, who paraded the suspects, said that a month ago, a 21-yearold pregnant mother reported that a supposed friend under the pretense of offering help to her had stolen her 11-month-old baby. The anti-robbery squad of the command thereafter intercepted the suspect at Owerrinta and arrested him for allegedly trafficking pregnant girls to Port
Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The police commissioner revealed that the arrest led to the discovery of the baby, who had been previously stolen and allegedly sold to the retired pastor’s wife. Habila said that the suspect sold the baby for N500,000 to the wife of a pastor who kept the deal away from her husband. She allegedly told her husband that she went through the normal process of adoption for the baby. The wife of the pastor admitted to have paid for the baby in the premises of Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, through her friend, one Maria Mba. However, her husband denied knowledge of the illegal adoption of the baby, noting that he had been asking his wife
to show the adoption documents, which he claimed he never saw till date. During the interrogation, the other suspects, Maria Mba and Ekwutosi, also explained their role in the illegal deal. Ekwutosi said that Mba had approached him and requested for baby girl, which he arranged for and procured. After that, he invited Mba and the pastor’s wife to the medical centre where the deal was finally sealed. Mba revealed that she collected the money and gave N400,000 to Ekwutosi and kept N100,000 as her share in the deal. Ekwutosi, however, denied receiving the money from her. (Naij.com)
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CRIME WATCH
September 5, 2015
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NDLEA intercept cocaine concealed in tins T he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted 7.576kg of white cocaine and 3.885kg of crack cocaine being smuggled from Brazil.
The total weight of the drugs, 11.461kg has an estimated street value of N57 million. The Anti-narcotic officers said they have also arrested five suspected drug traffickers in connection with the seized drugs. Unlike white cocaine, seizures of crack cocaine are not common in the country. According to the airport commander of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mr. Hamza Umar, one of the suspects Omoluonye Izuchukwu Simon was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.785kg. The crack cocaine weighed 3.885kg while the white weighed 3.900kg. “Akubueze Kyrian Nonso, 28 years old had 1.110kg by the side of his luggage while Obidike Onodyer, 40 years old ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.485 grammes. “Others are Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday, 35 years old found with 74 wraps weighing 1.256kg and Ifoh Emma, 37 years old was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.710 grammes,” he stated. The commander added that apart from Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday who hails from Enugu State, the other suspects are from Anambra State.
Drugs
One of the suspects Ifoh Emma, who claims to be a barber in Brazil, said he got involved in drugs to sus-
tain his family. Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on
12 traffic robbers in police net Patience Ogbo
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olicemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad Lagos state police command have arrested thirteen traffic robbery suspects who are allegedly specialised in robbing passengers during gridlock in Lagos state. One of the suspects, Tijani Taofeek, 26, suspected to be a member of gridlock robbery syndicate at Ojota in the state was arrested after he allegedly stole a mobile phone from a truck driver. The RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olatunji Disu, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects belong to a syndicate operating at Mile 2, Ojota and Ijora areas of the state. He said “The operatives from the RRS acted on incessant complaints from motorists and pedestrians plying the roads whom have been victims of this criminal act on many occasions. Tijani was
•Hunger led us to crime —Suspects
caught in the act while trying to rob a trailer’s driver in Ojota. An RRS rider who was on patrol around that axis, was informed by a commercial driver from the other side of the road, that two suspected armed robbers were making effort to snatch handset from a trailer driver. Our officers promptly arrived the scene and caught Tijani while the other suspect fled. However, the handset which he allegedly forcefully collected from the driver was recovered from him by the Police.” Tijani, who hails from Ogbomosho in Oyo state, said that he was a bus conductor, and that the income from bus conducting activities was no longer enough for him. “I told my Oga that I will not come to work today because I was sick. But while at home, I couldn’t bear the hunger any longer, and I went out to look for what to
eat. I was not the only one, my friend has taken to his heels”, Commenting on the arrest of the other suspects, ACP Disu said, “Following the incessant complaints from members of the public on regular in-traffic robbery along these axis, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni, ordered that immediate and drastic actions must be taken to arrest the situation which has started yielding positive results .Operatives from the RRS responded to the tipoff from the motorists plying the roads and between the hours of 22:00 and 23: 00 on August 21st, 2015, we apprehended the suspects. The operatives also recovered wraps of India-hemp from the suspects. Police investigation revealed that the social miscreants are in the habit of robbing, snatching handsets and dispossessing law abiding citizens of their valuables during the traffic jam along
members of the public to shun drug trafficking and engage in legitimate business ventures. Mile 2 and Ijora respectively in the metropolis” Narrating the modus operandi of the armed robbery suspects, ACP Disu said “The suspects attack their victims by breaking the vehicles’ windscreens during traffic hours. By so doing, their victims will be left with no option than to surrender their belongings to them under duress. The suspects were taken to our office and four (4) suspects who gave satisfactory account of themselves were released. The remaining eight suspects have been charged to court immediately” ACP Disu appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing useful information to reduce crime in the state. “The citizens should give police useful and timely information. We guarantee that their identities will be protected. The citizens should cultivate the habit of helping the Police with useful and timely information.” ACP Olatunji Disu reiterated that the campaign to free Lagos from criminal acts is in line with the commitment of the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in ensuring that lives and properties are secured in the state.
