Big Read News
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Chibok abductions: Stolen girls yet to return home one year after
News
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Election: Gunmen kidnap Rivers LG boss www.nationalmirroronline.net
Vol. 5 No. 17
Sunday, April 19, 2015
N150
Xenophobic attacks:
Students threaten retaliatory action against South Africa
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…give 7-day ultimatum to stop violence against Nigerians Buhari backs steps taken by FG
Zuma cancels overseas trip
Ondo mystery deaths blamed on money-making ritual by youths
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Dep Gov’s wife, others cheat death as building collapses
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PASSION e A Lifestyle Magazin
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Sunday April 19, 2015
APPLAUSE
‘Being beauty queen is a dream come true’
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I owe my good looks to my parents –Seun Olagunju
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Building owned by Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, destroyed by suspected gas explosion at Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi Lagos yesterday.
News
Jang, gov-elect clash over treasury looting claim
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
What’s new Politics
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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK
Jonathan urges world leaders to support Buhari President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged world leaders and international institutions to give their fullest possible support to the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan also called on all Nigerians to do their utmost best to help the incoming President succeed in leading the country to greater heights
I owe my good looks to my parents –Seun Olagunju
Speakership race: Kano Reps caucus disowns Jubril
Seun Olagunju is a wife and mother. She received her first degree in Communication and Language Arts from University of Ibadan and later a master’s in International Law and Diplomacy. In this interview, this model and style aficionado talks about life as a TV personality, among others.
Wellness
of accomplishment. At separate audiences with new ambassadors of France, Senegal and Ethiopia, Jonathan appealed for patience, understanding and cooperation from all stakeholders in the country, which he said, Buhari would need to move the country to greater peace, security and progress.
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Struggle for speakership position yesterday assumed another dimension as Kano State All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives caucus rejected the candidature of Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin. Jibril, who represents Bebeji/Kiru Federal constituency, had last week de-
clared his intention to vie for the speakership. Rising from a crucial meeting convened by a ranking lawmaker, Mohammed Ali Wudil, which lasted between 8pm and 12 midnight yesterday, the lawmakers kicked against Jibrin’s candidacy.
Electricity: NERC to sanction AEDC Mirror in Abuja, NERC over billing directed AEDC to explain
Bringing epilepsy under control Epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological condition is a brain disorder, which clusters the nerve cells or neurons and signals abnormally. The neurons often generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands, and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotional behaviour, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, yesterday issued the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, notice of enforcement action over what it described as “manifest and flagrant breaches” of approved methodology for estimated billing of electricity consumers. In the notice, which copy was obtained by National
within seven days why “enforcement action should not be taken against you and sanctions meted accordingly for non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the licence granted you, the Methodology for Estimated Billing 2012 and directives to submit a comprehensive data used for the billing of unmetered customers” for the period under review.
Shettima, others receive Certificates of Return in Borno Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, alongside his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, three senatorselect and other 10 House of Representatives’ members newly elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have been issued their certificates of return amidst tight security.
The occasion took place yesterday at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Maiduguri, the state capital. Presenting the certificates to the elected members, National Commissioner of INEC in-charge of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, Colonel Mohammed Hamanga,
all the newly elected members to carry everybody along in the discharge of their responsibilities, devoid of political, ethnic or religious considerations so as to move the state forward.
Orekoya kids: Nanny arrested
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, has revealed that police have arrested Mary Akinloye, the 23-year-old nanny who allegedly kidnapped three children in Surulere area of Lagos. Aderanti disclose this on Thursday morning on a live Channels TV programme, Sunrise Daily. The children, Ademola, 6, Adedamola, 4, and Aderomola, 11 months old, of the Orekoya family, were allegedly kidnapped by
their nanny, Mary Akinloye, an indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 8, 2015, a day into her job as the family maid. In an interview with Channels Television, Aderanti disclosed that the kidnappers, faced by immense pressure the incident had generated, abandoned the children in Shasha area of Lagos. The children were immediately taken to an undisclosed hospital for observation and they are now re-united with their parents.
Strange disease hits Ondo community, kills 14 in 24 hrs A strange and deadly disease has killed no fewer than 14 people at Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State. About four other people affected by the disease have reportedly been quarantined in a special ward within the General Hospital in the town. Victims of the disease, which was discovered on Wednesday, were said to have
woken up blind and dead, a few hours later. It was gathered that residents mistook the illness for the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, and ran away from its victims. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, who briefed journalists in Akure, the state capital, confirmed the death of 12 persons.
Tunji Oluyemi MANAGING DIRECTOR, GLANVILL ENTHOVEN GROUP (INCORPORATED INSURANCE BROKERS)
THU WED TUE MON
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This demand has fueled speculation that President Jonathan may have signed the document before raising objections to the bill. It was gathered that President Jonathan was disposed to signing the document and indeed went ahead to assent to the bill but that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke later prevailed on him to withhold his assent.
FRI
Passion
The Senate yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to return the original copy of the 1999 Constitution alteration bill transmitted to him for assent by the National Assembly. In particular, the lawmakers are insisting that the President must return the original copy of the bill together with the signature page of the document.
rtd, congratulated them for their unprecedented victory in the just concluded free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the state. Colonel Hamanga urged Is-
SUN SAT
How El-Rufai, Ambode, Umahi emerged as governors-elect
Jonathan, N’Assembly face-off worsens
APRIL 19, 2015
I spend most of the time on internal and external financial meetings. This is when planning for the week’s activities take effect. The meeting continues today. Meeting with the major clients starts today. I’m in the planning section so I meet with these clients and those that we need to get our profitability as a company from. Same applies to Thursdays. Those major clients I couldn’t meet on Wednesday, I usually have a date to meet today. Most people expect me to work at a low rate on Fridays. But it is not like that. Usually, I start work before 7 a.m. and I leave around 7 in the evening. Basically, I work five days in a week. It’s a bit challenging. I wish I could reduce the amount of work I do. It would have been boring if I did the same thing but the point is if you have an innovative approach to problems that confront you with regard to management, it won’t bore you. I hardly go to parties on Saturdays. I like to go to the bar to have a drink. I go to church to pray because prayer is power. It is very important to me. Later in the afternoon/evening, I take care of my personal matters. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)
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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
THE
Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION APRIL 19, 2015
Chibok abductions:
Stolen girls yet to return home one year after O
n the night April 14, 2014, the Boko Haram terrorist group attacked the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, broke into the compound, pretending to be guards and cajoled the girls to get out and come with them. A large number of students were taken away in trucks, into the Kondura area of the Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram were known to have fortified camps. Those brave enough to make a quick escape in the ensuing confusion were able to give an account of what had transpired, but massive failings on the part of government and its security apparatus gave the abductors an unbelievable head start and till today, the girls are still missing. The abductions are part of the nefarious activities of the Islamist group which claims it wants to institute an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria and is in particular opposed to western-style modern education, which they say lures people away from following Islamic teaching as a way of life. More than 20,000 have died in the six-year old insurgency which has also has also led to the destruction of property worth hundreds of millions of naira. Whole villages and communities have been burned to the ground forcing at least three million Nigerians to flee their homes and now live as refugees within and outside the country. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has since said the abducted girls have all converted to Islam and been “married off ”.
‘KIDNAPPING, A NEEDLESS CATASTROPHE’
However, the mass abduction brought home the brutality of the Islamist insurgency and gave it unprecedented worldwide attention and prompted a viral social media campaign demanding their immediate release #Bring Back Our Girls Shortly after the abduction, there was public outcry due to the lethargic approach of the Federal Government to tackling the insurgents and rescsuing the school girls from the hands of the group. Foremost in this regard is a social media campaign under the hashtag #Bringbackourgirls. It was first used at the opening ceremony for a UNESCO event honouring the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt as the 2014 World Book Capital City. A Nigerian lawyer in Abuja, Ibrahim M. Abdullahi, tweeted the call in a speech by former Minsiter of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, who was also a Vice President of the World Bank for Africa to “Bring Back the Girls!” The campaign gained traction as a mass demonstration took place outside the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 6 and many other protests have been organised in response to a social media campaign asking for people around the world to march and wear red in solidarity. People came out in protest at the Nigerian diplomatic missions in London, in Los Angeles and New York. Amnesty International and UNICEF have backed the campaign, as well as world leaders and celebrities, includ-
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Last Monday marked the oneyear anniversary of the mass abduction by Boko Haram of about 270 Nigerian school girls in the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok in Borno State by Boko Haram. Local and international media have again beamed their searchlight on this national embarrassment, even as the incoming government admits that the problem may be difficult to resolve. Paul Omo Obadan looks back at the events of the past year and the challenges of bringing back our girls. ing Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai and rappers Wyclef Jean and Chris Brown, whose mention of the campaign was re-tweeted more than 10,000 times. After three weeks of silence the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to find the schoolgirls on April 3, stating: “wherever these girls are, we’ll get them out”. On the same day, John Kerry pledged assistance from the US. The bringbackourgirls” slogan has become a huge CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
‘INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT’LL END INSURGENCY’
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The Big Read
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘We want our daughters back’
Michelle Obama
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 global phenomenon following the abductions Nigerian girls by Boko Harm. Parents and others took to social media to complain about the government’s perceived slow and inadequate response. The news caused international outrage against Boko Haram and the Nigerian government. On 30 April and 1 May, protests demanding greater government action were held in several Nigerian cities. Most parents, however, were afraid to speak publicly for fear their daughters would be targeted for reprisal. On 3 and 4 May, protests were held in major Western cities including Los Angeles and London. At the same time, the Hash tag #Bring Back Our Girls began to trend globally on Twitter as the story continued to spread and by 11 May 2014, it had attracted 2.3 million tweets. Chibok parents describe their pain The parents and family of this most unfortunate girls are the most devastated as it has left a trail of blood, tears, and unimaginable sorrow on their life. They also maintained that the federal Government has not done enough to rescue their daughters in the past year since they were snatched by Boko Haram. The parents and other relatives of the missing girls expressed their feelings during an anniversary service at the premises of Government Secondary School where more than 200 girls were abducted one year ago in an act that shocked the world. The parents, who dressed in black attire to mourn their daughters, could not hold back their tears as they wept bitterly, questioning whether they will ever again be reunited with their children. Mariam Abubakar, 48, one of the mothers, described the past year as one of agony, noting that many of the parents have died, while many others are nursing one sickness or the other. ‘’Is the Federal government doing anything to rescue our daughters?” she asked. “If the daughter of President (Jonathan) were among them, do you think they would still (be with their Boko Haram captors) up till now? Prof. Hawa Biu, who went to Chibok to sympathise with the parents, said they have suffered enough from Boko Haram, but will not stop their demands until their daughters are released to them. ‘’We shall continue to demands for the release our daughters and Federal Government must seeks any means available to rescue these girls because Boko Haram has killed thousands of women and girls in the last five years. Chibok girls must regain their freedom,” she said. The Chairman of the Borno State Christians Association, Rev. Titus Poona, fortified the parents with prayers for the release of the girls. He also prayed for peace in
Hillary Clinton
Malala Yousafzai
IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOING ANYTHING TO RESCUE OUR DAUGHTERS?”
SHE ASKED.
“IF THE DAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT (JONATHAN) WERE AMONG THEM, DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD STILL (BE WITH THEIR BOKO HARAM CAPTORS) UP TILL NOW?
Abubakar Shekau
Borno State and Nigeria at large. The National President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Shettima Yerima however says If Buhari is to succeed, he will have to put the right capable hands in place to engender a turnaround of establishments riddled with corruption, mediocrity and complacency. Yerima, who was a presidential aspirant under the Young Democratic Party, in the last general election stressed that Those in the service of government need to be actively encouraged to change their behaviour through effective training and targeted reorientation and the prying eyes of accountability. “All Nigerians and neighbours of Nigeria also have a significant role to play by becoming extra vigilant and pro-active. Every law abiding resident who cares about the progress of Nigeria must be encouraged to come forth
with any information they possess that may assist the authorities in apprehending the culprits that live amongst us, needless to stress that all good citizens owe it as a constitutional duty to protect the fatherland. However, the government needs to make adequate national provision for this to happen by providing toll free numbers, contact emails and text free numbers for crime reporting and public information gathering”. Let’s not only be tough on insurgency but the causes of insurgency which are so many. A good place to start is to abolish wholesale grinding poverty that afflicts so many Nigerians. Not only material poverty but poverty of the mind. When you change the way a man thinks, you change the man. To end insurgency, we must go to the genesis of it and adequately address the whys, the hows and the lessons learnt if we are ever going to have an exodus to insurgency. In other words, lets deal with the causes rather than the effects, lets prevent rather than cure. A stitch in time they say it saves nine. There is no quick fix to the security problem in Nigeria, which has suffered so many years of neglect, though this is not an excuse for the relevant authorities concerned to fold their arms and do nothing. All security agencies need to find a way of collaborating and sharing information effectively. Adopting a dynamic approach to the security challenges is equally essential. Prevention they say is always better than cure so it high time Nigeria built the national intelligence capability to prevent such carnage from occurring in the first place rather than merely reacting to it primitively”. Task before the new President-elect President-elect, Major-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, speaking on the one year anniversary of the abductions had assured parents of the over 200 missing Chibok girls that his government will do everything in its power to bring them home, but fell short of guaranteeing their return. “We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them. But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home,” he said in a statement to mark the first anniversary of the abducted girls. Buhari, in a statement from Daura, Katsina State said that from his first day of his administration, Boko Haram would be met with the collective will of the Nigerian people. “I want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when my new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from the government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
The Big Read
Sunday, April 19, 2015
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‘Kidnapping, a needless catastrophe’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 respond accordingly. “This new approach must also begin with honesty. We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them. But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home. “What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that starting on the first day of my Administration Boko Haram will know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. “Boko Haram” means “Western Education is Sinful”. When they are defeated militarily, as they will be, we will ensure our citizens in the affected areas have improved educational opportunities as a direct counterbalance to Boko Haram’s twisted ideology. In particular we will educate ever more young girls ensuring they are empowered as citizens of Nigeria. “Let us use this anniversary to remind each other that the attack on Chibok was an attack on the dreams and aspirations of our young people. “We stand united in our pledge to resist terror in Nigeria– not just through military means but also through the power of opportunity and the hope of a better future for all”.
Global support: L-R: Wunmi Shitta from Lagos, actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and Uju Nwolum, from Anambra attend a demonstration in Manchester about the kidnapping
Nigeria and Nigerian’s in Diaspora mark anniversary The focus of the one-year commemoration was on Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, where a vigil demanding the girls’ immediate release has been held almost every day since they were kidnapped. In New York, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign said the Empire State Building would be lit in its colours of red and purple to symbolise an end to violence against women. Prayers, candlelit vigils and marches have been held but no event was planned in Chibok itself. Chibok elder, Enoch Mark, whose daughter and niece are among the captives, said the town was still in “perpetual fear” of Boko Haram, despite the presence of troops. “The last one year has been a period of sadness, emotional torment and hardship. It has been one year of mourning. We are a bereaved community that has lost 219 daughters,” he told AFP. He added: “Our hope in finding our girls is now in Buhari. We hope we will soon see our girls if they are alive or at least their corpses if they are dead. “I personally know what Buhari did as brigade commander for the northeast in 1975. We all know how in 1984 he crushed the violent Maitatsine sect, which is similar to Boko Haram”. Ending the insurgency In an interview with Sunday Mirror, a British/Nigerian social activist and member of Develop Nigeria, United Kingdom branch, Mr. Abayomi Fayokun, spoke at length on the Chibok saga and proffered solutions. He said public security is not a new challenge facing Nigeria and the political will by successive administrations to adequately address the problem has been, at best, lukewarm. “Too many heinous crimes have gone unpunished, too many innocent people have been brutally killed and too many terrorist bombs have gone off. Consequently, the situation had long reached crisis point, as so many innocent people have come to know unimaginable sorrow. The insecurity in Nigeria took a totally new dimension ages ago. Nigeria has been at war. “The country has been afflicted by a highly contagious ideological vermin with a political undertone and it is spreading unabated because Nigeria simply does not have an antidote. This is a terrible nightmare that can only be brought to end when Nigeria decides to wake up from her slumber. If an effective solution is not found soon enough, it may inevitably serve as the catalyst for the disintegration of Nigeria.
Protesters on the streets of Abuja to mark the one year abduction of Chibok girls
“The Chibok kidnapping is an ineffable catastrophe that need not happen, but so are the numerous reported massacres of so many innocent children, students, teachers and ordinary people that have fallen victim to Boko Haram’s campaign of terror without attracting international outrage despite well known carnage reports. But thanks to the “BRINGBACKOURGIRLS” campaign and those who supported it, the ordeal of the Chibok girls eventually focused the international spotlight on Nigeria. However, it remains to be seen how long it will last given that the norm is to turn a blind eye once western interests aren’t affected. “Among the benefits of the international attention is the pressure brought to bear on the Nigerian government and the much needed support, long overdue, now pouring in from international quarters which is not without its pros and cons. National pride aside, Nigeria needs help from those that are better equipped and more experienced at dealing with terrorism. The failures of the security services may teach success if they are ready to admit and learn from them.
“As for the western media, it will take more than a short media expedition to a part of Nigeria to even begin to comprehend the intricacies of the Nigerian deplorable security situation. Boko Haram’s successful terror campaign has come to highlight an indefensible national defence budget given how vulnerable Nigeria is to insurgency and the unacceptable collective state of the security apparatus.” For Abayomi, addition to the current technical assistance being rendered, if the developed countries like the United States and United Kingdom who have openly expressed outrage about Chibok kidnappings really want to assist Nigeria and stem the frequency of instances like the Chibok kidnapping and sporadic attacks, certain steps need to be implemented. First is to deport or impose a travel ban on the children of present and current politicians, public appointees and security chiefs in Nigeria that forbids them from travelling to developed countries to study or holiday. This will compel these children to attend the local schools, local hospiCONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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The Big Read
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘Investment in social development’ll end insurgency’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 tals and face the common threats created by their parents’ actions in government. Only then will more attention be paid to the general state of security, quality of education and safety of the students. It is easier to turn down any possibility of negotiating with kidnappers when your children are safely studying or residing abroad. He also suggested rasing the profile of the crime of government corruption to a level equivalent to a crime against humanity. Corruption is indeed a crime against humanity as it systematically ensnares millions in poverty, enslaves a multitude, breeds various other crimes born out of desperation such as the 419 scams, engenders migration to the west and insidiously sends millions to an untimely death in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Western countries also need to support Nigeria’s fragile democracy by prosecuting more corrupt public figures like ex-governor Ibori as well as those that aid and abet them in laundering public funds stolen from Nigeria to western countries to live a life of luxury In addition, he said the Federal Government must be held accountable to its UN human right and child protection obligations so that the predominant practice in northern Nigeria which precludes many female children from a proper education and allows paedophiles to sexually abuse children with absolute impunity in the name of religion can be stopped. Stressing that the situation was very challenging, the activist pointed out that “the current Nigerian administration has put itself in a very difficult place having failed to act proactively to prevent the Chibok kidnapping and failed to react promptly. It squandered the advantage of hot pursuit and granted the leeway that strengthened the ruthless arms of Boko Haram. It is now caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Does it maintain the hardline stance of non negotiation with terrorists and take responsibility for whatever happens or simply pander to the distasteful demands of Boko Haram who seem to be growing in confidence by the day with their newly found international notoriety? One thing is sure, no course pursued guarantees the safe return of the girls. It remains a very precariously delicate and critical situation given the number of lives at stake. Possession is often said to be 99 per cent of the law and regrettably, Boko Haram have possession of the Chibok girls. So it stands to reason that the administration tread with great caution if this unfolding story is not to end in further tragedy. The footage released showing some of the girls provides some relief but should be
Protest march to mark one year anniversay of the abducted Chibok girls
Ezekwezili and other protesters on the streets of Lagos demanding the release of the kidnapped girls
FIRST IS TO DEPORT OR IMPOSE A TRAVEL BAN ON THE CHILDREN OF PRESENT AND CURRENT
POLITICIANS, PUBLIC APPOINTEES AND SECURITY CHIEFS IN
NIGERIA
THAT FORBIDS THEM FROM TRAVELLING TO DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES TO STUDY OR HOLIDAY.
THIS WILL COMPEL THESE
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin addressing the protesters
viewed with cautious optimism as this girls have been kidnapped since the 14th of April. Ola Badamosi, another Nigeria resident in the United Kingdom said Nigeria is in a position of strength presently. “So to win over insurgency, you need to crush them or negotiate from a position of strength. “The Boko Haram issue has its root in the unavailability of infrastructure, employment and work for the people. This dissatisfaction was further politicised and the current situation is the result of the mix that was not
CHILDREN TO ATTEND THE LOCAL SCHOOLS, LOCAL HOSPITALS AND FACE THE COMMON THREATS
CREATED BY THEIR PARENTS’ ACTIONS IN GOVERNMENT dealt with when the issue was still easily manageable. To deal with this issue requires a multi phased approach. “In the short term, we need to win this war; this appears to be finally being done in coalition with other nations. We now need to start negotiation as we are in a position of strength, leaving the insurgents a window to negotiate. “What Nigeria needs in a medium to long term strategy to win “Hearts and Minds”. Winning hearts and minds is a concept occasionally expressed in the resolution of war, insurgency, and other conflicts, in which one side seeks to prevail not by the use of superior force, but by making emotional or intellectual appeals to sway supporters of the other side. This means the people need to buy into the solution, employ the locals to be involve in the development of their local areas. This will make them stakeholders and ensure they are included and driven to maintain a positive status quo. “This lead us to the creation of infrastructure throughout Nigeria, this in the end point especially in these areas, bringing light into the darkness so to speak, creating employment so the people know that there are alternatives. We have to ensure an attractive route for people to embrace peace as people tend to be prepared to fight tooth and nails for peace when they have far more to lose. In the long time only the facilitation of adequate infrastructure development in the areas will suffice, the people have to have something to do in the development of their locality. This way they will have something to lose and make all efforts to ensure they protect what they had a hand in building and the continued sanctity of their lifestyles”.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
National News
Sunday, April 19, 2015
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NANS threatens retaliatory action over S’Africa xenophobic attacks …give 7-day ultimatum to stop violence against Nigerians Buhari backs steps taken by FG, Zuma cancels overseas trip
T
he National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given the South African Government seven days ultimatum to stop the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans resident in that country. This ultimatum is conveyed in a statement issued by the association and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja yesterday. The statement, signed by NAN’s Public Relations Officer, Nwankwo Ezekiel, warned that South African investments and citizens in Nigeria would face reprisal attacks if the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and their businesses were not stopped. The attacks have forced South African President, Jacob Zuma to cancel planned state visit to Indonesia to tackle the situation at home. “NANS condemns the sudden surge of attacks and deaths of our brothers and sisters and loss of their properties in South Africa as a result of xenophobia attacks. “It is with deep sense of sadness and brotherhood that we are urging the South African Government to ensure an urgent solution and bring to an end attacks on our own citizens and their businesses within the next seven days. “If the attacks and looting are not stopped within seven days, we will be left
with no alternative than to go against all the South African investments in our noble country, Nigeria. “We will not stop at this but will go further and make all South Africa citizens residing in our country uncomfortable’’, the NAN’s statement said. It added that South Africa and Nigeria were being looked up to by the world to lead Africa to greatness, adding that xenophobic attacks were an embarrassment to the entire continent. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, said it was too early to evacuate Nigerian but said that Nigeria should remain law abiding and stay calm. Meanwhile, Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, said he was in full support of the steps taken so far by the Nigerian government in its efforts to protect the country’s citizens from the wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. In a statement released in Abuja on yesterday, Buhari said that Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Pretoria had taken the right steps by advising the Nigerian community in South Africa to close their shops, stay home and keep out of trouble, while ensuring that they obey the laws of their host country. “We equally understand that the South African gov-
ernment is making efforts to bring an end to this unfortunate situation,” General Buhari said. “In the meantime, Nigerians in South Africa should abide by the words of caution extended them by their government representative in Pretoria.” He Buhari also commended the Nigerian government for its decision to monitor the situation in South Africa and evacuate its citizens at any sign of escalation. “I am happy to see that the Nigerian government is very well aware of its responsibilities to its citizens in South Africa,” General Buhari said. The President-elect further expressed sadness at the unfolding events in South Africa, recalling Nigeria’s and South Africa’s friendly relations since the end of apartheid. Also, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, joined others in condemning the attacks, which it described as provocative and completely unacceptable. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement released yesterday said the attacks were “out rightly barbaric, primitive and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.” The party said it was “unfortunate and disheartening that South Africans by this attitude have shown that they are not appreciative of
the roles played by Nigeria and other African countries in liberating their nation from the clutches of the obnoxious apartheid system. “Whilst we are aware that this unfortunate incident is a fallout of incendiary utterances by certain leaders in South Africa, we call on the ruling African National Congress, ANC, and South African government to take urgent practical steps to stem the tide and guarantee the safety of lives and property of Nigerians and other nationals targeted by the xenophobes. “All well-meaning world leaders especially Africans should stand up and condemn this dangerous trend, which is a clear threat to the much desired unity, cooperativeness and development in the continent. “We recall that this disgraceful act had taken place in recent time in the same country. As such, we charge South African leaders to do everything humanly possible to halt this wickedness and forestall a repeat in the future. “Africans and indeed all citizens of the world must be allowed to visit, live or work in any part of the continent without fear of attack as long as they meet local statutory requirements of the country of their sojourn”, the party said. While urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure the safe-
L-R: Chief Executive, Connected Development, Mr. Hamzat Lawal; Legislative Aide to Senator Bukola Saraki, Mr. Innocent Onah and Director, Heinrich Boll Foundation Nigeria and West Africa, Christine K, during the stakeholders’ meeting on the fund approved by Fec Clean Cookstoves on rural PHOTO: NAN women in Abuja, at the weekend.
ty of lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa, the PDP also called for calm and restraint at home even in the face of an obvious provocation that is capable of sparking off a reprisal. In a related development, the Nigerian Union in South Africa has said that it has concluded arrangements to resettle 50 Nigerians affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks. The President of the union, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, made this known in an interview with NAN by telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. Anyene said that the Nigerians were displaced at Jeppes Town, near Johannesburg. “We met about 300 Nigerians in Jeppes town, near Johannesburg, who fled for their safety and about 50 of them do not have any place to stay. “We are making arrangements with the Nigerian mission in South Africa to get them a place to stay for their safety. “The Nigerian union has also presented relief materials to those affected by the attacks and we are in touch with various branch chapters of the union in the provinces on their safety and security,’’ he said. According to him, Nigerian shops and businesses in Durban and Johannesburg have been looted and some burnt. He said that two shops belonging to Nigerians in Durban were looted and they lost goods worth 400,000 Rand. “In Jeppes Town, near Johannesburg, five shops were looted and one burnt while the estimated loss is put at One million Rand. “The incidents have been reported to the police and we are still taking stock of attacks on Nigerians,’’ he said. Anyene reiterated the union’s call to the Federal Government to put more pressure on the South African government to halt the attacks. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has canceled a state visit to Indonesia to deal with a wave of anti-immigrant violence at
home and promised peace to those who wished to remain in Africa’s most advanced economy. The unrest which began in the port city Durban two weeks ago and spread to Johannesburg, Africa’s economic hub, appeared to have died down on Saturday as police patrolled trouble spots. “We are certainly going to stop the violence,” Zuma told hundreds of displaced African immigrants at a camp in Chatsworth, south of Durban, in a speech televised on eNCA. “Those who want to go home, when the violence stops you are welcome to return,” he said, addressing immigrants who planned to board buses provided by their governments to take them back to their countries. Thousands of foreigners have sought refuge in camps set up in Johannesburg and Durban and the governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi began bussing their nationals back home. Violence flared after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said in remarks widely reported by South African media in March that foreigners should leave the country. He has since said his comments were misinterpreted and on Saturday attempted to defuse tensions. “Anyone who is waiting for an order from Zwelithini to attack people, no. No,” eNCA reported the king as saying during a traditional ceremony in rural KwaZulu-Natal. At least four people have been killed in the violence over the last fortnight and foreign nationals have complained that the South African police are failing to protect them. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Saturday expressed shock and disgust at the attacks on immigrants. “I would want now to express our sense of shock, disgust as we abhor the incidences which happened in Durban,” said Mugabe, speaking on behalf of the regional Southern African Development Community and African Union, both of which he currently chairs.
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News
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Election: Gunmen kidnap Rivers council boss DENNIS NAKU
PORT HARCOURT
U
nknown gunmen have kidnapped the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government
Area of Rivers State, Chief Cassidy Ikegbudu. Sunday mirror gathered that Ikegbudu was kidnapped in his village, Yiboko on the early hours of yesterday (Saturday).
Ahoada East is one of the council areas where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC fixed a re-run election in some wards. Though details of the abduction was sketchy
at the time of filing this report, the All Progressives Congress, APC House of Assembly candidate for Ahoada East constituency 1, Mr. Eric Apia, told our reporter that the armed men
stormed the CTC bosses village and reportedly whisked him away off to an unknown destination. According to Apia, “Reports received from his family said there
L-R: Founder, Thoughtful House Autism Foundation, Mr. Omagbitse Barrow; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mrs. Oluwakemi Barrow and Executive Director, Ms. Yahcit Zakari, during a press conference to commemorate 2015 World Autism Day in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
was exchange of fire between security personnel attached to the chairman and the armed men. “The armed men later took the chairman away, dragged him to a nearby river and went away in a speed boat,’’ he said. He said Ahoada East was supposed to have a re-run election for the state house of assembly and that shooting began on Friday night. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Mohammad confirmed the kidnapping. Mohammad told our reporter that the police had received report of the abduction of the council chairman yesterday morning. “The command is aware of the incident involving the Care Taker Committee Chairman of Ahoada East. “Investigation has begun to ensure that he is released as well as to apprehend the kidnappers,” the Police image maker said.
Ondo chief attributes mysterious deaths to sacrilege
H
igh Chief Moses Enimade, the Oyewoga of Ode Irele in Ondo State, has said that the recent deaths of 20 youths in the town was caused by sacrilege done to Molokun, god of the land. Enimade, who is next in command to Oba Cornelius Olanrewaju-Lebi, stated this during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Irele yesterday He debunked the rumour that the deaths were caused by strange disease or Ebola virus. NAN recalls that no fewer than 20 youths reportedly died of severe headaches and blindness in the town recently. Enimade contended that some stubborn youths broke into the inner room of Molokun Shrine on April 15. “Molokun is a deity of the land, only the Chief Priest and High Chief Gboguron are qualified to enter the shrine.’’ The chief said the youths entered the shrine and made away with traditional items in a bid to acquire extra-ordinary
powers and engage in money ritual. “They were not qualified to enter the room (shrine). They had to face death penalty’’, he emphasised. The Oyewoga said it he could not remember the last time Malokun or any other gods had to strike like this in the area. According to him, there is no community or town without its own culture and tradition; what happened in Irele is the judgement of the gods on stubborn youths. “Even the Kabiesi himself is not permitted to enter the Molokun Shrine’s inner room except the Chief Priest and High Chief Gboguron. Sacrifice must be performed before they can enter. “Because these youths want to be rich at all costs, they entered the sacred place and made away with traditional items and 20 of them have died as a result of their desperate acts, “We have to appease the gods or else many will still die and we have to bury them according to
tradition. Their corpses belong to the gods and will be exhumed if buried by their families.” He restated that the deaths were not caused by diseases or Ebola as widely speculated. “The death caused by Molokun is characterised by severe headache and blindness. “Proverbs 29:1 in the Bible says: `He that had
been reproved and hardened his neck shall suddenly be destroyed without remedy; so youths of nowadays must be careful”, Enimade said. Some residents who spoke with NAN appealed to the chief priest to make necessary atonement to avert calamity in the town. They said news of the deaths had given
the town and state a bad name. Mr Sheed Osuolale said he was afraid when the news broke. Mrs. Esther Bantefa said the news had given the town and the state a bad name adding that the chief priest should as a matter of urgency perform necessary rituals. “Our people in Lagos and other towns called
us to get information if it was Ebola outbreak’’, she said. Mrs. Tayo Akinyelure said parents should warn their children against going near shrines. “Many youths do not believe in all these traditions and customs. It is high time parents warned their children against committing sacrilege”, she said.
3 cheat death, as building collapses in Lagos FRANCIS SUBERU
N
o fewer than three people including the wife of Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi; escaped death by the whiskers yesterday when a building collapsed in the highbrow Dolphin Estate at Ikoyi area of the state. Sunday Mirror learnt that the building located at 19b HFB way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, which belongs to Awoniyi collapsed about 7.30am Saturday morning.
It was further gathered that the collapse was caused by a gas explosion the shook the building that has six flats before part of the building caved in. Witnesses said as of the time of collapse three people were inside the building while a driver was outside the building washing vehicles parked outside Hassan, a security guard in the estate said, “We hear sound and immediately ran to the place to help rescues those living in the building that collapse. Those wounded taken to St Maria Hospi-
tal Yaba for treatment. “Three persons have been injured according to the driver they are the only ones inside the building and that rest the rumour that other people are still trapped under the rubble. I can tell you nobody died in the collapse.” Confirming the incident, the spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye said the incident occurred at 7.15am in a building located at HFB way Dolphin Estate Ikoyi.
He said rescuers from NEMA and those from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), officials of the Federal Fire Service and locals are currently working at the site of the collapse house. Fariloye told journalists that, “we got information that the building collapsed around 7am and that it trapped most of it occupants under and emergency workers from both the federal and the state are presently on ground to salvage the situation.”
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
News
Sunday April 19, 2015
9
Impeachment: Fayose waves olive branch, ready for talks with APC lawmakers ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
E
kiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose at the weekend expressed his resolve for amicable resolution of the standoff between him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the State House of Assembly. Fayose, who said that he was ready for dialogue
with the Dr Adewale Omirin-led APC lawmakers threatening him with impeachment, added that he was not opposed to whatever political solution that could end the imbroglio, as long as the warring APC lawmakers embraced such idea. The governor spoke at a special prayer session organised for him by the Ansar-Udeen Mosque,
Odo-Otu, Atikankan in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate his recent victory at the Supreme Court over the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state. Fayose said he was waving the olive branch in the overall interest of Ekiti people as well as restoration of peace, adding: “Anything that can bring peace cannot be wished away. For me, I’m
ready to accommodate everybody. Whatever they want we can sit down and talk�. “There is no perfect man. They should allow peace to reign. All I want is peace that will energise development. I have a constitutionally guaranteed tenure. A governor is judged by his achievements in office. All I’m interested in is
April 11 polls: Esuene heads to tribunal ENO-OBONG MICHAEL UYO
F
ollowing alleged gross irregularities in the April 11 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, the Labour Party candidate, Senator Helen Esuene, has decided to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal. Deputy Director General, Senator Helen Esuene Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bassey Essien yesterday in Uyo said what happened in the state was not an election as there was high level of rigging. “What we had was something less than an election. The level of rigging was so much and even embarrassing to the people of Akwa Ibom and the Nigeria as a whole because the level of thuggery was unprecedented. “I am a grassroots politician for many years, I have
never witnessed this kind of thing in my life. The security operatives, and INEC officials were the perpetrators. “In a situation where the time frame was given from when accreditation will start and to when it will end, by 10am we were receiving phone calls in all the units in the state that the materials were hijacked by people who were supposed to ensure a free and fair election and these people are the security personnel, INEC officials and the PDP. “Proper accreditation was not done. All the units had a collation centre but none of them was put to use. Ballot boxes with materials were simply moved to the houses of VIPs and government officials as collation centres. All over the state it was the same thing. “Unfortunately this was the opportunity for INEC to prove the efficiency of their so called card readers be-
cause going by the explanation they gave to Nigerians, their server banks must collate and from the information available in their server bank, they will know whether there was accreditation or not and the actual number of people who voted in each unit. “It was a very shameful act and embarrassing despite the fact they had all the resources in terms of finance, I wonder why they should resort to that low level of rigging and embarrassing the good people of this state. As far as we are concerned, that was not an election at all�. “INEC has failed and even INEC knows that they have failed, whether they admit it in public or not, they know that they did not only fail but they failed woefully. They gave us the impression that once you use the card reader every information regarding the unit will be available
We’re not intimidated by Maku’s tribunal threat –Nasarawa APC IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA
N
asarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it is not intimidated by threats from the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state, Labaran Maku, that he will use all legitimate means at his disposal to recover his governorship mandate. Maku, who was former minister of information in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, said at a press conference in Akwanga, the headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area of the state that he would use all legitimate means at his disposal to
recover what he termed “his stolen governorship mandate in Nasarawa State.� But in a chat with Sunday Mirror, state chairman of APC, Philip Tatari Shekwo, said the party would not be intimidated by any threat by Maku going to tribunal even as he added that “we are ready and we thank him for taking to democratic process instead of resorting to violence.� Accordingly, Shekwo asked rhetorically: “I don’t know what mandate he is talking about. Who gave him the mandate? Was it his tribal people that gave him the mandate or who?� He attributed factors responsible for the failure of the former in-
formation minister to his politics of tribalism and religion, which according to the APC state helmsman were the only two indices the former minister campaigned on and Nasarawa people rejected them. Shekwo said: “Nasarawa people don’t want any religious bigot; they don’t want any tribal champion. What they want is a detribalised person. What they want is somebody that would stand for Nasarawa State, who does not only represent his tribe, one that does not only represent only his religion, but represents Nasarawa State and that is why they voted for Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of the APC.�
in their server bank which they can verify. The problem is that we did not have the boldness to tell Nigerians the truth. When we go to the election tribunal and by the time we get there they will defend their wrongful act. “That is where the Chairman of INEC, his reputation and integrity is now at stake because we must go extra mile to prove that integrity. This is one time he has to prove that high moral standard, discipline and uprightness because it was very that all their staff were bought over.
to bring development to my people. My opponents know that if I have a rest of mind I will achieve my objectives. “All those I have offended should forgive me for the sake of the masses and orphans. They should know people gave me the mandate. Nobody is above mistake; they should forgive me,� Fayose said. The governor regretted that the activities of the 19 APC lawmakers had taken toll on legitimate businesses of innocent people of the state, with one life lost in the process. In a swift reaction, Omirin expressed the readiness of the APC lawmakers for dialogue if the governor was genuinely ready. The embattled Speaker said: “We are ready too for dialogue if he is ready to toe the path of peace. He is the one causing trouble. He is the one that has brought inconvenience to us and our families.
“He has stopped our salaries and other entitlements. It is not that we don’t want to work with him, but he is the one refusing to allow peace to reign in the state,� Omirin stated. Earlier before leading the prayers for the governor, the State Missioner of the Ansar-Udeen Movement, Alhaji Liadi Adebayo, urged Fayose and the APC lawmakers to bury their hatchet in the interest of peace, progress and development of the state. Adebayo canvassed peaceful co-existence of the entire people of Ekiti State, irrespective of their political differences, advising residents that politics should not be a do or die affair. It would be recalled that there has been protests and tension in the state since the 19 APC lawmakers said a fortnight ago that they had begun impeachment process against the governor over some allegations levelled against him.
