Binder1

Big Read News

THE

P. 3-6

Growing challenges of housing provision in Lagos

News

P. 8

Gandoje slashes salaries of political appointees by 50% www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 5 No. 24

Sunday, June 21, 2015

N150

Buhari to appoint 12 senior ministers from North ... sends full list of 36 ministers to NASS this week Obasanjo hosts Udom, Akpabio, Mbang

P. 7

P.8

Wike denies collecting N108bn from Jonathan

P.9

PASSION

25

A Lifestyle Magazin e

Sunday June 21, 2015

SE APPLAU li e ves of ‘Touching th cites me’ the needy ex >>27

There’s nothing wro with love-making in ng Àlms –Linda Osifo >>26

News

L-R: Former Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Mbang and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, during a courtesy visit to Obasanjo in Abeokuta at the weekend.

NLC tasks FG on revival of collapsed textile mills

P.8

...says 44 companies have died in recent years

Music icon, Dan Maraya Jos, dies at 80

Kidnappers release Winners Chapel pastor

P. 8

P. 59

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2

What’s new Politics

11

Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK JUNE 21, 2015

APC accuses Fayose of paying self N720m Chad bombs Boko Haram bases in Nigeria Chadian helicopters have cide bombings targeting police fasalary arrears not paid pensioners in the last

26

Gusau plots return to Buhari’s govt

There’s nothing wrong with love-making in films –Linda Osifo Linda Osifo is a model, on-air personality and actress. She was brought up in Toronto, Canada. At the age of 12, she played lead roles in her school theatre and while completing her Psychology degree in York University, Canada, she participated in various beauty pageants, emerging 1st runner-up in Miss Nigeria Canada and 2nd runner-up in Miss Africanada.

In this interview, she speaks about her passion for acting, among others.

Wellness

15

Immediate past Defence Minister and former National Security Adviser, NSA, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, may have begun moves to warm his way into the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Gusau, who served almost 16 years in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led adminis-

trations, yesterday hosted a seminar tagged, ‘Africa’s big five; Power and Influence in Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Ethopia, Nigeria and South Africa’ at his Gusau Institute in Kaduna, with only All Progressives Congress, APC governors and chieftains in attendance.

Kwara OPC backs Saraki as Senate President Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, in Kwara State have de¬clared their support for the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Repre-sentatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara.

Kwara OPC coordinator, Comrade Maruff Olare¬waju, who declared the support of his group in an interview with journalists in Ilorin said the

aggrieved All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers particu¬larly at red chamber of the National Assembly should sheath their swords and embrace Saraki as the Senate President.

Olarewaju noted that the emergence of both the Senate President and Speaker of the House was a divine arrangement, pointing out that God gives power to whoever He pleases and wants.

bombed at least six bases in Nigeria used by Boko Haram insurgents in response to twin bombings in the capital, N’Djamena, earlier this week, the military said.

The air strikes caused “human and material damage,” the Chadian army general staff said in a statement read on national radio yesterday, without giving further details.

But Defence Headquarters, DHQ, said yesterday that no part of Nigeria’s territory has been violated by Chadian air troops.

At least 27 people, including the four assailants, died in June 15 sui-

Buhari consults Northern power brokers over cabinet There were strong indications yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari has consulted key northern power brokers and close associates and loyalists in Kaduna over his proposed ministerial and Special Advisers, SAs’ list for their input.

This was just as the President is set to announce his ministers and the approved 15 SAs any moment from now, barring any unforeseen circumstances or change of mind.

National Mirror gathered that President Buhari, who arrived Kaduna from the African Union, AU, summit in South Africa on

Evaezi Ogoro

Being both a musician and an actress, my schedules are somewhat flexible to accommodate which side has more going on at the moment. I start my Mondays with prayers. Then I head off to the gym. When I come back, I take my shower, dress up and go to see some movie producers I have appointment with. After that, I face my rehearsals which can keep me busy till evening.

My Tuesday is somehow similar with my Monday. I start the day with prayers and exercise. I proceed for meeting with the production crew. After, I pick some new scripts and go through them.

turers said: “We are calling on well meaning Rivers State people to do justice to this issue. We beg Rivers people to step in. Governor Nyesom Wike gave the state hope on May 29.

Three other lecturers, Jekey Lekue, Basil Ujobolo and Grace Ikue who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday enjoined Wike to stick to his promise.

THU WED FRI

No fewer than 435 lecturers of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the State have been sacked.

Although no official statement has been issued by government to that effect, some of the affected lecturers condemn the action of the state government, saying they were legally employed.

One of the affected lec-

Today is for cinema-watching. I get set for the weekend by going to the cinemas to watch good movies. After, I hang out with friends, especially at open Mic Night.

Remember I’m also a musician. On Fridays, I do intensive rehearsals with my band. Later, I schedule meetings with the production crew for new projects.

SAT

Every year, new cases of autism are verified all over the world while the devastating task of managing children with the ailment continues to tear homes apart. Recent statistics reveals that autism is the highest emergent developmental disability with a 10-17 per cent annual growth rate.

Wike sacks 435 polytechnic lecturers

Today’s activities are same as Monday and Tuesday’s except that Wednesday is my shooting day, especially short films.

If I don’t have any event to attend, I try to be busy with movies. I watch them a lot including mine. After, I would appear at women’s empowerment programme. I do this often to empower women.

SUN

Coping with autism in children

sion in relation to pending investigation.

The arrest and investigation of the former governors are in continuation of the clamp down on the exchief executives of states who allegedly fiddled with people’s money during their rein.

Tuesday evening, was said to have consulted with his close northern loyalists and top power brokers in the region to put final touches on his cabinet list and fish out competent, committed and unblemished Nigerians, who can drive the All Progressives Congress, APC, election campaign promises.

It was learnt that Buhari, who was received by Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, alongside other top security chiefs at the Kaduna International Airport, went straight to his private residence, at Sultan road, Unguwan Rimi G.R.A.

MUSICIAN AND AN ACTRESS

Alleged fraud: EFCC arrests Ohakim Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arrested former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim over alleged financial impropriety.

In the same vein, immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido was also interrogated by the commis-

cilities in N’Djamena.

Chad is part of a multinational force fighting Boko Haram in the region and said it has killed hundreds of the militants since January.

Chad’s government has also banned people from wearing and selling full-face veils after the attacks, Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet said in a statement broadcast on national television.

Under the measure, ordered

by President Idriss Deby, security forces will confiscate and burn any garments on sale and traders who don’t comply will be arrested, he said.

MON

Passion

four months, even as the governor claimed he was friend of workers and poor masses.

Describing as shameful and heartless attitude the governor’s refusal to pay statutory pensions benefit to Ekiti elders which is not more than N5,000 for many of them, who meritoriously served the state while at the same time cancelling former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s social security scheme that paid N5,000 promptly to 20,000 elderly Ekiti people, Olatunbosun said many of the pension¬ers who have no children to take care of them have started dying.

TUE

APC, a party in search of peace

Ekiti State All Pro¬gressives Congress, APC, has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of paying N720 million to himself as the salary ar¬rears of his unfinished first term, saying such conduct, while refusing to pay workers and poor pensioners, is selfish and callous for a governor who calls himself a friend of the masses.

APC Publicity Secre¬tary, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement noted that the governor had not paid September, 2014 salary ar¬rears, while he has

This is my resting day. I got to church and come back to rest. I go out on Sundays if I have an important event to attend or if I’m invited to perform. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

3

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION June 21, 2015

Growing challenges of housing provision in Lagos As the population of Lagos State continues to grow in leaps and bounds, pressure on housing is on the increase without a seeming solution in sight.

PAUL OMO OBADAN looks at the situation and explains why affordable housing remains an uphill task.

T

he quest for shelter by an average Lagos resident is so enormous and tasking that some fellows can actually take it upon themselves to go build ramshackle abodes atop the ocean irrespective of the accompanied risk. This is evident as you commute from the mainland to the island via Third Mainland Bridge.

While the economy of metropolitan Lagos has enormous competitive assets, it faces challenging trends in rapid population growth, urbanisation, relentless demand for infrastructure as well as macroeconomic pressures from the national level.

The city’s expansion is estimated to continue over the

‘POOR WORST AFFECTED BY HOUSING DEFICIT’ 4

next couple of decades. As it is, the economic growth of Lagos – the industrial, financial and commercial nerve centre of the country – has been unable to keep pace with the geometric increase in the population size. Although the city’s internally generated revenue (IGR) is high relative to other Nigerian states, it is not sufficient to meet the increasing social welfare, infrastructural and environmental needs of inhabitants.

One of the major challenges facing municipal governments of megacities in developing countries is shortage of urban infrastructure relative to population growth. Because cities play important role in the economic development of every nation, problems confronting them require proactive policy measures by the government.

One such mega city is Lagos. From 1962 to 2006, the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘GOVT REGULATIONS FUEL HIGH COST OF LAND’ 6

The Big Read

4

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Poor worst affected by housing deficit’

A Bungalow

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 population of Lagos grew from 1,135,805 to 17.5 million.

Crammed on a 2,200 square kilometers land area of which 18.9 per cent, Lagos population is projected to reach 20.5 million by the end of this year, an explosion largely driven by the non-regulatory internal migration system. The result of this has been a persistent problem of housing crisis, vehicular congestion, environmental pollution and the spread of slums with the associated high crime rate.

Expectedly, Lagos is currently grappling with the challenges of urbanisation especially in the area of housing provision.

The extent of the housing shortage in Lagos is enormous and urgent intervention is needed to address the situation since housing is affected by policies in other sectors.

At current growth rate, Lagos will be the third largest city in the world with a population of over 24 million by 2020 according the United Nations report.

Like what obtains in other developing countries, rapid urban growth in Nigeria has outpaced capacity of government to plan for it. Often, growth occurs so quickly that government officials do not have relevant statistics needed for sustainable development.

Another constraint has been dwindling national resources which have further been depleted by massive and uncontrolled corruption. Consequently, development is meager, insufficient and not associated with the commensurate economic growth and effective redistributive measures required to alleviate poverty and create economic opportunities needed to improve living standards and quality of life of the people.

The result of this is that millions look for the least available space to make as an abode.

While many developed countries are either growing very slowly or are on the decline, populations of developing countries are growing rapidly.

Lagos Mega city and the challenge of slum dwellers The population of Lagos is at present in excess of 18 million. A megacity status is conferred by the United Nations on cities with a population of 10 million and above. Building and preserving a model mega city comes with great challenges. Providing a sufficient amount of infrastructure and other necessities that would accommodate the needs of over 18 million people could be daunting, hence, the need to beef

THE EXTENT OF THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN LAGOS IS ENORMOUS AND URGENT INTERVENTION IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION SINCE HOUSING IS AFFECTED BY POLICIES IN OTHER SECTORS.

up the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State. This, successive governments have done.

A statement by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics just last Wednesday revealed a snapshot of the internally Generated Revenue profile of 23 states of the federation for the year 2014, which generated N586.6bn in total in the fiscal period.

The bureau stated in the report, that Lagos State recorded the highest IGR of N276.1bn in the period under review.

The N276.1bn generated by Lagos last year was N108.1bn or 28.1 per cent lower than the N384.2bn, which the state earned as IGR in the 2013 fiscal period.

Further analysis revealed that the amount that Lagos earned in 2014 was also 47 per cent of what all the other 22 states collected as IGR in the same period.

With a total landmass of approximately 3,345 square kilometres, which represents almost 0.4 per cent of the total land area of Nigeria, Lagos is the smallest state in the country, but the most populated.

The urbanisation trend in a city of the developing world like Lagos poses serious challenges for housing development. Housing is of significance because of its role in the socio-economic and political life of not only the individual but society at large.

As the pace of urbanisation and urban growth proceed almost unabated in Lagos, the state government’s capacity to manage the consequences of undesirable urban trends decreased due to inadequate funding and institutional capacities. This is evident in poor services delivery, lack of adequate and affordable housing, proliferation of slums, cha-

otic traffic conditions, poverty, social polarization, crime, violence, unemployment and dwindling job opportunities.

The social, economic and environmental effects of these failures fall heavily on the poor, who are excluded from the benefits of urban prosperity.

Housing Construction of houses has not kept pace with urban rapidly expanding populations leading to severe overcrowding and congestion in slums. In some areas of Lagos, the cost of living has forced residents to live in low quality slums and shanty houses.

Life in slums is characterised by serious problems of environmental pollution, lack of access to the basic social services, poverty, deprivation, crime, violence and general human insecurity and life-threatening risks and diseases. In 1981, the World Bank-assisted Urban Renewal Project identified 42 “blighted areas” in the Lagos metropolis alone, which over the years have risen to over 100. Growth of slums has been attributed to public negligence and unabated population increase. According to the Bank, 1.6 million new housing units were required between 1985 and 2000 and another 1.9 million units would be needed between 2000 and 2015.

Thus a total of 3.5 million new units were estimated for the 1985-2015 period to adequately house Lagos residents.

The housing deficit in Lagos is currently estimated to be five million housing units representing 31 per cent of the estimated national housing deficit of 18 million. Consequently, the available few housing is expensive and unaffordable especially by poor households who are constrained to resort to informal housing procurement processes. Inability to afford better housing also force majority of residents to live in one room units.

The Lagos Marginalised Communities Forum, LAMCOFOR, a Lagos based non-governmental organisation that deals with the protection of human rights by advocating and engaging government to compensate, rehabilitate and resettle Lagosians who have been forcibly evicted from their homes and properties without notice, is all too familiar with the situation.

Chairman LACOMFOR, Evangelist Yemi Ogunyemi, told Sunday Mirror that despite Nigeria’s ratification of the International Covention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and related instruments, hundreds of thousands of people are forcibly evicted from their homes annually without adequate notice, compensation, resettlement and rehaCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, June 21, 2015

The Big Read

5

Agents, lawyers responsible for high rent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 bilitation.

According to him, over two million Nigerians lost their homes to demolition in recent times. For example, 15, 000 persons lost their homes in Ago-Egun Ilaje area of Lagos and over 100,000 homes were lost in Makoko.

Lagos State demolished Badia slum rendering 10,000 persons homeless in order to give way to Lagos mega city project.

In all the massive demolition exercises, the governments’ reason was that the slums were not built according town planning laws and therefore needed to be demolished for city rebuilding.

After carrying out demolitions and rendering thousands of the urban poor homeless, governments build houses that are too expensive for the poor. Lagos State for instance, plans to build 800 housing units at Badia after the demolition; however, it is very apparent that the poor cannot afford to live in the government proposed building as the displaced inhabitants in Badia earn below $100 a month.

“In as much as mega city project appears pleasant to the eyes and makes the cities look beautiful, the fundamental question is what becomes of the future of the majority of the urban poor who are being rendered homeless by the mega city project.

Lagos State has an estimated 18 million population, out of which 11.55 million (64.2 per cent) live below poverty bracket. More worrisome is that Lagos State population grows at eight per cent yearly, and going by government estimates, Lagos is likely to have 25 million population by 2015”.

Ogunyemi advised that building low cost housing estates in the satellite towns will adequately decongest the cities thereby reducing the number of victims when carrying out demolitions for mega city project.

“We appeal to the Lagos State government to design its mega city in such a way that majority of the urban poor have decent inexpensive abodes. Development must not be seen as building attractive hotels, offices, mansions, supermarkets, beautiful roads, at the expense of the urban poor.

Demolition of any kind ought to carry out a broad process of engaging the inhabitants of the slum with an agreement on the relocation and compensation entitlements.

Some of the evictees spoke to Sunday Mirror.

My name is Biodun Ajimuda. Fire gutted our houses at oko-oba three years ago and since then, we have been sleeping inside vehicles and at the saw mill. Government officials came and inspected this place and said we should come to Alausa. We have been to Alausa yet no form of compensation for us. Makoko is another slum neighbourhood located in Lagos. It comprises of about 40 communities. It was established in the 18th century primarily as a fish-ing village.

Many of the houses before destruction were constructed on stilts above the Lagos Lagoon. Fasasi Musibau, an evictee from Temidire, community, Makoko said government demolition of shanties on the state waterfront in Ma-koko is still an occurrence that beats his imagination because after 3 years on, my life is still in a mess without any place of abode. They should please come to the rescue of a few of us left.

The impact of rent control law Former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, signed into law a bill that will make it unlawful for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive from a sitting tenant rent in excess of six months.

