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Ngilari, Yero, Ihedioha, others tear-gassed at PDP secretariat

Vol. 4 No. 47

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P. 2 P. 7 News Politics 2 feared killed, 20 Automatic ticket: PDP injured in stampede at senators strike deal with Jonathan new A’Ibom stadium     

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Saturday, November 8, 2014

Boko Haram: Again, explosion rocks Bauchi •13 killed, 27 injured

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Mubi: Don’t panic, military tells Nigerians •Perfects plans to flush out insurgents, reclaim towns

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elia Jan P. 23

L-R: Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Ekaete Akpabio; Governor Godswill Akpabio; President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and nd President Goodluck Jonathan, arriving Akwa Ibom Airport for the inauguration of Akwa Ibom International Stadium Complex in Uyo, yesterday.

Tambuwal’s defection: PDP challenges court’s jurisdiction P. 7

•Court to hear substantive suit alongside preliminary objection Nov 17 •PDP insists Tambuwal not supposed to be in the House or be Speaker Sex k Tal

20 ways to keep things going for longer

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Top Stories Two Page

Crime

Man stabs friend to death over unpaid debt P.49

Crime

Internet love scammer bags jail term P.49

Dear Titi I think I’m gay

I am twenty thre e years old, from a family of fiv e girls and two older brothers of whom I have ab solutely no relatio nship with. I ha ve problems with my sexuality an d I am also addict ed to pornogra ph y (a habit I deve loped in my ea rly teens}. I am se xually attracte d to other men, at le ast I think so an d this embarrasse s me to no end be cause I hate who I am.

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ENTERVAGANZA ‘Those that are close to me know the real Kate Henshaw’ P.22

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

2 feared dead, 20 injured in stampede at new A’Ibom Stadium

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wo people were feared dead, while 20 others suffered various degrees of injuries during a stampede at the inauguration ceremony of a new stadium in Akwa Ibom State yesterday.

It is not clear yet what caused the stampede, but an international friendly between the home-based senior national team of Nigeria, Super Eagles B, and the U-23 National Team of Ghana, the Black Meteors, was fixed to mark the ceremony.

“It is possible football fans were scrambling to enter the stadium to watch the match. That’s what I heard,” an Uyo resident said.

But while the NAN correspondent at the stadium reported a stampede, the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Achong, said, “There was no stampede, there was only crowd control. We are only controlling the crowd entering the stadium.”

When told that journalists at the stadium reported a stampede, he said, “I’m not aware” and terminated the call.

The 30,000 – capacity venue, with a bullet –proof State Box that has 70 seats, has

been described by the Vice President of Ghana Football Association, Fred Crentsil (who was sent by CAF to inspect the venue) as being “among the best you can find anywhere in the world”.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is the chief host, is showcasing the majes-

tic facility, which has already been approved by the Confederation of African Football for the crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa on November 19, as one of the key infrastructure he has delivered to the oil-rich State.

cial media, people were saying twenty, fifty, even one hundred people died.

What actually happened was that six people died, a woman that came to see her injured son collapsed and died, making it seven. Thereafter, two people died, making the total number of deaths nine.

“Unfortunately, people engage in gossiping, whether for destructive purposes or whatever. But we are advising the general public to always confirm situations before they go out there to spread cock and bull stories.”

Dispelling the rumour that the police commissioner was unable to go beyond Bajoga, which is before Ashaka and Nafada, after the attacks on the two towns, Fwaje stated that it was not true.

He said, “We visited all those areas that were attacked, so it is not true that we could not go beyond Bajoga town. We were in Nafada and Ashaka for on the spot assessment.”

On the number of casualties recorded, Fwaje said, “In our records, four peo-

ple were killed and one policeman was.

We have commenced investigations and our findings will be made known later. But for the army casualty figures, I can’t respond on that because if I do, I will be interfering in their job.”

The PPRO assured the public that the Police are all over the state doing what they know how to do best, protecting lives and property and ensuring that the sacred mandate of safety and security is achieved.

Following last Tuesday’s attack of Nafada Local Government Area, where a popular Islamic clergy, Sheikh Adami Misra and others were felled, and Ashaka Cement factory in Funakaye Local Government Area, where unconfirmed reports have it that insurgents went away with some number of Hilux cars, dynamites and weapons, palpable tension has hung over most parts of the State, with many residents fleeing their abodes. All schools have also been closed by Government, which said the closure was for mid-term break.

Gossip, rumours, social media set back anti-insurgency efforts in Gombe

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he Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Fwaje Atajiri (DSP), has described rumours, gossip and the activities of social media as one of the serious setbacks in fighting the insurgency that has affected the state in the past few days.

According to the PPRO, was reacting to the report that State Police Commissioner, Abdullahi Kudu Nma along with some officers of the Command were yesterday prevented from getting to Nafada and Ashaka, two major towns in the State that were attacked by insurgents.

“That is not true,” Fwaje countered. “What I want the good people of Gombe to do is that they should not listen to gossips. They should always listen to facts, because gossips have caused a lot of problems.”

Citing the bomb blast at a popular motor park in the state capital, which claimed several lives last weekend, the PPRO said, “After the blast in Gombe, the loss of lives was not much. But on the pages of newspapers and in the so-

e: No Childhood Jaundic aw water Ampiclox or pawp P.42 matter!

Woman

My fathe r taught me the good thi ngs I kn ow Grace E gbagbe P.34-35

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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November 8, 2014

Are talents in soccer

academies properly harnessed?

When in 2013, the country paraded what many agree was the youngest and most talented crop of Under 17 players in the last FIFA cadet championship in UAE, not a few buffs believed that youth soccer academies in the country may well have upped their game. But findings show that the Golden Eaglet’s feat at the soccer meet may be a flash in the pan. Unless the country’s soccer ruling body begins to regulate its proliferating soccer academies in the country, young talents would be exploited, while the current momentum in youth soccer development will slacken, writes NICK UWERU.

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ikiru (surname withheld at his insistence) often looks back at his stint with Staruf Academy, a football school in Surulere, Lagos, with much regret. “It was a waste of valuable time that should have been spent in training with my youth soccer team,” he tells anybody who cares to listen. Sikiru plays for International Youth Football Club, IYFC, Ilorin. He has been shortlisted on few occasions to play for Kwara State at cadet soccer tournaments. He was on the radar of Kwara United and ABS, two professional football clubs in Ilorin.

But Sikiru lost the chance to play for any of these soccer clubs when in 2012 he opted to search for the proverbial Golden Fleece in Lagos with Staruf Academy.

He learnt that the soccer academy was on a recruitment drive for young and talented footballers. Staruf, claimed that it trains and nurtures young players for professional soccer leagues in Europe. The youngster from IYFC believed that the Lagos soccer academy might just be his own route to super stardom in the world of soccer.

There is a basis for his optimism. Staruf is owned

by Peter Rufai, ex-Super Eagles goal keeper and legend.

The soccer academy also advertises itself as a standard, well equipped football school aimed at nurturing players for clubs in countries like Spain and Belgium, two countries where Rufai plied his trade as a professional footballer. But reality soon set in for Sikiru after some months of workout at the academy’s training pitch in Cantonment, Leventis area in Lagos. He was first asked to pay N11,500 as registration fees. According to

the academy, the money would be used to secure jerseys, track suits and training kits for him. Sikiru complied.

But doubts began to set in for him after Rufai’s presence at the training ground became fewer and far in between.

Like Sikiru, too, most of the players became chagrined after no scouts came to the training pitch to watch and access them.Then the monetary demands began. The young players were told to pay money for trips to five African countries for trials. For those interested, they were required to pay between N100, 000 to N200, 000.

Those who want to go outside the continent are expected to pay N300, 000. It was at this point that Sikiru opted to cut his losses and headed back home.

But unlike Sikiru, Chukudi Paul and Obi Ekene among some 17 others, chose to keep faith with the academy’s plan and made the payments. The promised tour of five African countries for trials only ended in Cotounou, Benin Republic, where the academy’s contingent played a hastily arranged match with Dragon FC, a former club side of Rufai. The disappointed players returned to Nigeria with just two securing a deal with an obscure football club in Benin. “It was a waste of time and money,” stated a pained Paul whose family has since hired a lawyer to retrieve his international passport from Rufai and perhaps sue for damages.

Till date, Ikechukwu Ugboh’s where about is largely unknown to his father, Abel, a resident of Ilorin. The young man, a part two student of Computer Science at the University of Ilorin, suddenly took flight to Suleja, Niger State, where, by the father’s account, Ugboh inCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘NFF should create a national youth soccer league’ age but the calculation is complex, that is why football clubs need specialist law firms like us to assist them in recovering this money. In terms of how much is involved when a young player transfers, if he is registered with a club it is like any other contract dependent on the agreement between both clubs and unless the player has a clause in his contract entitling him to a percentage of any transfer fees, the old club most often gets everything. The NFF as the national association is not a party to the transaction and as such are not due any entitlements. It is their duty to produce the players international transfer certificate and nowadays FIFA has simplified everything and now a Transfer Matching Scheme is in use in the transfer of players.

Johnny Precious Ogbah, a sports lawyer and Head of Sports Law (Africa) with Activity Chambers, a Sports Law firm with offices in the UK and Nigeria, says that soccer academies need to be properly regulated by NFF if the gains of sports development must trickle down to the grassroots

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s a FIFA licensed agent are you currently on retainer with any foreign club? If any, could you tell us its name(s) and what they look out for in talents particularly from Africa?

I am not a FIFA agent. Rather I am a sports lawyer but by virtue of Article 4 II of the FIFA Players Agents Regulations, legal practitioners are entitled to represent players, and football clubs in transfers. Thus, we do not require to be FIFA licensed to do everything licensed agents do. In fact, because of our legal background we can do much more than licensed agents do in the sense that we are not bound by the rigid rules of operation that bind licensed agents, rather we are bound by professional rules and ethics which though more relaxed in application, also hold us at higher levels of compliance. Due to attorney-client privileges we cannot reveal the identity of our clients, or what we do and what we have done for them without their express permission. However, I can tell you that we have, in the recent past done things for Enyimba International, Heartland FC, JC Raiders FC, UNTH Healers FC to mention but a few. We also work with foreign clubs seeking investments in African clubs but unfortunately we cannot name them. I was scheduled to be in Nigeria around November this year with the President of a top Scandinavian club but due to one thing or the other that trip has had to be postponed. Foreign clubs know that talents abound in Africa, but because it takes more than talent to succeed in abroad they look for other factors in a player before deciding to purchase him. First they look at his techniques and level of understanding. They also look at his composure under pressure, and disciplinary issues. If a player is known to have a temperament, foreign clubs avoid him for obvious reasons. A temperamental player can easily loose his cool in the middle of a match and cost his side the game or will be a disruptive influence in the team. Also, they prefer youth to experience, as the young ones can still be molded to play the way the team plays unlike the mature, experienced players.

What is the transaction like if you need to acquire a young player for

Soccer academies are mushrooming in the country just as corporate bodies are pouring money into sports competitions and branding. Ordinar-

THE DISCONNECT HERE, TO ME, IS IN THE LACK OF A YOUTH LEAGUE, THE NFF AND SPORTS MINISTRY SHOULD DO WELL TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION a club or academy in Europe? How much is involved here, in terms of who gets what? What goes to the NFF in terms of returns on a single player and what goes to the academy? What does the academy get?

If we need a young player for an academy or club abroad, we tell our scouts in the academies, media and amongst partner agents or other facilitators on ground. Usually we always have many of these offering us players of different techniques and styles so we go through our records or our contacts and decide which of the young stars to have a close look at.

If a young player signs for a club in Europe, his old clubs or academies are entitled to some fixed entitlements depending on a few factors. If this is his first professional contract, meaning that he was an amateur player before he signed, then all the clubs he played for previously are entitled to what is called training compensation. This is a FIFA mechanism to encourage training clubs for the part they play in a players’ development.

However, the clubs have a limited time within which to claim these entitlements otherwise the money goes to the player’s national association, in our case the NFF. Unfortunately most African clubs lose this entitlement due to ignorance. If the player has been registered as a professional however, the training clubs are assumed to have been settled by the club and so all the training compensation the new club will pay is to the last club for the period of play the player was with them. This money is fixed in line with the new clubs and what costs they will spend in training a young player of that

ily this should translate to better soccer leagues talent pool for major sporting meets. But the reverse has been the case in the country. More or less, age grade national team coaches often rely on other sources outside the academies for their players. What do you think is responsible for the disconnect?

Everyone knows there is enough money to be made so that is why soccer academies spring up everyday across the nation. The successful transfer of just one player abroad is able to make enough money for these academies to run for a few months so they push towards selling as many players as possible. However, most of these academies are poorly funded and I do not believe that corporate bodies pay much attention to them.

Their only source of income is international transfers which do not come about easily or as often as they are needed thus most of them go from hand to mouth. To improve things for them the NFF must sit up and enforce the FIFA regulations of Training Compensation, locally. When a Pro and Premier League club signs an amateur player from an amateur club, the amateur club and all other amateur clubs that played a part in training the player are due training compensation, no matter how small. Unfortunately that is not so and these academies are the worse for it. Back to your question, because of the desire to move to Europe or Asia for the obvious financial gains most academies focus on sending players abroad rather than dealing with Nigerian league clubs. Furthermore, Nigerian league clubs renege on agreements with acad-

emies and even with the players themselves. Most importantly, there is not even one national youth league whereby the pool of talents can be harnessed, nor is there any in most of the states. How then can the age grade national team coaches pick players from where there is no platform? The disconnect here, to me, is in the lack of a youth league and the NFF and Sports Ministry should do well to address the situation. One thing that should really be addressed is the issue of big teams and their academies or feeder teams. It may seem harsh for me to judge from here in the UK but I visit Nigeria at least three times every year and I spend a large amount of time at home and even though most of the teams claim they have a youth team, I am yet to see anything to write home about. If they truly have youth teams, they do not give them the exposure they need by playing regularly against their fellow clubs youth teams. For example, I have never heard of Enyimba U18 v Rangers U18.

Is there anything like soccer academy league in London? If so, what is it like and how serious does the English FA take it?

Yes there are youth leagues all over the UK and only recently, the national reserve league was turned into a national U21 league. There is also a very competitive youth FA Cup. These help clubs develop and nurture their players while blooding them and giving them the necessary experience.

Some have argued that the sports academies in the country have become veritable ground for recruiting players to be sold into slavery. Are you of this opinion?

Not at all. Even though I do not believe in players being sold into slavery nowadays because FIFA have strict guidelines of what terms of a players’ contract should be and the maximum duration allowed, soccer academies are not to blame if their player signs into slavery.

The blame should rather go to the agents who facilitate such deals because the academies do not travel with the players but rather entrust the players to the care of the agents. Agents are bound by FIFA statutes to be upright and transparent in their dealings so I will say that if these things still happen then they are being propagated by rogue agents; people who are neither licensed agents nor lawyers yet wangle their way into the picture during transfers.

In terms of player recruitment from the academies would you have an idea as to how many young players are moved outside Nigeria to foreign leagues?

I have absolutely no idea, I doubt if anybody else does too because most of them creep out to neighbouring countries and acquire their passports and so travel and play with foreign passports.

Some just leave the country on visiting visas pretending to leave for non football CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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November 8, 2014

‘NFF must regulate soccer academies’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 tends to be one of the 30 lucky footballers in Super Star Academy. The football school, according to the young man, is a nursery propagated by the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, to groom talents for its cadet teams like Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and the Olympic team. Under a certain Coach Salami, the young footballers were made to sleep in uncompleted buildings after money were obtained from them. “It was only through some of his mutual friends that I learnt that my son was stranded in Suleja and I had to send him transport money to return home after more than one year away from home,” explained Ugboh’s father.

The young man returned to Ilorin only briefly to embark on another search for a better soccer academy in Port Harcourt Rivers State. Of course, NFF denies any link with Super Star Academy. In the words of Ademola Olajire, assistant director, corporate communication, NFF, the soccer ruling body does not directly involves itself with running football academies. “It is the state FA’s that are charged with registering and regulating the operations of academies in the states,” Olajire explained.

Paul Bassey, member, NFF technical committee, told Saturday Mirror that most of the places that pass themselves off as soccer academies are slave camps.

He admits though that lack of proper regulation from NFF may well account for the proliferation of these sport facilities. He told the paper that proper regulation of academy football in the country is only at the committee stage. “I can say without any equivocation that properly established soccer academies in the country can be counted on the fingers of one hand,” stated Bassey. As far as the technical committee member is concerned, Kwara Football Academy, KFA, Pepsi Football Academy and the Sports Academy, Wasinmi, Abeokuta, run by Segun Odegbami, an ex-international, Glo Football Academy, and a few others are duly registered by NFF because most of the other facilities do not meet the minimum standard of a football school.

Bassey’s position is quite understandable at least going by NFF’s standard as to how a sports academy should be run. But for analyst like Jide Fashikun, sports analyst and marketer, Bassey’s list of what can pass as standard football academies should be further pruned down to one. On this list, Kwara Football Academy should be the standard school.

This, according to him, is because the school has all the basic facilities and international connection that such facility should have going by global practice (see interview).

By design, a football academy, apart from the physical infrastructure for intellectual and physical learning should be manned by certified coaches with bias for youth education and development. Going by global standards in setting up of soccer academies, the idea is to create a learning environment for grooming future stars. Focus may differ from one academy to the other, the central goal is to produce professional players for big clubs. For instance, Aspire Academy in Qatar, focus more on teaching soccer fundamentals, sports sciences and other subjects that fits into making their wards a sportsman.

But at Chelsea Football Academy in London, the model is different. Chelsea enrolls its wards in schools to acquire basic education while soccer fundamentals are taught at its facility in London.

But West Ham Football Academy, also in England is considered as offering the best in soccer academy. The facility combines the teaching of basic education with sports science and the fundamentals of the game of soccer. But in the country, some academies favour the West ham model. Among them are FOSLA and KFA. Other academies like Pepsi and Glo pay attention more to teaching soccer fundamentals. Whichever the preference, NFF has a list of guidelines for the set up of an academy in the country.

NFF requires that a football academy to be registered with the NFF must go through its State FA after which it can be registered with N20, 000. All developmental activities, or other related activities of the Academy must be ap-

proved by the NFF. The personnel of any Academy must possess appropriate educational and professional qualifications for the jobs. Each Academy may seek partnership and sponsors with individuals or corporate organizations.

The NFF will, periodically, evaluate each Football Academy to certify the appropriate maintenance of operational standards. Contents of Contract Agreements between Academies and their trainees must be reviewed periodically, and copies of such agreements must be must be kept with the relevant State FA. The facilities of the Football Academy will be inspected by the NFF through the State FA. These facilities must meet the minimum standards set by NFF. Most of the facilities that pride themselves as soccer academies fall short of this standards. Most do not even have standard pitches for training, medical laboratories, gym or quality manpower to train young talents. “But this are essential ingredients needed for an academy,” explained Patrick Ngwaogwu, a coach and board secretary of FOSLA Academy, a leading soccer academy in Abuja. The facility combines schooling with teaching of the basic rudiments of the game of soccer. In fact, Chigozie Obasi, one of the all conquering Golden Eaglets at the last FIFA Under-17 World Cup, hosted at the United Arab Emirate, UAE, in 2013 was a product of the academy. Ngwaogwu adds that NFF must take steps to regulate the academies in the country not only to save susceptible young talents from exploitation but also to shore up the country’s soccer potentials to make gains. This can only be true given the results currently being enjoyed from Grassroots Soccer Development Project, GSDP, a program initiated by NFF, since 2007.

As part of this project, 25 talented but indigent pupils between primary six and JSS II are brought together every year from across the country to be groomed on basic rudiments of the game. The players are each entrusted to accredited coaches and academies across the country. The plan is to groom them for the country’s Under-17 national team. Apart from Obasi who was part of the GSDP program before going to FOSLA, Kelechi Iheana-

cho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Eze, Saliu Baba, Habib Makanjuola, Chigozie Obasi, Raymond Japhet and Frances Uzoho, where part of this project. Before global audience at the United Arab Emirate, UAE, host of the 14 edition of the FIFA cadet championship, last year, Nigeria’s Under17 put on showcase what analysts believe may be the youngest crop of players ever produced at the tournament.

The country made history by winning the trophy a record fourth time for the country. By pundits assessments, this set of Golden Eaglets were by far unprecedented in terms of their overall records. Going by the team’s statistics, the team played a total of 49 matches towards winning the trophy. They won 44, drew 4 and lost only one in regulation time. In all, the team scored a total of 221 goals and conceded only 35. At the championship, too, the country surpassed both national international goal scoring records. It racked up a record 26 goals, beating Germany’s previously set record of 24. The team also surpassed its Eaglets’ record set 20 years ago in Japan.

Records making and breaking aside, the cadet team were rated as having depth as far as the fundamentals of the game are concerned. They are individually skillful yet work as cohesive unit.

Iheanacho emerged as the best player of the tournament and second highest goal scorer of the team; Dele Alampasu, the goal keeper, got the golden gloves as the best shot stopper; Musa Mohammed, team captain got the FIFA fair play award. As a team, too, the boys were outstanding. They are rated as one of the fastest team in the tournament with the quickest transitions from defense to attack. This ploy led to the demolition of highly rated teams like Mexico, defending champions at the tournament, Uruguay and Sweden. While GSDP may have created resource pool for the cadet teams in the next few years, the question remains as to how sustainable these would be given that NFF may not be able to sustain the tempo and most of the country’s soccer academies are poorly regulated, ill equipped and at best places for exploiting young footballers for their money.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We have few academies that can match their peers abroad’ Jide Fashikun, sports analyst and former marketing operations manager, Nigerian Sports Development Fund Incorporation, NSDFI, says that soccer academies in the country is open to the vagaries of exploiters of young talents.

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ould you say that our sports academy structure in the country is comparable to basic standards on how they should be?

A cursory look at the structure of sports in Nigeria shows a fundamental error. A visit to how the same academies in lesser endowed nations like South Africa, Cote d’ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia, Botswana, Namibia, Egypt would reveal that they are community-based. That level, in these countries, incidentally has the highest volume of corporate sponsorship, accountability, transparency, organization, championships etc.

In real sense, the only sports academy in Nigeria is the Kwara Football Academy. Any other one is a mushroom. How many academies in Nigeria have the requisite technical knowledge needed to train kids? They don’t have the appropriate physical, psychological, human and facilities.

Across the country now, there are so much soccer and sports academies. How well regulated are these sports facilities in your view?

Most of the managers of our sports federations do not know what operates in other parts of the world. They get ‘selected’ in pre-determined elections

by virtue of who they know not by what they have contributed to any sport. So the issue of standardisation of academies, a primary responsibility of sports federations, is not even on the front burner.

With football, nothing works. The other example is basketball where every club has a nursery to breed stars and they are privately owned. The results are there to be seen in the media with which the D’Tigers qualified for the 2012 Olympics ahead of highly rated nations in the qualifiers. The result of their steady progress was what fetched the country the ticket.

more from the pool of talents from these processes, agents and foreign league/ corporate bodies or the national teams?

There is a rich assemblage of soccer managers who exploit the desperation of footballers to play abroad. They set up ‘academies’ with which they recruit the players from lesser endowed coaches, change the names and ages of the players, take them to back street leagues on slave contracts. The lack of education on the part of the players makes them susceptible to blind exploitation.

Ordinarily one would expect that the NFF should have a full-fledged academy league in place where future stars could be monitored. According to some people, the real beneficiaries of these academy products are corporate bodies who involve them in their competitions and scouts and agents of foreign leagues. What is your take on these observations?

If we take the Pepsi academy for instance, the environment was too choking for them which was why they pulled out. The same academy produced a large number of middle level athletes that the NFF depend to prosecute many of its cadet championships. We must ask and answer the question why did Chief M.

To what extent would you say that corporate body sponsorship of youth soccer competitions like MTN street football, Guilder five aside, coca cola, Milo basket ball, etc. has helped in sports development?

I must take the opportunity to state the difference between sports promotion and sports development. Competitions are strictly sports promotion. It is like an examination. Whereas, the most important is training and development of the kids which is sports development.

The latter is time consuming, financially demanding and does not expose the corporate organisations involved in it.

That is why they would always prefer promotion than development.

K. O. Abiola decided to withdraw Abiola Babes FC of Abeokuta from the Nigerian football environment? Why did Leventis United of Ibadan die when it did despite the quality of credentials they marshaled in a short history?

Given the mushrooming of soccer academies across the country, who would you say benefit more benefit

‘NFF should create a national youth soccer league’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 reasons and at the end of the day end up in clubs in Europe.

Mr President, Goodluck Jonathan, tasked the sports minister to revamp the Nigeria’s sports. Where exactly do you think he should start from?

The time has gone when such a sensitive issue as sports which is one of the major unifying factors in our great nation is toyed with and this is exactly what still persists here now with round pegs in square holes. A successful revamp of Nigerian sports should start from the top, maybe even from the minister himself in all sincerity. We should pick people who are fully qualified to handle such sensitive positions in our sports and not just politicians who are there to fill one quota or based on one alliance or the other. The same way you cannot pick an engineer as Attorney General and Minister of Jus-

tice, you shouldn’t pick anyone who has no background or pedigree in sports as Minister of Sports or to handle any such sensitive positions. Note that I am not making this statement with the present Minister in mind, all I am saying is that the government should start by asking questions of whoever are in positions of authority in our sports to find out if they are the most suitable for such positions and if they are not, they should act promptly and replace them with capable hands. This is so because if you are not a sports loving person, you haven’t

been involved the game before becoming a politician or official, you have’nt invested resources or sweat to sports then you will really not know how the players and officials feel and what they need at each material time. Most times these political appointees surround themselves with sycophants who end up worsening the situation instead of making it better.

Nigeria is blessed with many men who have either invested their private funds in sports, or invested much sweat and effort yet because they do not belong to the ruling party or are not in the right clique,

they are overlooked by those in power who know quite well that they will do a good job if given an opportunity to lead our sports. People like Segun Odegbami and Honourable Lumumba Dah Adey are men of character and integrity who see sports from the point of view of what they will do to develop it and not what they will gain from it. Odegbami served Nigeria meritorously as a player and then in many capacities at state level as an administrator while Honourable Adey invested much money into his pet club JC Raiders of Jos and extended this love to footballers from Jos even if you were not a member of his team and till date most players of Jos origin speak volumes of his kind heart and eagerness to always help. When the head is good, the rest of the body is always often good so when the important sporting positions are filled with men who have the interest of sports at heart and with a mandate to develop and revamp our sports, there will definitely be a lot of improvement in our sports.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

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Tambuwal’s defection: PDP challenges court’s jurisdiction • Court to hear substantive suit alongside preliminary objection Nov 17 • PDP insists Tambuwal not supposed to be in the House or even as a Speaker SEYI ANJORIN ABUJA

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday adjourned till Nov 17 hearing on the substantive suit brought before it by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, alongside notice of preliminary objection, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

The suit was earlier adjourned for the defendants to show the cause why the reliefs being sought in pursuant to Order 26 rules 12 and 13, Order 56 (1) of the Federal High Court rule 2009 should not be granted.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Hon. Tambuwal drove himself into the court premises without any security detail and was accompanied by Engr. Segun Oni, Inua Abdulkadir who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) and

Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa.

Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lead counsel to the plaintiffs who led other 67 legal luminaries to the court, had in his argument, said that based on the order of the court at the last adjourned date, the defendants were supposed to “show cause through an affidavit and a written address”.

According to him, they are supposed to report to the plaintiff ’s written address contained in its motion ex parte.

He averred that there is no gain saying in replying on the points of law; “points of law must be embedded in the written address”.

In his submission, Fagbemi said that the position of the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation on the issue of raising point of law; if it is an invitation or request “we will turn it down, what they are saying is that there is no cause to be shown”.

Ustaz Usman, SAN,

counsel to the PDP, argued that there were two ways to show cause; “to give evidence to contradict evidence in the ex parte application or bring another fact or law to show why that order should not be made; this is what rule 14 Order 26 provides”.

He thereafter informed the court about its notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction

of the court and had filed documents in response to the effect that the “first plaintiff is not supposed to be there either in the House or as a Speaker”.

These, according to him, were enough facts to show particularly as regards the issue of jurisdiction that the court could not give any order until the issue of jurisdiction had been decided.

• Two senators to benefit from each state ABUJA

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wo senators from each of the states controlled by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are to enjoy automatic ticket to return to the National Assembly in 2015.

A source at the meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, late Thursday night between members of the National Working Committee of PDP, the PDP senators and President Goodluck Jonathan said this was the outcome of the new deal reached between the parties.

The deal was arrived at to assuage the senators

who have been threatening to shut down the President Jonathan’s Government following their mass defeat by the governors at last Saturday’s state congresses held nationwide.

Specifically, the PDP caucus in the red chamber, alleged that the governors had hijacked the party’s structures and used it to manipulate the last weekend ward congresses, which produced delegates that would elect the PDP candidates for the general election.

Aside from threatening to join camp with the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) to impeach the president if the need arises, the PDP senators did also

Referring to paragraph 5 under the Order 26, he argued that the appropriate order was Order 26 rule 13 etc and that came under per se, which is a special procedure that was taken away from the general cause.

He argued that the hearing of the substantive suit had not been reached, for the PDP to contest the jurisdiction of the court over the matter.

L-R: Vice President North West Zone, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Usman; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade Investment, Mr. Abdulkadir Musa and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, during the 4th annual workshop on Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Automatic ticket: PDP senators strike deal with Jonathan GEORGE OJI

Referring the court to Soyannwo and another against Akinyemi, 2001 8 NWLR, Part 714, Page 95 at page 116 paragraphs F to G, Usman submitted that the only thing the court would entertain was the issue of jurisdiction.

Lateef Fagbemi, in his reply, said that the entire order 26 is segmented and this is seen in how the order is set out.

vow not to engage in any parliamentary activities, including the non consideration of the 2015 budget proposal until their demands were met.

But the meeting, which held at the First Lady’s conference hall, Presidential Villa, late night of Thursday and had in attendance members of the National Working Committee of PDP led by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, the PDP senators led by the Senate President, David Mark, and President Jonathan, who assured that he would ensure that the party addressed the grievances of the senators.

The meeting, according to the source, started some

Ngilari, Yero, Ihedioha, others tear-gassed at PDP secretariat TORDUE SALEM

minutes past 9.00p.m and ended at about midnight.