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INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR THE YEAR 2014 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION PROJECTS 1. PREAMBLE: ‘Žȹ Â˜Â•Â˘Â?ÂŽÂŒÂ‘Â—Â’ÂŒČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ‹Â˘ČąÂ’Â—Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂŽÂ?Ž—Â?ȹȌšžŠ•’ęŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?›ŠŒÂ?Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂžÂ‹Â–Â’Â?Čą ÂŽÂŒÂ‘Â—Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą ‹’Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŽÂĄÂŽÂŒÂžÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹž—Â?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ•Â’ÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?ÂœČąÂžÂ—Â?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›ČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—ĹšČą Čą ’‹›Š›¢ȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž•˜™–Ž—Â?Čą —Â&#x;Ž—Â?’˜— 2. SCOPE OF WORKS ȹǝŗǟȹ ›˜Œž›Ž–Ž—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?Čą œœ˜›Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą Â˜Â˜Â”ÂœČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČą ÇťĹ˜ÇźČą ›˜Œž›Ž–Ž—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ČŹ Â˜Â˜Â”ÂœČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČą ÇťĹ˜ÇźČą ›˜Œž›Ž–Ž—Â?ȹŠ—Â?Čą —œÂ?Š••ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ’‹›Š›¢ȹ šž’™–Ž—Â?ÂœČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČąČą
Čą Čą Čą
3. PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂšÂžÂŠÂ•Â’Ä™ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Ž—Â?Ž›ǰȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?˜••˜ ’—Â?ČąÂ?˜Œž–Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂœÂžÂ‹Â–Â’Ä´ÂŽÂ?ÇŻ ’ǯȹȹ Â˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â˘Čą Š–Žǰȹ Â?Â?Â›ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ•Â˜ÂŒÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŒÂ•ÂŽÂŠÂ›Â•Â˘ČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ÇŻ ’’ǯȹȹ Ž›Â?’ęŒŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â˘Čą —Œ˜›™˜›ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ Â’Â?‘ȹ ˜›™˜›ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Ä›ÂŠÂ’Â›ÂœČą Â˜Â–Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ČąČąČąČąČą ȹȹȹȹȹǝ ÇŻ ÇŻ ǟǯ Â’Â’Â’ÇŻČą Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ȹ›ŽÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?›ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂœČą ž™™•’Ž›ȹǝ Ž›Â?’ęŒŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ’Â—ÂŒÂ˜Â›Â™Â˜Â›ÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ Â’Â?‘ȹȹ Čą ȹȹȹȹȹ›Ž•ŽÂ&#x;Š—Â?Čą ˜Â&#x;Ž›—–Ž—Â?Čą ’—’œÂ?Â›Â’ÂŽÂœÇź Â’Â&#x;ÇŻČą Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą Š¥ȹ Â•ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą Ž›Â?’ęŒŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ•ÂŠÂœÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘Â›ÂŽÂŽČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœÇŻ Â&#x;ǯȹȹ Â˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â˘Č‚ÂœČą žÂ?Â’Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą ŒŒ˜ž—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ•ÂŠÂœÂ?Čą Â‘Â›ÂŽÂŽČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›Âœ Â&#x;Â’ÇŻČą Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ÂĄÂŽÂŒÂžÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™Â•ÂŽÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂœÂ’Â–Â’Â•ÂŠÂ›ČąÂ“Â˜Â‹ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ•ÂŠÂœÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘Â›ÂŽÂŽČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœÇŻ Â&#x;Â’Â’ÇŻČą Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą Ž›Â?’ęŒŠÂ?ÂŽČŚ ¥Ž–™Â?Â’Â˜Â—Čą Â?Â›Â˜Â–Čą Čą ’—ȹ ŒŒ˜›Â?ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą  ’Â?‘ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ÂŽÂ—ÂœÂ’Â˜Â—Čą ÂŽÂ?Â˜Â›Â–Čą ÂŒÂ?ÇŻČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ–ĹšČąÂ’Â—ÂŒÂ•ÂžÂ?’—Â?ȹŽÂ&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ›ÂŽÂ–Â’Ä´ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŽÂ–Â™Â•Â˜Â˘ÂŽÂŽČ‚ÂœČąÂ™ÂŽÂ—ÂœÂ’Â˜Â—Čą Œ˜—Â?›’‹žÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČŚÂ?ÂŽÂ?žŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÇŻ Â&#x;Â’Â’Â’ÇŻČą Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™Â•Â’ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂœÂŽÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąĹœČąÇťĹ—ÇŻĹ™ÇźČąÂ˜Â?Čą —Â?žœÂ?›’Š•ȹ ›Š’—’—Â?Čą ž—Â?Čą ÂŒÂ?ÂœČą Ĺ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ—ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹ›Ž•ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?›Š’—’—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?›’‹žÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ȹ•’Š‹•Žȹ ›Â?Š—’£ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻ 4. GENERAL INFORMATION ••ȹ ÂŽÂ—ÂšÂžÂ’Â›Â’ÂŽÂœČą ›ŽÂ?Š›Â?’—Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ ŠÂ?Â&#x;Ž›Â?’œŽ–Ž—Â?Čą œ‘˜ž•Â?Čą ‹Žȹ Â?’›ŽŒÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂŽÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?›Š›ǰȹ Š–ŠÂ?Čą Â˜Â•Â˘Â?ÂŽÂŒÂ‘Â—Â’ÂŒÇ°Čą Š’Â?žÂ?ž›’ȹ‹ŽÂ? ŽŽ—ȹŗŖǯŖŖŠ–ȹŠ—Â?ȹŚǯŖŖ™–ȹ ˜—Â?Š¢ȹÂ?Â˜Čą ›’Â?Š¢ǯ 5. SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS ••ȹ ÂœÂžÂ‹Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ÂœČą Â?Â˜Â›Čą ÂŽÂŠÂŒÂ‘Čą Čą œ‘˜ž•Â?Čą ‹Žȹ ’—ȹ Â?ž™•’ŒŠÂ?ÂŽČą ÂŒÂ˜Â™Â’ÂŽÂœČą ’—ȹ Šȹ Š¥ȹ œŽŠ•ŽÂ?Čą —Â&#x;ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â™ÂŽČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą Â?Ž—Â?’ęŽÂ?ȹ ’Â?‘ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?ȹ›ŽÂ?ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ•Â˜Â?ȹ—ž–‹Ž›ȹŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?Â˜Â™ČąÂ•ÂŽÂ?Â?Čą ‘Š—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â—ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ–Š›”ŽÂ?ČąČƒ ČŹ Čą Čą ȄȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?Ž•’Â&#x;Ž›ŽÂ?Čą ‹¢ȹ‘Š—Â?ČąÂ˜Â›ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ›Â’ÂŽÂ›ČąÂœÂŽÂ›Â&#x;Â’ÂŒÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘ŽȹŠÂ?Â?Â›ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ȹ•ŠÂ?Ž›ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŠÂ—ČąĹ—Ĺ˜Â—Â˜Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ˜—Â?Š¢ȹ Ĺ—Ĺ—Â?‘ȹ Š¢ȹ Ĺ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ›ÇŻČą Â›ÂŽČŹÂšÂžÂŠÂ•Â’Ä™ÂŒÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą Â?˜Œž–Ž—Â?ÂœČą  ’••ȹ ‹Žȹ Â™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒÂ•Â˘Čą ˜™Ž—ŽÂ?Čą ÂœÂ˜Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ?Â?Ž›ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂžÂ‹Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?ŠÂ?Žȹ•’—Žǯ NB: Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŠÂ?Â&#x;Ž›Â?’œŽ–Ž—Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ˜Â—Â•Â˘ČąÂ™Â›ÂŽČŹÂšÂžÂŠÂ•Â’Ä™ÂŒÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ˜Â—Â•Â˘ČąÂ™Â›ÂŽČŹÂšÂžÂŠÂ•Â’Ä™ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂŽÂœČą  ’••ȹ‹ŽȹŽ•’Â?’‹•ŽȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÄ™Â—ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ‹Â’Â?Â?’—Â? SIGNED: REGISTRAR
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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER APRIL 19 2015
Katsina people must have input on how their money is spent –Masari Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari and now governor-elect of Katsina State recounts his journey to the Government House in this interview with our Group O O O Political Editor,, OBIORA IFOH. You just won the governorship election in Katsina State after a second attempt. We want you to share with us your experience in the recently concluded election. It is really an experience for somebody to contest election in a party that is in the opposition, especially because of the way we see opposition in this country. I believe that opposition is also a partner in development in the democratic process of a country. Unfortunately, in some quarters, people in opposition party are seeing as enemies and not as partners. So, my experience since I joined the opposition in 2009 is that for you to be in the opposition, you have to be very patient, persevere and also to be steadfast. Once you have an idea which you believe in, you should remain constant and consistent and at the end, God will definitely be with you in terms of succeeding. So, my experience has really been mixed in the sense that the ordinary person want change all the time, but the powers that be always want to maintain status quo. The worst situation is the lack of level playing ground which has been lacking and now, we have seen a simple introduction of card readers that makes it almost impossible to inflate votes and this has made a little difference. Really, with the right leadership in the right place at the right time, Nigeria will get it right. As the new governor of the state, what should the people expect from you? If you passed through our campaign office, we said our project is Restoration 2015 for Katsina. What are we restoring? Traditionally, Katsina is known for investment and producing highly educated and technically sound people. So, our main area, our first target, second target and third target is education because today in Katsina, the public schools, based on last year’s performance in WAEC, we could not get three per cent. If you take the entire Katsina indigenes, whether they live in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere outside the state, 45,800 of them sat for WAEC and only 4,500 of them got five credits and above in Katsina . This is Katsina where the first middle school in northern Nigeria was established; In Katsina where the first generation, second generation and third generation including the President-Elect were products of the Katsina Native Education Authority. We were the first to open an education account in the UK for the training of our people. But today, from 1999 to 2014, we have presented over 255,000 students for WAEC. What did we get out of that? Only 32,000 of them got five credits and above in 15 years. During my campaign I was able to travel to all the local government areas in the state. We have 34 local governments, I slept in 27 and in each local government, I made sure that I
Masari
did not follow the tarred road. We will find a rural road to make sure that we see the inside of the local government. What did we see? 60 per cent of our primary schools have either their roof blown off or the windows are down or the doors are down or no floor. On the average a classroom is housing about 97 children. What are we talking about? There is a district that the District Head told me that in the whole of the district, only one child has gone into senior secondary school. The rest dropped out because there are no teachers, no classrooms. It is a terrible situation. There was a time we presented over 17,000 students for WAEC and all we could get was only 370 who passed. We cannot continue like this. So, what we are bringing on the table is the
issue of education. Secondly, Katsina is an agrarian state. Our economy was, until the discovery of oil dependent on agriculture and livestock. Where are we today? We can’t feed ourselves. Forget about imported rice, imported macaroni, imported spaghetti, imported everything. If for whatever reason, the import stopped, how do we feed ourselves? People said they are surprise that Russia was able to break down even though they had everything. They could not feed themselves at a time because they ran short of food and that started to expose the weakness in the system they were operating and the country went down. We cannot sit down here and depend on rice from China, rice from India, rice from Thailand when we have water and the land.
IF YOU HAVE MONEY, LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MONEY AND LET THEM HAVE A SAY ON HOW THIS MONEY IS SPENT. EACH TIME, WE TALK ABOUT LEAN RESOURCES. NO, IT IS NOT ABOUT LEAN RESOURCES, BUT ABOUT GOOD MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES
Before Katsina was created as a state, it was a province. This province was constructing roads, schools, hospitals, court, it had the police, prison services, the judiciary, and they were paying salaries and carrying out development. Why can’t we do anything for ourselves today? The province was also making its contribution to the running of the Northern Nigerian government. Where are we today? If this money coming from Abuja stop, the state cannot survive for one month. As the governor of the home state of the President elect, a lot will be expected from you. Considering the lean resources available to government since the crash of the price of oil, how do you intend to attract funds to run the state? The problem has always been the fact that we have not always been open, democratic and honest with the people. It is not about resources alone. You think that development depend on money alone, but it is not so. Even the military were building roads, hospitals and others. Under the colonial administration the Emirate system was building everything. Democracy is about being open with the people. If you have money, let the people know that you have money and let them have a say on how this money is spent. Each time, we talk about lean resources. No, it is not about lean resources, but about good management of resources. If you allow the local councils to operate, if you allow a ward to produce a Councilor that represents the people and not himself, things will work out well, we don’t have councils now. The needs of the people at the local level may cost you N100,000. If you sit here in Katsina and decide in something of N1 million for them, what if it is not what they needed. The key word is not lack of resources, but involving people in decision making. That is the essence of democracy. This state under the Native Authority as a Province was doing well looking after itself. What happened now? We want to look at Katsina in the next 20 or 30 years. There was a time when crude oil was less than 10 dollars and it can happen again tomorrow. We don’t decide for the international community, the powers that be decide how much they will buy your oil, how many quantity they need from your oil. So, we have no control over pricing, we have no control over the market, we have no control over even the imported products. How can we depend on something that has a life span? Let us depend on the land to give us food. No country is great when it cannot feed itself. You contested the party primary with some people. What is your plan for them We have done very well and have already passed that stage. Nine of us contested the primary and all of us worked for the success of APC in Katsina state. The preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly election as well as the governorship election, each of us was involved and they all brought in materials and their physical presence into CONTINUED ON PAGE 55
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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES APRIL 19, 2015
APC govt ’ll pull Kaduna out of debt situation –Bantex
P 12, 53
DEMOCRACY HAS TO BE NURTURED TO GROW. STRONG DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ARE THE BACKBONE AND FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY. THEY MUST BE PROTECTED AND NURTURED. AS FOR ME IT IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, IT IS ALWAYS THE NATION FIRST. –PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN
El-Rufai
Our elected officers must be accountable to the people –Saraki
P 56
Briefly
Yakoyo-Odozi community congratulates Amosun
L
andlords and residents of Yakoyo– Odozi community in Ojodu, Ogun State have congratulated the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on his re-election at the just concluded governorship elections. The congratulatory message was contained in a release issued after the executive meeting of the Yakoyo–Odozi Landlords and Residents Association held recently. Those present at the meeting include the Director of United Bible College, Prof. Kunle Macaulay, Mr. Kola Ewejobi, Mr. John Aigbefo, Prince Jimmy Oshinubi and they encouraged the governor to continue with the good works he has started. They also urged him to be more people–centered in carrying out projects for the betterment of the state. Speaking on behalf of the association, Prof. Macaulay said: “We are using this opportunity to encourage Amosun administration to continue in its progressive path, as we are willing to contribute our own quota and work with the government to move the state forward so as to better the lot of the people, most especially in Ojodu community. He also called on the people of Ojodu and environs to maintain peace and work together with the government for the good of the state.
Ojugbele eyes Reps speakership
Ambode
A How El-Rufai, Ambode, Umahi
emerged as governors-elect
Governorship elections held in 29 states penultimate Saturday and the results are already in the public domain, except in three states: Imo, Taraba and Abia which INEC has declared inconclusive. Our correspondents bring the detail and reactions that followed the emergence of winners in Kaduna, Ebonyi, Lagos and Ogun states. El-Rufai sweeps Yero out of office AZA MSUE KADUNA
K
aduna State, the centre of learning, penultimate Saturday made a positive history as it shed the toga of violence it is associated with and had a peaceful election that brought in another man as governor of the state. Since 1999
till date, the state has never witnessed jubilation like what it had with the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as president-elect and Malam Nasir el-Rufai as Kaduna State governor-elect. The majority of residents, especially those from Kaduna north and central zones are in love with opposition politics rather than clapping for the government in
power. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has ruled the state for 16 years now. Political pundits outlined how and why the opposition candidate, El-Rufai, defeated the incumbent Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of PDP in a landslide victory. El-Rufai, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and other APC candidates had defeated 14 other candiCONTINUED ON PAGE 12
s the race for the Speakership of the 8th Legislative Assembly hots up, a returnee House of Representatives member, Hon Jimoh Ojugbele, has indicated interest in the vacant position of the speaker of the country’s Lower Legislative Chamber. The newly elected member of the House representing Ado Odo/Ota Federal Constituency of Ogun State disclosed his interest in the position to newsmen at his Igbesa country home at the weekend. The two-term federal lawmaker who served between 2003 and 2007 said his ambition to serve the country in the capacity as a Speaker was hinged upon his ‘wealth of experience which borders on quality representation and record achievement’. The former Deputy Chairman, Petroleum Refinery and Product Marketing said the business of law making requires the ‘wisdom, experience and leadership qualities of seasoned leaders that the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC, administration have in abundance
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Politics
Sunday, April 19, 2015
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APC govt ’ll pull Kaduna out of Hon. Bala Barnabas Bantex is the deputy governor-elect on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kaduna State. In this interview with select journalists, he assures the state indigenes that APC will surpass PDP’s 16 years performance. Excerpts: Were you impressed by the turnout of voters during the governorship elections? I know that there was low turnout. It was quite unfortunate because the closer the government is to the people, the more concern they will have. If you look at the United States, what happens in Washington is not of concern to somebody in Texas because they are not close. Democracy is evolving and for anybody to imagine that to care less about the people but the elections, is a wrong notion. But the wind of change has already decided for everybody to redirect everything and a lot of people saw that direction in the presidential polls. Once a direction is being taken, and a mandate given, it is like fate accomplished at the state level, particularly the PDP members who lost out in the presidential election and they knew the effect of a bandwagon and its implications. They didn’t want only to be declared as supporters of losers and they just decided to stay back and be better off. I think, largely, the absent of PDP members at the polling
centres was because they believed strongly on the candidacy of the APC President-elect. I’m happier, being the state chairman of the party that transformed the opposition into the leading party. I said leading party because our president-elect said APC is not a ruling party, but a leading party. That is what I am proud of when I became the first chairman of the party. In our inaugural meeting, we only had a prayer and left. Our prayer was that God should make the leadership of the party great. We prayed that God should give her the opportunity and place her in the history books and transform her from an opposition party to a ruling party. That has happened. God answered our prayer and we are truly very happy. I call on those who will lead the party, particularly the APC, to be well trained. By the grace of God, Malam Nasiru el-Rufai is going to support me, in the idea that party leadership is very important and key to the development of our society. Who holds party position must be adequately trained. Because I expect that it is the party, the elected leadership along with
El-R Rufai
the stakeholders that designed a legislative agenda for our legislators in the party for policy direction. For those in the executive direction, the party policy will help them to maintain some kind of standard. In order not to live by the whims and caprices of bad leadership, when we see things happening in Kano, for
instance, we want to imagine that it is a party policy that is being designed and wired house by the party that the incoming governor has no choice than to maintain the momentum or at best, raise the bar to where he wishes. What is your observation about the just-concluded elections?
How El-Rufai, Ambode, Umahi e
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
dates, including Governor Mukhtar Yero, who contested on the platform of the PDP in the governorship and state assembly polls. The Returning Officer for the state, Prof. Jafar Kaura, said El-Rufai emerged victorious with 1, 117, 635 votes to defeat Yero of the PDP who secured 485, 833 votes. Many in the state believed that El-Rufai’s victory was long expected following his pedigree and Gen. Buhari’s factor which gave him edge over his closest rival, Yero in the contest. The electorate, according to findings, are in dire need of change as they were said to have been dissatisfied with the performance of Yero. Gen.Buhari’s victory also brought in what political pundits described as bandwagon effect and therefore aided El-Rufai’s victory. The APC governor-elect has already received his certificate of return from INEC in Kaduna. In his acceptance speech at the event, El-Rufai paid tribute to Kaduna State electorate who stood for change, saying he would justify the confidence the people reposed in him by changing the fortune of the state. El-Rufai said APC takes seriously its responsibility to build a harmonious society in Kaduna State, adding that the incoming administration would be committed to fostering a secure, peaceful environment that would give confidence to all the residents of the state to make the
ASIDE FROM HIS PERFORMANCE, AMOSUN ALSO ENSURED THAT HE CONNECTED WITH THE GRASSROOTS WHO MATTER MOST AT EVERY ELECTIONEERING PERIOD
Amosu un
most of their talents. He said that he wouldsoon meet with Governor Yero to begin consultations on the transition process to ensure that the machinery of government did not suffer between now and when the new government would take over.
Ambode rides on Fashola’s performance to win Lagos
AYO ESAN The event preceding the last gubernato-
rial and state assembly elections in Lagos State showed that the contest would be tough between the two major candidates, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP . The election was regarded by political observers as the toughest governorship poll ever held in the state since the return to democratic rule in 1999. It was clear after the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections when the PDP gained a lot of electoral mileage in the state that the PDP was making serious inroad into areas which had been dominated by the APC. Though General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the presidential candidate of the APC, won in Lagos, his margin of victory was not very significant and in the National Assembly election, the PDP for the first time picked five federal constituencies in the House of Representatives. The marginal success of the PDP in that election provoked recrimination against some APC leaders who were blamed for allowing the PDP to win in their areas, but it also buoyed the chances of the PDP which was determined to improve on its performance during the governorship poll. The development also led to increased campaign, especially from leaders of the APC who were not comfortable with PDP’s performance. A few days to the election, there was also a pronouncement by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, at a meeting with some Igbo traditional rulers where he allegedly told them that they should vote
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Man in the News Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke
What future for a ‘super minister’?
AYO ESAN
N
ews went round last Tuesday that no fewer than six countries have already refused to grant an asylum request by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke. The story which emanated from a report contained in the Business Council for Africa, BCA current monthly report, however failed to mention the six countries. The report said that about US$ 1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone. Dated March 2015, the report focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections. The report said the flamboyant Nigerian Petroleum Minister, who has been levelled with several allegations of corrupt practices but who has enjoyed the cover of President Goodluck Jonathan, would soon be coming under the scrutiny for the first time in her ministerial career. “Given her reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that six countries have already refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” the report said. BCA also recalled President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, lamenting that the rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption, especially one where stealing is not corruption but a way of life, and that his administration will pursue all public offices and individuals who are believed to be guilty of corruption. It was observed that despite the assurance by Buhari that he would not probe the past governments, it is now believed that Buhari’s anti-corruption fishing net may include ministers currently serving under President Jonathan. It was gathered that Alison-Madueke’s departure from Nigeria is likely to be followed by several other former government officials, as Buhari’s anticorruption drive will be far-reaching. BCA described the March/April 2015 polls as “the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history”, but said they could not be called the most incorruptible. The report also said the elections are the worst because of the amount of money that the PDP and President Jonathan allegedly so freely and openly spent on trying to secure his re-election. “The stories and reports from throughout the 36 states of the amount
of money distributed by the PDP to rulers, church leaders, unions and youth leaders among others in an endeavour to favour the voters towards the PDP has backfired badly,” the report said. BCA further said that if the 2011 elections were considered bad, the 2015 elections will undoubtedly go down as the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history. However, Alison-Madueke has debunked the insinuations that she is trying to seek asylum. She said she was not seeking asylum in any part of the world, as claimed by her traducers. Madueke, who spoke
through the Group Public Affairs General Manager of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said she is never contemplating relocating from Nigeria. Alegbe said the minister only went for a short vacation outside Nigeria and that she would soon return to her job. He said the claim that the woman had been denied asylum by six countries was not only a fabrication aimed at confusing some gullible persons, but deliberately targeted at smearing the minister and her office. Alegbe said: “I want to say that the
minister of petroleum has never contemplated going on asylum in any part of the world and has never applied for any. The minister has only gone for a short vacation abroad and will soon return to Nigeria, having no reason to leave her job and country for any other place.” Diezani K. Alison-Madueke, born on December 6, 1960, is the first female president of OPEC. She was elected at the 166th OPEC Ordinary meeting in Vienna on November 27, 2014. She was appointed Nigeria’s minister of Transportation onJuly 26, 2007. She was moved to Mines and Steel Development in 2008 and in April 2010, she was made Minister of Petroleum Resources. Alison-Madueke has held three significant positions in the Federal Government. She was appointed Transport Minister in July 2007. On December 23, 2008, she was named as Minister of Mines and Steel Development. After Vice-President Jonathan became acting President in February 2010, he dissolved the cabinet on March 17, 2010, and swore in a new cabinet on April 6, 2010 with Alison-Madueke as Minister of Petroleum Resources. One of the most controversial policies introduced under Alison-Madueke is the government’s plan to remove state subsidies on fuel prices. She had supported the discontinuation of the subsidy on the grounds that it “poses a huge financial burden on the government, disproportionately benefits the wealthy, [and] encourages inefficiency, corruption and diversion of scarce public resources away from investment in critical infrastructure.” In June 2008, Alison-Madueke was the subject of a Senate probe after it emerged that as Transport minister she had paid N30.9 billion ($263 million) to contractors between December 26 and 31, 2007. However, she has never been charged or tried for these allegations and has strongly denied any wrongdoing. She was alleged to have spent billions of dollars inappropriately on private jets whilst many Nigerians suffered. She is also alleged to be very close to President Jonathan. In September 2008, there was an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap Alison-Madueke at her house in Abuja along with her son Chimezie Madueke. In October 2009, the Senate indicted Alison-Madueke and recommended her prosecution for the alleged transfer of N1.2 billion into the private account of a toll company without due process and in breach of concession agreement. However, the allegations have never been taken to law, and the minister has maintained her innocence.
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Opinion
Sunday April 19, 2015
Uncensored U nc
Sheriff S Folarin
E-mail: sheffie2004@yahoo.co.uk 08094217972 (SMS only)
I
f Abraham Lincoln were around, he would have realized that there is a recordbreaker in General Muhammadu Buhari who, since the last time it ever happened in the 19th century, has contested more than any other person in the world, for the exalted post of the president of a nation. Lncoln had had many failures politically, the sorest point being the elusive American presidency. The road to the White House was rough and tough. But then he never gave up, pushing more and more and just when he was about to retire, he tried again and won in 1861. Buhari had three potshots at the post of Nigeria President and the fourth time he tried it, just as he was about quitting at the advanced age of 72, won on a high.
President Lincoln, after serial losses at different levels, even once as a Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, turned out to be the man the American nation had been waiting for. Two crucial things he did that shook the nation and changed its course of history were: the passing of the Emancipation Act that technically and emphatically made slavery unlawful in the American nation, and by this, hundreds of thousands of plantation and domestic slaves in the United States gained their freedom (this singular incident was going to change race relations forever in that country); the second was the war to keep the country together throughout his
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Waiting on the General tenure, which ended in the rebuilding and evolution of a stronger, more united American nation. It is pertinent to note that Lincoln’s abolition of slavery and by extension the slave trade was the very cause of the Civil War in 1861, as the Southern United States, which was largely a slave-labour driven economy unlike the more industrialized North, resisted this development and took up arms against the North and the government at the centre. Firing the first shots of war in Charleston, South Carolina after the decision by the State Legislature in Columbia, the foundation of national unity was set to be destroyed, but the formidable and visionary leadership of Lincoln kept the two entities together, and they have remained more united than hitherto after that encounter. The major differences between Lincoln and Buhari include the fact that while the former contested all through his political career under the Whig or Republican party platform, Buhari has contested under four political parties, namely, the All Peoples Party in 2003, All Nigeria Peoples Party in 2007, Congress for Progressive Change in 2011 and All Progressives Congress in 2015. Lincoln had gone into business in which he had failed; Buhari had never been in business. He had rather governed Nigeria before as a military dictator. Since 1985 when Buhari was ousted in another military coup, he has been more of a moral leader and someone who had come out forcefully thrice earlier to boldly pass across the message of national rebirth. Lincoln was a politician who had tried his hands on the local politics of Illinois State before taking the very bold step of aspiring for the post of the US President.
Like Lincoln therefore, Buhari knowsor he should know- that the assets and liabilities of the outgoing administration as well as the difficult task of nation-rebuilding are to be inherited and rest squarely on his shoulders. Moral leadership is highly expected of the Buhari era. Corruption is on the all-time high, as there are too many cases of, or allegations against public officials and giants in the private sector about enormous sums of stolen money. The World Bank’s charge to the incoming President recently to probe government agencies is a clear indication of the pandemic state of corruption over the years. The Buhari administration has to keep to its billings as a no-nonsense one as it works tenaciously towards tackling corruption, save up the proceeds from the leakages and use them, as promised, for national and community projects. In order to combat corruption institutionally and formally, the administration should merge the EFCC and ICPC and appoint men like him, of proven integrity as the helmsmen. There is a plethora of fresh and accumulated national challenges no doubt for the incoming administration to tackle and already, a lot of interest and pressure groups have started reeling out their expectations of the new leadership, ranging from fixing roads and providing other basic infrastructures, ensuring efficient and honest management of pensions and oil revenue, creation of jobs and employment opportunities, restructuring and revamping of the educational system, tackling the power sector, sanitizing the aviation and railway sectors, securing the borders and crushing Boko Haram once and for all; to firming up the Naira and tightening the loose ends in the economy.
Buhari should however know that in troubleshooting these crises, he should prioritize the national problems and take them up one after the other. No attempt should be made to witch-hunt old political rivals or foes. Like Lincoln, an attempt should rather be made to heal the remote and immediate wounds of the country and allow good governance as the topmost priority. Federal character and quota system should be played down as it entrenches mediocrity in the country. Also, the military requires the tonic as they have not gotten there yet since the setbacks suffered in the hands of insurgents. As a military General and a very professional himself in his heyday, Buhari will need to return Nigeria to a path of a harmonious, disciplined and professional military. Indeed, three basic things the administration should have started tackling effectively within its first hundred days are: insecurity, corruption, and epileptic power supply. These three are Nigeria’s albatrosses and if well addressed, Nigerians will develop more faith in the administration. Three things Buhari should downplay are religion, appointment based on party membership and favouring any particular section of the country. Buhari will have to be president of the entire country and from March 28, he has ceased being a Fulani man from Katsina State. He is the Nigerian for Nigerians. For the next four or eight years, let Buhari be compassionate but firm; subdued in temper but principled; and people-inclined but godly. He is wished a highly successful and meritorious service to motherland. • Dr. Folarin, an Associate Professor, is the immediate past Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
Still on road safety: A shared responsibility (2) Safety Tips with
Jonas Agwu
Email: j.agwu@Ofrsc.gov.ng Tel: -8033026491, 8077690055
T
his number indicates the week and year of manufacture and the expiry date will be four years after. Manufacturers also indicate the maximum allowable inflating pressure for specific tyre. Different tyres are designed for different pressures. Unfortunately most of us careless about this vital information and have become victims of quacks marauding as vulcanizes. Under inflation causes two things that ultimately lead to blowouts. FIRST,IT it causes undue flexing of the tyres as the vehicle speeds along the undulating surface of the road.
This causes a separation between the internal materials used in making the tyres and the rubber flesh that holds the materials. This separation weakens the tyre. Secondly it causes an increase in what is known as rolling resistance as the vehicle moves.The increases rolling resistance generates a tremendous amount of heat which together with
the separation of the internal materials leads to an explosion. Incorrect tyre inflation could also cause crash in other ways-When a tyre is incorrectly inflated, it makes a partial contact with the road surface and so does not have a firm grip on the surface. With over inflation, the edges of the contact patch(the part of the tyre that should be in contact with the road surface)does not touch the ground In the case of under inflation, the crown(the middle portion of the tyre) of the contact patch does not touch the ground. Either way, you have an impartial contact of the tyre on the road surface and so less grip. The impartial contact could cause crash thus; since the tyres don’t have a firm grip on the road surface, it prolongs the stopping distance when the brakes are applied in an emergency and this could make the vehicle crash into the object it wants to avoid. It could also lead to loss of control of the vehicle when speeding..This is more with over-inflated tyres. High vehicles like trailers could lose their balance when they hit a bump.pot hole or while descending a sharp bend. The situation can be likened to someone with one leg shorter than the other. Seat belt, one of the most effective means of reducing deaths and injury for vehicle occupants is the use of seat-belt by
all occupants in the front and rear seats as contained in section 58(3) and (4)of the National Road Traffic Regulations,2004.Seat belt use saves. They don’t prevent crashes but play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injury to vehicle occupants. Vehicle safety features are distinguished by “.primary safety and secondary safety”. Primary safety features aim to prevent an accident taking place, e.g. good brakes and tyres. Secondary safety features aim to prevent or minimize injury to a vehicle occupant once the accident has occurred. Seat belts are a secondary safety device with a number of objectives which includes; preventing ejection from the vehicle in an impact, reducing the risk of contact with the interior of the vehicle or reducing the speed of such impacts, providing a distributed force to the wearer to give the necessary support in an accident and restraining the vehicle occupant before guiding them back into their seats. While we emphasise seat belt for adults we must remember that the safest way to carry a child and to protect that child is to use a child seat that is suitable for the weight and size of that child. Do you now that even at a minor crash; an unrestrained child would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and others? They could also be thrown from the car through one of the windows. Do you
also know that in a crash at just30km/h, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force, 30 to 60 times their body weight? They would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite seriously injuring or even killing other people inside the vehicle. Do you know that it is not safe to hold a child on your laps? In a crash, the child could be crushed between our body and part of the car’s interior? That even if you were using a seat belt, the child would be torn from your arms and you would not be able to hold onto to them, no matter how hard you try. Do you also know that it is also dangerous to put a seat belt around yourself and a child or around two children; or to carry that child or children in the front passengers’ seat or on your tummy? That the safest way to travel with that child no matter the distance is a child seat or restraints Lastly, there is the responsibility of government to ensure the appropriate infrastructures are in place. The present government efforts in fixing the road is commendable but we still need the appropriate government agencies to ensure the standard road furniture are put in place •Agwu, an Assistant Corps Marshal, is Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 7HQ of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES April 19, 2015
Bringing epilepsy under control TITLOPE MORAKINYO
E
pilepsy, the fourth most common neurological condition, is a brain disorder, which clusters the nerve cells or neurons and signals abnormally. The neurons often generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotional behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy was one of the first brain disorders in primeval days, as it was often discussed in ancient Babylon for more than 3,000 years ago. The strange behavior caused by some seizures has contributed through the ages to many superstitions and prejudices. The word epilepsy is derived from the Greek word for “attack.” When people believed that those with epilepsy were being visited by demons or gods. However, in 400 B.C., the early physician Hippocrates suggested that epilepsy was a disorder of the brain, and was right. Seizures and epilepsy are not the same, when epileptic seizure is a transient occurrence of signs and symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain, while epilepsy is a disease characterised by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of the condition. It varies for each individual during a seizure, neurons may let off as many as 500 times a second, much faster than normal and in some this happens only occasionally but for others, it may happen up to hundred times a day. According to medical doctors, the ailment rates are increasing in countries around the world and it currently affects more than 65 million people worldwide, who have experienced an unprovoked seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy. Epilepsy can develop in any person at any age and are more common in young children
Victims of epilepsy
How it affects the brain
and older people. For about 80 per cent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. However, they discovered that about 25 to 30 per cent of people with epilepsy will continue to experience seizures even with the best available treatment. In an interview with Sunday Mirror a
World Bank approves $200m for polio eradication in Nigeria The Board of Executive Directors, World Bank Group, has approved 200 million dollars to support polio eradication and immunisation of children under five years in Nigeria. Mr Oluwole Odutolu, the Leader of the bank’s Task Team for Polio Eradication Support Project made this
known through a statement issued in Abuja Odutolu said the fund was sourced from the International Development Association (IDA), and was an additional financing for final push to eradicate polio in the country. He said that the effort was also aimed at sustain-
ing routine immunisation for children and women of reproductive age, adding that the programme was approved on Friday in Washington D.C., US. ``Eradicating polio is a global public good because of its epidemic potential and devastating impact on children and adults.
medical practitioner with Banuso Hospital, Igando, Lagos, Dr Rufai Musa defines epilepsy as a disorder of the brain that causes recurring seizures. It can be triggered by illness or injury, but most of the time, there is no known cause because it is a disorder of the central nervous system that effects and can be felt throughout the body. “People with epilepsy tend to have recurrent convulsion and occurs because of a sudden surge of an overload electrical activity in the brain. This causes a temporary disturbance in the messaging systems between the brain cells, and during a seizure the patient’s brain becomes cut short or mixed up. The human brain is the source of human epilepsy. Although the symptoms may affect any part of the body, the electrical events that produce the symptoms
occur in the brain. The location of that event, how it spreads and how the brain is affected, and how long it lasts all have profound effects. These factors determine the character of a seizure and its impact on the individual”, he explained, “Epilepsy is not contagious and is not caused by mental illness or retardation but hereditary, those who develop epilepsy may be more likely to have a history of seizures in their family. This family history suggests that it is easier for an individual to develop epilepsy than those with no genetic tendency. When an individual with mental retardation experience seizures, as it do not necessarily mean the person has or will develop mental impairment”, he added Adeleke said epilepsy could be triggered by medical conditions, which include low oxygen during birth, head injuries that occur during birth or from accidents during youth or adulthood, brain tumors, genetic conditions that result in brain injury, such as tuberous sclerosis or infections such as meningitis or encephalitis. The doctor explained further that the symptoms of epilepsy are repeated seizures which indicate a person has epilepsy, they include convulsion with no temperature, short spells of blackout or confused memory, intermittent fainting spells, during which bowel or bladder control is lost, sufferer becomes stiff for no obvious reason, patients seems dazed and unable to communicate. On the treatment, he stated that epileptic seizures are controlled through drug therapy, particularly anticonvulsant drugs. The type of treatment prescribed will depend on several factors including the frequency and severity of the seizures as well as the person’s age, overall health, and medical history of the treatment. He further noted that, “drugs are available to treat epilepsy, several of which have only recently been released, over the counter and the choice of drug is most often based on factors such as patient’s side effects, medical diseases sufferers might have and the medication’s delivery method.
HEALTH NEWS
LAUTECH doctors threaten strike over unpaid salaries The Medical and Dental Consultant’s Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, Osun State branch, said they would embark on strike if state government fails to meet the demands of the association after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Medi-
cal Association (NMA) The ultimatum expires on April 23. Among other demands by the doctors is the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances for members of the union. According to a statement issued in Osogbo, at the weekend, and signed by Dr Kassim Adebayo and Olaju-
moke Tokunbo, chairman and secretary of the union respectively, MDCAN denied insinuations that it was on strike at the moment. The statement reads in part, “The announcement on state owned radio by the state government directing workers to resume work or risk being sacked was needless and uncalled for.”