The law, which explicitly harps on the rights and obligations under tenancy agreement and relationship between the landlord and tenant, was expected to go a long way in addressing the problem of housing in the metropolis.

According to the former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, a defaulter of the law would be liable to pay a fine of N100,000 with the option of a three-month jail term.

The law also stipulates a six-month quit notice for a tenant who pays the rent yearly, with the clause that a tenant might apply to court for an order to stop unreasonable increase of rent by the landlord.

In a situation where the increase is unreasonable, the law

Modern Bungalow

ijapka emmanuel

allows the court to order the landlord to reduce the amount.

The law also makes it unlawful for a landlord to eject a tenant from any premises pending the determination of the action by the court.

On offences and penalties, the law says that any person who demolishes, alters or modifies a building in order to eject a tenant without the approval of the court shall be guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of N250,000 or six months imprisonment.

It states further that any landlord who forcibly ejects a tenant, threatens or molests a tenant by action or words will be liable to a fine of N250,000 or six months imprisonment.

Commenting, Fashola said that the law would address the problem of housing as the state continued to explode in population.

However investigation by Sunday Mirror revealed that the impact of rent control law introduced in the state is just

a mirage, it has never been adhered to. It has not worked and shylock landlords continue to rip off residents with unreasonable and exorbitant tenancy rates. Findings across board revealed that majority of the landlords do not adhere to the six months rent charge.

“How can the government tell landlords what to do in a free market environment? When landlords were building their houses at high cost coupled with the several Omo Onile palavers, where was the government intervention? If you as a prospective tenant don’t like their contract terms, try elsewhere! The real problems are the agents, lawyers and estate managers”, a landlord that did not want to be named said.

They are the shylocks in the industry. If government can’t deal with this people, they should face their so called low cost estates and leave landlords alone”, he added Tenants decry high cost of rents As a result of the high cost of renting accommodation and the idiosyncrasies of shylock landlords, the average urban resident in Nigeria prefers to own his residence. Nonetheless, further investigation reveal that about 60 per cent of residents are tenants and have to pay rent as high as 50-70 per cent of their monthly incomes. Thus access to decent housing whether on rental or owner-occupier basis has however remained a wishful thought for many Lagos residents.

Tenants across the Lagos Metropolis have decried rising costs of accommodation across board the state Investigation by Sunday Mirror reveals that they were finding it a hard nut to crack paying their rents as landlords continue to adjust their house rents yearly with impunity.

According to them, the costs of accommodation in the metropolis is hitting the rooftop, saying the city is not for the common people, but for the rich.

They stressed that the low cost housing units would go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of teeming Lagos residents. They also blamed intermediaries called agents for the astronomical increase.

You will be surprised to know that most landlords or property owners prefer to deal with tenants through agents or touts instead of dealing with them directly.

“Such agents when they rent you a house, they have to collect administrative charges from the tenants in addition to receiving a certain per cent on total rent.

“All these if put together will lead to high cost of accommodation, Mr. Hakeem Adesina, a civil servant, said.

He however, blamed the high cost of accommodation in the country on the failure of the three tiers of government CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6

The Big Read

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Govt regulations fuel high cost of land’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

to come up with a sustainable housing policy.

According to him, the only solution to the problem is for the government at all levels to embark on massive construction of housing estates for low and middle level income earners in the country.

Mrs. Ibironke Obe, a Lagos resident, said if the federal, state and local governments could embark on massive construction of houses for low and middle income workers, it would go a long way in reducing the high cost of accommodation.

According to some experts, the rate of housing development in the city does not have any serious impact on the cost of accommodation because the sector has been hijacked by politicians and their cronies, whose major interest in real estate development is speculative rather than contributing to shortage of housing units in the country.

A resident, who gave his name as Wilson Nwadike told Sunday Mirror that his landlord called him last week to inform him that he has increased his three bedroom flat from N300, 000 to N450,000, saying the situation would get to a point that some people would leave Lagos State to other states with low-housing costs.

Nwadike, who stressed that while the law prescribes that landlords should not collect more than six months advance rent from tenants, explained that despite the edict, the shylock landlords still collect two years, adding that some even collect two years and a half.

Another resident, Seun Akanbi stated, he would relocate o his village as the recent increase in his house rent was outrageous.

“Already, I’m tired of the hustle and bustle and the stress of Lagos State. Thank God, I have already built a house in my village. I cannot afford the incessant increase in rents by my landlady. She just increased from N600,000 to N1milion per annum, where do I get that from”, he bemused.

Reforms in the housing finance sector In spite of reforms in the housing finance sector, which led to the establishment of the National Housing Fund in 1992, strengthening of the Federal Mortgage Bank and the formation of Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) to advance and manage loans to contributors, housing finance remains a key bottle neck to housing delivery in Nigeria.

Significant numbers of Nigerians who are mainly in the informal sector of the economy were denied participation from this scheme because of low deposit mobilisation, inability to track their monthly income and lack of formal titles to their land holdings.

Mortgage financing and mortgage-backed securities exist in Nigeria at the moment in the rudimentary state at best. At present, a typical home buyer will have to make a down payment that range between 20 to 50 per cent of the purchase price and then pay off the loan balance within five years. The problem of inadequate housing for the citizens in Lagos is further aggravated by the declining budgetary allocation for housing by the government. Owing to rapid urbanization, access to land for housing development has become an almost insurmountable challenge.

Land prices have been rising extraordinarily in the urban areas since the 1970s’ occasioned by the oil boom then and high rates of demand due to explosive urbanisation.

In recent years, the price of land has risen exponentially, making it unaffordable to many low and middle-income earners. Land is a major component in housing provision and delivery. Without land, houses cannot be built. Due to high cost of land, the urban poor are pushed to inaccessible locations for land, areas prone to disasters (steep slopes, rocky areas, too close to river channels, etc), and engage in minute subdivision of land and building below minimum standards. The problem of affordable housing in Nigeria is further exacerbated by the constraints imposed by the Land Use Act, a moribund and repressive Act that hinders mortgage financing and creates enormous obstacles to private sector involvement in the housing industry and which has constrained the transfer of titles and made mortgage finance extremely difficult.

As a result of the Land Use Act, obtaining a Certificate

Fasasi Musibau

Ogunyemi

ALSO BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN THE COUNTRY ARE MAINLY IMPORTED AT THE EXPENSE OF SCARCE FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

THEY ARE THUS SUBJECT TO

INFLATIONARY TRENDS IN THE ECONOMY.

Slum housing

Biodun Ajimuda

of Occupancy (popularly known as C of O) has become a big time avenue for large scale corruption. Other constraints with land administration identified include regulatory and planning controls for building and construction that constrain the efficient utilization of the land, as well as high inflation rates in the Nigerian economy.

These distortions are further exacerbated in Lagos by the city’s limited land supply and immense population density. Consequently, land speculation is very high.

Similarly, fraudulent land transactions whereby a piece of land is sold to multiple unsuspecting buyers by unscrupulous land owners called ‘omo oniles’ is becoming increasingly rampant. This is compounded by the fact that the purchasing power of average resident in Lagos has declined with non commensurate income wage and commitment of over 40 per cent of income to housing expenditure against the United Nations recommended 20 per cent.

Also building materials used in the country are mainly imported at the expense of scarce foreign exchange. They

are thus subject to inflationary trends in the economy.

Prevalence of imported building materials can be attributed to the average Nigerian taste for imported materials and the lack of indigenous capacity to produce the needed quantity of materials. Besides, lending institutions would normally consider houses constructed of local materials as bad business either in the case of applying for loan to build the house or using such a house as collateral.

However, Mr. Ijakpa Emmanuel, a real estate expert and Branch Manager, Brickwall Global Investment Company, a real estate firm in Lagos, says that with just N1,000, daily contribution spread overtime, the peasant on the street, can own a property of his or her own.

“Our company has actually made it easy for everybody in the society to own a home. Back in the days when property was for the rich, right now, we have made it easy in such a way whereby every particular average worker or wage income earner, can own a property. We have made it in such a way that you can have a spread payment on a long term plan over the years. As the case may be, you always buy a land, and you pay in bulk. But in our own case, we have what we call spread payment for like two years, a year or six months.

So everybody that has a job or a little income for him or herself, can afford to pay a token. We have different properties, it is now your choice to know the one you can afford and the life span you want to give to that particular project. You can buy as low as a half plot of land for about N325, 000 and you would still have a spread payment on that. As low as N17,000 a month, you can a half plot of land. The joy about it all is that you don’t have to pay that cash down once. The peasant like the woman selling tomato on the street, can own a home by being thrifty and focused.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National News

Sunday, June 21, 2015

7

Buhari set to appoint 12 senior ministers from North ... sends full list of 36 ministers to NASS this week OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

A

fter accepting the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee recommendations of a “small government” which entails pruning the number of ministers from 42 to 19, President Muhammadu Buhari may appoint 12 senior ministers from the North.

Sunday Mirror also gathered that most of the service chiefs and some other top security chiefs will also come from the North.

The President is expected to implement key recom-

mendations of the report, especially those proposing lean cabinet structure as a way of cutting recurrent expenditure and freeing up funds for capital projects.

According to a source, the committee recommended only 19 senior ministers and 17 (junior) ministers of state totaling 36 in line with constitutional provision of one minister per state.

Top on the list of the ministries to be manned by Northern politicians and technocrats include education, defence, FCT, finance, Justice, police affairs, foreign affairs and the newlycreated ministry of energy amongst others.

According to the source, “President Buhari has already drawn his list in line with the Joda committee recommendation and has accepted to work with only 19 ministers who will man key ministries. The list which will be sent to National Assembly this week is already been screened by the security agencies.

“The list though as expected has more northerners but like you know, the North has more states than the South. Again, the intention is not to make one region dominate the other but purely because of competence and the expertise of the persons chosen.

“It is believed that once the screening is concluded, this ministerial nominees will be in the public domain. They are Nigerians that have proved their worth and I can assure you that you will appreciate the thoroughness of Mr. President in making the selection.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said that it would continue to play active role as an opposition party, The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh yesterday said the party is re-engineering and repositions to regain power

in 2019.

The leadership said recent political events in the country have continued to vindicate the PDP as “the only true national platform committed to the national interest, where all citizens as equal partners are free to hold opinion and aspire to any position, no matter how high, without regard to creed, class or ethnic considerations and in which no individual or group of individuals can claim ownership or attempt to appropriate control.”

Stating that it has since overcome the setback of the last general elections, the PDP said as a party

founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice and national unity, its spirit “is still alive and stronger, now more than ever before, in the minds of most Nigerians and families in all the nooks and crannies of the country”.

The leadership therefore charged its members in all the wards, local government and states of the federation to close ranks, double their efforts and continue to work with their leaders at all levels to ensure that the PDP comes out stronger to regain power at the center and in its traditional states come 2019.

NLC tasks Buhari on revival of collapsed textile mills SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

N

ot less than 44 textile mill industries or companies have totally or partially closed down businesses in Nigeria by the end of last year owing to poor returns on investments and bad economy with many more merely existing in names without functional status.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the group leadership of Comrade Sunday Ajaero as President and Comrade Issa Aremu as Deputy President raised this alarm after a careful review of the gigantic tasks before the newly elected All Progressives Congress (APC)Federal Government led

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following the revelation, it has come to light that the Federal Government may be reconsidering the recreation of a national task force on smuggled textile materials, counterfeiting and faking of textile raw and finished materials as a strategy to revive, revamp and boost the textile sector of the Nigerian economy.

In a properly documented review of the ruins of the Nigerian textile industry in The Nigerian Worker, exclusively handed to our correspondent during visitations to assess the true situations in Kaduna and Lagos states, the NLC Deputy President, Comrade Issa Aremu, who doubles

as the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria lamented endlessly on how much pains, misery and poverty the closure has had on millions of Nigerian families.

Aremu urged President Buhari to act decisively, unlike past governments, to revive the textile industry and reopen the closed industries to ensure gainful jobs for millions of direct and indirect workers, who were thrown into joblessness when the sector collapsed. The union scribe also charged state governors to support the President so as to realize their avowed determination to provide jobs for the youths.

In a state-by-state review of the national collapse, Aremu listed some of the textile companies that have totally shut down over the years before reaffirming the labour movement’s willingness to partner with the Buhari administration the critical sector that has propelled newly industrialized countries such as India, China, Indonesia, Singapore and Bangladesh as well as emergent African countries such as Ghana.

In Lagos State, the list of closed textile mill companies include: Aswani Textiles, NSF, Diamond Sinners, Rheka Industries, Emar Textile, Mayfair, Aflon, Arcee, Texlon, Bakhol On, Royal Spinners, Steep Nigeria Limited, Tarpaulin Nigeria Limited.

Candidates for the School of Nursing Entrance Examination in Eleyele, Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

I never received N108bn from Jonathan, says Wike DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

R

ivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that he received the sum of N108 billion from the immediate past federal administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC had accused the governor of receiving the said sum as refund from the repairs of federal roads in the state.

But Wike in an interactive session with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Saturday said such falsehood should be discountenanced, insisting that he met an empty treasury.

He wondered when the money was released to him, adding that such funds are not difficult to trace.

According to him, “It is not possible that I received N108 billion. Did Jonathan (the immediate past President) pay the money into my account or gave me the cash?

He asked further, “Was I paid the money before or after I was sworn-in as governor? Did Jonathan have the power to sign money after President Mohammadu Buhari was sworn-in? I “Is it possible that nobody can trace the money (N108 billion) if it was given to me? It is unfortunate. How people have trivialised governance. So such stories should be discountenanced.

On the sufferings of Rivers State students on government scholarship, Wike described the programme as a scam.

He accused the state government of using con-

sultants when there was a scholarship board in the state, saying, “If the fees being paid is N2 billion, consultants take N900 million.

“Why use consultants to do jobs when you have a scholarship board? Now our children (students) are in foreign lands suffering. Their parents are crying why send our children abroad when you can pay their fees,” he noted.

The governor said, “We (government) must return things back to the way it use to be in order to achieve maximum benefit.

On the N10 billion loan approval recently granted him by the state House of Assembly, Wike said it was to finance major uncompleted projects in the state, saying his government had nothing when it came on board.

He added, “The State House of Assembly and the Judiciary have been shut because of the political crisis that bedeviled the previous administration. We gave N300 million each to these two arms of government to carry out repairs, adding a number of uncompleted roads and bridges would be completed.

On the issues of unpaid salaries, he said his administration inherited the problem but that members of Dolphins, Sharks and Rivers Angels Football Clubs have been paid, saying others would follow.

The governor insisted that he met an empty treasury, saying the Ministry of Works alone under Chibuike Amaechi was indebted to the tune of N200 million.

8

News

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Obasanjo hosts Udom, Akpabio, Mbang in closed-door meeting FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

T

he Presidential Hilltop mansion of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital late on Friday, hosted delegation of the Akwa Ibom State Government, which was on a consultation cum familiarisation visit to the former president.

Led by the immediate past governor of the state and one of the close allies of Obasanjo, Senator Godswill Akpabio, members of delegation included the

incumbent Akwa Ibom state governor, Emmanuel Udom as well as the former Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Mbang.

The visit of the trio of Akpabio, Udom as well as Prelate Mbang, who arrived the Obasanjo’s Presidential Hilltop residence at about 3: 43pm however, came few hours after the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in company of four other Senators and distinguished Nigerians had paid a visit to the former president in Abeokuta.

The delegation how-

ever, headed straight into a closed-door meeting, which lasted over two hours with only four of them in attendance.

In an interview with journalists after the meeting, Udom said the visit was an appreciation call on Obasanjo, whom he described as “the father of the nation”.

“As a former President, he is a father to all. It is like you going into hunting and you catch a big animal, you must come to show your father. You don’t assume office without paying homage to the elders. It is just

an act of courtesy and respect to come and show the father of the nation that see, I consulted you before going into the election and now that I won, I have to come and say see my efforts yielded positive fruits. As it is appropriate to thank God, it is also necessary to thank man whom you see everyday”.

Former governor Akpabio, who also spoke with journalists said he was delighted “seeing Obasanjo in good health” despite his very busy schedule and efforts towards bringing unity to the Africa continent.

“I am very delighted. So, this is my home, I am sure that you know that I am not new here; the only difference is that it is an uncommon visit since I came with an uncommon visitor in the person of the new governor of Akwa Ibom state”.