Sources at the meeting explained that Jonathan personally pledged to, “right the wrongs.”

The source said that Jonathan, having listened to the submissions of the senators, assured them that the party would guarantee the return of any of them that had shown interest to contest the next year’s National Assembly election.

He said, “This is a welcome development, a situation where by about 75 per cent of serving senators are being given automatic tickets by their party to return to the senate in next year. I think this will strengthen our democracy.”

ABUJA

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n ear-splitting howl rented the air yesterday, as governorship and other aspirants, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, went to submit their filled nomination forms at the headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party yesterday.

Bala Ngilari, Ramalan Yero, Adamawa and Kaduna governors respectively, were tear-gassed along the crowds after they submitted their nomination /expression of interest forms.

It kicked off as a huge rally of multiple hopeful and their supporters, with drumming, singing and

motley of banners and posters, but almost ended up in a disaster.

One of the policemen attached to the Zone 5, Abuja PDP headquarters at about 11:25am, shot a canister to the first floor, in the corridor leading to the office of the National Organising Secretary where the forms were being submitted, before a horde of aspirants and supporters pushed through to the National Organising Secretary’s office.

Also in the building, were the Governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero, the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, and Senator, Abubakar Gada ( Sokoto), who came to submit his governorship form.

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Boko Haram: Again, explosion rocks Bauchi • 13. killed, 27 seriously injured

EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

B

arely three weeks after the bomb explosion in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, another bomb explosion

has occurred in the area killing scores of people.

The tragic incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Friday at the premises of First Bank Nigeria Plc when customers believed to be civil servants had gone there to withdraw their Oc-

tober, 2014 salary.

Reliable security sources told journalists that 13 people died instantly while 27 others were critically injured during the bomb explosion.

The victims were said to be attempting to withdraw money from the bank’s

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in Azare.

An eye witness said the hoodlums initially disguised as normal bank customers who had come to join the queue to withdraw money before planting the bomb which later exploded.

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali; Director in the Ministry, Amb. Saleh Pisagih and Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Sudirman Haseng, during the Indonesian Ambassador’s Visit to the Minister in Abuja, yesterday.

Adenuga wins multiple technology investment awards

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igeria’s National Telecom Carrier, Globacom, and its founder, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr (GCON), have won a total of five awards at the just concluded 2014 African Information and Communications Technology Awards (AFRICTA) held at the Eko Hotel and Suites over the weekend.

Dr. Adenuga bagged the award of the African ICT Man of the Decade for his pan African ICT investment vision, humaneness and unrivalled patriotism.

Globacom bagged four awards including the Broadband Backbone Provider of the year for its Glo 1 infrastructure; Subscriber – Friendly Telecoms Operator of the Year for its commitment to subscriber rewards and sponsorships; Fastest Growing Mobile Operator of the Decade and Best Wholesale Broadband Company of the year.

The awards promoters described Dr. Adenuga as a pan-Africanist who has put a human face to wealth creation and an investor

whose vision for the ICT industry is founded “on a tradition of changing the life of the black man. Hence Globacom has become synonymous with life-transforming investments like the Glo 1 undersea cable which has changed the way West Africans live and do business”.

As the Broadband Backbone provider of the Year, Glo 1 was cited as bringing to West Africa a more flexible and efficient work environment with guaranteed connectivity anywhere, anytime as had never been experienced before.

The source added that the suspected bombers arrived the scene of the incident in a Toyota Hilux vehicle.

“As I am talking to you right now, I have counted about 13 corpses and 27 people seriously injured.

No rescuers are at sight as they fear being attacked,” the source said.

It was learnt that following the incident, traders hurriedly shutdown their shops for fear of being attacked.

Residents who spoke with our correspondent said the development caused serious pandemonium in the town of Azare.

A source from the Federal Medical Centre who did not want his name in print for fear of intimidation confirmed to newsmen that about 13 corpses and 27 critically injured persons were conveyed to the hospital.

According to the source,

the victims were mostly civil servants from neigbouring states like Yobe and Jigawa states including those from LGA’s like Misau, Giade, Shira and Jama’are who wanted to withdraw their salaries in Azare.

Azare town is believed to be the busiest commercial area apart from Bauchi metropolis in terms of business activities.

The town has however suffered series of attacks in recent times.

Our correspondent who was in Azare some hours after the bomb explosion reported that a combined armed security men had cordoned off the trouble area with a view to containing the situation as resident fled.

Spokesman of Bauchi State Police Command, DSP Mohammed Haruna, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.

Mubi: Don’t panic, military tells Nigerians plans to flush out insurgents, reclaim towns • Perfects .

UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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he Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has perfected strategies to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from Mubi and other towns in Adamawa State, as it urged Nigerians not to panic over the present situation.

Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, told our Correspondent in Abuja, yesterday, that the military was aware of the actual situation on ground and that the situation would not remain like that.

The Boko Haram insurgents, had last week, taken

advantage of the purported ceasfire agreement with the federal government to attack and overrun Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State, aiming at Yola, the state’s capital.

The overrun was a follow up to the first attempt, which was repelled few months ago, when the son of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Lt-Col Adeboye, an Army Engineer, who led a platoon to repel the attack, was seriously wounded by the insurgents.

This time, the insurgents were able to penetrate and overrun Mubi and other towns and was reported to have already changed the

name of Mubi to reflect their Islamic agenda, having killed so many innocent residents and displaced thousands of others.

However, the DDI told our Correspondent that, “we are definitely not going to leave things the way they are presently.”

Our Correspondent learnt that apart from alleged plans to bring in foreign troops and combatant airmen amongst others, the DHQ was shifting all its arsenal to ensure that all captured towns are reclaimed in a couple of days.

It was also learnt that strategies were still being worked out and that the military was preparing a

big shocker for the rampaging insurgents.

As usual, for strategic security reasons, these latest strategies could not be disclosed as General Olukolade said that the military was keeping it to its chest and would strike at the appropriate time.

This would not be the first time that the military had restrategised to reclaim towns seized by insurgents, as it successfully carried out such operations in the battle of Konduga in Borno State that led to the killing of several insurgents and Mohammed Bashir, who was impersonating late Abubakar Shekau.

Insurgency: AU countries to set up special intervention force for Mali GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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frican countries that are contributing troops to the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), have agreed to set up a rapid intervention force to fight terrorist groups and other cross border criminal or-

ganisations in Mali.

The countries also agreed to strengthen the current capacity of MINUSMA so that it will be able to quickly reach the authorised contingents provided for in the 2100 and 2164 resolutions of the United Nations Security Council to allow MINUSMA effectively fulfill its

mandates.

A statement from the information and communication department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, explained that those were the decisions arrived at during the ministerial meeting of countries contributing to MINUSMA on Wednesday in Niamey, Niger Republic.

It said that Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali, who led the delegation to the parley said the meeting agreed, also, to strengthen Malian Defence and Security Forces (MSDS) to enable them defend the territorial integrity of Mali.

The statement noted that

other decisions arrived at the meeting included the strengthening of regional cooperation in terms of cross border security between the Sahelo-Sahara region countries through the establishment of operational mechanism, capable of fighting terrorism and organised crimes.

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NATIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

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Court strikes out Nyako’s reinstatement suit ... Says applicant is a meddlesome interloper ground that there was no proper service in law.

Besides, Justice Abang held that the applicant served the respondents through the Adamawa State Government liaison office in Lagos on August 15, 2014, while the order for substituted service was actually made on August 26, 2014.

“In other words, the applicant served the respondents before an order of this court was made, apart from the fact that the identity of the person served was unknown.”

The court further discountenanced a written address filed by the applicant to a latter day application filed by the respondents to set aside the proceedings in the suit, saying that under order 26 rule 5 of the rules of court, a counter affidavit and not a written address ought to have been filed.

The judge further held that the applicant had no cause of action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police joined as fifth and sixth respondents respectively.

Conclusively, Justice Abang held that the suit was incompetent and lacked merit.

The court awarded N70, 000 costs in favour of the respondents against the applicant.

The applicant (Ogungbe-

ALGON Incorporated Trustees take over secretariat

... as court restrains ALGON chiefs SEYI ANJORIN ABUJA

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he registered incorporated trustees of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), yesterday, took control of the association’s secretariat located at No. 10 Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, and announced inauguration of its new interim management committee (IMC).

According to Hon. Kassim Ibrahim, Chairman, Board of Trustees, ALGON, the move was necessary fol-

lowing a court order granted by Justice Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that parties should maintain status quo ante bellum.

The registered incorporated trustees of ALGON, Hon. Ibrahim and Hon. Prince Nnaji, through a motion exparte had dragged Nwabueze Okafor, Ibrahim Dikko and Alhaji Shittu Bamaiyi Yakmut before the court seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their privies, their servants, agents

or otherwise from parading themselves as officers, executives or representatives of ALGON. The plaintiffs/applicant had sort an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their privies, their servants, agents or otherwise from either taking steps to declare any office of ALGON vacant or call for the purchase of forms for any elective office of ALGON, or call for elections to any offices of ALGON in its suit no. FHC/ ABJ/CS/719/2014.

je) had argued that Nyako’s impeachment was a clear derogation from the due process of law and prayed the court for an order reinstating him as a governor.

Respondents in the suit were former acting governor of Adamawa State,

Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State House of Assembly and the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ambrose Mammadi.

Others were Justice Buba Kajama, (Chairman of the seven-member panel that investigated

allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako), INEC and the IGP. The applicant had argued that Nyako’s impeachment was a clear departure from the due process of law, and prayed the court for an order reinstating him.

‘African Voices’ features Francisca Nneka Okeke

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his week, one of Nigeria’s notable scientist and Professor of Physics, Francisca Okeke will feature on ‘African Voices’, CNN’s International weekly half-hour programme highlighting Africa’s most engaging personalities.

‘African Voices’ focuses on Francisca’s journey to becoming the University of Nigeria’s first female Dean of Faculty of Physical Sciences, and how her father’s effort greatly influenced

her choice of career.

In the programme, Okeke recounts her childhood ordeals in the south eastern part of Nigeria, where education for the girl child was not that important, and how the aftermath of the Biafra war and violence almost put an end to her education.

She tells ‘African Voices’: “When I was a child, I would wonder about the changing colour of the sky and the ability of airplanes to fly in the atmosphere

without falling back to earth”.

Discovering that physics could answer these questions, Okeke was motivated to become a scientist and was one of only two women in her physics undergraduate class of 30 students in 1980.

She went on to become the first female Head of Physics Department at the University of Nigeria, and later, the first female Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

In your refreshingly different

Ex-Gov Obi to Umeh: You are the problem of APGA Interview

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Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking reinstatement of impeached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.

Delivering a ruling yesterday, Justice Okon Abang struck out the suit on the ground that the applicant (Ogungbeje) lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

Nyako was impeached on July 15, 2014 by the Adamawa State House of Assembly after a panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state indicted him of gross misconduct.

Consequently, Nyako’s deputy, James Bala Ngilari, who was said to have resigned, was sworn-in as the substantive governor.

Justice Abang in his ruling described the applicant as a meddlesome interloper in the affairs that does not concern him.

The court held that the rights to challenge the impeachment of July 15 resides solely in Nyako, who was impeached and not the applicant.

The judge noted that the applicant should have allowed Nyako to carry his own cross, and not cry more than the bereaved.

The judge observed

that the operative word in the preamble to the Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules was “may” and not “shall” which implies that not all human rights enforcement cases could not be dismissed for lack of locus standi.

“It is my considered reasoning that this suit is not a public interest litigation as alleged by the applicant. It is not an action instituted in the interest of the public.

“It is Nyako that will benefit from any favourable judgment, and not the public, and so this matter does not rank among public interest litigation.

“The applicant cannot cry more than the bereaved and he has no justifiable reason to file this suit because as at the time he filed it, it was not established before this court that Nyako was in detention or incapacitated.

“The applicant can also not depose to an affidavit in support of this application on behalf of Nyako who is alive. The facts deposed to by the applicant amount to documentary hearsay,” Justice Abang ruled.

Justice Abang further held that the suit ought to have been filed in Yola where Nyako was impeached, and not in Lagos.

The court further set aside service of the processes in the matter on the defendants, on the

The defection of ex-Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, from the APGA to the PDP has continued to rankle the leadership of the former party. Specifically, the APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, recently lashed out at Obi, describing the latter’s act as informed more by personal gains than by any form of disaffection with his old party members. But in this exclusive interview, the Obi camp has reacted, especially to a claim by Umeh that he “made Obi.” Obi’s official spokesman, in this special interview, tells the story of how his principal once bought an international passport for Umeh to enable him travel abroad…and how Umeh has been the problem of APGA. It’s an interview with steaming hot claims and revelations.

Keep a date with your vendor.

El-Rufai, Yero in stiff battle Reports from Kaduna State indicate that the governorship contest between Governor Mukhtar Yero of the PDP and Nasir El-Rufai of the APC promises to be epic, especially considering the raging hostilities between the two parties in trhe state. In this detailed analysis, you would know why the 2015 governorship election in Kaduna is at the moment, unpredictable.

Passion

WALE IGBINTADE

Kogi: Why the 20 prisoners returned The return of at least 20 prison inmates out of 144 who escaped during last Sunday’s insurgents’ attack on Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State has remained a mystery. The attack which was the second in the last two years has also escalated fears that the Boko Haram group is gradually having inroads into areas close to the South-western parts of the country. But beyond this, why did 20 out of the freed 144 prisoners return? We tell you tomorrow.

‘My narrow escape from a crazy male fan’ Nene Johnson is a musician, model and actress whose spotless skin and unblemished complexion stand out.

In this interview, this stunning beauty speaks about her lifestyle and the crazy thing a male fan once did to her.

These and many more available tomorrow in your

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NATIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People above 60 account for 23% NNPC gets new deputy GMD of global deaths, illnesses –WHO P MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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eople above 60 years account for 23 per cent of deaths and diseases recorded across the globe; a new release by the World Health Organisation, WHO, has said.

The burden, the agency said, is attributable to long-term illness caused by diseases such as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, musculoskeletal diseases, mental and neurological disorders.

This long-term burden of illness and diminished wellbeing affects patients, their families, health systems, and economies, and is forecast to accelerate, WHO argued in a release on its website.

It further informed that latest estimates indicate that there could be growing health challenges for the elderly, as according to the institution, number of people with dementia is expected to rise from 44 million now, to 135 million by 2050.

It stressed that though people are living longer at present than before, they are not necessarily healthier than they used to be.

The organisation attributed its report to “Health and Ageing”, published in “The Lancet”, a frontline health journal, and warned that unless health systems find effective strategies to address the problems faced by the ageing population, the growing burden of chronic disease would greatly affect their quality of life negatively.

“As people across the world live longer, soaring levels of chronic illness and diminished wellbeing are poised to become a major global public health challenge,” the agency warned.

WHO noted that “worldwide, life expectancy of older people continues to rise. By 2020, for the first time in history, the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber children younger than 5 years.

By 2050, the world’s popula-

tion aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion, up from 841 million today.

Eighty per cent of these older people will be living in low-income and middleincome countries.

“The increase in longevity, especially in highincome countries (HICs), has been largely due to the decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease (stroke and ischaemic heart disease), mainly because of simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce tobacco use and high blood pressure, and improved coverage and effectiveness of health interventions,” WHO said.

The agency quoted its Director of Ageing and Life Course, Dr. John Bear, as saying deep and fundamental reforms of health and social care systems would be required to change the present condition of the elderly.

“While some interventions will be universally applicable, it will be important that countries monitor the health and

functioning of their ageing populations to understand health trends and design programmes that meet the specific needs identified.”

“Strategies are needed that better prevent and manage chronic conditions by extending affordable health care to all older adults and take into consideration the physical and social environment.

“Examples include changing policies to encourage older adults to remain part of the workforce for longer (e.g., removing tax disincentives to work past retirement age), emphasizing low-cost disease prevention and early detection rather than treatment (eg, reducing salt intake and increasing uptake of vaccines), making better use of technology (eg, mobile clinics for rural populations), and training health-care staff in the management of multiple chronic conditions,” the organisation quoted Bear further as saying.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the creation of a new office of Deputy Group Managing Director in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

The statement said that the creation of the new office was in furtherance of ongoing efforts to transform the corporation into a commercially-driven entity.

“Consequently, Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Mr. Bernard Otti, as the new Deputy Group Managing Director/ Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of

the NNPC,” the statement said.

Otti, who is the current Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of the corporation, hails from Anambra.

According to the statement, he has held senior positions in some of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria and internationally.

He has also served on the boards of numerous public and private institutions.

“The new office of Deputy Group Managing Director is expected to strengthen the corporate governance structure of the NNPC. “It will also help ensure value for money and that return on investment increasingly becomes key factors in all operational decisions,’’ the statement said.

UITH introduces new wound care technology

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he Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, has said that UITH is the first teaching hospital in Nigeria to introduce a novel wound care management.

In an interview with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday during UITH’s SERVICOM summit, he said the method was only being practised in some advanced countries, adding that with its introduction to Nigeria by UITH, patients will be opportuned to access new and better wound

care.

Olatinwo said with time, other teaching hospitals in the country would be availed of the technology.

Also at the session were Quality Assurance Consultant, UITH, Mrs. Olatokunbo Famulegun; and SERVICOM Nodal Officer, UITH, Dr. Louis Odeigah.

Famulegun said the wound care management was the best in Nigeria; adding that it had been found to be working.

Odeigah said with the method, there would be substantial reduction of time of wound dressing.

Bamanga Tukur honoured with FUTO Doctoral OBIORA IFOH ABUJA President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi (left),in a handshake with the President, World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO), Mr. Marwan Abdelhamid (right), with them is President, Federation of African Engineering Organisation,Mr Mustafa Shehu, during news conference on Post World Engineering Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure in Abuja, yesterday.

F

ormer national chairman of the Peoples Demo-

NAFDAC staff may forfeit training sponsorship, threatens Orhii MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, might turn down sponsorship of local and international training programmes for many of its staff, DirectorGeneral of the agency, Dr Paul Orhii, has threatened.

Orhii gave the hint at the opening session of a training workshop titled “Plan B Economic Empowerment” for the agency’s staff during the week in Abuja.

The programme is handled by Project Fix Nigeria Consulting.

Orhii expressed regret that despite his administration’s determination to ensure the potentials of his

staff are optimally explored for both their personal and national gains, the staff, he said, refused to appreciate such gesture, but were threatening him with strike.

He said the introduction of the programme would allay post-retirement fears among the staff, by adequately providing them the opportunity to pool their resources together and en-

gage in farming activities as permitted by the nation’s constitution, before they retire.

Besides, the DG used the medium to give account of his rising from grass to grace through adequate planning for his life when he was within the age range of most of the participants and urged them to emulate him.

Orhii, however, said he

had incurred the wrath of the National Assembly by over-approving funds for his staff’s training programmes within and outside the country.

His words: “Some of the advice I give to you is the kind of advice I give to my children. I give an example; we have had unprecedented staff development activities since I came to NAFDAC.

cratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, yesterday described the Federal University Technology, Owerri (FUTO), as citadel of learning important to development of human beings.

Tukur noted that the institution had carved a niche in empowering others to develop the community in particular and the nation at large.

He made the statement yesterday when the governing council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri nominated him for the award of honorary Doctor of Technology degree of the institution.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that,the original certificate of Occupancy with No.625 issued by the Gboko Local Government council belonging to MR.Seember Shija of No.2 Brig. Gen. S.G Ikya Street,G.R.A. Gboko West Benue State, got missing and that all efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive. If found please return it to the nearest police station or the above address. Or phone these numbers:07037202557, 08035869476.

This is to inform the general public that, the original certificate of Occupancy with No.176 issued by the Gboko Local Government Council belonging to Mnena Shija of Konshisha Area, Genger, Gboko Benue State,got missing and that all efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive. If found please return it to the nearest police station or the above address. Or phone these numbers:- 07037202557, 08035869476.

This is to inform the general public that, the original certificate of Occupancy with BNA 4463 issued by the Benue state Government belonging to Tarkumbur Zenda of NKST Jande, Makurdi Benue State, got missing and that all efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive. If found please return it to the nearest police station or the above address.

Or phone these numbers:07038664388, 08035869476.

CHANGE OF NAME I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Olasunkanmi Precious Valentina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Omitoyin Precious Valentina. All documents remain valid.

Gtbank,Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria & the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that the bearer of these names SOKOBENI GLORY PETER, SOKOBENI EBISEIMOKUMOR GLORY PETER and PETER GLORY E. refers to one and the same person.

All documents remain valid. Niger Delta University, Amassoma & the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that the bearer of these names OKUS TANGBEI PAVILLA EDISEINIMI, OKUSTANGBEI PAVILLA and OKUSTANGBEI PAVILLA .E. refers to one and the same person. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names AKPONIMISINGHA ENIEKETIN MAXWELL, AKPONIMISINGHA ENIEKE M., ENIEKETIN AKPONIMISINGHA, ENEKETIN AKPONIMISINGHA and AKPONIMISINGHA ENIEKETIN. refers to one and the same person.

All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names MOLORIA ENETIMI-ERE RUTH, MOLORIA PIUS ENETIMI-ERE RUTH, MOLORIA ENETIMI-ERE, ENETIMI-ERE MOLORIA and MOLORIA PIUS ENETIMIERE. refers to one and the same person.

All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelugba Mary Adeola. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajayi Mary Adeola. All former documents remain valid. Holy child secondary school Ado Ekiti,G.T.Bank and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bamigbola Muibat Adeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olupona-Oladunjoye Adeyemi Muibat.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olowoyo Evelyn Olufunke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abiodun Evelyn Olufunke. all former documents remain valid.

Ise Comprehensive high school and general public take note.

NWANKWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ngozi Sonia Umeh. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed Miss Ogunleke Mary Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olla Mary Abosede. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State TESCOM and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Musilimat Anike Yagubu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adewuyi Musilimat Anike. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue Arowomole Ogbomoso and general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbemi Odunayo Busayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajala Odunayo Busayo.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

NGWU: We formerly known and addressed as Mr Ngwu Kenechukwu Samue, Mrs Ngwu Ogechukwu Victoria, Ngwu Kenechukwu Favour Success and Ngwu Miracle Mmesomachukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Chukwuekee Kenechukwu Samuel, Mrs Chukwuekee Ogechukwu Victoria, Chukwuekee Kenechukwu Favour Success and Chukwuekee Miracle Mmesomachukwu. All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the original document of land belonging to Nwakanma George Okaibe of 245 Ehi road Aba is missing. All efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive , if found please return to Mr. Nwakanma or the nearest police station .

Signed: Mr Nwakanma George Okaibe

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General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dibiah Ogochukwu, now want to be known and addressed as Mrs Anigbere Ogochukwu Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

We Mr Chidimma Chukwuemeka Osuagwu,Mrs Blessing Oluchi Osuagwu,Master Chukwuebuka Benjamin Osuagwu, Master Chukwuemerie David Osuagwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Chidimma Chukwuemeka Osuchukwu, Mrs Blessing Oluchi Osuchukwu,Master Chukwuebuka Benjamin Osuchukwu Master Chukwuemerie David Osuchukwu respectively. All former documents remain valid.General public take notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CUSTARD POWDER PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF ANAMBRA STATE OF NIGERIA

This is to inform the general Public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mr. Kingsley Ezeuba Mrs.Josephine Ajawobu Mr. Medolu Chike Mr. Jude Anthony Ekejimbe Sir Iloazor Boniface

- Chairman - Member - Member - Secretary - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. To create awareness and sponsor training in food ethics, good processing and technological practices.

2. To promote and sustain unity, peace, love and progress among members.

3. To collaborate with various food base agencies to administer right practices in Custard production in the area.

4. To promote the application of science and technonolgy in custard production in the area.

5. To function as a body of custard powder producers in the area.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olayiwola Rosemary Yemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaitan Rosemary Yemisi. All former documents remain valid. BOWEN University Iwo and general public should please take note.

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BLESSING: Formerly known and addressed as Onyedika Blessing Okala, now wish to be known and addressed as Onyedika Miracle Okala. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ONU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onu Uchechukwu Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abugu Uchechukwu Ruth. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that the bearer of these names Libya Rose Binatare, Akposeye Libya Rose Binatare and Akposeye Rose Libya. refers to one and the same person. All documents remain valid. Niger Delta University, Amassoma and the general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names Ataria Joy and Ataria Joy Matthew. refers to one and the same person. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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General public take note

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AMINA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Amina Lawal Hassan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amina Lawal Tijjani. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and The general public take note.

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All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and The general public take note.

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DIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dike Onyinye Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Isiwu Onyinye Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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OKORO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Abigail Nnenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbogu Abigail Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and The general public take note.

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ODEY: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Blessing Isaac Odey now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Isaac Kromgin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

This is to notify the public that Black Ebiseigha has added Charity to her original name which will now be addressed as Black Ebiseigha Charity. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Philomina Derioteidor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Philomina Derioteidor Charles Egbejule. All documents remain valid.The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Chinecherem Ede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Chinecherem Nwachukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

Mallam Muse Popoola Elder Emmanuel Lasunkolade, JP Barrister Sarafadeen Alli Chief Jubril Alaga Chief Rasaki Laoye

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

1.

To promote the interest of members.

2.

To foster unity among members.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General.

Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent,Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication.

SIGNED: S.N. CHUKWUNTA ESQ. 08037433895

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

E AL S OR F CE A SP

PUBLIC NOTICE

OLUYOLE GOLDEN CLUB 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONUEGBU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuegbu Chinenye Francisca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obi Chinenye Francisca. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MOTHERAFRICA RURAL CREEKS CONSERVATION INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the company and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Hon. (Mrs.) Janet Effiong.

Mr. Densy Mbu Ogar.

Hon. Alex Okon Asuquo.

Mr. Amos Bassey Njar.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Environmental Protection.

2. Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration in Nigeria.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: DENSY MBU OGAR

Politics 2015: Anambra voters set to support Jonathan again Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

Umeh

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

A

s the key political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) - and their presidential aspirants are preparing for the presidential election billed for 2015,the people of Anambra State appear gearing up to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan again as they did in 2011,when they voted massively for him.

The reason for this continuous show of commitment among the people of Anambra to supporting and eventually voting for Jonathan again, basically stems from the fact that he is, so far, the only aspirant that has seriously sought the support of Ndigbo, with appointments and projects, since the last presidential election in 2011.

It is a fact that in 2011, Jonathan’s contenders, including General Muhammadu Buhari, did not mount any serious campaign in Anambra, and with the way things are going now, with the APC aspirants aligning with Alhaji Bola Tinubu, and apparently shunning having a strong support base in Anambra, it seems likely that history will repeat itself and that Jonathan may clear the votes in Anambra State.

Already, with the series of endorsements of Jonathan for second term by various groups in Anambra, including the ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, President Jonathan is poised to record a resounding victory against his opponents in Anambra State.

Jonathan’s support groups and strategies So far, some key Anambra stakeholders and groups have thrown their weight behind the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015. Many more appear to be on their way to doing the same. So far, those that have declared their support for him include Ohaneze Ndigbo and those drawn from almost all the entire political spectrum of PDP and APGA, as well as Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), among others.

The camp of APGA for Jonathan 2015 is led by Governor Willie Obiano,who has since swung into action, mobilising support for Jonathan. The APGA-Jonathan support group under the umbrella of Join Jonathan Journey led

by Obiano has since held strategic pro-Jonathan rally in Awka, Anambra State capital.

There is the group known as the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, whose members is composed of all the big shots in Anambra politics, particularly of the PDP extraction. The group has also staged its own pro-Jonathan rally too in Awka.

The high point of the APGA’s Join Jonathan Journey rally and the one staged by TAN was to the effect that the entire members, composed of mainly Anambra indigenes,

Jonathan

have endorsed Jonathan for second tenure that will start in 2015.

The tone of the messages and the direction of all the speeches made at these rallies were that the people of Anambra State and the entire South-East would vote for Jonathan in 2015,now that it has become clear that he will be the PDP candidate.

At the pro-Jonathan TAN rally in Awka, which was attended by former Governor Peter Obi, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu; Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Senator Ben Ndi Obi, among other top Igbo politicians, all the speakers pledged their support for Jonathan’s re-election basically for the reason that he had so far done well, especially in terms of meeting the aspirations of Ndigbo.

TAN had at the Awka rally gave nine reasons why Ndigbo should vote for Jonathan. According to TAN, “Jonathan accorded full state burial rites to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi; appointed first Igbo Chief of Army Staff (COAS); appointed Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy; appointed the First Female Petroleum Minister from Igbo extraction; commenced the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge; the commencement of Onitsha Inland Waterways Port and honoured Late Chinua Achebe with his humble presence. He also brought in Ghanaian President to his burial, commissioned the first South-East International Airport, Enugu; appointed the first South East Secretary to the Government of the Federation in the person of Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON”.

Defending Obi’s support for Jonathan’s re-election, his media aide, Val Obienyem, had in a press statement contended that Obi and his associates who are supporting Jonathan are doing so for the purpose of electing somebody who would continue and complete many of the ongoing projects in the South East, including the roads, the international terminal at Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu; the Second Niger Bridge and the many erosion projects.

Obi has since dumped APGA and defected to PDP for the purpose of ensuring that Anambra should vote for Jonathan and actualising his second term bid.

And soon after the successful TAN zonal rally in Awka which was attended by almost all the key politicians of Anambra State, the Obiano’s group, Join Jonathan Journey, not wanting to be beaten in the ensuing power game, went full blast and staged their own pro-Jonathan rally at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

Speaking at the well attended event, the national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, described Jonathan as a humble and credible leader who should be voted for another four years in office, to finish and consolidate on his achievements as president.

13

Obiano

Showing their full support for Jonathan’ re-election bid, Umeh contended that , “Obiano is the leader of this movement and we want to make it clear that our support for Jonathan is total. Jonathan has nothing to worry, we are solidly behind him and as APGA, we hereby endorse Jonathan to run for 2015 for the unity of this country.”

In his own speech, Obiano said they staged the event to show APGA’s solidarity and that they were supporting Jonathan on his desire to run for a second term.

Not quite long after the JJJ rally, another group known as G7 Patriots International led by a veteran politician, Zeribe Ezeanuna, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the group had a 7-point agenda, the first of which bothers on ensuring that Jonathan is re-elected in 2015.