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A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER All the Facts, All the Sides
SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS
Tekena Tamuno: An intellectual giant (1932-2015)
H
istory, as a discipline, might arguably be on retreat in Nigeria, but its total eclipse as an academic course for scholarly exploits is a remote possibility more because of the legacies of intellectual giants that have coalesced into an academic powerhouse that has come to be known as the Ibadan School of History. Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, who died in Ibadan on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 83 due to complications from prostate cancer, was a frontline member of that School. In this same league were Kenneth Onwuka Dike, the godfather of African History; Saburi Biobaku; J.F. Ade Ajayi, the oracle of Ibadan History; E.A. Ayandele; Adiele. E. Afigbo and J.A. Atanda, etc. Some foreign scholars associated with the School were Michael Crowder, Abdullahi Amith, J.B. Webster, R.J. Gavin, Robert Smith and John D. Omer-Cooper. The Ibadan School of History was unique in the sense that it was centred at Nigeria’s first university and thus becoming the academic acorn that bred the scholars and lecturers, who later set up the history departments at most of Nigeria’s emerging universities, and so spreading the Ibadan historiography. The School was characterized by its overt nationalism, and it was geared towards forging a Nigerian, nay African identity through publicizing the glories of pre-colonial Nigerian and African history. This they did through the writing of history textbooks that were used at all levels of the Nigerian education system for many years. Essentially, the School had attempted to expand a philosophy of history that deconstructed the pseudo-intellectual stereotypes of Eurocentric scholars, who propped up the position that Africa was a land bereft of history of any worth. Tekena and others gave credence to the authenticity of African history and roundly dismissed the myth perpetrated by white scholars with reconstructed and valid theories made possible by oral resources and other sources of information. The school’s output is often considered
to be most clearly embodied in the “Ibadan History Series”. Born on January 28, 1932, in Okrika, Rivers State, Tekena attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Okrika from 1938 to 46, and Okrika Grammar School, Okrika from 1947 to 51 for his secondary education. He was admitted into the then University College, Ibadan in 1953 to read history, graduating in 1958. Between 1960 and 1962 Tekena was at Birkbeck, University of London for his second degree and at the Columbia University, New York City, United States between 1965 and 66
HIS GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT CAME IN
DECEMBER
1975 WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST ALUMNUS OF THE
UNIVERSITY
TO BE APPOINTED INTO THE OFFICE OF VICE-
CHANCELLOR, SUCCEEDING PROFESSOR HORATIO ORITSEJOLOMI THOMAS. for his PhD. He joined the Department of History of the University of Ibadan in 1963 as a lecturer and by 1971 he had become a professor. He was Head, Department of History, 1972–1975; and Dean, Faculty of Arts, 1973– 1975. He helped found the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Archives. His greatest accomplishment came in December 1975 when he became the first alumnus of the University to be appointed into the office of Vice-Chancellor, succeeding Professor Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas. One of his first assignments was overseeing the transition of the Jos Campus of the University of Ibadan into a fully fledged University of Jos in 1976. He also successfully nurtured the new Uni-
versity College at Ilorin, which was created and affiliated to the University of Ibadan by the General Murtala Muhammed military regime. One of his other achievements was the completion of the 1,600 capacity Central Cafeteria began by his predecessor, Professor Thomas, to complement the catering services provided by the cafeterias in Independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Queen Elizabeth, Tafawa Balewa and Alexander Brown Halls. He relinquished the VCship in 1979. Among his scholarly books are, Nigeria and Elective Representation, 1923-1947; The evolution of the Nigerian state: The Southern phase, 1898-1914; Abebe: Portrait of a Nigerian leader; Herbert Macaulay, Nigerian patriot; and Nigeria: Its people and its problems. Others are Nigerian universities, their students and their society: Factors of leadership, time, and circumstance; The police in modern Nigeria, 1861-1965: Origins, development, and role; and Nigeria Since Independence. A fellow of both the Nigerian Academy of Letters and Rockefeller Foundation and a member of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Tamuno, in his last years on Mother Earth, served as Chancellor, Redeemer’s University; chairman of the presidential panel on National Security from October 2001 to December 2002 and panel on Policing Nigeria Project 2002 to 2003. In 2003, he joined the Board of the New Nigeria Foundation, a non-governmental organization with heavy Federal Government support established in 2000 to act as platform for mobilising non-traditional resources through promotion of public-private partnerships as part of the nation’s sustainable development drive. President Goodluck Jonathan, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as academics and other discerning Nigerians have acknowledged Professor Tamuno’s greatness and robust intellectuality, saying he used his intellect well for the upliftment of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace!
Reminiscences APRIL 19 IN HISTORY 1995: 168 killed in Oklahoma bombing A truck full of explosives destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the United States killing 168 people. 1928: China Civil war continues The combined nationalist Northern Armies under Chiang continue drive onto Peking as part of the Civil war continuing in China 1936: Germany honours Hitler In the biggest show of military strength since World War 1, Germany pays homage to Hitler with a show of 300 tanks. 1942: France - Vichy Govt pledges protection against Nazi regime The New Vichy Government headed by Pierre Laval at the bidding of his German masters in an attempt to bring the insurgent French people back into line with Nazi ruling by promising to protect the people from the Nazi Regime by gaining concessions 1969: U.S. - Black students protest Militant black students at Cornell University use force to take over Willard Straight Hall demanding a black studies programme. After a deal was reached with the administration the news showed students leaving the hall carrying rifles although they were never used. 2001: South Africa in drugs battle The world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies bring legal action to fight legislation which would allow generic versions of their patented drugs being made in or imported to South Africa. 2005: Pope Benedict XVI elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II. The new Pope has taken the name Pope Benedict XVI and is the head of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics. 2006: Romano Prodi is new Italian PM Italy’s Supreme Court has ruled that Romano Prodi has won the country’s general election, after the result was challenged by the standing Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. 2008: Shi’ite cleric threatens Iraqi govt The Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Moqtada Sadr has said that he’ll wage “open war” on the Baghdad government if it doesn’t stop its operations against his insurgents. 2010: American charged with funding terrorists An American businessman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trying to send money to an Afghan militant training camp. Abdul Alishtari had admitted charges of financing terrorism at an earlier hearing in New York.
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Praise Worship E-mail:yemiolakitan@gmail.com
E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com
EDIFYING GOD Sunday April 19, 2015
How to recover what the enemy has stolen, by Pastor Muoka 24
Jewellery and the Christian woman
This switchover is a good time to switch off 42
QUOTE The reason why Prophet Isaiah was adorned with prophetic garment is to advance the course of righteousness and any distraction from this purpose would circumvent the purpose of his ordination. – Pastor Bola Bello
Yoou YYou o m must muustt seek see seek GGod God’s ood’s d s favour favou favour favo avouu aanndd mercy, and mercyy, say sa says ay PProphet roop rophet oophe pphet ht Olorunt Ol Olorunti Olorun orunttiimilehin mileh eh 41
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Vineyard
Briefly CAC TAMOC anniversary/ convention 2015 begins
Celebration
T
he maiden anniversary/thanksgiving service of Christ Apostolic Church, The Greatest God Chapel and Twelve Apostles Ministry of Christ, which takes off from April 18 will culminate with a grand celebration at 19
The event tagged: Fulfillment Convention 2015 has as its theme “Journey to fulfillment” will hold at stop, Ashimolowo, Ofada Road, Mowe, Ogun State. Activities lined up include step and event, Fulfillment night, seminars, Hour of Holy Spirit among others. The host, Prophet Israel A. Nasiri described this maiden anniversary celebration as fulfillment for all who attend. Those expected to minister include Bishop Kayode Williams, Evang. Ojo-Ade, Pastor Akande, Prophet Femi Adedeji, Dr. Titi Lawal, Pastor Benson Owolabi, Lady Evang. Dunni Olarewaju, Pastor Kayode Oluwaseki, Evang. Oyinloye Adegoke, Pastor Ajayi among others.
Sunday April 19, 2015
Apostolic Faith celebrates Easter with music
Courage Christian Centre International holds programme
A
ctivities lined up for the Easter Fire Crusade of Courage Christian Centre International will begin from April 22 – 24, 2015 and will be rounded off with thanksgiving session/pastor’s birthday on April 26.
Te programme tagged “The Dead Must Rise” it is scheduled for Gideon Village, Oremeji Bus-stop, Lagos/Ibadan Express Way, Ogun State. The host, Evang. Gaius Agbasi also known as Baba Courage described the programme as commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ assured attendees of divine resurrection in their lives and businesses and other areas where they have been lacking. He also revealed that his birthday, celebration is biblical adding that it is time to show gratitude and appreciation to God for preserving his soul and that of his followers.
Archbishop Ademowo loses mother
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he death has been announced of Chief Mrs. Caroline Abosede Ademowo, nee Awonubi, the mother of the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend (Dr.) E. Adebola Ademowo. She died on the 14th of April, 2015 at the age of 85.
According to information made available to us by the Diocesan Communicator, the Venerable Seyi Pirisola, the burial arrangements of the mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be announced at a later date.
The late Ademowo
Apostolic Faith choir
ODINAKA URUAKPA
T
he premises of the Apostolic Faith Church, Anthony Camp, Lagos reverberated with sacred and angelic music recently as the Choir and Orchestra demonstrated their musical prowess during the church’s Easter concert.
The event which marked the end of AFC’s Easter retreat had in attendance clerics and faithful of the Apostolic Faith fold as well dignitaries from all walks of life, including the former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Rev. Tunde Lemo. Speaking on the occasion, Lemo called on Nigerians to make selfless sacrifice for the benefit of the nation which he said needed citizens’ concerted effort to make it one great and indivisible entity. “We saw how Jesus made the decision to save mankind not just 2,000 years ago, but even up until now. For me this is a metaphor, a lesson for Nigerians that if we make the sacrifice, our nation would be great. Just few weeks ago, the world mourned Lee Kuan Yew, a single man who transformed Singapore. In 1965, when Singapore was expelled from Malaysia, the people were crying, but with the undaunted leadership of this man, today, Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world with per-capital income that is above that of US and Europe. This is a country that was at the same level with Nigeria 50 years ago, if we make that sacrifice which our Lord made, this nation would be great again”, he said. Concerning the performance of the choristers during the concert, he said: “This concert is great and for me, this is the strongest choir in Africa. I have been coming here for 30 years now, and the choir has remained very strong,
but again if you look at what makes them strong, you would see the commitment, discipline, integrity and they put in everything; you can see the team work. You see the conductor leading all the way, the followers obey, and if we put such into practice in our national life, Nigeria would be a great place to live in. this is the way a people should be molded; as they learn lessons in commitment, doggedness and excellence in whatever they do.” In his Easter message, the District Superintendent of WECA, Rev. Adebayo Adeniran explained that Easter is the demonstration of the God’s love for humanity as He released His only begotten son to be sacrificed for the people’s sin. “The wonderful part of this sacred sacrifice for our sin is that the son of God accepted that duty given by the father to die for his earthly children. Whosoever looks unto Him, can be free from moral corruption, both externally and internally and can live a life that gives praise to God. No man can do that on his own except Jesus Christ helps him and the good thing about it is that it is needed all over the world particularly, when you think of extermination of corruption in any place. God had an agenda of elimination of corruption even before man could think about it because God knew what corruption could do to a people, to a community and to a nation. In fact, for God, sin is a reproach of a people, even we ourselves; look at what is happening in our country. I personally believe that the hope for Nigeria is in God as we look unto Him that He would help us, both leaders and followers should turn their eyes to God, to rid our nation of corruption and give us righteousness men in positions of authority; men that God
can work with, not men that would be a reproach to Him. Speaking on the significance of Easter, he admonished Nigerians to look up to God for a healing of the nation, and uprooting of corruption which is a vice that holds the progress of the country back. “We have enough to enjoy, but when the heart is corrupt, the hand is corrupt, the environment is corrupt, the only thing we can do, is to suffer and be in distress, but that should end, by the grace of God. The church is praying for Nigeria, for the leaders and citizens that God would intervene beyond elections, to heal the entire Nigeria state; from the leadership to the followers, so that we can have an integrity not just with man alone, in the comity of nations, but with God of heaven, the creator of this land where we occupy”, he maintained. On the outcome of elections held recently in the country, Adeniran insisted that from the onset to the end, Nigerians have seen in these recent elections that God’s divine hand never ceases to rule in the affairs of men. “We were so afraid, so stressed, but in our stress everyone looked unto God and God granted us peaceful elections and we need to continue to focus on Him. Beyond elections, the healing of participants and leadership is very important; integrity is needed in our country, righteousness in high and middle places, in every nook and corner of our community and environment is something we must turn to now, and I know that when we turn to God in this kind of situation in which we are, God will help us. God has a testimony, a record in Nigeria, each time we turn unto Him, He turns to us, but once He accepts us, we turn away. This time now, we must not remove our gaze from the Almighty God until our nation is healed of all the vices”, he admonished.
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From the Pulpit 21
Sunday April 19, 2015
‘Peace be with you’ (3) Miracle Arena with Bishop
Theo Ugochukwu Continued from last week “Peace Be With You” So what did he say? Two times he said, “Peace be with you.” On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” Before Jesus says anything about power or purpose he wants to establish peace. The order here is really important. The peace that Jesus gives is before and underneath any of our empowered actions or any of our purposeful deeds. We don’t initiate peace with Jesus by our actions. He initiates peace with us. The apostle Paul — who wrote 13 of those 21 New Testament letters — explains it like this: “He [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made us both one [Jew and Gentile] and reconciled us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (Ephesians 2:14–18). A Peace Accomplished The peace that Jesus offers the disciples is peace that he accomplished when he died for them on the cross. That’s why in verse 20 he says, “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.” I am the one who died. I am the one you abandoned. And I am the one who was “pierced for your transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). And the reason I can offer you peace is because by my blood I have covered all your sins. If you trust me they won’t be held against you. The wrath of God is turned away. That’s what Paul meant when he said, “Christ reconciled us both to God through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” All the hostility between God and us was absorbed on the cross. Here, look at my side and my hands. I made peace with these. Justice was satisfied with these. Peace between
you and God (and me) was established with these. Where Peace Comes in Your Life So there are five relationships where the crucified and risen Christ brings peace into your life: 1. Peace between us and him. That’s the first and most obvious meaning: he is standing there among them offering them himself as a friend and helper, not a judge. 2. Peace between us and God. That’s why God sent him — so that God’s justice and wrath could be satisfied another way besides eternal punishment. God makes peace with us by substituting his Son’s suffering for our penalty. Now he comes to us as a loving Father. 3. Peace between us and others who are in Christ. To be reconciled to God is to be reconciled to all who are reconciled to God. No hostility vertically or horizontally. No racism. No ethnocentrism or classism or sexism. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). 4. Peace between us and our own souls. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews says, “The blood of Christ . . . will purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14). O the precious peace of a clear conscience. How many people labor under the misery of a defiled, guilty conscience? I read on Thursday the testimony of a woman who had an abortion 8 years ago and who said, “I cannot forgive myself.” I wrote, “That’s what Good Friday is for!” Peace with yourself doesn’t mean that you start seeing past sins as desirable. Peace doesn’t mean that past sins cease to be painful. It means they cease to be paralyzing. The pain may not be taken away immediately, but the penalty is taken away immediately through Christ. And that makes it possible to heal. And to move on with hope-filled life while you do. 5. Peace with the world. Yes, when Jesus died he did what needed to be done (Colossians 1:19–20) so that someday, in God’s time, all evil will be cast into outer darkness and the entire new creation will be full of peace and righteousness. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end . . . with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7). Peace with Jesus. Peace with God the Father. Peace with others in Christ. Peace with ourselves. And peace with the world. It was an amazing achievement. How Do You Receive This Peace? And how do you receive this? Everybody
doesn’t have it. It’s a gift of God. We receive it. Or we walk away from it. Or better to say: we receive him. Or walk away from him. He is our peace. If you have the risen, living Christ as your Savior, and Lord, and Treasure, and Friend, you have the peace that he gives — the peace that he is. “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Jesus offers you that. I offer that on his behalf. It is free. I hope you receive it. I’ve spent most of our time on the gift of peace because it is foundational. If we don’t have peace with God we will take all his other gifts and use them to try to make peace. And it never works. Peace is first. And it is free. Everything else is the effect of peace, not the cause. It is fruit. Peace is the root. So let me just point in closing to the power and the purpose Jesus gives. Both are mentioned in verses 21–22, Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” [the purpose] 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” [the power] Power by the Spirit Jesus was going to pour out the Holy Spirit when he ascended into heaven (Acts 2:33). That happens about seven weeks after his resurrection. We read about it in the first chapter of Acts. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). The work of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives is that he makes us able to do what we are simply not able to do on our own. He gives us power. So here in John 20: 22 Jesus performs a kind of acted out parable. “He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” He didn’t say, Receive him at this very moment. He said in effect: realize that my breath, my life, my word will be in the Holy Spirit. We’ve seen this before in John 14. Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). The risen, living Jesus has come to us. He has sent us the Holy Spirit. His Spirit. He has breathed on us. This person — this power — is our only hope for accomplishing the purpose he has for us. And he gives that purpose in verse 21b: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” I want you to live in the world as my representa-
tives. My ambassadors. I want you to take my peace and take my power, and glorify my Father the way I have. (John 12 :27-28) Our Central Purpose for Existence Jesus comes to us and gives us his peace with God. Then he gives us power to do the kinds of things that mere humans can’t do — like defeating our own selfishness, and loving other people, and treasuring Christ above all. And then with that peace and that power he gives us our central purpose for existence: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” I’m sending you to extend my peace and my light and my truth and my life in the world. I am going to my Father. But I give you my Spirit. I am the power in you. So go and glorify me in this world. That’s our great purpose — in the peace of God, by the power of God, to do the will of God for the glory of God, and for the good of others. And if you are puzzled by verse 23, here’s what I think it means. It’s a good way to end. Jesus says to the disciples: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” What he means is this: When you tell people about what I have done, speaking my word, about my work, in the power of my Spirit, I am the one speaking through you, so that if anyone believes your word, I forgive their sins. And if any does not believe your words, I don’t’ forgive them. And since you are my voice and my truth, I speak of you forgiving them, and you withholding forgiveness. May the joy of the risen Christ be with you this season, and trough the power of His resurrection, may every dead project in your life be brought back to life in the name of Jesus Christ. Let there be a reason for this season in your life. Alleluia!
•For more information, contact: Bishop Theo Ugochukwu – General Overseer, Miracle Assembly Bible Church, a.k.a. The City of Joy, 80, Ajose Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos; Tel: 08033461482. Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com
News
Buhari must bring about the necessary change –Stephen AYO ESAN
F
ounder and General Overseer of Mountain of Praise and Glory Ministry, Lagos, Prophet Nonso Stephen has pleaded with the President –elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to bring about the changes that all Nigerians are yearning for.
He called on him to ensure that Nigerians experience change saying that is what Nigerians expect from him. Stephen, who was speaking with journalists in Lagos urged Nigerians to keep praying for Buhari so that the desired change should be perfected. The prophet said he is not surprised with the outcome of the 2015 election because God has spoken to him concerning who he has chosen for the purpose of changing Nigeria. “When the message came we were discussing with the people they were not accepting
it. The only luck I had then was that I was able to interact with the former National Vice Chairman South East of the APC, and current governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Nyerere Anyim. I told him the revelation that God said He has chosen Buhari. When I told him he said he believes in me because he has known me for a while and he said I should take up pastors and prays. After the prayers again, the Lord revealed the same thing again and even gave us the results. I sent a text to him about it so that he can be a witness”, he explained. On what should be the major pre-occupation of Buhari after his inauguration, Stephen said he should tackle the issue of corruption saying if he can focus on that and change the system , the country will be better for it. “Buhari needs to sanitise the system. I believe with him, something good will come out of Nigeria because with the revelation of God, Buhari has the capacity but should be wary of people around him. He said he and other men of God are praying
for the president -elect for God to grant him greater wisdom to do what God has sent him to do for Nigeria . “And we really need to pray for him more, so that God will grant him more wisdom and most especially long life so that he will lead Nigeria to where we expect him to go . And we are also praying for the Vice President-elect, you know the two of them will give us what we want”, he said. He warned Buhari that he need to be careful in all he is doing because according to him, God revealed that there will be a little challenge on some of the people that will surround him in his government . “So he shouldn’t relent. Let him remember that the citizens come first than those that surround him”, he said. He also said that God has revealed to him that after Barack Obama of the United States , then a woman will take over as the President.
“We had another revelation concerning Ghana. The president of Ghana will need to strengthen whatever he is doing to make his country a better place to be. If the government is not strengthening what happened in Nigeria in 2015 will happen during the country’s next election”, Stephen said .
Stephen
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Jewellery and the
A
n ornament or jewellery could be defined as a fancy object that is put on something else to make it look more attractive and less plain. These objects could be articles of gold, silver, precious stones, base metals, glass, plastic, and the like used for personal adornment.
Ornaments in general, would include finely embroidered or decorated fabrics, such as the priest’s cassock or the highpriestly attire, and the richly wrought veil, girdle and turban used by the very wealthy in the society. It also includes the various rings, bracelets and necklaces made of precious metals worn by some individuals. Though, the universal devotion to ornaments among the Orientals, the Hebrew in particular, is the occasion for frequent Biblical allusions to the beauty and splendour of fine jewellery and attire, their tendency to convey a sense of extravagance is often met with stern prophetic rebuke. In divine injunctions, the emphasis of value is placed upon the beauty of holiness as an inward grace rather than on the attractions of outward ornament. Moreover, some portions of the scripture instruct that in grievous sorrow, all ornaments was to be laid aside in token of mourning. Aside from the obvious reasons of social status and scriptural injunctions connected with the use of ornaments (gold and silver), Moses’ rebuke of the Israelites for building a calf of gold to worship and the punishment meted out to the people as they were made to drink powdered gold, and the story of the treacherous queen, Jezebel who was in the habit of adorning herself with numerous jewelry, also informed the ban or non-usage of jewellery by women in some churches. For the General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, wearing of earrings and other forms of jewelry by women are worldly acts and a Christian who practices this would only be imitating the people of the world. “If God had wanted women to wear jewelry especially earrings at creation, He would have made provision for where it would be attached on the body. God declared His work after creation to be good and thus there is no more need for any adjustment. Genesis 1: 31(a) states, ‘And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good’. God did a review of His work of creation and pronounced it good because it was in agreement with His design; just as He would have it be. It suited the purpose of creation which is for the glory of God and good because it demonstrated God’s supremacy and perfection. If the Creator presumed the work to be perfect, it means that any other attempt to reconstruct the work in any way is a negation of the perfect work of God. Therefore, piercing of any part of the body to beautify it is an abuse of the privilege God
Worshippers in prasies
Overtime, the issue of women wearing ornaments or jewelry as the case may be, has been a controversial one with some Christian denominations who see all as worldly and not befitting of a true daughter of God and they back their claims with scriptural accounts. Odinaka Uruakpa brings the views of clerics on the issue. gave to man. Psalms 139:14 states, ‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well’. The Psalmist took a holistic view of himself and declared that he was wonderfully and perfectly knit by God; what he saw was enough to arouse his admiration of the good work of God leading the Psalmist to praise God for making him a part of His marvelous works”, he said. He explained that the human body is a wonderful exhibition of God’s incomprehensible skill and goodness and this should inspire the deepest feelings of admiration. “Nobody looks at the human frame without marveling at its perfection, and tremble at its flawlessness because it depicts wonder to the last degree. So, if we are marvelously made, why should we then alter the amazing work, except we are reprobate? This is why the Scriptures state in Jeremiah 4: 30 ‘And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lov-
NOBODY LOOKS AT THE HUMAN FRAME WITHOUT MARVELING AT ITS PERFECTION, AND TREMBLE AT ITS FLAWLESSNESS BECAUSE IT DEPICTS WONDER TO THE LAST DEGREE.
ers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.’ It is only when one degenerates into sin that she sees herself as a bad image of God and hence begins to abuse God’s creation. All those that pierced their ears for the sake of beauty have degenerated into sin and are not appreciating God’s wonderful work in creating them. In the book of Genesis, precisely 35: 2-4 Jacob commanded his household and all that were with him, to put away the strange gods, and go up with him to Bethel where he would build an altar unto God, who answered him in the day of his distress. The people handed all the strange gods and their earrings, which were in their ears to Jacob who hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. When the children of Israel degenerated into transgression, they put on earrings as a symbol of degeneration but when God called for their consecration, Jacob ordered them to put away their earrings and they handed all to him
for destruction’, he maintained. Quoting the book of 1Peter 3: 3-4 he said, “Apostle Peter cautioned that beauty should not be an outward dressing of the body with gold chains and the like because that is the attire of lewd women, whores and therefore are absolutely forbidden to the Christian women. What should be beautified is the soul, which sin has made naked and this should be done with the sanctifying grace of the Spirit of God, with humility and meekness which unlike ornaments will never fade, nor grow out of fashion, and are precious in the sight of God. If a woman seeks for beauty, she should choose the best ornaments which is those of the mind and heart, which will attract the eye of God, rather than those external ones, which serve only to draw man’s eye to temptation. In like manner, 1 Timothy 2:9 also states that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness
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Sunday April 19, 2015
Christian woman and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. Apostle Paul warns that the attire which women should desire, ought to be such as may answer the end for which apparel is appointed for, for Christian females are not to imitate those of the world. It is inordinate to decorate a dying body with gold and pearls because the body thus adorned will die at any second”, he maintained. According to the General Overseer of chapel of Holiness and Testimony located at Ikotun Lagos, Pastor K.I. Bona, said though jewelry should be worn by individual conviction, he insisted that it is a borrowed culture which was transferred to the Israelites by the Egyptians before the former left the land of Egypt and thus should not be a culture promoted in the midst of the children of God. “The first question one should ask is how these jewelry or ornaments came to be in the life of the children of God. The Israelites were the first congregation of God, and before that time, there was no wearing of jewelry. In fact those days, in the land of Israel any person that had their ear pierced were regarded and perceived as dejects in the society. It wasn’t until the Israelites went to Egypt that they started wearing jewelry which was given them by the Egyptians and this is how these ornaments infiltrated into the congregation of the Lord. So the wearing of these ornaments so to say is a borrowed culture as it was not something that the children of God originally practiced. Going by Bible account, we saw the outcome of this foreign culture which they had embraced when they used the jewelry given them by the Egyptians to mould for themselves a golden carve which they worshipped while Moses went into the mount to receive the commandments from God. The spirit that followed that jewelry came from Egypt, a land reputed for idol worshipping, so by the time they felt abandoned by Moses who had led them out of slavery in Egypt, the spirit in the jewelry geared them up to look for their own god to serve and they decided to mould the golden calf and worshipped it”, he explained. He added that today in the present dispensation of Christians, jewelry should not be something found with the true child of God. “We have our methods, we have our ways, but we can’t use our mouth to tell anyone to stop wearing jewelry or ask any woman not to enter the church because she is wearing jewelry, if we do that, we are going beyond our bounds, our duty is to preach to them. The power that is made of God will lead us as men and women of God to preach against this. Though some may think that the way they dress does not matter, but those who believe and know the importance and benefits of inner and outer purifica-
Female worshippers
tion and truly care about holiness which is the act of the heart that manifests outwardly, know that wearing of jewelry is a foreign culture and which is un-Christian-like that should be abhorred and avoided totally. On his part, Pastor Peter Nwaru, senior pastor with Christ Embassy Church, Yaba, Lagos, while quoting the book of Ezekiel 16:8-15 said when it comes to jewelry; individuals should be free to choose whether to wear or not to wear them. “It is fine if some churches or their women decide not to put on jewelry, but it is also right to respect other churches who like to put on their jewelry. And to say that those like jewelry would not go to heaven because of them wearing ornaments is to insult the power of the blood of Jesus that was shed and saves all those who believe in His name. In all matters of application such as this, each person has to make their own judgment calls. Clearly, there are some forms of dress, be it jewelry, hairstyle, or clothing that many people would find extreme, bizarre, or indecent. I would think that any Christian woman would think twice before adopting any such styles. It is also true that it may be a case of offending some of one’s Christian circle if one adopts styles which are not generally
considered extreme, but may be considered so by one’s group. On the other hand, it is also important for Christians to live their lives to the Lord and not allow themselves to be so bullied by other people that they essentially give up their own free will. Where to draw the line on these matters takes spiritual maturity, reflection on the scriptures, and prayer. Ultimately, only the person concerned can make these sort of decisions correctly, and only with the aid of the Holy Spirit”, he submitted. Also giving his opinion on the issue, Professor Kunle Macaulay argued that
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there is nothing wrong in women wearing earrings and other forms of jewelry to church or any other place for that matter. “Personally, I don’t see anything wrong in women wearing jewelry; earrings, necklaces and the rest of them, the only thing is that these things should be worn moderately. The Bible does not condemn it; it is only these leaders who go into the Bible to give different interpretations to the word of God. The Bible talks about people being moderate in things they do; dressing moderately, once you are moderate in everything you do, you do not offend anybody. As far as I am concerned, I am not against it and the Bible is also not against it. Whoever wants to quote the Bible concerning this is quoting out of context; the Bible talks about dressing properly and that is all”, he explained. Speaking on Biblical quotes condemning women from wearing jewelry of any form, the religious scholar said those who preach such do “If people who forbid jewelry are talking about the Israelites and their religion, I must confess that that is completely different from Christianity; the religion of Israel is Judaism, people bring in pagan doctrines into Christianity, Christianity is about Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, Judaism is about laws. The Bible tells us that when Jesus came, went into His death and came out of it, the laws have come to an end. We are now in the period of the Holy Spirit, and we are told that we would be filled by the Spirit and it would direct us. we are not controlled by any law anymore. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, it would direct you and you would know what do and what not to do. I don’t see why many go into the Bible and pitifully, they don’t study it historically; if they do even exegetically, study the word of God word by word, you will understand what one word stands for or what it stood for then and what it stands for now, these people going into the Bible to bring Judaic systems into Christianity is completely wrong. You need to study all issues concerning Christianity historically, for me, all this matter of not wearing earrings, gold, and the rest, is all nonsense”, he maintained.
IT IS FINE IF SOME CHURCHES OR THEIR WOMEN DECIDE NOT TO PUT ON JEWELRY, BUT IT IS ALSO RIGHT TO RESPECT OTHER CHURCHES WHO LIKE TO PUT ON THEIR JEWELRY.
AND TO SAY THAT
THOSE LIKE JEWELRY WOULD NOT GO TO HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THEM WEARING ORNAMENTS IS TO INSULT THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF
JESUS THAT
WAS SHED AND SAVES ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN
HIS NAME.
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From the
Pulpit Sunday April 19, 2015
How to recover what the enemy has stolen, by Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, explains how to recover what the enemy has stolen. Excerpts:
B
eloved, we should know that we are special people. Though we are in the world but we are not of the world. We are not sinners or backsliders and do not belong to the world. We are the people of God, people of heaven. We are people that belong to the kingdom of God here on earth. So, we belong to God Almighty. If you can believe in Him today, you shall have the privilege of son-ship, for all that receive Christ by faith become automatically the sons of God by adoption. This is a precious and free privilege.
Do not be left out because there are so much to gain and a lot to lose if you pay not heed to this counseling. This is because in the Kingdom of God’ are provision for all good things. You cannot pursue and overcome your enemies if you are not under the banner of the Almighty God or belong to His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” If you desire every good thing in this world and want to be in heaven at last, you must seek the Kingdom of God first. The Scripture says, you should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all good things shall be added unto you. How many things do you have now as a Christian? If you have all good things fine, but if you don’t have all, then you must go for them now. You must take what belongs to you. It says all the good things shall be added to the already grace of God in you as a bornagain Christian. Whatever the devil has taken away from you must be retrieved so that you have all round blessing. Abraham was blessed by God in all things and if God blessed him in all things and he is the Father of faith and we are his children, then we shall be blessed and our blessing shall provoke unbelievers. Our prosperity will provoke unbelievers to worship God because when you have all things; people around you that are unbelievers will come around and plead that you should take them to your church. Honestly from now, your prosperity will provoke sinners to worship God because if they are better than you, they
will not listen to you. If you preach to them, they may accuse you of trying to make them be like you. Can you imagine a situation after you have preached a wonderful sermon, you then solicit for transport fare. Such character makes unbelievers mock Christians. And such thing can cause them to hide from you whenever you go to preach to them. They may conclude you have come to disturb them, as your presence will now constitute nuisance. If that is your potion, today, your life can not remain the same because your father, the Almighty God who owns heaven and earth will bless you today in Jesus name. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is of the Lord and the fullness thereof.” God owns everything. He has nothing to do with car, building, husband and wife, school certificate, admission into university y, PHD, employment or whatever. We are the ones that have something to do with the things off this world. And you are supposed to enjoy them as a child of God but sinners are having them much more than you. That is why God asks us to go after what belong g to us so that our joy y shall be full. We must musst st therefore, pursue e those people holding g our blessings and recover whatever that belongs to us. Psalm 115:16 says, “The heaven even n the heaven are the e Lord but the earth h are been giving to the children of me.” God gave the earth to the children of men and if God
has given the earth to me and to you, where then is our portion. Where is your own portion, you who go about begging? But never mind, your story must change today because God has given you the world to exploit for your inheritance. Joshua 1:3 says, “Every place the sole of your foot shall tread upon thou have I given to you as I said unto Moses”. God has given unto us everything our eyes can cover. Any promise in the Bible which you can imagine is for your inheritance. That promise is not for the devil; that promise is not for unbelievers; that promise is not for demons; it belongs to the people of God and today, any promise your eyes covers will be yours. Healing will be yours; deliverance including prosperity will be yours. 1Cor. 3:21 says, “Therefore “T Therefore l e t
no man glory in men. For all things are yours;” How many things/ all from a-z? Why the earth is of the Lord and the fullness thereof and we are the children of God and if that be the case, if you will see them and claim them, it shall be yours; if you will see those things and act in line with that scripture, it shall be yours. Genesis 13:15 and 17 says, “For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed forever. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee”. All the land you see shall be given to you, which means you have to see something before you go after them. God said I have shown you the land, that you must walk through it in the length of it and in the breadth of it which means since God has promised you that all these things belong to you, you should therefore know what belong to you and lay claim to it and God will bring it to pass in Jesus name. This is the word of God that must come to fulfillment. It is not the word of mortal man that dies at the end of the man. Whatever you are looking for belongs to you. God has given them to you, and as you claim it today, it shall be yours in Jesus name. So, you must pursue after those things that God has bequeathed to you just like David pursued after them and recovered all. So we must pursue like David, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and deal with all the enemies on our way and all the enemies that are standing against us. All those that are occupying our blessiing in g whether spiritually or physically must m mu st be dealt with like David. We must not n ot fold our hands and be at the deffense, ense, we must pursue in prayers, in sseason eason and out of season. Pray without o ut season and go after what God has given g iven to you. We must go for evangellism, ism, preach at all times and pray to ensure e nsure whatever the devil had taken o captured are recovered. As we or continue in the spiritual exercise, I assure you we must overtake them and without fear recover all in Jesus name. Joshua 2:9-10 says: 9. “And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD LORD hath given you the land, and that that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10. For we have heard how h w the LORD dried up the water of ho the th Red sea for you, when ye y came out of Egypt;
CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 Pastor Muoka
PASSION A Lifestyle Magazine
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Sunday April 19, 2015
APPLAUSE
‘Being beauty queen is a dream come true’
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I owe my good looks to my parents –Seun Olagunju
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Passion
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
I owe my good looks to my parents –Seun Olagunju Seun Olagunju is a wife and mother. She received her first degree in Communication and Language Arts from University of Ibadan and later a master’s in International Law and Diplomacy. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, this model and style aficionado talks about life as a TV personality, among others. Tell us about your experience in the media. My experience in the media which of course has spanned over two decades started at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS; the then Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OGBC; Daar Communications, Raypower and AIT and the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA. I am currently on secondment to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, after my appointment in 2013. I hope to be back to broadcasting after my tenure. What are you doing right to keep glowing or radiant? I owe my looks to good genes I got from my parents. I am lucky I don’t go through any stress to look good. Most of it comes effortlessly. You were at a time a model to some products? Yes, I was the ‘Face of Omo’ at a time. I was also the face of some hair and beauty products. When some women are married and have children, they think it is a waste of time to look good; what’s your take on this? Even if only for a psychological boost, a woman needs to make an effort to look good. A lot of women, married or not, are under a lot of pressure due to the demands of work, motherhood and just gradually get sloppy. My advice is you should try as much as possible to create time for your personal hygiene and beauty. You will be creating more pressure for yourself if you send your man away by being dirty and not presentable. It really doesn’t take much to remain attractive despite life’s pressures. You only need to put your mind to it and make some sacrifices. When you look around you, what beauty/make-up blunder do you think is common in our society that ought not to? I think the one that disgusts me most is the very long,
unnatural looking fake eyelashes! Some people look really weird at such unnatural length and colour. Sometimes, you can even see the glue. How about some common fashion mistakes you think women should desist from? I see some women wearing some styles that don’t suit their body just because it is in vogue. When you want to attend a red carpet event, what exactly do you bear in mind when dressing up? That if you choose to walk the red carpet, you’re consciously submitting yourself to fashion scrutiny, so a special attention must be paid to detail. If I decide to attend such an event, I choose relevant costume and try as much as possible not to commit any fashion faux pas. What fashion item forms a larger part of your wardrobe? Shoes. Those close to me know that’s my weakness. I have loads of them. Do you follow vogue? I’m a trendsetter. I don’t wear what doesn’t suit me because everybody is wearing it. I said earlier that a woman ought to be mindful of her body structure before joining the vogue wagon. Some things just don’t suit some shapes. That’s why God created us differently. How do you think life would have looked like without fashion? Even if humans still wore leaves, we’d find a way to make them fashionable! For one thing, without fashion, many people would be out of job - from the cotton grower or silk spinner to the tailor to even the fashion editor (laughs). But seriously, I can’t fathom a world without fashion, humans are born vain, the desire to look good always and the creativity in us would keep fashion here for a long while. What are your beauty tips? I make sure I remove makeup from my face before bedtime. I try to exfoliate once in a while to get rid of dead skin cells to bring out the new ones, and I try to get at least five or six hours of sleep every night. What have you been doing right to retain your figure and shape when so many mothers are battling with big tummies even when they are not pregnant? I think I have been lucky. My tummy just comes down on its own after delivery. I hardly have issues with that. I think, again, it must have something to do with the genes. I’m also not a food or alcohol person and I hardly ever take junk. What exactly thrills you about fashion, glamour and life generally? For fashion, beauty or glamour, it’s the versatility...the freedom and creativity God gave humans to create beautiful stuffs and make ourselves beautiful. Beauty lies in us all; we only need to bring it out with little effort. For life, the gift of life and every gift of new day are thrilling. Also, the gift of the beautiful things money cannot buy - love, family, children, true friendship all thrill me tremendously.
When you are less busy, what do you do to unwind? I bond with my children, take them out, read or just lie down and watch T the telly What kind of books do you read? I read thrillers, drama, comics and professional books. No knowledge is ever lost and as a journalist, one must have some knowledge of everything. What lesson has life taught you? Life has taught me to expect less, give benefits of the doubt (no human is infallible), reciprocate unconditional love and generally be fair to all. What is your life philosophy? Do unto others as you would want them do unto you. As I said, lower your expectations from people, no human is infallible. Be quick to forgive, we all have our imperfections. Live life like the special gift it is. Give to the needy and be kind to them. How do you blend the home-front with your career? The most stressful period is over, thank God. The children are older now. Three are in secondary school. As teenagers, they are like mothers to their kid brother now. It was tougher when they were younger and I had to combine the very stressful broadcast journalism with raising a family. My husband was also very understanding (he met me on the job). My late mother was also very helpful then. Combining both can be really tough but, thankfully, I have been successful so far. You just clocked 40, what do you think of life? I am thankful for my journey so far at 40. Life has been kind to me. There have been pockets of challenges, but by and large, I have enjoyed favour from God. I am one of the lucky and blessed ones!