On his reaction to the controversy over the Akwa Ibom State Election Tribunal, the former PDP governors forum chairman said he still believes in the judiciary of the country, lamenting that the state, with the new political trend, “is the second largest petition writers

apart from Ekiti state.

“But, it is normal, since after election we are going to have winners and losers.

The judiciary is very much alive to its responsibility and still the hope of the common man. I strongly believe in God that justice would be done.”

He maintained that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a major factor in the state politics, boasting that, if election is conducted five times in Akwa Ibom today, the PDP we still win. “The party is like a religion in the state and nobody can take this away from us,” he said.

Group kicks against removal of oil subsidy PAUL OMO OBADAN

E

xecutive Chairman, Coalition against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, has warned the government against from subsidy removal adding that government doesn’t have business in deregulating the petroleum sector; rather they should rather make petroleum products generally available.

In an interview with Sunday Mirror, Adeniran said it would be like supporting government’s inefficiency if deregulation is given a nod. He reminded government that diesel had been deregulated for years but that it had not led to any positive change in pricing.

“Government should produce enough fuel for local consumption; however,

the private sector should be given the opportunity to partake in the oil business. They should be allowed to sell the products the way they want, even if they like they should be exporting refined products, but they should not be allowed to sell higher than the price government sells to Nigerians.

“Our argument has been that it should not be completely deregulated but partially regulated that is 75 per cent of the petroleum industry should not be deregulated; only 25 per cent should be deregulated to the extent that all the by-products even from private and local industries would be received by government and the prices would be controlled”.

He said lack of transparency and accountability in the petroleum industry has grossly undermined the economy in recent years.

Ambode urges Muslims to embrace peaceful co-existence

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on Muslims to adhere strictly to the lessons that the period teaches and move closer to Almighty Allah.

The Governor, who spoke at the weekend during special prayers organised for him and his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Akinola Garba, at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, added that the Holy Month of Ramadan signifies a period for giving alms to the needy and abstinence from

all evil deeds.

The Governor added that all Muslims should adhere to the dictates of Islam and embrace peaceful co-existence for a better society.

“It is only in a peaceful atmosphere that all plans and programmes of his administration can be actualized”, the Governor said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.

He implored Muslim clerics to continue to pray for his administration so as to achieve the set goals for the State.

L-R: Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta and Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, during the NDIC 2015 annual sensitisation seminar for judges of the Federal High Court in PHOTO: NAN Abuja, yesterday.

Dogara promises to fast track devt in North-East EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

T

he Speaker of the House of Representative’s Hon Yakubu Dogara, has disclosed that members of the National Assembly from the North East region are working on a motion that would convey International Donor Agencies conference that fast-track the development of the region.

Dogara, who made the statement at Bauchi Gov-

ernment House when he paid courtesy call on Governor Mohammed Abduallahi Abubakar, said they would do everything possible as legislators from the region to restore the lost glory of North East.

“Is not enough that we have people who are not from this region canvassing support for what should be done in the region?

These discussions must be led by our governors, and the people of the North East”, he queried.

According to him, “On our part as members of the National Assembly, we are beginning an idea with some of our colleagues from North East and very soon, a motion that will call for the convening of International Donor conference for the development of the North East will be table before the floor of the House.”

The Speaker said that “whether it will succeed or not, it depend on the support we have from the governors, thank God most of

our governors are in APC. We hope you will extend your support and you will take this project as your own project and ensure that it happen and succeed.”

According to him, without peace in peace in the region, “we cannot make progress, we as men and women of faith cannot even practice our faith the way it ought be. I want to challenge you to take the lead in this discuss for the restoration of peace in the North East region.”

Music icon, Dan Maraya Jos, dies at 80 One of the most prominent indigenous musical performers in Nigeria, Dan Maraya is dead.

Maraya, whose real name is Adamu Wayya is known for his local music and dexterity with his single string musical instrument called Kontigi.

The Director General of the FRCN, Mr. Ladan Saliu, wrote on his social media platform Saturday evening saying “Inaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa ilaiHir raaji’un. One of Nigeria’s foremost Hau-

sa musicians, poet, philosopher and philanthropist, Dr. Adamu Danmaraya Jos has answered Allah’s call about an hour ago “He died in Jos after a protracted illness. When I visited him two weeks ago, he spoke passionately about the Unity of the North and of one Nigeria. I remember when he insisted that my late father gave out the

his (Danmaraya’s) adopted daughter’s hand in marriage some 15 years ago.

“We shared many moments. He was to me a brother and a friend. I am devastated. But I am proud he lived a very useful life, transforming society through music and silently through Islamic endeavours. May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaws. Amin.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, June 21, 2015

9

Military, civilian clash averted in Ibadan …as irate couple assault Army Colonel KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

A

road rage incident which could have snowballed into a major military/civilian clash was at the weekend narrowly averted in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as an overzealous motorist and his wife publicly assaulted an army colonel (names withheld),

tearing his clothes into shreds in the full glare of passersby.

Sunday Mirror learnt wthat the incident, which occurred a few metres from the Army Workshop Barracks, Eleiyele, Ibadan involved one Mr. Justin Dairo and his wife, who allegedly used their black Toyota Camry car with registration number KTU 585 AR, to force-

fully overtake and block the colonel ’s Peugeot 307, with registration number FC 177 ABC, apparently in their bid to compel the occupant to halt as they detoured into the TCTC Junction bypass.

Eyewitness accounts disclosed that both the colonel and the couple had been coming from Dugbe axis of the main Eleiyele highway until they got to

the TCTC Junction and the couple succeeded in forcefully halting the man behind the wheels of the Peugeot (whose identity they did not know). They suddenly descended on him, tore his buba attire just as they moved to drag him out of his car, alleging an earlier dangerous driving.

It was gathered that the colonel was also reportedly hit with a hard object as he struggled to free

himself from the enraged couple.

“In a twinkle of an eye, the whole vicinity turned to a theatre of spectators including military men from the nearby Eleiyele Army Workshop Barrack, who were apparently uncomfortable with the manner at which the irate couple assaulted one of their own. The elderly ones among them however made spirited effort to prevent the episode from degenerating just as the embattled colonel surprisingly urged them to resist any attempt to take the laws into their own hands in retaliation whatsoever, ” an eyewitness said.

It was further learnt that it was at this juncture that the aggressive couple got to know that their sup-

posed victim is a senior army officer and they instantly resorted to making entreaties to him.

But the colonel would not allow the matter to go unpunished as he dragged the couple to the Eleiyele Divisional Police Station where the case was incidented at the instance of the Divisional Police Officer DPO, Mr. Niyi Fadare.

The army colonel was also treated for bodily injuries at the nearby Police Cottage Hospital before returning home late in the night.

Meanwhile, the Police are not taking the matter lightly as it was reliably gathered that the irate couple might be arraigned in court this week for assaulting the military officer.

Ramadan: Badmus rally support for Boko Haram victims BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

T

L-R: Coordinator, Hope for West Africa Foundation, Maryland, USA, Ms. Sarah Kennedy; Coordinator General, Poorest of the Poor, Anawim Home, Rev. Sister Oreosa Ojeme; Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Prof. John Idoko and Health Coordinator, Poorest of the Poor, Anawim Home, Dr. Kingsley Onuzulike, during the graduation ceremony of trainees under the Social-Economic Empowerment for Vulnerable Women Project supported by NACA and MDGs in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Buhari to commission Karu International Market in Nasarawa IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari will commission the Karu International Market, Karu which is constructed by the Nasarawa State government in two months time.

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura disclosed this when he paid an unscheduled working visit to the market, adding that the state government was set to com-

mence the demolition of illegal structures around the market to preserve its beauty.

He gave reasons for the delay in the commissioning as adjustments in the market in order that it would accommodate other categories of businessmen and women.

His words: “We have to shift the commissioning because we realised that some category of businesses were not included in the early project. That is why we added about

1,000 open space stalls that can accommodate tomato sellers, fish and others in that category.

“Apart from the lockedup stores, 11 cold rooms have also been completed while we have additional 100 hectares of land to accommodate entrepreneurs such as Shoprite and other big businesses. ” The governor said when the market is completed, it would serve both as a tourism attraction and source of employment to the teeming

youths across the state and the country at large.

Buhari

he siwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has called on the Islamic faithful to show the true spirit of Islam during the holy month of Ramadan by remembering Nigerians in the North who have been adversely affected by the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

Badmus said many residents of the states affected by the ongoing war against the sect are facing immense difficulties and hardship and deserve help to enable them observe the fast.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo and signed by Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi, the Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to Badmus, he described Ramadan as a month of forgiveness, redemption and mercy to mankind.

He reminded Muslims

to use the Ramadan period for charity, reflection, contemplation, spiritual renewal, compassion and service to the less-privileged.

“We need to offer special prayers to Allah Almighty to alleviate the suffering of our kith and kin in the North and grant them relief, ” he added.

While acknowledging the fact that this year ’s Ramadan falls at the time there are economic challenges in the country, he nevertheless advised Muslims not to lose sight of the need to show extraordinary dignity in worshipping Allah and great feat in generosity by sharing iftar and extend charity to those in need.

He enjoinedthe Muslim community to use the opportunity provided by the month to pray to Allah to endow President Muhammadu Buhari with Solomonic wisdom to be able to steer the ship of the country to the shore of success.

Wada sues for peace over Kogi/Anambra boundary dispute

K

ogi State Governor , Captain Idris Wada, has appealed to people living around the disputed boundary area between Aguleri in Anambra State and Ibaji in Kogi State to be calm and embrace peace.

Wada made the call at weekend in Lokoja when he received the Director-

General of the National Boundary Commission, NBC, Dr. Muhammed Ahmed, who was on an advocacy visit to the governor over challenges faced by the commission in the ongoing delineation of the boundary between the two states.

Wada called on the people of the affected areas to remain peaceful and

cooperate with the NBC to conclude the delineation of the disputed boundary between the two states as quickly as possible.

The governor, who promised to reach out to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Willy Obiano, to also prevailed on youths in the Aguleri area of Anambra to embrace peace, as-

sured the NBC that the Kogi State Government would do everything possible to ensure the successful completion of the peaceful delineation of the boundary between the two states.

He recalled that the boundary issue had existed since the days of the Northern and Eastern regions, noting that the on-

going delineation by the NBC is aimed at defining the boundary properly.

Earlier, the DirectorGeneral of the NBC, Dr. Muhammed Ahmed, stated that the boundary issue had been for a very long time and that what was required was its proper delineation to prevent conflicts among people living

in the disputed areas.

Ahmed noted that disputes had arisen over the correct alignment of the boundary, promising that the commission was working hard to resolve the dispute, adding that the matter had received presidential intervention with a view to resolving the matter as quickly as possible.

10

Interview

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER JUNE 21, 2015

We cannot afford a divided APC –Oyegun All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Chief John-Odigie-Oyegun in this interview says that President Muhammadu Buhari should not be stampeded into appointing his ministerial team as such could spell doom. He also warns his party members of the consequences of a divided house.

OBIORA IFOH brings excerpts: What is the position of the party with regard to the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, especially with what was attributed to the Deputy Senate President that he bargained well and was sure of victory a day before the inauguration which was why he contested for the post?

All the party has decided to do is to reunify as quickly as possible our members in both chambers of the National Assembly under the existing realities. That is the first priority. Every other thing will follow.

All other things will have to wait. For instance, this is because, if for instance, the President says he wants to present his list of ministerial nominees to the Senate, we don ’t want a situation where the Senate would be divided. So, we are trying to sort that out; it is our number one priority. We are happy that we are arriving at amicable settlement of the situation; this one cannot wait for long. It has to be immediately.

Nigerians seem to be becoming very impatient, agitating for something, no ministerial list and all that. Is the President capable?

I don ’t think that notion is correct. We have a very capable President. He is capable as ever. The President is a very careful man. He wants to be sure the kind of people he will appoint are those who are passionate about the country. What is really important is the speed of the delivery of his policies. You can see that things are already improving in spite of that fact. You can see in the electricity front, the supply of petroleum, etc. They are not connected.

What the President is doing is to conduct a very thorough check on the background of the people he will appoint.

What about speculations that he is being held back by the inordinate ambition of some party leaders?

No. I don ’t think that will hold him back at all. As he said, he said he belongs to everybody and he belongs to nobody. They should just be patient. He does not want to make avoidable mistakes. What is important is to see whether on a daily basis your life is improving. Everything that can be done in these few days are being done and

the effect is being felt already. Let me assure the public that peace is on the way. We had a problem in the family, no doubt about that, but we are moving quickly to resolve it. As you can see, we are working hard to see that the leaders and rank and file don ’t start throwing punches.

Hasn ’t this crises given the PDP a leeway to rise up again and upstage APC. Even most of their leaders are celebrating?

There was no doubt that when you have problems, your opponent will seize the opportunity to rise up. What is important is how quickly we put our acts together and get all these behind us and move forward strongly. Some of these setbacks, no doubt, will give the other side the opportunity to laugh, but it is temporary and usual wherever you have human beings.

Where is the ministerial list coming from, the party or from the states?

There is absolutely no dispute between the party and the President. We agreed that we shall use all manner of people: politicians, technocrats, even if not politicians, who can deliver and who subscribe passionately to the agenda of the President, to move this country forward, irrespective of where the people come from, whether the person is a card-carrying member of the party. What is important is the qualification of the person and the ability to deliver on the ideas of Mr. President. What we are interested is in the ability of the people to

Odigie-Oyegun

bring up the ideas that will help Mr. President achieve the set objectives and to deliver on what the President wants. Second,

SOME OF THESE SETBACKS, NO DOUBT, WILL GIVE THE OTHER SIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAUGH, BUT IT IS TEMPORARY AND USUAL WHEREVER YOU HAVE HUMAN BEINGS.

this is an executive function and the President has the right to consult as widely as possible. This means he might pick people within and outside the party. It is a prerogative the President should exercise and we cannot question that. We are quite happy about the way he is proceeding.

Some people said you are interested in the post of SGF. Can you confirm or deny this?

On this issue of SGF, I will respond to you just in case, because I don ’t want to offend anybody but I will say this quite definitely. I have not in anyway, in capital letters and underlined, solicited any position other than the national chairmanship of APC. I think I am clear enough, isn ’t it?

And nobody has approached me that he is considering me either on that position or another.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

11

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES JUNE 21, 2015

Ajimobi and politics of shifting alliances P 12, 53

WHAT SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU NEED RIGHT NOW IS THE SUPPORT OF EVERY NIGERIAN IN ORDER TO SUCCEED. IT IS A WASTE OF TIME CALLING FOR THEIR REMOVAL. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. –SENATOR CLIFFORD ORDIA REPRESENTING EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT .

APC, a party in search of peace

Odigie-Oyegun

AYO ESAN

A

s the National Assembly set to resume from its break this week, the All Progressive Congress, APC, which has been ridden in crisis over the recent election of the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, seems to be searching for peace frantically.

However, as the effort to reconcile the Senator Ahmed Lawan group popularly called the Unity Group and the Senator Bukola Saraki ’s Like Minds Group is

Saraki

ongoing, the disagreement over the election of other principal officers may be inimical to efforts at ensuring long lasting peace in the party.

The Senate will still elect the Senate Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip and the party is working assiduously to avoid what happened on June 9 , 2015 when the party ’s candidates lost in the election of speaker and Senate President.

Several efforts have been on to ensure that the APC remain united after it was polarised by the election of Dr. Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekeremadu.

The party immediately after the election through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party would not recognise Saraki and Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In the heat of the crisis, there were calls for even the removal of Odigie-Oyegun as the chairman of the party, while the party ’s spokesman, Lai Mohammed was criticised for the statement he issued after the election by the people of Kwara State where he and Saraki comes from.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

PDP needs repositioning –Babalola

P 54

Briefly Legislator pledges quality representation

A

member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, has promised the people of his constituency quality representation.

The lawmaker made the declaration in Lagos during a chat with Sunday Mirror.

He said, ”the reason why my constituents chose me was for me to give them quality representation in terms of social amenities and infrastructures and this I pledged to achieve for them , ”.

According to the grassroots politician, he said he will provide social amenities and infrastructures for the people of his constituency. . ”If you are in a position and you think you are just there for yourself and family alone, you are not doing the society any good, he maintained “.

He added that he will also initiate bills that will further impact positively on the generality of Nigerians and his constituency.