Pledging their support for Jonathan, the Anambra State coordinator of G7 Patriots International, Ezeanuna, had after their procession along major streets in Awka, gone to Government House, where they made a statement, wherein they endorsed Jonathan for re-election.

Urging Jonathan to contest for second term, Ezeanuna contends, “Therefore, we the entire Anambrains under the auspices of G7 Patriots International, having assessed your achievements in the past four years are convinced beyond reasonable doubts that having performed creditable well taking a cue from your antecedents, a sound term in office is a necessity in order to sustain the current wind of uncommon transformation blowing across the country.

Finally your Excellency, while we look forward to working with you in actualising your 2nd term ambition, please accepts the assurance of our highest esteem.”

Harnessing from defection There are also other sundry groups that have openly been mobilising support for Jonathan’s election at a time handful of Anambra APGA and APC members of the House of Representatives, namely Chief Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Cyril Egwuatu, Chris Azubogu and Hon. Odedo have defected to PDP, apparently to boost their fortunes and the re-election of Jonathan.

The fact is that for now most of those who left PDP for one reason or the other since 2007, including Chief Ifeanyi Uba, the national coordinator of TAN, have rejoined the party, with renewed determination to work for Jonathan’s re-election using many techniques, including staging of rallies and mounting of billboards at strategic locations in various parts of Anambra State, eulogising Jonathan and his achievements.

The support groups are engaged in the serious exercise of marketing Jonathan to Anambra electorate, most of who are poised to vote for PDP again, considering the close affinity which the party and President Jonathan have maintained with most Igbo leaders in particular and Ndigbo in general over the years.

14

POLITICS

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insecurity, corruption bane of Nigeria’s democracy –Longjan Mr. Ignatius Longjan, Deputy Governor of Plateau State, speaks on the problems confronting Nigeria’s democracy. In this interview with JAMES ABRAHAM, he also speaks about his experiences in office in the past three years, particularly his relationship with his principal, Governor Jonah Jang.

Excerpts:

H

ow would you assess Nigeria’s democratic strides so far?

I would tell you without any doubt in my mind that it has been so far so good for the Nigerian democracy.

I am always amazed when people try to compare Nigeria’s democracy with advanced democracies in other countries in terms progress and maturity forgetting the fact that our own is still very young.

The truth is that democracy remains the best form of governance irrespective of the challenges that come with it. There is also every reason to be thankful to God, especially when we cast our minds back to where we are coming from, because this country was once administered by the colonial masters and we were not happy. Then, we moved and got ourself independence which in itself was an element of democracy. When the euphoria was about to settle down, the military came in and disrupted the process. And you would agree with me as the saying goes that the worst form of democracy is better than the best military government.

Somehow, we were able to pull out from the military again in 1999 and another democratic experiment began. Also, the learning started again. I think we have learnt a lot of things as a country within the past 15 years. We might not be perfect yet but it is obvious we are moving towards perfection.

Yes, I know that we have problems in our hands, ups and downs, challenges here and there. That should not be wished away because when you are doing something, you encounter some challenges. People easily forget that the America went

through their own learning experiences for many years before being able to arrive somewhere. And ours is just 15 years.

So, people will do well to understand our democracy in this light and appreciate the shortcomings so that we can overcome them and move forward as a nation.

Nigeria’s democracy is not working because of insecurity, corruption, unemployment and other sundry problems that have combined to hold the country hostage. Let me tell you, even the United States of America which people consider to be the best democracy in the world is not free from all these problems you have mentioned, including insecurity. The truth is that even with their advanced democracy, they still contend with insecurity. I have stayed long in the USA and I know what am talking about. The only difference is that they are tackling their own quietly unlike where everything is being dramatised.

Don’t forget the 9/11 incident. For the terrorists to beat USA security network to perpetrate such magnitude of terror on the people goes to tell you that they are not totally immune from insecurity.

But the only thing again is that they are organised; they have the equipment and the manpower to face those challenges. I think this is where Nigeria is yet to learn from but I believe we will get there one day. That is why we in Plateau are in total support of state police. I want to tell you that I am in support of it. I will not pretend about it and even in the USA that people often refer to as an advanced democracy, they have the federal police, the state police as well as council police. Even some universities have their own police. It’s a matter of knowing where you belong and operating within its limitations and they are doing very well. But here, they say it will be abused. How? Is the present police system not being abused. Whichever way you look at it, state police is still the answer to our insecurity challenge and it will go a long way to strenghthen our democracy.

Would you say that democracy is working in Plateau?

Sure! I believe that democracy can be measured by the quality of governance in place. Here in Plateau, we are fortunate to have a visionary leader in Governor Jonah Jang who strives to leave a legacy for generations unborn.

To achieve this he has anchored his policy thrust on a ten-point-agenda on three pillar policy which has a wholistic approach to governance and development of the state.

Within the past seven years, there has been a deliberate emphasis on building and strengthening infrastructure to drive other levels of development. This is why there has been opening of the city and the rural areas through massive construction of roads, bridges and provision of sundry amenities. So, for us in Plateau, democracy is working.

It is now over three years since you assumed office as the deputy governor of Plateau State. How would you describe your experience so far?

Honestly, it has been a very worthwhile experience since the past three years in the saddle as deputy governor. As somebody who has been in diplomatic service for many years before becoming the deputy governor, the two experiences are quite not the same both in schedule and orientation. As a deputy governor, you are dealing with your people at home; you know their roots and they also know you and as such, what they want, problems and their pattern of thinking is a bit easier to understand. On the other hand, you are dealing with people who have high thinking even on little issues.

So, as a deputy governor, I confine myself purely to my schedules as recognised by the constitution. Also, the relationship with my boss, the governor, has been very cordial since the past three years.

We never had any problem; when you are a surbodinate, you are a surbodinate. I enjoy doing whatever I am supposed to be doing. Sometimes, I offer advice just like

I have learnt a lot of things from him, the governor.

As a former Military Administrator in Gongola and Benue States, he(the governor) did very well in those states and he is replicating them here in Plateau on a larger scale. I am happy that I have been part of this success story because people are appreciative of what the government is doing. I also appreciate the critics of government because if they are not there, you may not know when you make mistakes and that would be to the detriment of the people and the entire system. I want to tell you that our experience has been that of listening to the people and improving on what we have for the over all development of the state.

In Nigeria, deputy governors usually find it difficult to maintain a long lasting cordial relationship with their bosses, but that seems not the situation in your own case. What is the secret?

Well, I wouldn’t say that there is any special secret other than choosing to work within your spheres as deputy governor. Besides, when you are trained as a diplomat and you have taken an oath of office, if you go by the principle of that office and the principle of diplomacy, you can work with anybody for as long as you wish. The combination of these factors are expected to produce in you the discretion of tolerance, loyalty, hardwork and other ingredients without which the realisation of set goals will be made difficult. As a deputy governor, you are not the governor.

In all your dealings with your principal, you must not forget this fact. You may have an idea or proposal in which you think things could be done better, but if an objection is raised, then, of course, you are not the principal to insist it must be that way provided it is in the interest of the people. Whatever you are doing, it must be for the benefit of the people and not for selfish interest. So, I think I have been applying a bit of what I know as a diplomat in my job as a deputy governor Have you had cause to disagree with your boss, the governor, on certain issues of governance?

I think I would be lying if I say no to your question. As human beings, we are not the same and as such we are bound to think and do things differently. When I realise that this is the way you are going, I also expect that you look at the direction I am going so that we can harmonise our differences. This is important because you are not perfect just the same way I am not perfect. As a person, I cannot disagree with you completely because there must be some areas where we should agree.

I think it is the non realisation of some of these basic facts of life by state and nonstate actors and the need to harmonise these differences in relationships and forge ahead for the good of the people that have caused certain problems that we have both in governance and the society. So, I will tell you that sometimes, I disagree to agree with my boss and the result has been the cordial relationship you have observed between us which invariably has translated to good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

November 8 , 2014

‘APC will sweep Jonathan away’ ---Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the formal declaration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office.

Tinubu

“

I saw the sea of refuges caused by the Boko Haram insurgents and the lies coming from Jonathan’s administration. They have exhibited failure, lack of capacity, vision and creativity. “The lies of yesterday are what they repeat today and are what they will repeat tomorrow. They are lying to you.

“They are lying about the security, toying about the security of this country. I don’t have time to explain the logic of their lies.

“But if you control the armed

forces and you are the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day.

“In any civilized country Jonathan should have resigned. But if he will not resign, he should wait for our broom, we will sweep him away. I will come back.

“This is just the endorsement of Governor Ahmed, that he will be reelected by the grace of God with the support of you people here and those outside there.

“The unemployment situation will be conquered by this administration of APC. We have the vision for the security of the lives of our children.

“The thieves that daily steal your money have not given you any job, they cannot create jobs and they are starving states of funds to pay workers salaries.

“The best thing to do is to sweep them away through broom revolution. APC is a party of the masses.

“It now behooves on you to begin a house to house campaign that this is a party of the masses”.

‘I fear Boko Haram’ll overrun Adamawa’

--Governor James Ngilari of Adamawa State, appealing to President Goodluck Jonathan to save his state from being overrun by Boko Haram insurgents who have already taken over five local governments and are advancing to other towns

“

The security situation in Adamawa is very dicey right now and we are only trying to do our best to manage the situation. We are praying that it will improve, but it is really something to worry about”.

Speaking on the number of towns being occupied by the terrorists, the governor said: “I can talk of my entire senatorial district, Mubi senatorial district. Five local governments have been overrun; Gombi was taken and I just got a report now that perhaps they are on the outskirts of Shanli.

“There is a semblance of movement in that area. Really, we need a lot of intervention. We need to move more troops to secure the state. Really, it is a big challenge.”

“We shouldn’t reduce this issue of the insurgency to simply the taking over of the house of the defence chief. There are a whole lot of things that make the challenge of insecurity.

“What about the problem of unemployment? You know it is a whole long story.

We don’t just reduce it to the taking over of the house of the defense chief.

“I think it is more than that. Absolutely it is a challenge. We look up to God, God is there, there is nothing impossible for

Talking

POLITICS

‘Tinubu and his group are anarchists’

--Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, reacting to call by Ahmed Tinubu, APC national leader, for President Goodluck Jonathan to resign

Okukpe

“

ABUJA – THE presidency Thursday took a swipe at former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for seeking the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The suggestion by one of the leaders of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu that President Goodluck Jonathan resign from office as a result of the activities of insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country, has once again shown beyond doubt that the former Lagos state Governor and his colleagues in the opposition are a bunch of political

anarchists and charlatans blinded by an unbridled appetite for power.

“The assertion by Senator Tinubu at a political rally in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday that in “civilized” societies, the President should have resigned is unfounded and lacking in historical precedence.

“We challenge him to tell Nigerians which part of his “civilized” world has there been a call on a President to resign during an on-going war.

“When terrorists attacked the United States of America in September, 2001, leaders of the Democratic Party did not demand a resignation of President George Bush but rather they rose in defense of the American nation to support the various measures taken by the President to defeat the Al Qaeda terrorists.

“It is perhaps necessary to remind the APC leader that it was leading members of his party who vehemently opposed and openly criticized the proscription of the Boko Haram sect by the Federal Government in 2013 with some of them even going as far as describing it as a move against the North while others tried to incite the civil society to condemn this anti-terrorists act.

‘Tell those who offer you false freedom that you already have freedom’ ---Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, at his formal declaration for second term in office in Ilorin

“ Ngilari

Him. “We will do our best, but it is not something that we should leave in the hands of government. Everybody has a role to play in terms of giving out information timely, in terms of convincing people who are involved.

“They live with us, they are not from planet Mars, they are part and parcel of the society.”

“I believe that Nigeria will really overcome, but I don’t know the time frame.

Anything that affects any part of Nigeria affects the rest. We must all see how we can tame this monster.”

You too can be President. You too can be a minister. You too can be a Senator. You too can aspire to the House of Representatives.

“So, tell those who offer you false freedom, those who are bitter that we have democratized access to political power regardless of social background, that you already have freedom to dream, to aspire and to achieve through this structure.

“I make these points not because I want to impress you. Neither do I seek praise for doing my job. However, I am encouraged by the story of a graduate whose dry cleaning business is now growing thanks to the injection of funds from our entrepreneurship scheme.

“I remember the story of villagers in Alapa who now access subsidized healthcare, and the case of a single mother who now works in the state civil service and can now feed her children.

“These stories demonstrate how far we have come, underline what we are capable of and, more importantly, the

Ahmed

fact that we can do more.

“On that note, I humbly and formally declare my intention to run for a second term in office so that I can do more for our state and its people.

“By the grace of God and with your mandate, we intend to accelerate the development of our state when re-elected for a second term in office.

“I will boost local economy through the establishment of an Independent Power Projects (IPP) that will power industrial clusters across the state, stimulate jobs and improve power supply to our communities.”

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November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Living Stigma, odium and child adoption

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

W

hen Ijeoma, a 42 year old woman from Abia State got married to Uchenna Ezeh, her husband in 2003, their joy knew no bound. Barely a year into the marriage, they had a beautiful set of twins. Then tragedy struck. They lost the two babies. To make matters worse, the couple has no babies till date despite all their efforts.

The couple has resolved to help their situation by adopting a baby. But the manner they would go about the adoption has been a problem. Recently, Ijeoma confided in her elder sister that she wants to pretend to be pregnant after negotiating with one of these young mothers that have unwanted pregnancy. Then at the end of nine months she will pretend to have been delivered of a baby. Ijeoma wants to adopt that style because she is running away from stigma attached to child adoption in this part of the world.

Similarly, Ezinwanne Ogbuehi is a 25 year old adopted boy. When he was adopted as a three month old baby, his presence brightened the future of the family who already has three grown up girls. But the fact that they are from Igbo land where so much importance is attached to a male child kept the family worried and that was why they chose adoption for an option for the continuity of the father’s name. However, the challenge Ogbuehi is facing today is that of stigmatization. Some of the family members who feel threatened by his presence often cheekily remind him that he is not part of the family.

Perhaps, all these stigmatizations and secretive dispositions towards adoption are some of the reasons why most Nigerians do not openly accept to have adopted baby. Rather they prefer to do all manner of things to shroud the any adopted child’s origin and most often present them as biologically begotten.

In countries like the US, UK and other European countries, child adoption is seen as normal means of procreation. For instance, 15 percent of babies born in the US, on the estimate, end up being adopted by families not theirs, says a poll. Even so, more couples in this country now opt for child adoption instead of biologically begetting a baby. Though in Nigeria, there are high profile child adoptions which often attract public glare. This happens when philanthropists and public office holders adopt abandoned babies or kids in dire need of help. In these cases, the ultimate aim of this gesture is more of public relations stunt rather than an act of altruism. It is, however, rare for individuals to publicly acknowledge that have an adopted child in their home as result of the stigma it often attract for both the kid and the forester parents.

Throwing more light to the secretive dispositions of Nigerians towards adoption is Gloria Chiekwe, the Admin Manager at Red Cross Motherless babies home.

Chiekwe told Saturday Mirror that unlike other climes where adoption is not seen as a taboo, Nigerian is yet to get to that level.

As such, they don’t keep children in the home only to tell people of their true origin. “Nigerians will never tell you I adopted this child, no way. Rather they say, ‘it is my son or daughter’. In civilized nations they can be proud to say it is my adopted son

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While the birth of a new child brings joy and pride to parents, child adoption brings nearly the opposite. Odium and stigmatisation trail adopted children and their homes, raising fears for prospective adoptive parents and social workers, writes JULIET UMEH.

or daughter but definitely not in Nigeria,” Chiekwe said. Chiekwe explained that the Red Cross does not allow women who want to fake pregnancy to adopt babies from its home.

Explaining the process of adoption, Chiekwe said that the Red Cross is not an NGO owned by one person. “We have our chairman and the chairman has subcommittees. We also have adoption committee headed by legal adviser. So it is not something I can do alone, it has to pass through stages in case anything happens it is the legal that will defend it,” she said.

For some young mothers who want to fake pregnancy, Chiekwe said she normally discourage them from doing so. “You cannot say you are pregnant when the symptoms of pregnancy are not there. Such people at the end of the day if they don’t get new baby to adopt they are in trouble, some starts running helter-skelter. Some of them

go and get young mothers to do that for them. But you cannot do all these in Lagos because once a baby comes, you have to go to court, do all the necessary things and it is not immediately maybe before you finish in court. Then what happens? How can you come back home with a baby who is already developing tooth, how do you explain that” she asked.

Nigerian Red Cross which was established in 1964 has had some distinguished individuals who came out from the home.

Chiekwe said that because of the secretive measure attached to adoption, some of the parents after adoption prefer to stay clear from the home so that the children will not know they came from the Red Cross orphanage home. “We know them but they too don’t know. Some of their parents still come and show kindness to the home. Some pay money into our account direct but they don’t tell the child. For some, once they

NIGERIANS WILL NEVER TELL YOU I ADOPTED THIS CHILD, NO WAY. RATHER THEY SAY, ‘IT IS MY SON OR DAUGHTER’. IN CIVILIZED NATIONS, THEY CAN BE PROUD TO SAY IT IS MY ADOPTED SON OR DAUGHTER. DEFINITELY NOT IN NIGERIA

get the child, it is bye to the home for life because they don’t want the child to know anything about the home,” she explained.

According to psychologists, adoption could be defined as the official transfer through the legal system of all the parental rights that a biological parent has to a child, along with an assumption by the adopting parents of all of the parental rights of the biological parents that are being terminated and are assumed in their entirety by the adoptive parents, including the responsibility for the care and supervision of the child, its nurturing and training, its physical and emotional and financial support.

Leonard Okonkwo, clinical psychologist with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, who spoke to Saturday Mirror on adoption said women may adopt a child for various reasons. Explaining further, he said they may adopt a child because they are unable to have theirs. It might be because they don’t have a particular sex of their own and have to adopt one. It could also be to assist another family or a deprived child. However, he noted that in a case where the major reason for adoption is inability to have a baby, many women would normally do it secretly because of the fear of stigmatization. “The women could be stigmatized as barren. The children could CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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LIVING

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Adopted children are seen as ‘bastards’ ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

also be stigmatized by the society as ‘bastard’ children,” he said.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child of 1989, adoption is recognized as one of the forms of alternative care for children who are unable to remain in their family environment and as such, adoption serves as a means of prevention of child abuse including child trafficking, and equally enables the adopted children access to good education and prevents them from being placed in regimented institutions. Adoption in social circle plays the role of legal placement of a homeless child in a childless home. Such provision of care by adults other than the natural parents has occurred throughout history. Adoption was recorded as early as 2350 BC. Oedipus, an example in Classics, and Moses, biblical, provide examples of substitute care.

In Nigeria, although some learned writers say that adoption is practiced under native law and custom, it would appear that what they described as adoption is, upon a careful analysis, either guardianship or fostering or some other peculiar indigenous concepts. Thus, adoption confers on the child all the rights vis-à-vis his adoptive parents as if the child had been born to them in lawful wedlock as well as imposes on the adoptive parents, responsibility equivalent to that of the natural parents of

Redcross Motherless babies home

the child.

In Nigeria, the earliest statute on adoption was the 1965 Adoption Law of the former Eastern Region. This was followed by the adoption edict of 1968 of Lagos State.

Today, many states in Nigeria, especially in the south, have adoption statutes. However, in 2003, the National Assembly enacted the Child’s Right Act. Part XII of the Act made comprehensive provisions and harmonizes a uniform legislation on rights and welfare of children across Nigeria. The law also made a superseding declaration that its provisions supersede any other statutory provisions on the same subject matter.

Many states in Nigeria have adopted the Nigerian Child’s Right Act and subsequently modified their adoption laws there from.

According to Saturday Mirror’s inter-

actions with people, there are mixed reactions towards adoption which were merely based on emotion and tradition. Rose and her husband had remained childless. Apparently, there’s nothing wrong with her fertility but the husband has low sperm count. When the newspaper asked if she will leave her husband, she vehemently said no that she will go for adoption for her to experience motherhood. Maybe then, God may decide to remember them. In the same vein, Esther, mother of four told Saturday Mirror that she is totally in support of adoption. In her words: “Personally, I’ve always been a supporter of adoption, and still hope to adopt a child someday. I will definitely advise any couple struggling with fertility issues to adopt.”

One of the Nigerian Nollywood actresses who prefer anonymity sees adoption as one of the ways of giving back to the society. Presently, she has four biological children and four adopted ones. “It’s a way of giving back to the society. It is non-self-serving and at the same time, very rewarding. I love children and I like to nurture them,” she told the paper.

But Modupe Akintola, a married mother with three kids, has a contrary view on adoption. She was quick to condemn adoption in all ramifications. Akintola told Saturday Mirror that she can never adopt, or advice people to adopt. “We don’t do that in our family. What do you know of the child, and what if his or her parents have a shady past or background,” Akintola asked?

Chiekwe said one of the advantages in adoptions is that it reduces stress in a childless home sometimes. Narrating a particular incidence, she said: “We have many couples that had open doors through adoption.

A lady had miscarriage, she never knew she was pregnant until the fourth month, I just called to great her and she was crying that she had miscarriage. I asked her why she was crying whether she had ever missed one before. I told her don’t cry God has opened your way. You took all sorts of drugs thinking it was malaria, don’t worry.

Thank God today, she is now a mother of three, one adopted child and two biological children,” Chiekwe said.

The manager of the Red Cross home said they don’t give children to those who already have because such people will not cherish it and they will start comparing them with their own kids. However, Okonkwo advised that the adopted children should not feel inferior or stigmatized themselves. In his world: “They are legal children of their adopted parents. They are special. Natural children were not chosen by the parents. Adopted children are. They should feel special and have a sense of belonging. Women should also not stigmatize themselves. They are doing something noble. They are helping to give fulfillment and joy to someone else not just themselves. They should also perform their roles as parents to the best of their ability as if the children are theirs biologically,” he advised.

‘We don’t encourage women to fake pregnancy before coming to us’

In this interview with JULIET UMEH, Gloria Chiekwe, Admin Manager, Red Cross Motherless Babies Home, talks about child adoption and its challenges in Nigeria

D

o you support women who fake pregnancy preparatory to adopting a child from here?

We don’t allow such. Besides it is not an NGO owned by one person. We have our chairman, the chairman have subcommittee. We also have adoption committee headed by legal adviser so it is not something I can do alone or you can do alone it has to pass stages in case anything happens it is the legal that will defend it.

For some young mothers who want to try it I advise them not to because you cannot say you are pregnant and the symptom of pregnancy is not there. Such people at the end of the day if they don’t get new baby to adopt they are in trouble, some starts running helter-skelter. Some of them go and get young mothers to do that for them but if is Lagos state it is not all that easy because once a baby comes, you have to go to court, do all the necessary things and it is not immediately maybe before you finish in court it is two or three months then what happens? How can you come back home with a

baby who is already developing tooth, how do you explain that?

Is there any form of stigmatization on the children from this home?

No. there is no stigmatization because we don’t keep children to know or tell their stories. The children don’t even know they are from this home.

What kind of children do you accept here and who do you send the children to since you don’t keep them for long?

Our home is for children in need and this need is in different categories. We have children from drug addicted parents that their parents are being handled by House on the Rock church. We have motherless children, those that their mother died after their birth; some of them are brought straight from hospital. We have children from the psychiatric hospital, while the hospitals are taking care of their sick mothers; we take care of the children. We also have children from young mothers who we believe have made their mistakes and will not die in their mistake. We take the child from this

Chiekwe

mother let her go back to school or learn a trade. After which she will be able to take care of her child. These categories I have mentioned go back to their families; they are brought to us to allow their families to be stable. Then another set is the abandoned children, you know he or she doesn’t have identity. So we don’t keep such child to start telling his or her story. We don’t keep them for long because we have a long queue of parents wanting to adopt. We have some couples who want them young. Some want toddlers; they need somebody they can take to school. So there is no need of keeping them. A child can be abandoned for certain reasons like poverty, or they don’t know the father of the baby. Most times you see such children in the home, in churches where a vigil is taking place and people are busy

praying and at the end of the vigil they will disappear. Some in the hospital, they will have their babies and at the visiting time they will disappear with wrong names and addresses. Some by the road side, some at the canal. We also have missing children, those who have left known to unknown either by parties or rallies. Sometime, we are lucky to reunite them sometime we are not.

Those untraced people they go for foster parents until their 18th birthday, with that the parent may show up.

These children are not with us that people will begin to say that this child is from this home or adopted.

Do you still know these children even as adults in different home? And do they associate with the homes?

We know them but the children don’t know. Some of their parents still come and show kindness to the home. Some pay into the account direct but they don’t tell the child. But some, once they get the child, it is bye to the home for life because they don’t want the child to know anything about the home.

Some people will come and say their children are all grownups and I need somebody.

Such people need a house help and such people will not cherish that child. Such people will start comparing – my child never gives me such headache or hypertension.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

November 8, 2014

19

Help, Victor needs kidney transplant!

OSEYIZA OOGBODO writes on the dashed hopes of a young man whose dreams and aspiration was cut short by kidney failure.

OSEYIZA OOGBODO

E

ven if you don’t personally know Victor Obinna Anokwuru of Umuakagu Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, but you see a picture of the way he was before and the way he is now, you’ll definitely be moved by pity for him.

The reason you’ll pity him has been confirmed by medical diagnosis: his kidneys have failed.

Anokwuru is thirty-five years old and an Economics graduate of Lagos State University. And before his kidneys failed, he was definitely full of life and vitality, bustling about to make his living as a self-employed man selling phone accessories at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos with the added responsibility of taking care his junior siblings being the first-born of his parents and his father having died in 2010.

However, man proposes, and God disposes.

Anokwuru’s plans were to become successful in life, like other men. But in 2012, in the month of October precisely, he woke up one morning with pain in his chest. He also found it hard to breathe properly and was coughing out blood.

So he was taken to Isalu Hospital, Ikeja where his only junior sister works and he was examined by a doctor, some medication was prescribed for him. His condition persisted, though, so he was referred to Yaba Mainland Hospital.

There, doctors examined him again, did a chest X-ray and said they found something in his lungs which they couldn’t ascertain. But they placed him on a tuberculosis treatment plan because his symptoms were similar to those of TB. After a week of the treatment, he woke up one morning and couldn’t move or talk. He was just immobile on his legs with his legs having swollen all of a sudden. So his family rushed him from their Okota Ago Place Way residence to the closest general hospital to them, Isolo Gen Hospital.

But Isolo General refused to attend to him because of no bed space and said he should go to yaba Mainland where he had been before.

Back at YMH, he was seen by a new doctor who said though he exhibited TB symptoms, it didn’t look as if he had TB so he couldn’t be admitted at YMH. He thereby gave them a referral to Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta.

Luck finally smiled on him as FMC accepted him and did all manner of

tests and discovered that his urea and cretin levels were high because his kidneys were bad. Unluckily for him again, FMC didn’t have nephrologists so they referred him to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital that did.

At LASUTH that night, they too couldn’t accept him because they also didn’t have a bed available, so they gave them a note to General Hospital

Lagos Island that was able to admit him and start treatment on him.

Three days after, they said he needed dialysis, that his urea level was very high so he needed dialysis to bring out the toxins in him.

His family tried to book a dialysis session for him at GHLI but the one machine there was overbooked and GHLI recommended that he should be taken instead to a private dialysis centre, Renal Dialysis Centre, at Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

So he started with two dialysis sessions a week but stopped them in 2013 because of money.

But the dialysis sessions made his swollen legs go down and he started going about again normally and even returned to his shop.

Then, four months ago, his stomach and legs suddenly swelled again, more than they did when his problem started in 2012.

When he returned to the hospital,

his kidneys were said to have really worsened and that he needs to do a kidney transplant.

Speaking on Anokwuru’s behalf, because he’s not in a good physical state to speak for himself, one of his junior brothers, Bright, said, “When we were told he needed a transplant, then we knew that we had to appeal for public help.

“A transplant costs N8m in India and that’s if he has a compatible kidney donor. But if he doesn’t, than a kidney will cost another four million naira.”

When Aaturday mirror asked him if he or any of his other siblings were compatible and willing to donate their kidney to save their brother, he replied that they don’t even know yet if any of them is compatible because doctors said they can only do a compatibility test when Anokwuru is ready for the transplant.

With tears in his eyes, Bright told Saturday mirror that “my brother needs help fast. He’s presently surviving on dialysis but we don’t even have the money for it. Each session costs N50,000 and we’re able to still do them because of the support of our family friends and we thank them so much for their support.”

Speaking further, he said, “We are starting to get money from the public who’ve read about his case in newspapers. We’ve also written to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State who my father served with in the Nigeria Labour Congress but we are yet to get his response. We’ve also written to the leadership of NLC where my father worked as national auditor and we are waiting for their reply also.”

If you’re willing to help Anokwuru, you can contact him on 08064905987 and 07033462302. His bank accounts are: Account name: Anokwuru Victor Obinna; Account nos: GT Bank 0116983382 or Ecobank 2951027692

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LIVING

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

In search of hemp farmers

Cannabis cultivation is giving drug law enforcement agents sleepless nights on account of its limitless and steady supply of Indian hemp.

But in a renewed effort at containing the scourge of trafficking in hemp, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), began combing forests and destroying hemp farms, writes PATIENCE OGBO

T

o a first timer to Gbongan forest, Ayedade, Osun State, the place may just appear as one of the many swaths of massive vegetation untouched by man. But for men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), forest such as this are were massive cultivation of cannabis, used for the production of Indian hemp, are cultivated.

Indian hemp is a banned substance in the country on account of its unstable hallucinatory effects on the takers.

But illicit drug markets in the country have always been on the boom despite efforts of relevant authorities to stem the menace. This is on account of the ease with which cannabis can be produced.

Cannabis could be farmed like any other plant. So perpetrators seek out isolated thick forest to farm the produce, package it and smuggle it to various destinations where they sold or exported. But in the latest efforts to stem this trend, Chairman/Chief Executive of the Ahmadu Giade deployed a tractor for the destruction of cannabis plantation at Gbongan Forest reserve, Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State.

Giade said that the Agency took the initiative in response to the growing magnitude of cannabis cultivation in the South West States. The estimated street value of 676,800kg of destroyed cannabis on the 57 hectares is 6.8 billion naira. On Thursday October 9, the forest in Gbongon was invaded by a combined team odf NDLEA operatives with tractors and excavators. The operation to totally uproot the farm lasted till Sunday October 12, 2014.