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Applause
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‘Being beauty queen is a dream come true’ ADAEZE AMOS
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enevieve Tambari Fadeh is the CEO, Solace Makeover, a limited liability company that organises fashion and pageantry with the aim of uplifting the nation`s tourism potential. Besides being a model, her outfit organises pageants to discover girls every year and sponsors them to international shows with a view to building a career in modelling and fashion. The pageant has had a record of breaking history at international shows such as the ‘Miss Tourism United Nations’ in Jamaica, ‘Top Model of The World’ pageant in Egypt, ‘Miss Intercontinental Pageant’ in Germany, ‘Miss
Global International’ in Jamaica and the United States and the just concluded ‘Miss Progress International’ where the first runner-up walked tall in Brindisi, Italy. “The event has been a consistent annual show since 2008 and its successes have been reference points for top flight celebrities and people of high administrative capability,” she said. Genevieve, who hails from Ogoni in Khana local council in Rivers State, studied Mass Communication at Benson Idahosa University, Edo State. She is the current ‘Miss Global Nigeria’. Reliving her experience on the night she was crowned a beauty queen, she said: “It was an amazing experience. We were 17 contestants. I stood out because of my carriage, charisma and confidence and not because I was better than all the contestants.” According to her, she has benefitted immensely from her diamond-studded beauty crown. ”I represented Nigeria in Jamaica
for ‘Miss Global International’ and it was awesome. I have had several interviews, appeared on different blogs and also graced the cover pages of online magazines, which thrills me even till date. I have also been privileged to meet some dignitaries in the country,” she emphasised. Genevieve has not changed one bit since she became a beauty queen. “Though I’m a beauty queen, I’m still cool-headed. I still relate very well with my friends. In fact, my lifestyle hasn’t changed much because I’m still the same person I have always been! But I’m happy that I have a platform with which I relate to people. “It’s a thing of honour to be a beauty queen. I never thought I would be living this dream today. I say this because being a beauty queen is dream come true,” she stressed. What does she do to look good? “I will like to start by saying that looking good is good business. So, I try to keep up with that. I drink a lot of water because it’s extremely important. I don’t miss fruits and vegetables. I also love to sleep well because by so doing my face is relaxed,” she revealed. One thing common among beauty queens that this model dislikes so much is “dumping your boyfriend simply because you are a beauty queen. This is rampant among beauty queens who believe that their levels have changed. I would never do that and for beauty queens who do it, they should think twice. It’s not fair. I haven’t dumped my boyfriend because I’m now a beauty queen. I see no reason for doing that. If you love your boyfriend and you have been through hurdles with him, you won’t leave him no matter what you have become,” she said. Genevieve is one of the few celebrities that would tell you she considers marriage very important. “I believe in marriage because it is good. I’ve always wished to settle down, have my own family and raise my kids with the fear of the Lord,” she said. On the qualities of her ideal man, she said, “My ideal man should be God-fearing, loving, must show me attention, be humble, hardworking and diligent,” she added. Her dress sense is simple. She doesn’t dress to impress anybody. “I dress for myself, that’s all. I can say that my style is classy and a bit weird. Then for fashion accessories, I love shoes a lot. Good shoes are fashion accessories that form a larger part of my wardrobe,” she said. Her life philosophy is, “Trust no one but yourself and live your life to please no one but yourself. Also live each day to the fullest. While living each day to the fullest, there are some categories of people I keep at an arm’s length. Those people who destroy others for no just cause. They are liars, back-stabbers and pretentious people. I advise my friends and fans to also avoid such people because they are kill joy,” she said. This beauty queen who sobbed to relieve emotional pains when she was heart-broken said of one thing she would want to be remembered for when her tenure is over. “I want to be remembered for my charity work and the way I extended my hands to help the less privileged in the society,” she said.
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
GROWING UP with
Aunty Titi
Hello children, How are you preparing for your resumption? Ensure you prepare well, arrange your books, iron your clothes and put your things in order. In this edition, there are interesting and educative articles that are meant to improve your knowledge. I wish you a wonderful week.
Horse ONCE UPON A TIME Be good to your enemies
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he horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. It is an odd-toed ungulate mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began to domesticate horses around 4000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BC. Horse’s anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predators and they have a well-developed sense of balance and a strong fight-or-flight response. Related to this need to flee from predators in the wild is an unusual trait: horses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down. Female horses, called mares, carry their young for approximately 11 months, and a young horse, called a foal, can stand and run shortly following birth. Most domesticated horses begin training under saddle or in harness between the ages of two and four. They reach full adult development by age five, and have an average lifespan of between 25 and 30 years. Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions and noncompetitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activities such as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers. The horse has an average of 205 bones. A significant difference between the
horse skeleton and that of a human is the lack of a collarbone the horse’s forelimbs are attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The horse’s legs and hooves are also unique structures. Their legs bones are proportioned differently from those of a human correspond to the human wrist. Their senses are based on their status as prey animals, where they must be aware of their surroundings at all times. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal, and are lateral-eyed, meaning that their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads. This means that horses have a range of vision of more than 350°, with approximately 65° of this being binocular vision and the remaining 285° monocular vision. Horses have excellent day and night vision, but they have two-color, or dichromatic vision; their color vision is somewhat like red-green color blindness in humans, where certain colors, especially red and related colors, appear as a shade of green and their sense of smell, are much better than that of human but not quite as good as that of a dog. It is believed to play a key role in the social interactions of horses as well as detecting other key scents in the environment. Horses’ reaction to threat is to startle and usually flee, although they will stand their ground and defend themselves when flight is impossible or if their young are threatened. They also tend to be curious; when startled, they often hesitate an instant to ascertain the cause of their fright, and may not always flee from something that they perceive as non-threatening. Most light horse riding breeds were developed for speed, agility, alertness and endurance; natural qualities that extend from their wild ancestors.
ong ago, there lived a little boy named Sammy. He was a good boy. He was good in his studies, obedient to his parents, more intelligent than many other boys in his class and kind to everyone. Grown-ups as well as those junior to Sammy loved him very much. But that aroused jealousy in many other boys who longed to be as loved as Sammy. Now there was another boy named Timmy who studied in the same class as Sammy. Unlike Sammy, he was not good at studies and always liked to play during school hours. He misbehaved with his parents, bullied his classmates and even ill-treated Sammy. He always tried to put Sammy down and belittled him before other kids in the class. But no matter what he did, Sammy’s grades kept getting better and better either in his studies or in sports or from his classmates, Sammy kept getting accolades from everywhere. On his eighth birthday, Sammy got a nice pen as a gift from his parents. He brought it to school so that he could use it to take down the notes the teachers gave in class. This was a very beautiful pen and it could help one write very fast. When Timmy saw it, he was very jealous of Sammy. He asked Sammy, “Hey, where did you get that? Did you buy it?” “My parents gave it as a birthday gift to me.” replied Sammy. Timmy was overwhelmed with anger and jealousy. The bad boy that he was, he rarely got any present from his parents. He decided to steal Sammy’s
pen. During recess, when everyone had gone out from the class, Timmy opened Sammy’s bag and took out his pen. Then he hid it inside his bag and went out to have his break When Sammy came back and could not find his pen, he informed his class teacher about it. There was a hunt for the missing pen and the class teacher ordered the class monitor to search the bag of everyone in the class. The missing pen was soon found out of Timmy’s bag and the furious teacher asked the naughty boy, “Now Timmy, what do you have to say about it?” Timmy was in tears. He had nothing to say. When Sammy saw Timmy cry, he took pity on the boy. As a kind boy, he had no ill-feeling against his classmate. He requested his class teacher not to take any action against Timmy, now that his stolen pen was found. This opened Timmy’s eyes. He could now see what a good boy Sammy was. He asked for forgiveness from his teacher and Sammy. From that day, he became friends with Sammy and gradually changed himself to be as good as Sammy. Everyone began to love Timmy and Sammy was proud of his new friend. Despite being hurt by Timmy, Sammy gave him back only love in return. This is how we should also treat our enemies. Who knows? One day, our behaviour may just change them for the better. Moral: Do not harm someone even if he harms you. Be good to all.
RIDDLES AND JOKES
Question: I was born big, but as the day passes, as I get older, I become small. What am I? Answer- CANDLE Question: You will throw me away when you want to use me. You will take me in when you don’t want to use me. What am I? Answer- An ANCHOR Question: I will always come, never arrive today. What am I? Answer-TOMORROW Question: I go around all the places, cities, towns and villages, but never come inside. What am I? Answer- STREET Question: I’m full of keys, but I can’t open any door. What am I? Answer- PIANO Question: If you give me water, I will die. What am I? Answer- FIRE
Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address jokkyisland@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 08050324794
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Dude Style
‘I don’t believe in sagging’ Glory Onakpoya heads Dynamics, a musical group based in Lagos. With three published musical books to his credit, the gospel minister unveils to Victor Udoh his involvement in directing choirs, musical groups and his dress sense. Excerpts: Why did you choose the gospel music genre? It’s the best and only choice for me because lyrics, melodies and rhythm centre on good news, changing lives positively¸ prosperity, progress, love, peace and a joyful life. What is the difference between gospel and secular music? The major difference is the lyrics which are connected to the spirit behind the music. For gospel music, it’s about good news and positive lyrics which inspire and change people for good through the Spirit of God. Have you any current music on air? A couple of songs are ready but have not been officially released because the major focus has been on training and raising more music ministers as well as organising live concerts. But the songs will be released very soon. What stands you out among your contemporaries? I believe everyone is unique. My personal style and creativity with the use of colourful melodies, great pitch, inspiring lyrics give me great advantages. How do you get your inspiration? My number one source of inspiration is the beautiful spirit of God who inspires me with great lyrics and melodies. Next is my consistent rehearsal which helps me to internalise so many beautiful melodies which can be converted to songs. Last is my environment that inspires progress. How was your first experience on stage? It was electrifying and inspiring doing a solo song in a major church programme for the first time; the audience was amazing, they wanted more. For me, that was a confirmation to take my music to the next level to the glory of the most high God. What thrills you about music? My thrills come from the spiritual uplift, good melodies and rhythms as well as the inspirational atmosphere. What dressing displeases you? Sagging of trousers is not an acceptable dressing to me. What is your style signature? My unique style signature includes the use of lyrics in creating colourful melodies with great pitch and rhythm. Where are Nigerians not getting it right in fashion? Despite that fashion is a way of expressing personal style and feeling through dressing, a couple of people are carried away by what is popular or
in vogue whether it is right or wrong. I believe fashion should be beautiful, entertaining and yet decent. Who is your mentor? Pastor Marvin Winans. What is your philosophy of life? Your source of inspiration, personal commitment and belief system propel you in making great success in your personal life as you impact other people positively. What books do you read? My number one book is the Bible; I also read inspiring, ministry and books on economic progress, among others. Which Nigerian musician do you admire most? They are many. There is Panam Percy Paul, K-Sticks, Nathaniel Bassey, Asu Ekiye, Midnight Crew, Sammie Okposo, Tope Alabi, Kingsley Ike, Sam Song, SInach, Lara George, Femi Macah, Bola Udom, Victor Atenaga, Frank Edwards and Toyin Adebola, among other great gospel music ministers. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? I see myself impacting on a good number er of upcoming singers and also a source of blessing ing and inspiration to other music ministers as well ll as taking the good news around the world through h music and the word. What are your achievements? Basically, I have written three books on n music. They are Golden Lyrics Volume 1 and 2 as well as Progress in Music. I have also recorded some me great songs, which would be released soon and nd have been hosting live concerts for the last couple uple of years as well as raising great music directors ors and gospel musicians. What is the current project you are having? I am currently hosting a musical seminar, eminar, workshop and concert quarterly, to raise and improve the standard of gospel music ministration stration and skillful presentation as well. This involves nvolves harmonising the skill and anointing to improve mprove people and listeners in a better way. This his programme is tagged, ‘Greater Expression’ (G-Ex). This involves co-host Aregbesola Oladele, ele, and features other guest facilitators and gospel el music ministers such as Uwem Udom, Femi Micah cah and Bola Udom.
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Weddings Engagements You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby. You can call this line 08050324794
CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS APRIL 19, 2015
David means the world to me –Esther TITILOPE MORAKINYO
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he joy of the families of Elder James Abolarinwa Olanrewaju and Chief Matthew Adekunle Oyawoye knew no bounds when their son, David and their daughter, Esther were recently joined in holy matrimony at the St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Lagos Island. Two weeks earlier, the couple had been joined in a legal marriage at Ikoyi Registry. The court wedding was attended by the influential and famous Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House. The engagement ceremony was held on the same day with the church wedding at the bride’s family house. The church wedding was conducted by Rev. Ope and some of the celebrities that were there include Nollywood Actress, Doris Simeon, Gospel Juju musician, Demola George, Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, stand-up comedian, Commissioner, up-coming hip-hop act, Samnem and Barrister Ayo Aransiola. The wedding reception was held at Eleganza Sports Complex, Lagos Island while the chairman of the day at the wedding reception was Barrister OluwaseyiAbiodunAkinwunmi. He advised the couple to always invite God
in their union and not man. On how it all started, David said he met Kenny on Saturday July 16, 2011 a day after his birthday and he knew immediately that she was God’s special Birthday gift to him. When asked what endeared him to her, he said: “I love her because she is very hardworking, honest, focused, disciplined and dedicated. I married late because I was looking for a faithful partner and here she is”. The bride also spoke glowingly of her husband. “I love him because he is very intelligent, he has corrected my errors many times, and I call him my crown. He
is my teacher, lover, brother and father. He is my all in all. He is myeverything; he means the world to me. The colours of the day were lemon and purple with the groom was decked in a black suit, lemon shirt and purple tie. The bride was looking splendid in her white- flowing wedding dress. Nollywood Actress, Doris Simeon and the stand-up comedian made the day a memorable one, as music was supplied by Afro Juju Gospel musician Damola George, which everyone danced melodiously to the tunes rendered.
I was charmed by Joan’s caring attitude –Omokaro
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pril 11thof every year will forever be fond in the memories of Igbinosa and Aiguobarueghian families as their daughter Joan Igbinosa and their son Omokaro Aiguobarueghian celebrated their wedding in style. It was indeed a high society affair as many celebrities and big personalities were present. Families, friends and well wishers were glamorously dressed in blue and red attire, which were the colours of the day. The church wedding was held at the Head of Corner Stone Church, Amagba G.R.A., Benin City, Edo State, with Pastor Abeni Richard-Okoromu, joining the couple. The pastor, a media personnel and a TV star before her call to serve God, flew in from United States of America to witness the occasion. The traditional engagement took place at the bride’s family house in Amagba Community, Benin City, Edo State that witnessed a large turnout of guests including
the wife of a prominent transporter, BobIzua Motors, Mrs. Florence Adun. The best man, Mr. Monday Odeh who gave the toast, revealed to Sunday Mirror that “Joan is a member the church, while Omokaro the groom got a contract in the church in the year 2013. According to him, during the execution of the job, he met Joan and they became best of friends, which later led into marriage”. On what attracted him to his beau, Omokaro said, “During the period I was executing my POP contract in the church, Joan was always there for me, she was caring and
making me feel comfortable. She is also productive, good looking and devoted to God’s work in the church. On her part, Joan said, “He is hard working, handsome, God fearing and like putting smile on people’s faces.” At the reception, there was no dull moment, as Joan danced her heart, with different styles of latest dance steps to the music supplied by the church choir, and no one could contend with her on the dancing floor. In the party, there was enough to eat and drink.
BABIES OF THE WEEK Adeola Olayiwola
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deola Olayiwola was born at Osuntuyi Hospital, IjuIshaga, Lagos to Muyiwa and Tobi Olayiwola. She was born at 12:30a.m weighed 2.7kg. According to the mother, during the pregnancy she loved to eat fruits and vegetables. “I had an unusual appetite for fruits and vegetables. I also ate a lot of rice and plantain as part of my diet”, Tobi said. Was Tobi irritated by anything during the pregnancy? “I was irritated
by the smell of drugs, especially those given to me at the antenatal clinic. I also had skin rashes during the pregnancy.” What do they love about Adeola? “She is adorable, light-complexioned and smiles a lot,” Tobi said. What do they want Adeola to become in future? “It is our prayer that God’s purpose be fulfilled in her life. However as her parents, we will support her in her chosen career,” Muyiwa emphasised.
Oluwatosin Bolajoko
O
luwatosin Bolajoko was born at Araba Medical Centre, Ekoro-Meiran, Lagos to Pastor Sanmi and Opeyemi Bolajoko. He was delivered at 5.00p.m. and weighed 3.4kg. “During the pregnancy, I craved for foods that are delicious. I also ate fruits such as watermelon and apple,” Opeyemi revealed. Were there obvious physical body changes during the pregnancy? “There was no other body change aside
from my protruding stomach. Nevertheless, I looked more beautiful,” she explained. What do they love about Oluwatosin? “We love the fact that he does not disturb and he sleeps well”, said Opeyemi. What do they want Oluwatosin to become in future? “It is my desire to see him take music production as his career, Sanmi said. What is the meaning of Oluwatosin? “It means God is worthy to be served in Yoruba language”, Opeyemi added.
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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
What to wear ‌to a pink ball APRIL 19, 2015
ADAEZE AMOS
A
re you getting set to attend an all-pink event nt and you are confused about what to wear? r? Then check out these ladies. On the right is Waje, the lady of songs. She is sporting a skimpy, y, simple pink dress. Grace Egbagbe, on the left, a TV V personality is in a mullet pink dress and Lami Philllips is a fashionista. The trio looks simply good. You may choose to either accessorise with pink or opt for purple just to add a royal look to your style.
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Perfect Cut
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Style icons glitter in black-se ADAEZE AMOS
I
f you want to appear stunning on red carpet, especially ly in a an n evening event, then opt for a black-sequined dress. Ladies dies look exceptionally sexy in this kind of outfits on this page. W Whether h ther you he are light or dark-skinned does not matter because it is ideal deal for all complexions. You may not need to deck your neck with accessoriess beca because b ecaus use us e th the dress is a jewellery on its own.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sunday, April 19, 2015
equined dresses
African Look Look dashing in knot-wrap style ADAEZE AMOS
S
hould you not want to tie your wrapper in the conventional way, you can choose the knot-wrap style and look different for once. Take a closer look at how Sasha P, the female rapper, tied hers and take a cue from her. If you need to add some ethnic touches to your style, opt for beads necklace, earrings, bracelets and you are good to go!
Perfect Cut
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L
OVE
TALK
Sunday, April 19, 2015
with Yemisi
Adeniran
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Heart-throb ...Find your soul mate here
Send text only to 08023012293
In need of a serious relationship/marriage I’m Alex, 29 years old and I live in Abuja. I’m fair in complexion. I need a sugar mummy between 38 years and above for a relationship -08061500561. My name is Dada, 49 years old, 6.2ft tall and light in complexion. I’m a single father and businessman. I want a mature, God-fearing and understanding lady for marriage, preferably a medical doctor or lawyer between 25 and 40 years old -08039533557. I’m Kunle, 43, living in Ibadan. I want to have a romantic relationship with a lady who is between 42 and 50 years old who lives in Lagos or Ibadan -08050709034. My name is Paul, 50, a businessman from Akwa Ibom State. I need a lady between 25 and 40 years old for marriage -07030809667. I’m Dennis by name and I’m 25 years old. I live and work in Abuja. I need a lady between 20 and 23 years old for a relationship that could lead to marriage -09030465717. Sunday is my name. I’m dark-complexioned, 35 years old, 6ft tall and a civil servant from Ondo State. I need a God-fearing lady between 25 and 32 years old. She has to be a workingclass, from any part of the world -07031151927. My name is Agbamue Samson, 27 years old and a workingclass. I need a sugar mummy that is between 30 and 40 years old -08061540752.
Models
What has size got to do with it?
L
ike the proverbial fingers that are not equal, all manhood are not equal. The male organ comes in different sizes and that means different things to different women, especially when it comes to the issue of sex. Just as you have the long ones, there are the average sized and the short ones. Indeed, “What has size got to do with it?” is a question some women would not like you to ask because they have their preferences and they would not joke with it. This is to say that every woman has her choice, depending on her or what it does or does not do to her. While some like it long and thick, some would just be good with the average or small, and many others would make do with anyone that comes their way. Although many women would tell you that the pleasure they get with one is far different from the other, some sex experts would readily tell you that it is indeed not the size of the penis that really matters, but the expertise put into the act of love making. For example, the feeling one gets, as a woman, from a sexual exercise that is not preceded by adequate foreplay is bound to be different from one with a good period of arousal before the “main course”. This is to say that sex is not really about allowing the man to just penetrate and thrust, but going through the different stages of the act which may take some time. Particularly, in the area of focus today, having sex with a man may be not as exciting as one may want it if certain basic things are not taken care of. The same way having sex with a man with an average or small size penis may not be of a fantastic experience if the right steps are not taken. Specifically, it is necessary to note here that very important is the position to having sex irrespective of the size of the organ of the man. What I’m saying is that there are some positions that are best suited for attaining sexual pleasure with those having it either long, average or small. Here are the positions and the sizes they fit: The big size: The missionary position is good for the two of you. Because of the size of his penis, you may not worry about any special angle or trick. The
other good one is the style known as pretzel. All you do is lie down on your back and have your partner lie down next to you on his side with one leg between yours. Throw your top leg over his hip with the other one flat. Once he’s inside, he rolls from his side to on top of you and back, thrusting as he does so. This is for lazy mornings and it works well for bigger penises because neither of you have a full range of thrusting motion. The average size: The missionary position is also suitable. All you need to add is a pillow under your bum for some tilting. It makes entry easier and enables him thrust deeper. The position also allows access to your G-spot and clitoris. The reverse cowgirl style is also suitable for this size. In this position, face his feet and lower yourself on top of him. You have an advantage here and that is, you are able to control how deeply he penetrates you while he has a good view of your ass. Clitoris stimulation may, however, not be suitable with this position. The small size: The doggie style is about the best. It allows him to penetrate deeply from behind and you can vary the angle he hits and the friction you feel by arching your back, laying your head on the bed or squeezing your thighs together. You can also go for the downward doggie. It is simple: Lay face down with legs stretched out and open slightly. Raise your butt a bit and have him enter, laying face down on top of you. He can prop himself up with his arms for more range of motion. This position allows for lots of penetration and friction for both of you and you can stimulate your clitoris against the bed. The hook up is another possibility for the small size man. Lying on your back, allow him to enter you as in the missionary position. However, instead of keeping your legs on the bed, raise them up and rest them against his chest. With this he penetrates you deeper. And if you cross your ankles, it’ll tighten the vaginal canal, making it feel even better. So, women, enjoy yourself, irrespective of the size of your man’s manhood.
I’m Michael, a graduate. I need a romantic, mature and understanding lady. She has to be sexy, caring and loving sugar mummy. I need her for a serious relationship -09037415634. Gabby is my name, 45, and a media officer in Makurdi. I need a mature lady of 55 years old and above for companionship -08178717095. I’m Alex, 29 years old and I live in Abuja. I’m fair in complexion. I need a sugar mummy who is 38 years old for a relationship -08061500561. My name is Joy, 30 years old and I need a God-fearing man for a serious relationship that could lead to for marriage. I’m in my final year in the university and I’ a businesswoman from Benue State -08123493530. My name is Bolaji, 23 years old, from Akure in Ondo State. I’m in need of a mature and intelligent lady to date and share ideas with -07064337898. Bimpe is my name, 42 years old mother of one who seeks a husband. He has to be a bachelor and a serious man who is ready to settle down -08099384270. Taiwo is my name; I’m a 29-year-old graduate. I live in lbadan and I need a responsible and God-fearing man of 31years and above for a serious relationship -08090810838. My name is Luxury, a medical doctor. I’m 28 years old from Nnewi, Anambra State but I live in Enugu. I need a good Christian lady for wife -07034617994. Sony is my name. I’m an Electronics Electrical Engineer in Enugu. I’m 25y ears old. I need a busty, pretty woman for marriage -08039463255. I’m Sony Texas. I live in Enugu. I need a pretty woman to love and care for -08030887308. Prince is my name from Enugu. I need a sexy, slim lady for a relationship -08074600653. Big Ocean is my name. I am 25 and a footballer. I need a good wife -08053405437. Ade is my name, a university graduate. I also need a graduate and working-class lady to settle down with. She should be tall or of average height and between 30 and 37 years old -08074600653. I’m Alhaji Taju, 57 and CEO, Multi Media Co based in Lagos. I need a rich, sexy, busty and moderate-sized sugar mummy, between 50 and 56, living in Lagos or Ota -07058574844. Ola Daniel is my name. I’m 35 years old and I live in Lagos. I need a sexy, sweet, calm, busty and pretty lady between 25 and 40 that I will satisfy sexually -08174455621. My name is Udo, 50, a graduate of University of Uyo. I have twin sons but I’m single for now. I need a wife from any tribe and she should be between 25 and 53 years old -08180743815.
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Pregnancy Talk
Naughtiest Thing
with
The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done
Adaeze Amos
Ifu Enada
08023012293 (SMS ONLY)
Do’s and don’ts during pregnancy W
hen you are pregnant, there are necessary tips you must bear in mind, which you should never fail to adhere to. Below are there:
Eat well Remember that you are not eating for yourself alone. You should bear your baby in mind as well. So, eat well knowing that your body becomes more efficient at absorbing nutrients, such as calcium, needed for strong bones and teeth. Eat to be satisfied, don’t overfeed. There’s no need to eat for two. Bear your weight in mind Excess maternal weight is hard to lose after birth and can increase your risk of problems such as miscarriage, pregnancy diabetes, high blood pressure and giving birth prematurely. Babies, experts say children of overweight or obese women are likely to become overweight or obese themselves. As a rule, if you started pregnancyon a normal weight, aim to gain no more than two stones (12kg). If you were overweight at the start, aim for about one stone (6kg). However, if you started pregnancy underweight, you can afford to have a weight gain around three stones (19kg). Don’t forget to take recommended supplements It’s essential that you and your baby get plenty of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Most of these can be from a healthy diet but you should also take the following supplements: • 400 micrograms folic acid every day until week 12 of your pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin, found in green leafy vegetables, needed for the development of a healthy nervous system. Taking a supplement can help your baby avoid defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects) such as spina bifida. • 10 micrograms vitamin D every day to meet your needs and ensure your baby builds up stores of this essential vitamin needed for healthy bones, teeth and many other functions. Vitamin D is made in your skin from sunlight and also found in foods such as oily fish, eggs, fortified spreads and cereals. Taking a vitamin D supplement can reduce the risk of your baby developing rickets,
in which there is a softening and weakening of the bones. Ask your doctor or midwife if you are eligible for free ‘Healthy Start’ multivitamins. *A word of caution: Avoid over-the-counter medicines unless advised by your GP or midwife. Avoid alcohol Scientists are still arguing over how much it is safe to drink during pregnancy. ‘It’s not known for certain how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy,’ says Jacque Gerrard. ‘However, we do know that heavy or binge drinking – more than five standard drinks or 7.5 UK units– could put your unborn baby’s health at risk as well as increasing the risk of pregnancy problems. ‘Avoid alcohol if you are trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and avoid binge drinking or getting drunk at any time. If you do choose to drink alcohol during pregnancy, limit yourself to no more than one or two units once or twice a week,’ she adds. A unit is half a pint of ordinary strength lager or beer or one (25ml) shot of spirits or a small (125ml) glass of wine. Recreational drugs of any kind such as cannabis are definitely to be avoided in pregnancy. As for medicines, always make sure your GP has taken into account that you are pregnant before prescribing a medication for you, and check with the pharmacist before taking any medicines that you can buy over the counter (without a prescription). Avoid smoking Chemicals from cigarette smoke can reach your baby via the placenta and can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, low birth weight, premature birth and a host of long-term complications that can last throughout your child’s life. It really is well worth making an effort to quit if you are a smoker.
‘I stood on a motorbike moving at terrific speed’
T
he naughtiest thing I have ever done happened when I had grown up. I would say it was a day of madness. Before I tell you what happened, I would want to let you know that my parents dread motorbikes a lot. I was always warned to avoid them and take a cab home no matter what it cost. My mother, in particular, fears it because she had seen some of her friends’ children with fractured legs because of motorcycle accidents. One day I was happy and wanted to express my happiness. I didn’t take alcohol. I stopped a motorcyclist. He was a Hausa young man. When he stopped and waited for me to sit down, he was amazed that I chose to stand and command him to ride on. He too was happy as if he was affected by my happiness. He sped off on the express road and I had my two hands spread, not holding anything. People were looking at me. Some mothers in the bus were pointing at me angrily. That crazy moment lasted for about 10 seconds. I got to where I was going without slipping off. I hopped down and paid the guy. I didn’t tell my mum what I did but now that I’m more careful, knowing that one can just die if there was any slight mistake from that, I get scared and wonder why I did that. I wasn’t wearing ahelmet. I won’t do it again. Enada is an actress. –ADAEZE AMOS
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Jollof Spaghetti Jollof Spaghetti or Spaghetti Jollof is a quick meal that got its name from the popular Nigerian Jollof Rice. It is quite easy to prepare and can be made with or without vegetables. In the recipe below, shows how to prepare with common vegetables. Ingredients: This recipe serves 2 to 3 persons 50 pieces spaghetti (approx. 200 grams) 4 cooking-spoonful red stew (tomato stew, chicken stew or beef stew) 1 carrot 1 handful green beans 1 small Irish potato (optional) 2 runner beans (optional) 2 table spoonful Sweet Corn (optional) 1 onion (chopped) Meat or Chicken stock (you can use water as a substitute) 1 tablespoonful ground crayfish (optional) 1 Maggi cube Vegetable oil Scotch bonnets peppers/atarodo (to taste) Salt to taste Water You can also add chopped whole tomatoes, green bell pepper or any other easycook vegetables of choice Directions Wash and chop all the vegetables you’ll be using. Then prepare your stew, if you don’t already have some stew. Here’s how to prepare Tomato stew, Beef stew or Chicken stew 1. Put some water to boil, when it starts to bubble, add the spaghetti and a little salt and parboil for 3 minutes. Then strain into a sieve. This pre-cooking process helps to get rid of the excess starch that comes with most spaghetti, but you can leave it out if your brand of spaghetti has low starch content. 2. Place the prepared stew into a pot, pour the vegetable oil in the pot, add the vegetables, the ground crayfish, salt and pepper to taste. Add a little of the meat or chicken stock into the stew pot and leave to boil on high heat for 5 minutes. 3. Add the precooked spaghetti 4. When the liquid in the spaghetti is almost dried, add the remaining stew to the top, cover the pot and simmer for 1 minute until the spaghetti is done. Now mix thoroughly and turn off the heat... and your Jollof Spaghetti is ready.
Carema Wine
C
arema is a panda wine. Only two wineries make it, production is limited, properties fragmented (the 17 hectares managed by the admirable local coop are shared between no fewer than 78 growers), and the demographical trends in the village of Carema are setting alarm bells ringing. Without a younger generation to take on the labour-intensive work in the spectacular terraced vineyards at the foot of the Alps, the risk of extinction is very real. Carema has the most extreme terroir of all the northern Nebbiolos and a fascinatingly subtle and complex character with its delicate red fruit, sweet floral aromas and tangy mineral intensity. If your model of Piedmont is mouth filling modern Barolo, Carema imposes a change of register. Expect a lighter, drier, finer wine, with brisk acidity and more length than breadth – a dream wine for fans of racy, oldfashioned Nebbiolo.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Growing Up
Sunday, April 19, 2015
37
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
POP
WHO INVENTED WHAT? Humphry Davy devised electric light x
Germs
DO YOU KNOW THAT?
G
erms is also important in the body, it doesn’t cause disease alone, a common bacterium, E. Coli, found in the intestine helps us digest green vegetables and beans. These same bacteria also make vitamin K, which causes the blood to clot. Without these germs one would bleed to death whenever there is a small cut.
T
he first incandescent electric light was made in 1800 by Humphry Davy, an English scientist. He experimented with electricity and invented an electric battery. When he connected wires to his battery and a piece of carbon, the carbon glowed, producing light. This is called an electric arc. Much later, in 1860, the English physicist Sir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914) was determined to devise a practical, long-lasting electric light. He found that a carbon paper filament worked well, but burned up quickly. In 1878, he demonstrated his new electric lamps in Newcastle, England.
Teddy Bear WORDS ON MARBLE
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. –Helen Keller
TONGUE TWISTER Ned Nott was shot and Sam So it is better to be Shott than Shott was not. Nott. Some say Nott was not shot. But Shott says he shot Nott. Either the shot Shott shot at Nott was not shot, Or Nott was shot. If the shot Shott shot Nott, Nott was shot. But if the shot Shott shot shot Shott, Then Shott was shot, not Nott. However, the shot Shott shot shot not Shott, but Nott
POEMS
A bear however hard he tries, Grows tubby without exercise. Our Teddy Bear is short and fat, Which is not to be wondered at He gets what exercise he can By falling off the ottoman, But generally seems to lack The energy to clamber back. Now tubbiness is just the thing Which gets a fellow wondering And Teddy worried lots about The fact that he was rather stout. He thought: “If only I were thin!
But how does anyone begin” He thought: “It really isn’t fair To grudge me exercise and air.” For many weeks he pressed in vain His nose against the window-pane, And envied those who walked about Reducing their unwanted stout. None of the people he could see Now Teddy, as was only right, Slept in the ottoman at night, And with him crowded in as well More animals than I can tell; Not only these, but books and things, Such as a kind relation brings Old tales of “Once upon a time”, And history retold in rhyme.
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Movies & Music
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
& usic M Movies With Victor Udoh 07067124302 e-mail: victorudoh804@yahoo.com
Johnny changed my life forever –Yemi Alade
F
or anyone who follows African music, her song, ‘I’m looking for my Johnny. Where is my Johnny?’ is one of the biggest tracks of 2014 with over 20 million views on YouTube and a remix in French as it became an anthem across Nigeria and West Africa? To pop diva Yemi Alade, however, this song was more than just a successful track. It was a life changer – the culmination of years of struggle and thankless toil. She recently sat down for a #MySuperStarStory session where she shed light on her journey in music up to this point. She revealed that for years, she had to beg for free studio time because she did not have a dime to pay for recording. According to her, there were even times when she would have to scrape some money together to buy fuel to run the studio generator before she could be recorded. Her turning point, she said, was ‘Johnny’ which changed her life forever. “God brought that song my way without telling me He was going to bless me,” she said with a large smile across her face. #MySuperStarStory aims to celebrate and recognise stories of triumph over adversity and thus inspire young Nigerians to be successful. ‘There is a STAR in everyone,’ she said.
Veezy King releases Love you everyday
V
ersatile debutant, Veezy King, serves a new single entitled ‘Love You Everyday’. Over time, King, who is a product of Ghetto Youth Love G.Y.L, has proven himself to be one of Africa’s act to watch out for. King also has opened up stages for top Nigerian artistes such as Davido, Timaya, KCee and Oritse Femi. His new up tempo single was directed and produced by one of Nigeria’s hit-makers, Young D. The lyrics of the song express nothing but the outmost beauty of love, intimacy and care. The emerging star act has undeniably proved his versatility with a feel-good dance and Afro-pop groove accompanying his exquisite lyrics and sleek vocals. Young D’s work on the production is impeccable and outstanding as well.
Vector drops new single, Freestyle
N Alade
igeria’s king of Rap, Vector tha Viper has released a new rap freestyle for his teeming fans. The freestyle, which is one of several to follow, is laced with the Vector signature of beautiful rhymes. It was dropped to whet the appetite of his fans in anticipation of the remix of his King Kong Video. The first part of the King Kong remix will feature collaborations with super Nigerian rap artistes such as Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi, while the second will feature popular Ghanaian rap artiste, Sarkodie.
Vector
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Movies & Music
Sunday, April 19, 2015
39
Koga Studios ends work on The Visit K
Mcnwizu
Daniella Okoye speaks on debut movie
oga Studios, the entertainment company popular referred to as ‘powerhouse’ of Nigerian entertainment has concluded works on the anticipated four-cast movie, The Visit. ‘The Visit’ is Nollywood first ever four-man cast movie featuring Bayray Mcnwizu, Femi Jacobs, Nse Ikpe Etim and Blossom Chukwujekwu. Funke Fayoyin of ‘The Gods are not To Blame’ fame directed the historic flick. The movie which was produced in 2014 made several media houses headlines and got a lot of attention for several reasons; the antecedent of the casts, the quality of equipment and antecedent of director. The icing on the cake according to movie critics that visited the set is the storyline. A journalist and movie critic, Samad Biobaku, who visited the set said Koga Studios is making history in the right way. “The kind of efforts that went into the making of ‘The Visit’ communicates intent. The producer, Koga Studios didn’t want to play small and they made it clear with the quality of investment in the project. For the first time, a production house is using two world-most expensive camera to shoot and has quality members of cast. That is huge,” Biobaku, said.
Speaking on the project, the director, Funke Fajoyin, said it was a privilege to have worked on the movie project. “It was a privileged to have worked on the project with this cast. These are great actors in the making. Nse is phenomenon. Femi Jacobs has been fantastic. He’s the kind of actor who gives you what you want. Bayray has been enjoying meteoric rise and Blossom is the kind of actor we call director’s delight. Working on this project with this kind of investment is an honour. I can’t wait for this movie to be out. This is the kind of ambitious project Nollywood should do. I’m proud of Koga Studios,” she added. Robert Jeyibo, an official of the entertainment company said the movie should be ready anytime soon. ‘We have taken our time on the movie because our goal is to ‘set-the-proper-kind of history’ just as people have said. This is the first time a four-cast movie is done in Nigeria; we have had two-cast, three cast but not fourcast. A lot has gone into the movie; it will be available for people to watch soon. We will let people know if it will be in cinema or on our online TV. One thing that is however clear is that, the movie, The Visit will open new chapter in Nollywood’.
D
aniella Okoye, who won a beauty and talent festival in 2012 in Turkey to emerge ‘Little Princess of the Universe’, has opened up on why she played a lead role in the movie titled ‘Elisa’. Evidently, the movie script which focuses on the negligence of children by their parents who leave them to the dubious mercies of the house-helps, played a big part. Ms Okoye, in the movie, got raped by the house boy and contracted HIV and died. The youthful princess urged “every parent and children to watch (the movie) because there are lots to learn from it. It is very educating and interesting,” she said. Her talent in interpreting her role in the film shows her up as the next movie superstar and someone ready to take Nollywood to the next level.
Ibekwe-Oyebade
Nigerian actress now CANUK PR Okoye
Her Royal Highness, Theodora IbekweOyebade, beauty pageant organiser, publicist, promoter, charity fundraiser, actress and producer is now the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK). She won by a landslide, gaining the most votes in any category.
CANUK is the governing body of most of the associations in the United Kingdom, representing the interests of Nigerians in the Diaspora. Theodora had not intended to enter the fray but was convinced by friends to run. She will now assist the Public Relations Officer in promoting the image of CANUK.