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Another fake doctor arrested in Abuja
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Crime Watch
September 5, 2015
he Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has arrested one Nwosu Angela Njide, an alleged fake female doctor with Rauz Hospital, Apo, Abuja. According to reports, Njide who is in her 30’s, had worked as a doctor for years, using forged documents. On interrogation, she had confessed to have worked in different places, including the British American Tobacco (BAT) clinic, Ibadan, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and eventually in Rauz Hospital, Apo, Abuja before she was apprehended. She claimed to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Medical College in 2005, adding that she had her houseman-ship programme at the teaching hospital in Nsukka. The Head of Department of the Inspectorate Unit of the MDCN, Dr Henry Okwuokenye, who carried out the arrest, said the self-acclaimed doctor was asked series of questions but failed the very simple questions any medical student is expected to know. “The fake doctor’s ordeal began more than a year ago when she went to Oyo State to register for her license to practice at the Ministry of Health under the Oyo State Director, Medical Services. “Following the refusal of the Oyo State Ministry of Health to register her, she was said to have relocated to Abuja, and audaciously went on her own to the MDCN to register for her license,” Okwuokenye said. “She came to the council to apply for a new folio number, unique to every practicing doctor in Nigeria, in attempt to get full registration. “We checked and she was not on the list. She claimed to have graduated from UNN, but we went to verify and we discovered she lied. As at this time, she was on the run.” Okwuokenye further noted that the impostor had been dodging arrest for more than one year now and the council had been on her trail. Angela was reportedly arrested on the first day of her new job, which reports say was worth N280,000 monthly, at a newly opened private hospital in Bwari Area Council in Abuja after her new employees demanded MDCN to verify its new staff doctors. The Ministry officials, however, became suspicious of her qualifications and doubted the authenticity of her claims. Okwuokenye disclosed that the Council, until a few days before her arrest, didn’t have the faintest idea she was working with Rauz Hospital, adding that it was a phantom interview the Council used in a quest to decoy her. “She eventually fell victim to the bait at Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Municipal Council in FCT,” he added. “Njide’s arrest makes her the first female fake doctor on the record of the MDCN,” Okwuokeny quipped, adding that “after her arrest, she was reportedly handed over to the police.”
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‘I slept with my daughter six times’
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4-year-old Mohammed Ahmed, has told the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Osogbo, Osun State that he had been sleeping with his daughter, 14, since April. Ahmed said he had taught the girl how to “have good sex on bed” and that anytime he needed her, he would just take her to bed. The suspect said he did not see anything wrong in making love with his daughter. According to him, he sees the teenage girl as his sex machine. He said: “I don’t know what came over me from April that I have been having sex with my daughter. Any time I was having sex with her, I did not see anything wrong in it. “I only have sex with her six times since April 2015. But, I am regretting it now when NSCDC officials arrested me over the matter.” It was discovered that Ahmed started sleeping with his daughter after he divorced the girl’s mother who later died. The daughter, a primary 4 pupil of a public school, and her nine-year-old sister were both living with their father in a single room apartment. The Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit of NSCDC, Mr Wale Folarin, said “the perpetrator of the act would be brought to book”. Folarin said his men acted promptly and arrested the man after a tip-off from one of his neighbours. The neighbour, according to him, claimed that the girl always screams whenever her father was having sexual intercourse with her.
Ahmed
He said: “The whole truth was revealed when the said neighbour made an enquiry from the girl of what makes her cry like that almost every night. “She confessed to the neighbour that
it was her father who usually forces her to bed. When the neighbour reported the case to us, we swung into action to right all wrongs.
Kidnappers lay siege in Bayelsa, abduct 85-yr-old monarch
•Abducted on the eve of his son’s wedding Osahon Julius, Yenagoa
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ith security agencies still unable to find the whereabouts of abducted 95 years old monarch of Gbarain community, a month after he was abducted from his palace, kidnappers has struck again in a Bayelsa community. This time, the dare-devil kidnappers who has lay siege on the oil rich state despite attempts by security agencies and government to put an end to their incessant activities, has abducted another 85years old Paramount ruler of Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State, His Royal Highness Chief Benjamin Weke.