“Basically, we are to make laws and by the grace of God, I will be able to sponsor some bills which I have started working on now. ”I don ’t detach myself from the grassroots, I believe in the people ”, he declared.

“Don ’t forget, as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the Babatunde Fashola ’s administration, we were able to do certain things that affected the lives of the Lagosians positively . I was able to contribute my quota to my environment. I ensured that the various Council Chairmen did their job effectively. That was the period they erected Primary Health Centres here and there, cleared drainages, constructed roads that was the period they paid proper attention to education and that was the period people really felt there was a government closest to them. So, better days are here again ”, he told Sunday Mirror.

Agunsoye

12

Politics

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ajimobi and politics of shi Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State seems to have developed a penchant for striking deals with political opponents to ensure stability of his own government. At present, he has entered into an alliance with former Governor Christopher Alao-Akala in a bid to ensure firm control of the state House of Assembly. KEMI OLAITAN reports on his latest alliance.

W

hen Governor Abiola Ajimobi penultimate Wednesday officially inaugurated the eighth Oyo State House of Assembly in the presence of important dignitaries that include his wife, Florence; deputy-governor, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo; former governors; traditional rulers and party faithful, nothing suggested the kind of drama that those present would be made to watch during the election of principal officers of the house.

While two returning lawmakers, Michael Adeyemo representing Ibarapa East State Constituency and Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan North II State Constituency were the contenders for the Speakership of the 32-member House of Assembly, it was to go the way of Adeyemo, who had the full backing of the governor and the party leadership in the state.

This was however after the opposition raised by Olaleye that the process of electing Adeyemo as Speaker was flawed as the list of those to be elected as officials of the House had been published by a daily newspaper before the day was ignored.

The confusion, which heralded the election of Adeyemo was to pale into

SUNDAY MIRROR LEARNT FROM RELIABLE SOURCES THAT SHORTLY AFTER HIS VICTORY IN THE APRIL 11 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS AND THE VEHEMENT REJECTION OF THE RESULTS BY FORMER GOVERNOR LADOJA, SENATOR AJIMOBI GOT ACROSS TO OTUNBA CHRISTOPHER ALAO-

AKALA FOR A KIND OF WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RULING PARTY AND THE LP. insignificance compared to the situation during the election of the Minority Leader as, Muideen Olagunju Alatede representing Oyo East/ Oyo West) under the platform of the Accord moved against a motion to elect Joshua Olagunju Ojo (Labour Party, Oorire). Alatede said under normal circumstances, his party which has eight members as against Labour Party with six members was supposed to produce the Minority Leader. He was supported by his party men including Ademola Ige (Accord,

Ibadan South East I), Adeniyi Adeoye (Accord, Ibadan North-East 2) and Olusegun Olaleye (APC, Ibadan North 2).

Olaleye, who was on top of his voice cited one of the house rules which support the opposition party with the highest number of lawmakers producing the Minority Leader, warning the Speaker not to start his regime with crisis while another Accord Party member also urged the Speaker and his colleagues to search their conscience, saying they know the truth but are only

Alao o-Ak kala a

playing politics. However, their arguments did not sway the Speaker to their side as he literally ignored them.

While the lawmakers may be said to have exercised their independence in electing their principal officers, especially the Minority Leader, many political watchers in the pacesetter state believed that the hands of Governor Ajimobi cannot be ruled out in the whole

APC, a party in sea CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

But after realising that the crisis may worked against the party, the party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the party has recognised Saraki and Dogara as the Senate President and Speaker of the House .

That was the beginning of the consolidation of efforts to ensure unity within the party.

Odigie- Oyegun, has penultimate Friday assured that the party is working around the clock to resolve the crisis that has rocked it in recent times, to pave the way for the party to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.

“The party has reached out to all interested parties, and when the National Assembly resumes next week, Nigerians will see one harmonious, happy APC family, ” Chief Oyegun said in a statement he issued in Abuja .

“We owe it to our party, our teeming members and supporters and indeed all Nigerians who reposed so much confidence in us by voting us into office to quickly put the unfortunate incidents of the recent past behind us and forge ahead, ” he said.

Many believe that the change of tune by the party and Oyegun may be as a result of intervention by President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was said to have

WE OWE IT TO OUR PARTY, OUR TEEMING MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS AND INDEED ALL NIGERIANS WHO REPOSED SO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN US BY VOTING US INTO OFFICE TO QUICKLY PUT THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS OF THE RECENT PAST BEHIND US AND FORGE AHEAD.

called for unity within the party.

Buhari was said to have held a meeting with Oyegun, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the party ’s governors where he urged them to use their influence to reconcile the aggrieved parties.

In the meantime, the APC Chairman has also risen to the defence of Lai Mohammed, who is being vilified in his home state of Kwara for signing the statement conveying the party ’s reaction to the election of the National Assembly leadership on June 9th.

According to him, the criticism of Alhaji Lai Mohammed was unwarranted saying the statement was issued with

the knowledge and consent of the party, and that it would be wrong for anyone to make him a sacrificial lamb for carrying out his party responsibilities.

“The party is aware that its National Publicity Secretary has been grossly misunderstood by virtually everyone, especially in his state, just because he carried out his duty by signing the said statement by the party.

“At a personal risk and putting the party ’s interest above his own, he issued that statement which reflected the position of the party at that particular time.

The party is solidly behind him, and it will be wrong for anyone to interpret the statement as representing his personal

Dog gara

opinion, ” the APC Chairman said.

As part of the reconciliation effort, the chairmen of the State chapters of the APC have thrown their weight behind President Buhari and Oyegun for accepting the outcome of the National Assembly leadership election.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Man in the News Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

Taking the heat over unpaid wages AYO ESAN

R

egardless of the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ’s insistence that the economic situation in the country is responsible for non-payment of the salary of the state ’s civil servants, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, within and outside the state have mounted scathing criticism against the governor and his administration.

It would be recalled that the Osun State Government has not been able to pay the state workers in the last seven months.

The situation is however not peculiar to Osun alone as about 17 other states also owe a backlog of their workers ’ salary.

Nonetheless, Governor Aregbesola is regarded as a strong pillar of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the country.

Recently, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, started mobilisation of aid to Osun State, just as the PDP called on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to tame an impending emergency in the state.

Also, last Wednesday, the PDP senator representing Bayelsa East, Mr. Ben Murray Bruce, pledged to donate his wardrobe allowance to the unpaid workers in Osun State and widows in his community, Akasa, Bayelsa State. The media mogul explained that his action was necessitated by the suffering of the workers and their dependants following the inability of the state government to pay the public service workers.

He said, “I, Ben Murray Bruce, will not sit down idly, while my fellow citizens die because salaries have not been paid. As a first step, I am immediately donating my wardrobe allowance to unpaid workers in Osun State and widows in my Constituency. ” Bruce stressed that he would publicly hand over his allowance to the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Osun and the head of widows association in Akasa.

“We are starting in Osun, but we will not end there. I will do as much to help workers who ’ve not been paid in other states. As soon as my wardrobe allowance is paid, I will divide it into two. Half will be publicly given to the NLC chairman in Osun. The other half will be publicly given to the head of widows association in my community of Akasa, ” he added and enjoined other Nigerians to donate to the workers in Osun and other states of the country facing similar crisis.

Each senator is entitled to a wardrobe allowance of N506, 600 per annum, according to the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Engr.

Elias Mbam.

However, Aregbesola took exception to Bruce ’s offer of help as he said his government was ready to pay workers ’ overdue salaries before the end of June.

He lambasted Bruce for offering to donate his wardrobe allowance to Osun

State workers who are owed seven months salaries. Aregbesola, accused the senator of mocking Nigerian workers.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola accused the lawmaker of playing to the gallery and engaging in self-serving philanthropy.

“Of all the states in the federation which are battling to pay salaries as a result of the precarious economic situation his party the PDP threw Nigeria into, why is it that it is Osun he wants to take his pay to? ” the governor retorted.

“This is certainly playing to the gallery and nothing but a mockery in the faces of Nigerian workers and not only of Osun extraction. It is not only wicked but ungodly to play politics with the suffering of the people.

If the senator ’s conscience tells him his pay is too high, especially in the face of the prevailing economic predicament of Nigeria,

the most honourable thing to do is to lead a protest for reduction and not a self-serving philanthropy only in the direction of Osun workers, ” the governor added.

Aregbesola had last Sunday in a statement issued in Osogbo by his media aide assured workers that they ould be paid by the end of the month. Although, the statement was silent on whether the workers would be paid the backlog or part of their salaries, Aregbesola stated that he had a great dream for the state and that was why he was in a hurry to begin many programmes which had earned him applause even outside the country.

“Aregbesola wanted an Osun State that is self-reliant. That Osun State, almost two decades after its creation, could not boast of tax-paying companies speak volumes about the magnitude of the works that awaited the Aregbesola administration. But he did not

shy away from this task of industrialisation. Within his first term, his government had caused investors to bring up companies, such as the Omoluabi Garment Factory, Osogbo and Adulawo/RLG Technology Company in Ilesa.

“Just last month, a leading telephone line company, Airtel, came to establish partnership with the Adulawo/RLG Company. These are aside from the various agro-allied companies which have benefited from the growth schemes of the Aregbesola administration throughout the state.

The government has also commenced aggressive drive for the development of the solid mineral sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with an Australian mining firm, Andalusia Mining Industry.

Explaining how the state found itself in the present state of financial mess, Aregbesola had on June 12 openly admitted that the economic situation that led to his administration ’s inability to pay workers ’ salaries was beyond his control, adding that it was heart-rending that he had found himself in the situation which he described as a quagmire.

He said: “No head of the family will be happy that he cannot feed members of the family. It is heart-rending that I am in this quagmire. But no matter how sad, no matter how unhappy I am, the truth is that I will not fail to say that it is a situation absolutely beyond my control.

“I led an administration in receipt of regular allocation in which I do my budget. Unfortunately, this allocation started falling in rapid form that totally disorganised my budget and any other arrangement. Were it to be Osun State alone, probably I would not have an excuse. I pray it does not continue. I am not sure if there will be any state that will actually escape from the biting effect of the absolute sharp drop which I call economic disaster that we are grappling with. Since my inauguration on November 27, 2010, I had made it a duty to pay salary on or before 25th of every month up until January 2014 when that became practically impossible. I have been giving the same staff who today are, regrettably and painfully, not being paid annual bonus that we call 13th month salary. There was no demand for it. I just felt that workers must be encouraged, they must be inspired.

“I did that religiously and faithfully from 2010 to 2013. The development that led to this began precisely in July when we received the June allocation and it was short by 40 per cent.

“Since then, what we have been receiving from the Federation Account is less than the wages, personnel cost. It is far and not mildly less. ” Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, born on May 25, 1957 was Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. He ran for Osun State governorship election in April 2007 on the platform of Action Congress, AC. He was reelected for a second term of four years in the August 9, 2014 election.

Opinion

14

Sunday June 21, 2015

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

M

ay 8, 2015 will always be remembered as a black Friday in the Nigerian and African intellectual community. It was a day political and social scientists lost one of their most prized, one of the very best and brightest- Professor Adekunle Samuel Amuwo (’Kunle Amuwo). It was a most unexpected incident. The Monday of that week, Amuwo was not only hale and hearty, but was also his vintage self- smiling, shaking hands with and hugging everyone that crossed his path. He was as bright as the early morning sunshine and as bubbly as usual. But soon afterwards, he began to complain of stomach upset and just before noon, he started throwing up. What looked like a usual reaction to food or water irritation turned out to be a serious matter that first, by Tuesday led to mere consumption of tablets and then, by Wednesday, a critical dimension of prescription of intense care and surgical operation.

And then…the unexpected!

The entire campus was thrown into confusion as it was not believable that such a man of iron and steel could pass just like that. For those that were by the bedside when it happened, they could not come to terms with that shocking reality. Amuwo, the “Main Man”, a solid person built like an armoured tank, could go, just like that? The news was not acceptable and the community simply

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

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

W

hat is the fastest speed you have ever done on the express? 100? 130? Or maybe 180? As you ponder over this question, I recall a caller who during one of my numerous interactive television programmes in Abuja to discuss the dangers of excessive speeding, observed that the reason motorists over speed is because the maximum speed limit of 100km per hour approved by the National Road Traffic Regulations, is unrealistic. In his view, since most cars come with the provision to drive as fast as 220280km per hour, there should be a change in the approved speed limit from 100 to perhaps 180 km/ph or even more. I do not know if you share his views. I certainly do not share his views because I know the excessive speeding kills.

This explains why the European Union is planning to fit new cars with cameras that could read road speed limit signs and automatically apply the brakes when this is exceeded. The new measures have been announced by the European Commission’s Mobility and Transport Department as a measure to reduce the 30,000 people who die on the roads in Europe every year and shockingly, 1.5million are injured, of whom 120,000 are left permanently disabled. The EC’s Mobility and Transport Department hopes to roll out the ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ technology (ISA) as part of a new road safety programme,

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Goodnight, Professor ’Kunle Amuwo! smiled and said “you guys should stop kidding”. But the great ‘Kunle Amuwo could not be a subject for expensive jokes, just as death is not an issue for pranking.

Everyone that heard the news at about noon of Friday May 8 became discomfited.

No one could pick themselves up any longer.

‘Kunle Amuwo was no more? How could? He was the doyen of his peers and a darling of all students. They loved him, with all their hearts. His colleagues in the department loved and respected him so much. The nonacademic staff and junior workers (office assistants, gardeners, cleaners), to everyone’s surprise, also knew and were so fond of him.

Strangely, colleagues in the sciences and engineering knew him too and had lots of respect and admiration for him. Therefore, when the news of the incident spread, it was jolting and made nearly everyone stupefied and moved to tears.

But why was this man so popular and loved? I had been Professor Amuwo’s student and friend since 1992. I had been following him from the University of Ibadan from my undergraduate days, as one of his favourite students. He was my teacher too at the Master’s level and was my PhD supervisor until he left the shores of Nigeria to impact knowledge abroad. He was the one that advised me to go into lecturing and stay in Political Science rather than History, which is my first love. Professor Amuwo had a friendly aura around him. His ambience was warmly to everyone- friend or foe alike. He was everyone’s man. He was simple, humble and always cheerful. For every situation, he had a smile or hearty laugh. This was disarming and reassuring. And in such very critical moment, he would simply say, “e yan mi, it is well. God

dey, eh!” or “Relax. All is well”. For every male colleague he met, he would shake his hands, offer a friendly hug and part with this: “My Man, hope Nigeria is moving forward, eh?” And for every woman, she had this as pleasantries: “My Sister, hope all is well. God bless you” For persons older than him, even if they were “academic juniors”, he would bend his back (give a bow) in respect and use the word “sir” or “ma” in greeting. Such persons would look back and wonder how such an iconic figure would accord them so much respect.

His students were special to him. He never took their matters with levity. Aside giving them attention and spending quality time mentoring and teaching them at every given opportunity, Amuwo would also exchange pleasantries with 18 and 20-year olds such that they would have a sense of importance.

He would also stand up in their defence and go extra miles to sort out their problems. This was what made him a heroic figure among students. Amuwo never tired of taking matters with mature disposition. He was willing to make you see how ordinary an erstwhile serious issue was. Life was a simple thing for him. That did not mean he did not have a radical part of him. Professor Amuwo was a radical- from his University of Ibadan days as a lecturer, he had always been a man that would stand for and fight for the truth and justice.

He hated cheating, exploitation and injustice.

He enjoyed and promoted collegiality, which was why he never looked down on anybody in the academic community. He would have preferred that everyone called each other by their first name, which would promote cordiality and team play. He was never the boss that every small “oga” in an organization

would these days so often like to play or be seen as. Amuwo was just ‘Kunle, the humble, godly man.

Talking about godliness, he just wanted to serve God and be in His presence, one of the fundamental reasons- as he shared with me- he accepted my invitation and bowed to pressure to come to Covenant University. He was very great on the organ, a church musical instrument, which he was always willing to on weekends, teach staff and students of the institution. From his days at the Apostolic Faith church, Professor Amuwo had been a faithful member and leader of Christian choristers.

Sadly, Amuwo is no more. It is a huge loss.

There is this feeling of hollowness characteristic of a situation when someone invaluable and so close is lost. He was my only senior confidant and best companion in the office.

I had a lot more to draw from his wealth of knowledge and massive intellectual network.