40
Lessons of Life
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)
TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART APRIL 19, 2015
‘I won’t leave my home because I’m barren’ You would go to the boys quarters for now Lovett. I promise to move you to a more comfortable place before the month runs out. You are still my wife but conception has been an issue since we got married. I know how you feel my dear. Just hold yourself and be mature about this. I would never give Ruth the opportunity to insult you in any way. That is why I wouldn’t want to keep you in the same premises with her.” Lovett was quick to answer. “If that is the case Harry, let her be the one to move elsewhere. This is my matrimonial home. How would I stand the shame. The neighbours would laugh at me, how would I stand this shame?” Harrison was moved with pity and hushed those his mother brought to stop. “Mama, do you know you are overdoing this. You have brought Ruth, that was where I wanted you to stop. You have no right to move my wife’s belongings out of my house. Leave me to fix this, I run this home.” At that his mother stopped the people she commanded to park Lovett’s things and they all left the house together after keeping Ruth’s stuffs in Harrison’s house. Ruth was also left behind. A month later, Harrison paid for a three bedroom apartment else here hoping that Ruth would agree to move there. Even after promising her that he would be coming over at night until she is heavy with a child. Lovett too insisted that she wasn’t going to vacate her home, a duplex for a three-bedroom apartment in a remote side of Lagos.
This is the concluding part of Lovett and Harrison’s story started last week. The couple lived together for close to a decade without a child. The marriage somehow became sour when Harrison’s relatives got tired of waiting and took some drastic steps which shocked Lovett.
“
I
t was when the marriage clocked eight years that something shocking happened.“ I was surprised that my husband couldn’t do anything to stop the shocking thing and his inability to stop or even prevent it was more shocking. I knew he loved me, he told me that repeatedly and I knew I meant the whole world to him. I overheard him tell his parents he loved me so much and that he was going to wait on the Lord with me until I conceived. But when my monthly flow stopped when I was 37 even when I wasn’t pregnant, my husband was worried the more. I guess he told his people I had stopped menstruating and one Saturday morning when my parents-in-law visited with their cousins and some other relatives from the village, I was shocked my husband was just looking at them as they gave me the harshest side of their tongues,” she said. It was Harrison’s mum that led the rest and she was the first to talk. She greeted her son with a wave of hand as if he hadn’t been doing anything for his wife’s conception. When she saw Lovett coming to welcome her and carry her handbag, she held it back and hushed her. “Hey my dear, I know you have been trying for eight years now to give my son a child but all to no avail. I came here to tell you to give him a breathing space for another woman to help you out. I know you tried your best, but my dear, you can see that your best is not good enough. You have told me on several occasions that you are waiting on the Lord. Remember you are not the only one waiting. We all,” she said, looking at six people with her and continued. “have been waiting. My husband is the one more disturbed though he hardly speaks out. My younger sister here with me has also been waiting with me. She has three sons unlike me that has only one. And her three sons are married with children. I’m taking my time to explain to you so that you can understand the pain I have been enduring each time I ask you and you tell me to wait more on the Lord. “Your husband told me almost in tears the other day that your monthly flow had stopped and that what pained him the more was that you were yet to conceive. He said he was confused because medically you are too young for menopause. So, Nne, you can see we would not continue to wait. I’m not getting younger, neither are you. So, I brought you a helper. Find a space in
A model your heart to accommodate this. We have discussed this with your husband. He is aware that Ruth my good friend’s daughter is ready to help you. He gave us money to pay her bride price and everything was done in hush-hush tone because he was scared of hurting you. According to him, he is not ready to wed another lady because he hammered it to us that he would not wed twice and that he still loved you just as much. So, dear, if you don’t want me to die before my time, allow the people I brought to do what I have told them to do,” she said, beckoning on the ladies she brought to park Lovett’s stuff. Lovett was shocked and dumb-found-
ed. She was only looking at Harrison to either say something or stop those that had gone to her room and master’s bedroom to park her belongings out. She managed to walk to the cusion in the living room and sat and bent her head down. Of all that her mother-in-law said, two things shocked her the more. She knew that her monthly flow had stopped and that her husband married another wife without even telling her first. But she managed to ask her husband where she would go from there. He shrugged and told her not to worry, that she is still his wife. “The only thing that would change is the breathing space Mama mentioned.
OF ALL THAT HER MOTHER-IN-LAW SAID, TWO THINGS SHOCKED HER THE MORE.
SHE KNEW THAT HER MONTHLY FLOW
HAD STOPPED AND THAT HER HUSBAND MARRIED ANOTHER WIFE WITHOUT EVEN TELLING HER FIRST
Readers, what do you think Lovett should do? Who do you think should vacate Harrison’s main house?
Dear Amanda, RESPONSE
Re: ‘My fiancé may jilt meYou over my dark past’ must have
Dear Veronica, I want to assure you that your fiancé, Patrick, will not jilt you over your dark past. Everybody has a dark past. The Bible says: “For all have sinned and come short of glory of God. If we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” I would advise you to make a statement at the Police Station that Mr Nelson is threatening to post your pictures and video in the internet, because you refused to continue working for him. I am happy that you have enrolled in the university and still continued with your little business. You may tell Patrick the whole truth about your life, and he will gladly accept and love you deeply.
been brilliant to have graduated and married at
the age of 22. Unfortunately, you
Patrick Adiasor Surulere, Lagos 08033452087
lost your preg-
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From the Pulpit
Sunday April 19, 2015
41
You must seek God’s favour and mercy, says Prophet Oloruntimilehin General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, teaches on the benefits of sacrifice. Excerpts:
G
eneral Overseer of Omnipotence rophet Joshua Mission of God, Prophet milehin, in this Daramola Oloruntimilehin, admonition, teaches that whoever relies on God shall not lack good things of life, among others. Excerpts:
Who is the God that people ople are serving all the time? Where is He? Where does He live? Is He living g in heaven or earth? Nobody claims to have seen God. In the scripture, Moses, Elijah and Jesus were seen on earth. None of them met each other on earth but ut Jesus heard about Moses and Elijah and preached about their words. The stories tories and era of these people are facts and witnesses that show how great God is. s. Today many people do not know God, d, they know something exists. Who owns wns and controls the activities of man an i.e. eating, drinking, walking, and speaking peaking etc? It is God. The Elders describe be God as the One that does what He likes. es. He created people in different forms, some are able and some are disabled from rom birth. All these creation have shown n that He does what He likes. Then who is this God? If some people do not know Him, then are they supposed to be doing g His wish or not? The person that can kill and revive, bring about sorrow and happiness. Are we not to fear Him? Some me people say God is not tough or harsh but these people are in affliction and suffering. uffering. Similarly, some people say God d is tough but they are living unpleasantt life. But God is tough that is a fact; this is because He does whatever He likes. The he Bible says in Isaiah 45 verse 7, “I form m the light and create darkness. I make ke peace and create calamity, I the Lord do all these things”. Jesus us was asked whether it was the sin of a blind man’s
parents that made him blind from birth; then he replied that the blind man was created in that form so that the work of God should be revealed in him - John 9 verse 1-3. Imagine somebody would be created blind so that he or she could be used for sign and wonder. Now would anybody say God is not tough? Some people are still suffering, no regular food, money and better life. Those experiencing these problems are not better than the blind man Jesus healed. In fact, people would show mercy to the blind man than those facing problems. Yet some people say God is not tough. If God is not tough, He would not allow friends to depend on one another for survival, a husband to depend on the wife or some people to depend on the younger brother or sister. He would ensure everyone is treated equally. Brethren, it is therefore imperative for people to rely on God because who ever relies on God shall not lack good things of life. This is how God works. When a person that says God is not tough complains about the church doing things excessively and does not embrace
what is godly,
the person shall continue in his or her suffering. But those who a re
serving God diligently and know that Heis tough, praying fervently, that do not sleep or slumber and trying to move foods, closer to Him are eating good foods drinking good wine and wearing good clothes. If they refuse to do all that pleases and serve God, then they will know God is tough. If you do not serve God you would not eat and if you do not serve Him and you are eating, you are cheating and eating from Satan. For me I am serving diligently and I do not lack good things of life with my family. God revealed to me several years ago three earth: things required for man to do on earth first he should eat very well; second to worship and serve Him and third, for man to die. God has commanded every living soul to worship and serve Him when it is convenient or not. Many people would have fallen short of God’s recommandments but things can be re verted if you get sober and beg for forgiveness of your sins. God does not forgive unless you request for it. Let us seek for His favour and mercy. call: •For more enquiries call 08023020108, 08058110288.
Prophet Oloruntimilehin
‘How to recover what the enemy has stolen’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Rahab told the men that came to spy the land to posses it, ‘I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. She said they have known what God has done for His people in all the places, how He divided the Red sea, divided river Jordan, fought for them and she confirmed that their God is the God of heaven and earth. This declaration of hers caused their heart to melt. Whenever the enemy will hear about you, he will know that God is with you. I don’t know the ground the enemy has taken from you, what I know is that it is time to pursue and recover what the enemy has
stolen. You must recover your marriage, health, business and every other thing that the devil has stolen. Joshua 13:1 says: “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years and the Lord said unto him, thou art old and stricken in years and there remaineth. Yet very much land to be possessed.” There is nothing like old age in this matter, even if you are getting old, God wants you to know that there are still very much land to possess and you must possess your possession. Joshua 18:3 says, “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, how long are you slack to go, to possess the land which the Lord God of your father has given you. How long will you be there? Same question as above is directed to you. How long will you be there to possess your possession? When will you possess it? How long will you delay? You must go at once, because Joshua and Caleb said let us go at once. As you mention anything in prayer today, you shall have it. Just ask God by simple prayer,
‘where is your child’ if you need a child. Or ‘where is the blessing He promised for your business’ if want business boom. If you don’t have faith, just believe that God is real and cannot disappoint you, you will get what you are looking for. Do you know how you are going to pray today? May be I will teach you how to pray today. Just say, ‘I stand upon the word of God, all that I have lost I am going after them by faith and in the name of Jesus I will recover my business, health, family, husband, wife, land, etc, in the name of Jesus. And if it appears that there is one enemy running away, running too fast and just say now, let the angel of God overtake him and arrest him. I recover what you have stolen in Jesus name, and they can never run faster than the angel. But for those who are sinners and backsliders, they should repent of their sins; they should confess their sins to the Lord and promise God no more. They should accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour and the reason be that in 1John 3:8 says, “He that commiteth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning for
this purpose the son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God, does not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” That’s a clear sign a Christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a Christian. You need to search your life. May be you are wondering what is sin? If you look at 1st John 5:17(a), it is written, “All unrighteousness is sin”. Anything that is not righteousness is sin. I want to let you know that unforgiveness is sin; unbelief is sin, selfishness, lying, pride, anger, malice, murmuring, contention, strife, bitterness, anger, lusts, covetousness, immoral thought are sins. Also, backbiting, hatred, envy, cursing people, swearing with heaven and earth, idolatry, adultery, fornication, stealing, etc, are all sins. You need to examine yourself today and confess your sin so that you can have the grace to pursue and recover what the enemy has stolen from you. And as you repent today and renounce your sinful life God will show you mercy in Jesus name, Amen.
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From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle
Macaulay
I
Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)
t is no news any more that God has spoken through the actions of people of Nigeria who chose their leaders through their votes. The Bible said of God, “If my people who are called by my name……. pray and seek my face …. I will hear from heaven ….. and will heal their land”. II Chro 7:14. Nigerians prayed and God who never fails heard our prayers. I am happy that many of the leaders who are newly elected have openly vowed to work with people of all tribes and faith. This is the evidence of love, understanding, tolerance and sincerity.
Not very long the present government will step down and hand over to the incoming government. The in-coming will take over as we all know that all the roads to human progress had been closed before now. This switch – over is a good time to switch – off all the activities, insensitivity, corruption, financial recklessness of the past government and the ungovernable attitude of its supporters. The new government must start from its members to make sure that those who make the laws are also governed by the same laws. Leaders are those responsible for showing others the way and not exploitation of the people for personal gains. The cost of running government in Nigeria is very exorbitant. All the unnecessary portfolios, assistants to assistants, senior assistants and many helpless hands including unproductive ministries and agencies must be switched
Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi
Lanre-Oke
O
ne thing that plagues our generation is the issue of time and timing. We are a generation surrounded with many things, all asking for this limited resource called time. Due to the proliferation of the internet and mobile devices, knowledge is made available at the click of a button; both useful and useless information. Time is the only resource from which we can create, use, replenish and deplete every other resource that we have at our disposal. Sir, if there is a resource you should ensure you don’t waste, it is time. Use other resources to buy time, use money to buy time, use knowledge to buy time, use information to buy time, use wisdom, understanding and all at your disposal to buy and redeem time. Because whether you use it, invest it time is a resource that gets depleted.
The counsel of hell for this generation is to introduce time wasters. Indeed, a meeting was held and the conclusion of the meeting was this; “if we can get the creatures of God to waste their most precious resource then we can stop them from being any of the things God has purposed for them to
Sunday April 19, 2015
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This switchover is a good time to switch off off. The in-coming government needs to know the strengths and weakness of the past government, the immediate needs of Nigerians and then prioritize its plans. The powerful bottle – neck bureaucracy of the government must be curtailed, giving people a chance to have access to the government. People who say, that “a noble aim does not necessarily mean a noble consequence” can be right. Now, it is the application of the vision of the government for the betterment of people that counts. Nigerians irrespective of faith or tribe should be given a chance to be part of the government. Representatives should be known and close to the people they represent. In the past, many of these representatives were not known because they worked for themselves and their “political fathers”. The Bible said, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Gen1:1. The second verse of Genesis Chapter 1 says “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep …..” Gen. 1:2. God never created the formless and empty earth covered with darkness described in verse 2 of the Book of Genesis. Research confirmed that there was a “cause”. God put the first man he created in a garden of comfort and prosperity with a specific instruction but the man disobeyed putting his light off and he found himself in darkness. Nigeria is in darkness because of the activities of our politicians and especially our Christian leaders but God in his mercy is restoring us to his light which we do not deserve but can earn by his grace. Many
are living in the darkness of life because by their actions, they have put off their light. Some young people are struggling to earn what they do not work for thereby willingly put off their light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” . Jn. 8:12. Many Christian leaders have wrongly interpreted the Word of God or introduced self-made doctrines to put off the light of life that first appeared in Jerusalem when the church was established. They have lost focus and have changed the message. They compromise with the world, remove Christian spirituality and introduce intellectual religiosity. We now have “compromised religion”. The quality of the present Christianity is affected by ambitious and insincere leaders who think that God can be manipulated, instructed and commanded to act according to their wishes. Our politicians with academic and clerical support offer us destructible things in our materialistic society but Christians know that man’s efforts to make himself happy in earthly terms are doomed to failure. Many Nigerians feel that there is nothing they can practically do concerning the present rebelliousness of different insurgencies in the country and spiritually impoverished way of life of our people, but I assure you that if we bend our knees in prayer and open our mouths to cry unto the living God, all works of Satan will come to an end. The Bible said that he who places his hand on the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of heaven. If our prayers can destroy the threats of
militancy and the outburst of all proud politicians who are bent on ruling us forever, then our prayers can restore peace to Nigeria and support for all decisions of the people in government. I am concerned about the peace of our great nation – Nigeria and the future of our children and grand children. It is essential to appreciate that Christ is the answer to all human dilemmas. The truths he spoke will bring hope to the hopeless, rest to the despairing and love to the loveless, therefore, without Christ, man is nothing. The first century Christians were cowards who ran for cover when Jesus was slain on the earthly altar but at the arrival of Holy Spirit, they were reborn, spoke in tongue and boldly marched out into the world to spread the good –news. They became new men with a new allegiance to Jesus and not to any earthly authority. Our duties include praying for our political leaders. Jesus enjoined us to have a life of detachment from the material and the temporal. Just before I bring this write-up to an end, I want to thank God for the very successful elections in Nigeria and thank Nigerians for their conduct before, during and after all the elections. I believe that all the in-coming governments (Federal & States ) will make their plans people – centred , especially for poor people of this great country. •Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1
Time – Man’s greatest resource – (1) become”. The passage of a man on the surface of the earth is known as his lifetime and this time is divided into phases or little pocket of time spaces for which he is expected to achieve certain things as proof of his existence or in fulfillment of his divine assignment. Hence the prayer in the passage below; Psalm 90:12 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. The meaning of this passage is that God should help us understand what is required for every time space or phase of our life and work in line with it. Now to make the most effective use of every phase of life, there is the need to devote this limited resource known as time. There is nothing man cannot become if he devotes time to master; whether good or bad. Just as people perfect talents in singing, playing the piano and so on, others perfect their talents in defrauding others, stealing and many more vices. What you devote your time to determines what you master in life. In the book of Genesis 8:22, God made a decree that has governed life up till now and will continue to; He said “as the earth remaineth seed time and harvest time shall not cease”. The implication of this is that the time given to us to invest in every phase of our life is limited. The time of a man on earth
is limited. When born, a baby is not expected to produce anything beyond eating, sleeping, growing and excreting what he waste and excesses of what he has taken. However, as he begins to grow, he’s expected to start sitting, crawling, walking putting into cognizance the care and attention that has been given to him/ her since birth and the PASSAGE OF TIME. This is harvest expected from a child. As time goes on, the child is sent to school to learn and in time expected to produce a good result and proceed to higher levels of learning. After the entire learning stage, the child is expected to become a man or woman and become a responsible citizen of the society based on what has been invested in him or her and the PASSAGE OF TIME. Meaning in every issue of life, seedtime and passage of time is expected to yield a harvest. The problem however is that people are not aware of various seed times in their lives. Indeed a lot of people roam about life missing major time marks and phases of their lives. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they had no idea of the phase and season they were in (Luke 19:41-44). People are unaware of the fact that every day that break brings in its own opportunities and challenges and they all move with the passage of time. A farmer who misses the planting
season will have nothing to harvest. A child who plays in school will come out with a poor result. By the grace of God next week we will consider what to do to avoid missing the crucial phases of our lives and wasting the most important resource we have. Until then; I pray for you that you will not miss any crucial phase of your destiny again in Jesus name. No opportunities will pass you by again in life in Jesus name. Amen If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus, the process is simple: • Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. • Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory • Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour. • Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them. • Welcome into God’s family. Please locate a bible believing church and share you new birth experience with the church leaders. •For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk
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Priesthood House with Pastor Bola
Bello
T
he glorious prospects of the earth lie upon the effectiveness of the Ministry Gifts who brings the things of God to the people of the earth. Righteousness cannot sprout on the earth until the ministry gifts in this regard begin to bring the meals of the righteous God to feed the earth. The joyful calling of the servants of God is to birth the purpose of God upon the earth where the earth aligns with the heaven in its conducts and attitude. Hear the cry of Prophet Isaiah in 61:10-11; “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorned herself with jewels. The reason why Prophet Isaiah was adorned with prophetic garment is to advance the course of righteousness and any distraction from this purpose would circumvent the purpose of his ordination. This is not different from the purpose of the Ministry Gifts to the Church. The adornment, the ordination and the calling of pastors, evangelists, teachers, apostles and prophets is to advance the tenacity of the righteous God unto man. It is therefore, worthy of note, that as garden cause the seed sown on it to sprout so it is required of Ministry Gifts to sprout up the purpose of their calling and the adornment of spiritual gift lest they are cut off like unfruitful fig tree.
The Priesthood of Christ is in the ordination of divine services to man in which He competently became faithful unto His Father. It is the same divine ordination Christ gave unto the Ministry gifts in which faithfulness is required from such noble assignments. Priesthood is royalty and the coronation is done by God alone and it is for the things
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Sunday April 19, 2015
Church as God designed it – The Ministry Gifts and Omega Generation –(10) of God to be given unto man. Heb. 5:1-2. Priesthood assignments are spelt out in Daniel 9:24 and they are thus listed: to finish transgression, to make an end to sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring everlasting righteousness to the earth. However, a major shift has occurred, when the priest begin to major on the minor and shift focus from the major. The authority of Priest to minister is drawn by Christ divine ordination with gifts of the spirit as evidence (Eph. 4:10-11). The Ministry Gifts were clothed with representative power but must administer divine service with great sense of encompassment of infirmities like their fellow heirs of salvation, Heb. 5:2. The selling point of a priest is not miracles, it is not signs and wonder, it is not healing but work of reconciliation with God. Priests are expected to domesticate the project of God to people to the extent of establishing people as God’s people. The conspiracy of closing the door of proper teaching of the word of God is to perpetuate the greed, the monopoly of the so called “pastors or bishops” like Pharisees of the old. This trick is to teach the people with the things of the world so as to circumvent the prospect of righteousness of God upon the people. People of God are being built upon the emotional needs rather than supernatural needs. Rather than teaching the people on how to dig deep to find fresh water within, they are being asked to come and take water from the ministry gifts for refreshment. Pastors are men of infirmities and should constantly remind themselves that its God that gives healing, miracles and other emotional needs of people not them. Drawing the flocks through advertisement of miracles cannot sustain the flocks when the miracles seize. What would sustain flock is the
undiluted word of Christ which presage with the capacity to grow and establish people in God. The end product of priesthood assignment is to establish the saints in the faith of the son of God, where there is interface between the mortal and the immortal. Prophet Isaiah in his prophetic statement of the Church saw a holy people who are completely washed and redeemed from the nature of man. Isaiah 62:12; “And they shall call them, the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD; and thou shall be called, sought out….” The word holy people is more than merely set apart unto God but to place in relation to God answering unto His holiness. It is the issue of the nature of God that triggers the life of God in man. The nature of God is holy and being called holy people implies having the nature of God. There is positional holiness of believer which is in Christ Jesus through the work of atonement. It was bestowed to us through the love and grace transcending the act of human efforts. However, the work of the Holy Spirit is in the process of yielding saints to obedience ant it is accomplished through constant fellowship with undiluted word of life. What fellowship with the word of God does is constant cleansing by the water of the spirit until complete purification is attained. Saints are redeemed by the work of atonement yet daily atonement is required through the word of Christ. Colossians 3:16; says; “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD”. The redemption of the Church is further enhanced through the word of God that dwells in the bosom of its heart.
The word of Christ has capacity to eliminate sin and to establish righteousness required of a saint. The word is a processor of hidden wickedness which the ordinary eyes of man cannot locate. This is the reason why the word of truth is more important and more deliberate than the miracles that the word produces. The heathens could work miracles, the Egyptian magicians worked miracles what they could not however give is the life of God. This is the essence of the word. The more of the word, the more believers become sanctified. 1 Thess. 5:23 says; “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sanctification or being set apart unto God is a continuous walk till Jesus comes. It is attained by knowing the mind of God through daily fellowship and relational by the word. We are not called to Church to meet emotional needs basically. These are normal benefits of relationships with God as we posit in knowing the Lord. Those who advertise their meetings base on emotional supply are wolf and liars who desire to feast on the ignorant of poor souls. The take of believers is godlily and becoming like - God. Christ, as the living word of God was able to please the father when He became the word of God. We must determine to also become the word of God, the letter and the epistles of Christ which are written for all to read. This is only possible when the Ministry Gifts determine to give the things of God to men rather than the thing of men to men. This is the design of the Church. •Pastor Bola Bello – The Priesthood House, bolabelo@gmail.com 08033704564
The
Chorister’s World
For me, nothing is fulfilling as singing –Udom ODINAKA URUAKPA
F
or Cornelia Peter Udom, a native of Ikot Inyang in Ikot Ekpene Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State who started her sojourn as a chorister at age 11 in 1975 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Ikot Inyang, singing is a passion. She joined the Saints Mulumba and David Catholic Church, Lawanson, on arrival at Lagos where she continued her singing as she became a member of Saint Patrick’s Society choir. The seasoned chorister did the Life-in –the Spirit seminar with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement after which she was posted to the singing ministry in 1996, which she said was when she actually joined
the choir properly in the church in Lagos. According to the psalmist and grandmother, she sings psalms during Mass celebration which she said for one to be chosen to do this, the person must have a strong, powerful alto voice and this gift she claims God bestowed her right from childhood but due to some constraints in the choir, she now finds herself singing the soprano. Hear her: “Spiritually, I love singing because it makes me happy and I like to teach children how to sing gospel songs, poems, folk songs and the rest. My dream is to raise a powerful mass choir any where I find myself and also to spread the gospel through my voice and singing. “I had all the support I needed from my family when I joined the choir. I come from a music-loving family. My mother was the cul-
tural dance leader in my village and she could sing very well. This, I believe, I inherited from her. Even as a young girl in the village, I was involved in cultural singing and dancing with other girls my age. My mum always encouraged and supported me in everything that had to do with singing, so I had no problem joining the church choir because I got all the support I needed. Even presently, in my village meeting here in Lagos, anytime we have occasions to celebrate and we have to present cultural dance, my fellow members always choose me to lead them in singing. “At the early stage of my sojourn into the singing world, I was up and doing; I could move with the utmost agility, I was very active but now I would say that age has had its toll on me. Age is no longer on my side, therefore I have been restricted physically but that does
Udom with a trophy
not mean that it affected my voice. I still deliver songs with my strong alto. I am very happy when I am singing. For me, nothing could be fulfilling as that. I see it as an achievement for being chosen by God to come sing praises and worship with the voice he bestowed to me from childhood to his glory. “When you are singing, the spirit is leading you and when people hear you, they naturally love the way you sing.
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From the Pulpit
T The voice of wisdom o
with Dr. David
Oyedepo
W
elcome to your regular column. Last week, we examined among other things, how praise facilitates fulfillment of prophecies. Recognize that only the hand of God can fulfil the plans and purpose of God in our lives (1 Kings 8:15, 23-24).
For us to experience sudden changes in our lives, it will take God! Every prophetic declaration is beyond you to make happen (1 Samuel 2:9). This week, we shall continue from where we stopped in that teaching. Today, I will show you what is in the weapon of praise. • God beautifies anyone in praise (Psalm 149:1-4). • Praise is a spiritual platform for executing vengeance (Psalm 149:69). • God has ordained praise as a medium through which we humiliate our enemies. • We invoke victory in every battle of life. • Praise is a facilitator for sudden turnaround (2 Chronicles 20:20-24). None of the enemies of Judah escaped! They were all smitten! • Paul and Silas prayed and sang
Let’s go
BIBLE with Favour
Tioluwani Email: letsgobible@gmail.com
Two questions to answer this week. Is masturbation a sin? I’m 17 and I have been doing it for a long time but I don’t know if I’m hurting God. Second question is, How can l overcome masturbation? Thanks Ma. Good questions to ask, and brave of you to ask it. The Bible doesn’t say much directly about masturbation. (Some people point to Genesis 38:9, but that’s not really about masturbation.) The Bible doesn’t seem to condemn the actual act of masturbation, but there’s more going on in our minds if we do it. While the Bible nowhere explicitly states that masturbation is a sin, there is no question as to whether the actions that lead to masturbation are sinful. Masturbation is nearly always the result of lustful thoughts, sexual stimulation, and/or pornographic images. It is these problems that need to be dealt with. If the sins of lust, immoral thoughts, and pornography are forsaken and overcome, masturbation will become a non-issue. Many people struggle with guilty feelings concerning masturbation, when in reality; the things that led to the act are far more worthy of repentance. There are some biblical principles that can be applied to the issue of masturbation. Ephesians 5:3declares, “Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity.” It is hard to see how masturbating can pass that particular test.
Sunday April 19, 2015
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Experiencing the Wonders of Praise! (3) praises. Immediately the prison door opened and they regained their freedom (Acts 26:25-30). They were to be executed the following day; but something turned suddenly for them and they were liberated. • The Israelites were in slavery in Egypt for 420 years. However, suddenly, God turned the tide for them and they were liberated. Besides, divine favour became their portion (Exodus 12:36). • Suddenly, Joseph the slave and prisoner became a Prime Minister in Egypt without election! He was a prisoner last night and emerged next day as a Prime Minister (Psalm 105:17-22). • Praise is a platform for provoking supernatural turnaround. • Praise ushers us into the realm of wonders without stress. • Revelation is in praise. • Praise ushers us into the Voice of God (Isaiah 30:10, 31). • There is anointing in praise (Psalm 82:9, 20-22). We are freshly anointed when we praise God. Your appearance before God entitles you to fresh oil. • God, revelation and anointing are in praise. A combination of these three will culminate in signs and wonders! Recognize that the more praiseful we are, the more honourable our lives become. The more praiseful we are, the
more breakthroughs we command. Besides, we carry God’s presence and live a more-than-conqueror’s life. Virtues of Praise Warfare: • Praise warfare is a platform for provoking all the written judgment in scriptures. • You can invoke answers to your prayer by praise (1 John 3:8; Matt. 15:13). • Every good thing is our heritage in Christ (Ps. 34:20). Examples of some good things are marriage (Proverbs 18:22), children (Psalm127:3-5) and gainful employment (Isaiah 3:10). These are our rights, but they require praise to take delivery of them. • Praise warfare silences our mockers. For example, when David was dancing unto the Lord with all his might, his wife mocked and despised him. The consequence was that God shut her womb. She became barrenness all her life (2 Samuel 6:14-16)! • Praise warfare silences our enemies (Matthew 21:16). • Praise provokes fulfillment of prophecies. Abraham gave God all the glory and Isaac was born. Romans 4:1921 says: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to
God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Friend the grace to tap into what praise warfare carries, is the birthright of children of God. You become a child of God by accepting and confessing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are not yet a child of God, you can do so right now, by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. From today, I accept You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!” I will see you next week, if Jesus tarries! Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Understanding the Power Of Praise and the Wonders Of Praise. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively. •I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org
‘Everything that does not come from faith is sin’ (1) The Bible teaches us, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). If you cannot give God glory for something, you should not do it. If a person is not fully convinced that an activity is pleasing to God, then it is a sin: “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Further, we need to remember that our bodies have been redeemed and belong to God. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do with our bodies. In light of these principles, the conclusion that masturbation is a sin is biblical. Clearly, masturbation is not glorifying to God; it does not avoid the appearance of immorality, nor does it pass the test of God’s having ownership over our bodies. On the positive side, the Bible has lots to say about the goodness of sex. (Gen 2:24-25, 1 Cor 7:5, Song of Songs) Sex is part of God’s good creation and sexual urges is not a sign of sin but a part of being human. However sex is for marriage, and works to bind a husband and wife together in a profound way. Sex in marriage is good, but any other sexual activity is a distortion of that goodness. That’s why such activities as adultery, casual sex and so on are condemned. Jesus condemns looking at women or girls in order to lust after them. (Matt 5:28) So peering at chicks, which lots of 17 year old guys would treat as normal, is a sin and offends God. It’s easy to get sucked into a cycle which fuels sexual desire to the point where it can’t be controlled. Peering at girls at school or at the beach, looking at pornography, worst of
all internet porn, all fuel desire. When masturbation leads to unhelpful sexual thinking and lust you are sinning and need to do something about it. Make the conscious, aggressive decision to look somewhere else, or go somewhere else, or turn the computer off or whatever it takes! Jesus promises that when we are being tempted, he’ll give us a way out. (1 Cor 10:13). Yes, It is very true that sexual tension’s can be almost impossible to endure! Sometimes they feel unbearable. But that’s OK! This is life - this is human reality - like it or not! This is the most corrupted generation in human history for widespread, unbridled sexual promiscuity. Human beings ARE sexual creatures! The instinct for sex can be overwhelming for both men and women! Sexual images, pornography, and enticements to sexual vanity are everywhere! It is a slippery slope! From gorgeous fashion models, to the M-TV bare-belly dirty dancing culture: the whole civilization is enticed into pride, lust, fornication, adultery, vanity, addiction to pornography, masturbation, and consequently the complete loss of appreciation for the power of grace, or the true purpose of sexuality and marriage. Remaining pure is NOT easy. Living a pure life is the hardest thing in the world to do! So, it is NO surprise that people find it extremely difficult live up to Christian ideals. God is a loving father who understands this! He loves His children, and patiently nurtures them. He is very concerned with rescuing his children from traps, and powerfully leading them to spiritual maturity. To do this, he must be quick to forgive! So he always picking them up, forgiving them, renewing them, and empowering them with even greater graces. Still, it must be very clear what is right and wrong! Masturbation is wrong! If you could shoot heroin just once
it wouldn’t be so bad. But it does not work out that way. Likewise, masturbation is not something people just do “occasionally.” If the urge is not resisted, it quickly becomes a habit. It’s a nasty habit of continually consenting mentally and spiritually to acts of sexual impurity. Masturbation is a selfish act where we take advantage of and abuse our procreative power. God cares about what we do with our bodies, in public or in private, and He doesn’t want us to abuse ourselves in any way. Did you know that in older dictionaries the definition of the word masturbation is “self-abuse”? And if you were to look in a current dictionary under the word self-abuse, the word “masturbation” would be the second definition given. To this day, the two words of “masturbation” and “self-abuse” are linked together, masturbation/self-abuse. You might be thinking, “How am I abusing myself by doing this?” You are abusing yourself by masturbating because you are improperly handling something that God entrusted to your care. You are taking something that God gave us (our bodies and minds) and using it in a perverse manner. When masturbating, you are defiling your mind with obscene thoughts and then defiling your body by using it to act out those thoughts. To “defile” something means “to make unclean, to make impure.” Matthew 15:19-20 reads, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication… these are the things which defile a man.” Continued next week •You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com
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verything works in this life based on the connection that such thing enjoys. The state of your connection in life is determined by connection. Your being a success or failure is predicated on your connection. Great men enjoy great connections while small men enjoy little or no connection. The connection at one’s disposal determines the extent of his or her fulfillment in the journey of life. Struggle in searching for fulfillment in your marriage, your career, your project and everything other that concerns you will end as soon as you locate your connecting point. Unnecessary struggles and every form of unhappiness in life are tied to not being connected. The crown of your destiny lies in the connection that you enjoy. Take for instance, no matter how effective an electric fan is, it will not serve you well by blowing the room and possibly alter the ambient temperature of your room, if the said fan is not connected to a power source. The fan requires a connection to serve its owner effectively. In the same vein, weakness in life is a function of not being connected to the source of divine power. This implies that, divine connection makes you powerful. It takes weakness and powerlessness away from you and makes you stronger to effectively carry out your purpose for living. Another good side of divine connection is that, it paves way for prophecies to come to pass. Divine connection is a vehicle for prophetic fulfillment. There was plethora of prophecies that had gone ahead of the birth of Jesus. Those prophecies did not however, see the light of fulfillment until they have found their God ordained connection. For Jesus, meeting with John the Baptist was the nexus for the fulfillment of all the many-generation-prophecies that had gone ahead of Him. The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me
From the Pulpit
Sunday April 19, 2015
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Divine connection
Bishop Opayinka
comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. John 1:29 John did the introduction of Jesus’ personality to the people even though He was not the only person that came for the baptism. He created the first public awareness about what Jesus came to do for mankind. Beside, the meeting between Jesus and John was also to fulfill the prophecy that God told John about Jesus. Similarly, if there has been anything that has been said to you, either in God’s word or through prophetic declarations, its fulfillment will come the very day that a connection is established. Prophecies will suffer colossal loss if the recipients of those prophecies could not locate the point of connection for their fulfillment. For Saul to enjoy the actual fulfillmentof his destiny, God gave him a connection by meeting Prophet Samuel (1Samuel 10:910). Your journey from Point A to Point B in
the affairs of life needs a link. Such a link is your connection. Even in the conventional world, people depend on godfathers’ connections to get things done. Politicians depend on their political godfathers for electoral victories. But in the Kingdom of God, we depend on GOD-CONNECTION to get things done. God has programmed some men and women to help and assist us in fulfilling our life’s goals, but what you need to do is to locate them. They are the God ordained connections for your life. All you need to do is to discover those people. You can discover them through your prayers (Luke 3:21; John 14:13-14), you can also activate your connection through sacrificial giving (2 Kings 4:8). THE PLACE OF CONNECTION You can establish your God ordained connection through the following: 1. The house of God: The house of God is one of the best places to connect with God, reason being that the name of the Lord has been placed on anywhere that is dedicated unto God. Jesus said “the house of God is a place of prayer- a
place to connect with God. Many people had contact with Jesus during his earthly ministry in the synagogue (house of God) 2. Our response to the servant of God: Every genuine servant of God carries the presence of God with them to where ever he/she goes. Our sincere response to them at any time connects us the power of God that is in their life. We can connect God by believing them and responding to their needs. 3. The place of fellowship: When we gather together with others to honour the Lord, we can command so much anointing through our cooperate worship. Worshiping God with other sincere believers is a good way of connecting with God in a unique way. 4. The place of obedience: Our obedience is a great avenue to connect with God. Through our obedience we make God to stay with us (Jn 14:23) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him.”(KJV) Obedience creates a conducive atmosphere for God’s presence to be with any man. God is the actual Help. He is not only a Helper, but He is “The Help”. God is the Help and He makes men to help His children across the world. Helpers are the channels through which helps come. But God is the source of the help that comes to the helpers before they in turn help God’s children. Destiny links are destiny helpers. They are the men and woman ordained by God to show you the road to the throne. Be assiduous in discovering your own today. Be a prayer addict. Be a dangerous giver. Be an obedient child of God and you will see God working for you. •Bishop Joshua K. Opayinka Glorious Tabernacle International, Behind AdegbemileCul. Centre, Akure, Ondo State. 08060297831 glorioustabernacle@ gmail.com
News
Cleric expresses concern over missing Chibok Girls ODINAKA URUAKPA
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he Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, has expressed concern over the continued search for the missing Chibok School girls one year after they were abducted by the Boko Haram sect from their school.
Osu lamented that it is quite unfortunate that a year ago, precisely April 14, 2014, following their sudden abduction from their school, the Chibok girls are yet to be found, not to talk of being rescued, noting that the worrisome part is that despite efforts of the Nigerian Army in combing the towns and
villages occupied by the insurgents, including the dreaded Sambisa forest, there was no clue on the possible where-about of the girls. “The situation on ground makes one to wonder, what exactly is the problem? Is it that the girls have vanished into thin air, or that the much publicized story of their abduction was a farce in the first place? These are just some puzzles plaguing most Nigerians at this period in time. Perhaps there is more to the whole incident than meets the eyes” he quipped. The cleric continued “I believe the top echelon of the Nigerian Army is in a better position to tell Nigerians the true situation of things regarding the girls, and the evidences they have (if
any) that there are still some possibilities that the girls may be found alive in the near future. But one thing is very clear; even if the girls are found, many of them would not be the same again. Judging from the threat by the sect members, many of them would have been married away, sold, or even killed, as the case may be.” He charged the outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan to give Nigerians a wonderful parting gift by ensuring that his government gets to the root of the matter as soon as possible adding that by so doing, the president would succeed in further entrenching his name in the hearts of Nigerians. “However, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has also pledged that
within a short time, after his swearing in, he would ensure the girls are brought home. Whatever be the case, what Nigerians need at this point in time is to talk less and act more. As for the families of the girls, my heart goes out to them even as I remember them always in my prayer. They need the empathy and support of every one of us, including the government. However, the big lesson in all of this is that our government must place high premium on security in all aspects of our national life, including educational institutions, and also around our border towns to guide against such reckless invasion of our territorial integrity by terrorists in the future; may God help Nigeria”, he concluded.