In the course of the operation, a suspected drug baron, Godspower Chibogu, 51-year-old who allegedly financed the cultivation of the cannabis plantations was traced to his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State where he was apprehended. He was taken to the farm where he witnessed the destruction. A Peugeot 406 saloon car belonging to the suspect was also impounded.

NDLEA Chairman promised to arrest more barons and destroy cannabis plantations. “This is the first time the NDLEA is engaging the services of a tractor in the destruction of a cannabis farm. The farms are so large that it takes several days and weeks to destroy manually. Deploying heavy duty

Harvested cannabis being processed at the farm

Godspower Chibogu

equipment to the farms makes the task simpler and faster. It is also a demonstration of our commitment to the eradication of cannabis cultivation. In the past few months, we have destroyed several cannabis plantations. More barons shall be arrested and cannabis plantations destroyed” Giade stated.

According to the NDLEA Chairman, cannabis is the greatest drug challenge in the country. In his words, “the major drug problem in the country remains cannabis. It accounts for over ninety percent of total drug seized by the NDLEA. We are therefore concentrating efforts at addressing the problem at the grass root level. Taking the battle to the farms has yielded significant success. We are determined to destroy all cannabis farms and cut off supply to users. This is one of our strategies of reducing crime and violence in our country”.

The NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo expressed delight with the success of the operations. According

A tractor working on the cannabis in Osun

to Mabo, “the successful arrest of the suspected drug baron, Godspower Chibogu who has been on the trail of the Agency underscores the fact that drug barons have no hiding place. We are prepared to cross over more rivers and climb more mountains to destroy can-

CANNABIS CAN BE FARMED LIKE ANY OTHER PLANT. SO PERPETRATORS SEEK OUT ISOLATED THICK FOREST TO FARM THE PRODUCE, PACKAGE IT AND SMUGGLE IT TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS

nabis plantations”.

Meanwhile, the farm operation that lasted 72 hours was led by the NDLEA Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Mr. Muyiwa Adeniyi. “Farm destruction operation is a very difficult assignment but at the end of the day when you look back at the vast expanse of land covered coupled with the overall benefits to the country, we are happy. This is a very successful operation” Muyiwa stated.

The suspected drug baron has given useful information to the investigating officers. “I gave out money for people to farm cannabis for me. I used to be a transporter but when my business was recording losses; I sold my buses and invested the money in cannabis cultivation. This is my first time” Godspower who hails from Delta State stated.

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ENTERVAGANZA

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Those that are close to me know the real Kate Henshaw’ A-list actress Kate Henshaw tells JULIET UMEH about her acting career, her political ambition and other issues. Excerpts:

N

ow you’ve gone into politics, does it mean you’ve said goodbye to acting?

I do not think I can fully say goodbye to the industry that brought me to the limelight and also made me a shining example for my people. Acting will still be a part of my life.

Why do you want to contest an elective position?

It is the right of every Nigerian to seek for elective position whether at the local, state or national level. I am a Nigerian and I believe that having contributed my quota to my nation in my chosen profession, I seek a bigger platform to serve my people in a more inclusive capacity of governance.

What are your campaign strategies?

Bonding with the grassroots people and seasoned politicians in the state.

Speaking with them about my person which they already know but in a more personal and interactive capacity.

Why did you decide to join PDP and not APC or any other party?

The past two governors who have done well for my state, His Excellency Donald Duke and His Excellency Liyel Imoke are in the PDP. I believe they should be commended for the work done so far. In order to further contribute to the legacy, I decided to join the PDP which also encourages women participation by the waiver of the price of nomination forms.

What are your promises to your people who you intend to lead if given the opportunity?

Honesty, integrity and dedication to making sure that I deliver on my promise to represent them in a wholesome manner.

Now, to the industry that made you. Do you think Nigerian actors and actresses are really getting good rewards for their works considering their counterparts abroad?

I do not like to compare us to our counterparts abroad as the terrain is totally different. So also are the work conditions and infrastructure on ground.

Considering how far we have come, I am positive that things will continue to im-

prove.

Which of your movie roles do you consider most challenging and why?

The most challenging role for me so far was in the movie Stronger Than Pain.

I had always been viewed as playing the victim in most of my roles but this was the reverse and the director demanded a 110 percent input from me. I am glad it turned out well as both of the lead actors received awards for the portrayal of their respective characters.

Some critics of Nollywood say Nol-

lywood lack professionalism and creativity. What’s your take on that?

With regards to creativity, I disagree.

We are very creative but I will say maybe a bit lackadaisical in its execution. With regards to lack of professionalism, it is not akin to only Nollywood.

Any misconception or misquotation about you that you will wish to address?

I will just say that those who are close to me know the real Kate Henshaw.

Did you have your parents’ support

when you wanted to join Nollywood?

My dad was totally against my going into acting and my mum only asked that I be careful and very sure of what I was going into.

There is a sharp division in the industry between the English speaking films and indigenous speaking film.

Why do you think it’s so?

Our country Nigeria is divided along tribal lines. This has also manifested in the movie industry. I believe there should be no division as we are all one. We need to be more united.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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November 8, 2014

Victor Essiet, Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, others promote Nigeria with music festival C

ome the 29th of November, Lagos, in particular, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large will definitely shake as the mother-of-all concerts will hold at the hockey pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.

The concert, Africa Meets Reggae and World Music International Festival, is not your everyday concert. It’s an international festival which originated from the United States of America and has now come to Nigeria only because Victor Essiet, of the renowned Mandators, has purchased the Nigerian franchise.

Speaking about it to E-News, Essiet said, “This festival holds annually in Europe, the Caribbeans, New Zealand, Australia and so on and I decided to do everything in my power to bring it to Nigeria so it can bring about the return to Nigeria of music with a positive vibration that unites and frees the people. And that is reggae music.

“This maiden edition is quite historic because it commemorates Nigeria’s centenary and it’s sending out the message to Nigerians that the only country which is ours is Nigeria and it’s the best place in the world and we must show love to it.”

Saying that himself, Orits Wiliki, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Janelia, Rymzo and the London-based St Peters and The Experience Band are already confirmed to perform, he promised to unveil soonest the names of the other performers at the all-night concert.

And on the issue of security at the event, he declared emphatically that they’ve put in place all the necessary security details so people who come to the festival should have no fear about the security of their lives and property.

Kimono

Wiliki

Janelia

Essiet

Majek

... as Majek Fashek attacks Nigerian leaders ‘They are hypocrites’

U

ntil you meet the legendary Send Down The Rain singer, Majek Fashek, you might despise him because of the stories you’ve heard and read about him, how he took to drugs, thereby affecting his promising music career.

But despite all his problems, Majek remains a legend. Though he has become a shadow of himself, he remains the cynosure of all eyes.

He’s one of the headliners of Africa Meets Reggae and World Music International Festival, and during the public announcement of the

festival, he was allowed to speak about it, and what came from his heart and out of his mouth, was both expected

and unexpected.

“Reggae music is coming back to make Nigeria better because Nigeria

is full of too much corruption and bad leadership,” he declared. “Our leaders are hypocrites. When we were young, we used to have three square meals, but no more.”

... ‘Stop sidelining reggae’

A

nd with one voice, Nigeria’s top reggae musicians, Ras Kimono, Victor Essiet, Orits Wiliki, Rymzo and many others have all come out with one voice to say that the Nigerian electronic media should support every music genre and not sideline any again.

According to them, reggae has been sidelined because the electronic media prefer hip-hop. The reggae musicians however say it’s wrong of them to do that and that they should support every music genre so that Nigerians will have access to all forms of music and thereby be able to choose themselves the music they

want, not the one that’s forced on them.

And that moreover, reggae music in particular is the music genre that the electronic media should support because reggae is the richest form of music and it’s also the one that preaches love, peace and unity, unlike hip-hop that’s more about partying and living the good life.

24

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-NEWS

CLASSICAL LYRICS

Frustration!

Show Me the Money

Bebe Sumtin runs back to Ghana again

I

t’s believed that the Nigerian music industry is presently undergoing a massive boom. So people now see music as a vocation they can make money from. And they are encouraged to think in that manner by the ostentatious display of wealth by successful music artists like Kcee, Davido and Wizkid.

But like the case of a coin that has two sides, it seems some artists are enjoying and some are suffering. It seems while are truly enjoying the benefits of being celebrities, others are not.

The promising artist, Bebe Sumtin, is however one artist who might not really say that the Nigerian music industry is indeed viable.

Information reaching E-News has it

that Sumtin, who once left Nigeria for Ghana because things were not really going his way musically in Nigeria, has returned to Ghana again.

According to one of his friends, a fellow artist, Sumtin left Nigeria for Ghana years ago and in Ghana, he was able to make headway musically by hooking up with R2Bees and after enjoying success, he returned to Nigeria a couple of years ago and made some progress, including being on the popular song, Chinese Freestyle, by 2face Idibia.

But he has returned to Ghana again, and his friend says it’s because the Nigerian music industry is very tough to make a breakthrough, contrary to popular opinion, so Sumtin returned to Ghana again.

A

Nodash

video which is set to usher in a wind of change.

The video was also screened at a TEDx event in Port Harcourt weeks ago and it received critical acclaim.

The video according to Nodash is the product of a thought process described by the video title and it’s an indication and a pointer to the fact that young people in Nigeria are willing to do what they need to do to change the country for good.

“I used to be one of those people who

Shizzi Are you gonna dance o If I show you my money Are you gonna dance o If I show you the way Are you gonna dance o If I show you my pocket Are you gonna dance o If I show you my wallet I will show you the money o Baby dance for me o Baby move for me o Don’t go funny o I will show you the money o Baby dance for me o Show me your body o Don’t go funny o African african african african baby Oh oh African african african african baby Aroo…eh

Sumtin

Nodash presents Good People Dead to inspire Nigerians

fter months of painstaking recording and concept development, Something Unusual Studios owned and managed by Adekunle Adejuyigbe aka Nodash finally unveiled the Good People Dead music video and the #GoodPeopleLive hashtage at an exclusive screening staged at Taruwa.

The screening witnessed the presence of music buffs, production gurus and media personalities who all gathered to watch the second public exhibition of the

Artist: Wizkid

only cared about their personal prosperity, whatever happened to the country was none of my business. The thought bothered me for a while but now I understand that if only we had more people who are willing to do their own part, then the country will change for good.

“So I asked myself, what can I do? I am a filmmaker, not a president, governor or senator, so what can I do? I know I may not have the power to change policies or contest in the next elections but I am a damn good storyteller. So I decided to tell a short story with this music video.

“My rationale was that if we can inspire young people, then we are halfway towards changing the country. Young people are most influenced by videos and music so I decided to do something that has never been done in Nigeria in the form of a musical video satire.

“I decided to come up with something entertaining that people will not be able to resist, but at the same pass a message so clear and so strong that they will be inspired consciously or subconsciously.

Making a video is expensive but if I can’t put resources into changing my country, then how do I expect other people to do the same? We need to do things to help inspire the change we want,” Nodash added.

The soul searching video and song which features Tilla and the Truth were written by Nodash who is known for creating the most unusual concepts for videos and also for his advanced directorial and cinematography skills which the video Good People Dead confirms.

The money too much I’m dashing out Are you feeling my singing Buy whatever you’re thinking about Can’t you see what I’m feeling now From Lagos to Dubai Abuja to Mozambique Johannesburg to Mumbai Na Wizzy music them want to dance to Are you gonna dance o If I show you my money Are you gonna dance o If I show you the way Are you gonna dance o If I show you my pocket Are you gonna dance o If I show you my wallet I will show you the money o Baby dance for me o Show me your body o Don’t go funny o Eni mini mani mo Baby give me all your loving Eni mini mani mo I no go take your love for granted Baby baby fi aya gbe jo Baby you and I just dey go Don’t let badman stop our flow Baby make we just dey go free naija lyrics dot com The money too much I’m dashing out Are you feeling my singing Buy whatever you’re thinking about Can’t you see what I’m feeling now From Lagos to Dubai Abuja to Mozambique Johannesburg to Mumbai Na Wizzy music them want to dance to Are you gonna dance o If I show you my money Are you gonna dance o If I show you the way Are you gonna dance o If I show you my pocket Are you gonna dance o If I show you my wallet I will show you the money o Baby dance for me o Show me your body o Don’t go funny o

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

November 8 , 2014

Big Brother Hotshots update

Lover boy Idris still ruling the BBA roost

JJ

JJ is not happy with Idris e all knew it was just a matter of time before it would get spoken out that JJ is not happy with Idris for hanging out with Samantha, the lady he’s dying to get. The disclosure was expected from JJ himself or someone else speaking on his behalf and it was someone else, M’am Bea to be precise, who revealed it.

Because M’am Bea is someone most of the housemates confide in, JJ told her he’s not happy with Idris for spending most of his time with Samantha, the lady he loves. JJ says that it hurts him to see Idris in the position he would have occupied himself. He added that Idris doesn’t respect his feeling, as as like everyone else, he knows pretty how much he, JJ, likes Samantha.

M’am Bea then told Biggie that she has been trying to calm JJ down from exploding as he looks to be the short temper guy kind. She further dished out that JJ has a strong belief that Idris is out to get him, and that he’s sure he’s the one Idris nominated, based on the way he’s behaving with him. And since she talks to the three of them, M’am Bea promised to talk to Idris to let him know how JJ feels about his relationship with Samantha.

However, the question on Mam Bea’s mind is whether Samantha likes Idris. She added that Idris should be careful, that since he and Goitse didn’t make it, he shouldn’t play with people’s feelings.

And when she asked Idris about his relationship with Samantha, he said they are just friends even though she’s the type of woman every man would want to be with!

Idris

send her home. Idris said that his reason for adding the Zimbabwean lass was not to end her game but for her advantage. He said that Butterphly has been off the nomination radar for a long time and this nomination will help her gauge her stand with Africa.

When asked how he will feel when IK asks him to reveal his add decision, Idris said he won’t panic as his reason was genuine and quite understandable. About how he will feel when she gets evicted, he said that it will be bad for him as he still wants her in the house.

It now seems like Hotshots will have a similar situation to that of BBA season seven (Stargame) when Kyle swapped Keita, hoping that he would be saved and he ended up going which sent Kyle to cry land.

Butterphly was this week added to the block by the unpredictable HoH add twist that allows him to add any housemate in the Big Brother House regardless of the extravaganza results. She is on the block for the first time with the nomination regulars Ellah, Frankie and Permithias, plus fellow newbies Trezagah and Nhlanhla.

Will Africa save Butterphly?

You’ll have that answer tomorrow night.

W

Idris makes me laugh –Samantha For the past few weeks, it should have been easy for anyone to notice the growing bond between Samantha and Idris and both Hotshots have not shied away from expressing how happy they feel in each other’s company.

And during her diary session, when Samantha was asked how her relationship with Idris was coming along, she didn’t mince words.

“Idris makes me laugh, and when I laugh, I’m happy.

That’s why we are so close. I really appreciate that. He’s always looking out for me and I’m also always looking out for him,” she said.

It’s evident that they are having the fun of their lives going by the way they break their ribs at their own jokes.

Meanwhile, Goitse also shared with Biggie that currently, her relationship with Idris was way better than in the previous weeks.

Goitse

Butterphly

“Compared to last week, we are almost getting there.

We now sit down and talk. He’s always there for a hug or kiss,” she said.

It should be noted that she’d previously complained about Idris trying to seek her attention yet he never came up to her to sort things out. And now that he has come clean with her, they are good together now.

From the two ladies’ diaries, it’s pretty clear that Idris’ game and behaviour in the house has tremendously improved after a shaky start and now that he’s the HoH, it will help him mingle more with other housemates and get to know them better.

Idris begs Africa to save Butterphly For the first time in the Hotshots game, we have heard a Head Of House begging Africa to save his pawn! And we might see an Armageddon in the Big Brother house if Africa doesn’t consider this cry.

In his diary session, Idris begged Africa to save his added housemate, Butterphly, as he never intended to

Goitse nominated next week As funny and accommodating as Biggie can be with his guests, there are times when he means business, as in real business. During the week, he warned the housemates about cheating during the new freeze task and some might have thought he was kidding.

But afterwards, Biggie showed the housemates a video clip that not only had Goitse covering her eyes but also getting down to avoid interruptions from Biggie’s traumatizing visitors. Goitse, who was freaked out, went down under the kitchen counter, covered her eyes and reacted to the zombies that had come to disorganise them.

According to Biggie’s freezing rules, housemates are supposed to freeze in motion and any reaction to the situation is considered cheating. Goitse’s action has automatically put her on next week’s nomination list for eviction. Biggie added that she will not only be exempted from participating in next week’s HoH task, but her extravaganza win too will be irrelevant.

This implies that Goitse is on the nominee list waiting for Sunday after the eviction to be joined by another bunch of housemates.

Is this the end of Goitse?

26

November 8, 2014

Yet another honour for Lupita Nyong’o

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Wizkid is a disappointment’

T

hese are really troubled times for the music artist who was probably the most liked in the country at one point in time, Wizkid.

He traded words recently with Boogie Down singer, Saeon, and just as everyone thought the matter has died out, it has reared its ugly head again as Saeon’s exmanager, Alex Adegbenro, has come out to speak about it.

And what he said wasn’t at all complimentary to Wizkid. According to him, Saeon at no point in time begged Wiz for a collaboration, as claimed by Wiz. Rather, they said they could pay Wiz N1.5m to feature him and he initially behaved as if he wouldn’t accept it but he came back to do so.

Though he spoke a lot on the issue, and especially on how difficult Wiz made it for the collaboration to become a reality, he concluded by saying that Wiz is a disappointment for allegedly threatening to beat up Saeon.

Wizkid

What actors need to excel -Don Pedro Aganbi JULIET UMEH

F

Nyong’o

I

t seems there’s just no stopping Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o.

After achieving the unprecedented feat of winning an Oscar award for best supporting actress earlier this year, she followed it up with several other notable awards, honours and recognitions including being chosen

by People magazine as the most beautiful woman.

The latest honour that has come her way now is that she’s been listed among the women of the year by British magazine, Glamour. And not only is she in the list of women that made an impact in 2014, she was chosen as the woman among them all to be on the magazine’s cover as the face of them all.

More grease to your elbow, girl.

Aganbi

PFWA winners get their cars

I

n furtherance of its claim to the title off b being the nation’s titl i th ti ’ mostt successful music talent hunt, Project Fame West Africa has presented the winner and runners-up of its 2014 edition with their car prizes.

While the winner, Geoffrey, was presented with a brand new Hyundai ix35 SUV, the first runner-up, Rukky, got an Hyundai Elantra, and the second runner-up, Christian, got an Hyundai Accent.

Speaking with E-News, Geoffrey said, “I’m still in shock that I won PFWA and I’ve now been presented with a brand new SUV. It’s all like a miracle to me and I thank God for making this miracle happen to me.”

Geoffrey in his SUV

or actors plying their trade in Nigeria to be globally relevant and competitive, they need to instil a lot of professionalism and excellence in their acting, according to one of Nollywood’s most recognised personalities, Don Pedro Aganbi.

“There is something that made actors of yester-years distinct, and it appears to be missing in actors of today and that is why I’m hosting a 2-day capacity workshop with the theme: ‘Excellence In Acting.’

According to him, the theme was chosen to draw actor’s attention to the urgent need of the hour, excellence.

“If you want to work consistently as an actor, you need to show directors and producers you can produce the desired result in the allotted time period. Directors want good actors, they want talented actors, but most of all they want actors that can deliver every time with excellence. In fact, being an actor who can deliver with excellence is what makes you last in this industry and that is why efficient training and an efficient creative process are imperative to the success of today’s actor. We simply do not have time to waste,” he declared.

The workshop is billed for November 11th and 12th with its facilitators drawn from the Theatre Arts Department, University of Lagos; the movie industry; the media; and the Lagos business school.

Saturd Saturday da ay y Mirror Miir Mir M irror r www.nationalmirroronline.net www w.n .na na n atti tio iio on na nal allm a mii roronline.net mir

27

November 8, 2014 N

W

hether you want to show your status or personality or just appear simple, the T-shirts are just there for you.

Comfortable and adaptable, they afford you the opportunity to make that bold statement you desire any time, anyday. You can have them in plain, sequined and handcrafted fabrics that stand you out in any crowd. Just add a blazer or even your formal pants or skirts and you are simply good to go. Below are

e m i t e Te with A i mas

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

a variety of quality accessorised tees, trendy bags, belts, neck and hair accessories, all made by hand combining local African fabric with the finest modern fabrics and rials av vai ailable. materials available.

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STYLE & GLAM

November 8, 2014

h s i l y St

C

asuals, though the most used and common category of fashion, has transformed itself with this passing time.

No longer is it what it used to way back in the early 80s. It has become more trendy

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

casuals

and smart in this modern world. Casual wear is the dress code which emphasises comfort and personal expression over presentation and uniformity.

While some interpret it as some T-shirts on jeans, others will rather have it in some skimpy or weird styles of desired fabric.

The best update of this ‘fashion‛ in any case, is always kept by the youth and the young at heart.

It has currently gone beyond the old western wear to the versatility of the Ankara fabric.

With this growing range of fashion consciousness, people have become more choosy in their taste generally.

Whatever this choice may end up as, casual wears will continue to adapt to the new changes as much as people will be ready to experiment. Just check these designs out and you will be amazed at the level of creativity of some designers around here.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion frenzy

November 8, 2014

STYLE & GLAM

29

30

STYLE & GLAM

Fashion Guest

November 8, 2014

Interior Glamour

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

08038406671 , 07067730374 luxuryease@live.com

with Bukola Lepe

Joke Adegun is the Chief Executive Officer of Xqwizit Ushers, an event outfit. She reveals, in this interview with YEMISI ADENIRAN, the entwined features of modeling and events management plus why she has to jettison her banking career for her choice.

Decorating

staircases

‘Women are not lesser beings’ W

hy did you have to abandon your thriving banking career for events manage-

ment?

It was not that I was not doing well but at a point, I realised I had to be self reliant. You know, it is not always good to be dependent on people all of the time.

There is an adage by my people that literally means “your palms can never deceive you.” And that what is your own is your own. Whether we like it or not other people’s jobs that we handle like our very lives will leave us one day even if we decide not to leave it. The banking job is just one of these. It is never a forever thing. It was with this thought that I now decided to think up of something I could start doing on my own and Xqwizit just came up.

In short, this is not one of those passions that a lot of people will easily claim.

No. It was a desire that was divinely aided.

How do you mean?

When I was at a loss on what to do and

I was bent on starting something, the lead to start an event management outfit was revealed to me in my dream. That is just the truth.

A lot of people in modeling are always found in event management.

What is the relationship?

They go hand-in-hand. Ushers are models and models are ushers. They both need to take extra care to appeal to people and both represent agencies. Both again do it for a sum, they are into image making as they present the organisations they represent well. The only thing is that event management is more encompassing. It is a body that can involve both and even more.

Are you a model too?

Of course. I model for Xqwizt.

What words of advice do you have for young ladies like you?

They should look inwards and come up with ideas that are profitable. Women are no lesser beings and if men will always come up with ideas that will fetch them money, why won’t we?

A

staircase is one of the most functional part of a home but often assumed for only functional purposes.

They are found in various designs;part of which are wooden,glass and balustrades. A little decorating could add a some spice to your usual blande stair area. i have a few improvent tips which might work for you: pictures: How you place your pictures on your stairway wall depends on your style and design theme throughout your home. Don’t feel as though you have to follow the angle of the stairs when hanging artwork or pictures on a stairway wall. That is one way of designing your wall, but think about grouping the pictures in a rectangular shaped arrangement or even oval, depending on the size of the wall.

Several pictures hung as an arrangement should have a common thread, like frame colour or shade or mat colour. You could also try artworks in place of pictures.

Wall hangings:wall hangings such as candle holders and wall verbs also look nice around the staircase. A nice chandelier hanging from the ceiling above the staircase could improve lighting an enhance aesthetics. wall paper:wallpapers can add all the spruce you need for a staircase area. Try using lighting to support this. you may hang pictures on it if you want though.

If you care about your things a lot

and you want them organized and you don’t really have the space for them ,mounting multiple drawers under the stairs suddenly becomes a very interesting idea. Imagine all that space filled with drawers; small drawers and large drawers. I saw something like this in a tailoring workshop, where because of the tight space the owner had drawers under the access stairs where they kept both fabrics and threads.

A home office under the stairs is also a very brilliant idea. If you do not have enough space to create a private study area,that space beneath the staircase is perfect for you.

Wine is usually stored in a cool place, kept away from direct sun light; if these conditions are not fulfilled the chemical properties of the wine might change, altering the wine making it sour or bitter.

Despite all that, wine is better served at the room’s temperature and only a few types of white wine are better served cold; you can use the refrigerator for that. Building a rack for wine is not that this wooden staircase’s side wall has been painted to add spark to that interior space. The base of the staircase has also been painted.

Besides the aesthetic purpose it serves,it also makes the stairs appear wider.

Artifical climbing plants can also be used on its balustrades as well.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

November 8, 2014

Male Essentials

T

attoos are no longer taboo. They’ve been part of mainstream culture for some time now and it’s clear that they’re here to stay.

Men worldwide get their bodies tattooed for a million and one reasons, including marking a drastic change in their lives, or highlighting something that influenced them, either in a positive or negative way.

Others use bodyart as a medium to reveal their sense of pride or to underline important milestones or aspects that marked their lives (literally), such as a newborn baby, a lover, or a religious belief. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that many men get a tattoo simply because they think it’s cool and looks good. That’s right, some guys get tattooed just to make a fashion statement, and a subjective statement at that, as bodyart is something personal to every individual.

Selection process When it comes to choosing a tattoo, there are generally two types of guys. The first type will take extreme caution and put some deep thought into the selection process. He seeks perfect conceptualization. His tattoo likely holds a very deep meaning and could even take months of research.

The second guy is not as heavily involved in the selection process; his choice is more spontaneous. A lot of these men may have been longing for a tattoo for some time but never really reflected on why

Stylish tattoos for men they want one. They’ll generally choose a tattoo because of how it looks rather than what it represents.

Types of tattoos Regardless of which selection process you go through, keep in mind that there are essentially five types of tattoos: abstractions, naturalistic and pledge tattoos, and simplifications and complex structures.

Abstraction tattoos Abstractions are tattoos that are derived from primitive styles of tattooing. They don’t normally consist of much artwork and are often made with black ink and classic gray shading. The most popular tribal and Celtic style tattoos, Old English lettering and Chinese symbols all fall into this category.

Abstraction tattoos around the navel, chest, and calves seem to be all the rage among

08036961187

with w ith O Ose Oseyiza eyiza O Oogbodo ogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

younger men.

Older men tend to get abstraction tattoos on their shoulders, arms and upper back.

Naturalistic tattoos Realistic looking tattoos are referred to as naturalistic. They involve a lot of details in an attempt to make the design appear as realistic as possible. The artist also uses a lot of shading, perspective, and other special techniques to make the image seem authentic.

Naturalistic tattoos generally cost more since they require minute detailing and hence more time to create.

Popular styles of naturalistic tattoos include faces of Native Americans and religious leaders.

Dedication tattoos Dedications, which are also called pledges, are often found in sailor or traditional western

tattooing. They include the popular heart and name banner style tattoos, the anchor with a ship name, and the insignia of a military regiment.

The popularity of dedications has waned over the years.

They’re usually part of the standard assortment of tattoos, one of the reasons why they’re usually less expensive.

Simplification tattoos Simplifications are also referred to as stylized tattoos and they appear in all shapes, sizes and styles. A simplification can be an action figurine, or one of those standard pictures you’ll find on the wall of most tattoo shops, such as a tiger or a flower.

Standard simplifications are cheaper than custom designed tattoos.

Popular simplifications include panthers and lions, which represent strength and power.

Custom-made tattoos can also be stylized; popular ones include dragons and zodiac signs.

Complex tattoos Complex structures, also called combinations, include traditional Japanese body suits, most half-sleeves, and jumbles of unrelated images with no connecting theme or fill work.

Complex tattoos are normally an amalgamation of various tattoos — that’s why they’re usually more imposing than other types of tattoos.

2 quick tips Now that you have an idea of how to differentiate between types of tattoos, here are a couple of things you should consid-

er when shopping for one: 1) Try to have your tattoo designed in a reputable tattoo parlour, preferably one with an established clientele. Simply ask around, as every city has a couple of reputable tattoo parlours where local celebrities and connoisseurs have their tattoos done.

Make sure the parlour is clean and sanitized at all times, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have any concerns.

2) Make sure your tattoo artist is competent. That said, how would you feel if you asked for a ferocious tiger tattoo, but ended up with one that looked like a pussycat? Or worse — the tattoo artist misspells your lover’s name? You’d probably be furious to say the least. Oversights do happen frequently and unfortunately, there’s no way to simply erase a botched tattoo and start over.

To find a professional tattoo artist near you, ask those with fine looking tattoos where they had them done. Once you have a couple of names, flip through each artist’s portfolio and drop in the parlour to watch them work on a couple of clients before making a final decision.

Finally, remember that if you’re not ready to get the real deal right away, you can always try a henna tattoo first. These are made from a reddish brown to strong brown dye that can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

Until next time, keep on styling.

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November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Relationships

Should you always say the Honesty remains the best policy

I

t’s only if one is going to lie that one would say that you should always say the truth at all times in your relationship.

Let’s call a spade a spade. As a man, there will be that occasional situation when you just have no choice but to say a little white lie. Whatever colouration the lie may be and no matter how small or big, a lie will forever continue to be nothing but a lie. And before you say that men will always be men and that lying is in our genetic make-up, I’d love to remind you that most times women can’t handle the truth even when it’s staring them in the face. Or how would you tell your partner that she sucks in bed or she’s not trying hard enough to satisfy you without hurting her feelings and making her sad. If you truly love the woman as a man you will not have any choice but to use euphemisms and cover things up with little lies to assuage any rumpled feathers.