I took him as my own brother and indeed his departure is as painful as when I lost my eldest brother in 2008. So, “K” is no more? Who would be calling me “Dear S” or asking me “How’s your beau family?” Only Bro Kunle could address you so heartily. His highly dependable presence is gone. How else can he now be felt? His memorable words, thoughts, works and great legacies? Yes! May Professor ‘Kunle Amuwo rest in perfect peace, bubbling in the presence of His Maker. It is goodnight to a beloved icon, mentor and academic role model.

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

The speed limiter standards which aims to slash the death toll from traffic accidents by a third by 2020. Experts estimate that 6,000 of those deaths could be prevented if drivers obeyed speed limits.

So, even if you are like my good friend who is an advocate of excessive speeding, I am confident, that more than likely, you have never come even remotely close to the incredible speeds the Veyron is capable of. After all, you do not really need to, even if you are extremely late for a meeting-Even if you still think you can speed, let me inform you that in 2010, the 16-cylinder, 1,200-horsepower Bugatti Veyron Super Sport was able to hit 268 miles per hour (431.3 kilometers per hour) on a racetrack, setting a production car speed record. Veyron buyers, however, were likely disappointed to learn their cars were limited to a mere 257 miles per hour (413.6 kilometers per hour) to protect the vehicle’s tires These kind of top speeds will soon be out of the reach of vehicles including vehicles on Nigerian roads come September 1, 2015 when full enforcement commences beginning with commercial vehicles, which according to the Federal Road Safety Commission accounts for about 30 per cent of fatalities on our roads annually.

The speed limiter is provided for in the National Road Traffic Regulations, 152 subsection (4) which states that a person shall not drive a vehicle on a public road which is not fitted with a speed limiter noting in subsection (5) that any person who acts in contravention of this regulation shall be regulation shall be guilty of any offence and liable on conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment of three months or both.

As I conclude my piece on speed limiter, my focus this week is on the standard. Before I run an excerpt on the standard, I wish to

leave you with a definition of speed limiters although there might be other richer definitions. A speed limiter device (SLD) is a governor used to limit or control the speed of a vehicle. It helps you to stay within the driving speed as contained in the 2012 National Road Traffic Regulations, Section 152 (1) which states that; a person shall not drive a vehicle on an public road in excess of the prescribed speed limit provided in schedule 8 to these regulations or as may be published from time to time by the Commission. It further states in sub-section 2, that notwithstanding subregulation (1) of this regulation, no person shall drive a vehicle on any public road in excess of the speed limit indicated by an appropriate road traffic sign in respect of that road. The appropriate road sign referred to by the regulations includes the maximum speed limit of 100km/ph reserved only for private cars and 90km/ph for taxis and buses while the speed limit for built up areas could be anything between 30-50km/ph or less.

For all classes of vehicle as is being planned in our country, they are a statutory requirement that mandates all vehicles to be fitted with a speed limiter. I told you of the EU plan So how does it work? The device is programmed at a pre-fixed speed limit with a circuit that alerts the vehicle driver that he has reached the maximum speed limit. As you drive, a series of sensors detect how fast you are driving, and then communicates that information to the engines computer, which manages nearly all the functions of the engine. Once you reach a pre-determined top speed, the computer steps in and restrict in flow of air and fuel to the engine or reduce the sparks that cause combustion, thus prevent-

ing you from exceeding the top speed as determined. The device comes either in electronic or mechanical type, though sometimes both I am aware that some people are already aspiring to hawk when we commence while some plan to import without even knowing the standards. For such people, I wish to state here that there are guidelines thus- the speed limiting device shall be such that the vehicle in normal use shall comply with the following amongst others: it must be so designed and constructed that it will perform satisfactorily despite the vibrations to which it may be subjected; it must be so designed ,constructed and assembled as to resist corrosion and aging phenomena to which it may be exposed; the device should be so designed ,constructed, assembled and fitted to the vehicle to make it tamper proof and fail safe against various factors such as disconnection failure of various components for-power supply, speed sensor, mechanical actuator system, linkage etc.

In addition, the speed limiter device function must allow the normal accelerator pedal control for the purpose of gear changing; no malfunction or tampering should result in an increase power above that demanded by the position of the drivers accelerator; all components necessary for full function of the SDL shall be energized whenever the vehicle is being driven and the speed limiter shall have recorder with capacity to generate report in tabula, graphic, histogram and GPRS base system. The SDL can be said to be standard if it passes performance and endurance tests.

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

15

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES June 21, 2015

Coping with autism in children TITILOPE MORAKINYO

E

very year, new cases of autism are verified all over the world while the devastating task of managing children with autism continues to tear homes apart. Recent statistics reveals that autism is the highest emergent developmental disability with a 1017 percent annual growth rate.

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. The disorder covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. It ranges in severity from a handicap that somewhat limits a normal life to a devastating disability that may require institutional care.

People with the ailment mostly have issues with non-verbal communication, a wide range of social interactions, and activities that include an element of play or banter.

Children with autism have trouble communicating. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel as this makes it very hard for them to express themselves either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch.

A child with autism who is very sensitive may be greatly troubled sometimes even pained by sounds, touches, smells, or sights that seem normal to others. They may have repetitive, stereotyped body movements such as rocking, pacing, or hand flapping, also an unusual responses to people, attachments to objects, resistance to change in their routines, aggressive or self-injurious behavior.

At times they may seem not to notice people, objects, or activities in their surroundings, they may also develop seizures and in some cases, those seizures may not occur until adolescence stage.

Recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicates autism is the fastest growing developmental disability with a 1017 percent annual growth rate, as they believe that Autism presents itself during the first three years of a person’s life, the condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the person’s communication

Autisms

and social interaction skills.

Autism is four times more common in boys than in girls. It knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, or educational levels do not affect a child’s chance of being autistic. People with autism are cognitively impaired to a degree and in contrast to more typical cognitive impairment; it is characterised by relatively even delay in all areas of development, people with autism show uneven skill development.

They may have problems in certain areas, especially the ability to communicate and relate to others. But they may have unusually developed skills in other areas, such as drawing, creating music, solving math problems, or memorising facts.

In an interview with Sunday Mirror, Dr

Experts call for review of health system administration

H

ealth experts said there is urgent need to review health system administration in the country. They said this was due to the fact that they were faulty and had failed to yield the desired results.

The experts made the call at a Forum on the Future of Health Care Services in Nigeria, organised by Nigeria Health Watch, an NGO, in Abuja.

Prof Shima Gyoh, one of the panelists, said there were weak regulatory framework and absence of mechanisms for enforcement. He said that the activities of quacks and the proliferation of clinics across the country were the direct consequences of an ailing system. The lack of enforcement was not only affecting the quality of health care but that it was affecting

human resource development in the sector.

Gyoh said if addressed, the negative health indices recorded by the country in the past decades would be reversed and the lost confidence restored.

Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, urged other states to adopt the primary health care model of Ondo state to address challenges of primary health care delivery. He said the disparity between investment in the sector and results achieved would continue to exist until the federal, state and local governments adopted a strategy that complemented one another. “If we strengthen our primary health care services, we can get it right in terms of achieving affordable and accessible health care for all”, he stressed.

Taiwo Ajayi, a medical practitioner with Greatminds Hospital, Igando, Lagos defined Autistic disorder or autism as a problem of social interactions, communication, and imaginative play in children younger than three years of age.

According to him, “Symptoms of autism typically appear during the first three years, and some children show the signs from birth, while others seem to develop normally at first, only to slip suddenly into symptoms when they are eighteen to thirty six months old. However, it is now recognized that some individuals may not show symptoms of a communication disorder until demands of the environment exceed their capabilities.

“Autism is said to be increasing but it is entirely not clear whether the increase is

related to changes in how it is diagnosed or whether it is a true increase in the incidence of the disease.”

Dr Taiwo, however said that “despite its steady rise globally, there is no known cause for autism, as many researchers believe genetics is responsible for 90 per cent of the risk in a child developing autism. However, rare cases may be caused by chemical exposure and other agents that can cause birth defects.”

He described the types of autistic disorder, as the Asperger’s syndrome in which the children don’t have any problem with language, and they tend to score in the average or above-average range on intelligence tests. But they have the same social problems and limited scope of interests as children with autistic disorder. Another is the Children with Rett syndrome, as they are mostly girls, start developing normally but then begin losing their communication and social skills beginning at the age of one to four years, repetitive hand movements replace purposeful use of the hands and are usually severely cognitively impaired.

Also there is the childhood disintegrative disorder where the children develop normally for at least two years and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills. This is an extremely rare disorder and its existence as a separate condition is a matter of debate among many mental health professionals.

On reducing the risk of the disease, he advised that pregnant women should have regular check-ups, eat healthy, exercise and take all recommended vitamins and supplements. Do not take drugs during pregnancy unless your doctor approves, as this is particularly true for some anti seizure medications.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages of any kind while you are pregnant, Getting immunized against German measles (rubella) before pregnancy can prevent rubella-associated autism.

Pregnant women should avoid air traffic pollution and autism link - if a pregnant mother is exposed to air traffic pollution during her pregnancy, the risk of autism in her offspring is greater,” he said.

HEALTH NEWS 47% of young Nigerian females have frontal balding – Expert

D

r Adebola Ogunbiyi, a Consultant Dermatologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has said that 47 per cent of Nigeria’s young females have frontal balding before age 19.

Ogunbiyi disclosed this in Ibadan while speaking at a symposium organised to mark the 2015 World Health Skin Day, on June 18, by the National Association of Dermatologists She said the frontal balding was as a result of recurrent traction of the hair during braising, weaving and relaxing of the hair.

Ogunbiyi, who is also the President of

the association, said this year’s theme: ``The African scalp and hair: Problems and Solutions”, was apt and appropriate.

“The World Health Skin Day was inaugurated in Nigeria in 2014, at a meeting of all dermatologists in Africa.We are educating people on issues affecting the skin and scalp, and this year’s theme is dedicated to addressing diseases of the hair and scalp,’’ she said.

Ogunbiyi said Nigerians have no adequate information and knowledge about their hair and skin, because dermatologists are very few in the country and very few people have access to quality skin healthcare.

16

& Faces Events

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, June 21, 2015

IFC launches corporate governance programme in Lagos The International Finance Corporation, IFC, recently launched its Africa Corporate Governance Programme with cocktails and a dinner at the Eko Hotels and Suite in Lagos with key business leaders and IFC officials in attendance.

L-R: Consultant, Africa Corporate Governance Programme, Mrs. Omosalewa Fajobi; Head, Africa Corporate Governance Programme, Chinyere Almona, and Corporate Governance Lead for Africa, IFC, Mr. Roman Zyla.

L-R: CEO, Paraclete Business Solutions, Mr. Obi Almona, Mrs. Dayo George of Unilever, Mr. Kenneth Ameshi of University of Edinburg and Mr. Uwafiokun Idemudia.

L-R: Head, Programmes & COO, Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria, Ms. Hilda Nkor; Executive Director, Dangote Group, Mr. Mansur Ahmed and Managing Director/CEO, FITC, Dr. Lucy Surhyel Newman.

(L-R: Regional and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Uyi Akapta; IFC Nigeria Country Manager, Mrs. Eme Essien Lore and IFC Regional Corporate Governance Lead for Africa, Dr. Roman Zyla.

L-R: Mr. Uwafiokun Idemudia, Dr. Ifeoma Nwagwu of the Lagos Business School; Mr. Kenneth Ameshi of University of Edingburg and Research Manager, Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria Ms. Chioma Mordi.

L-R: Regional and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Uyi Akpata; Managing Director, Custodian Insurance, Mr. Wole Oshin and Executive Director, MoorHouse Properties, Mr. Koye Edu.

L-R: Ms. Bidemi Ademola, Mrs. Dayo George of Unilever and Chiarman, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Chris Ogbechie.

L-R: Dr. Roman Zyla, IFC Regional Corporate Governance Lead for Africa, Eme Essien Lore, IFC Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Uyi Akpata, Regional and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mrs. Chinyere Almona, Head, Africa Corporate Governance Program.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

17

Sunday, June 21, 2015

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

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

The contentious inauguration of 8th NASS

O

n Tuesday June 9, the 8th National Assembly was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari, who caused a letter to that effect to the Clerk of one of the foremost national political institutions. The highpoint of any such inauguration is the elections and enthronement of principal officers that would lead the assembly, to wit the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker of the House. Though this all important exercise took place, the outcome created mixed feelings in the polity.

While many discerning Nigerians accepted and lauded the seemingly apparent bipartisanship on display during the elections, the national hierarchs of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and some of its federal lawmakers, cried blue murder over what they described as the perfidy of some of their own that aligned with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to subvert the will of the party.

At the root of the seething cauldron that has become the National Assembly are its elected principal officers and the mode of their elections.

Fifty seven senators (49 of which are PDP) in a 109 strong Senate (including deceased Senator Zannan) participated in the exercise; the other 51, all APC, were elsewhere holding a meeting with the leadership of their party. Senator Bukola Saraki (APC Kwara Central) was elected Senate President unopposed by all the 57 senators present.

Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe) was the adopted APC candidate for the position.

For Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP, who held the same position in the 7th NASS, had an easy ride to the office, an indication that the outcome was a product of horse trading. Senator Ali Ndume is the adopted candidate of the APC for the slot.

For the leadership of the House, Hon Yakubu Dogara (APC Bauchi) and Hon Lasun Yusuf were elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House respectively. The APC’s preferred candidates for the positions are Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos) and Tahir Monguno (Borno).

The ruling party had on June 6 held mock elections to determine the can-

didates for the four topmost principal posts in the National Assembly, where the preferred candidates emerged. However, it must be stated that the exercise was marred by boycotts and dissents by some of the major contenders, including Saraki and Dogara, who staged a walkout.

The conduct of the acrimonious mock elections was obviously an indication that the APC was going into the real elections a fractious house.

The development has both legal and political implications for the nation.

On a fact of law, the elections on the floor of the National Assembly on June 9 cannot be faulted. The 8th NASS was properly prorogued and the elections met the requirements of S. 50(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which spells out how the Speaker of the House shall be elected.

However, the section of the Constitution does not address the moral challenge of a process that ignores the fact that 51 senators of the ruling party, who ought to have participated in the

ON A FACT OF LAW, THE ELECTIONS ON THE FLOOR OF THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 9 CANNOT BE FAULTED. THE 8TH NASS WAS PROPERLY PROROGUED AND THE ELECTIONS MET THE

S. 50(1)(B) OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION (AS AMENDED), WHICH REQUIREMENTS OF

SPELLS OUT HOW THE

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SHALL BE ELECTED.

elections, were technically disenfranchised by their absence. We consider this too heavy a price to be paid by a party with overarching proclivity.

We also have a very fundamental ground to lampoon what happened on June 9 at the NASS: It falls below acceptable standards of international parliamentary best practices. Admittedly, the business conducted on the floor of NASS on the fateful day was lawful, but was it politically correct.

Certain conventions are ingrained in the affairs of nations, and by extrapolation, of men, to produce necessary refinements in processes and outcomes, which would promote good conduct, happiness and orderliness in a polity or system.

Nigeria, in 1979, adopted wholesale America’s presidential system of government.

Fundamental to the conduct of its Congress is the primacy given to the process of electing the Speaker of its lower house.

The candidate is typically chosen among the members of the House leadership in the majority party; the prospective candidate must be voted in on a majority vote of the House; a majority vote can be reached, even if all of the members of the House are not present because absentee members have the opportunity to render a vote of “present”.

We hasten to add that party leadership plays a big role in all of this.

There is no doubt the 8th National Assembly has been established on a weak moral foundation; the nation’s ruling class must, however, move to make the best of a bad situation in the spirit of give and take.

President Buhari should move to paper the cracks in his party to bring sanity to the National Assembly.

The challenges facing the nation are enormous, and political brinksmanship can take us nowhere; what can is robust engagement. As the vanquished lick their wounds, the victors must eschew exclusivity.

However, one big lesson from the development is that the political godfather syndrome ravaging the nation can be arrested by deep thinking on the part of everybody.

Reminiscences June 21 IN HISTORY 1964: U.S. - Ku Klux Klan members charged with conspiracy Three civil rights field workers disappear after investigating the burning of an African American church by the Ku Klux Klan. Their bodies were found buried six weeks later and seven members of the Ku Klux Klan were found guilty on federal conspiracy charges.