The octogenarian, was abducted at his residence in the state capital, Yenagoa, in the early hours of Friday and according to a close family member, the abduction of the Bayelsa Monarch came 34 days after a notice of his planned kidnapping was made known in a warning letter sent by his abductors. A family member, Mrs. Blessing, confirmed that the gunmen had on July 1 this year sent a letter to the monarch, intimating him of their coming. Mrs. Weke said, “The gunmen were about four in number and heavily armed. They came around 1am, and forcefully gain entrance and the wife was the first to wake up and also woke up his Highness.” “They immediately seized him and took some money meant for the traditional marriage of one of his sons scheduled to hold
tomorrow (Saturday).” “They also beat up the wife who escorted them through the footpath behind his residence to the waterside where they escaped with a speedboat to an unknown location.” Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswatt, DSP, who regretted the incident, said the family could not make contact with the police until 5am, “The marine component of the police have been alerted and are combing the creeks to find their whereabouts.” It would also be recalled that only a fortnight ago, two Chiefs from Okpoama community in Brass Local Government Area, Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo were kidnapped and a N50m ransom is been demanded for their release.
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September 5, 2015
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You can make your millions from nails
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ire nails are extensively used in construction, wood and wood-related industries to hold permanently together the component parts that are to be joined especially in roofing, cupboards, chairs, tables, settees, steel plates, aluminium plates etc. Nails of various shapes and lengths (99mm to 150mm) are found in the market, but the most popular ones are those used for roofing (2.5 to 5.0 inches). The demand for nails is derived i.e. it is dependent upon the level of demand in wood and construction industrial products. Expansion in housing construction and improvement in the economy (leading to the opening up of new offices and houses, increase in furniture construction etc) will lead to increased demand for nails needed in industrial projects, institutions, housing schemes, building of more health centers, hospital, market stalls, kiosks etc. during the period, thousands of tones of nails are used up. With the increase in the rate of investment in construction industry by governments and individuals, the prices of nails have shown an upward climb due to the fact that local production lags behind supply as well as inflation.
Market Potential NISER’s projection for 1982 showed that local production was grossly inadequate to meet increasing demand and that 35,000MT would be needed in 1982, and 74,000 MT in 1990. This showed annual growth rate of 10%. Even at full production capacity, the shortfall in 1996 was 10,000MT. The gap between supply and demand has always been met by importation. It is expected that during the turnaround in the economy in no distant future there will be increase in housing and wood construction industries, in standard of living and in industrialization. These will impact positively on the demand for nails especially that use for building and construction. The current national output of nails is not immediately available but competent intelligence report shows that the country requires about 900,000M.T p.a With this it can be seen that the current local producers enjoy near monopoly and that is why distributors struggle to get allocations from them. Marketing of the finished products on nationwide basis is usually done through appointed distributors. Nails are packaged in convenient weights depending on
Since the relevant machinery and equipment will be imported, it is vital that quotations be obtained from at least three equipment fabricators in order to compare certain technical details and costs. The cost of the equipment will include the CIF value, clearing at the port, VAT, customs duty and other surcharges, transportation to factory site, installation etc. other project costs will include: The actual cost of setting this project will be actually established when a detailed feasibility studies is conducted and certain factors considered. Considerations will be given to the below factors. (1) Fixed Capital -Land, land development and buildings - Utilities (standby generating set, vehicles etc) - Furniture and fixtures -Preliminary and pre-operating expenses -Contingency on the above costs (10%)
Wire Drawing Machine
end users.
Technical Considerations Because many small scale nail manufacturers are faced with the problem of obtaining low carbon steel drawn wire rods, the plant in mind will incorporate wire drawing machine. The whole equipment needed for production are therefore: Wire drawing machine Nail reel and presses Dies and cutters Polishing machines Material handling and packaging equipment Other accessories The plant being considered here can produce 2,500MT of different types of nail per annum Equipment will be imported.
Raw Material The relevant wire rods are obtainable from the inland rolling mills at Jos, Katsina and Oshogbo and the integrated steel mills at Aladja and Abeokuta. There are also some small wire steel rods producing companies in the county than from where the rods can be obtained. For packaging polypropylene sacks are used and this obtainable form local plastic manufacturers.