Men lie in relationships basically to avoid or side-step troubles or as a means of getting out of a messy situation with women. I will say that women should try to understand that there is a need to hide the truth in some situations. Without getting too technical or using the language of a Psychologist or a Sociologist, there definitely are clear advantages accruing to the person who is telling lies and is hiding the truth in a relationship if the truth has to be said. When it comes to our thoughts, opinions or emotions that may potentially harm our mates or our relationship, a measure of discretion is advisable and this discretion in most cases are lies buttered up to sound like the truth. In almost every relationship, scenarios have occurred where not standing on the side of a little lie and discretion had cost the relationship dearly. A good example is a woman saying the number of men she’s had sex with before her present relationship if asked by her partner who she knows can definitely not handle the revelation of such information.

In truth we can also find our-

selves in situations which will leave a sour taste in the mouth if we reveal the truth about what we may really be feeling or going through as individuals in a relationship whether it’s healthy for the relationship or not. All people have fantasies. Some may be about sexual exchange with other partners while some may be about running away from the relationship as an escapist policy when the pressure may mount in the relationship. Some may be about being with a younger, more fit or more exciting partner. Others may be about all the opportunities that the present relationship cannot afford us. The list may be very long if we care to enumerate them. These passing fantasies may have a healing effect for us. They are the escapist fantasies to be lived in our minds instead of being acted upon. Yet, if we choose to share them with our partners if asked, we may cause pain, rift and at times even irreparable damage to our union.

Be that as it may, honesty still remains the best policy about most things in any relationship if one truly wants to have a measure of peace of mind. It is possible to communicate our feelings effectively without really saying fibs, while maintaining our integrity. We need to weigh the extent to which our saying the truth will unravel and create a situation that will undermine the happiness in our relationship. It’s all about making the right decisions to express our true feelings in a loving and caring way. Every one responds better to this kind of communication. Think about the way you tell the truth. This is where the most damage or good can be done. Always saying the truth in a careless manner is equally as bad as being caught out in a lie. Although there are no rules about when to tell the truth or lying, it helps to consider some of the things involved. When deciding for yourself whether to tell the truth, remember to ask if what you are about to say is really that important, and think about the way you express the truth.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

20 ways to keep things going for longer An erection is a funny thing. When it stays hard, you feel great about yourself. But when it goes limp, no matter how hard you try, it can be the cause for some serious psychological concern.

If you’re not really suffering from any medical conditions and still have a hard time keeping it hard, there are ways to keep it up and raring to go when you need it most.

How to keep an erection longer Almost all the time, an erection is all in your head. And if it’s in your head, these tips will definitely help you.

First of all, do you get an erection when you feel horny? If you are able to get an erection when you’re all alone, you’re definitely all good down there and just need to learn to relax when you’re with a woman.

Why guys suffer from a limp erection There are many reasons why you may be having trouble getting an erection with your partner. Your woman may assume it’s because you don’t find her attractive anymore, but almost always, that’s never the case.

Here are a few reasons behind why you may be having a difficult time keeping an erection up.

1. You’re bored with the routine. After a few years, it’s easy to find the whole game of sex monotonous even if you have a very attractive partner.

2. Condoms can numb you. Condoms can have a tight grip around your member and it can definitely affect your performance if you’re not comfortable with it. Use thinner condoms, but don’t avoid using it

unless you and your partner are committed only to each other.

3. Overexcitement can make you lose your erection. Sometimes, you may be really aroused and that can in turn kill your hard on! It’s weird, but overexcitement and adrenalin can actually make you feel weak and jittery.

4. Pills can make you go limp. Several painkillers and other heavy medication almost always make you numb down there. If you’re having a hard time performing when you’re ill, don’t blame yourself for it.

5. You’re scared of going limp again.

This is actually the biggest reason why so many men suffer from a limp erection. Psychological damage can do more harm than physical damage.

6. Pressure. This is especially true if you’re stressing on giving your girl a good time or trying to get your woman pregnant.

7. You’re bored with life. When you’re not enthusiastic about your life or if you’re depressed, it would be a miracle if you can actually have a hard erection!

8. You don’t have a good lifestyle. Do you eat well and sleep well? Healthy lifestyle

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RELATIONSHIPS

November 8, 2014

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JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

truth in your relationship?

It’s dicey

I

This column is x-rated habits can impact your sex drive and your performance by a large extent.

How to get an erection and keep it up for as long as you want A limp erection can destroy a relationship or complicate it if it’s a repetitive occurrence. Your girlfriend would assume you don’t find her attractive anymore. Your limpy member would leave you frustrated and pissed off.

And you and your partner would just start getting annoyed with each other for no reason.

But there’s a happy way to go around this and make sure you get an erection and keep it for a long time. Just use these 20 tips on how to keep an erection up and it’ll definitely make a difference in your life in a couple of weeks.

1. Talk about your fantasies.

Distract yourself from your little guy and use your head in bed. Indulging in dirty talk and fantasies can help reignite the pleasure of sex for both of you.

2. Get kinky. Speak about your secret fantasies with each other and indulge in them. Sometimes, all you need to bring your little guy up is a whole new sexual experience!

3. Be comfortable in bed. Don’t carry your own weight into bed. Feel relaxed and avoid sweating too much, overeating before sex or having sex when you’re too tired.

4. Get innovative. Too much of a good thing can get boring. Your girl may be the sexiest thing alive, but unless you create new ways to enjoy each other in bed, one of you may get bored,

This column is x-rated which will eventually lead to you feeling less satisfied and less horny.

5. Take time, don’t rush in. This is something most guys don’t know and don’t care to know. Foreplay always helps the guy hold on longer. You may think it’s pointless, but by indulging in foreplay for 15 minutes before intercourse, your little guy would get more time to warm himself up for the act.

Just don’t think about your erection until you have to go all the way.

6. Don’t concentrate on your little guy. Instead, just focus on satisfying and pleasuring your partner. When you spend too much time wondering how erect you are, you’d kill the fun, which will in turn kill your erection.

7. Talk about it with your partner. When you can’t hold on to a long erection, it’ll definitely leave both of you upset. Learn to talk about it and reassure each other. Always ensure that bad sex is not getting in the way of good love.

8. Breathe. Breathe deeply in the mornings. It helps increase the oxygen in your blood flow and also calm you down when you’re stressed.

9. Work out and look sexy. Better yet, start working out. A good cardio workout makes you feel fit and healthy, and it greatly improves your flexibility and blood circulation. When you look good, you’d feel alive down there. And the increased blood circulation would ensure that your boneless buddy would be upright and hard for a long time.

CONTINUES NEXT WEEK

often hear people complain of their partners not telling them the truth and same people still turn into lions when they hear the truth they have longed for so much. For you to know where i stand on this issue, it is vey vital i make certain things clear here. Men accuse women of lying so much to get their way in relationship but i think men lie more . I am not saying this because i am a woman, i hit the women too when they call for it but, the lies that flow from the mouth of men are countless starting from the first time they meet a woman they want to punk. When a man sees a woman he wants to sleep with, all he tells the woman are lies, just to have his way. Boyyyyy...i hate this & if any bloke tries pulling this crap on me? Grrrrrrrrrr!

Ok..do not push my botton yet because this topic is not about who tells lies more but i am trying to point out something here that makes people either tell the truth or avoid it. It’s sloppy meeting a woman whom you are pretty aware , your dog will bark at but just because you notice she is interested to have a relationship with you, probably having flirt severally with you, because you want to satisfy your sexual urge, you start blabbling how dreamy and sexy her eyes are. How lovely her legs are . Meanwhile her eyes are like an owl’s and can make a baby develop convulsion. Her legs so skinny that you can use them to beat drums. In this situation, you know the truth, you avoided it. Why? You were after some kind of lust only you can explain. The annoying part is the dumb woman in question who simply allows you to get away with your silly talks rather than shutting you up. Some women can really be a dummy huh? How can someone tells you crap ‘korokoro’ and you just keep quiet promoting him to a higher level by seeing him a second time to the extent of allowing him touch your body? What were you thinking woman?

Relating this scene to our topic, i feel, the lady would have been better off if the man told her the truth so she would not be used and dumped . Now saying the truth

counts here even as bitter as it could be but, it would save both parties pains, sorrows and fraustrations in future in the course of the ‘fake’ relationship because one day, the man will dump her. Get- a- gripladies! Cut off the damn desire for sweet words from men!

To what i said in my first paragraph where lots of males and females seek the truth but when they hear the truth, they rebel.

Having your partner tell you the raw truth is not difficult but what is difficult is the ACCEPTANCE of the truth happily.

A lady in her forties who has desperately searched for a husband finally hooked a man who loved her and they decide to marry. This lady already had a child years back...a grown up child but she never disclosed this to the man. After the wedding, the man discovered the truth and was livid with anger why he was not informed about this by the woman,& moved out of their home. If you were the woman, would you have told the truth?

In Africa, women who give birth out of marriage are frowned at and the men have not made it easier for the women to come out clean to confess this to their prospective partners. Our men always frown at this and one out of ten men who find themselves in this tangle will still go on and marry any woman with such history. So do you blame the woman for not telling the truth?

A whiteman cares less about such situation but you do not pull off such story easily with African men.

Personally, if i find my self in this situation, it MUST be the first in my agenda because, if the man is sincere about loving me, having a child cannot stop him from marrying me. Infact, this is a very good opportunity to know if he really loves me. Seriously? You heard me!

Listen folks, if a man/woman really-really loves you for good, no gossip, story, what-ever..will stop him/her. When you declare a sincere love for someone, you have signed to carry that person’s garbbage along and help clean the person up. Love should not just be all butter-milk-chocolate situations.

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November 8, 2014

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Woman

My father taught me the good things I know –Egbagbe Aside holding ssway on the Nigerian fashion scene, Barrister Grace Zemaye Egbagbe is undoubtedly an intelligent woman. While in active service at the N Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), she created two most cherished soaps in the late 80s: Cock crow at down and Second Chance.

In this interview with YEMISI ADENIRAN, she reflects on her 2 28 years of broadcasting, the secret of her yo youthfulness and why the thought of her late fathe father has continually brought tears to her radiant face face.

H

ow would you compare your life at NTA with your present life as a retiree?

They are two different tw worlds, each wo world with its fun and peculiarities.

As peculia an executive director at the NTA, the expectations were simply overwhelming. There are targets to a be met, lots lot of meetings and appointments to appo keep and an more challenges to tackle. The brain is put to task all the time and t the entire body system is just sys on the run all the th way. There is i the stress of o the early morning and late hour traffic jam, lots of appointments to keep, deadlines and all that.

That definitely is apart from several others that range from domestic to

societal that you still have to observe.

You don’t want to be a disappointment, so, you keep pulling through all somehow and no matter what. But as soon as one is off that service, you become a free bird. You have all the time in the world to yourself and no one will dare question you on how you spend it. You are free to wake up whenever you feel and do a selfprioritisation of what you want to do for that day. More than ever, you are a determinant of your time and you become less-stressed about any boss, the organisation, and some clients, all in the name of a job. You have more time for yourself, your family, people and even God. There is simply nothing like it. I now know why workers look forward to their retirement.

But you said both have their fun. What fun is in having to wake up so early and dedicating most of your hours in a day to another person’s job?

There are still a lot of fun in it.

When you are involved in an active service, you engage your entire self, your brain is put in action and once you are enjoying what you are doing, you definitely look forward to the next day’s job. Where my own kind of work is concerned, you meet people from all over the world and from all walks of life. People want to meet you, you are spurred into having fresh ideas all of the time and

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November 8, 2014

you look forward to seeing the idea germinate into a generally acceptable idea. Even, while you are in the traffic, there are still some fun to catch; in the arguments that ensue in the office, there are fun and so on. Remember also that it is during these years of service that you build the future upon which you finally retire. The only difference is that as a retiree, you are free to do whatever you like and whenever you wish too.

With your experience at NTA, what’s your impression of the new crop of newscasters that we have around now?

I must tell you that these broadcasters are doing well. Standards are improving and more stations are coming up with better thrusts and focuses. As for newscasters, they are doing a good job like I said. The language itself is not our own, it is foreign and people are just working well with it. When compared with what we had then, the situation has greatly improved. They have better equipments and technology to work with and I guess more fund with more private television stations coming up. They should just im-

Beauty, I think, is a thing of the mind. I don’t think there is any special thing that I do to keep in shape.

I just wear whatever I feel is comfortable and suiting. I eat whatever I feel like and whenever too. But I try as much as possible to keep off all stress and I guess I have been able to do this with the help of God Almighty. He is my father and I have learnt to entrust all that I have and encounter in life to Him. I don’t worry my head much over issues, I allow Him to take charge and this has been of immense help to me. For us women, stress is our major hindrance to looking good. No matter the make-up and frame ups, once a woman is stressed, it will be written all over her and her once radiant face will definitely suffer.

Meanwhile, worrying can do us nothing but evil.

If only we will worry less and act our faith in God, we will get our problems solved and still keep our faces radiant. That’s how it is with me.

When did he die?

He died in 1991 and I find it hard to get over it. He taught me how to be principled and I have learnt to instill same in my children too.

As a very stylish woman, what do you do to keep your body in shape and beautiful in spite of your age?

Five types of women men avoid

…Can you afford to be one of them?

As women, we’re pretty picky when it comes to guys. We all have our list of deal breakers and don’ts that make us shy away from certain guys. But what do men steer clear of when it comes to women?

Don’t you have a particular exercise that you do to monitor your shape?

Well, I understand walking and swimming are the best ways to burn

BEAUTY, I THINK, IS A THING OF THE MIND. I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY SPECIAL THING THAT I DO TO KEEP IN SHAPE. I JUST WEAR WHATEVER I FEEL IS COMFORTABLE AND SUITING. I EAT WHATEVER I FEEL LIKE AND WHENEVER TOO. BUT I TRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP OFF ALL STRESS AND I GUESS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS WITH THE HELP OF GOD ALMIGHTY prove on having more and better programmes for people to watch. They have more of musical shows these days and that is just not good enough.

They need to work more on this and I’m sure they can.

Let’s talk about your childhood.

How was it and what fond memories would you like to share with us?

I had a wonderful childhood just like every other child. My father was a very principled man, so I had a strict upbringing. He believed so much in us children and being the eldest daughter, he taught me a lot of things. He wanted me to be happy in life and taught me every good thing that makes life worthwhile. My dad loved education and would spend his last kobo to ensure that his children got good ones. He made us to travel all over Nigeria with him. I was very close to him and didn’t find his death funny. Time after time, the memory brings tears to my face.

Keeping ABREAST

calories, so I engage in walking around with friends. And you know since I’m not the type that sits and have people run errands for me, I get to burn calories that way. But strictly speaking, this shapely body form runs in the family. If you see my mother, you will think she is just in her 50s whereas she is in her 80s.

What is your perception about gender discrimination in Nigeria?

Women, in this part of the world, have always suffered discrimination in the hands of men. As far as the society is concerned, women are the weaker sex, they cannot take tangible decisions, they need the men to survive, to add meaning to their lives and all that. But that is far from being true. Women are the stronger sex from every indication available. We are stronger emotionally and are better managers of human resources, man-power and all. Without women, the homes cannot be well managed by men. We work as twice as men will just to prove this point and we are always more calm and collected when in trouble than men. In recent time, more women are living enviably off the men folks and are making good success of their careers and businesses. They are holding public offices and are performing outstandingly.

So, gender discrimination or not, Nigerian women are evolving.

The smart-ass Every man likes an articulate woman, a girl who can voice her opinion, sound intelligent and impress her man’s friends with a philosophical debate on the downward spiral of modern politics.

OK, maybe that’s pushing it a bit, but a woman with verbal confidence can be a hell of a turn-on. But let’s be realistic -- while it’s always nice to date someone who is charismatic and well-versed, guys find it quite different to date a woman who beats the opinionated war drum.

The smart-ass exposes a man’s intellectual weaknesses. This is a type men avoid at all costs.

The gold digger It doesn’t take a genius to know that wooing a woman requires a trifocal effort of body, soul and spending power. As standard romantic procedures, he’s going to have to take her for dinner, buy her flowers, whisk her away for the weekend, and show her that the world is your oyster and she’s the pearl. But men want to make damn sure a woman is actually enjoying their company and not just their wallet. Once they start to notice that she’s expecting them to pay for everything, they proceed with great caution or simply dissipate into the crowd.

Ms. Right You may have a bevy of outstanding qualities, but an inability to accept a different opinion almost always ultimately leads to a breakup. Every time you get together, don’t always declare your astuteness and refuse to take his advice.

Ms. Right is, well, stubbornly set in her ways -- she’s correct about everything, and if a guy even so much as makes an unfavorable whisper, she’ll lash out at

him with the voraciousness of a python.

The sad part is, Ms. Right types are hard to change, as their personal pride tends to get in the way of understanding others and the world around her. So all men really do is avoid these women. She may have been spoiled as a child, or perhaps she has just hung around too many snotty girlfriends for her own good. Either way, the red flags on these women fly very high for men.

The psycho What is it about women who feel the need to call their man 10 times a day?

More importantly, what is the guy going to tell a woman that he just talked to about an hour ago? The psycho will disrupt a guy’s balance between work and home. She will meld his personal life with his business life, and make it clear to him that she exists and is planting her rump right in the middle of his daily agenda. The psycho will never give up, and will drown the man in her life in her own insecurities about relationships and life. Don’t be a psycho!

The rebound This type of woman is probably the most notorious on this list. What guys see as a blessed relationship is really just a temporary comfort for her. The rebound knows a good guy, but she’s just not ready. A good indicator is how persistent her friends are in trying to set her up with the guy, and how reluctant she is to do it, much to the chagrin of her friends!

This kind of woman almost always loses out in the romance department. The poor guy almost always finds himself a willing woman and she realizes, often too late, that she has lost the guy who was all over her.

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November 8, 2014

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Parenting

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

10 ways to help your baby learn to walk T

hough it is true that most children will start walking on their own, kids have to learn to walk and won’t walk unless given the opportunity to do so. Consequently, there are several things you can do to help your child learn to walk a bit earlier.

next to her when she’s in the jumper. Jumpers encourage leg strength and confidence, and also help your child learn that when she moves her legs in a certain way her whole body will move. A word of caution: jumpers should be used sparingly.

Don’t use a walker Walkers pose numerous safety threats, even though they can be fun to babies.

Walkers are so risky and have resulted in so many injuries.

And, despite their name, a walker can actually cause your child to take longer to learn how to walk. Your child may not learn that she can support herself with her feet, and steps taken in a walker don’t move your child forward, so it’s harder for your child to make the connection between taking steps and moving forward.

If you want your child to walk early, don’t use a walker.

Encourage strong back muscles Though we often think of walking as primarily involving the legs, the most important muscles we use when we walk are our back muscles. You can encourage strong back muscles from birth by giving your baby ample time on her stomach. Encourage her to lift her head and neck by showing her interesting objects and making tummy time exciting. The muscle control she learns during this period can help her develop strong walking skills in a few months.

Try a jumper As an alternative to walkers, jumpers are top notch, though they can be dangerous if your child is left unsupervised, so make sure you are right

Practice muscle control while sitting Encouraging your baby to stack and reach for things while she’s sitting up can help her develop the coordination and muscle control that will ultimately help her begin walk-

ParentingUpdate

A

new study has revealed that children placed in childcare centres are more likely to develop hyperactive and aggressive behaviours than those who spend time in home care.

3,200 children were monitored by researchers from the University of Adelaide.

The researchers studied the children following time they had spent in different types of care up to age three.

Their results, which were based on surveys filled out by parents and teachers, found the length of time spent in childcare centres was directly linked to increases in problem behav-

ing.

Practice coordination while crawling Crawling teaches your child to move his arms and legs at the same time, which is an important skill to have when he first begins walking. Encourage your child’s efforts at crawling by encouraging her to crawl across the room and even reach for things when crawling.

Encourage independence Encourage this by allowing your child to explore her environment from a young age..

return to a sitting position.

This is a critical step in learning to walk and can also help her to avoid falling in a way that can hurt her.

Let him push something When your baby is able to stand up, try giving her a light

stool or box that won’t collapse but is light enough to push.

He’ll feel safe balancing on it but is likely to take a few steps forward pushing the object. Be sure to be there to catch him in case of any falls or missteps.

•Culled from www.parenting.com

Tiny Feet

Go barefoot Bare feet can grip surfaces more easily and shoes are foreign objects that can distract kids from walking.

Provide soft surfaces Your child won’t be tripped by moving rugs and can easily grip the carpet with her feet.

Practice pulling up When babies start cruising and trying to walk, they love pulling up on surfaces. Show her how to bend her knees to

NAME: Princess Ifeoluwa Kehinde

BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Dipo Kehinde AGE: One month BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Does childcare make children more aggressive?

New study says behavioural problems in young children linked to time spent in childcare centres •A new study shows children are more likely to develop aggressive behaviour when placed in childcare centres •It found the length of time spent in childcare centres was linked to behavioural issues •Children who attended childcare facilities were more restless, easily distracted and aggressive •However, they were less likely to be anxious or depressed than kids who did not attend childcare centres iours by the age of four or five.

Interestingly, children who spent more time in family day care or under the care of nannies did not show increased signs of problem behaviours.

The lead researcher says children who spent time in childcare centres were more likely to be restless, easily distracted and aggressive towards others.

But they were also less likely to be anxious or depressed than

children who did not attend childcare.

“These children were less likely to be reported by parents and teachers as being unhappy and withdrawn,” she said.

“That may relate to childcare centres having more same-aged peers than any other type of child care setting.”

The researcher said further research was required to determine why children placed

in childcare centres were more likely to develop problem behaviours.

Children who spent more time in family day care or under the care of nannies did not show increased signs of problem behaviours, she said.

More than 75 per cent of children surveyed had spent regular time in the care of someone other than their parents by the age of three.

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LIVING

November 8, 2014

37

Al-Makura’s resettlement burden

Communal conflicts in far flung communities in Nasarawa State have created massive dislocation of lives, destruction of properties and the need for urgent government intervention. IGBAWASE UKUMBA writes on how Governor Tanko AlMakura takes on the burden of resettling displaced people in his state.

A

lhaji Usman Abbas Buba, paramount ruler, Arikya chiefdom in Lafia, state capital of Nasarawa State is never tired of lamenting the woes that has befallen his domain. Narrating his subjects’ ordeal in the hands of attackers who have made life miserable for the people, the paramount ruler of Arikya said all inhabitants of his chiefdom, eleven communities in all, have been sacked and scattered across the state. He gave the names of such communities to include Lengi Sarki, Lengi Madaki Kongro Tofa, Uge, Agbolagbo, Kadare, Arikya Tsioni, Kingra, among others.

He added that the attackers came from Wamba axis through the river behind Arikya town to terrorize his subjects hence the residents have decided to relocate to safer places. To an inhabitant of Egga village which was attacked three times, Idris Bala Mohammed, “all inhabitants of the village have evacuated the area since March this year due to the persistent attacks on their communities by suspected Ombatse militias.”

He said the last stroke that broke the camel’s back was the attack on the community in March, 2014 when over 50 men were killed. According to him, “My kinsmen, in the aftermath of the Egga massacre, have resolved to relocate to Lafia, Garaku or Doma to start a new lease of life.

An Igbo trader residing in Asakio, who was also a victim of the crisis, Bomboy Cyprain, lamented bitterly that he has been a regular casualty of all the crises that had consumed Assakio.

According to him, “the first crisis that took place last year consumed my shop and likewise the recent one consequently rendering me vulnerable. We the Ibo traders whose shops were completely razed down for the second time during the communal clash are not less than fifty, hence we appeal to government and well to do members of the society to come to our aid.” A community leader in Asakio town, Mr. Adamu Ebenya, narrated that the attackers have destroyed the whole of Assakio town. “They had equally wanted to kill all its inhabitants, but it was only God that rescued some of us from the hands of our enemies,” Ebenya continued. He however, called on security operatives drafted to the state to cooperate with the state government in order to avert another similar episode.

The sad narrations of destruction of lives and properties are just the summary of the effect of the lingering crises that have engulfed Nasarawa state in the recent times. Rather than abate after spirited efforts by security agencies, it has further exacerbated at an alarming rate as over 15 communities in Lafia and Obi local government areas of the state have been almost completely wiped out. This is even as economic activities of these communities have suddenly come to a standstill as inhabitants have relocated to other parts of the state or to neighboring states

...Some of the affected communities

as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. Some of the communities that were completely razed down by suspected hired mercenaries are Adogi, Kireyi, Abu Agori, Ashangwa, Gidan Mai Akuya, Ashige, Assakio and Sabongida Bakinkogi. Others are tudun Adabu, Odobu, Dadare, Gidan Gambo, Ariikya, Egga among many others.

Disturbed at the rate of killings, maiming and destruction of properties hitherto rendering thousands of people as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Nasarawa state, Clergymen of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, ERCC, converged on Alushi, in Akwanga local government area of the state and offered prayers to God over the lingering crises that had engulfed some parts of the state in the recent time.

Addressing the clergymen, national president of the reformed Church, Very Reverend Lakayana Otso, admonished his

colleagues to cry onto the lord over the bad work the devil is doing in the state which according to him “calls for sober reflection.” He continued that “Human’s efforts at tackling the scenario headlong is lost until God intervenes, if not there will be no place for any solution. I want to assure you my colleagues that you will expect positive things to happen and not the expectation of negative result after this Alushi gathering.”

When Saturday Mirror visited the crisis ridden spots, it observed that apart from the hundreds of lives lost in the crisis, several houses were burnt down, while economic trees and even shadeproviding trees as well as crops planted in farms were destroyed. Also some of the communities were overgrown with grasses especially the residential houses while farming and other economic activities were virtually paralyzed, even as palaces of the paramount rulers in the

APART FROM THE HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST IN THE CRISIS, SEVERAL HOUSES

WERE BURNT DOWN, WHILE ECONOMIC TREES AND EVEN SHADE-PROVIDING

TREES AS WELL AS CROPS PLANTED IN FARMS WERE DESTROYED

affected communities were not left out as they were completely razed down by the attackers with exception of government structures and religious centres.

Although the lingering crises in Nasarawa state predated the administration of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the recent killings of people and burning down of houses, including palaces of paramount rulers, as well as other valuables belonging to the local inhabitants running into billions of naira even as thousands of people were internally displaced at Assakio, Dadare, Ashige, Ashangwa, Adogi, Kireye, Gidan Mai Akuya, Sabon Gida Bakinkogi, Dadare Tudun Adabu, Gidan Gambo, Egga and Arikya communities, among many others have been causing Governor Al-Makura a sleepless night.

Perhaps, it was in this vein and desire of the governor to see that all the displaced persons from these communities are returned back to their ancestral homes that the governor rode on the Tiger’s back on November 4 - 5, 2014 when he physically took an inspection visit to all the troubled spots that are no go areas for humans but as reservoir for the warriors who only traverse the terrains to engage the natives by either killing or maiming them, looting their wares and burning their houses thereafter.

In some communities the governor visited, he was able to come across some handful of displaced persons, who had sneaked in to their ghost villages to either fetch some food stuff in their farms or check for any ruminants of their household valuables for onward collection to their new places of aboard. Explaining to the governor on modus operandi of the attackers as gathered by military intelligence, commander of the 177 Guards Brigade, Keffi, Lt Col Musa Ibrahim, said the attackers were hired mercenaries that are paid between N3,000 – 4,000 per deal done as detailed by their hirers. The commander continued that the crises are targeted at individual inhabitant’s structures but not structures belonging to government or religious bodies as churches and mosques were seen standing in the midst of rumbles of individual structures. Lt Col Ibrahim, however, lamented over the inability of the soldiers to arrest any of the attackers blaming it on a well coordinated spy mechanism implored by the attackers by keeping spies around to alert them of coming of the soldiers towards their direction of operation at that particular moment to enable them (attackers) to withdraw. He said: “We couldn’t make any arrest because before we could come, they alert their accomplices to take cover.

This has become difficult to us as soldiers hence we could not divide ourselves into piece meals.” During the inspection visit, Al-Makura said government felt it should have a fact finding experience and see for itself what the true situation on ground are because as a responsible administration, government cannot sit in office while its people are despaired.

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November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court dissolves 20-year marriage over sex starvation •She has been denying me sex since she gave birth to our last child 14 years ago. She will not even allow me to touch her. Anytime I try to force myself to do it, she will pick up a dangerous weapon to stab me –Husband •My husband turned me into a prostitute. He will not give me money unless he has sex with me. So I stopped him from having sex with me. I’m a wife and not a girl friend or sex worker –Wife •All efforts to reconcile the couple have proved futile, as the petitioner has insisted on divorce. Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways -Judge

A

n Igando Customary Court in Lagos, has dissolved the 20-year marriage between Mr. Adetoro Onipede and his wife, Olubunmi because she starved him of sex.

President of the court, Mr. R.I Adeyeri, said that “all efforts to reconcile the couple had proved futile as the petitioner insisted on divorce.

“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” Adeyeri ruled.

Onipede, 50, had filed a suit on Aug. 21, seeking for the dissolution of his 20-year marriage on the ground of sex starvation by his wife.

Onipede said that his wife, Olubunmi, had been denying him sex after she gave birth to their last child 14 years ago.

“She always starves me of sex and will not even allow me to touch her. Anytime I tried to

force myself to do it, she will pick up a dangerous weapon to stab me,” he said.

According to Onipede, his wife was always spiteful and always in the habit of bringing him down in the presence of her friends, family and neighbours.

“Anytime I am short of money and my wife pays the children’s fees or buys food in the house, she will tell our neighbours, her friends and even inform her family, “ he said.

Onipede accused his wife of going out of the home and coming back at will without his consent.

He pleaded with the court to separate them, saying that his body was not a piece of wood and he wanted to move on with his life.

Defending the allegations, Olubunmi, 42, told the court that she denied her husband sex because he turned her into a sex worker.

“My husband had turned me into a prostitute. He will not give me money except after making love to me.

“I am a wife and not a girl

friend or sex worker, so I stopped him from making love to me.”

Olubunmi claimed that she always informed her husband anytime she was going out and

she did not stay out late.

The mother of three urged the court not to grant her husband’s wish as she was still in love with him. (NAN)

Court dissolves 12-year marriage over defecation •I defecated in the house because our toilet was not in good condition. I could not dispose it off because there was a ceremony near our house –Wife •I came home and found her defecating in the house. I got angry and asked her why she did it even when we had a toilet –Husband •Efforts to reconcile the couple proved abortive. The petitioner’s mother, whom the court gave the assignment to reconcile the parties, reported that they were irreconcilable –Judge

A

n Osogbo Grade II Customary Court has dissolved the 12year marriage between Adenike Ojo and her husband Sunday over threat to life.