1916: Mexico, U.S. close to war A U.S. military expedition against Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa brings the United States and Mexico closer to war when Mexican government troops attack U.S. Brigadier General John J. Pershing’s force at Carrizal, Mexico.

1942: Libya - General Erwin Rommel takes control of Allied garrison 1942 : General Erwin Rommel takes control of British Allied garrison at Tobruk, Libya, taking more than 30,000 prisoners, 1945: Japan - U.S. troops take Okinawa Following a long and bloody battle which started on April 1 lasting nearly three months, U.S. troops take control of the Japanese island of Okinawa.

1963: French navy withdraws from NATO fleet The French navy is withdrawn from the North Atlantic fleet of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

1963: Vatican - Pope Paul VI crowned Pope Paul VI is crowned the 262nd head of the Catholic Church.

1977: Israelis elect Menachem Begin PM Menachem Begin, a centre-right politician for the Likud party becomes Israel’s sixth prime minister. This is the first time the left had lost power in Israel.

1978: IRA battles British security forces A running gun fight between British security forces and Provisional IRA at the Ballysillan post office depot in Belfast has left four dead, including an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

1982: U.S. - President Reagan’s assailant freed John W. Hinckley, Jr., who on March 30, 1981 shot President Ronald Reagan and three others outside a Washington, D.C. hotel, was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity.

1982: UK - Future King of England born Diana, Princess of Wales, has given birth to a boy William (second in line to the throne after his father The Prince of Wales).

18

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Praise Worship E-mail:yemiolakitan@gmail.com

E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com

EDIFYING GOD

QUOTE The reason why people don’t bear fruits is either because of excesses or inadequacies. God is always willing to help you curtail these and finetune your life into the way He wants you to be.

Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke

Sunday June 21, 2015

God shall confront your enemy, says Pastor Muokaa 24

Babel – The source of spiritual wickedness 42

41

How to distinguish between Godly and Satanic death,

by Prophet Oloruntimilehin

Christians going to seek prophesies:

What the Bible says

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20

Vineyard

Briefly

FARIM Revival/Night of Prophesy begins

Celebration

T

he quarterly evening revival has begun on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 5pm – 9am daily at Freedom Foundation Apostolic Revival International Ministry H/Q No 30, Ajisebi-Ara Mecca Street, opposite Low Cost Housing Estate, Sabo-Ikorodu, Lagos State. Another all night session tagged; ‘Night of Prophesy’ under the same ministry started on Wednesday, June, 17th – 19th, 2015 at 10pm. At 32, Olayiwola Street, New Oko-Oba/Abule-Egba, Lagos.

According to the general overseer, Prophet Sam Ojo Omoloju Jesu, God will bring much revival to Ikorodu Community adding that Oko-Oba, Agege and AbuleEgba worshippers will receive God’s visitation.

Sunday June 21, 2015

Church leaders urged to be agents of transformation …as United Bible University holds graduation

Born Again Revival Church organises crusade

T

he Born Again Revival Church of Christ International presents a three-day revival begins from Wednesday, 24th – Friday, 26th June, 2015 by 6:00pm daily at the Church premises located at 41, Asu Onipede Street, Lambe, Akute, Ogun State.

The programme tagged “I know that thou canst do everything” is taken from the Book of Job 42:2.

In the same vein, the quarterly prayer meeting of the church with the theme “God will provide”, taken from the Book of Genesis 22:8, will also hold between Friday, 3rd and Sunday, 5th July, 2015 10:00pm daily at the Church Auditorium located at 65, King’s Avenue, Ojodu Abiodun, Ogun State.

C&S Unification Church of Nigeria celebrates

A

head of its founders’ Day thanksgiving celebration, the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria Oke Ayo OkeIsegun, will start its seven days revival prayer at 20, Jacob Street, Fadeyi, Lagos.

Tagged “Arise ‘O Lord” derived from Ps 68:1 will hold from Monday, 22nd – Friday, 26th, June, 2015, 5pm daily as the ground celebration comes up on Sunday June 28th, 2015 at 10am at Kajola Heath Centre, (Ayonuga Street, Fadeyi), Lagos.

Commenting on the programme, the founder and minister –in-charge, Apostolic Mother/Snr Prophetess Abosede Akande a.k.a.

Ijero said God in his infinite mercy will arise from his throne to show mercies to all worshippers, guests and the entire country praying that God should also visit, uplift her ministries and leadership of this nation as it settles down for governance.

She recalled that last year’s celebration recorded tremendous testimonies on job and visa breakthrough among others.

A cross section of graduands

ODINAKA URUAKPA

I

t was celebration galore at the United Bible University, Ojodu, Ogun State last weekend when the school held its 2015 graduation ceremony in grand style.

The colourful event, which featured the conferment of bachelors, doctorate and professorial awards, was witnessed by students and graduates of the institution as well as eminent clerics including Rev. (Dr.) Clement O. Adeyemo, fellow of United Bible College and Special Guest of Honour on the occasion.

According to the President and Director of Studies of United Bible College, Prof.

Kunle Macaulay, the school which has been in existence for over 20 years was borne out of a vision he had to establish an institution where church leader and workers could be properly trained.

“The work of God cannot be done without vision; God must tell you to do it, then you start doing it. I had a vision to establish a Bible school and I did exactly that as the school came to be on October 22, 1994”, he revealed.

Speaking on leadership, Prof. Macaulay said he is concerned about church leadership, in particular adding that the life of any community, the church included depends on leadership.

“Just like parents do with their children, leaders should take care of their followers; teach them what to do and what not to do.

Church leaders should be mindful of the morals of the members because these days, we find out that churches embrace people who are morally corrupt and they (church leaders) don’t make any attempt to make these people change their ways; this is the reason I am so particular on training leaders who can transform the community and Nigeria in particular.

He also noted that in some churches, the pastor heads virtually heads every depart-

ment found there.

His words: “When you go to some of the churches we have today, the pastor is the evangelist, head of choir and everything in the church and then you see the workers, the ushers for instance, after counting the offering hand the money over to the pastor and that is the end of it; they don’t know what happens to the money. The next thing, the pastor buys a car and they are rejoicing that the man is making it, not knowing that he is using them. Some of the people who are this money as offering are jobless; they are people suffering and struggling and still the pastor will collect their kobo and pennies and turn the whole thing into his own financial success which is very wrong. We train people in church work on financial management because they need to know that when they collect money, they need to spend it in certain areas as well as know the sources of income, expenditure and the balance. When they know all these things, they can now start to do things the right way; they won’t give church money to the leader and forget about it; we must have skilled people and specialists to handle all these” On challenges confronting the institution, the director of studies listed finance as the most pressing of them all.

“We want to train more people and for this reason, we are giving certain courses free of charge to stop illiteracy in the church. We people give us money; we put these together and call on a particular number of people to be trained so they go back to their church armed with better knowledge of how to carry out church work. I must say that we have more illiterate leaders in Christianity and this is because most of these people came into the church before the knowledgeable ones. But thank God, now, educated people are coming into church work; maybe they are called by God, but the fact still remains that those who are at the top are illiterate”, he insisted.

He also revealed that some church leaders are not willing to send their workers to go receive appropriate training because they are afraid and do not want to accept failure.

“Some of these so called church leaders don’t send their people for training because they are

afraid of failure, so they start to deceive the people and make them feel that they (leaders) are super-human and above mistake. There is no super-humanity in humanity; we are all human and we are not perfect, so we must accept our limitations”, he admonished.

On his expectations from the graduating students, Prof. Macaulay said he had always instilled in them the importance of working under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit which he expects them to follow to the letter.

“I have told them to work under the power of the Holy Spirit; they didn’t employ themselves; they are doing the work of God, so if they succeed, it is alright and if they fail, they learn and do something different. I have been doing this work for over 30 years and I have failed many times as a human being and I have also succeeded many times; it all depends on God and your experience in your environment i.e. the people you are dealing with; sometimes, you have difficult people and you have the challenge of making them see reason. I would advise that they out with that in mind; this is the work of God and your work, so if you have challenges, you go to God and present your problem instead of deceiving and manipulating people”, he maintained.

While commending the school authorities, Rev. (Dr.) Adeyemo noted that United Bible University has made its mark in imparting the right tenets of Christian religion in and outside the country.

“United Bible University as an institution is very academic in addition to training professionals; Christian theologians and people to handle church work properly. The Director of Studies, Prof. Kunle Macaulay is a person who does not mix anything with his belief. The school moderates theological colleges all over the nation so that they would teach the correct thing and unlike some other Christian Universities, they don’t allow any other type religious teaching other than Christian religion. I would advise church leaders to acquire appropriate knowledge and learn what it means to be a pastor, Christian counselor and church manager which is very essential in doing the work of God”, he stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Rev. (Dr.) Friday Amira, who bagged the best student award of the 2014/2915 session, revealed that the two years he spent in the school though rigorous was worth suffering for.

“In UBU you don’t have a choice but to read and study hard, you will be forced to do projects and submit as at when due. I came all the way from Delta State and anytime I go back there during my course of study, I only have little time to spend with my family; this is one of the things I sacrificed during the period. I believe that the award I got here today will help to enhance my ministerial work because in UBU I have been able to learn that that this knowledge doesn’t come easy; to get a certificate here, you must be able to defend it at all times and that is what the school imparts and teaches at all times”, he said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit 21

Sunday June 21, 2015

Help for the helpless Miracle Arena with Bishop

“

T

Theo Ugochukwu

he Bible tells us that the children of Israel went to Egypt and settled as a result of famine within the region. In a space of time, things changed against them, that they began to groan under bondage as they were in a condition of slavery. The Israelites running from famine, walked into slavery and bondage. The more they asked for relieve of burden, the more their burdens were increased. They were helpless until God stepped in. (Psalms 68:5-6) “A father of the fatherless and a Judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation. God settled the solitary families; he bringeth out those which are bound with chains …” The Almighty God is able to handle what man cannot handle. He is able to lift who that down and much more able to restore hope to the hopeless. He is the helper of the fatherless {Psalms 10:14}.

John Chapter 5:1-17 contains a story of a man by the pool of Bethsaida.

The Bible tells us that by the side of the pool lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, and paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an Angel went down went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water, then who ever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

This man had been sick of Palsy for thirty-eight years {38years}. Jesus met him by

the pool and asked him, “…Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming another steps down before me”. Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk” and immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked.

After 38 years, this man’s problem had become a way of life. No one had ever helped him.

He had no hope of ever being healed and no desire to help himself.

His situation looked hopeless as he was helpless, having been waiting for 38 years to be healed. God can minister to your deepest needs and change your ugly situation. God is always ready to help even when all hopes seem lost. He will always be there for you.

In the beginning of this year, a brother in my ministry came to me for prayer that he wants to travel overseas. All I know of this brother is that every Thursday of the week and last Saturday s of the month, during environmental exercise, he will come and clean all the gutters and premises of the church.

When I asked him about the funding of the trip and how he intends to secure a visa, surprisingly, he told me that as a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider, he had no such amount of money and had no body to help me secure the visa, that that was the reason he came for prayers. I then asked him to kneel down before God and I prayed for him.

Two weeks later after I prayed for him, during his early morning business, he carried a man who by God divine purpose developed interest in him. After some chat about life, he somehow became favoured by the man, that he made him more of his special bike man, not knowing that God had designed it that way. After some time, the man helped him se-

cure a visa and paid all the expenses for his trip overseas. As at the last quarter of last year, he had settled abroad.

That is help for the helpless.

I want you to believe that Jesus is always able to step into the centre of your weakness and restore strength to you. He is able to redeem you from the ugly situations surrounding you. He said “…Come unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not” {Jeremiah 33:3} About last year, during my counseling session, a young military man was carried into my office. He explained that as a result of accident, he is not able to walk and needed a lot of money to undergo surgery which was not forthcoming. I prayed for him that God should step into his case and restore him.

Two weeks after the prayer, he came back to tell me that he has been transferred to the East and that the development spells doom for him, complaining that he does not have anybody in the East to look after him in his condition.

I counseled him to go on the transfer, that I see the hand of God in it, and that the transfer is the positive effect of our prayers.

It took a long time to speak faith into him that God has stepped into his case. When he got to the East from Lagos, the authority could not believe that he was in that state of physical disability. According to him, immediately they sent him straight to Orthopedic Hospital for free surgery and thorough medical treatment.

After some months, he started walking on his two feet.

The surgery he was unable to raise money for, he got it free. That is help for the helpless. Few months after discharge from

the hospital, he was promoted to new rank.

This is why the Bible says that “…

Eyes hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” {1 Cor. 2:9}. God is the giver of abundant life {John 10:10}, He is the restore of our hope, n Him there is strength, a father and helper of the fatherless.

I pray for you today, that whatever that is dead, hopeless, and helpless and has weaken you; the power that raised Jesus from the dead will restore it back.

The God that healed the man at the pool of Bethsaida, the God that promoted Joseph from prison to the palace as a Prime Minister in Egypt, He that liberated Israel from slavery and bondage in Egypt is still on the throne, and will always be there for you. Remember that it was in the seventh dip that Naaman got his healing.

It is also possible that the healing process started at the first dip. Keep trusting God, keep believing in the power of his helping grace, and don’t give up.

You are a project in the hand of God and God does not abandon His projects.

I pray that He must see you through in Jesus Name.

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

Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com

Freedom from slavery (3) Hour of Change with Primate

Oyelowo

T

here are many ways by which a slave can regain his freedom.

A Child born in his parent’s country One of the ways of becoming a free man is to be born in the country of his parents. This is the commonest method, natural birth.

A child born in a country where his parents reside if a foreigner living in Nigeria is blessed with a child, that child automatically becomes a Nigeria by reason of his being born in Nigeria. His birth attached to his obligations to the said country.

Naturalization This is the process by which a foreigner can become a citizen of the country where he resides.

Apostle pau’s father sought and ac-

quired Roman citizenship which his son also enjoyed. When they infringed on his right, Apostle Paul did not hesitate to cry out. (Acts 16:35-39) A slave bought with money A man who sold himself into slavery regains his freedom at the end of the seventh year-‘’If you a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything’’. Exodus 21:2.

A wife married by a freed slave A wife married by a slave before he become a slave is free immediately her husband is set free. ‘’If he come alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he come, she is to go with him’’.

Exodus 21:3 Freedom by marriage If a master marries his female slave, the slave girl becomes a free person. The same thing happens if the master gives the slave girl in marriage to his son. (Exodus 21:17-19) Inability of the master to perform his obligation If the master decided to marry his slave girl, he is duty bound to treat her as a free woman. If he fail to perform his matrimonial duty to her, she is free to go away without any payment of money.

(Exodus 21:10-11) But back by a relative If the relative of the salve pay his debt to his master, he is set at liberty immediately. If an alien or temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your country men becomes poor and sells himself to the alien living among you or to a member of the alien clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his relatives may redeem him.’’ Lev.25:47-48. The slave can redeem himself if he is rich or his cousin or uncle can redeem him.

(Lev.25:49-50) Year of jubilee If a slave sold himself to his master, his master is duty bound to release him in the year of jubilee. (Lev 25:50-54) Redemption from our sins Because of out adamic nature, we are slaves to sins. But God in his infinite mercy sent his only begotten son to the world as ransom for our sins thereby reconciling us back to God, the effect of this is that we become righteous before God. (Romans 5:8-11; Romans 8:1-2) Beneeits of our freedom.

1 A freed slave should not be beaten.

(Acts 16:38-39) 2 A freed slave can not be bond without authority acts 22:29 3 A freed slave can not be examined under duress 4 A freed slave can not be legally flogged- (Acts 22:25) Having been redeemed from our sins we should not try to go back otherwise we can lose our freedom. ‘’if they have escaped the corruption of this world by knowing our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and are entangled in it ant overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turned the back on the sacred command that was passed onto them.

Of the proverbs are true: a dog returns to its vomit, and a sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’’ (2 Peter 2:20-22) Till then shalom!

•You can contact us at: The Word of Life, Agbo Igbala Ti Kiish Aladura Church 70 Patey street Lagos State. Tel: 07040517413

22

Cover

Sunday June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Christians going to seek prophesies: I

n common parlance, prophecy is often considered to be predicting the future. For some, it conjures up images of a secretive meeting with a prophet.

Others might envision a crystal ball, a woman or man holding their clients arm and looking into the palm. It generally has a mystical connotation of some type.