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From the Pulpit
Sunday April 19, 2015
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‘Do whatsoever he says to you’ H
ave you ever been embarrassed or nearly embarrassed before people? How did it feel? Who rescued you? It is usually not fun to get embarrassed. Yet, we all run that risk at different times and in different situations throughout the course of life. Aren’t you glad that Jesus is quick to save us from embarrassment? What a mighty God we serve! He is the Master of every situation and circumstance. Nothing left in His control can ever get out of His “able” control! The setting of our story is Jesus goes to a party in John 2:1-10. A wedding party with lots of food and drinks and dancing. Jesus is a Man of the family. He is always accessible and gracious. Jesus conducted the first wedding at the Garden of Eden between Adam and Eve, the crowning of creation. No surprise then that His first miracle on earth as Saviour also occurred at a wedding ceremony. Jesus loves marriages. Jesus was invited to this wedding at the Cana of Galilee. Let’s give them credit for that. But Jesus was relegated to the background as an ordinary guest. Invited, but not to perform the wedding; not as master of ceremony, or as chairman of the occasion. Not as the center of attraction, or to perform a miracle. Others were more recognized than Him. There was a great crowd. There were hired servants/servers. It was the talk of the town. Jesus was in their midst but not in charge. Not even on the high table.
The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses
Alu
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he Bride Television is one year on air now. Few weeks back, a sister came to my office and was reminding me about her encounter with me in my office. She is one of those supporting the television programme. But I didn’t remember this encounter. She said she came to my office one day to pay her contribution. She said after paying, she left, but that I asked them to call her. She said when she came; I looked at her and asked her if she in believing God for anything. She told me she was looking at me with amazement, but that I was in a hurry and all I said was that the Lord will visit her; that something good was coming her way. May be after she paid her money, I got the revelation for her. She left. I don’t know if that sister is here now? She is not here or she doesn’t want us to know her. It is this Shunamite woman that is making me remember her story. She said when she left my office that day, what was in hers my mind was that the Lord was about to settle her marriage. She said shortly after this, the person heading her department was transferred and she was asked to take his place but she was reluctant. People came to convince her to take over but she remained adamant saying she didn’t want the problems in that office. This is an office that others lobby with a lot of money to occupy. They made it compulsory for her to take over. She said it was then she remembered the revelation what I told her; that something good was coming her way. I say the same thing to somebody here today; your
That is food for thought for our marriages too! Is Jesus just an onlooker in your home or is He the center of attraction and passion? Where He is recognized and patronized, He is the Regent and Patron! His power is released where His presence is renowned. It was customary to serve food and wine for seven days of the wedding feast. In this instance, it was being organized by the groom (see also Judges 14:10). The embarrassment was that the wine was to be exhausted before the feast was over. Jesus came to their rescue! He will come to your rescue also and save you from embarrassments. Amen. It was Mary the mother of Jesus who approached Him to save the day. When Jesus responded to His mother’s request “My time has not yet come,” (John 2:4), He was showing that He was conscious of His divine mission. Here, and elsewhere, we see how alert He was that He was moving towards His special destiny (John 7:6, 8 ,30; 8:20). Jesus was keenly aware of, when His time had come (John 12:23, 27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1). The advice of the mother of Christ to the servants: “Whatsoever He says to you, do it!” This was the only command in the gospels from the lips of Mary! The result was the miracle of the Lord. “Whatsoever He says to you, do it!” Mary knew that her son was no ordinary man, He was the God-Man, our Creator (John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-17), and our Redeemer (Isa 43:1; Eph 1:7; John 1:4; 1 John 5:11; 1 Pet 1:18, 19). Many do what He does not say. That is the same disobedience as not doing what He says. To hear what He says and not do it is self-deception (Matt 7:24-27; James 1:22-23). What He
says is in the Bible; so if we do what the Bible teaches, we do what He wants us to do (John 5:39-46; 6:63; 7:37-38). A question that demands an answer by all professed Christians is: “and why call ye me: ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). “Whatsoever He says to you, do it!” To obey the Lord means to do all He commands us to do, not just what we are pleased to do. God is very particular that we obey Him in all things. Moses learned this truth the hard way (Exod 4:24-27). The man of God that had been sent to speak against an idolatrous king, too, learned it the hard way (1 Kings 13:1-24). These things have been written for our admonition (Rom 15:4). Many profess to believe on Him but live in perpetual disobedience to Him. The prophet Ezekiel has these memorable words: “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouths they show much love, but their hearts go after their covetousness” (Ezek 33:31). There are people who have good intentions; they plan to do the will of God, but not now. They procrastinate like Felix, the Roman Governor (Acts 24:25). The Bible never records Felix ever coming to faith in Christ! Procrastination earned him eternal damnation. Not so with Paul. Upon his conversion encounter with the risen Christ, Paul insists: “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” (Gal 1:16). Similarly, Abraham obeyed the Lord even though he did not understand all the details (Gen 22:1-12). Salvation is based upon obedience. Jesus said: “Ye are my friends, if ye do what-
soever I command you” (John 15:14). Paul concurs:“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom 2:13). Furthermore, “but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own self” (James 1:22; Heb. 12 25). Obedience is the source of true blessings. Had Moses obeyed the Lord and spoken to the rock, he would have been permitted to lead his people into the promised land. Had Peter not obeyed the Lord and caught the fish that had the money needed for their taxes, he would never have known the knowledge and power of his Master. “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22). Total obedience is the hallmark of true last days believers, a people that obey His Commandments. “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12). This is critical especially in the last days of this world’s history, which are marked by rebellion against the will of God (Luke 17:2629). Even angels love to obey the Word of God (Ps.103 20). “Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have a right to the tree of life” (Rev. 22:14). Therefore, my friends: “Whatsoever He, Jesus says to you, do it!” •Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/ SMS 08058299434/08060376577.
He cares (7) blessings will begin to pursue you as you leave here. You don’t understand, I say it again; your blessings will begin to pursue you as you are leaving here today. He cares! Blessed be the name of the Lord. The disciples were in a boat and suddenly the storm came. They thought they were finished. Jesus was there sleeping. Careth thou not that we perish? He asked them why they were so fearful. He turned and looked at the storm and rebuked it. Today, every storm in your life, the Lord will rebuke it; whether that storm is in your finances, in your marriage, in the area of your business, today, it shall be still in the names of Jesus Christ. Whoever it is and there is a storm around you, he told me to tell you that he cares. Father, confirm through their testimonies today in the name Jesus Christ. But that is if you care for him! He will care for you too. He can’t forget you! He said, can a woman forget her suckling child? It is impossible! He can never forget Israel. He that watches over Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers. Let us look at examples of people that one would have thought the Lord had forgotten. I am sure we remember the story f three Hebrew children; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They told Nebuchadnezzar even if their god will not save them, they will rather die than to bow to your golden image. These are people that have taken a stand. Out of annoyance at this impudence, the fire was heated seven times more. It is also the same thing with some of you here. Because you have decided to follow this rugged part of Christianity, Satan has increased the problems around you and it looks as if God has forgotten you. You must take a stand that even if
he will not sort out these problems, you will keep serving him. God allowed the three Hebrew children to seed the fire and God even allowed them to be thrown into the fire. For them and people around there, that was the end. This is because the people that threw them into the fire were consumed because of the heat; it was a fiery furnace. But the lords turned the fiery furnace into an air-conditioned room. Praise the lord. Those that have set trap for you shall fall into that same trap in Jesus name. Those who have turned you into a slave will become your slaves in Jesus mighty name. Those who have dug pits for you will fall into those pits. Clap your hands for Jesus Christ. He cares. Unknown to Nebuchadnezzar and his people, the Lord was waiting for his children at the bottom of that pit where they put the fiery furnace. This same thing happened to Daniel. He saw the lions. They even made the lions to be very hungry first. But the Lord stopped the mouths of the lions. It looked as if Daniel was finished. I don’t know how many of you have experienced such situations where you think that the problem around you will consume you. Then when it is over, it will be like a dream. And you will be asking yourself, how did I survive that problem? How many of you have experienced that? Yes, it is so common and you will be wondering, so I would have killed myself for nothing! Then you will be so ashamed of yourself for been faithless. I have faced such situations where I could not afford N20 000 and I owed someone N550, 000. And I was taken to the police. I am talking about some years back. This ministry just started and the police were making jest of me, ‘all these fake pastors’. The man wrote all sorts
of lies. As you know, the police will even tell them what to write to make the case so damaging and the police will now harass you very well. It was so humiliating! Before this time, I had tone to the prison but in a more dignified manner and not what I was facing at the police station. They were harassing me and I was trying to give it back to them and they locked me up. In fact, it was their original plan to lock me up. Somehow, I managed to reach my wife and she made contact at the Air Force base to tell them what was happening. Remember, at this time, I was no longer in the Air Force but we are colleagues. They sent a Wing Commander but they dribbled him, all in their plot for me to sleep in the cell and I did. While there, I was imagining and looking at myself in that estate. The Wing Commander came there that day, went straight to the AIG to tell him one of their officers was detained and I was granted bail. When I came home, even in that estate, I went to meet the man and I told him that though he had to employ dirty tactics to get his money, thinking I was not going to pay him, he should not worry that I will certainly pay him. Why am I relating this testimony is that a few weeks after this, the brother called me, apologized and said he has written off the debt, that I should not bother to pay him the money. That is how the storm was calmed. If my testimony is true, anybody here, you are indebted and they are troubling you, from today, they will call you and write off the debts in Jesus name. •Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, OshodiApapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com
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From the Pulpit
Sunday April 19, 2015
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Understanding the power of skill In Christian setup
hat do we mean by skill? Skill means ability or technical knowhow, or expertise in a field.
Eccl. 9:11: The race is not for the swift, nor the battle to the strong neither bread to the wise nor reaches to men of understanding nor favour to men of skill. In every profession you must be skillful. If you are not skillful in your profession, you cannot excel in life. If you don’t have the technical knowhow or you are not an expert in your job you cannot go far in life. Something happened about two years ago. I travelled to Ekiti State in my Jeep. While I was returning, the car developed some mechanical faults. I managed the vehicle to Lagos and I quickly called my mechanic to check it. It took not less than four mechanics over a month to diagonise the problem of the car, not that alone they didn’t even know how to fix it. I eventually got connected to a man who is skillful in the job. It took him only three hours to remove the bad spare-parts and fix the new one. What took four mechanics a month to diagonise only took another person just three hours to diagonise and replace. From that day I stopped patronising those four mechanics. In every of your profession, if you are not skillful, you cannot go far in life. What I am saying in essence is if you are not skillful in life, you cannot stand before kings. Proverbs 22:29. The Bible says seest thou a
Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard
Ojemeni (JP) Continued from last week False Churches: We have seen what the Church is. There is need to know what the Church is not. This is very important so that any person, who wants to partake in the rights and privileges of the Church including the rapture, will know exactly where to belong. Any group that does not confess Jesus as MASTER, LORD and SAVIOUR, that does believe that by His death our sins are crucified and washed away by His blood, that does not believe that He resurrected and ascended to Heaven from where He will come to judge the world. (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 9:11-14) is a false church. And any group that does not worship God in Spirit and in truth, that does not live a holy life, that does not preach the gospel of the cross, heaven, hell, rapture, second coming, the great tribulation, the new millennium, the New Heaven and Earth is a false church. (John 4:23). Any group that does not believe in immersion baptism, Holy Communion – bread representing the body of Christ and wine representing His blood - is fake. In short any group that does not believe in all the ordinances of the New Testament cannot be a true church. This time is the last Church age – the Laodicean Church age. It is a pity that so many of our Pentecostal churches have been overtaken by the spirit of Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-19). The gospel of the cross has disappeared in our Churches. What you hear is money, prosperity, materialism, success, all mundane things. Miracles, signs and wonders, healings, breakthroughs, etc. What about holiness, the fear of God, the message that will cause people to weep for their sins and repent and be con-
Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-time Evangelical Ministry, AbuleEgba, Lagos, in this exhortation, teaches on the need to be skilful. Excerpts: man that is diligent or skillful in his business or profession, he will serve before kings and he will not be found in the midst of mean men. There is nothing you can get done in life without knowing how well to do it. It is the quality of your skill that determines the quality of your output in life. Ø Your fasting, prayer and the anointing cannot be substitute for your skill. Ø There is a language I hate to hear from the mouth of belivers: “If not for the devil, I know where I would have been by now. Stop blaming the devil, there is no devil anywhere, you are yourselves the devil. If you lack skill, you don’t need to blame the devil, but you blame yourself. When you lack skill, it is the cheapest way that your destiny can be destroyed or ruined. Being skillful does not mean you are gifted; skill can only be developed, 1 Sam. 16:11.-12. This particular scripture emphasised on how God chose David the youngest of the children of Jesse to be anointed king in the midst of people that are stronger and taller than him. When we talk about skills, it has nothing to do with your strength but it has something to do with your sense. That is why I often say that in every journey
Pastor Bamidele
of life, you don’t need too much of strength but too much of sense. Proverbs 78:70-71. The Bible also emphasises on being skilful in a man’s endeavour. If you look at one of the greatest footballers of this generation, Lionel Messi, he is always being referred to as a skillful player; he knows what to do with the ball all the time. Before a man becomes skillful, he must have gone through all manner of training and exercise. Skill is applying tactics that will make you do a job excellently. Being skillful has nothing to do with your grammar or certificate. You can be a graduate of mechanical engineering and may not
understand how to loose or tie a knot. That is an indication that you are not skillfu. We call such a person a paperweight man or woman. Great dreams are killed without skill. In the Christian race today, churches neglect skill in prayer. Praying and fasting on a particular thing without given priority to skill is like pouring water in a basket. It will not hold. As much as believers pray, we must learn to be experts in our area of specialisation. People of God, you must know what to do to get what you want. There are so many PhD holders in Africa that are carrying big certificates but are not experts in their fields of specialization, i.e. they are not skilful. Carrying big qualification and certificate is not a guarantee for knowhow to do a thing at a particular time. When you are lazy in life you have no place on earth. Take for instance, Nigeria is an oil-producing country but the unfortunate thing is bad and corrupt leadership. Our leaders still carry our crude oil to the outside world to refine before importing same fuel to Nigeria… because of the greed of people who are making a fortune from this. They purposely killed our refinery so they can get an avenue to steal the country dry.
The Church of Jesus Christ (2) Bishop Bernard Chukwuma Mbamalu Ojemeni, General Superintendent of Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc, in this piece, gives an insight into the New World Order. Excerpts: verted? Why should people who are living in fornication and adultery, boyfriends and girlfriends, fraudulent people, (419 people), husband and wife snatchers, arm robbers, thieves, etc. be comfortable in our Churches? The reason is because we have lost the fire. And the spirit of Laodicea has taken over. And we boast of the size of our congregation, assets, etc. we measure our success by material acquisition. But the question is how many lives have we prepared for heaven? If the trumpet sounds today, how many people in our today’s Pentecostal Churches and others will take part in the rapture? We have to wake up from our slumber. God is no respecter of any body. We have to balance our preaching to reflect all round gospel so that we will be able to save many of our members from going to hell fire. Note: No group is exempted. The orthodox, the charismatic renewals, etc. should work towards preparing souls for the Kingdom of God which is the ultimate. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul in hell. (Mark 8:36). I thank God for the revival that is taking place in some Christian denominations that hitherto have been in the cooler. The Bible says the first shall be the last and the last the first. (Matthew 19:30). In our Churches today, you discover that it is the new converts that are waxing strong in the things of the Lord. The old members have known the Lord so well that nothing moves them again. Any group that has any other mediator besides Jesus Christ is a false church. (I Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus paid the prize alone and declared that it is finished. “It is finished” implies that all that are needed to reconcile men with God have been properly executed. He did not need any assistance before He paid the prize. The heart of God melts when He sees people bowing down to the statue
of Virgin Mary and then of course asking Mary to pray for them. This is a negation of the scriptures. (Exodus 20:4-5). … For there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts.4:12). John 10:7 Jesus made it clear that He is the only door. John 14:6 also affirms this. What else do you want Jesus to tell you before you stop following the doctrines of men which render the word of God ineffective? (Mark 7:7-9, 13). In I Timothy 4:1-3, the Bible talks about a group of worshippers who will forbid marriage and eating of meat as being deceived by the seducing spirit of Satan. Another passage that speaks well of this group is II Timothy 3:5-9. And so you need to heed the warning that says come out of her. II Corinthians 6:17-18. Water baptism does not remove or wash away the original sin. Revelation 1:5; makes it clear that it is the blood of Jesus. Water baptism is to fulfill all righteousness and to identify a believer with the death and resurrection of Christ. Infant or Child baptism is a negation of the scripture. Baptism is for adults who have repented and are converted. All the Pharisees who came to John for baptism were adults – soldiers, tax collectors, etc. The thief on the cross who received Christ at the point of death went to Paradise since he did not have the opportunity to be baptized. (Luke 23:43). If baptism is what removes the original sin as the group claims, the thief would not have gone to Paradise. Therefore be wise and escape for your life. The False Prophets: The Bible says you shall know them by their fruits. Anyone who calls himself a man or woman of God but goes somewhere to get concussion to run a church to be able to perform miracles, signs and wonders still using the name of Jesus is a deceiver. Or where someone prays for you with reddish, black etc. concussion you do not know about, all in the name of anointing
oil, thereby transferring strange powers on you with the promise that no matter where your ministry or business location is, that people will look for you with their money and cars etc. And as a result you see yourself doing extra-ordinary things. In case of business, you see yourself having business boom. And in case of ministry, you see yourself performing signs and wonders. I want to assure you that you are working for the devil and on the last day you will be condemned to hell fire, with all the money you make and thousands of souls you have deceived. You are simply a lion in sheep’s clothing. No wonder Jesus warned the believers to know where they worship and whom they follow. And so if you are not sure the power behind your pastor or church where you worship, you better look for a true living church that preaches all round messages, that has good record in eyes of genuine men as well as in the sight of the Lord. If you have the Spirit of God, He will surely direct you to the right place so that you will not perish at last. Matthew 7:15-23. Any group that still makes sacrifices of bulls, rams, pigeons and, or other form of animal sacrifice. These practices are common among white, yellow, red, blue, etc. garment churches. These practices are found in the old ordinances – the ordinances of the law which are obsolete. (Hebrew chapter 8:9-10) The death of Jesus on the cross has put an end to all forms of sacrifices. Any group of worshippers that still ask for such sacrifices are negating the debt paid on the cross of Calvary by our Lord Jesus Christ. •For further information, contact us at: Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc.16/18, Johnson Street, off Kajola Street, Yakoyo, Lagos. Tel: 08023261219, 09095268897, 08036116881; Email: bishop.bernard@yahoo.com
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From the Pulpit
Hour of Change with Primate
Oyelowo
I
“ want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attain to the resurrection from the dead’’ (Philippians 3:10-11). What then is Resurrection? It is bringing back back something such as belief and practices that had disappeared or been forgotten. It is also concerned with bringing a dead person back to life. We find dead people brought back to life in both the old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, three dead persons were resurrected. Elijah the prohet brought back to life the son of a widow of Sarephath (1 kings 17:17-24) Prophet Elisha who succeeded Elijah brought life back to two dead persons, one life time and the other, after his death (2kings 4:18-37;13:20). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ our Lord brought back to life four dead persons. One was a widow’s son (Luke7:11-17). The
Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.
I
Bona
wish to summarise this teaching, this week, I have the belief that this teaching has revived and lifted your spiritual life to the next level. I also know it is has given you a clear revelation and understanding about yourself. Through this teaching you have been able to weigh yourself, with the word of God to know the heights of your spiritual maturity. This was the very understanding apostle Paul had that made him to put away childish things and aimed for spiritual maturity. He said, when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1st Corin. 13:11. God cannot trust values in the hand of a child. Not until when the child grows and become a son in the Lord.
In the gospel of John 1: 12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” God does not give powers to children. If he do, they would abuse it. They wouldn’t know the value. Riches valuables, treasures and trusts from God would not be save in the hands of children. That is why the Bible made us to know that it is only those that have received him beyond verbal confession are given power to be called the sons of God. That power are the treasures of the kingdom. I may not know what God is denying you according to your judgment. May be, you have not reached the level of spirituality GOD is expecting of you, that is why you suffer some heavenly denials. You have to strengthen yourself up today, and go for higher spirituality in the things of God, that you may be counted worthy to be entrusted with those values. In Galatians chapter 4:1-2 “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” The man is a heir, but has childish mentality. He has not become manly enough to manage trust. Those trust, values or the treasure shall be kept in the cares of tutors and governors, until such a time, when he is matured enough to take wise decisions. The passage above is teaching nothing more than
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Christ and the power of His resurrection second dead was Janus daughter. (Mark 5:3543). Third, dead son of the royal official was brought back to life (John4:47-53). Finally, Jesus Christ resurrected Lazarus, a brother of Martha and Mary (John11:1-44). Peter was not left out of this miraculous act as he brought back life to Tabitha who was also known as Dorcas. (Acts 9:36-43). Paul also performed same wonder as he revived eutychus who fell down from the window he sat while he was in a deep sleep while apostile was preaching. (Acts 20:7-10). Last but not the least is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Almighty God and which I consider is the most important of all. (Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-10). All together there were ten dead persons who were brought back to life among whom was Jesus Christ. With this extract from the Bible, every true believer must belive in resurrection. Resurrection is of two categories, resurrection to life and resurrection to shame, contempt and condemnation (Daniel 12:2,John 5:28-29). Therefore, death is not the final stage of our lives (Herbr.9:27). We shall be resurrected to give account of our stewardship. It is at this stage every belivers will know whether everlasting life belongs to him or everlasting doom (2Cor 5:10)
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST It witnesses to the immense power of God himself. Believing in the resurrection is believing in God, as God is actually in existence and He created the universe and has power over it, He has power to raise the dead. He who created life can resurrect it after death. He is the only God who can reverse the hideousness that is death itself and only He can remove the sting of death (1 Cor 15:44-45). The resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is the basic tenet of Christian faith. Unlike other religions, Christianity alone has a founder who transcends death and who promises his followers will do the same. Other religions founded by prophets and men have grave as their end. As Christians, we have consolation in the face that our God became man, died for our transgressions and resurrected the third day, He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven and he will judge at judgment day. In 1 Cor 15;Paul explains the importance of Jesus resurrection in details. Paul gives six disastrous consequences if Christ was not resurrected. (1) Our preaching is of no meaning (v 14)
(2) Faith in Jesus is useless (v 14) (3) All preachers of resurrected are liars (v15) (4) No one will be redeemed from sin (v17) (5) All former dead would have perished (v18) (6) Christians would be the most dejected people on the earth earth(v19) But glory be to God for Christ has indeed risen the dead and ‘’has became the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’’ (v 20) thereby assuring us that we follow him in resurrection. Because of the hope and assurance we have in Jesus resurrection, we have no choice than to sing a song of triumph as recorded in 1 cor 15:55 which reads thus: where, o death is your victory? Where o death is your sting. In rounding up this write up, I decree that everything dead in your life will be resuscitated and your glory speak again. Happy Easter Sunday! Till then shalom! •You can contact us at: The Word of Life, Agbo Igbala Ti Kiish Aladura Church 70 Patey street Lagos State. Tel: 07040517413
Breaking out of the child in you – 6 what I have just explained. Sad enough, this is the spiritual challenges facing great number of Christians today. Majority of today’s Christians, have their glories, fames, honour and testimonies kept in the custody of either environmental strongman, territories strongman or foundational strongman. God has not bothered to command the strongman to release their next levels to them simply because God is still waiting for them to grow strong enough to handle spiritual matters. Transformation can only happen when you receive the word of life, so deeply in you to the extent that your flesh is crucified in it. Nevertheless, you live, yet not you but the life you live now, you live by faith of the son of God, who loved you and gave himself for you. Second, you must believe in God through the work of salvation which he gave to them that believe in him by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. This belief must so well rooted in you that, daily you overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and by the word of your testimony. Thus loving not your life unto death. A life shaped in this manner is a product of transformation and redemption. In addition transfiguration can only take place, in your life when you are willing to drop childish characters. Remember transfiguration is a mountain top experience. In Mark 9:2 “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.” Climbing the mountain is a spiritual growth. Transfiguration is experiencing the glory of God. Peter, James and John, experienced the glory of God in the highest, when they separated from others disciples. Bible said, Jesus took them to the mountain apart by themselves. If you are unwilling to put away somethings in your life, then you will never experience transfiguration. It is very distressing to observe that, many Christians of today want a change but, they are not prepared to obey the law of change. The law of change is that you must remove the old to put the new. For example, if you wish to go to a place of honour, such as wedding, and or special functions, do you go with your house wears, what do you do? Do you not first take away your house clothes, then take a good bath, good creams, good perfumes, for them that use it before put-
ting on your outing clothes. Have you not unconsciously, obeyed the law of change by removing the old clothes to put on the new clothe, because you want to go to the place of honour. Transfiguration is a divine reorganization and honour. Anyone who wish to be honoured by God, who is not prepared to put away the old, in other to embrace the new, is a big joker. That was why Apostle Paul said, but when I became a man I put away childish things. In our definition of a man, we noticed that the last factor that shapes a child into what manner of a man he becomes when he is grown is The characters he associated himself with when he was a child There are two major types of training a child receives as he grows. a) Informal training: This is the training that the family gives him as he grows. b) Formal training: This is the training he gets from the school, when he starts going to school. Others forms of trainings a child receives includes: c) Religious training: This is the training he receives from the religion the parents belong. d) Environmental / social training: This is the type of training he receives, from the environment where he was growing as a child. In 1st Corinth. 15:33 “Do not be deceived, evil communication corrupt good manners.” Most men and women in our societies today are living with seeds of corrupts manners which were sown in them when they were children, by the people that lived within their neighbourhood. These seeds have done a lot of untold harm in the daily lives and characters of these men and women. Most of them today are addicted drunkards, smokers, womanisers, manisers, and professional liars. These seeds were sown in these men and women, by their corrupt neighbours who lived in their neighbourhood, when they were children. They became infected by these seeds as children, watching these corrupt neighbours living these dirty lives. Today they want to walk away, and get themselves separated from
this habit, but it hasn’t been easy. My prayer is anyone reading through this message, who is under domination of this evil seed struggling to free himself or herself from the powers attached to this bondage by the anointing that flows through this write up I command deliverance upon that soul now in the name of Jesus. It may not be good for me to end this message, without itemizing some lifestyles and characters which if you notice anyone of them in your life means you still have childish mentality. These lifestyles are: 1) In ability to appreciate God, by giving testimonies or show gratitude to anyone who did a favour to them 2) They are self centred, they do not care for any brother or sister in the church suffering. They can never give their money for caring for the needy 3) They like freedom. They believes in once saved always saved 4) They have very poor sense of value. They do not value any prayer point, deliverance, fasting and or church programme 5) They dream and forget. They forget a lot, such thing as message topics, Bible quotation and things like that 6) They are shy to preach the word of God 7) They are afraid to confess Jesus openly 8) They go to church late every Sunday 9) They have been Christians for many years, but cannot be a worker in the vineyard of God. May God bless you in Jesus name. TESTIMONY More than five years barren conceived I have been believing God for conception for more than five years now, I have taken all medication attended different churches, but the first day I came to this church I did touching the garment of Jesus. The man of God prophesied in my life, that month I conceived. Glory be to God in Jesus name. Sis. Joy •ADDRESS: Pastor Kingson I. Bona General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries No. 6, David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun-Ikotun, Lagos. 08023404926, 08038206508 www.chapelofholiness.org
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Civil Service
Sunday, April 19, 2015
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FG, TETFUND to disburse N1.3trn to universities PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA.
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resident Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government has set aside N1.3 trillion through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to be disbursed to all the 138 public universities, across the nation as intervention to tackle challenges confronting the institutions in key areas. Jonathan, who stated this at the 24 Convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, explained that the funds would be
channeled towards improving the quality of infrastructural and personnel developments and other teaching and learning facilities in the public institutions. The President, who spoke through the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. James Okoje, said the funds for the ivory towers would be disbursed to them over a period of six years. He said, “Existing universities have no means left out of the transformation in the tertiary education system. Government has, through the TETFund
made the sum of N1.3 trillion to be disbursed to all public universities over a six year period.” “I, therefore, urge the Management to ensure judicious use of its allocation from the intervention fund to enhance FUT Minna and also leverage on staff development fund.” Also, giving a breakdown of the 138 universities, the President stated that two of the 40 federal universities are Military and Paramilitary, 59 are private and 39 are state universities, and in addition to 50 study centres operated by the National
Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), spread around the nation. Speaking, the university’s’ Pro Chancellor, Godwin Atuwatse, who is also the Olu of Warri, listed a number of factors that militates against sound academic standards in tertiary institutions to include cultism, armed robbery and examination malpractice to the point, he lamented degrees obtained from the nations’ universities are no longer respected outside the shores of Nigeria. Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, FUT Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji said a to-
L-R: Head of Lagos Operation, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Prince Jide Adebayo; National Information Officer, United Nation Informations Centre; Oluseyi Soremekun and Director, Ronald Kayanja, during a courtesy visit to NAN office in Lagos at the weekend.
Govt approves forensic audit of NDPHC accounts
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he Board of the Niger Delta Holding Company, NDPHC, has approved the forensic audit of statement of accounts of the company. Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State made this known when he addressed State House correspondents on the outcome of the last meeting of the board under the current administration. The meeting was chaired by Vice-President
Namadi Sambo. Dankwanbo said the audit report was aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency as well as achieving adequate power distribution in the country. “With today’s approval (of the audit) 2013/2014 statement of accounts of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company would have been made up till date for onward transmission to whoever is interested in getting to know the truth finan-
cials of the company that we have managed. “Also, the demarcation was that 2005 to 2012 was a single company that was formed, the Delta Power Holding Company, the different is that in 2013 and 2014 that has been fragmented into several other companies. Very soon before the audit will be concluded and that will also be signed.’’ The Managing Director of the company, Mr. James Olotu, who also addressed
the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said 265 out of the 296 distribution power projects initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had been completed. According to him, the board has successfully completed 330/132 kv substation and many other power projects. He said some of the completed projects would soon be inaugurated before May 29.
tal of 3,490 students graduated, out of which, 2,903 were first degree graduates; 105 got post graduate diplomas, 453 bagged Masters’ degrees and 29 were awarded Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
He also explained that of the First degree category, 34 made First Class, 1,190, Second Class Upper Division, 811, Second Class Lower, 1,363, Third Class, while 648 graduated with Pass.
NAMA assures passengers of uninterrupted air traffic service
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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Saturday assured intending passengers and the general public of uninterrupted air traffic service within the Nigerian airspace. The agency’s Ag. General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, gave the assurance in a statement issued to newsmen in Lagos. Adetona assured that there would be no disruption in the provision of air traffic services on Monday, April 20. She said that the mandate of the agency was to provide safe, economic, efficient and expeditious air navigation services. She also assured that airlines operators and other service providers that relied on the agency’s services to go ahead with flights as scheduled. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) vowed to embark on industrial strike starting from Monday April 20, if their demands were not met. NAN reports that the association, on Friday, grounded the airspace across the country for more than six hours to protest their welfare package allowance that was yet to be implemented by the government. Adetona stated that the current agitation by air traffic controllers on harmonisation of professional allowances with other pro-
fessional groups in NAMA had been addressed on its merit and resolved by the Federal Government. “On the strength of this resolution, there is no cause for any industrial disharmony by professional groups in the agency. “Moreso, in further commitment to our staff welfare, NAMA wishes to reassure the general public of the safety and security of the Nigerian airspace. “The service delivery capacity of the agency has been at optimum and further enhanced by the recent successful calibration of navigational aids across the country. “In line with the agency’s vision, several safety-critical projects, in particular ADSC/CPDLC, are being closed to fully optimise capacity,” she said. FRSC, NSC say physical exercise promotes creativity The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and National Sports Commission, NSC, yesterday said that frequent physical exercise such as walking and jogging would promote sport development and peace in the country. They said this at a joint Walking and Jogging exercise with the theme `Walking/Jogging for sports development and peace’ at the National stadium in Abuja. The FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, represented by Deputy Corps Marshal, Adei Abu, said frequent jogging and walking by citizens will boost their productivity and creativity at all times.
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Business
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FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday April 19, 2015
Oil prices: Nigerian banks need capital boost, says S&P JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORTS
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irst Bank of Nigeria Ltd., the country’s biggest lender by assets, will be among banks that need to raise capital or restructure their balance sheets in the next 18 months to combat low oil prices, according to Standard & Poor’s. S&P increased its view of Nigeria’s Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment to nine from eight on April 15, in line with
Kenya and one notch above the lowest level. The more than 40 per cent plunge in Brent crude prices since June is weakening the economy of Africa’s biggest oil producer and may lead to an increase in bad loans, the ratings company said. Nigeria’s central bank, which requires lenders to have a capital adequacy ratio, or CAR, of at least 15 percent, last year removed some assets that count as capital as it sought to bol-
ster the financial industry’s ability to withstand shocks. Banks should build a buffer of 1.5 to 2 percentage points above the regulator’s benchmark, according to Matthew Pirnie, a director in S&P’s financial services team. “There will be a lot of capital raising,” Pirnie said in an interview in Lagos Thursday. First Bank “is one that in the next 12 to 18 months will have to do some sort of capital raising or come up with a balance sheet strategy” that may
include “slowing growth or removing assets.” First Bank’s CAR stands at 16.7 per cent and will rise as the company retains more profit in future, Bello Maccido, chief executive officer of holding company FBN Holdings Plc., said in an interview in Lagos on April 13. “We are not going to sell shares to do that,” he said. Loan losses in Nigeria will increase to as much as three per cent in the next two years from about 1.8 per cent, according to Pir-
nie. The figure for South African banks is less than 1.5 per cent, he said. Several Nigerian lenders have already started to boost their capital buffers. United Bank for Africa Plc. started a N11.5 billion share sale in December, while Access Bank Plc. completed one of N53 billion on March 18. Skye Bank Plc., whose credit rating S&P lowered to Bon April 15, six levels below investment grade, plans to raise N50 billion in a rights issue, it said in March.
Nigerian banks have to contend with a weaker naira as well as increased risks from their lending to oil and gas explorers. The naira has fallen 17 per cent against the dollar in the past six months as export revenues from oil plunged. Non-performing loans will probably rise among power companies, many of which have borrowed in dollars, as well as small businesses, which are struggling to pay for imports, Pirnie said.
Global growth moderate, uneven –IMF
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he International Monetary Fund warned in a communique on yesterday that while economic growth in developed countries had strengthened, some emerging nations were being hit by weaker commodity prices and exports. With the United States poised to hike interest rates, the IMF member nations said it was essential that moves to “policy normalization” were accompanied by effective communication of changes to reduce risks of spillovers. “The possibility of lower growth potential is becoming a more relevant challenge over the medium term,” the IMF’s steering committee said in a communique during the Fund’s spring meet-
ings in Washington. Those meetings conclude today and have taken place amid growing concerns cash-strapped Greece will fail to reach agreement with its European Union and IMF creditors. At the same time, risks of a stronger dollar and low commodity prices have hit emerging markets as China’s blistering economic growth has slowed. Low inflation remains a concern for many developed economies despite signs the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing program has boosted Europe’s ailing economy, and the communique called for accommodative monetary policy to be maintained where needed.
Insurance brokers urge industry support to fight quacks
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he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, has called on the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM), to employ measure to discourage fake operators from the insurance industry. Interim chairman of the NCRIB Abuja chapter, Ifeanyi Opara who made the call lamented that activities of racketeers in the industry has significantly affected genuine operators the income. The chairman, particularly noted that the fake operators specialises in the issuance of Third Party Motor Insurance. He said the call has become necessary as the fight could only be waged and re-
alised when all stakeholders partner to eliminate fake insurance cover in the country. Opara regretted that law the enforcement agents whose responsibility it is to identify and arrest these quacks by enforcing the Third party insurance have been compromised. He said government, in an attempt to deepen insurance penetration, came up with the law but over the years after the third party insurance was made compulsory its enforcement has been an issue . He complained that because the fake operators issue vehicle licence at low price motorists patronise them just to beat security operators.
L-R: Deputy President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Remi Bello; National President and Jigawa State Governor-elect, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; 1st Deputy National President, Chief Bassey Edem; Nigeria’s President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; NACCIMA 2nd Deputy National President, Iyalode Alaba Lawson and National Vice President, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, during a congratulatory visit to Gen. Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, recently.
...Entrepreneur builds first team-oriented social network DAVID AUDU
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new concept in social networking was unveiled on at trhe weekend in the United Kingdom as Nigerian enterpreneur, Yinka Olugbodi broke the record to unveil Teamspirit, the first global team oriented social network services. Teamspirit took the centre stage at the Google Campus in the United Kingdom on Friday, where it was formally unveiled to the international audience which included business leaders, venture capital investors, ICT professionals and businessmen. Olugbodi said social network just became social with Teamspirit as it pro-
vides avenue for people with diverse backgrounds to connect and interact through the team-based platform. Teamspirit is a new social networking site with a global appeal and it seeks to differentiate its offerings from others. It evolved out of a strong resolve to build a brand that promotes the uniqueness of a team. Its overall relevance is that it is a platform where individuals can team up with others under the same teams. Olugbodi said Teamspirit is dynamic, vibrant and refreshing in its outlook as it seeks to align with the aspirations and desires of the target audience. Its personality is fun and it seeks to engage its audience in a very unique way. Teamspirit is the social
platform where an individual connects to his teams across the globe. It is a collection of all teams in one platform. It is also based on the principle that everyone belongs to a team. The site www.teamspiritlive.com illustrates an innovative and refreshing approach to social networking. Olugbodi asserted further that a significant edge for Teamspirit is that it is the first solely and global oriented team networking site and this clearly positions it as the foremost team networking site. According to Olugbodi, team spirit would be positioned as the arrow head for technological development in Africa by using all potential great resources that are numerous on the continent.