The President of the court, Chief Bolarinwa Popoola, who dissolved the marriage, held that efforts to reconcile the couple proved abortive.

Popoola held that the mother of the petitioner, whom the court gave the assignment to reconcile the parties, reported that the parties were irreconcilable.

“The court has no choice

but to agree with the petitioner, this marriage is hereby dissolved with immediate effect.

“The conduct of the respondent in court is such that it is doubtful whether he will be able to take care of the older girls if given custody,” he held.

He awarded custody of the children to the petitioner, and ordered the respondent to pay N2, 000 monthly upkeep on each child.

The court, however, granted the respondent an unrestricted access to his children at any time.

Adenike, who said the mar-

riage was blessed with four children, said, “Since we got married, we have been having quarrels and he beats me and does not take care of me.

“It happened that I defecated in the house because our toilet was not in good condition, I could not dispose it because there was a ceremony near our house.

“I could not carry it through the crowd. He got angry and that was the last quarrel we had that made me decide that I have had enough.

“I have been under serious trauma which has affected my mental stability. I cannot con-

tinue to remain in this marriage, that is why I am seeking divorce,” Adenike said.

The respondent, in his defence, denied the allegations of his wife, adding that he did not wish to leave his wife.

“It is not true that I beat her or do not take care of her. She became ill about a year and half ago, I have taken steps to take care of her, but she will not take her medications.

“About two months ago, I came home and found her defecating in the house, I got angry and asked her why she did it even when we had toilet.

“I called her parents but

before they arrived, I had left with the children.

“I returned to meet them in the house and later I went to buy food, but before I returned, they left with my wife and children.

“They refused to allow me see my children and I reported to her mother’s sister who settled the matter and I was allowed to see my children.

“The reason I do not want to divorce her is because she is a good woman and I want her to cooperate with me so we can take care of our children,” Ojo said.

(NAN)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DIVORCE COURT

November 8, 2014

39

Court saves 17-year marriage of teachers •I’m a Muslim and my wife was practicing my religion with me, but she suddenly started going to church and converted two of my children to Christianity –Husband •I agreed to marry him because he promised not to hinder me from practicing my religion. I want this court to save this marriage because I don’t want religion to separate us –Wife •The court orders the three children of the union, aged 17, 16 and 10, to practice their father’s religion, because he is the head of the family –Judge

A

n Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos has reconciled a couple, Mr. Kolawole Isadipe and his wife, Abosede, whose 17-year marriage was on the brink of collapse.

Kolawole, 52, a Muslim, had instituted a divorce suit on April 14, 2014, claiming that his wife led his children to Christianity.

However, the intervention of the court, headed by Mr. T.k. Dabor, and the couple’s families was able to resolve their differences and reconcile them.

Dabor subsequently ordered the three children of the union, aged 17, 16 and 10, to practice their father’s religion because he is the head of the family.

In his testimony during hearing in the case, Kolawole, a teacher, who resides at Samotu Close, Agbede, Ikorodu, told the court that Abosede, 45, converted two of his children to Christianity. ``I am a Muslim and my wife was practicing same religion with me but suddenly started going to church and converted two of my children to Christianity.

``I have warned her to stop going to church but she wouldn’t listen to me. She does not even respect me as the head of the family. ``She can practice whatever religion she wishes, but I will not allow my children to follow her to church. ``Please separate us and grant me the custody of my children because I am their father and they cannot practice their mother’s religion,’’ he said.

However, Abosede, also a teacher, pleaded for reconciliation, saying that she was a Christian before her marriage. ``I agreed to marry Kolawole because he promised not to hinder me from practicing my religion, although I converted to Islam when we got married. ``When I deserted him because of this issue, I took two of my children, and they are attending church with me. ``I want this court to save this marriage because I do not want religion to separate us and I do not want to marry another husband. ``I still love him,’’ she said.

(NAN)

‘My wife of 25 years threatened to bathe me with acid’ •The acid was fake. I always use weapons to protect myself from him. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I still love him –Wife •Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to go their separate ways –Judge

A

n Igando Customary Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday dissolved a 25-year-old marriage between Mr. Bolaji Adigun and his wife, Kafayat, over threat to life.

The petitioner, Adigun, 56, had filed a divorce suit on August 12, 2014, alleging that his wife, Kafayat, threatened his life with acid, among other things.

Giving his verdict, the court president, Mr. R.I. Adeyeri said, “Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to go their separate ways”.

The petitioner had claimed that his wife threatened to bathe him with acid or stab him with a broken bottle or knife.

“There was a night she wanted to pour acid on me when I was asleep, but God saved my life and I quickly ran out for my dear life.

“Anytime we had a misunderstanding, she would pick up a bottle to stab me.

“She once chased me out of the house almost naked,” he said.

The petitioner also accused his wife of moving with friends who influenced her negatively and made her take to alcohol.

Adigun said that Kafayat was also hostile to her step-children.

However, 48-year-old Kafayat, a businesswoman, claimed that the acid was fake.

“I always used the weapons to protect myself from him; I didn’t mean to hurt him,” she said.

She also denied keeping bad friends, drinking much alcohol and being hostile to her step children.

The mother of two had prayed the court to save her marriage, insisting that she still loved her husband.(NAN)

Court dissolves 30-year marriage over battering, lack of care •I’ve been trying to manage and endure him for the past 30 years that we got married until the last two years when I packed out of his house –Wife •It seems the husband no longer has interest in the marriage and the love is no more there. The marriage is dissolved without refund of dowry –Judge

A

n Ile-Ife Customary Court in Osun State has dissolved a 30year marriage between Isaiah Akinyele and his wife, Olusola, over battering and lack of care.

Delivering his judgment, the President of the Court, Mr. Adewoyin Owoyomi, said the marriage was dissolved without refund of dowry.

“All efforts to reconcile the couple have proved futile. The defendant came to court twice out of five adjournments for them to resolve their dispute amicably.

“Hearing notice was served on the defendant and pasted on his door, but he failed to

comply with the efforts of the court.

“It seems the husband no longer has interest in the marriage and the love is no more there,’’ Owoyomi said.

The judge directed that the three children of the marriage should be in the custody of the husband.

He also directed that the defendant should be responsible for the care of the children, payment of their school fees, buying their clothes and other upkeep.

The plaintiff, Olusola, on July 1, 2014 filed for divorce, accusing her husband of not respecting her parents.

She also accused the defendant of not caring for her, threatening her life and consuming too much alcohol.

She told the court that the marriage, which was contracted in 1984, was blessed with three children: Atinuke, 29, Tolulope, 24 and Oluwatosin, 22.

“I have been trying to manage and endure him for the past 30 years that we got married until the last two years when I packed out of his house.

“Please sir, for the safety of my life, separate us. After all, we have been living separately for the past two years,’’ Olusola pleaded with the court. (NAN)

My husband poisoned my food to kill me and remarry •My husband took a lady to his village for marriage without my knowledge. When I confronted him, he said he was tired of me, that I should pack out –Wife •Please separate us. I don’t want to commit murder. If not, I may kill her one day –Husband

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49-year-old businesswoman, Charity Nyenka, has accused her husband of poisoning her food in a bid to get rid of her and remarry.

“My husband poisoned my food to kill me so that he can marry a new wife,’’ Charity said, while responding to a divorce suit filed by Samuel at the Igando Customary Court, Lagos “God exposed him when he came to church one evening as the Holy Spirit arrested him, and he confessed to having poisoned the food I was to eat.

“There was a night he held my neck to strangle me to death, but I

escaped and ran to stay with our neighbor,’’ she told the court.

Charity said that her husband was an ingrate, adding that he had nothing when they got married.

The respondent claimed that she started a business for her husband, and that he began to misbehave when the business started booming.

“My husband took a lady to his village for marriage without my knowledge. When I confronted him, he said he was tired of me and that I should pack out. ``He said he could no longer live with a barren woman. He started

beating me and threatening to kill me,’’ Charity said.

The respondent urged the court to grant her husband’s wish, saying that it had become obvious that he no longer loved her.

Earlier, Samuel, a 55-year-old civil servant, prayed the court to dissolve the 16-year marriage over alleged lack of respect by Charity.

“Please separate us; I do not want to commit murder. If not, I may kill her one day,” Samuel said. The Court President adjourned the case for continuation of hearing and judgment.

(NAN)

40 40

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

People

Abdulrahaman Alwal Bida:

Ability in disability

Few men inspire young men in Minna, like Abdulrahaman Alwal Bida, a teacher, politician and businessman. While his vocation and occupation may not be extraordinary, that they are being accomplished with aplomb by a visually impaired Bida leaves many observers in awe. PRISCILLA DENNIS spoke to this man of many parts.

O

ffer Abdulrahaman Awal Bida, a visually impaired young man a bit of charity in monetary terms and get to be refused and also lectured, to boot, on why making such gestures does not always work out well for the disabled in the society.

For men suffering fate such as Abdulrahaman’s, especially in the North of the country, begging of alms is the next recourse.

But, Abdulrahaman would not accept such gesture. He is educated, hard working and articulate. He detests being pitied, but prefers to be allowed the opportunity to prove that there is ability in disability. To him being visually blind is not a curse.

Abdulrahaman is the son of Barrister Awal Bida, director with the Niger state Zakkat Commission, a former chairman of the state Liquior Board.

The 30 year old graduate of the Niger State College of Education, though blind, says he would not wallow in self pity nor accept gifts mainly due to his condition as he does not feel less than those with sight.

“The desire to impact positively on people and change the perceived notion that people with disabilities must beg to survive, spurred me to work hard and prove that I do not need to be dependent on any one for my livelihood,” he tells anybody who cares to listen.

Bida is into many things. His two cell phones were busy with calls which intermittently disrupted the flow of interview he was having with Saturday Mirror at his family home along Okada Road, Minna, Niger State.

Bida is a teacher with the Niger state School of the Handicap. He is also a businessman. He owns Masihru Company, an outfit into importation of cars which he sources for from the Internet and delivers to his teeming customers in the state. Masihru has a combined staff of 10, and as

much as 300 other ancillary earners from the company.

Abdulrahaman is the state Public Relations Officer of the association of the Blind and as a politician, he is the Youth leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Okada Road area, Minna.

Given his condition as one that is visually impaired, how does Abdulrahaman Awal Bida cope with being a teacher, CEO of his businesses, spokesman of his association and a youth leader of the ruling party in his state and country? “I don’t have problem coping with them, they are part of my day to day activities,” he noted.

Bida was actually born with his sight intact. Three weeks after his birth, his mother reported to the father of a strange development on one of his eyes. Without wasting time, he was rushed to the Minna General Hospital, where was treated, but when there was no noticeable change, they had to take him to Kaduna Eye Hospital.

When doctors could not handle the situation, they were referred to the Lagos Teaching Hospital.

There, the team of doctors that checked his condition, diagnosed the condition to be cancerous and immediately told them that the facility does not have the medical equipment then to handle the condition but that the parents could take Bida outside the shores of Nigeria. They contacted the Mofil Hospital, London for the young man to be taken there.

Abdulrahaman

At the London hospital, the surgery was performed. The Doctors also discovered the Cancer had spread to the second eye and Bida was booked for another operation a month later. And they had to return home some few weeks later.

But fate took over. A few days after they returned, General Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the Shehu Shagari democratic administration and took over the leadership of the nation. Developments that followed afterward, made it difficult to travel out for the second stage of the treatment.

Worried and at a loss on what to do, he had to resort to traditional treatment as the eyes were emitting watery substance.

Although, the treatment helped, then, the disease had damaged the eyes and left Bida permanently blind and nothing could be done to save the sight. The eyes were later removed.

Bida is the fourth of 14 children born to his father. But he is ever grateful to dad, Awal Bida, who saw the need to educate and train him to be self dependant and contribute his quota not only to his family, but the society at large, despite his condition.

He admits that acquiring education was not really easy.

I AM NOT A BEGGAR AND I DO NOT NEED TO BE PITIED. I NEED TO DO BUSINESS

He explained that he suffered some rejection as a student. “Many did not want to make friends with me but I was not discouraged,” he recounted. It rather made him to study hard, and soon, he won many of them over to his side due to his excellent performance in the school. And from that moment, he said, he never lacked friends as students were willing to be in his company.

Abdulrahaman does not agree with those that use their disabilities to beg. He recalled how he rejected cash gift on the account of his condition from someone he was supposed to do some business with. He narrated that after fixing an appointment with him, he travelled to meet with the prospective client in Abuja. But when the man noticed his condition, he handed him a cash gift out of pity.

“Seeing my disability, he was shocked and rather wanted to help me, but I refused and told him that I was not a beggar and I do not need to be pitied, but to do business with him,” Bida said. On how he relates with people, especially as youth leader, he explained that over the years, he has learnt to relate and cope with every situation that comes his way effectively, depending always on God the Almight for divine guidance and direction on what to do.

Asked whether people had at any point taken advantage of him as a result of his situation in business, he said yes, and on several times. “But then, God had also given me the knowledge to detect when a person is sincere or lying to me on our first meeting,” he added.

The state PRO of the Blind Association, however appealed to government to come to the aid of those living with disabilities by training and empowering them to become useful members of the society in order to discourage street begging.

There is a friend, not far away from here that is also blind that is into soap making and other things. Not too long ago, he got a car gift from the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to enable him transport his goods to his buyers due to his hard work and there are many like that that need a push to becoming self reliant.

“That is why I am calling on governments to come to our aid. Because, we want to change the belief that people with disabilities are beggars. We want all that perception changed.”

But is Bida married? Beaming with smiles, Abdulrahaman says, “I am not now, but by December 26, this year, by the grace of God, I will be getting married to Ramatu Muhammad Lawal. Preparations are on.

Though its not easy, we are coping.”

r a De Titi

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

November 8 , 2014

Having problems with your marriage, relationship, family, friends, colleagues or life generally? Help is at hand with TITILOLA CAETANO. E-mail:- titi.caetano@yahoo.com

Tel:- +10312049382 (SMS only)

I’m a banker with no time to socialise

I think I’m gay Dear Titi,

Dear Titi,

I

work in one of the banks on the Island. I have not had many relationships. My last relationship happened while I was in the University. I would like to get married but I really do not have the time to socialize. Earlier in the year, thought I had met that special someone but it was a mirage. Can you help?

Anonymous Dear Banker I understand how tedious and time consuming banking job could be especially on week days. Nevertheless, you should create time to socialize on weekends as much as possible. A place of worship, church or mosque, is an avenue to meet people. Gather a few friends and schedule a night out to public/sociable places. Invite friends over for dinner at your house and allow them to bring their friends.

You can also get involved in community services or be a member of a social club. You will definitely meet people while you engage in these activities and I am certain that you will never be bored again.

I’m divorced and searching Dear Titi, I am a 27 year old divorced mother of two. All I want now is long-lasting relationship but it›s not happening.

Every guy that comes my way just wants a fling.

Divorced Mother Dear Divorced, The aftermath of divorce can be very traumatic. To some people, it is worse than death because it is like ripping two souls apart. I am sure that you do not wish to experience such pain again and this is why you must be careful to not rush into another relationship. It seems that you have a feeling of emptiness you think only another relationship can fill. This kind of feeling can make you vulnerable to a more disastrous relationship if care is not taken.

Develop your self esteem and self concept by reading magazines or materials that can develop your mental state and mind.

After having done this, you will not be desperate for another relationship.

I don’t want to share a room with my girlfriend and her friend Dear Titi,

P

lease I need to be guided on an issue. My girlfriend just came back from her state of origin.. She wants to accommodate her female best friend in my one-room apartment because she doesn›t have a place of her own to accommodate her friend. Though she says she trusts her best friend. I am still not comfortable with the proposed arrangement.

What should do?

Harassed Anonymous

Dear Harassed, I think your friend should have informed you of her guest if she was a considerate person. I completely understand why you are not comfortable with such living arrange because the guest is a stranger to you. Let your friend know how you feel by explaining to her nicely why you cannot accommodate her guest, and I am sure she will understand. Also make sure you do not ask her for the same favor in the future if the need arises. As an adage says «one good turn deserves another», if you cannot render such favor, do not ask her for one.

I am twenty three years old, from a family of five girls and 2 older brothers of whom I have absolutely no relationship with. I have problems with my sexuality and I am also addicted to pornography (a habit I developed in my early teens}. I am sexually attracted to other men, at least I think so and this embarrasses me to no end because I hate who I am. So at the age of 15, I started having sexual relationship with prostitutes (I can›t get myself to have sex with regular women because I don›t find them attractive) in a bid to cure myself but it is not working. I still crave to be with them.

I hate the fact that I am this way. My male friends are envious of me because of all the attentions I get from women, I end up falling for my friends but I am not able to tell them. I am so frustrated.

Sometimes I feel like it would be better to be dead than gay. So far, I have not had sex with a man except when I fooled around with a friend. I need help. My life is a mess.

Confused Dear Confused, I think you need to go for counseling as you have what I can call «identity confusion or personality disorder». You have an uncontrollable character or compulsive behavior which is making you malfunction.

Some people say homosexuality is heritable or caused by environmental influence, however, it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. This is a behavior that comes from the spirit but manifests in the physical. This problem is spiritual so you need to scout for a ministry that specializes in counseling and addressing spiritual matters. Seek help and your focus will be redirected.

I’m Hausa Muslim, married to Christian Ijaw Dear Titi,

I

’m Hamzat Muhammad 31 years old, a Muslim Hausa man from Kano, married to one Esther Desmond, a Christian Ijaw, from Delta State. I am a regular reader of your column.

A girl was seeking your advice about her boy-friend who is Muslim. She said, “We have good relationship and he wants my hand in marriage.” But to my surprise you discouraged her by saying, “It is not advisable to marry someone who does not have the same spirit with.”

To me and many people like me, there is nothing wrong in this union.

For instance, take my little history as a case study. You did not even mention a solid reason that can altar such unity. If there is, please enlighten me and

other people who are planning such unions.

Hamzat Muhammad, Kano, Nigeria.

Dear Hamzat, Thanks for your comment on the subject matter. I gave that advice based on several reasons. Be it a Muslim or a Christian, it is a fact that people’s levels of faith differ. Some Christians and Muslims are liberal thinkers that they think spiritual oneness of faith is irrelevant in a relationship as long as they’re able to get along well. It important to know that belief is not conviction. The moment one or both individuals in the relationship start displaying continuing evidence of spiritual growth, conviction sets in and don’t be surprised if conflict arises over the discovery that the teachings or doctrine of the two religions are actually

different. For instance, the bible clearly admonished Christians not to marry outside their faith (a matured Christian should not even marry a baby Christian).

Most clear headed believers will adhere strongly to that advice because they have strong convictions in their faith. A believer who desires to please God will find his or her goals frustrated by the unbelieving spouse. If we wish to be in the will of God in our marriage, then our mate needs to be of the same spiritual persuasion as we are, and walk in the same spirit relationship with God. We often say ‘love conquers all things’ only to realize later that love may conquer a person’s physical body, emotions and mind; love cannot subdue a person’s will. A submitted body should not be confused with a submitted will, spiritual convictions or perceptions.

No matter how strong the love is, it is better not to be unequally yoked.

42

November 8 , 2014

Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)

Childhood jaundice: No Ampiclox or paw-paw water matter!

J ust get paw- paw leaves, put in a pot, and place on the fire to boil. After boiling, you sieve the water and give the baby to drink.

Better still, you bring out your two breasts, and squeezing them one after the other, you then drop the milk in both eyes of the baby.

The above description typifies how an elderly Nigerian woman might instruct a first time nursing mother whose child has jaundice.

You dare not go against such injunctions. If you are the daughter –in- law, you are rude. If you are the son, ‘that was the same way I took care of you’. And if you are the doctor, well I don’t envy you. You either don’t know ‘work’, or you are just trying to make money with your useless prescription.

Needless to say, there are myriads of opinions, right and wrong on what jaundice in a baby signifies, and best way to take care of it.

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellow discolouration of the eyes, the skin and other parts of the body. The yellowness results when there is excessive amount of a substance called Bilirubin circulating in the body. Bilirubin itself is produced when old red blood cells are broken down. After production, bilirubin should ordinarily be cleared away from the body by the Liver in a process called conjugation. When the process becomes defective, either because the Liver is too slow in conjugating or the rate of red blood cells break down is faster than usual, jaundice usually results.

Causes In new

born

babies,

the

Doctor, I have mouth odour now because of my toothache. Please what type of drugs or toothpaste should I use? And I always have white patches on my tongue, even though I brush. +2347062.........253 Dear Anonymous, Your toothache may be as a result

turn out to be a lifelong ‘imbecile’.

commonest cause of jaundice is immaturity of the liver. At birth, the liver has not yet attained the capacity of an adult’s liver, at the same time red blood cells are broken down at a very fast rate, resulting in jaundice. This type is referred to as physiological jaundice and is usually self limiting. As the baby’s liver matures, and the breakdown of red cells slows, the jaundice clears, most times within a week.

There are other causes of jaundice which may be dangerous to the baby. There is pathological jaundice. It may result from infections, from incompatibility between the mother and foetal blood type, from a condition where a baby is born with excessive red blood cells (polycythemia) and other conditions.

Treatment At this point, it is necessary to stress that the treatment of your baby’s jaundice starts with determining if it is physiological or pathological. Even if it is physiological, the level of bilirubin has to be determined to ensure it is not at such a dangerous level as to

lead to irreversible complications.

Your doctor is in the best position to do this .He or she will determine if your child needs an exposure to early morning sunlight in the simplest of cases or exchange blood transfusion in dire emergencies. Your baby may be placed under the photo therapy light, while sometimes medications may be what is required, especially in the treatment of the pathological variety.

What are the complications?

Perhaps the most dreaded of the complications that may arise from jaundice is what is medically known as Kernictrus. This results when the excess bilirubin in the body for lack of where to go, now begin to stain the brain .A child with kernicterus will be lethargic, will feed poorly, may have seizures and may cry with a high-pitch tone. If unchecked, this condition can progress rapidly to what is known as chronic biliurubin encephalopathy and sometimes death. In this instance, death is not the worst that can happen to the child. If chronic encephalopathy occurs, the child suffers permanent neurological damage, with poor developmental milestones and may

Dear Mirror Doctor

of tooth decay and this can lead to mouth odour. if that is the case, after a proper evaluation by a Dentist, the offending tooth or teeth may be treated or removed and your mouth odour is gone. The white patches on your tongue may be oral thrush, a fungal infection, which an antifungal will cure. On the other hand, it may be a sign of something more serious,

therefore seeing your doctor may still be of benefit to you.

Dear Doctor, Is Jaundice deadly, how can it be cured? +2347033.....764 Dear Anonymous, Jaundice itself is merely a symptom, but it could be a symptom of a

Prevention Prevention of jaundice ordinarily should involve prevention of all the disease conditions both in the mother and the baby that can lead to it. This is only theoretically possible.

Therefore, emphasis should be on prevention of complications by presenting early to the clinic to aid prompt diagnosis and timely treatment.

Back to the paw--paw therapy, the elderly women mean well. They are only trying to teach what has been passed down to them from the previous generations. It is good to know also, that the spectrum of treatments proffered by these our mothers may be helpful sometimes; neither beneficial nor harmful in some cases, but seriously injurious to the health of the child in other cases.

Therefore as a care giver, rather than sit at home administering Ampiclox syrup or paw-paw water to cure your child of jaundice, the moral obligation is on you to seek appropriate medical care.

Next week, we will discuss another mode of treatment common in our society: I call it treatment by ‘FIRE’. Till then, stay healthy!

LIFESAVERS  Take your child to the Clinic immediately, If Jaundice is getting worse If it does not clear in one week If the yellowness has a greenish tinge to it If there is associated Fever And

disease you need to quickly take care of, especially if the jaundice appears in an adult. As to the cure, when you cure the underlying cause, the jaundice disappears.

N:B Readers should endeavour to state their names while sending messages.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

43

November 8, 2014

Farin Ruwa Falls, Nasarrawa State

Olumirin, Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Osun State

12 delightful waterfalls Whether as a source to start up business our just for tourism, here are 12 of Nigeria’s prized waterfalls that lives you with pleasant memories!

Erin Ijesa State

Waterfall,

Osun

E

rin Garden is a thick forest that houses Erin Ijesa Waterfalls. It is located some 20 kilometers east of IIesa-Akure Road. According to the custodian of the waterfall, it was founded by a woman called Akinla -a granddaughter of Oduduwa in the year 11AD during the migration of people to Erin Ijesa town.

The waterfall has about five layers and only few visitors can climb beyond the second layer. The water flows among rocks and splashes down with great force to the evergreen vegetation around making the scenery, idyllic to the eyes.

Owu Falls, Kwara State Owu falls, the highest and most spectacular natural waterfalls in West Africa is located about 7 kilometers from Owa Kajola (Ifelodun Local Government) which is 117 kilometers from Ilorin. The fall has been described as a ‘Wonder in the Wilderness’. Its water which forms a perennial stream, cascades from a height of about 200 meters. At the bottom is a pour of almost ice-cold water providing a most refreshing atmosphere, especially with the luxuriant evergreen vegetation surrounding it.

Farin Ruwa Waterfalls, Nasarawa State The Farin Ruwa Waterfalls cascades

from an amazing height of over 150 meters with a water volume of about 50 cubic meters. The whitish appearance of the water spray accounts for its name ‘Farin Ruwa’ which in Hausa language means White Water. The waterfall is about 30 kilometres from Wamba and 120 kilometres from Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

Gurara Waterfalls, Niger State Gurara Waterfalls is located 76km away from Minna. It has its source from Kachia in Kaduna State and empties its volume into River Niger at a village called Dere near Muye in Lapai Local Government Area.

Assop State

Waterfalls,

Plateau

Assop Fall is one of the most notable of Nigeria’s many waterfalls, located at the edge of the Jos Plateau State, about 40 miles from Jos city, on the expressway to Abuja. The fall is a tourist stop for picnics, swimming and general relaxation.

Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ekiti State Tourists to EkitiState will be irresistibly charmed with the beauty of Ikogosi, where warm and cold waters ooze out from different sources. The springs flow side-by- and meet at a spot with each maintaining its thermal identity. The warm spring’s water is believed to have therapeutic power which cures all types of body pains. The natural vegetation of the spring area is left un-touched for ecotourism appeal.The warm Springs Resort offers modern facilitates which include four V.I.P Chalets tastefully furnished, 32 other chalets well furnished and 20 cabins. Also available are sports facilities including; table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis courts, swimming pool and other indoor games.

Osun State

Kwa Falls, Cross River State

Wikki Springs, Bauchi State Wiki Warm Springs offers an excellent bathing facility, which is situated in a gorge immediately below Wikki Camp in Yankari. The water is pure, crystal clear and free from all reptiles and fishes. The spring has a constant temperature of 31 degree centigrade, is 1.9 meters deep and 13 meters wide. The water gushes out from a string of chambers under the sandstone cliff. The actual source of this water is still to be determined. Divers have attempted using diving instruments, to determine the source, but they could reach depths as far as 9 meters.

Kurra Falls, Plateau State Kurra is an area of magnificent scenery some 77 kilometers southeast of Jos. It is the location of the State’s first hydroelectric power station. It is a beautiful area of rocks hills, and lakes, ideal for boating, camping, and rock climbing.

There is tourist accommodation available.

The Kerang Highlands, Plateau State The Kerang highlands are located about 88 kilometres from Jos. These beautiful, volcanic mountain hills are the source of natural mountain springs, which supply water to the popular spring water company (SWAN).

Osogbo

Grove,

Osun

The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove, on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria.

Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility; Osun, one of the pantheons of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honour of Osun and other deities.

The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.

Kwa Falls, Cross River State Kwa Falls is a spectacular waterfall along the Kwa River, in Cross River. It is located in a narrow, steep gorge on the headwaters of the Kwa River, where it cascades down resistant basement rocks.

A deep plunge pool forms at the bottom of the waterfall, which before deforestation, was hidden under the thick canopy of the tropical rainforest.

Agbokim Waterfalls, River State

Cross

The Agbokim Waterfalls is not far from the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Located some 17 kilometres from Ikom and about 315 kilometres from Calabar, the fall consists of 7 streams, each cascading over steep cliff which provides 7-faced falls. The fall is surrounded by lush greenery, valleys and steep hills which are enveloped in a rainbow-like aura. Its freshness is captivating and has an alluring serenity. It is the ideal location for a vacation for getting back into nature and regaining your creative productivity and general well being.

44

LEISURE

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

45

Super Eagles players hope to celebrate this way with possible wins over Congo and South Africa in their two outstanding matches in the Group A of the AFCON 2015 qualifiers.

AFCON Qualifier: Chukwu tasks Eagles against Congo, S/Africa IFEANYI EDUZOR

A

s the Super Eagles prepare for the remaining two AFCON qualifiers against the Red Devils of Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa, former Nigerian handler Christian Chukwu has charged Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side to go for total victory over their opponents as that is the only way they can stand a chance of picking one of the Group A tickets for the championship.

The Super Eagles will next Saturday at Porte Noire battle the Red Devils of Congo before hosting South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, November 19.

Nigeria got their qualification hope back on track following a 3-1 defeat of Sudan which enabled them garner four points from four games to occupy the third position on the log behind South Africa with eight points. Congo is occupying the second position with seven

points, while Sudan is last with three points. However Chukwu believes that it is only a total victory in the two remaining matches that can see the Super Eagles qualify to defend the title they won in South Africa last year.

“We are in a very critical situation and any mistake in the remaining two matches can see us making history as the first defending champions that failed to qualify for AFCON finals, which will not be good for the image of the country’s football.

“There is the need for the Super Eagles to avoid complacency in the matches against Congo and South Africa because doing so could be disastrous. The Eagles should also understand that they need to win those two matches to avoid a situation where they will be hoping to qualify as one of the best losers because other losers in the remaining groups might have more goal advantage over them which may make qualification more difficult.

“It is true that it will be a herculean

task beating Congo at their backyard considering their present form, but with good game plan and selection, the team can come back from Porte Noire with the maximum three points at stake,” Chukwu said.