On the other hand, the prophets of Scripture, such as Elijah, Elisha, Malachi, Habakkuk and Jonah to mention a few, seem to have done something different. These people made explicit predictions about the future as revealed by God whom they served.

In the days of these true prophets of God, prophecies and predictions about the future were made accurately and for the common good of those it is meant for, many prophesies were documented in biblical writings, some of which have already come to pass, but these days, men or women who present themselves as prophets and prophetesses cannot boast of predicting with 100 per cent certainty what is to occur in the future.

Like Meteorologists who predict the weather, most of these new generation prophets appear to only make educated guesses and then hope that they come true; they cannot bring about anything to make their predictions come to pass.

According to the submissions of some clerics, many of them operate in the ways and level similar to that of the traditional healers whom people consult to seek solutions to one spiritual problem or the other.

All in all, the people we see as prophets today do not seem to have the interest of taking the word of God to the people who come to them, but are after their own personal aggrandisement of setting up shop for their financial gains.

According to the General Overseer of City of Refuge Church, Lagos, Bishop Oscar Osai, there is nothing wrong in genuine prophets having visitations from children of God who desire to know what God thinks about their situation.

“We have examples in scripture when Saul the King needed to hear from a seer concerning their lost sheep, they went to Samuel the prophet, but the issue is the prophet you are going to, who is he?

There are so many fake people who are answering prophets all over the place and all they are doing is causing confusion; I want to use the word confusion to define a lot of works going on and there is also the issue of present day manifestation of the word prophecy.

Today’s prophecy is different from the prophetic days of Elijah and Elisha because the spirit of God has actually been poured out upon all flesh; His sons and His daughters would prophesy even the house-help or the hand-maiden have received the spirit of prophecy from God. We are all prophets in a certain sense, but there are still levels. There

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi of Deeper Life Ministry at the crusade

It is common practice for Christians to sek predictions and warnings through the prophets on things to come in the future. However when compared with the Biblical days when the prophets of old, exposed the mind of God to the people, the prophets of today seem to operate in a different way. ODINAKA URUAKPA brings an insight into this practice. are people that God has prepared that He can use to tell us His mind. Prophecy is not about telling you that you are going to die tomorrow or that you are going to make money tomorrow. In the testimony of Jesus Christ, we see some prophecy, so prophetically speaking, once you are being encouraged to serve God better; it is actually a prophecy”, he said.

The Bishop further said that the word prophecy in the Greek sense means to sing. He added that there is confusion in a lot of things going on in Christendom today.

“Going to ask a prophet what God is saying is not out of place, but you must be sure that the person you are going to is somebody that has a testimony of relationship with God over time; somebody who is known. Everybody is a prophet, even these days, native doctors are coming into church as prophets, and those are the things we discourage”, he added.

When asked how one can determine genuine prophets from the fake one he said every Christian has the unction in them to determine the fake or genuine problem when they have an encounter

I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS A SIMPLE PROBLEM, FOR THE BIBLE STATES THAT YOU HAVE THE UNCTION WITHIN YOU; THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN EVERY BELIEVER, ANY DAY A FAKE PROPHET COMES YOUR WAY, YOU WILL KNOW; SOMETHING INSIDE YOU WILL RAISE ALARM. BUT THE THING IS THAT THEY BEGIN TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU LIKE, TO PLAY DOWN THE ALARM GOD IS GIVING YOU UNTIL THE DAMAGE IS DONE. with one.

“I would say that it is a simple problem, for the Bible states that you have the unction within you; the Holy Spirit is in every believer, any day a fake prophet comes your way, you will know; something inside you will raise alarm. But the thing is that they begin to tell you what you like, to play down the alarm God is giving you until the damage is done. Every believer has an auction within them to determine who is real and who is not; as long as you are in tune with the Spirit of God, you can never be taken by sur-

prise ad that is the scripture. Secondly, the Bible also teaches us that by their fruit, you shall know them. When you watch what is coming out from somebody who is standing in the office of the prophet, and you watch it over time, you can determine whether this is headed towards God or headed towards self; if the person is glorifying himself and is trying to take advantage of you one way or the other, you can raise alarm. God has given us everything we need to serve Him, you need not that any man should teach you because you have the auction of the Holy

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

Sunday June 21, 2015

23

What the Bible says one in you; therefore, if you follow the leading of your spirit-man, you can never go wrong”, he insisted.

In his submission, the Director of Catholic Apostolate, Abbi, Delta State, Rev. Fr. Paschal Obioma, said that it is unchristian-like for Christians to go and seek vision for the future from prophets.

“The act of seeking vision and prophesying is unchristian-like and therefore not right. But I must say that as Africans, we have a background of paganism where people have to look for the root-cause of everything; be it sickness or if you are taking exam; you go and check the gods if you will pass or not.

This is how some of these things came to be and because of that now, many individuals who are looking for a way to become rich, become prophets, pastors and prayer people so that they can ask people to come and they help you to know what the future holds for you. This is as a result of our pagan background and has nothing to do with Christianity”, he submitted.

The cleric explained that the work of a prophet is to tell people the word of God and not to fore-tell the future which he termed as divination.

“Normally, God would send prophets to go and warn people against the evil they are doing; i.e. if they are living in sin to desist from that otherwise they face the wrath of God. It is not about telling the future; is just to warn people about what will come in the future if you don’t do what God wants and that is what the prophets did and not to go about telling people that ‘you will be rich’; ‘you will get married’, you will not do this or that kind of thing. We call what they are doing syncretism i.e. combining two religious practices, they are practicing syncretism and this is not right for Christians because it misleads and will make them to begin to serve two gods. Who do you follow now, is it the prophet that tells you what happens or the word of God; you cannot serve two masters and that is the truth”, he said.

On the rate at which these prophets establish, the cleric said: “These so called prophets know that there would be market for them so they establish and then people begin to go. It is just like you make your research and know what commodity that would sell then you buy and let people know you have such thing and then they start coming; they see it as a lucrative business. Some of them are pure babalawos (native doctors) who don’t want to answer that name again so they Christianise it; they have a place they call church or prayer house where they speak to people as if they are prophesying or doing miracle, whereby they go and consult with their deity somewhere and then come back to tell the people their findings.”

He advised Christians who patronise such prophets to worship God in truth and in spirit and put their trust in God

Christian worshippers

who knows everything that happens to each one of His creation.

“Prophecies are not human in origin as Peter states no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. In the gospel of Matthew 7:15, Jesus warned about false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. God will judge both prophet and priest who are ungodly; even in my house, I have found their evil, declares the Lord in Jeremiah 23:11. Jeremiah 23:15 states “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land. Even in the Apostle John’s day, many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1) and they are still going out in the world today. Jesus predicted in Matthew 24:11that not a few but many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. If God permits something to happen to you, take it, if God doesn’t allow it to come, you would not experience it. But for those who think that evil people are dealing with them, they must know how to pray because if you pray, God will answer your prayers”, he submitted.

Also contributing, Primate I.O. Oyelowo of the Word of Life, Agbo Igbala Ti Kristi Aladura Church, Lagos said believing the act of prophecy depends on which school of thought a Christian belongs. He added that there are two schools of thoughts; the Evangelical and Pentecostal.

“The evangelical do not believe in the practice of vision and prophecy while the Pentecostal believe in it. If you look at Genesis 3:16, which is where the prac-

PROPHECIES ARE NOT HUMAN IN ORIGIN AS PETER STATES NO PROPHECY WAS EVER PRODUCED BY THE WILL OF MAN, BUT MEN SPOKE FROM GOD AS THEY WERE CARRIED ALONG BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 7:15, JESUS WARNED ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS WHO COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING BUT INWARDLY ARE RAVENOUS WOLVES. tice began, it was predicted that the serpent would bruise the heel of the woman’s son while the woman’s son would crush the serpent’s head; that passage is referring to Jesus and His redemption work in the world; His death and resurrection, so the prophecy is from God. Prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah and Daniel predicted what would happen in the future and some of these prophecies are still having effect in the world today.

The Evangelical school of thought believe solely on preaching and prayer while the Pentecostal believe in prophecies and they base their argument on the day of Pentecost where people of different tribes heard their languages been spoken by the apostles who were also prophesying and predicting the future at the time’, he explained.

The primate while maintaining that it was not out of place for Christians to seek visions from prophets, cited the case of Rebecca who consulted a prophet while she was pregnant and it was revealed to her that she was going to have twin male children signifying two nations and that the younger son would be greater than the elder one.

“Though the Evangelical school of

thought argues that the death of Christ brought to an end the era of prophecy, the Bible; both in the Old and New Testaments give credence to the act of prophesying.

There were lots of prophecies in the New Testament; a vivid example is given in the Acts of the Apostles where Habagog and his daughter were warned concerning things that would happen and Paul himself while he was on a voyage to Jerusalem where his case was to be treated, while on the voyage, he told the owners of the ship that there was danger ahead and they should not move; but they ignored his warnings. As they travelled, there was a great wind which troubled the sea and when they said prayers to God, He (God) promised them that there won’t be any loss of life, but they would lose their goods.

As bad as things are now, there are true prophets of God in Nigeria, though they may not be many; we have had men of God like Prophet Babalola who did a lot of wonders. In the book of Deuteronomy, we are told that any prophecy that does not come to pass, such prophet should be regarded as a liar because it means that God did not speak through the person”, he stated.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

24

From the

Pulpit Sunday June 21, 2015

God shall confront your enemy, says Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, reassures believers of God’s readiness to confront their enemies. Excerpts:

B

rethren, everything has it’s time and season. God by His providence governs the world, and determines when particular things and operations should happen. As the Creator, He determines and purposes when the sun shall shine and when the rain shall fall. God has given to man that portion of duration called time- the space in which all the operations of nature, of animals, and intellectual beings, are carried on, but while nature is steady in its course, and animals faithful to their instincts, men devotes it to a great variety of purposes which God never made time for and consequently expose themselves to confrontation.

Nevertheless, as they are exposed to various degrees of danger as a result of their action and reaction to life challenges, God identifies and defends His own people.

Gen. 31: 24, 29 says, “And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 29.

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.”

When Jacob left Laban’s house, Laban pursued him and accused him of stealing things he knew not of so that he would harm him. God confronted Laban in the dream and warned him not to lay his hand upon Jacob for any reason and say nothing against his going on with his journey, for the journey was directed by Him. As Laban and his brethren continued pursuing Jacob, they eventually caught him on the mount of Gilead, and he told Jacob that he had vowed to punish him for the flight, and the stealing of his teraphim, but the God of heaven has confronted and prevented him from doing it and thus he would not be harmed.

Exodus 6:1-2 says, “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:” The above was another example in which God confronted the enemies of His people. In this case, as soon as it was dawned on Pharaoh that Moses had taken the Children of Israel out of Egypt, out of his reach and leaving the nation barren of slaves, he summoned

his soldiers and pursued Moses to attack Israel. But God who purposes and dictates the time for everything had determined the time has come to save His people from the hand of Pharaoh and his soldiers. Moses had been expecting what God would do, but now he shall see it. God would now be known

by His name Jehovah, that is, the God performing what He had promised, and finishing His own work. God told Moses to watch and see how He will confront Pharaoh with a strong hand. Pharaoh and the Egyptians may be having upper hand in their dealings with the Children of Israel before this time but the time of confrontation had come and they would be confronted by Him who is mightier than all.

Beloved, you may have all the while been boxed into a hard corner by circumstances beyond your control. It may be circumstances of birth, finance, physical inability or academic and may have abandoned hope, but now your time to be delivered has come, for God has determined to confront all your enemies that have created such hardship to you.

No matter who or what they are that are after you, your family, business, career, employment, health, marriage, etc, whether they be human beings, Satan or evil spirits, one thing g is certain, God Go od has decided to o confront them.

Maybe these enemies are after your life, your career, etc, and they do not want you to prosper or be blessed; they may even want you dead and this has prompt-

ed you to be running from one place to another in search of solution that have been elusive till date. Never mind, the Lord shall confront them all regardless of what they may have been doing in your life materially, spiritually, physically, academically and otherwise. It may even at this moment seem to you that these evil entities are having the upper hand and as you reflect over their activities you tend to be sorrowful and asking rhetorically when will the solution manifest or where is God? Well, certainly there is an appointed time for everything and every purpose in this life and that appointed time for your enemies to be confronted is at hand.

You may have suffered for many years before now. Many things may be happening in and around you, of which it appears there are no answers to them and no man appears to be able to help or provide the needed succour, or who will withstand your enemies and you are pondering who will deliver you from all these evil spirits and satanic operations. Rest assured, God sshall sh all confront them and th victory

shall be yours in Jesus name.

Remember how God confronted Laban and his brethren on one hand and Pharaoh and all his armies who pursued after Jacob on the other hand. The Lord will surely do same for you for it is your time of victory.

The possible enemies and examples Beloved, our enemies are no other entities but the devil, his demons and even human agents. They could be witches and wizards, occult men and women, marine spirit agents, unbelievers, wicked men and women and all those who do not want to recognize the personality of God, constitute your enemies. The devil and his angry demons are our enemies and they go from place to place looking for victims.

1Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Your enemies are the devil and his agents. They oppose man in his best interests. They resist man’s efforts to do good, his intention to return to God, his attempts to secure his own salvation. Sometimes Satan is represented as transforming himself into an angel of light, and sometimes, as here, as a roaring lion indicating the efforts which he makes to intimidate and overpower us. The lion here is not the crouching lion - the lion stealth fully creeping towards his foe - but it is the raging monarch, who by his terrible roar would intimidate all so that they might become an easy prey.

Rev. 12:7-10 says, “And there was war iin n heaven: Michael and his angels fought a gainst the dragon; and the dragon fought against and his angels, And prevailed not; neither and was their place found any more in heaven. was And the great dragon was cast out, that And old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, old which deceiveth the whole world: he was which cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the come kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them beren fore our God day and night.”

The Bible establishes that Satan and his angels are our adversaries and they enter into human beings who are not Christians to torment and fight humans. The Lord k ows them. No matter in kn knows w at form they opwh what erate or how p po wpow-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 Pastor Muoka

PASSION

Sunday June 21, 2015

A Lifestyle Magazine

E S U A L APP f o s e v i l e h t g n i h ’ e ‘Touc m s e t i c x e y d e the ne >>27

There’s nothing wrong with love-making in films –Linda Osifo >>26

25

26

Passion

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

There’s nothing wrong with love-making in films –Linda Osifo tive is for money.

Linda Osifo is a model, on-air personality and actress. She was brought up in Toronto, Canada. At the age of 12, she played lead roles in her school theatre and while completing her Psychology degree in York University, Canada, she participated in various beauty pageants, emerging 1st runner-up in Miss Nigeria Canada and 2nd runner-up in Miss Africanada. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, she speaks about her passion for acting, among others.

Tell us about your upbringing.

I was born in Benin, Edo State. I am the middle child and the first daughter of my family. I had moved to Canada at the age of nine and lived there for 15 years. However, I’m very excited and proud to be back home and focusing on my career.

During the early stages of my life, I had the opportunity to school in Nigeria for my primary education in Benin City. I continued my secondary education in Canada. I went on to study Psychology in York University Canada, where I later obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree.

Have your parents been supportive of your acting career?

My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor. But I opted for Psychology and later moved into showbiz. I started acting professionally because I’ve always been an extrovert.

I participated in school plays, and got involved in my church drama department. Also, I had contested in two major beauty pageants during my teenage stage. I realised performing arts was more than a passion for me, it was something that I wanted to take seriously as a career. It felt like acting was my calling and not just something that I simply enjoyed. I made my decision in late 2013, after I had finished schooling, to come back to Nigeria. But, the most amazing part of my decision is how well my parents supported me and have continued to support me through this journey.

What are some of the movies you have starred?

Some of the few productions that I have been involved in since 2014 are ‘Family Secrets’ which is a soap opera, ‘King Akubueze’, ‘Heal my pain’, ‘Going to America’, ‘Oasis’, ‘Bedlam’, ‘Desperate housewives Africa’ and ‘Tinsel’.

Ever since the debut of ‘Desperate Housewives Africa’, I would definitely say that my career has been picking up quite well, because I play as one of the leads in it. It’s nice when people know your face based on a professional film work that you have acted in.

Which is the most challenging?

As strange as it might sound, I am yet to play a challenging role in a movie. Because I haven’t come across a film that has extremely challenged my ability in a very intense way. It sure would be great to be part of a phenomenon film project that would be challenging for me.