The social networking site is equally an avenue to build an African Silicon Valley through network joining or individuals inviting team mates to join the networking site. This will go a long way to achieve substance a build a global interactive platform for teams. The new social networking site has enormous benefits for the target audience. The benefits include team oriented, individual to team, high quality web, mobile and interactive design, both free joining and restricted joining, online sales and customers facilities chat , inbox and home facilities, usable, friendly and accessible photo and video sharing facilities and sophisticated security levels.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Politics
Sunday, April 19, 2015
51
Okowa’s long walk to Delta governorship THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN
I
ka-born governor-elect of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s, victory at the justconcluded governorship election didn’t come to many as a surprise in spite of the upsets recorded nationwide during the general elections by the All Progressives Congress, APC. The 55 years old University of Ibadantrained medical doctor-turned politician has had an excellent and eventful political career. Okowa had his first shot into the political scene when he was appointed as Secretary to the then Ika Local Government and thereafter became the Chairman of the Ika NorthEast Local Government Council between 1991 and 1993. The governor-elect, who many supporters and political associates considered a camaraderie fellow, was a key kitchen cabinet member of erstwhile governor of the state, Chief James Ibori. He served as commissioner in the eight years of Ibori. Between 1999 and 2007, Okowa’s political tent has grown beyond his immediate Delta North Senatorial District. He was generally referred to as one of the true grassroots politicians in the state. Based on the gentleman agreement for power rotation between the three senatorial zones in the state, Okowa, whose admirers fondly called “Ekwueme” resigned his commissionership to run for the governorship seat in 2007. He came second to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the Ogwashi-Uku PDP primaries, a feat which surprised many political pundits in the state. Close associates of Ibori said he had, before his political misfortunes which landed him in jail in far away United Kingdom, promised Okowa to be the person to succeed outgoing Governor Uduaghan. He was appointed Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in Uduaghan’s first four years. The governor-elect was pivotal to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in all subsequent elections. Just like in 2007, Okowa resigned his position as SSG to contest for the senatorial seat in Delta North in 2011. As luck would have it, he won his party’s ticket for the Senate race, defeating the wife of former national chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Alli, as candidate in a rerun where he scored 1,446 votes, against 108 votes for Dr. Maryam Alli. In the April 2011 election for the Delta North Senatorial seat, OKowa won 98,140 votes, ahead of the runner-up, Prince Ned Nwoko, of the Democratic People’s Party, who won 67,985 votes. Keen political followers in the state were of the view that the former Ika North East Local Government chairman went to the Senate to prepare for his guber ambition, most especially when rumours were rife that he is in a cold war with Uduaghan. Ahead of last December primaries of the PDP in Asaba, it was obviously clear that Uduaghan and Okowa were in raging cold war. Although the duo denied media reports of the misunderstanding, one of the emissaries sent to appeal to the outgoing governor confided in Sunday Mirror that the governorelect was too independent-minded. Uduaghan had earlier before the primaries chosen a loyal permanent secretary and chairman of the transition committee in May 29 handover, Sir Tony Obuh, as his pre-
Oko owa a
ferred candidate from Delta North ahead of of Okowa, ex-speaker Victor Ochei and lots of others from the zone. Obuh’s four months campaigns were fierce and deadly, as the attention to grab the PDP guber ticket shifted from regular faces to an unknown technocrat and civil servant. Aside a few politicians who weathered the storm with Okowa, the governor deployed all his loyalists including state machinery to launder the image of Obuh to Deltans. Following heated protests from aggrieved governorship aspirants over imposition of candidate by Uduaghan, he was forced to dump his trusted ally and senatorial ambition. As the politicking continued, the Itsekiri-born medical doctor shifted support and pitched tent with a former commissioner for finance in Chief Ibori’s era, Olorogun David Edevbie, just two days to the primaries. Edevbie was also the favoured candidate of the Urhobo apex body, Urhobo Progress Union. Aware of the hurdles ahead of the primaries, Okowa, an experienced politician quickly pitched tent with the Ijaws in Delta South with a promise of giving them the opportunity of producing his running mate for the main election. The alignment with the Ijaws led by former militant warlord, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo and Senator James Manager who was also interested in dislodging Uduaghan who had early indicated interest to run for the Senate seat in Delta South thickened and wore ripples. Following this new development, many Uduaghan loyalists resisted attempt by the governor to coerce them to support Edevbie, who is also not a very popular candidate in the race. In fact, the Ijaws and some PDP chieftains in Urhobo vehemently vowed to work for Okowa instead of Uduaghan’s anointed aspirant. A night to the primaries, most governorship aspirants from Delta North were prevailed upon by Anioma Traditional Council to drop their ambition for the governor-elect because of his wide acceptance across the state and to ensure that an Anioma son is elected to succeed Uduaghan. Unknown to Edevbie’s camp, other aspirants aside Ochei collapsed their political structures for the emergence of Okowa. Chief Government Ekpemupolo gave an
order to all Ijaw delegates to vote for Okowa and at the end of the day, with the votes of Urhobo divided and a huge support coming from the Ijaw nation, the Urhobo nation was ambushed and dealt a fatal punch below the belt. Okowa came out with 406 votes to beat Edevbie who had 299 votes. At the end of the keenly contested governorship primaries of the PDP, Okowa was declared flag-bearer in the state. The governorelect emerged winner through the vigorous support from delegates from Delta North, Ijaws and delegates from Uvwie, Sapele, Ethiope West and Okpe councils. After being declared winner, the PDP candidate quickly reached out to all aggrieved aspirants and party chieftains to avert mass defecti from the party. The peaceful outcome of the exercise saved the party from internal wrangling while Uduaghan was pleaded with to support Okowa’s candidacy as the leader of the party in the state. In the constitution of his campaign team, all factions and chieftains were drawn into the campaign list for a cohesive party. Aside from the South-South factor due to President Goodluck Jonathan’s position, Delta State is one state in the country that the opposition party would find difficult to wrestle power from. Most known political figures from the state are all card-carrying members of the PDP. It’s believed that under a free and fair election, the PDP any day will win Delta. Okowa’s last obstacle in royal walk to Government House, Asaba, was squarely between leading opposition leader in the state, Chief Great Ogboru of the Labour Party and first-comer governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. While the Urhobo nation was divided over the choice of a sole candidate between LP and APC, the entire Delta North has resolved to deliver the PDP candidate irrespective of the circumstances. To the average Anioma indigene, it was their turn to produce the next governor of the state for justice and equity.
UDUAGHAN HAD EARLIER BEFORE THE PRIMARIES CHOSEN A LOYAL PERMANENT SECRETARY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE IN MAY
29 HANDOVER, SIR TONY OBUH, AS HIS PREFERRED CANDIDATE FROM
DELTA NORTH AHEAD OF OF OKOWA
Before the April 11 governorship election Sunday Mirror had predicted an easy ride for Okowa who was flying PDP and Anioma people’s flags in the election. This is based on the tacit rotational agreement in the PDP. Another edge the governor-elect enjoyed was the widespread support he enjoyed from the three senatorial districts and he had no difficulty in clearing the votes from Delta North where he hails from and Ijaw axis where his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, comes from. The inability of the UPU to resolve the crisis that bedeviled the association over Urhobo sole governorship candidate was no doubt a plus for Okowa. Many undecided electorate made U-turn to give support to the PDP with the mindset that the two candidates would share the people’s votes. As the saying goes, a house divided against itself cannot stand. So was it. More so, the state is controlled by PDP government under the leadership of Dr. Uduaghan. Chief Ibori’s political dynasty holds sway in the state and the only chance for an opposition to sweep the ruling party off is that one must have to destroy the structure built by the ex-governor. One expects Uduaghan to use government machinery to prosecute the election in favour of his party. In the results declared by INEC state Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Bio Nyananyo, in Asaba, he said that Okowa polled 724,680 votes to beat his closest rival, Chief Great Ogboru of the LP, who got 130,028 votes. Chief O’tega Emerhor of APC finished in the third position with 67,825 votes. Nyananyo said that Okowa won in 21 local government areas out of the 25 in the state while Ogboru clinched the remaining four LGAs. While the PDP celebrates its triumph, the two leading opposition candidates have however rejected the outcome of the polls. While both governorship candidates head to the tribunal to upturn Okowa’s victory, it is also important to note that PDP is also on its way to defend its victory. Emerhor of the APC had at press conference berated the outcome of the exercise, saying the election was marred by violence and non-adherence to the use of card reader machines in most parts of the state as against Jega’s directive that it must be strictly complied with. Ogboru on his part, accused officials of INEC of conniving with some PDP chieftains to rig the April 11 governorship election in the state. Ogboru told newsmen during a press briefing at his country home in Abraka that his party rejected in its entirety the outcome of the governorship poll that produced Okowa as governor, saying the exercise was marred by gross irregularities, including non-adherence to the use of card readers in most parts of the state. Dousing allegations of massive rigging and irregularities that trailed the outcome of the poll, Uduaghan asked the two governorship candidates to accept defeat and work with incoming administration to move the state forward. He explained that the two candidates couldn’t have won the election because they were never on ground in the state while his party was visible in vigorous campaigns to the nook and cranny of the state to solicit the people’s votes.
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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Will Okorocha repeat 2011 victory over PDP in guber rerun? CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI
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pril 25, 2015 has been fixed for a rerun election both for the governorship and House of Assembly in Imo State. This follows the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last Sunday of the governorship election in the state as inconclusive. According to the state’s Returning Officer, Professor Ibidapo Obe, the reason for the inconclusiveness, was because some wards and polling units were cancelled following irregularities observed in 23 local government areas of the state that did not include Ideato North, Ideato South, Ahiazu Mbaise and Owerri Municipal council areas. In the results so far released, Governor Rochas Okorocha and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, scored 385,671 votes to lead his major rival, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. candidate, who polled 306,142 votes. The margin of lead is 79,529 votes. This figure, according to Ibidapo-Obe, is not enough to declare the governor winner because the number of cancelled votes in the affected areas is 144,715. As a result of this, the returning officer declared the election inconclusive. The governor with 79, 529 votes difference would have cruised to victory after garnering 385,671 votes compared to the 306,142 votes scored by the candidate of the PDP, Ihedioha. But the difference was far lower than the 144,715 valid votes cancelled by INEC as a result of irregularities in some wards. Addressing newsmen at the INEC headquarters, in Owerri on Wednesday, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Gabriel Adah, said that the result of the governorship was not clear enough to have outright winner. He said the inconclusiveness was as a result of non functionality of card readers, violence and snatching of ballot boxes, adding that, “it would be wrong under such situation if a winner was declared”. According to him, election would therefore take place in 250 polling booths across the 23 local government areas on April 25. In the same vein, he said the state House of Assembly was also inconclusive in six constituencies of Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Oru East, Oguta, Isu and Owerri West. He said for the results of the assembly election released so far, the PDP had won four while the APC won 16 state constituencies, adding that a rerun would take place in the seven local government areas on the same date with the governorship election. Adah explained that there would be a fresh accreditation of voters for the elections, adding that the commission would use card reader to do the verification, “but if the card reader fails, you must go through Incidence Form as manual accreditation will not be accepted.” Interestingly, INEC’s verdict on the Imo election is a repeat of what happened in the April 26, 2011 governorship election in the state. The commission
Okorocha
Ihedioha
AS A RESULT OF THIS, POLITICAL ANALYSTS ARE OF THE VIEW THAT OUT OF THE REMAINING
144,715 VOTES ACROSS 23 LGAS IN THE STATE, NOT UP TO 100,000 VOTERS WILL TURN UP TO VOTE EVEN THOUGH THE
INEC HAS SAID THERE WOULD BE FRESH ACCREDITATION. WITH THIS, THE ODDS FAVOUR OKOROCHA TO RETURN REELECTED ON APRIL 25 RERUN Jega
then declared the election inconclusive because it did not hold in Ohaji/Egbema, Mbaitoli, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta local council areas as well as in Orji Ward in Owerri North local council. Before that election was declared inconclusive, results for 24 of the state’s 27 local government areas had been announced, with Okorocha then of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, leading in 12 local government areas with a slim total margin while the then governor, Ikedi Ohakim, also led in 12 local government areas but trailed behind Okorocha in the total votes garnered. Just as in this case, a supplementary election was then fixed for May 6, 2011, and Okorocha went on to win. Unlike the 2011 election, where the two candidates then were running neck and neck before the supplementary election, there is likely not going to be any difference in the pattern of results. This is because less than 40 per cent
of the registered voters participated in the 2015 elections in the state. According to the INEC records, out of the 1,761,271 registered voters in the state, only 796,958 voters participated for accreditation in the governorship and house of assembly elections. As a result of this, political analysts are of the view that out of the remaining 144,715 votes across 23 LGAs in the state, not up to 100,000 voters will turn up to vote even though the INEC has said there would be fresh accreditation. With this, the odds favour Okorocha to return reelected on April 25 rerun. Consequently, the PDP might spring surprises with simple majority as most of the areas where rerun elections would hold are its strongholds. For instance, Oru East LGA, where elections did not hold in six wards, Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise, Dimeze in Ihitte Uboma, Ekwe in Isu as well as those of Ohaji Egbema, Ngor Okpala and Oguta LGAs are all PDP strongholds.
The PDP with its seven out of the 27 local government areas of the state may grip power by winning the majority of votes in the rerun election, having garnered the required 25 per cent in 18 local government areas, which constitute two third of the 27 local government areas of the state. However, both sides have been entering into negotiations. Okorocha, it was gathered, has entered into negotiation with Senator Araraume to hand over power to him in 2019. This, however, may be herculean task as Owerri zone has vowed to resist such move vehemently because allowing power to shift to Okigwe means Owerri zone will be out of power for close to 24 years. As this negotiation is going on, Ihedioha’s camp is not leaving anything to chances as efforts are being made to change the tide in their favour, including possible litigation if the odds are in Okorocha’s favour. Based on this, it is not yet over until it is over.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
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debt situation –Bantex that our emerging leaders, particularly our dear president elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, that God will give him the wisdom and the strength to be able to meet up with the expectations of the largely poor and traumatised Nigerians who voted massively for him. For El-Rufai in Kaduna State, I also wish that the skills God has given him will be instrumental in bringing Kaduna out of the present sorry state. The state is into a massive debt profile. I pray that God will give him the wisdom to pull the state out of this serious dept profile to zero level. For me, as someone who has the singular honour and privilege at this time to work with an expert such as El-Rufai, I can only say, it’s quite a privilege and I am very happy and proud to work with such a technocrat. I hope that God will also give me the opportunity to contribute my quota to the development of Kaduna State.
Ban ntex
My observation about the election is that more people are now surer that their votes truly count. Here I want to give kudos to Professor Attahiru Jega and members of INEC. I want to laud the security agencies. More importantly, I applaud the electorate who exercise a lot of restraint, have been patient and followed the rule of law in the process
with some elements of trust and belief in the system. The peaceful nature of the elections was encouraging. A lot of people before the election thought that it was going to be crises-ridden. God was on our side, we got out of it peacefully, and I have nothing to say other than to thank God and to pray
Were there any security breaches in the state during the polls? No, there were some minor issues but in the southern part of the state, the election went well. But my friends from the northern part of told me there were some few incidences but generally, it was peaceful. What the enemy wanted for Kaduna State, that is to create a magnitude of crises that will probably lead to the declaration of a state of emergency, God averted that and we are
very happy about that. What will you say to the people of the state, especially those from the southern part of Kaduna? You know, people from the southern part of Kaduna State have found themselves in different situations but I want to express my happiness that some have realised the need for change. There were some cynicism about the party, what it represents, the background of the people who had been caged for about 16 years by a very deceitful party. I appreciate where they were coming from, and what they were doing, but I also appreciate the strategic move some of the southern Kaduna people made just on good time to bail themselves out. It would have been a political catastrophe. They would have become marginalised in the Nigeria nation and the state in particular. Pulling themselves particularly out of misdirection to a proper place is a good thing. I am proud of them because the APC is here to stay in southern Kaduna and it will bring about things that will be truly a lot better than what the PDP had offered to the region for over 16 years. My belief is that at the end of our tenure, rather than come flying the flag of religion and ethnicity, we will come up with a stewardship report as a basis for asking for support.
emerged as governors-elect
Um mahi
APC candidate or risk perishing in the lagoon. The Oba’s comments provoked outrage in the state, especially from Igbo and some non-indigenes, who vowed to vote for Mr Agbaje, the PDP governorship standard bearer. Thus, the atmosphere before the election was charged. The elections lived up to the billing and it was free and fair as the people voted for the candidates of their choice. The poll was seen as peaceful and credible but witnessed low turnout of voters. The result of the governorship election followed the pattern of the presidential election as PDP won seven seats in the 40-member Lagos State House of Assembly and won outright in Oshodi-Isolo, Surulere, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo.
Prof Isaac Adewole, INEC returning officer for Lagos State governorship election, announced Ambode as winner having polled 811,994 votes against Agbaje’s 659,788 votes. APC won in 15 local councils while PDP won in five. Ambode beat Agbaje with a margin of 152,206 votes which is lower than 160,133 votes polled by Buhari over Jonathan two weeks earlier.
Umahi trounces Elechi in Ebonyi
ALIUNA GODWIN ABAKALIKI
The April 11 governorship poll in Ebonyi State, according to analysts, is adjudged to have received an encouraging level of accep-
tance. There were however reported pockets of violence and killings of some supporters of political parties by rival groups. It was a battle of the fittest, especially with the involvement of the outgoing governor, Chief Martin Elechi, who took an oath not to allow his deputy, Engr Dave Umahi, to succeed him notwithstanding his earlier promise to hand over to him in 2011 when Umahi ensured his second term victory. Apart from Elechi’s earlier desire to hand over power to Ebonyi South zone, he was wrongly advised by his lieutenants whose ego was to siphon the state treasury because they knew that Umahi is a technocrat who does not condone corruption. The genesis of the face-off between Elechi and Umahi started six months ago when Elechi failed to control the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, which led him to hurriedly anoint former Health minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as his preferred candidate but was rejected by the stakeholders of the party. Obviously, when all efforts by Elechi to make Chukwu succeed failed, he decided to adopt Edward Nkwoagu, his in-law who hails from Izzi LGA in Ebonyi North senatorial district to run for governor under the Labour party, LP, and failed woefully in the contest. Also, Elechi was said to have been defeated in his polling unit, Ndiagu Echara Ward 1 in Ikwo Local Govt Area, as he failed to deliver victory to his son (Elechi jnr) who contested for Ebonyi Central senatorial zone under the Labour Party. To Elechi’s surprise, Umahi defeated his
adopted candidate with high margin of votes. He won in the 13 LGA of the state polling a total number of 289,867 votes to defeat his main opponent, Nkwoagu of the LP who scored 124,817 votes. But Umahi, who won through doggedness despite all challenges, has vowed to run an all-inclusive government as he said his administration would continue to empower opposition just as he called on his opponents to embrace peace, saying that together Ebonyi will attain a great height of human and infrastructural development. In order to maintain peace, order and ensure adequate progress and development in the state under the care of the governor elect, Elechi was reported to have run to the former governor, Sam Egwu to help beg Umahi to bury the hatchet and accept him even though he worked against him. The governor noted that he built 36 bridges of unity but begged Umahi to build 36 bridges of human relationship in the state, assuring him that he would support him to deliver democratic dividends to the people. Political observers believe that the reconciliatory meeting was not unconnected with the threat of the governor-elect to probe prominent cabinet members and caretaker council chairmen for alleged financial misappropriation and embezzlement. Meanwhile, Umahi’s victory was seen as an affront to Elechi who anticipated that his successor may probe him on alCONTINUED ON PAGE 54
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
How El-Rufai, Ambode, Umahi emerged as governors-elect CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53 leged financial recklessness as levelled against him by the state house of assembly which threatened to impeach him in the last three months. But beyond the victory, something momentous and monumental happened and it has changed Ebonyi for good. The victory of the governor-elect was historical because he is the first deputy governor in the state who through doggedness and courage took over from his principal. Relatively, Elechi since he assumed office in 2007 has been seen as a saint. He had a good beginning. He ensured there is massive infrastructural development through construction of Ocho-Udo city, 36 unity bridges that spread across the 13 local council areas, boarding schools, international markets and a host of others.
Why Amosun was re-elected for second term
FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA
In Ogun State, some of the political parties that contested the governorship and lost have continued to lick their wounds. Others are busy “studying” the result with
the intention of storming the Election Petition Tribunal whenever it is constituted to seek the nullification of the results which they argued “ceded victory” to Governor Ibikunle Amosun. However, there are an avalanche of factors which observers and political analysts monitoring the poll in the Gateway state have adduced for the electoral victory of Amosun who flew the ticket of All Progressives Congress, APC in the April 11 gubernatorial race. It is a glaring evidence across the three Senatorial districts of the Gateway state that Amosun’s performance has greatly endeared him to the heart of the electorate in the state through all the developmental projects, particularly on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads which he was executing. These projects were the first visible evidence which pointed to the fact that Amosun meant well for the state. The projects touched on the business interests of the chunk of market men and women who formed the greater part of the electorate. Though the affected traders complained and lamented the demolition of their stalls, yet they were the first set of citizens who yearned for more of such demolition for development when they
saw the beauty which followed Amosun’s actions. In a desperate attempt to ensure that the projects did not stop abruptly, these market men and women did not only vow to return Amosun but also ensured that they further canvassed for votes for his re-election. Aside from his performance, Amosun also ensured that he connected with the grassroots who matter most at every electioneering period. This was evident in the way the governor engaged in the working tours of all the 20 local government areas of the state with the purpose of getting the needed feedback about programmes and policies of his administration. The working tour which also had in attendance Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Departmental Heads of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, greatly afforded Amosun to adjust on policies which the citizens in the state complained about. The resultant effect was the change of heart which even members of the opposition political parties had for his administration prior to the electioneering period. The electorate were of the opinion that his was a listening administration that considered opinions of the masses and this also went a long way to shape his reelection bid.
News
APC wins Katsina rescheduled poll
Rescheduled election holds in 4 constituencies in Anambra
JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA
T
he All Progressive Congress, APC, has won yesterday’s rescheduled House of Assembly poll in Danmusa council area of Katsina State. APC’s candidate, Bello Abdul scored 18,436 votes to beat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Nasiru Ya’u who garnered 6,216 votes. The election which was scheduled to hold April 11 had to be postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following violence that erupted in the area. During the incident, several INEC materials were destroyed while motorcycles and vehicles were either set ablaze or had their glasses smashed. Announcing the result, the state’s Returning Officer, Rabiu Abdullahi Kofar-Bai, said Bello Abdul, “having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is hereby returned as winner.” Meanwhile, APC members in the area and across the state have continued to congratulate each other over the victory. With this development, APC is to fully control the legislative arm in the state as the party has won all the 34 House of Assembly seats. The party had also won all the National Assembly seats, consisting of three senatorial and 15 House of Representatives positions as well as the governorship seat.
The result of the presidential election held on March 28 which gave victory to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, greatly contributed to Amosun’s success at the Ogun poll. The campaign of calumny mounted against the personality of Buhari particularly by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, worked in his favour rather than against him. Buhari thus became a movement whose electoral fortune positively impacted and influenced the chances of Amosun’s reelection as well as other South-West governors on the platform of the APC. Also, the Obasanjo factor played greater role as he openly campaigned for his fellow Owu kinsman. The former president, who had torn into shreds his PDP membership card, went into the market squares and other streets of Abeokuta metropolis to campaign for Buhari and Amosun. Sunday Mirror recalled that barely six days to the governorship election, Obasanjo was at the popular Itoku Kampala market, admonishing the electorate to repeat what they did during the presidential election where they voted Buhari in for Amosun also. Thus Obasanjo’s action had a psychological effect on the electorate and worked in favour of Amosun’s re-election.
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Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (right) and Founder, Support Our Troops Foundation, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, inspecting books donated by the foundation to military in Abuja on Friday. PHOTO: NAN
he re-scheduled election in four state constituencies held in Anambra State amid tight security on Saturday. The constituencies are Anaocha 1, Anaocha 2, Aguata 1 and Ekwusigo where elections were cancelled due to irregularities on April 11. Accreditation of voters started at about 8a.m. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the electorate conducted themselves peaceful during accreditation of voters while the card reader machines were effective in every polling unit monitored in Agulu and Obeledu.
Jigawa governor-elect seeks constituents’ support
T
he Gov,-elect of Adamawa, Bindo Jibrilla, has solicited the support of the people of the State to enable him to fulfil the promises made during campaign. Bindo made the call when he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and different ethnic groups who paid him a courtesy visit in Yola on Saturday. According to the governor-elect, running of government is not an individual matter or a matter for a particular group. ``I was elected as a governor but run-
ning government affairs is a collective responsibility that needs your intellectual support to deliver. ``I am a governor, you are the governed, and I cannot make it without your collective support’’, Bindo said. He said there were high expectations from the electorate, ``I assure you that my administration will not let the people down.’’ According to Bindo, the era of giving token money to the electorate to get their votes is over in Adamawa ``as my administration will embark on projects
relevant to the people.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that elders from Ganye, Mubi South, Mubi North. Maiha, Yola South, Mayo Belwa, Gombi and Fufore among other local government areas, visited the governor-elect. Chairman of APC in Mubi North, Alhaji Usman Sarkinmudu, thanked God for the peaceful and successful conduct of the recent elections. Sarkinmudu told the governor- elect to implement the promises he made to the people of the state.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Interview
Sunday, April 19, 2015
‘We must allow the system to work’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 the project. So, we don’t have problem with that, what we are saying is that we are going to do things differently. Even though APC was announced as the winner of the election in the state, the other parties are from Katsina and we will offer a hand of fellowship to them too. We are going to be magnanimous, we are going to be leaders. We are going to provide leadership and not rulership. We have no problem in carrying along anybody who has the interest of the people of Katsina at heart. Our key word here is the people and not about skyscrapers. It is not about road that will not go anywhere, but to develop the people and the people will develop the land. General Muhammadu Buhari is Presidentelect while you are the governor-elect. What does this mean to you and how do you think the emergence of Buhari will help your administration? We are not meeting with Buhari on the platform of political party alone. We have a long standing relationship and now, we have a political relationship. That Buhari is from Katsina state for us, is a plus and that plus depend on how we manage it. We want Buhari to be a Nigerian leader. We don’t want Buhari to be a regional, zonal or provincial leader. We want him to be a Nigerian leader that will leave a legacy of positive contribution to this country and that is the basis on which people elected him. So, we will help him to maintain and improve on those qualities which the people of Nigeria see in him. We will never do anything that will tarnish his image, his reputation or his standing internationally and nationally. So, for us, Buhari is plus. When we go somewhere and say I am from Katsina, we want the doors to be open. So for us, it is a plus. Taking you back to the issue of education, we are aware that your party has a policy on education. Are you going to follow that or you intend to initiate your own? The first item on the agenda of the APC C manifesto is human resource development.. How can you develop human resourcess without education? Fundamentally, the posi-tion of APC on education is known. In Katsi-na, the figures were not produced by me, butt in collaboration with the federal ministry y of education gives Katsina about 20 per centt enrollment rate and some states had 80 perr cent enrollment rate. So, their approach and d mine will be different, but the goal remain n the same. Here in Katsina, we will design a road that will lead us to success on the basiss of the basket provided by our political party y in the area of education. We will take roadss that will lead us, that will lead Katsina to sal-vage itself, restore the honour, dignity and d integrity of the people of Katsina state. We e cannot do that outside education. The road d that other states will take to reach the des-tination will be different from ours, but the e objective remains the same. You were Speaker of the House of Representatives for four years and that means your politics span beyond Katsina. What kind of leadership will you suggest for the 8th Assembly to assist Gen. Buhari in piloting the affairs of this nation? Luckily, we are going to have a comfort-able majority in the National Assembly y. What I have seen as a former member off the House of Representative is that because e of patronage system by the governors, they y have destroyed the institution. Patronage e system in the sense that for you to become a senator, you must be in the right books of the e governor. For you to be a member, you startt lobbying the governor to make you a candi-date for you to be a member of the Nationall
Masari
WE HAVE PROMISED, WE HAVE PLEDGED AND WE HAVE PRAYED THAT GOD WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE THE HONOUR, DIGNITY, PRESTIGE AND INTEGRITY OF THE PEOPLE OF KATSINA STATE Assembly. Not because the governor believes or even inside you, you believe that you have something to offer other than being attracted by the package and the limelight. Definitely, at the National Assembly, if you play your card well, it is an opportunity to come into limelight. Really, when we deviated from why we want to go to the National Assembly? If we go go there, ther th ere e, what wha hatt interest inte in tere rest st do do we represent? rep epre rese sent nt??
How do we subsume our local interest into national interest. If you are making an Act, it is for the entire country. If you are participating in the budget, you have to find a way of subsuming your interest into national interest. As long as the interest you represent, the interest of your community cannot find its way into the national development agenwhich da w hich hi ch iiss the the budget, budg bu dget et, you you are are no longer lon onge gerr
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providing representation. The reality of the situation is, let us allow the system to work. In determining the leadership, the leadership has to be focus on why we need the change. So, we must get leaders that understand why we need the change in Nigeria. It is not about changing faces or names. It is about changing how we conduct businesses of government at any level, how do we, as Nigerians do things. After all, South Africa said it is returning our money after Buhari is sworn in. Why? The international community is comfortable that somebody who will manage the resources well is coming. These are the kind of people we need and it should be the vision of those coming to the National Assembly. I hope they are not going to be attracted by the package, but also by the work. Finally, how would you describe your victory as the governor elect of Katsina state? If you know me well, I am a normal person. I don’t look at things in such a way that it will carry my mind off the direction. We have promised, we have pledged and we have prayed that God will give us the opportunity to restore the honour, dignity, prestige and integrity of the people of Katsina state and this is what we are going to work for. We see it as a challenge. I am not here to make a new name. As Speaker, I was the only person in the country and was given a presidential treatment anywhere I go to in the country. I am here because we believe that without executive power, you cannot make any meaningful contribution to development in this country at this point in time. That is why I have decided to come back home and see how I can pay off and repay the debt because I am a product of public institution. So, I cannot be there and watch the public institutions where 99 per cent of our people started from crumble. If you are having 20 per cent pass from Katsina state, where will Katsina be in 20 years time? It means we will be nowhere in the scheme of things in Nigeria. There are some states in Nigeria that if they stop going to school, it will take us 30 years in Katsina to catch up with them. them th em.
We’ll tackle salary, pension arrears –Ortom B Benue State Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom in this brief e encounter with journalists at the weekend emphasises the n need towards ensuring that genuine reconciliation among sstakeholders can help rebuild the state to enhance maximum d development. HENRY IYORKASE was there. Excerpts: Could you give us an insight into your C administration and what you intend to a do? d Frankly my first 100 days in office will be used in reconciling the citizens irrespective u of party affiliations. With God on my side o and being the Governor for everybody not a ffor a particular group, I will set every machinery in motion towards ensuring that the c citizens were reconciled. c I can understand that there is disaffection iin the land, therefore my administration will do everything humanly possible so that evd erybody will be appeased with a view to ene ssure that collectively we can contribute to the ssuccess of the administration. No meaningful development would ever ttake place in an atmosphere of chaos; it is the determination of my administration to make d ssure that everybody will be given the opporttunity in order to attract accelerated development in the state. m The civil servants in the state are faced T with unpaid salary arrears, what solution w
Ortom
can you proffer to their predicament? Honestly, the problem has poised a nagging challenge but let me assure that our administration will give uppermost commitment to the payment of wages and we shall do everything humanly possible to ensure that workers
are being paid as at when due. It beats my imagination each time I hear of indebtedness, what we shall do as government is that we will go all out to ensure that arrears are being offset and even some of the workers that were stagnant on one position for so long, their cases will also be reviewed and appropriate action will be taken to redress the imbalance. The issue of pensioners is hanging in the air where people who were retired by the state government for over three years have not received their gratuity and pension . How are you going to resolve this problem? Each time I hear of this non-payment of pension, my heart bleeds and as soon as we come into government we will put in place a committee to verify cases of retirees and which in turn will ascertain and direct on what to do. Sincerely, when we have this kind of cases we shall not hesitate to take proactive measure to address the problems of pensioners in no distant time. On the issue of caretaker chairmen who were reconstituted by the out-going governor, Governor Gabriel Suswam . What is your take on this? I am not yet the governor but by the grace of God when we assume office and get to that bridge we will cross it.
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Politics
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Our elected officers must be accountable to the people –Saraki Senator Bukola Saraki is the former governor of Kwara State and senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly. He is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Soon after the Governorship and House of Assembly elections, he spoke with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State.WOLE ADEDEJI was there for Sunday Mirror. Excerpts: What will be the APC-government’s main agenda as from May 29, 2015? The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari during the campaign was very clear on what the party will do if eventually it wins the election. The issues we mentioned are issue of corruption, security and provision of jobs for the youths. I think these are three clear areas that are key and we are going to address that . In the area of security, the fight against Boko Haram, bring down insurgency in those areas and restoring credibility and belief in our military will be done. There would be zero tolerance for corruption and because of the backdrop of that, you will begin to see revenue coming up and you will have more money for infrastructural developments. Can we have an insight into the kind of people that will form Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet? I think the President-elect has emphasized the issue of integrity and capacity. You have heard what I just talked about, the challenges ahead. It is not going to be a tea party. There is work to be done. We have the mess to clean up. We have expectation also to meet for all the people that have gone around on change slogan. To expect the immediate result, we must have people that hit the ground running and be able to perform. The issue now is to balance between the political expectation of people who have supported the political party to win and also on performance. It is clear that with the kind of mandate we have been given, we must ensure that we perform and we succeed so that we do not run into the same problem like PDP. How do you see the victory of APC in Kwara governorship election which has given Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed a second term in office? This victory is not only for APC, it is for all Nigerians. I say this with all sincerity because it was the determination of Nigerians and their commitment to stand for what they believed in that got us thus far. In the past Nigerians and voters in general would not come out to vote and even when they came out it was not with conviction; they were frustrated with the process. But this time around, it was clear that Nigerians were convinced that APC represents change and it was time for a new Nigeria. I always believe that we are opening a new chapter in this country. Nigeria can never be the same again. I am very convinced about that; that to me is the greatest achievement. The victory of APC in the elections is small to me compared to that of Nigeria. The Nigeria we
Saraki
EVERYBODY KNEW HOW PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN TOLD THE WORLD THAT THEY WOULD TAKE KWARA BACK TO PDP are starting now, is the one all of us have been wishing for. It does not mean that if you have money you will win in an election. That is fantastic for all of us and for our democracy because we will begin to see good governance. Now all our elected officers must be accountable and deliver dividends of democracy to all. Also, it will help to build our political parties. It is good for our democracy. In Kwara here, the message I have always been passing across from day one, is the way politicians in the opposition parties behave, they think that Kwarans are fools. They go away for three and half years and come back six months to elections and believe they can take the people for granted. They are not the kind of people to be trusted with leadership of the state. Whatever you might say about APC, they are the people that are always there with the people. They wait for elections to come. They are there thinking on how to improve the look of this great state. Everybody knew how President Goodluck Jonathan told the world that they would take Kwara back to PDP. Normally, under that kind of situation, when people see almighty power, people tend to desert
you. But the people of Kwara did not desert us and that is why I am entirely grateful to them. They stood by us despite the threat coming from the centre. There was nothing they did not use to threaten people, but Kwarans say no and they gave us a result that is even better than 2011. In 2011, we did not have the whole 24 members’ of the state House of Assembly. For Kwarans, all I can say is that this confidence they have reposed in our party under our leadership, that we will continue to do our best not to disappoint them. If there are areas, because there is no perfection, that need improvement we will do our best. It is our honest view that we have now put in place a more credible person who will be accountable and there will be better funding at both the state and local government levels and we will begin to see improvement at the state and local government levels. We have seen what has happened to the exchange rate. Just in this short period now, the rate has appreciated for about 30 per cent; that is just because of the fact that President Buhari is coming and APC is forming the government.
What will the incoming government do on the persistent problem of pipe-borne water in Ilorin, Kwara State capital ? We did provide some funding on the issue of water, which was meant to be phase one of the project. I think it is something that continues, it has not been done. Definitely, it will require a lot of funding for the state to be able to ensure the project is completed so that the people, especially at the central district can get the benefit of uninterrupted power supply. That now comes back to the revenue profile of the state. I think one of the things we cannot turn away from and we must come to terms with, is that there must be increase in revenue independent of federal allocation. But in doing that, we the people must be ready to make sacrifices. We have been hearing about Lagos and Ogun States. But the people of Lagos are paying a lot for those revenues. Generally, our people are very reluctant when it comes to taxes of different types. I think we have to begin to come to terms with the fact that, if we really want the kind of development that we are seeing in some parts of Nigeria particularly Lagos and Ogun States, we must begin to appreciate that it is time that we might have to start paying those taxes. What we need to begin to look at is how to hold government accountable as much as agreed on the type of leadership. Because I have always believed that if you are providing leadership, you must do it honestly. There is no point sweet-quoting some things. The reality on ground today based on the oil price of over $50 per barrel, if the Federal Government blocks the leakages, address the oil theft, yes, that will help revenue. But taking it to the extent of oil price going to $100 per barrel at the international market, if it does at all, for another two to three years, I don’t see that. I can see an oil price of $70 per barrel stabilizing for the long time. If you have that as your projection, then you can walk back to us to see if oil price gets to $70 or $80, you can anticipate what total revenue will be. Would that revenue be able to sustain development. I think these are frank questions we need to put before ourselves. There is no need for us to be sentimental and emotional on this issue. There is a saying “No pain without gain”. I believe that those are the challenges the chief executives in the 36 states have ahead of them. Seriously, we in Nigeria must understand that there cannot be miracle. There has to be some pains to get some gains. It is unfortunate that we lost the opportunity of six years of $100 per barrel of crude oil, and we did not make gross advantage of it. I believe that if we have had an accountable government, there is no way we should not have reserves and excess crude. Unfortunately what we have now, we have to face reality. But I believe that sometimes this kind of things happen for a good cause. It will help us to see that we don’t any other option than to diversify our economy, to move away from oil and look at other areas.
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
SMExtra
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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU Sunday April 19, 2015
Ogudu/Ojota election violence
Still, residents live in fear of fresh attacks
OBASOLUYI TELEWA
I
t is exactly one week that the Ogudu/ Ojota communities in Kosofe Local Government Council of Lagos State were locked down as a result of election violence that ravaged the area. Some of the dead had been buried while the injured are critically lying in hospital beds, gasping for breath.