On the decision of Keshi to recall Super Eagles and Villarreal of Spain striker, Ike Uche, for the crucial tie against Congo, the former Harambe Stars of Kenya tactician noted that the decision though late in coming is a welcome development because he needs players like him to get the desired goals that will land the team in Morocco.

“I am happy that Keshi finally invited Ike Uche to be part of his team for the remaining crucial qualifying matches because at this stage of the qualifiers when the team needs to garner the six points at stake without losing any game, he needs all his best players to ensure qualification for the competition,” he added.

On team selection, Chukwu advised the Super Eagles gaffer to ensure he

uses players he is sure will get him the desired result as that is the only way, the team can regain their winning mentality.

Also speaking on the role the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)will play on the success of the team in Congo and Uyo respectively, Chukwu noted that there is need for the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF to ensure that all logistics needed by the technical crew and the players are provided to enable them win the two outstanding matches.

“At this critical stage of the qualifiers, both the NFF and Keshi should not allow their personal differences affect the chances of the team in the two outstanding qualifying matches.

“Keshi should understand that the NFF are his employers and should give them all the respect required for harmonious working relationship, while the football ruling house on their part should not make things difficult for Keshi as that is capable of affecting the performance of the entire team,” he concluded.

46

SPORT

November 8, 2014

Bewarang hails Dimgba’s fine form

Archbishop Martins tourney ends in Lagos IFEANYI EDUZOR

P

O

nikan Stadium, Lagos will today host Catholic faithful and other football fans for the final of the Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins Football Tournament.

Catholic Church of the Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi will meet Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Oke-Afa, Isolo in the final game kicking off at 3pm.

Church of the Assumption, Falomo defeated St Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Ladi-Lak, Bariga 5-4 in the semi finals on penalties after full and extra time scores stood at 1-1.

Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Oke-Afa also defeated Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Arida 3-1 in the second semi final after regulation time ended goalless.

The final match will be preceded by the third place match between St Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Ladi-Lak and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Arida.

lateau United supremo, Bitrus Bewarang, has applauded the progress of the club’s prodigy, Stanley Dimgba, who was a member of the Super Eagles team that clashed in yesterday’s international friendly against Ghana in Uyo. Dimgba started his professional career at United and had a loan spell at Kwara United before heading for Warri Wolves, when the Ilorin side dropped to the lower division.

“I’m very proud of my players who are doing well. Dimgba

I

n order to make an appreciable impact at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Darts Federation of Nigeria (DFN) has said it would use the National Schools Sports Festival currently taking place in Otukpo, Benue State to scout for raw talent.

More than 8000 students are already in Otukpo for this year’s National School Sports Festival tagged “Mark of Excellence.”

The competition is expected to take place between November 6 and 16 and its being organized by the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF).

Three of the sporting events, namely: Darts, Baseball and Traditional Sports are grouped in the non-scoring/demonstration sports, while19 others including football, Athletics, Basketball are regarded as scoring sports. Incidentally, Cricket and Golf have been added among the medal scoring sports to be competed for.

Speaking to our correspondent, while explaining Darts Federation’s target, the federation’s secretary Pastor Okeyedun Ademola said they would target play-

has all it takes to excel with the national team because Keshi will find him useful.

“Plateau United is a good platform for players.. We have a tradition of grooming outstanding youngsters at Plateau United, who have made steady progress in the trade,” Bewarang told SuperSport.com.

Blessed with electric speed and skills, Dimgba operates from the left side of midfield and has contributed immensely to Wolves’ campaign this term with several assists as well as five goals to his credit.

FA lauds GOtv’s Hood2Hood tourney AFOLABI GAMBARI

Bewarang

Rio 2016: DFN targets grassroots recruitment PAUL EREWUBA

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ers from the ages of 10 upwards.

“We are participating in the school sports as a non-scoring/ demonstration sport and we intend to use it to hunt for players that we will harness, nurture and bring them to limelight in future.

Our goal is to bring our Darts game to international recognition,” Ademola enthused.

While calling on well-spirited individuals, corporate organizations and state governments to lend their support for the development of Dart in the country, Ademola commended the leadership of NSC led by the Minister of Sports and NSC Chairman Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

L

agos State Football Association has commended GOtv for promoting grassroots football development, sequel to the Season 2 of the Hood to Hood Football Championship sponsored by the pay-tv outfit which ended in Lagos last week.

Chairman of the Lagos FA, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), tasked the GOtv management to sustain the tournament which he noted had the potential to be a hunting ground for the national teams, even as he called on other brands to emulate the sponsor in

grassroots football development.

“The Lagos Football Association will continue to partner with well-meaning corporate organisations for the development of grassroots football and encourage any willing organisation to promote the sport,” Akinwunmi said.

“I am delighted to say that GOtv Hood to Hood Football Championship Season 2 is a huge success with good technical play, officiating as well as the spirit of sportsmanship and fairplay displayed by the participants.”

Satech FC of Mushin defeated Kings United FC of Ajah 2-1 to win the trophy, while IGI Premier FC beat Rainbow FC 4-1 in the third place match.

Ugochukwu savours personal impact at Nasarawa • Attributes . form to Ganaru’s effort

N

asarawa United top scorer, Leonard Ugochukwu, is excited with his contribution in the second round of t the t Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

L Ugochukwu had a quiet campaign during the first round of p the t season, but is experiencing a turnaround in the second round t of o the league with nine goals to emerge club top scorer. e “I’m happy with the way things have turned around for t me m in the second round of the league.

I wasn’t playing regularly l in i the first round of the league which explains why I had a barw ren spell,” he told supersport. r

com.

However, Ugochukwu has attributed his present form to club gaffer, Mohammed Baba Ganaru.

“I must appreciate the contributions of the coach to my present form. He has given me the confidence to bounce back.

“I’ve even scored two goals each against FC Taraba and Bayelsa United, as well as a hat-trick against Kaduna United, all in the second.”

Ugochukwu started his football development at the famous Jos-based Aminchi Academy, which produced Nigerian international, Ahmed Musa, before heading for Plateau United.

Ganaru

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

November 8, 2014

Players are feeling fans’ pain, says Vlaar

Wenger warns Ramsey against complacency

A

ston Villa captain Ron Vlaar understands the fans’ concerns about the club’s alarming losing streak in the Premier League.

The 10 men of Villa conceded two goals in the final six minutes as they lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham last week - extending their losing streak to six games.

Villa’s six consecutive league defeats is the club’s worst run of results since 1963, when they lost 11 games on a roll between March and May in Division One. And Vlaar who is rumoured to be the subject of interest from Manchester United is desperate to stop the rot against West Ham at Upton Park today.

“All the players are well aware that we need to do better and start picking up points,” the Dutchman said.

“It’s still relatively early in the season but the last thing we want is to spend another winter looking over our shoulders towards the bottom of the Premier League table.’’

Rodgers banks on Gerrard for battle of Anfield B rendan Rodgers insists there is no chance Steven Gerrard will crack under pressure when the Liverpool captain bids for redemption against Chelsea today.

Gerrard endured one of the worst moments of his career when the Reds midfielder last faced Chelsea in April as his disastrous slip allowed Demba Ba to score the goal that shattered Liverpool’s challenge to win the title for the first time since 1990.

The 34-year-old has been well below his best since that agonizing mistake and his spluttering campaign, which mirrors his team’s own struggles, suffered another blow on Tuesday when he was restricted to a 20-minute

substitute appearance in the 1-0 Champions League loss at Real Madrid.

Reds boss Rodgers also rested several other key players and said he was trying to keep Gerrard, who has been bothered by a hamstring injury, fresh ahead of the Chelsea showdown.

But with Liverpool languishing 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, Gerrard desperately wants to erase the bitter memory of last season’s mistake and this week’s demotion by delivering a dominant display against Jose Mourinho’s team, who will swagger into Anfield unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions this season.

Gerrard has risen to the occa-

Ramsey

A Gerrard

sion many times before and Rodgers is banking on another inspirational display from his talisman.

“He has had hard moments in his career and he always responds magnificently. There was no blame. It was just an unfortunate thing,” Rodgers said of the slip that is now immortalized by Chelsea fans in a taunting chant Gerrard is sure to hear many times today.

If Liverpool do avenge last season’s loss, it would be a welcome tonic for champions Manchester City, who trail Chelsea by six points and are in severe danger of crashing out of the Champions League following their shock midweek defeat against CSKA Moscow.

Vlaar

Messi targets more glory

G

ael Clichy says there is no reason for Manchester City to panic despite a run of just one win in their past five games.

City were beaten 2-1 at home

by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday night, a result which means they will now have to beat Bayern Munich and Roma if they are to qualify for the knockout stage.

They were eliminated from the Capital One Cup, also on their own ground, by Newcastle United a week ago and lost 2-1 at

Lionel Messi continues his quest to become the a all-time leading goal scorer in La Liga just days a after equaling a similar feat in the Champions L League when Barcelona visits Almeria today.

Messi drew level with Real Madrid legend Raul o 71 Champions League goals with a brace on a Barca bounced back from two consecutive as d defeats to beat Ajax 2-0 in midweek and progress to the last 16.

IInjured j d Obertan Ob t outt for f four f th months Newcastle winger Gabriel Obertan will miss four months after surgery on a ruptured thigh muscle, according to reports.

Obertan pulled up on a sprint for the ball in the first half of Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Liverpool at St James’ Park last Saturday, and was substituted in the 27th minute.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Obertan Clichy

Real’s position excites Ronaldo

C Ronaldo

ristiano Ronaldo is not surprised by Real Madrid’s run of form as they look to make it 13 wins in a row against Rayo Vallecano.

The European champions have been in all-conquering form since a derby defeat to Atletico Madrid on

rsene Wenger wants Aaron Ramsey to “keep his priorities right” after he came in for criticism following Arsenal’s draw with Anderlecht.

The London club squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with the Belgian champions on Tuesday, when a victory would have seen them progress from UEFA Champions’ League Group D with Borussia Dortmund.

Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, working as a television pundit for Sky Sports, was baffled by Arsenal’s “staggering” naivety and picked out Ramsey as the “the chief culprit”.

The Wales midfielder was caught out marauding forward when Arsenal appeared to have the three points in the bag and Wenger acknowledged that the former Cardiff City man needs to learn from his mistakes.

He said: “He has to keep his priorities right. He needs to help the team. It’s not about goal scoring.”

Clichy plays down Man City’s poor form

EURO BRIEFS

Messi

47

September 13, and enter the weekend’s fixtures a point clear at the top of the Primera Division.

They have been scoring goals for fun, with their 37 the highest in La Liga by 14, and it is difficult to see mid-table Rayo halting their charge today.

According to Ronaldo, the side’s figurehead, who has 22 goals in all competitions already this season; the streak has not been a shock.

“The systems Real are playing are systems that we are used to and it is no surprise,” he told his club’s official website.

West Ham United in the Premier League before beating rivals Manchester United at the Etihad courtesy of Sergio Aguero’s goal.

Clichy was keen to stress the gap between themselves and league leaders Chelsea is only six points and is confident the team can mount a defence of their championship if they rediscover a ‘fighting spirit’.

“Confidence comes from the results and the win against Manchester United was a big one for us and for the supporters because we played well.

“It shows you that football is not an easy game and you have to question yourself every three days,’’ he said.

Team

GD

P

Chelsea

16

26

Southampton

16

22

Man City

10

20

Arsenal

7

17

West Ham

5

17

Today’s Matches

Swansea

3

15

Liverpool V Chelsea

13:45

Liverpool

0

14

Burnley V Hull

16:00

Tottenham

-1

14

Man Utd V Crystal Palace

16:00

Everton

2

13

Southampton V Leicester

16:00

Man Utd

2

13

West Ham V Aston Villa

16:00

West Brom

0

13

Newcastle

-4

13

QPR

18:30

Stoke

-2

12

Hull

-1

11

Sunderland

-7

11

Aston Villa

-11

10

Crystal Palace

-5

9

Leicester

-5

9

QPR

-11

7

Swansea V Arsenal

17:00

Burnley

-14

4

PREMIERSHIP Fixtures

V Man City

Sunday, November, 9, 2014 Sunderland V Everton

14:30

Tottenham V Stoke

14:30

West Brom V Newcastle

14:30

48

SPORTS

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Euro 2016 Qualifiers:

Balotelli still in my mind—Conte • Assures on the anticipated call up of the striker to Italy’s squad

The man responsible for returning Juventus to the summit of Italian football, Antonio Conte has now taken up the reins of an Azzurri side still smarting from their groupphase elimination at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Nearly three months into the job, the new Italy coach spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about life as a national team boss, his tactical vision and the expected call up of Mario Balotelli to his new side.

Conte

W

hat’s the difference between coaching a club and a national team?

I have to work in a different way.

When you’re at a club the players are available every day, which gives you continuity. But with La Nazionale, at the very best you can only work with the players for eight or nine days at a time. You can make the most of the work you’ve done at club level, but there’s still a lot of pressure on you in that time period and you need to have pretty broad shoulders.

What do you like about your new job?

The passion and the enthusiasm more than anything! It’s a

harder job than club management because you’ve got a shorter space of time in which to get your message across.

I’m grateful to the players who answer my calls by making themselves available and for the enthusiasm they show in responding

to what I want and adopting the right approach. As for me, I’m in the perfect physical and mental shape to coach La Nazionale.

Why have you been using 4-2-4 and 4-3-3 formations?

I use those systems because a lot of the players I’ve called up are used to playing them with their clubs. The Juventus players are not the only ones to use these formations. It’s a typical football development. You can even switch to a 3-2-5, depending on how the match pans out.

There aren’t many teams that play with five forwards but I think Italy can move forward with this type of approach.

Why have you called up so many young players?

You need to find a balance between experienced players and promising youngsters. The main thing is that everyone’s happy to wear the Italy shirt and to do what their coach asks of them.

What’s the mood in the team after their performance at Brazil 2014?

I don’t think La Nazionale is at low

ebb. We’re making progress with the football we play. We’re not thinking about the next World Cup yet - we have to qualify for EURO 2016 first. Everything has its own time!

What’s your reaction to Andrea Pirlo coming out of international retirement?

Andrea decided to change his mind when he saw I was taking over. He’s someone you can totally rely on as a person and a player. He’s in good shape and I can bank on him to help me to develop players like Marco Verratti, who represents the present and the future of the national team.

What’s the situation with Mario Balotelli?

As Italy’s head coach I’m not excluding anyone. I call up the players. It’s a different situation. Balotelli has started a new career in England and it’s not easy.

Let’s give him time to settle into a new league with Liverpool. I’m keeping an eye on him, just as I’m doing with all the players who are abroad.

BALOTELLI HAS STARTED A NEW CAREER IN ENGLAND AND IT’S NOT EASY. LET’S GIVE HIM TIME TO SETTLE INTO A NEW LEAGUE WITH LIVERPOOL. I’M KEEPING AN EYE ON HIM, JUST AS I’M DOING WITH ALL THE PLAYERS WHO ARE ABROAD.

Balotelli

Balotelli in action for Italy

Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 8, 2014

49

BRIEFS

EFCC arrest land grabber

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 3, 2014 arraigned Alhaji Hakeem M. Ashogbon, a Lagos property developer, before Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on a five count charge bordering on stealing and forgery.

Troubles came for Ashogbon, 58, when he allegedly reneged on an agreement he made in 1989, with an owner of an un-completed property in Somolu, Lagos. In the agreement, he was supposed to complete the property and collect rent on it for five years, and return the property to the owner.

However, Ashogbon reportedly completed the property and for twelve years, he failed to remit any rent to the owner. Besides, he allegedly forged a power of attorney, in concert with his lawyer, Barrister John Lumanze, conferring the ownership of the property to himself. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

Man stabs friend to death over unpaid debt

…Shocked community in haunt for alleged killer Internet love scammer bags S A jail term T EGUN

I

n view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Kamil Bashiru asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

However, defense counsel, Prince A. Adejare asked for a short adjournment to enable him file his bail application.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Ogunsanya adjourned the matter to December16, 2014 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum prison.

A graduate of Lead City University, Ibadan, who passed out with 1st-class honors has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment after pleading guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

Olakunle Akanni was sentenced yesterday Nov. 4th at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos for defrauding a 77 year-old American woman, Diana Huizenga, of over 12,000 dollars through an internet love scam.

One of his accomplices, Adesina Akinsola, 30, was also given a similar sentence by the judge but adjourned the sentencing of their co-accused, 30-yearold Dele Oshuntogun, till Nov. 17.

There are reports that the convicts entered a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Lawal-Akapo consequently sentenced them to one year imprisonment on each of the counts.

DIO

he truth about the saying that money is the root cause of all evil can only be true in the case of a certain Bamidele, who was allegedly killed over unpaid debt to his friend. As a result, Kolawole, the friend and alleged killer is on the run following the gruesome act stabbed to death last weekend.

Kolawole, a father of two, lives alone at Pakoto area of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that two years ago, Kolawole loaned the sum of N135, 000 to a friend of his, Bamidele who lives with his wife and three daughters at Bank area of the locality.

At the time, it was gathered that Bamidele had approached Kolawole for the loan when the former’s landlord threatened to eject him from his apartment if he could not raise his rent for the year then. The said Bamidele was recently relieved of his job by then.

Kolawole, who runs a bakery at Sango Ota, had obliged his friend with the money required. Bamidele, it was gathered had promised to pay the money back to his friend not long afterwards.

It was also gathered that Bamidele had invested the money in sachet water business with the belief that he would soon make some money and pay back his debt.

Sadly, the business did not achieve the desired return in investment especially after his new shop was burgled and his equipment carted away by suspected thieves. This apparently had prevented Bamidele from paying back his debt to his childhood friend.

Although Bamidele could not raise the money to pay back his debt to his friend, he had reportedly consistently assured his creditor that he would redeem his pledge once he was able to return to the business he had so much hope in.

It was gathered also that as time went by and Bamidele was not showing signs of being able to raise money to pay the debt, his friend, Kolawole began to lose his cool and started threatening to take back his money, claiming that his friend’s business was now moribund and might not be able to refund the money owed again.

Sometime last August, Kolawole went to report his friend to Bamidele’s big aunt at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital asking the elderly woman to prevail on their son to pay him his money. A couple of days after Kolawole reported his friend to the aunt in Abeokuta, the debtor was summoned to a family meeting called by the elderly woman and asked their son all about the money he was owing his friend.

At the end of the meting, it was gathered that Bamidele was given an ultimatum of July 2014, to pay up the debt by the family. Bamidele’s aunt then informed Kolawole of the outcome of the meeting, while she assured him that he would get his money by end of July, this year. That was not to be after all.

By the end of the agreed date in July, it was gathered that Kolawole was disappointed by his friend when the latter informed him that he could only manage to raise N30, 000 of the total sum. But Kolawole was said to have rejected the part payment for the debt and again, on that day, threatened to take drastic step

against his friend to get his money.

This, he eventually did on Friday, October 31, 2014, when Kolawole rode a commercial motorcycle to his friend house and engaged him in a fierce fight.

It was gathered that immediately Kolawole arrived at his friend’s house, he met Bamidele wanting to go out apparently on a business trip, but prevented him from stepping out of the house. Bamidele was said to have insisted that he would collect his money that day.

A neighbour of Bamidele, Kasumu, told reporters that some men from the community tried hard to make peace between the two friends but Bamidele was not in the mood to listen to any more pleas on the matter.

After a lot of pleas but with no solution in sight, those who had gathered for reconciliation reportedly left the two men alone to sort out their differences. It was gathered that at a stage, Kolawole started to rain abuses on his friend, which the latter could not take. A fight soon broke out between both friends but there was nobody to break them up. Moments later, Kolawole was said to have got hold of a broken bottle and slashed at his friend’s neck. Bamidele slumped immediately into a pool of his own blood.

He would not give up the ghost immediately though as he was rushed to a hospital where he was referred to the General Hospital in the community. Bamidele died while on the way to the hospital in the presence of his wife.

Kasumu, who blamed Kolawole’s intolerance on the matter says, “No one knew what went wrong between the two friends.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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CRIME WATCH

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BRIEFS

NDLEA arraign operative for aiding drug trafficker

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ustice Balikisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday November 6, 2014 sentenced a dismissed NDLEA Staff, Ibrahim Muazzam to seven years imprisonment for aiding a suspected drug trafficker, Eni Eze Itu now at large to export 3.7kg of heroin at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.

Justice Balikusu in her judgment said that it is sad that an officer who is paid by the government to arrest drug traffickers is now aiding drug traffickers to perpetrate their criminal act. Ibrahim who pleaded not guilty to a two count charge of aiding and conspiracy to export 3.7kg of heroin in November 2009 was exonerated on the charge of conspiracy.

The Judge however added that although the NDLEA was unable to prove the case of conspiracy against the accused, she was convinced that there are enough evidence before the court to convict him on the ground of aiding and abetting. The accused was therefore sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

According to the NDLEA, Ibrahim Muazzam was an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics on grade level 8 prior to his dismissal and trial. He reportedly went to the Abuja airport where he last served when he was off duty to assist one Eni Eze Itu who is currently at large to check-in a luggage. In the process of examination, NDLEA officers on duty discovered 3.7kg of heroin inside the luggage. He was immediately arrested. The said Eni Eze Itu who was to travel with the bag found to contain the drug did not show up and has since been on the wanted list of the Agency.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade described the action of Ibrahim as unprofessional and shameful. “The conduct of Ibrahim Muazzam is unprofessional and must not be condoned. As soon as the case was reported, it was referred to the senior disciplinary committee of the NDLEA who found him guilty and recommended him for dismissal. The decision to prosecute him was in line with the NDLEA rules of engagement” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss added that the fight against corruption will only be complete when addressed from both within and outside the NDLEA.

The suspects

Ex-convicts re-engage in highway robbery …Nabbed again by police

SEGUN A DIO

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ome travelers from Enugu State to Benue State recently had gory tales to tell while on journey for their legitimate businesses. On that encounter not a few of them reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries in the hands of suspected highway armed robbers, while their valuables were carted away from them.

But for the prompt intervention of security operatives, not a few of the travelers would have probably lost their lives and permanently lost property and cash worth several millions of naira.

The incident occurred recently in the early hours of Thursday, October 23, 2014 along Enugu/Makurdi highway where some daredevil highways robbers allegedly attacked the luxury bus they were travelling in.

Although some of the suspected robbers took to their heels as the security operatives advanced into the expressway, two of them were not, however, so lucky as they were caught in the act. The two robbers arrested at the scene of the incident were Ifeanyi Eze and Chikezie Okwori Alias Alomo, who were said to be habitual armed robbers and not new in the illicit trade.

The two suspects, it was gathered, were recently released from prison custody for similar offence. On the said date, at the Udenu axis of the state, Okwori, Eze and some others currently at large, had blocked the highway and prevented ree flow of traffic as they allegedly subjected travelers to harrowing experiences while they dispossess them of their valuables.

It was gathered that while the robbery was ongoing, some people made frantic efforts to alert security operatives to intimate them of the sad occurrence. In no time, some detachments of security operatives from Udenu Division of the state police command as well as men of the highway patrol unit of the same command responded timely to the Save Our Soul call and sped to the scene of the incident.

Naturally, it was gathered that the men of the underworld engaged the security operatives in fierce gunfire but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the law enforcement agents. Apparently, when the suspected robbers realized that the game was up, they took to their heels while they abandoned some of the looted property in the possession.

In the end, Okwoli and Eze were apprehended by the security operatives

while their partners in crime escaped through the thick forest in the area.

The two arrested highway robbers were immediately taken to the state Special Anti Robbery Squad (S.A.R.S), where they were detained and interrogated for their involvement in the crime.

Recovered from the suspects were some amount of cash believed to have belonged to the passengers as well as full travel bag containing cloths of assorted shapes and sizes. The cloths were also suspected to have been those of the victims of the attack.

Also found in the possession of the two arrested robbers were one locally made double barrel pistol and five assorted handsets. It was gathered that the two arrested robbers confessed to their crime, but claimed that their kingpin was among those still ion the run.

Spokesman for Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement, claimed that the two suspects were operating well with security operatives. The police spokesman also assured travelers in the state of their safety, saying that law enforcements agents there would always priomptly respond to their distress calls.

Amaraizu also enjoined residents to always provide useful information to security agents to ensure their safety in the state.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

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SOUTH WEST

Lagos Igbo traders sensitise members on PVC exercise SEGUN ADIO

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ome groups of Igbo traders in Lagos have expressed the readiness of their members to participate actively in the ongoing Permanent Voter Registration (PVC) exercise, saying that their members would join in determining who governs the state next year.

The group or Igbo traders were on a solidarity march to the headquarters of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Alimosho Local Government area of the state. The groups, with several banners depicting the various associations they represent, also said that the time has come for them to play active politics in Lagos State, where they claimed the eke out

their living.

Addressing a group of PDP stakeholders in the locality during the rally, Mazi Chibo Nwachukwu, who claimed that they were ready to work with the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to bring a new leadership in the state, also maintained that their members have been marginalized for so long in the state.

Said he, “What we are doing today is to sensitise our members to register for the going exercise in Lagos> we are determined to support the PDP because the APC in the state is not treating us well. We will mobilise our members and their families and friends to vote for a government that will

better our lot which is the PDP.” Addressing the groups, Chairman of PDP in Alimosho, Prince Ayodele Adelaja welcomed the traders and urged them to remain in Lagos during elections so as to vote in a government that would represent their interest into power in Lagos.

His words, “The battle for Lagos is between APC and PDP. If you have been in a position of authority for 16 years, it will not be easy to relinquish power, especially when you have been empowering your people. They (APC) will fight to retain the status quo and we are ready for them. but our appeal to our Igbo brothers in Lagos is that they have to perform that important civil

responsibility here in Lagos. The time of running back to their states to vote

should be over now because they have to ensure a government that would

protect their interest is voted into power here in Lagos.”

L-R: Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Micheal Olawale-Cole; Vice President, LCCI, Chief Nike Akande; President, Alhaji Remi Abiola; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos and Lagos Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, during the opening of 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair in Lagos, yesterday.

Politicians urged to eschew politics of bitterness

Logistics, operational hitches mar PVC distribution in Ogun P …Amosun flays INEC FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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itter complaints as well as logistics and operational hitches greeted the distribution of Parmernent Voters’ Card (PVC) which began yesterday across the three Senatorial districts of Ogun State yesterday as many eligible voters could not find their names in the voters’ register.

While the exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) though commenced late in most of the centres monitored, it, however, could not hold in many other polling units and wards.

In other areas where the PVC distribution held, several eligible voters could not find their names in the register.

As at 1: 30p.m yesterday afternoon, INEC officials were visibly absent at Ward 11, Ita - Iyalode within the Owu Central Primary School, Akin Olugbade, Abeokuta where the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun used to cast his vote.

Similarly, at Oke-Sokori, Ago-Oba and other centres within the state capital, INEC officials were

nowhere to be found, while eligible voters were seen waiting patiently for them to show up.

Former governor Olusegun Osoba could not find his card at his Ward 13 Ago-Oba Central Mosque in Abeokuta South Local Government, where he usually votes.

INEC officials located his name in the register but asked him to go to the commission’s office to collect his PVC card.

The officials explained that there was a special arrangement for dignitaries in the state to collect their cards at INEC headquarters.

The people of the area, however, complained of missing names while others who found their names on the register were unable to collect their cards because INEC did not print them.

Reacting to the development, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who spoke with journalists at Ajura in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, however, accused INEC of lack of adequate preparations for the exercise.

Governor Amosun alleged that over 400,000 eligible voters in the state were not captured

for the ongoing exercise.

The governor also said reports available to him from centres across the state indicated that too many hitches have hampered the smooth conduct of the exercise.

He therefore appealed to the commission for the extension of the exercise.

Said he, “I am doing this with mixed feelings because I have been going round since morning and so many of our people do not have the opportunity I’ve just had now. I have asked the REC here with us.

He probably will shed more light because even for us in Ogun State, I think about 400,000 or even the registered voters are not even captured in all of those things that the voters’ register that they displayed.

“We noticed as well that even for those that were displayed, they do not have the cards to show for that display that we are seeing.

I’ve asked questions, we’ve been reassured that they will sort it out and that those that are unable to collect their cards now, once there names are shown on the register, they will get their cards. But the question is when? Because if we have three days, imagine today was work-free day and even as I speak with you, if you look at the time, this is 2:30pm, we will be ending this first day I

think by 4:00pm.

“I just pray that INEC will get their acts together and improve on what we are seeing now because it’s good for me to collect but if everybody do not have the opportunity to exercise that their civic responsibility, then there is problem”.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Sam Olumekun, who admitted there were hitches in the conduct of the exercise in the state, disclosed that about 1,355,960 PVCs would be distributed in the state.

Olumekun, however, assured that all the eligible voters would have their PVCs before the next election.

oliticians in the country have been urged to play politics without bitterness and one without any ethnic or religious coloration, but ensure that only credible people show interest in the governance of the country.

The call was made in Lagos by state chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association (TODA), Comrade Wilson David-Ajayi, while addressing members at a rally. Comrade DavidAjayi urged the Nigerian electorate and politicians to learn from the just concluded elections of the association where the state’s chairman of the group was given to a Northerner.

In the words of Comrade David-Ajayi, “Sometimes you cannot place the reason why our people and especially politicians play

dirty politics. Look at the RTEAN elections we held recently where a man from the north was elected to head the Lagos chapter, our members voted not based on sentiments, religious or ethnic basis, but for competence and credibility.

It will be good if the larger Nigerian society copies from this.”

In his remarks, deputy state chairman of RTEAN Comrade Babatunde HolyMichael also called on members of the association to rally round the new leadership in bid to move the association forward.

He also urged members to participate actively in the ongoing Permanent Voter Registration exercise in the state as he explained that the association would not take it lightly with any member who fails to register in the exercise.

Rep ddonates R t 32 32-bed b d hhospital it l iin Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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member of the House of Representatives, Hon Bimbo Daramola, has said that the insinuations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would field a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2015 Presidential election are mere conjectures.

The federal lawmaker, who said Nigerians should wait until the party picked its presidential flagbear-

er, expressed confidence that APC would do the needful as far as choosing the right candidate with national appeal was concerned.

The APC chieftain spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday while donating a 32-bed hospital to his constituency. The hospital is named Joan Taiwo Daramola Memorial Hospital.

The lawmaker said the hospital billed for inauguration today would be handed over to the Anglican Communion for management in order to address the medical

needs of his constituents.