Production Technology Nail making involves the following
processes the preparation of wire rods for drawing and their cold drawing to required dimensions depending on the type of nails to be produced. The cold drawn wire has greater tensile strength than the ordinary steel rod and this characteristic ensures that nails produced with the former don’t easily bend. The cold drawn wires are rolled into reels and sent to the nail making machine where the crankshaft and can form the nail head, feed out the pre-set length of the wire and form the bottom tip portion of the nail while cutters cut the nails to required sizes. Polishing of the cut nails (using saw dust or rice bran) follows in order to pick up such undesirable as grease, oil, silver etc. The polishing process in necessary because as the nails come out of the machine, they are rough, burred, whiskered etc and therefore has to be cleaned and polished. Rotating drums (tumblers) are used for the purpose and hold up to 500kg of nails at a time. These nails can further be galvanised, tinned, blued or sterilised depending on their purpose or use. These nails are now sorted and packed in 25kg bags ready for sale.
Location A nail making factory can be located in any part of the country.
Estimated Projected Cost
(2) Working Capital (3months) - Raw materials -Salaries and wages -Administrative expenses -Utilities running cost (3) Sundry Expenses
Funding Whatever the final estimated project cost, this project will enjoy financial support from institutions to help set up if the application for loan is supported by bankable feasibility report. Funding pattern, depending on circumstances, could be equity (promoter) 40%, while term loan is 60%.
Conclusion Investment in nail manufacturing has great multiplier effects- employment and income generation, overall development and expansion of the productive capacity of the economy, the opening up of the area where the project is to be sited etc. the project is lucrative if properly planned, well-executed and prudently managed. For detailed information in the areas of comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies, sourcing of required funds; procurement and installations of the required machines and other relevant information on this project and other projects to be established in any part of Nigeria.
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REGIONAL NEWS
September 5, 2015
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Appeal Court strikes out Ihedioha’s petition SOUTH EAST
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he Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday struck out the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, challenging the earlier ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal that sat in the state, which dismissed his petition against the victory of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the 2015 governorship election, for lack of merit. The court premises which was filled to capacity as early as 8am by politicians of the various political parties, stakeholders, school children and members of the public, stood still when judgment was eventually delivered. The crowd eventually dispersed when the ruling was delivered in
favour of Governor Okorocha against Hon. Ihedioha for lack of merit. Reacting to the judgment, the state government commended the Appeal Court for upholding the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal by striking out the appeal for lack of merit. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Sam Onwuemeodo, said that by so doing, the Appeal Court had equally justified the governor’s confidence in the ability and readiness of the judiciary to uphold justice, and also respect the popular and lawful actions of the people over who would govern them at any given time. His words: “His Excellency has always exercised reasonable regard for Hon. Ihedioha, and would stop
at nothing to commend his effort and apparent desire to govern the state, which he is entitled to, as a bonafide son of the state. It is also worth stating that all Hon. Ihedioha’s legal actions with regard to the 2015 governorship election, were all designed to help in strengthening our democracy.” The governor also commended the legal team of Hon. Ihedioha led by a highly reputable lawyer, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), for their exemplary outing, right from the tribunal to the Appeal Court. However, having lost at the Election Petition Tribunal earlier before now, and having also lost at the Appeal Court this time, Onwuemeodo explained that the governor has no option than to sincerely appeal to
Hon. Ihedioha to allow the litigations over the governorship election of 2015 to stop at this level in the interest of the state and her people. He stressed that the governor equally calls on the PDP candidate to join hands with him and other well meaning Imo citizens to work for the rapid development of the state, and luckily enough, the Rescue Mission government in the state has already set the ball rolling. “It is the wish of the governor that the issue of who won or who lost the 2015 election in the state should be kept behind, while all Imo people irrespective of their political affiliations should be part of the administration, one way or another, and all is aimed at building a state of our col-
lective dream. “Above all, the governor remains grateful to God Almighty for seeing him through all these. He also remains thankful to Imo people for always
being behind him and assured that he would continue to work in their overall interest. He asked them not to relent in their regular prayers for him and his administration”.
One killed, 2 injured in Anambra auto crash
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ne person was feared dead while two others, a driver of a truck and his conductor, sustained various degrees of injuries when a truck that was laden with fresh tomatoes fell on top of a jeep killing the driver of the jeep instantly yesterday. According to eyewitness account, both vehicles were coming from opposite directions along the Ogidi/ Abatete road in Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra state, before slowing down to cross a bump. In the process, the truck tilted and fell on top of the jeep, crushing it beyond repairs. The driver of the jeep reportedly died on the spot,
and it took the concerted efforts of local vigilance group led by Mr. Arthur Ilongwu and on-lookers to bring out his corpse from the wreckage. The vigilance outfit boss attributed the cause of the incident to the bump adding, “it is too high for vehicles, especially those carrying goods. The state government or Abatete people should reduce the height of the bump before it causes more deaths.” Reacting, an Idemili based legal practitioner, Pat Agbata, stressed the need for the state government to take another look at some of the bumps to avoid such road mishaps. Meanwhile, the accident caused gridlock along the road making it impossible for free flow of traffic.