Worse, some others are on life support while those that lost valuables have continued to rue their losses. A week after the unfortunate incident, uneasy calm pervades the area, especially Ogudu amid fears of fresh attacks. One of those that lost their lives in the fracas was a young man named Femi, a father of one and a tailor based at Idi-Aba, Ojota. Speaking to Sunday Mirror, his friend who gave his name as Paul, described the deceased who is in his late 20s to be easy going. He stated that on that fateful day Femi was not among the rioters but only accompanied some colleagues to the bus stop where he was shot in the eyes. According to him, his dead colleague has since been buried at his father’s house in Ikorodu area of the state. According to a Political Science student of National Open University of Nigeria, Ikeja Study Centre ,who lives adjacent the deceased’s house, “what makes the situation pathetic is the position of the wife who just put to bed some months ago. It would be recalled that the supporters of All Progressives Congress candidate, Hon. Bayo Osinowo and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barr. Moyosore Ogunlewe had clashed over the outcome of the Lagos State House of Assembly election that was won by the APC candidadate. Though the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Kenneth Nwosu said one person died, but residents claimed that three people lost their lives in the process. Nwosu advised the residents to go about their normal duties without fear as security has been beefed up in the areas in question. Casualties also include several people with varying degrees of injuries with property were destroyed. Narrating his experience that day , a resident , Mr. Sunday Onanuga, disclosed to Sunday Mirror that the mayhem was an off-shoot of the earlier one six weeks ago at the same location that claimed one life with some five others injured. According to
The Ologudu of Ogudu
A victim of the violence who was shot in the eyes
Scene of the violence
him, “that day we scampered for safety, shop owners quickly abandoned their wares and ran for safety”. He stated that some of the victims of the earlier attack are still lying in their hospital beds. “The build up to the Sunday crisis started six weeks ago when the supporters of both parties confronted each other at Araromi. Guns, cutlasses and various instruments were used including charms. At the end of it all, one person was reported dead while several others were injured with some of them still recuperating at the hospital now”, he told Sunday Mirror. What is giving the people apprehensions now is the threat by a party to the crisis that if anything should happen to one of those injured nicknamed Stainless, whom sourc-
es say is on life support at an undisclosed hospital, hell will be let lose once again. According to Muyideen Adenekan during a chat with our correspondent at Ogudu at the weekend, most people are still afraid of reprisals from the Stainless supportes. It is because of this that shop owners that used to close late have decided to tread softly now while residents are also very careful at the moment”, he said. Also speaking, a barber who has his shop located on Epetedo Street disclosed that uneasy calm still pervade the area because of the fear of further attacks. “The rumour milling round is the threat by some people that should anything hap-
pen to Stainless, there will be trouble again, so we are appealing to the government to provide more security in our area”, he said . His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa , Oba Waidi Ayinla Fasola, the Ologudu of Ogudu Land in an interview with at his Palace in Ogudu, tried to allay the residents’ fears. Recalling his quick intervention and that of the security agencies on the day of the incident, he said, “When I learnt about the incident, the first step I took was to send my chiefs to the collation centre to warn trouble makers on the need to maintain and embrace peace once a winner was declared. On Sunday when I was told about the problem in town, I quickly alerted men of the Nigeria Police and they arrived on time to contain the situation from spreading further .They took positions while some were on patrol at Ojota, Ogudu and Oworonshoki. “I told them to police everywhere in the community which they did effectively until peace was restored. According to the rational ruler, “The Baale of Ojota called me in the process but I assured him that the situation was being handled by the security agents. He however implored the people to remain calm as other necessary security arrangements have been put on ground to curtail further attacks. The major actors in the crisis spoke to Sunday Mirror, Moyosore Ogunlewe, son of a former Minister of Works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, who claimed to have been rigged out of victory by the APC, denied culpability in the crisis and further crisis. Rather, he accused the APC of importing thugs from neighbouring communities to cause mayhem in order to implicate him. According to him, “I won the election and we are heading to the tribunal to present our case. But for the crisis, it was the APC people that went about destroying PDP property, he maintained. Stating his position, Osinowo also denied his supporters involvement in the mayhem saying, “why should I bring thugs to fight the people of my Constituency.”?
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South NEWS
Sunday April 19, 2015
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Guber polls: Crack in Delta APC as three chieftains suspended THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI
F
ollowing the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the just concluded general elections in Delta State, the party has been thrown into internal wrangling over alleged involvement of some chieftains of the party in anti-party politics during the polls as three high profile members of the party has been declared expelled by the state chapter.
The state executive committee of the APC in a statement announced three key members, Hon. Temi Harriman, former state commissioner, Dr. Alex Ideh and Organising Secretary of the party, Mr Sunny Amorighoye Mene, expelled over alleged involvement gross misconduct and anti-party politics. The suspended trio are from Delta South Senatorial District of the state. In a statement signed by Delta APC chairman and Assistant secretary, Prophet Jones Erue and Comrade Chris Onodjacha respectively, the party said the decision to sack the trio was reached at an
emergency meeting held on the 13th April at the party’s state secretariat Asaba following last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections. On Hon. Temi Harriman, the statement explained that he was being expelled over alleged seizure of presidential election support funds remitted to the state which she then misapplied through persons unknown to the party thereby undermining the party’s ability to win votes in the Delta South Senatorial District during the presidential election. The statement said that the duo of Dr. Ideh and Mr. Mene were dismissed following “evident anti-party activities committed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections day and repeated in the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections held during which they actively worked for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).” The statement explained that the party has suffered gross embarrassment, ridicule and contempt, saying that their actions violate Article 21,
Religious leaders tasked on exemplary leadership BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.
R
eligious Leaders have been called to remain as shining lights to the society in their confession, character and conduct.
This disposition will help quicken the conscience of the society to seek after eternal values rather than vain glory of this world. The House of Assembly member-elect for Obokun Constituency of Osun State, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye made the call at the inauguration of the New Executive Council for the Obokun Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. Oyintiloye, who congratulated the newly inaugurated executives described the callings of the religious leaders as the highest, said they should remain committed to their calling through preaching and practice of Holy Living. While calling them to continue to inspire excellence through intercession
and encouragement of men of goodwill, Oyintiloye said for those who are led to venture into politics these virtues will bring about rapid development. He said apart from direct engagement in politics, religious leaders of different faiths must also move closer to those in the position of authority for prayers and guidance without necessarily denigrating their positions as men of God. According to him, “Leaders generally are vulnerable in some ways just as positions of authority are very sensitive and it requires the intervention of religious leaders through prayers and guidance for one not to misbehave” The lawmaker-elect, who also addressed the Muslim faithful during the Jumat Service in Ibokun Central Mosque thanked the people of all religious faith in his constituency for reposing their confidence in him. He called for their prayers and guidance to succeed in the responsibilities given to him through their votes.
Section A, i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix and x of the party’s constitution hence their expulsion But reacting to the development, Mr Mene who is the state Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress described expulsion from the party as “a nullify which cannot stand”, saying that the state chairman of the party has no power to suspend them. Mene stated that the
leadership of the APC in the state was merely trying to make excuse for its embarrassing failure in the just concluded polls, urging the party leadership to hide itself in shame for misleading the party to abysmal showing. He said, “The state party chairman and assistant secretary who signed the letter have no constitutional power to do so; it is only the national convention of the party
that can expel members as engrained in the constitution. “The action is null and void; it is alien to the constitution of the APC and against the principle of fair hearing as enshrined in the party’s constitution. So, the so called expulsion cannot stand. “I want to place it on record that at the president election, Warri North scored the highest vote, higher than those record-
ed by any LGA in d state. It is embarrassing to note that our governorship candidate and chairman did not win their wards and local governments. “This expulsion is only a gimmick to hoodwink the party leadership in Abuja and for some people to hide their failure. I urge the National Chairman of the party to take a closer look at the performance of the state chairman and his exco.”
L-R: Member, Pan African Women Project (UN Women), Miss Florence Matjila; President, Mrs. Eno Udensi and member, Miss Virgina Marumoabac, during a news conference on free and fair elections in Rivers State at the weekend.
Ekiti PDP writes INEC over plot to tamper with ballot papers ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
T
he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has alleged of plans by the opposition All Progressive Congress APC in the state to tamper with the ballot papers used during the April 11 state House of Assembly election.
Consequently, the PDP State Chairman, Chief Idowu Faleye, said that the party had written a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident
Electoral Officer REC in the state, Mr. Sam Olumekun, to use his office to stall the alleged plan. Faleye alleged in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the opposition party leadership had concluded the plan in conjunction with some INEC personnel to re-thumb print some ballot papers containing PDP votes with a view to voiding them. The state PDP chairman said the letter was informed by the wide speculation that the APC has already moved its men to INEC office to perfect the plans.
Faleye who said such unholy plan should be resisted, added: “This is not a new strategy of the opposition party because they did the same thing immediately after the 2007 election which was then termed as voting after voting by the PDP, so this time around we shall resist these undemocratic tendencies.” According to him, APC has never been happy with Ekiti people, since its governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, was defeated by Governor Ayodele Fayose in the June 21, 2014 election in the state.
He said: “From their activities since then, it has been one day, one trouble being orchestrated by their leadership. The APC lawmakers’ activities in the recent time are one of the grand plans to destabilise Ekiti State as long as Governor Fayose is in charge”. The PDP chieftain, however, cautioned the APC lawmakers to desist from causing chaos and breach of peace, urging them to cooperate with the governor for the betterment of the state and peace and progress of the people.
Amadi hails INEC for conduct of polls DENNIS AGBO ENUGU
T
he House of Representatives member-elect for Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, Mr. Dennis Amadi, has awarded a pass mark to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the conduct of the 2015 general elections.
The Rep-elect noted that
the electoral umpire deserved commendation over observable improvement in electioneering in Nigeria. He said that early arrival of electoral material was well adhered to by INEC with well trained adhoc staff that delivered peaceful election. Amadi spoke in Enugu shortly after being issued
with certificate of return by the INEC national returning officer, Mrs. Gladys Nwafor. Amadi said he felt great that the will and capacity of the people have been further demonstrated with the issuance of certificate by INEC. He said: “My plan for the Udi/Ezeagu federal con-
stituency is to ensure that the dividends of democracy gets to them at the grassroots from agriculture to manufacturing, commerce, oil and gas, rural development, education. “I will develop synergy with the state government while in Abuja and a good handshake for the development of our people.”
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
North NEWS
Sunday April 19, 2015
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Jang, governor-elect clash over looting of Plateau treasury JAMES ABRAHAM JOS
G
overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and the governor-elect, Barrister Simon Lalong, yesterday exchanged words over an alleged looting of the state treasury
First to start the quarrel was the governor-elect, Lalong when he raised an alarm over what he called “ongoing massive looting and sell of government properties by the outgoing administration.” The governor-elect, in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Festus Fuanter, accused the outgoing administration led by Governor Jang of plans to hurriedly sell off government properties particularly the Plateau Supply Company wareouse and Mini Housing Estate along Dogon Dutse Road; PIPC Duplexes in Gwarinpa, Abuja and other locations as well as the looting and carting away of government properties
including vehicles, household furniture and other item He also alleged that the Jang-led administration was engaging in massive and lopsided employment, replacements, falsification of civil service placements and promotions in the civil service as well as engaging in huge and questionable withdrawals from government accounts, demands for loans as well as the illegal engagement of accounting and auditing firms to balance the books of accounts of agencies of government used for the funding of elections of government sponsored candidates warning that any such transaction will not be respected by the incoming administration . But Jang in a statement yesterday described the allegations as “spurious” and wondered why an incoming administration would begin to peddle unsubstantiated claims in order to further malign the person of the governor whom he
Katsina youths steal, cart away SURE-P motorcycles JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA
S
cores of youths at the weekend attacked two long vehicles and carted away newly-purchased motorcycles belonging to the Katsina State Government.
The motorcycles were bought for distribution to beneficiaries under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, and were being conveyed to Daura council area. Eyewitnesses said the vehicles had about 300 motorcycles loaded between them and had successfully left the Government House for Daura council when the incident occurred.
One of the eyewitness said, “The vehicles reached a road bump and had to slow down; it was at this point that some youths appeared from nowhere and began forcefully offloading the motorcycles. “Several of them moved the motorcycles away and it was much later before security personnel could rush to the scene.” He said only about half a dozen of the 300 motorcycles were left, while some of the youths were apprehended by the police. Efforts to get reaction from police spokesperson, Sadiq Abubakar proved abortive as he was yet to respond to the issue at press time.
said has done his best for the good of Plateau State. The statement, which was signed by the Executive Assistant to Governor Jang, Mr. Garba Clinton, advised the incoming administration to concentrate on having a smooth transition process and going further to surpass the Jang administration because the bar of leadership has been raised instead of making unfounded allegations that are not true It said: “The same Plateau people who gave the
mandate to the incoming administration graciously gave the Jang administration the opportunity to serve and this they have done to best of our abilities as evident in the numerous projects that dot the Plateau landscape adding that now that Plateau people have decided that another person should be at the helm of affairs, “Our advice to the incoming administration is that it should concentrate on having a smooth transition process and going fur-
ther to surpass the Jang administration because the bar of leadership has been raised. Plateau people now know what it means to taste meaningful development and will not accept anything less. “We on our part will remain a vibrant opposition anchored on x-raying th policies and programmes of the incoming government vis-a-vis what we have to offer. Ours is going to be an issue-based opposition which will criticise the programmes of government
not an attack on personalities who we may have fallen out with. “We call on all peace loving people to therefore ignore rumours and fallacious statements being peddled either in the media or by word of mouth. The Jang administration is putting together a comprehensive hand over note with all its actions as contained in the Plateau State Strategic Development Plan; a document which is the guide for the development of the state.
Reviewing Officer, AVM James Gbum (right) presenting award to the best recruits, Eze Emeka, during the passing out parade of Nigerian Air Force Basic Military Training Course in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Concurrent accreditation, voting reported in Katsina Assembly poll JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA
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he postponed Katsina State House of Assembly election in Danmusa council area, yesterday witnessed voting going on concurrently with accreditation in many of polling units.
A visit to several of the polling units at about 11am saw voters queuing for accreditation, and at the same time given ballot papers to cast their votes. Also, the election witnessed low turnout of voters, while in several of
the polling units, agents belonging to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were nowhere to be found. Only agents of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, and other political parties were seen at polling units in the area. Recall that the assembly poll in the area had been shifted by one week from April 11, following breakdown of law and order by suspected thugs. Only one of the 11 wards saw election take
place, with remaining 10 wards seeing election held yesterday. The election also saw heavy security presence, consisting of combined paramilitary personnel, while plain-clothes personnel were stationed at strategic positions. Speaking on the issue, the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Bagobiri said he had received reports of accreditation going on concurrently with voting. Bagobiri however said
such development was wrong, and that he had instructed for such process to end and for normal electoral timing to be respected at all polling units. On absence of PDP agents in some of the polling units; he said INEC had no power to keep party agents from being present at polling centres. He said every party has right to participate in the election, and that it is solely party’s decision whether it wants to have its agents present or not.
Retrieve illegal arms from thugs now, group tells security agencies Danladi, others receive certificates of return in Taraba A ZA MSUE KADUNA
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group under the auspice of El-Rufai Youth Coalition has urged security agencies to retrieve illegal arms from political thugs across the state in an effort to promote peace in the country.
The group said some of the thugs were hired by political opponents to terrorise
rivals across the state. Speaking at an event to celebrate Kaduna State governor-elect’s victory, Coordinator of the youth group, Comrade Balarabe Birnin Yero, said there are lots of arms in the hands of thugs within the metropolis. His words: “We are appealing to all those political thugs who were hired to cause chaos during the election to return such arms
because the election is over and is time for peace. “We all know that there have been reports about thugs been hired to attack opponents during campaigns but since the elections are over now we expect such politicians to call on their thugs to return or burn down such arms for peace to reign in the state and country,” he said.
JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO
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araba acting Governor and senator-elect for Taraba North, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi alongside Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Taraba South and Senator-elect, Taraba Central, Bashir Marafa Abba yesterday received certificates of return as elected
senators to represent their people.
The certificates of return were also presented to six elected House of Representatives members in the state. The House of Representatives members who collected their certificates were Rimande Shawulu, representing Ussa, Takum/ Donga, Danjuma Usman;
Wukari/Ibi, Garba Hamam Julde Chede; Bali/Gassol and Danladi Baido; Karim Lamido, Lau/Ardo Kola federal constituencies. Others were DanAsebe Charles Hosea from Sardauna/ Gashaka/Kurmi and Ibrahim Aminu Malle from Jalingo/Yorro/ Zing federal constituency who was absent at the occasion.
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Hingis beaten on return P. 63
g n i k a t F NF
a r o f s n a i Niger
ride?
PIUS ANAKALI
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ntil recently, the tag, ‘NFA’, No Future Ambition, used to be a very common word among Nigerians and it is mostly used derogatorily in reference to an unserious person’. Though NFA literally means Nigeria Football Association, before it was renamed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the coinage came about as a result of the perceived unseriousness on the part of football administrators in the country. And as if to lend credence to that assertion, NFF’s actions in the recent past tend to confirm the belief that the FA is an unserious organisation. Now, never in the history of football has a people been taken for granted like the current NFF. The coming of the present administration was expected to be a new dawn but instead it has dawn on us that the board may, after all, not be the messiah we’ve all been waiting for. In fact, the Glasshouse has always been a house of controversy. If not enmeshed in missing money, then it will
be engaged in another controversial venture elsewhere. The story that led to the sacking of the former NFF president, Aminu Maigari is already in the public domain. Sani Lulu and Taiwo Ogunjobi are still in court trying to clear their name over allegation of corrupt practices. It was based on this dark past that many celebrated the coming of a fresh face like Pinnick The thinking was that, in an era where the old ones are giving way for the young at heart, Pinnick might just be the messiah many have been waiting for even though his coming was as controversial as the sacking of Ibrahim Galadima led board. Yet, many believed in him, but his failing in recent past, especially in area of appointment of coach for the senior national team might just be an insight into the man Pinnick. On March 17, the NFF led Pinnick told Nigerians that in three days that Nigeria football fans will know whether Keshi will continue ad Super Eagles coach or not. “I told the senate that within 10 days and by God’s grace within the next four
days, this thing (Keshi’s appointment or not) would be completed. It’s either he is in or he is not in,” said NFF boss then. “So we are not saying 100% that it is Keshi, we are not saying that, I can assure you 100%. It can be other persons. It can be Keshi only provided he accepts 100% the contract we have offered him. If he doesn’t accept it, then I can tell you right away that he is not going to be our coach,” he stated. “Now if Keshi says for example that one clause in that contract is not good for him, it means he doesn’t want the job, so we can now open it and look for other coaches that are ready to coach Nigeria. “Like I have said before, I will say again, if Keshi decided not to accept the contract, we are not going to change the contract for any other person we want to employ because to us what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Till today, that pledge is still hanging making some to think that the ‘NFF’, is actually taking Nigeria for a ride as once claimed by Keshi. . “How can Amaju Pinnick call himself the President of the Federation (NFF) and he is lying to Nigerians? Is that how he wants to govern Nigerian football? How? I don’t get it,” Keshi told Hot FM in Abuja.
When the tactician raised the alarm, he was quickly shot down by those who branded him a ‘failed coach’. As if to confirm Keshi’s assertion, the NFF were at it again when on Tuesday April 14, its General Secretary, Dr Salisu Mohammed in well publicized reports told Nigerians that football house has decided to engage Keshi on Friday April 17th. He had said then that “Let me say this, we are all aware of the need to get a substantive coach for the Super Eagles and I want to assure you that by the grace of God, between now and Friday April 17th this week you will know who the Super Eagles coaches are. Excited by the revelation, Nigerians as usual, waited with berthed breath hoping and praying for the D-day. But in what has become of their characters, the FA failed again even though Keshi was said to be in a hotel close to the Wuse Zone 7 office of the federation waiting to be summoned. Federation president Amaju Pinnick, was said to have traveled abroad, while vice president, Seyi Akinwumi, was also said not to be in Lagos. With the foregoing, can one then say that truly, the NFF is taking Nigerians for a ride?
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Sport
Sunday April 19, 2015
Senegal stop Nigeria from Beach Soccer World Cup
Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor
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he Super Sand Eagles have failed to qualify for this year’s FIFA Beach World Cup in Portugal after they lost 4-3 to Senegal in the semifinal of the CAF Beach Soccer Championship on Saturday in the Seychelles. Defending champions Senegal have now stopped Nigeria from taking part at the World Cup twice. The coach Audu Adamu Ejo-led team led the Senegalese 3-2 in the first period, but the Senegalese came back to level and ended the regulation 3-3. They scored the winner in the
with
08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com
I’m ready for Mayweather, says Pacquiao
E Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (L) struggling for ball possession with and a Senegal opponent
extra time to seal their passage into the final of the African Beach Soccer Championship.
Africa will be represented at the World Cup by the winners and runners-up in the Seychelles.
Ex-Eaglets star, Obasi in Monaco for trials
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eports say that Chigozie Obasi has been training with Monaco for the past one week, and he is hoping to be offered a contract at the end of trials. The ex-Golden Eaglets midfielder caught the eye of the principality side while featuring against them in a test game for Bastia, and was promptly invited for trials afterwards. According to Chigozie Obasi’s agent, the teenager was offered a preliminary contract by Deportivo de La Coruña last summer but
the Spanish side have not paid his transfer fee, meaning the proposed move is not cast in stone. The 16-year-old has been hawked around European clubs in recent months but Monaco could steal a march on their rivals given their financial muscle. Obasi was one of the youngest players that represented Nigeria at the 2013 Fifa Under 17s, starring in games against Iran and Iraq. He would join Super Eagles left back Elderson Echiejile at the Stade Louis II if the transfer materializes.
IFEANYI EDUZOR rrangements have been concluded by members of cerebral palsy football association to organize a workshop aimed at popularizing the game in the country. National President of the association, Jude Uwazie told our correspondent that the four day Coaching/technical workshop slated for 24th- 27th April at the Media Center and Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will be handled by two international instructors; Rene Jurrius from Netherlands and Raul Reina from Spain. He noted that although the game which
ight division world champion and current WBO welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) has declared his readiness to fight pound for pound boxer, Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas. Speaking shortly after one of his trainings at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California, he declared that he is looking forward to the fight date as he is now mentally and psychologically prepared for the mega fight. “I am ready and excited for the fight, ‘I am very happy with what we are doing and the training has been good. “My entire career has
defined my legacy in which I have accomplished a lot. This will be an additional achievement in my career. This is one of the biggest fights in boxing history. I am very confident about the fight because my training and conditioning has been perfect. According to Pacquiao who recorded a dominant unanimous decision win over Chris Algieri last November in Macao, China coupled with his defeat of Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley in April to regain the WBO title as well as avenge his controversial 2012 decision loss to the him, he is now putting finishing touches to his training which he hopes will be finalized before the fight.
Ajisafe rues fight postponement
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is designed for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities was introduced in the country in 2012 but it has been given recognition by the International Palsy Football Federation as well as the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria. Uwazie stated that his members are eager to fully understand the rudiments of the game which will be featured at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics Games even as he appealed for financial support from corporate organizations. “ We are organizing the work-
shop to serve as an avenue for our coaches and technical officials to fully understand the technicalities of the game ahead of 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics game where the sport will make its debut and that is why we are appealing to corporate organizations to emulate Power House which has been partnering with us. National Adviser of the team who also doubles as the Secretary General of Nigeria Supporters Club, Rev. Samuel Ikpea commended the commitments of the members urging them to be steadfast.
igerian born British light heavyweight champion, Bob Ajisafe (15-2,6KOs) has expressed disappointment over the postponement of his Commonwealth title fight against Kenyan Daniel Wanyonyi. He was expected to fight Wanyonyi last two weeks but the fight was put off because his opponent was refused visa by the British Embassy in Nairobi following recent terrorists attack in the East African country. Speaking on the botched fight, he expressed regrets of not given the opportunity to claim the Commonwealth title in front of his home fans but
was quick to add, that he is ready for the fight anytime it is rescheduled. “I was ready to fight for the Commonwealth title in Leeds, my hometown.”I was desperate to win the belt and put on a good show, but everything seemed to go wrong in the week leading up the fight. Wanyonyi was unable to get a visa but obviously setbacks happen and that’s just part of the game. “But it was a big disappointment for me to be denied the chance to win the Commonwealth title in Leeds. There would have been nothing better than that so I hope I can come back soon and have that opportunity again”, he concluded.
CBN junior tennis championship serves off April 20 IFEANYI EDUZOR
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ponsor of the annual CBN junior tennis championship, Central Bank of Nigeria, has announced that the 9th edition of the tournament will serve off from Monday, April 20 to Saturday, April 26 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Race Course, Lagos. Disclosing this to the media during an interactive session to herald the championship, the Director Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Ibrahim Mu’azu noted that the competition which is for players between the ages of 10 and 18 was initiated as a plat-
form of discovering young talents who will be nurtured to limelight while establishing a strong transition platform for the senior category just as he announced that there will be prizes for winners and runners-up at various age categories as well as prizes for the most outstanding players in the boys’ and girls’ categories. According to him, the competition has over the years produced players who have dominated the West African junior circuit in both the boy’s and girl’s categories which he said has helped in the development of the country’s tennis. “The Management of CBN is
happy with the steady development and success recorded in the championship as players from the junior circuit have always represented Nigeria in the African junior tennis championship and other international competitions. “It is also interesting to note that some of these players have recorded outstanding performances in 2014 with Moses Micheal winning the Lagos Governor’s cup while Sylvester Emanuel capped the year by becoming the youngest player to win a senior tournament in Nigeria by beating the then reigning champion to win the inaugural Ikoyi Masters last year.
Bob Ajisafe (Standing) looks on after he dropped George Kandelaki to the canvas during their British Light heavyweight clash.
Osaze will see action before season’s end
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toke City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful that Osaze Odemwingie will play for the team before the end of the season after returning to full training. The 33-year-old striker returned to full training on Thursday with the team after he was out of action for eight months
due to a knee injury. “It’s great to have him back because it was a big miss to lose him so early in the season,” said Hughes. “After he signed last year he made a huge impact on the team and we could have done with him on more occasions this year.
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Sunday April 19, 2015
Jones: Every World Cup tells its own story
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
The German capped 111 times for her country, the retired defender’s next challenge is already lined up after it was announced that she will replace Silvia Neid as national team coach in September 2016. For now, though, her focus is solely on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. Unsurprisingly, this tournament, as well as newcomers, old acquaintances and youth development work were all on the agenda when Jones spoke exclusively to FIFA. com recently.
What do you believe will be the greatest differences between the last World Cup in Germany and the upcoming tournament in Canada? Having 24 teams and playing in a much larger country across great distances and several time zones are all much more significant factors. Some of these aspects have presented Canada with a real challenge. Eight teams will be making their first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. How difficult will it be for these debutants? Some of the sides, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain, have already featured at European Championships or youth World Cups, so in that respect the experience won’t be anything new. Now they’ve reached a new level at which to test themselves; going up against the best teams in the world is fantastic for the development of these countries. Apart from the usual suspects, do you think there will be a surprise package among the teams, and who do you think that might be? There will certainly be some of those. There are the favourites, and our national coach has already named nine or ten teams in that category alone. We’re top of the world rankings, so in that respect we’re among the title contenders, but I think the Netherlands, Spain and perhaps even Thailand could spring a surprise. Who knows? How will Canada fare as a host nation? Extremely well; I have absolutely no doubts about that. They gained plenty of experience from the U-20 World Cup in 2014 and were able to
learn from that, so they know what’s coming. This time they have even more teams to look after. I’m looking forward to it and I think they’ll do a great job. I also hope their team goes far; it’s always great for the organisers if the home side performs well. You mentioned that having 24 teams in the competition is important nt for the sport’s development. What exactly xactly makes that so vital? It’s the fact that the sides des are competing internationally and nd have an opportunity to play at this his level. It’s crucial that they’re able to show their associations: “We need eed this support to get us through a World Cup.” That’s the first step to opening doors – for the youth too. You ou need good young players coming through the ranks to continue fielding ng a national team. How would you rate Germany’s y’s chances in Canada? All the teams have similarr chances. They’ve got to prepare for the conditions and climate out there. e. We’re under a bit of pressure ass we’re going to the tournament as the topranked side and are keen to go a very long way – that’s our aim. The team made a surprising exit from the 2011 competition at the quarteruarterfinal stage. Does that provide the players with a special incentive ve to show the world that this is their eir year? 2011 has definitely been n scrutinised but it’s now been putt to one side. We won the European Championship in 2013 and we’ve continued ntinued to develop the side since then. hen. It’s something we don’t want to hear about anymore. We’re keen to look ahead to a fantastic World Cup against some huge sides. The men’s team led the way in Brazil in 2014 and have repeatedly said that their greatest strength was team spirit. How important is this quality on the way to the title and how can you conjure it up?
BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
TO TEST YOURSELVES AGAINST STRONG OPPONENTS.
because the newer members of our squad have already played at an extremely high level thanks to the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. They face similar international competition in the Women’s Bundesliga and are used to that kind of environment, so in that respect there’s really no great upheaval at all.
As president of the Local Organising Committee, Steffi Jones was the face of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011, bringing her enthusiastic and open manner to the role to ensure that the finals were a huge success.
FIFA.com: How excited are you about this World Cup? Steffi Jones: Very excited, because you can now really sense the emotions and anticipation that the event is right around the corner. The fact that there will be eight more teams there this time around is just fantastic for the sport’s development.
I THINK THAT IT’S ALWAYS
That has always been our recipe for success too. We’ve always had a very good blend of young and more experienced players within the squad and a fantastic team spirit. Of course we’ve had a little bit of luck along the way too, and we’re hoping for some more of that this year. When you compare Germany with other countries, can the team learn anything from their rivals? I think that it’s always been extremely important to test yourselves against strong opponents. That began with the Algarve Cup and is now continuing with preparation games that enable teams to work on the finishing touches. It all depends on a side’s form on the day. Each World Cup tells its own story and that means everybody can beat anybody. After the 2011 Women’s World Cup and 2013 European Championship, several vastly experienced players retired, including Birgit Prinz, Inka Grings and Kerstin Garefrekes. How tough is that kind of upheaval? We never really experienced any radical change because we have always integrated promising
youngsters into the squad. It’s a fact of life that sometimes players retire, but then others break through. It’s really not that It s noticeable
Would it be fair to say that Germany have so many talented footballers to choose from that as soon as one player retires, another takes their place? I wouldn’t put it quite like that. It’s worth emphasising that we take special care to ensure that our young players reach the level of the women’s national team at a relatively early stage. That’s a philosophy of ours, a common theme that begins with the U-15s and is carried through to the senior side. It’s an important part of our work and we’re extremely pleased with it. FIFA also organises youth competitions such as the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cup. How important importan is it for a player to gain international experience at a young age and develop their skills at these tournaments? important I think it’s incredibly importan opportunities for us to have these opportunitie themand enable the players to test them stage selves on the international stag demearly on in their careers. It also dem onstrates that many countries rrethese ceive far more support because thes recognised events exist, because it’s recognise team, that if you’ve got a women’s team foundation you also need to build a foundatio are for it – and those competitions ar superb for that.
Jones
Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sport
Sunday April 19, 2015
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Hingis beaten on return F
Higuain
ifteen-times grand slam champion Martina Hingis made a courageously impressive return to big-time singles tennis in the Fed Cup on Saturday but was eventually outplayed by Agnieszka Radwanska. Hingis was persuaded to play her first tour-level singles for nearly eight years because of injuries in the Switzerland team for the World Group playoff encounter against Poland. The 34-year-old brought back
memories of her heyday in a thrilling 48-minute first set before capitulating 6-4 6-0 to world number nine Radwanska after 76 enjoyable minutes. Martina Hingis fought courageously but could not prevent defeat on her first return to singles since 2007 Hingis was persuaded to play because of injuries in the team and to secure a spot on the Olympic team Smiling a lot and clearly enjoying the experience of being
United, Arsenal to fight for Higuain
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rsenal and Manchester United are both monitoring Napoli star Gonzalo HIguain and could fight for his services come the summer transfer window. That’s according to talkSPORT, citing reliable Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim that due to the fact Rafael Benitez’s men look unlikely to be participating in the Champions League next season Higuain is ready to take his leave of the club. Both of the aforementioned Premier League giants could do with the services of the former Real Madrid man, who has proven himself deadly in front of goal for a number of years, and so it won’t be a surprise to see bids coming from both London and Manchester when the transfer window opens.
Chelsea set to agree Davila deal
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helsea are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a deal that will see midfielder Ulises Davila extend his stay with Portuguese side Vitoria Setubal. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reports that Davila has indicated that he would like to continue his career with Vitoria and is aware that he is unlikely to be able to secure first-team football at Stamford Bridge. The Blues look set to approve a new season-long stint in Portugal for the Mexican midfielder after the 24-year-old initially move to Vitoria in January. The 24-year-old told O Jogo: “It is possible that I can continue. At this time the clubs are in talks and anything can happen. I’d like to continue. “But for now my goal is to play as much as possible. At the end of the season I will have to talk to Chelsea to see what is happening.”
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rsenal striker Danny Welbeck has ignored criticism of his goalscoring record by his former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal. Welbeck, 24, left United in September with 29 goals in 142 games and Van Gaal said he could not match the “standard” of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion - some you like, some you don’t,” Welbeck said. . “It’s football, it’s life. You deal with it.” Welbeck has scored eight goals in 32 matches for the Gunners this season and struck the winner as the FA Cup holders eliminated his former club from this year’s competition. But his ratio of less than a goal every four games at United led to his £16m move to Arsenal according to Van Gaal, who signed Radamel Falcao on loan to join Rooney and Van Persie. “You’ve got to be strong mentally living the life of being a professional footballer; there’s a lot of people out to get you,” added Welbeck, who is currently top scorer in European Championship qualifying.
back in the spotlight against a player with a similarly attractive style, Hingis played some exhilarating tennis early on but her effort eventually took its toll. Half a step slower in the second set, she could only win 11 points as Radwanska upped her game to give Poland a 1-0 lead in the tie. What was most eye-catching was the way Hingis fought in the opening set, twice coming back from a break down to level the scores until the pressure exerted by Radwanska finally told.
Hingis
Welbeck cool on Louis van Gaal criticism
Ancelotti has no plans to sign new keeper
Casillas
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eal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed goalkeeper Iker Casillas amid talk of David de Gea’s imminent arrival, while the Italian boss
reiterated his desire to remain at The Santiago Bernabeu next season. Manchester United keeper De Gea is tipped to replace country-
man Casillas as Real’s number one in 2015-16 in a big-money deal, with the latter often made a scapegoat by the club’s supporters in recent seasons.
But Ancelotti, who himself faces an uncertain future in the Spanish capital with Real adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, said he has total faith in the 33-year-old international keeper. “I see myself here at Real Madrid next season, with Casillas and with all of the others who are doing a good job,” Ancelotti told reporters on Friday. “It’s not an important question at this point in time. We are focused on what we need to do.” When asked who might be a better keeper than Casillas, Ancelotti said: “It’s not for me to list a ranking of goalkeepers; I have three very good goalkeepers who I am happy with.
N I G E R I A
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Sunday April 19, 2015
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Comment E-mail:
nwaunah@yahoo.com Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Dean, School of Languages and General Studies, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe
with Jim Unah
I
n a representative democracy such as the one in practice in Nigeria today, electoral victory is the prelude to the exercise of political power. Electoral victory confers authority on individuals who secured them to exercise the powers vested in them by the operations manual of state—the constitution. The exercise of constitutionally vested power has no value in itself if it is not adverted to the delivery of public safety, public good and the happiness of man. Differently stated, electoral victory is a burden on those who secured them. Yes, it brings immediate momentary joy and sense of conquest and achievement and, in truth, perquisites. But electoral victory is wrapped up in an apparel of duties, expectations and responsibilities, failure which easily turns the victor into a villain. In a mature and genuine republic, to which Nigeria is rapidly gravitating, electoral victory is a social contract, a mandate of the people, expressly authorizing the victor(s) to mobilize the resources of the state—men and materials—to create
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F I G U R E S
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m - Drop in Nigeria’s external reserves in the last two weeks.
Beyond electoral victory
egalitarianism in society, that is, to work for the comfort and happiness of man; by alleviating poverty and eradicating all evils in society. The Nigerian state is awash with mass poverty and all manner of social evils. That accounted for the huge momentum and attraction which the change mantra propagated by opposition political party elicited from the voting public, thus resulting in the endorsement of majority of its members for executive and legislative offices by the electorate. What this suggests is that the newly elected state managers should get down to business as soon as they are sworn in on May 29, next month. There is no room for excuses. The people who voted for change are too hungry, angry, unhappy and desperate to be patient with excuses. The newly elected officers must get cracking as soon as they assume office to deliver what could possibly be delivered within the time period available to them. At this time in 2011, the outgoing President was the choice of majority of the voting population. But overwhelmed by corruption issues that inundated his administration and the insurgency scourge that afflicted his dispensation, four years was such a long wait to vote him out of office. As they say, the teeth that the dog uses to play are the teeth that it uses to bite. The new Nigerian voters are only too eager to vote out non-performing state actors. Con-
sequently, the new electoral victors should not allow themselves to attempt to bribe the people with the usual vocabularies of resilience, patience, sacrifice and understanding that politicians employ to blindfold voters, whilst secretly looting the treasury. People are wiser today. The way forward for state actors who wish to remain in the good books of the electorate and who hope to return to power after the first term is to get down to work without any delay. Accelerating and completing existing projects; creating jobs for the youths through ongoing and new projects; reining in insurgency with dispatch, and a direct onslaught on corruption are a few of the ways the new dispensation could get down to business without lowering the momentum of expectations. All of this does not suggest that electoral victory does not call for celebrations. It does. The point here is that the celebration of electoral victory should not blind the victors to the stark reality of abject poverty in which majority of the people live their daily lives. It should not make them to think that ruling a vast and complex country such as Nigeria is by any stretch of the imagination a tea party. Or that their new assignment would be business as usual. A new Nigerian state being aggressively shaped by a voting public that has seized the initiative from the political actors has emerged. An electoral commission that has taken advantage of
Confederation Cup: Salami’s double gives Wolves advantage brace from Gbolahan Salami ensured that Warri Wolves secured a 2-1 victory against FC MK Etanchéité of DR Congo in their CAF Confederation Cup first leg match played in Warri. Super Eagles striker scored in each half to hand the Seasiders a slim advantage ahead of the second leg. The visitors pulled one back in the 85th minute through Mombo Lwamba. Paul Aigbogun’s team were mostly the better side throughout in Warri, and they were rewarded in the 6th minute. Salami grabbed the opener much to the delight of the home fans. Both teams tried their luck from range - and often broke down in the middle and attacking thirds. MK Etanchéité went close to equalising five minutes before
I N
- Amount the Federal Government loses to pipeline N150 vandalism annually.
half-time. Kabangu Kadiama was unable to beat Daniel Akpeyi from the penalty spot. Salami doubled the lead in the 80th minute with a tremendous goal. He brought down a pass from Oghenekaro Etebo with a superb first touch before cutting inside and firing past the goalkeeper. Five minutes from time,
Lwamba pegged back the Nigerians with a crucial away goal for MK Etanchéité. Nonetheless the Seasiders,who are Nigeria’s remaining representatives on the continental stage, are now in tight position to make into the final qualifying stage if they avoid defeat in the return leg.
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR EXCUSES. THE
PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR CHANGE ARE
TOO HUNGRY, AN-
GRY, UNHAPPY AND DESPERATE TO BE
PATIENT WITH EXCUSES.
modern technology to check the nauseating excesses of politicians who buy and steal votes to capture power has evolved. We might soon graduate from here to electronic voting system that will ultimately make voting completely anonymous and totally free from thuggery, rigging and violence. The saving grace for the public office hunter and vote seeker would be performance and deliverances of genuine political goods. Thus, the legitimacy of the exercise of political power would not be because the political actor was born to rule or that he was a political good boy to a political god-father. It would be by virtue of the actual doing of genuine political deeds, namely the deliverances of public safety, public good and public welfare.
NFF taking Nigerians P. 60 for a ride? PREMIERSHIP RESULTS
Salami
C/ Palace 0 -2 W Brom Everton 1 -0 Burnley Leicester 2 -0 Swansea Stoke 2 -1 So’ton Chelsea 1 -0 Man Utd FA CUP
Reading 1 - 2 Arsenal LA LIGA RESULTS
Barcelona 2-0 Valencia Real Madrid 1-0 Malaga La Coruna 1-2 A/Madrid
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