The APC chieftain also charged political office holders to always be in touch with their constituents saying the love of the people should be paramount in the mind.

Daramola, who dismissed the claim by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives that any member could reconvene the House after it was adjourned by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal maintained that only the Speaker could reconvene the House.

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REGIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Plateau NLC, Jang set for war over minimum wage JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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lateau State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) may clash with Governor Jonaah Jang over what they called ‘non implementation’ of agreement on National Minimum wage and other issues bordering on their welfare, Saturday Mirror has learnt.

Investigations revealed that the workers are also angry over nonpayment of arrears of 2011 National Minimum wage by the state government, nonpayment of outstanding 2012 leave transport Grant as well as non release of promotion letters to deserving civil servants in the state.

Others reasons for the likely clash with the governor also include delay and indiscriminate payment of salary, government refusal to re-open

negotiation on national minimum wage to local government employees, non implementation of 100 percent salary as retirement benefit to local government employees and primary schools teachers as well as non remittance of national Housing Fund to Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, among others.

Chairman of the NLC in the state, Mr. Jibrin Bancir, who disclosed the development to Journalists at a press briefing in Jos, yesterday, warned of a possible industrial unrest should the state government fails to resolve the issues soon His words, “We are strongly passing the message across to the state Government and until the vexatious issues are resolved within a shortest possible time. We the organised Labour may not be able to guarantee any harmonious industrial

Kwara State Transport Corporation begins ticket automation

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n continuation of its bid to reposition Kwara State Transport Corporation “Kwara Express”, Harmony Holdings Ltd, the wholly owned investment Holding Company of Kwara State Government, has commenced the automation of ticket booking and purchase at the Corporation, the first of its kind among Government owned transport companies in Nigeria.

In a statement issued and signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Harmony Holdings Ltd, Mr. Tunde Abodunde, it says with this new development, prospective customers could now book and purchase bus tickets on-line ahead of trips on “Kwara Express”.

The statement also noted that this was a huge step in the effort to steer Kwara State Transport Corporation back to the path of profitability.

It would be recalled that since taking over the management of the Corporation, Harmony Holdings has implemented steps to set the Corporation (as well as other entities under it) on the path of effi-

ciency and optimum performance.

The Holding Company had ensured that salary arrears, cooperative contributions and accumulated Leave Allowance owed to staff of the Corporation were paid off.

As part of its leveraged plans which is being implemented in stages, the Company envisages the opening of modernized terminals and secured lounges across more cities in the Federation, acquisition of more operational vehicles and enhancement of salaries and emoluments of staff of the Corporation.

peace in the state”.

Bancir also added that the workers in the state would participate actively in the coming elections next year so as to use their numerical strength to influence who governs the

state next.

Ringim contested for a seat in the house of assembly on the platform of the erstwhile People’s Redemption Party and won during the second Republic.

Apart from that he held different positions right from the creation of Jigawa in 1991 to date.”

The ALGON Chairman appealed to PDP supporters to turn out en masse and vote for the Aminu Ringin

and all PDP candidates in the state including President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated that there are other candidates but we should please give Ringim the chance to continue what Lamido started.

Students of Ahmadu Bello University DemonstraƟon Secondary School Sent out for DefaulƟng in school fees at Samaru-Zaria in Kaduna State, yesterday.

Lamido’s Chief of Staff picks guber form ABDULLAHI ODEY DUTSE.

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hief of Staff to Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Malam Aminu Ringim, has thrown himself into the race for the successor to his principal in next year’s general election.

Malam Ringin has purchased the nomination form to contest the governorship seat under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Members of the party within and outside the state have commended

his action and described it as a wise decision.

Prominent among those who supported the decision were the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Sarawa, who also resigned his post to contest for the senatorial seat for Jigawa North East.

Also Malam Ringim’s stance has received commendation from members of the national and state Houses of Assemblies, PDP state chairman as well as chairmen of the party in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state which included local commissioners,

PDP Youths, Women wing, among others.

Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Khalid Ibrahim, who is also chairman of Birnin Kudu Local Government Council told Saturday Mirror that Malam Ringim was a determined and refined politician that would continue from where Governor Lamido stopped.

Ibrahim said that Jigawa needed somebody like Ringim to keep up the good works in the state.

According to Alhaji Ibrahim, “I know the former

Chief Staff is the right person to succeed Lamido in view of his track record, dedication and hard work and because of his sojourn with former Governor Saminu Turaki for eight years and another eight years with the incumbent governor serving in the same capacity”.

“I think this is enough for him because he got a lot of knowledge and experience to know the problems of the people and know how to address them by the grace of God” He stated.

It should be noted that

Nasarawa Crisis: Church seeks government intervention on arms proliferation IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

The Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC) has sought for government at all levels to intervene in the proliferation of arms in Nasarawa State.

Hitherto, the Church had wanted government to intensify effort in checking and preventing illegal importation of

arms as this is a serious threat to the peace and security of the state and the nation at large.

The church position on the issue was contained in a communiqué issued at the end if its General Council Meeting (Synod), and signed by President and General Secretary of the church, Very Rev. Lakayana Otso and Very Rev. Peter Aya, respectively.

The church therefore called for a synergy between all arms of government and security agencies as well as religious, political and traditional rulers towards finding lasting peace in the state and the entire nation.

The ERCC also condemned in strong terms the “incessant crisis ravaging most parts of the country, especially the North-Eastern part as well

as in some parts of Nasarawa State and southern part of Kaduna State.

It called on the affected states and the federal government to expedite action in bringing an end to this menace”.

Also, the church called on government at all levels to shun acts that betray it as being biased in handling security matters.

Irked by the plight of Internally Displaced Per-

sons (IDPs) following Boko Haram onslaught in North-East and Fulani attacks in Nasarawa State, the church appeals that, “the state and federal government to, as a matter of urgency, provide relief materials, shelter, medicare and other basic necessities of life to the displaced victims of this unfortunate cycle of violence.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

SOUTH SOUTH

Delta 2015: Obada meets Obasanjo

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governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Votu Obada, has paid a visit to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Obada, son of former Federal Commissioner for Works, Major-General Orho Obada (rtd.), is seeking to contest the 2015 elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the oil rich state. Obada was in Abeokuta to inform the former president of his ambition and also to get his blessing.

Describing him as a worthy ambassador, the ex- president said, “I see in Obada a governorship aspirant that would triumph”.

Praising the young Obada for respecting elders, Obasanjo urged him to use his knowledge acquired

through experience and education for the advancement of the country, particularly Delta State.

“You have my blessings. I wish you the best” Obasanjo said.

In his response, the governorship aspirant thanked the former for his blessings.

In a related development, the governorship aspirant also met with Delta Professionals in Lagos.

Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Steve Etajeruo described Obada as the right candidate for the Delta State Government House.

According to Etajeruo, “He is endowed with all the qualities to bring about good governance in Delta State” he said.

The group assured Obada of its support and also urged Deltans to queue behind him.

...as Olejeme submits nomination form …Says, “Male aspirants are afraid of me”

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inally, the only female governorship aspirant in Delta State, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has submitted her expression of interest and nomination forms to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, in Abuja yesterday, saying she remains the candidate to beat come 2014 elections in the state.

Addressing journalists after the submission of forms, Olejeme said that if elected into office, she would focus on education, agriculture, health and building of infrastructure.

“I will create more jobs, ensure budget surplus, provide a transparent and interactive government, promote employmentfriendly policies and also pay contractors” Olejeme said.

She also maintained that she was in the race is running for governorship election so as to make Delta State a place where businesses would thrive with less red tape and

where there are good jobs and economic growth for families and an excellent public education for children.

Olejeme also said that her co-aspirants are jittery of her because of her track records in all human endeavours she had found herself.

Stressing that she has overall framework to direct Delta State to greater heights, Olejeme said she would work tirelessly for the state and people of Delta.

“God has always been my backbone and where the Lord places me, I will always perform wonders there. The turnaround of NSITF speaks volume of my performance and leadership qualities.”

She, however, appealed to the leadership of the party in the state to provide a level playing field for all legitimate aspirants to express themselves in a truly democratic and fair manner. She also denied knowledge of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan endorsing an aspirant in the state.

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L-R: Son-in-law, Mr. Lucky Owhraigbo; Sons, Bishop Columba Niboro and Olorogun Ima Niboro (Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria); Jumoke, Ima Niboro’s wife and the deceased’s daughter, Mrs. Sarah Ajiboye, during the Funeral Service for Deaconess Agnes Ukeseh, at Emevor, Isoko-North Local Government Area in Delta State, yesterday.

Re-election: Crisis looms in Bayelsa as Gov. Dickson dumps NASS, state lawmakers OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ayelsa State is set to witness another rounds of political crisis as the state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has resolve to stop all National Assembly members as well as state lawmakers from seeking re-election in 2015 is already creating tension in the state.

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly supported

by Governor Dickson, had four weeks ago, purportedly adopted a zoning formula across the state for elective offices in 2015.

Curiously, the zoning of the offices saw to the shutting out of all current National Assembly members from the state.

The federal lawmakers are Senators Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central), Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa West) and Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East).

Those in the House of Rep-

resentatives are Foingha Jephthah (Nembe/Brass), Henry Ofongo (Southern Ijaw), Warman Ogoriba (Yenegoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma), Dr Stella Dorgu (Sagbama/Ekeremor) and Nadu Karibo (Ogbia).

Apart from Dorgu, all the affected lawmakers had conducted parallel congresses to protest the handling of the PDP ward congresses by the governor.

Their supporters have equally vowed to make the state ungovernable if the national leadership of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan did not intervene timely in the brewing crisis within the party in the state.

This development is coming on the heels of moves by Governor Dickson to stop all, except two, of the state House of Assembly members from making a return to the assembly in 2015.

The two with assurance to return as state lawmak-

ers are the majority leader, Hon Peter Akpe (Sagbama 2) and Hon Daniel Igali (Southern Ijaw 3). By implication, the Speaker, Hon Benson Konbowei, an ally of the governor who was the arrow head of the controversial zoning against the return of Senator Paulker, has also been edged out in the unfolding political drama.

But both the state government and the leadership of the PDP in the state have debunked the reports as non-existent.

Regardless, a PDP chieftain who craved anonymity had led a delegation of PDP stakeholders to meet with the President on the brewing crisis in the state.

He told our correspondent that the ruling party was not just being threatened but the peace of the entire state was at risk owing to the development.

The source, a former of the National Assembly says, “The brewing crisis within the PDP in Bayelsa

State is not just a party affair, if care is not taken, it could lead to other political upheavals with the capacity of threatening the peace of the state.

“I can tell you that the reason some of us came to see the president today was to brief him adequately on the matter because the impression being created by the governor that all is well is erroneous, it can lead to something else.”

Meanwhile it has emerged that state lawmakers led by the speaker, Hon. Kombowei Benson have pulled out an earlier agreement with the Governor Dickson-led Restoration Caucus and demanded that they be returned automatically in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State commissioner for information, Deacon Markson Fafegha has denied any knowledge of such moves by the governor to foist his cronies on the party.

Rivers judicial crisis: Amaechi, NBA meeting deadlocked DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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meeting between Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) over the lingering crisis in the state judiciary, yesterday, ended in a deadlock.

The meeting, involving the five branches of the NBA in the state, was held at

the ultra modern Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt and was attended by the leadership and members of Port Harcourt, Bori, Isiokpo, Degema, Ahoada, and Okehi branches of the association.

The meeting which was aimed at resolving the long standing crisis in the third arm of government in the state government did not produce the desired result, as both parties could not

reach any agreement.

The development has cast a doubt on whether the state judiciary, which has been under locks and key for more than six months, would opened anytime soon.

A senior member of the NBA, who did not want his name in print, stated that going by the outcome of the meeting, all the branches of the association would hold an emergency meeting next

week to take a final position of the crisis in the judiciary.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Amaechi, who was flanked by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms, accused the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, of complicity in the judicial crisis in the state.

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REGIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH EAST

Iwuanyanwu says Nigeria may disintegrate if…

CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

A

frontline politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, yesterday raised the alarm that recent events in the country particularly in Northern parts, may lead to disintegration of the nation if not properly managed.

He described these events especially the killing, sacking and occupying large territories of the country as frightening and

“a serious assault on the sovereignty of this country.”

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Iwuanyanwu, called on all patriots of the country especially leaders from those zones to rise to the challenge and also support the Federal Government’s efforts to bring normalcy to the areas and to the nation at large.

According to Iwunayanwu, “Recent events in Northern part of the coun-

try where insurgents have unleashed bloody assassination on innocent citizens of Nigeria and occupied large territories of our country is no doubt a serious breach of our fundamental human rights and a serious assault on the sovereignty of this country. This experience is very strange to Nigeria, “he noted.

Following the development, he recommended to the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo to summon a meeting of all retired

senior Army officers, police officers and other security officers from South East to discuss the security situation in the country with a view to protecting the zone from infiltration.

He continued, “This meeting should discuss the security of South Eastern Nigeria. We do not need to wait until we are attacked before we start discussing security problems.

He recommended that the meeting should set up security committee to work

closely with the five governors of the South East who would discuss and dictate any security breach and advised the best way to tackle it.

Iwuanyanwu, who is the Board of Trustee member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also raised fear on the political activities going on in the country in preparation for the 2015 general elections, saying that if the elections ”are not properly handled it could deteriorate to situation difficult to con-

trol.”

He, therefore, suggested that since South-South region has gone for four years out, it should be allowed to complete the eight years term.

“I appeal to my people of South East who are legitimately and rightly demanding for the presidency of Nigeria to subjugate this ambition to the unity, peace and stability of the country by supporting SouthSouth,” he said.

Rep aspirant pledges to restore confidence of electorates DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

A L-R: Director, Daughters of Divine Love Charity Home , Enugu, Rev. Sr. Katherine Uchenna; representative of the Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Aminu Ahmed; Enugu Zonal Controller, NDIC, Mr. David Adamu and some children in the home during NDIC 25th anniversary at the home in Enugu recently.

PHOTO: NAN

Court restrains APC from re-conducting fresh congresses in Ebonyi ALIUNA GODWIN ABAKALIKI

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n Ebonyi State High Court, sitting in Abakaliki, yesterday, restrained the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from canceling or conducting a fresh ward, Local government and state congresses of the party in the state.

Presiding Judge, Justice A.A. Nwaigwe, in suit No. HAB/62MC/2014,

granted the prayer of the plaintiff, Joseph Nweke Friday, for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the National chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st and 2nd respondents, respectively, from dissolving the executives of the party elected during the last April congresses.

It would be recalled that the party had been entangled in leadership

crisis after the April 11, 16 and 29, 2014, congresses of Mrs. Adeshola Nduled congress committee of the party in the state, which produced the Hon. Ben Nwobashi-led executives. Ever since, the crisis in the party has deepened with calls by the aggrieved party members for the cancellation of the results over alleged irregularities.

The trial Judge noted that the judgment, which was on the Motion of No-

tice was in accordance to Order 39 Rule (1) and (2); 3 Rule 2(4)a and (b) of the High Court Rules of Ebonyi state, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Nwaigwe also restrained the respondents, their agents and privies from conducting any new congress aimed at electing new executives of the party in the state or appointing Caretaker Committee in place of Nwobashi led executive committee.

Obi tasks rich Anambra citizens to develop education

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former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on well meaning citizens of the state to support worthy causes that will elevate humanity.

He said this yesterday at the presentation of the cheque of N2 million to Holy Name Secondary

School, Umuchu.

Obi, who earlier presented a cheque of N5 million to the school, said it gave him special happiness to assist in building a better society through support to education, which he said was the most portent tool for competition in the world.

Describing children as

the future of the society, he said that the only way to make that future meaningful was by investing in what will help to nurture that future such as education.

On how he has been able to raise the money to support different schools and micro credit schemes

through the Churches, he said it was through appeal to organizations and individuals of goodwill.

When asked to comment on the reaction that followed his joining of the PDP, Obi replied wryly: “God gave us eyes in front to look forward and not backwards.”

House of Representative aspirant for Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency in Enugu State, Mr. Dennis Amadi, says electorates’ lack of confidence on the representatives as a major challenge to Nigeria’s democracy.

Amadi, however, said that if elected to represent the people of the constituency, he would restore the confidence of the electorates in his constituency on elected officials.

Amadi spoke at the Enugu State secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when he submitted his nomination form to contest for the House of Representative position.

The aspirant noted that he offered to serve at the National Assembly because opportunities for his people abound in the society and needed to be harnessed.

He also assured that he would provide good representation to his people as well as improve on what has been achieved so far.

Amadi also promised to leverage on what Governor Sullivan Chime had done in the state and for better opportunities for the people of his constituency.

The aspirant claimed that his 21 years banking experience placed him above other aspirants for the same seat.

Said he, “I will exploit the areas that our people have not been given opportunities when I get to national assembly. I will provide creative solution to the economic and political challenges of the people of Udi/ Ezeagu in particular and the nation at large through legislative advocacy and collaborative synergy with the government in other to drive the human and natural resource potential of our people.”

Abia: Ogah assures of foreign investors if elected governor

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for Abia State, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, has promised to attract foreign investors to the state if elected as governor in 2015.

Ogah made the promise after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the election at the party`s headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

The aspirant, who is the President of Masters Energy Group, said his aspiration to contest

the state`s governorship seat was inspired by God. According to him, ``I am deeply convinced beyond all human doubt that mine is a divine covenant and a sacred assignment to be used as an agent of unprecedented transformation in Abia. ‘‘Indeed I feel the passion of my mission in every fibre of my being to use all my mental, spiritual, physical, financial, material, professional and total endowments and resources to transform the state.’’

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

November 8, 2014

55

Outspoken Putin critic is found dead in pool blood at his Moscow apartment

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Transgender dressers in Malaysia

Malaysians win right to cross-dress

T

hree Malaysian Muslim transgender people have won a landmark ruling after challenging a religious law banning them from cross-dressing, a decision activists are calling a victory for human rights in the conservative Muslimmajority country. A threejudge panel ruled that the Shariah law in Negeri Sembilan state that criminalizes any man who dresses or poses as a woman is unconstitutional. The judges said the law deprives transgenders of “the right to live with dignity.” A lower court

had dismissed the case, saying the three plaintiffs must adhere to Islamic law because they are Muslim and born male. The state’s Islamic Religious Department can still appeal the ruling to the top federal court.

In the judgment read

by Justice Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, who led the three-member panel, recognised the rights of transgenders who suffered from gender dysphoria where they dress and pose as women, saying that the syariah enactment was inconsistent with several provi-

sions contained in the Federal Constitution.

In a landmark decision the Court of Appeal ruled that Section 66 of the Syariah Criminal (Negeri Sembilan) Enactment 1992 which criminalises any man who dresses or poses as a woman as unconstitutional.

In the judgment read

by Justice Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, who led the three-member panel, the court recognised the rights of transgenders who suffered from gender dysphoria where they dress and pose as women saying that the

syariah enactment was inconsistent with several provisions contained in the Federal Constitution.

“A person’s dress, attire or articles of clothing are a form of expression, which in our view is guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

“As such Section 66 directly affects the appellants’ right to freedom of expression in that they are prohibited from wearing the attire and articles of clothing of their choice,” he said while reading out the judgment in the court.

Lawmaker proposes giving Russian women president’s sperm to create new ‘military and political elite’

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lawmaker wants to hand out Vladimir Putin’s sperm to Russian women en masse in a bid to create a new generation of ‘military and political elite’.

Yelena Borisovna Mizoulina, the Chairwoman of Parliamentary Commission on women’s affairs, children and family, told colleagues that giving the president’s sperm to would-be mothers would improve patriotism in Russia.

Ms Mizoulina, who has a PhD in law, made the bizarre proposal during a round table discussion on fertility in Russia.

According to the Russian-language newspaper, Trust, she told the State Duma that Putin’s brood

would then be given ‘special allowances’ from the state, in return for their ‘devotion’ to the country.

She said: ‘The essence of my proposition is simple.

‘Every citizen of Russia will receive by mail the genetic material of the president, to get pregnant from him and have a baby.

These mothers will receive a special allowance from the state.’

Yelena Borisovna Mizoulina told colleagues that giving the President’s sperm to would-be mothers would create a new ‘military and political elite’ Yelena Borisovna Mizoulina told colleagues that giving the President’s sperm to would-be mothers would create a new

‘military and political elite’ Adopting the assumption that Putin’s offspring would be male, she went on to describe how the children would be educated in ‘special institutions that resemble Souvorov Schools’ - a type of boarding school in the former Soviet Union.

The aim would be that the child would be ‘devoted to the homeland and personally to the President of the Russian Fedaration’, she said.

She added: ‘Children born from the Russian president in the future will form the military and political elite of the state.’

But Mikhail Klikishin told the Observer the story is ‘total BS from Ukrai-

nian yellow press’.

The open discussion about Putin’s sperm is out of the ordinary. The Kremlin usually gives nothing away about the president’s private life.

Putin also becomes prickly when asked about his family.

Putin’s two daughters, Maria and Yekaterina, and their private lives are protected by a strictly obeyed code of silence among Russia’s media.

There is also ongoing speculation about Putin’s relationship with Alina Kabayeva, 30, who was first named as the president’s mistress five years ago.

Putin divorced his wife, Lyudmila, 55, earlier this year.

well-known Russian actor who was also an outspoken critic of president Vladimir Putin has been found dead at his home in Moscow.

The body of Alexei Devotchenko was discovered on Wednesday evening in his apartment in the north of the captial, police told Russian news agencies.

Some media reports have said that Mr Devotchenko was discovered by a friend in ‘a pool of blood’ outside his home.

He was also wellknown as an outspoken critic of Putin and has taken part in many antiKremlin protests.

Three years ago, he returned two state honours that had previously been awarded to him by President Putin for acting.

He said he handed them back in a protest against corruption and political censorship and said he felt ‘ashamed’ to have received them.

In a later interview he said: ‘I am completely fed up with this tzar-statedom with its lies, coverups, state sanctioned robbbery, bribery and other virtues.’

Mr Dovotchenko handed back two state honours he was awarded by Russian president Vladimir Putin, pictured, saying he felt ashamed of them Shortly after the interview, he was attacked on the Moscow underground, with reports saying he was ‘almost killed.’

He was also a member of the United Civil Front and in March he signed a letter along with other Russian actors condemning the country’s military intervention in Ukraine.

However, other reports have said he was found inside his apartment, with the Russian Interfax news agency quoting a source in law enforcement that Mr Devotchenko could have died from a heart attack.

China citizens not taking advantage of exemption in child policy

D

espite earlier estimates that new exemptions to China’s one-child policy would add up to 2 million extra births per year, only 700,000 newly qualified couples applied to have a second child this year, a Chinese official said.

Zhao Yanpei, a senior official at the National Health and Family Planning Commission, told reporters at a briefing this week that although this year’s number is lower than expected it is too early to conclude what effect the new policy will have in coming years on China’s fertility rate, which is now at 1.5 to 1.6 births per woman.

Last year, China eased its one-child policy to allow couples in which one partner has no siblings to have two children.

Couples in which both

partners have no siblings and rural families whose firstborn child is a girl already have been allowed to have a second child for many years.

Demographers said last year that the easing was so incremental that a baby boom would be unlikely. They also noted that Chinese young people no longer wish for big families, and, even when they can, have opted not to have a second child.

The lower-than-expected number of applications for a second child has some critics arguing for the abolition of China’s strict family planning policies, which have limited most urban families to only one child. They say China’s low birth rate will cause the country to age quickly and hurt its economic viability.

Quote

of

the

day

Foreign carriers flying into Nigeria earned about N231 billion in 2013 while the country’s local airlines earned N73 billion in the same period.

--Capt. Muktar Usman, director-general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA

Saturday, November 8, 2014. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

The architect as strategic driver: Wither the plan?

I f the ‘general as a strategist’ does not have a market, could it be said that the architect had no plan for the general, or that the ‘general as a strategist’ did not follow the plan of the architect?

Who is the architect in a business environment? There is no doubt that it is the management. But what is their corporate plan or goal? How do they arrive at the strategic road map of the corporation?

One thing that is certain is that the architect may have a plan, but the general may not follow the plan of the architect. In some situations, the general may approve the plan and then set it aside and run the corporation ‘as the spirit directs.’

Normally, the architect will draw the organisation’s plan in accordance with the instruction given to him by the general. And if the general has no specific instruction as to where the market is or about which of the markets he intends to operate in, then the plan may not take into consideration issues relating to the market, since there is no information from the general.

In any organisation, this scenario leads to no result or at best, some sort of incomplete result. Regrettably, this situation can be likened to taking solders to the war front without a comprehensive plan of where to launch attack, or without adequate knowledge of the geomorphology of the enemy’s location. If they do not know the territory of the enemy, it is either the enemy kills them one after the other or, like the Americans in the Vietnam War, they may lose all their weapons.

This situation is equivalent to a corporation starting well but not ending very well, if they even end at all. This calls for great concern.

In most cases, less than one percent of companies incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria remain in operation every ten years! Put another way, less than half percent of incorporated companies operate for twenty five years. Or less than one quarter of incorporated companies operate for fifty years.

And it is still in doubt if any company incorporated in Nigeria has ever operated for one hundred years of our centenary celebrations!!

The role of the architect who designs the corporation which does not last for ten years calls for concern. There is no doubt that a poorly designed building will not stand the test of time. The need for key players in management science to do a rethink in incorporating the role of the ‘architect as a strategist’ in any organisation is key and vital to the continuity of the corporation.

If roles are already created for the ‘architect as a strategist,’ the need to comply with the instruction and di-

CFR

A RICH MAN ONCE INSTRUCTED A BANK MANAGER TO OPEN HIS BANK ON SUNDAY AROUND MIDNIGHT DURING HIS CAMPAIGN. THE MANAGER OPENED THE BANK AT THAT UNGODLY HOUR FOR THE RICH MAN TO MAKE HIS CASH WITHDRAWAL. IN SUCH A

SITUATION, WHERE IS THE MANUAL OF OPERATIONS? rective of the architect calls for concern. Today, managers run corporations ‘as the spirit directs,’ so to say.

Operational manuals are created and used like photo albums. If otherwise, what will explain or justify a CEO signing the application for disbursement of loan first, without the risk officer seeing the application? When the CEO has signed the approval sheet, what can the risk officer do to disapprove?

This explains the collapse of the building at The Synagogue, originally designed by the architect for three floors, which was raised to six floors. At the end, the building collapsed, killing over a hundred people. Tens of millions have died in corporate Nigeria due to total disregard for the directive of the ‘architect as a strategic driver.’

A rich man once instructed a bank manager to open his bank on Sunday around midnight during his campaign.

The manager opened the bank at that ungodly hour for the rich man to make his cash withdrawal. In such a situation, where is the manual of operation?

In the days of Air Nigeria, I once opted to travel with the airline from Abuja to Lagos. I bought an economy class ticket to enable me assess the quality of services the airline offered to the public.

Boarding completed, the pilot secured the start-up engine, got approval for take-off from the control tower, and we commenced our approach for take-off.

The pilot was expected to brief us about the weather condition and flight details after the seat belt signs had been put off.

But the pilot greatly embarrassed me by starting off, saying, ‘I am happy to welcome on board my chairman, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim ....’ This was not how the manual of operations directed the pilot to commence flight operations. It was a

great disappointment to me, for a pilot to deliberately violate the operational manual designed to secure safety of passage by the architect. In a competitive industry, the airline can lose market shares as many passengers may not take the airline serious and customer referral would create more damage.

The strategic road maps of many organisations, as designed by the ‘architect as strategic driver,’ are, in most cases, done in great detail. But the major problem is compliance with the manual of operation.

A CEO in one of our companies once sacked a junior member of staff for consistently creating mechanical problems in the distribution van in a bid to fraudulently make money from the company.

The sacked junior staffer petitioned the GMD’s office. The GMD asked the CEO to recall the staffer immediately, since he was not given a query in the first instance. For the GMD, this was a painful decision to take. But the issue is: What does the manual of operation say if a staff member is to be sacked?

The protocol is simple: Issue a query; get a response; the administration department refers the matter to the company secretary and the later refers the case to the disciplinary committee, who will now mete out appropriate punishment if the staffer is guilty.

Disciplinary measures could be in any of the following ways: Refer matter to the police if it is criminal in nature and put staffer on suspension while investigation is on. And if that is not the case, issue a warning letter, suspend from office for a specific period; advise staffer to resign or resort to outright termination or dismissal.

The question is: how many CEOs are ready to comply with this simple instruction of the company’s manual of

operation when it comes to matters relating to junior members of staff ?

In all situations, compliance with the manual of operation of a company is the fuel that drives a corporation.

And once you are running a corporation with disregard for the operation manual, the implication is that you are running a car without fuel. If a leader mixes up the operational manual with ‘as the spirit directs’ approach to management, it simply means you are running a car with a mixture of petrol and water in the engine. It will be hard for you to drive the corporate car in that situation. You may have to be the mechanic that would do the separation of the mixture!

The strategic architect also designs the road map of the organisation. Issues as to when investments are made and when to disinvest are in the plan.

This approach is to regulate the movement and direction that will assist growth and sustain cash flow of the organisation. In practice, CEO will not follow the instructions of the manual of operation in this direction. To the CEO, divestment can only happen when the company is in trouble. I find it very difficult to understand why a divestment from property is not done when the property value is at the highest peak, invest the proceeds in cash investment and buy more properties from the cash when the price is low.

In practice, we sell properties when the price is so low. We look for buyers that we cannot find! We suffer cash flow to hang the company. Incredible!

Many times, the company’s investment manual will explain when to do more investment to avoid over-investment that can be obsessive, which usually results in major decline in business.

But we never follow the manual. We could just wake up one day and say: ‘We need to set up ten universities across African countries (praise God), even when the cash flow is putting us in a difficult position when it’s time to pay appropriate salary in the companies we have. Or if it is a bank, we may decide to open one hundred additional branches in two years for aggressive marketing, when the branches we have cannot break even. Or, for instance, in a newspaper, we may decide to install more machines or increase the print run when our unsold is 30 percent. The right approach is to return to the investment manual or develop investment manual if you do not have one. The architect as strategic driver will assist greatly in this instance.

Recent political developments in Ondo State have made it necessary for me to defer my admission to the University of Cambridge for the 2014 Leadership Class till next year. So continue enjoying your favourite column!

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