Gunmen abduct 85-year-old monarch on son’s wedding eve in Bayelsa Osahon Julius Yenagoa
The former Gov. of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle), with late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili (on Obi’s left), with Prof. Akunyili’s children after the one-year memorial lecture in her honour, delivered by Obi at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, yesterday.
Rector threatens to sack lecturers without doctorate degree
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ector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra, Prof. Godwin Onu, on Friday urged lecturers of the institution to strive and obtain their doctorate degrees or be ready to lose their jobs. Onu gave the order when the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, visited the polytechnic to donate some of his works. The rector said that al-
ready the polytechnic had 50 PhD holders, who were aided by his administration. He said that the polytechnic started as a College of Arts and Science before becoming a state Polytechnic, and now a Federal Polytechnic. Onu said that the institution was overcoming the challenges of dearth of infrastructure through prudent management. He commended the Obi
for his scholarly disposition, describing him as “one of the most educated monarchs of our time whom the polytechnic is proud to identify with.” He said Onitsha would benefit from the National Innovative Diploma programmes of the polytechnic, noting that the monarch’s books would enrich academics in the institution. Achebe, who is also the Anambra State Chairman,
Traditional Rulers’ Council, expressed satisfaction at the growth of the institution. He said that some universities in the country did not have half of the polytechnic’s teaching staff with PhD degrees. Mrs. Helen Oduntan, a representative of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), commended the monarch’s intellectual contributions to posterity.
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ith security agencies still unable to find the whereabout of abducted 95 years old Monarch of Gbarain community a month after he was abducted from his palace, kidnappers has struck again in a Bayelsa community. This time, the dare-devil kidnappers, who has lay siege on the oil rich state despite spirited efforts made by security agencies and the government to put an end to their incessant activities, abducted the 85years old Paramount ruler of Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Highness, Chief Benjamin Weke. The octogenarian was
abducted at his residence in the state capital, Yenagoa, in the early hours of Friday, and according to a close family member, the abduction of the monarch came 34 days after a notice of his planned kidnapping was made known in a warning letter sent by his abductors. A family member, simply identified as Mrs. Blessing, confirmed that the gunmen had on July 1 this year sent a letter to the monarch, intimating him of their coming. She said: “The gunmen were about four in number, and heavily armed. They came around 1am, and forcefully gained entry. His wife was the first to wake up, and she woke his Highness.” “They immediately seized him and took some money meant for the traditional marriage of one of his sons scheduled to hold tomorrow (today).
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REGIONAL NEWS
September 5, 2015
SOUTH SOUTH
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Mixed reactions trail attack on APC governorship aspirant Osahon Julius Yenagoa
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socio-political organization, Youth Forum for Progressive Change, YFPC, has described the attack on Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, an All Progressives Congress governorship, APC, aspirant by suspected agents of government as unwarranted and misguided. The group, in a state-
Motorists on a bad portion of the Benin-Auchi highway at Okueka village in Benin, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN
Patience Jonathan leading my campaign –Gov. Dickson Obiora Ifoh Abuja
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ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has debunked any frosty relationship between former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and himself, claiming that she has been leading his campaigning everywhere in the state. The governor also said in spite of his modest achievement in the last four years, he is yet to meet his target in government, hence his resolve to seek a re-election. Governor Dickson, who was at the People’s Democratic Party’s PDP national headquarters in Abuja on Friday to collect his nomination and intent forms for the December 5th governorship election in Bayelsa State, said he is not worried over the defection of key PDP leaders in the state, as he is confident of retaining his office. Speaking to journalists, the governor said. “As a rule, I do not want to be talking about my elder brother’s wife. There is no rift between us and she is campaigning everywhere for my re-election.” “I am not running for office on basis of promises, but I talk about what I have done. If you ask me whether we are where we want to be, I will be the first person to say no, and that is why I
am offering to run for a second term. “I am here to submit my nomination form. You have seen my supporters from all parts of the state and this is a practical testimony of the support being enjoyed by PDP. Bayelsa is in safe hands of the PDP. All
the leaders and stakeholders who came with him here are the people who have been making people win elections.” He said his government runs an inclusive administration, adding that he hopes to formally declare his intention to run for a
second term on Tuesday, boasting that Bayelsa will be closed down on Tuesday. “No other party has the kind of support that PDP enjoys in the state. No shaking for PDP in Bayesla. It is not when a few people defects to other platforms that we will be
affected. Political victory is achieved through concrete structures not rented crowd.” He dismissed the claim by some defected members of the PDP in the state that they have the support of elders, saying they are parading imaginary elders.
TMG launches Quick Count Election monitoring project Osahon Julius Yenagoa
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head the December 5th gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has announced its preparedness to deploy the Quick Count election observation methodology for the crucial poll. Unveiling the project recently in Yenagoa, Chairman of TMG, Mr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the methodology employs statistical principles and sophisticated information technology platforms. TMG launched the Quick Count Project in Yenagoa before representatives of INEC, civil society groups, media, TMG volunteers
amongst other stakeholders. Zikirullahi, noted that Quick Count is a parallel vote tabulation method that provides timely and accurate information on the conduct of voting and counting capable of independently verifying the accuracy of election results. “TMG is undertaking the Quick Count for the Bayelsa Governorship poll to provide voters, candidates, political parties, security and the INEC and public with independent information about whether the official results reflect ballots cast at the polling units. “If INEC’s official results fall within TMG’s estimated range then the public, political parties and candidates
should have confidence that official results reflect ballots cast at polling units,” Zikirullahi said. He said that TMG volunteers who would work as observers on this project are drawn from every corner of the state, TMG observers include men and women, the young, and the elderly, Christians and Muslims. Zikirullahi further explained that TMG is an independent and strictly non-partisan organization with no affiliation to any political party or candidate. The TMG further urged INEC to consider extending the time for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in view of additional challenges posed
by the difficult terrain of the coastal communities in Bayelsa. It also urged INEC to intensify efforts to overcome the identified logistic lapses to ensure that no voter was disenfranchised due to challenges in the CVR process. Also speaking at the event, Mr Baritor Kpagih noted that election was a multi stakeholder process but regretted that INEC was blamed for lapses outside its control. He called on the political parties, security agencies as well as the electorate to collaborate with INEC to ensure that the forthcoming elections were violence free and credible.
ment signed by its National Coordinator, Aye Itare; Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Okwu and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Amambogha John, said the allegation against Ikiogha that he absconded with government’s property was an orchestrated attempt by the government to tarnish his image. It would be recalled that a face-off ensued between the Bayelsa State Government and former Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Ikiogha, over alleged diversion of state government property. The government had accused Ikiogha of failure to return properties in his possession barely six months after his resignation. But in a reaction, Ikiogha said he was amazed by the allegation that he absconded with government properties while insisting that he had returned all government properties in his possession. His words: “I would not have bothered to reply this infantile statement which was not specific on what government properties are in my possession and which I absconded with, but for the wrong impression that may be created in the minds of Bayelsans and Nigerians as, I may indeed be, God willing, Governor Seriake Dickson’s rival for the governorship elections scheduled for December 5, 2015. “When I left government, the only government properties that were with me were the two Hi-Lux vehicles given to me by Dickson personally, which I have since returned with the official plate numbers as demanded by the Governor himself.” The YFPC, in a related development, said the allegation by the government that Ikiogha diverted government properties was born out of outburst of fear for the rising profile of the APC leader. It said, “We are immediately taken aback by a recent report in which the unblemished image and person of Ikiogha was dragged to the mire on spurious allegations of diversion of public properties at his disposal during his tenure as Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Liaison Office, Abuja.
September 5, 2015
Anti-gay-marriage clerk behind bars
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owan County, Kentucky, clerk Kim Davis was given a second chance: She didn’t have to issue same-sex marriage licenses herself; she merely had to agree not to interfere with five deputy clerks who had told the federal judge they’d issue them in her stead. But Davis’ lawyer told U.S. District Judge David Bunning that his client would not allow her deputies to issue the licenses. Davis was not in the courtroom for the second session. She was in a hallway outside. “We cannot represent to the court that she would allow licenses to be issued,” attorney Mat Staver said. Staver later told CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” that Davis would issue licenses if her name and title were not on them. “Because that in her understanding and mind is authorizing something that is contrary to her Christian values and convictions,” he said. “That’s where the conscience rub is.” Earlier Thursday, Bunning remanded Davis into the custody of U.S. marshals for refusing to heed a U.S. Supreme Court order legalizing same-sex marriage, saying she would remain in jail until she complies with the ruling. Bunning then asked Davis’ six deputy clerks whether they would issue the licenses, and despite some of them holding the same religious beliefs as Davis, five told Bunning they would issue the licenses. The sixth -- Davis’ son, Nathan -- didn’t answer. Gov. Steve Beshear said the judge’s decision “speaks for itself.” “The future of the Rowan County Clerk continues to be a matter between her and the courts. Deputy clerks have said they will commence issuing marriage licenses beginning
Kim Davis
(Friday),” he said. “It appears that the citizens of Rowan County will now have access to all the services from the clerk’s office to which they are entitled.” The governor said he had no authority to use an executive order to relieve a county clerk of his or her duty. During Davis’ hearing, April Miller told the court that the clerk had denied her a marriage license three times, and when Davis took the stand to deliver her at-times emotional testimony, she explained that she could not issue the licenses because of her religious beliefs. “You can’t be separated from something that’s in your heart and in your soul,” she told the judge, according to CNN affiliate WKYT-TV. American Civil Liberties Union attorneys argued in a motion filed Monday that Davis “continues to collect compensation from the Commonwealth for duties she fails to perform.” They said they didn’t want her to be jailed as punishment, but rather,
the attorneys asked the court to “impose financial penalties sufficiently serious and increasingly onerous” to make her comply with the court order. Bunning, however, apparently felt she deserved jail time, but he also told Davis she could end her incarceration by complying with the Supreme Court order and telling her deputy
clerks to do the same. He said he didn’t believe fining Davis would convince her to comply with the high court ruling, especially considering that Davis had testified earlier that her supporters are raising funds for her and calling her office to offer financial support, WKYT reported.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malaysia: Dozens missing at sea
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t least 24 people have drowned and dozens are missing after a boat carrying up to 80 people capsized off the coast of western Malaysia. Nineteen of the dead were women, according to First Admiral Mohd Aliyas Hamdan from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and all the victims are believed to be Indonesian nationals. Another 20 passengers have been rescued. The 12.2 meter (40 foot) boat was traveling from Kuala Sungai Bernam, off the west coast of Malaysia to Tanjong Balai, Indonesia on Thursday morning when it capsized about nine nautical miles southwest of Tanjong Sauh in the Malacca Straight, the MMEA said. Local fisherman were the first on the scene and rescued 14 people before contacting the MMEA, which then deployed ships and an airplane in a search and rescue operation. The search was suspended due to bad weather on Thursday night, but four aircraft and 10 ships from the Malaysian military continued the search Friday, although the MMEA said haze from forest fires in the region had made visibility poor. Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak offered his condolences on Twitter to the families of those who died. “The boat capsize in
Sabak Bernam is a sad incident. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will continue with the search and rescue operation. Al -Fatihah and my condolences to the families of passengers who were killed,” he tweeted, according to an English translation from Malaysian state media. The Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, also expressed his “deep condolences” to the families of the victims in a statement on Friday. He said Indonesia would be joining in the search for survivors, and asked for an “evaluation of people’s cross-border mobility.” “I hope the families stay strong and resilient. I have ordered a search operation until all the victims are found,” Widodo said. Thousands of Indonesians regularly make the dangerous crossing to Malaysia in small, often poorly maintained wooden boats to look for work in palm plantations and other industries, and tragedies like this are not uncommon. The MMEA said the boat had most likely sunk due to overcrowding or bad weather, although further investigation was needed to determine the details of the sinking and the exact number of people who had been on board.
One woman described by KMOV as a neighbor questioned the account. The woman, whose name was not given by the station, said the 16-year-old didn’t enter the house. “They were just arguing loud, you know, back and forth,” the woman said. “He was always was just sitting right there on the porch,” she said. “He never did once go inside the house.” It wasn’t immediately known Thursday why the two were left alone in the first place or why the 11-year-old had access to the firearm. Police said the mother,
whose name has not been released, was cooperating with the investigation. CNN affiliate KTVI/ KPLR reported that the mother purchased the handgun because of prior break-in attempts. Thursday’s shooting was the third deadly incident involving children and guns in that part of the St. Louis area in recent weeks. On August 18, 9-yearold Jamyla Bolden was shot and killed while doing homework while lying in her mother’s bed. A week later, 21-monthold Carter Epps died after being shot in the torso.
Home alone boy, 11, kills intruder A
n 11-year-old St. Louis-area boy left alone at home with his 4-year-old sister staved off several home invasion attempts before finally shooting and killing a 16-year-old intruder, according to police. At least one neighbor, however, offered a different account of the shooting, telling CNN affiliate KMOV that the boys were arguing on the front porch before the younger child pulled out a gun and shot the teenager. The incident occurred
Thursday afternoon in north St. Louis County. Police called to the home discovered the teenager’s body lying in the front foyer. The teenager -- whose name has not been released -- had been shot in the head by the 11-year-old while breaking into the home, according to police. St. Louis County police Sgt. Brian Schellman said it was third time that the 16-year-old had attempted to break into the house Thursday. Neither sibling was hurt.
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Quote
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“Don’t apprehend vehicles again. Rather, book traffic offenders so there’ll always be free flow of traffic in Lagos.” —Oluseyi Whenu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, while briefing top echelon of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Lagos’ new policy thrust in the transportation sector.
Leadership without psychometric test (II) Saturday, September 5, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net
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e may not be able to grow leaders unless we know their DNA and behaviour patterns. Psychometric examinations comprise two hundred and fifty questions that must be answered in one hour. The result is some sort of generated report, which briefly describes the pattern of behaviour of the subject. The 360 degree is exchanged with people you are working with for a fair assessment of your behavioural pattern. As leaders, we must insist that every employee submit to the psychometric test. This will assist in putting the right peg in the right hole. I also think any president who wants to succeed must ask all his ministers to take the psychometric text. For example, how do we expect a chronic introvert to handle the Ministry of Commerce or be the Minister of Information? The posting of right officers to wrong places will affect their performance in no small measure. Natural strength needs to be tested with resistance limit. Fragile strength and potential strength are important to sustainable performance. Introverts sent to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice as Ministers will deliver superior performance. An extrovert who was appointed Governor of the Central Bank embarrassed the government in no small measure. Maybe he might have done better as a Director General in the Ministry that coordinates pilgrimages for Muslims or Christians. There is need to know who works with you, their strengths and their limitations.
For instance, if an extrovert is appointed at ministerial level at the defence ministry, he will not be able to fight terrorists, as he could reveal defence tactics in newspapers and unveil interlocking strategies to the general public unknowingly. Such a minister would be doing more harm than good to the ministry. He may be best in the
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Bayern chief warns of ‘transfer tsunami’
ayern Munich’s chief executive has warned of a growing “transfer tsunami” if the Bundesliga cannot compete with the Premier League’s spending power. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wants Germany’s TV rights deal to be worth closer to the record £5.136bn the Premier League will receive over the next three years. Premier League clubs spent a record £870m on transfers this summer, compared to £290m in the Bundesliga. “This new English contract will dominate the market,” Rummenigge said.”We
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An
extrovert was once put
Drug Law Agency. S he
in charge of the
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delivered superior performance , as she pursued fake drug dealers with gusto and saved many lives . ministry of commerce where his potential will be at the high level. America lost the Vietnam War despite sophisticated weapons because of poor reading of geomorphology. There was no interlocking strategy. An extrovert was once put in the Drug Law Enforcement Agency. She delivered
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have just seen the tip of the iceberg. The transfer tsunami will increase in strength and height.” The current TV rights deal for the Bundesliga is worth 500m euros per season, but Rummenigge would like that to at least double. Speaking to Sueddeutsche, he said he is worried about German teams’ competitiveness in Europe following the departures of
some of the Bundesliga’s best players to England. World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger moved from Bayern to Manchester United, Wolfsburg forward Kevin de Bruyne joined Manchester City for a German record £55m, while Tottenham signed Bayer Leverkusen forward Son heung-Min for £22m. Germany coach Joachim Low believes
superior performance, as she pursued fake drug dealers with gusto and saved many lives. Unfortunately, she left too soon. She is my dear aunty, Professor Dora Akunyili of blessed memory. A Minister who scores very high points in leisure will not compromise wealth. It is not unusual for such a minister to procure one car for one million dollars. It is the way of life. S/he may not steal government money, but s/he will use government money to buy luxury. And if the president scores low in leisure, he may be embarrassed by such a minister. A minister that scores very high in imagination will be an exciting person that can create ideas. But if he overdoes it, he may be seen as a proud person. A minister that scores low in imagination cannot create ideas for the president. He may be best for the centre of implementation. Employees with high points in diligence would comply more with directives than those with low points. In the private sector, most of us are guilty of misapplication of employees to appropriate positions. How does one explain the posting of an introvert to head a marketing department or to be an executive director in a bank? Or how do you explain an extrovert with high points in imagination who is appointed as the head of internal control? The overall result of such misapplications is that performance is slowed down, and often times, operations are at low ebb. Have you taken the psychometric test?
the Premier League’s spending is detrimental to the England team. “Premier League clubs are now paying three times what they used to,” he said. “The English will have to face up to the fact their young players don’t get the minutes for their clubs. “That is why the English national team hasn’t set the world alight in major championships. “
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