What’s your impression about Nigerians starring in sex films?

It’s true that some Nigerian actresses are being starred in sex movies because of money. First of all, I must say that there is nothing wrong with love/sex making in films when it’s done very professionally because films are a replica of real life stories. However, I am not that daring when it comes to playing sex roles in films, especially if the mo-

What’s your opinion about Nigerian divas that post naked pictures on the net?

I don’t judge people based on the decisions they make in life. It’s their choice. When people choose to post naked pictures on the internet for stardom, it’s a choice that they believe would work well for them. Sometimes, it does and they are ready to pay whatsoever the outcome is. It is not the path that I am interested in.

What thrills you most about your acting career?

What thrills me is how one can tell a story in such beautiful and artistic way just by using the forms of body, verbal and facial language. What thrills me also about acting is the beauty of being able to transform yourself into a completely different character.

Has acting robbed you of your privacy?

Yes, but I still live a normal life like most people. I wouldn’t say being in the public eye robs me of my privacy completely. Of course, it limits what I can and cannot do both publicly and privately, especially when you may have young individuals who look up to you as a role model.

Who are you aspiring to be like in Nollywood?

I am not aspiring to be like anyone in Nollywood or Hollywood. I am Linda Osifo. I simply look up to and learn from talented veterans in the industry such as Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade and actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Kimberly Elise and many talented others in both Nollywood and Hollywood industry.

How daring are you in romance roles?

I have played some romance roles. For those who have seen me act in the popular soap opera, ‘Tinsel’, the character, ‘Nina Fire’ I played a very intense romance role that involved kissing and more. I believe it’s something that comes natural when the story line is good.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, June 21, 2015

How do you cope with sexual harassment in Nollywood?

There are cases of sexual harassment even in Hollywood too. It’s one of those sensitive cases that I pray to God never to fall a victim to! I can only try not to be involved in situations that can lead to such because, unfortunately, there aren’t many authorities that people can report such cases to here in Nigeria.

Are there some roles you would turn down no matter the amount at stake?

There are roles that I would turn down! Only for professional reasons and that is based on the story line of the script. It’s not every film you need to act in.

Can you define your style?

My personal style in one word is classy. I like to keep my fashion sense as simple and classy as possible.

What fashion accessory forms a larger part of your wardrobe?

I am a shoe addict! Not just any shoes, but high-heeled shoes. High heels definitely make up a large part of my wardrobe because I believe that shoes are what makes or breaks a lady’s outfit.

What part of your body wouldn’t you mind flaunting?

Fashion truly is about flaunting your good sides and concealing your flaws. The part of my body that I would say I am comfortable enough to flaunt is my legs.

What is your life philosophy?

My philosophy of life is to never settle for anything less than your vision. In other words, we all have dreams to be the best in whatsoever we do. If something will limit y o u or even make you stagnant, then don’t settle for it. I have always believed that hard work pays off and takes time but one should work smart as well. Most importantly, to pray very hard to God and have faith in all you do.

Applause

27

‘Touching the lives of the needy excites me’ ADAEZE AMOS

P

rincess Amaka Anakwe who holds the chieftaincy of Adaigbo 1 na Nollywood is from Abatete in Idemili North local council of Anambra State. This chummy lady is the eight child of Chief and Mrs John Anakwe (Ichie Ezewulu) from Anakwe dynasty of Umudunu Agbaja, Abatete.

She said: “I am a social activist, businesswoman, motivational speaker and girl- child-rights-advocate. I started social activism in June 2013 when I launched my first brain-child Corporate Social Responsibility Africa Awards (COSRAA), a platform through which we encourage and appeal to governments, organisations and people of Africa to apply ethical measures when doing business on the continent. This includes taking into consideration international rights, standards and the way they affect changes in the lives of people and communities where they operate.

“We set out to encourage peace, harmony and to promote development in our society. COSRAA also is set to launch the first edition of its magazine as we have seen that through awards alone, we cannot reach a larger segment of the society. Our aim now is to let every individual in Africa know that there’s always something you can do to impact on the society, government cannot do it alone and that development of our nation lies in the hands of every individual.”

Princess Anakwe has mapped out a lot to touch the lives of the citizenry and humanity as a whole. Just recently, she founded Society Women Advocacy Group (SWAG), a non-governmental organisation cut out to support and introduce resources to raise the self esteem of the girl-child. It is also to address the social, economic, political and health needs of poor rural women vulnerable to patriarchal and traditional social pressure.

I have also introduced ‘Love Is Endless project’ to the line of activities of COSRAA as a way of giving support to the less-privileged and the abandoned sick in our society, she revealed.

Anakwe studied Economics at the University of Port Harcourt. She received a diploma in Journalism from Midland Graduate Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Besides hfounding NGOs, she also has passion for acting.

“I joined Nollywood in 2011 after a brief encounter in 2009, but before that time, I’ve done numerous stage plays while I was in school. I’m a creative person; acting is an art, very diverse, engaging and also adventurous. It’s the adventurous, creative and entertaining aspect of acting that attracted me to Nollywood. Also, the need to be a voice in the society as Nollywood gives one a platform to be known is the major advantage,” she stressed.

This adventurous woman told Sunday Mirror what makes her happy about being a woman in a male-dominated society.

“Getting away with many things simply because I am a woman. Second, being regarded as a weaker sex when the opposite is the case helps me to get away with many things; but it never denies me the power to exert my authority. I’m from a royal home. It is the royalty in my family line that followed me; so it was no surprise when I won the hearts of many to be given the title ‘Adaigbo 1 na Nollywood’.

“Also, no one can dispute my leadership quality. I thank God for this because leadership is a gift from God. It reflects in me wherever I am. I’m an honest person, I stand on the truth no matter the consequence. It’s one thing my father taught me and my siblings. I hate injustice and love

the good of people, which is one reason I became a social activist. I believe these and the grace of God brought the title for me because there are many in the industry more qualified and well known than me,” she emphasised.

Princess Anakwe has used her platforms as an actress, chief and her non-governmental organisations to touch lives. Indeed, she has been able to give back to the society tremendously.

“I’ve been doing a lot of advocacy. I have also set up a project known as ‘Love Is Endless’, which focuses on helping the less-privileged and the abandoned sick among us.

We can never give enough, love is truly endless. I’m also in conjunction with some other organisations currently working out a way to give support to the disadvantaged women in the rural communities, who have desire to start up petty trading but lack support. I want to map out a plan to give them support,” she said.

Interestingly, her lifestyle has changed, to conform to her status as a chief.

“Being a titled person means living a life of discipline, a life worthy of emulation because the title automatically makes you a role model. As a titled person, I can’t wear certain styles of dresses to occasions. Such styles as minis, open dresses that would expose my body or English attire, I can’t wear to occasions. I can’t go to a club and start dancing like every other person. I can’t eat openly in a public place and so on. The title entails discipline. Those that know me knew how I used to dress to occasions. I loved looking sexy though in a classy way but now, I have to dress to depict the authority I carry,” she affirmed.

What actually makes her day?

“Seeing a smile on the face of a person I rendered help to. Another thing that makes me happy is when I accomplish a task, on a lighter note, when I see credit alert on my phone,” she laughed.

Her life’s philosophy is, “Do good to people, whichever way you can, whenever you can and however you can and do unto others what you want them do unto you.”

Life has taught her that, “God is the answer to everything, trusting men is like building a house without strong foundation, that life is more fulfilling when we make ourselves available to the service of others and in giving, we receive,” she said.

This amiable lady is not one of those that think that marriage is less important. She says she is ready to settle down “when my ideal man finds me.”

What qualities of does she need in her ideal man. “My ideal man is one with conscience, he must be Intelligent, truthful, caring, have a good sense of humour. He should have carriage, be handsome and of course godly,” she declared.

This style aficionado used to bear Amaka South, “because I stayed for a long time in South Africa. It actually came from my friend Ambassador and before you know it, it’s everywhere but now that I’m home, and a titled person, it will be inappropriate to be addressed that way again, I’m addressed as Princess now or Ada Igbo 1 Na Nollywood,” she explained.

Fashion to her is “simple and classy. I don’t really like when one’s dressing appears too busy, or when ladies go naked in the name of fashion as is the craze in the world now. To me, that’s an eyesore! A lady must not put everything out in the open, if you must show, make it a little.

Putting everything out in the open or going naked in the name of fashion or even looking like a masquerade is bad dressing. Ladies should always keep it simple and classy.

Always wear styles that will suit your body. That way, you would retain your natural beauty,” she counselled.

28

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GROWING UP Once upon a time with

Aunty Titi

Hello children, How are you coping with your studies? I hope you are working hard because you are preparing for a happy future. Therefore, ensure that you do your homework and read your books so as to excel in your examinations. In this edition, there are interesting articles that are meant to improve your learning skills. Have a splendid week.

A glass of milk

T

The Kangaroo

K

angaroos are herbivores, and they eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, shrubs, tree leaves and shoots.

Ecologically, kangaroos are Australia ’s equivalent of bison, deer and cattle in North America.

Kangaroos get much of the moisture they need from their diet, which means they can go for long periods of time without drinking water.

Like cows, kangaroos have chambered stomachs to help with digestion. They regurgitate grass and shrubs and chew them again before swallowing. They also have highly specialized teeth.

Their molars fall out regularly from the wear and tear of their plant-based diet, and are replaced with new ones.

A kangaroo can grow to between 3 and 8 feet (1 to 3 meters) tall, and they can weigh between 40 and 200 pounds (18 to 100 kilograms), depending on the species. The Eastern Gray Kangaroo is the heaviest marsupial in the world,

and the Red Kangaroo is the largest.

Their hind legs and feet are much stronger and larger than their arms (or “forelimbs ”).

Kangaroo tails are muscular, long and thick at the base, which helps them balance and turn when they ’re hopping.

Speaking of hopping, kangaroos are the only large animals that hop as a primary means of locomotion. A male ’s jump can be 10 feet (3 m) high and 30 feet (9 m) long, and it can reach speeds of up to 40 mph (60 kph).

Kangaroos are highly social.

They often live in groups known as mobs, troops or courts, which can range in size from 10 to more than 100 kangaroos. Males box with each other to establish dominance.

When a kangaroo senses danger, it alerts others by loudly thumping its feet on the ground.

Kangaroos also make grunting, coughing, hissing and clicking noises.

here was a poor boy who made a living with selling various objects door to door, to pay for his school. He was very hungry and felt he couldn ’t walk even a few steps. He decided to ask for food at a house.

He knocked the door and was stunned to see a beautiful young girl in the door step. With so much hesitation, in spite of his hunger, he asked the girl to offer a glass of water.

The young girl understood his hunger through his eyes and offered him milk in a huge glass. With astonished look he drank the milk very slowly.

And asked, how much I owe you for this milk?

The girl replied ‘I don ’t accept anything for kindness. ’ With big smile in his face, the boy thanked the girl from the bottom of his heart and left the place.

Years passed by. The young girl fell ill and was diagnosed with a rarest kind of nervous condition, which was a complicated condition to treat.

While many experienced doctors baffled at her condition, she was taken to a big hospital to study about her condition.

Dr. Kevin, a renowned specialist called in by the hospital to examine her.

He gave a visit to the hospital where she was admitted to learn about the rare condition. As he entered her room, Dr. Kevin immediately identified who was that woman!

With all his efforts and knowledge, Dr. Kevin battled hardly with the disease for weeks and months. At last, he won over the disease and the woman was completely cured. Everyone praised the doctor, while the woman was quite afraid about the hospital bill as she could not afford to pay.

Dr. Kevin asked the hospital to send their bill to him as he would add his charges. After receiving the hospital bill, he wrote note and sent it to her.

With lots of fear, she opened the bill and had no idea how much she was charged.

Her eyes filled with tears and happiness once she opened the bill. She found the bill cancelled and it was not the reason for her happiness.

She saw the note written by Dr.Kevin - “Bill Paid years ago with a glass of milk! ”

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

29

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Dude Style

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

‘I like to dress simply and responsibly’ Moses Bassey, popularly known as Mc Bacee by fans, is a comedian who has graced most comedy platforms in the country. In this interview with Victor Udoh, he speaks about his passion for comedy and his style, among others.

How would you describe your style?

I love our locally made clothes and I love dressing simply in jeans and T-shirt.

What is your favourite fashion item?

The list is my favourite fashion item is endless but I love wristwatches.

How do you relax?

I read a lot of books. I love watching Nigerian movies and also hanging out with friends and colleagues, especially when I am not busy.

What is your philosophy of life?

Be good to people around you because you don’t know where you can meet them in the future.

When did you make your debut in comedy?

I did my first comedy at a dinner party in 2008. It was wonderful, and I believed I wowed everyone. Initially, before going on stage the first time, I was very nervous and took lots of water to calm down. But when I was called on stage, I gave it my all and was surprised when I saw people laughing and rolling on the floor.

However, I have to give kudos to some senior colleagues who helped me improve my career.

Have you had any formal training in the trade?

I didn’t have any formal training; it is inborn. I flow easily when holding a microphone. So, it is just a natural thing, it comes from the inside.

What other things keep you busy apart from comedy?

I like playing games, watching movies and marketing my brand.

What is your definition of style and how do you like to dress?

I like to dress simple and matured because dressing well is good business for me. It also boosts my confidence.

Do you follow trends?

Sure I do. Trends instruct my conduct. Not only does it help me better understand my next steps, but it keeps me going in life.

What fashion item takes the major portion of your wardrobe?

You will see more of wristwatches and shoes. I really love those items.

How did you come into comedy?

Comedy for me started back in my secondary school days, when Okey Bakassi visited my school. He influenced me a lot. Anytime I listened to him, something inside me would say, ‘do you know you can do better than him?’

That’s how I later ventured into comedy.

I am also into event management. I organise comedy show yearly. It is called ‘Laugh a lot’. I am also an ambassador to a charity organisation called ‘Love Eternity’.

What was your growing up like?

It was fun. I attended my first primary school in Lagos, before my family relocated to Akwa Ibom State. I later finished my primary school education in Akwa Ibom, before returning to Lagos for my secondary school education.

However, I had wanted to study Law, but the situation of things made me opt for Business Administration at Yaba College of Technology. However, I don’t have any regrets doing comedy today. Indeed, I have always known I wanted to make people laugh. Studying Business Administration was to help me understand the business side of entertainment.

What kind of books do you love reading?

I love inspirational books; that is where I draw most of my jokes from.

What current projects have you at hand?

For now, I am working on my yearly event which is coming out in September. It is going to be fun because most of the big names in the comedy industry would be coming to spice up the show.

What are your parting words to your fans?

For my fans out there, I would like them to always give their best and leave the rest to God. Don’t envy other people, rather look inside because there is always greatness in everybody.

Can you depict your personality?

I am me, very simple, friendly and easy going. I like to make things happen around me always.

Where do you see the comedy industry in the next five years?

Comedy in Nigeria is fast growing. I see the industry growing to a bigger level in the next five years. I see Nigerian comedians collaborating and competing with the foreign comedians, which is already happening.

&

30

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS JUNE 21, 2015

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

You can call this line 08050324794

Salma ’s beauty, demeanour attracted me –Randy BABIES OF THE WEEK TITILOPE MORAKINYO

T

he biblical saying, ‘Whoever finds a wife has found a good thing ’ aptly describes the love between Salma Busari and Randy Idugboe. This is as Randy ’s persistence and eagerness for what he considered as good made him go after the beautiful bride who later gave in after three months of not receiving calls from him.

According to the groom, “I remember the first day I saw Salma.

It was at a birthday party that my friend had invited me to. As we were gisting outside, a group

of ladies was coming to the party.

I noticed Salma instantly in the crowd. She ’s beautiful and also had a quiet demeanour. Her beauty was captivating. I was instantly drawn to talk to her. I asked my friend who she was. “Don ’t go there, ” he warned.

Apparently, beautiful Salma was a ‘no go zone ’ as several guys had tried to talk to her but failed. Fortunately, I saw Salma again. This same friend invited me once again to his brother-in-law ’s house. He said Salma was going to be there since they were related. I gave it another shot. This was my chance, I told myself. I stared at her, trying to figure out how I was going to approach her.

I eventually summoned courage to talk to her. After much hesitation and convincing, Salma gave me her number. I called her after that day, excited with high hopes of setting up our first date but she didn ’t pick.

I called the next day, and in fact two other days, but still no answer. After begging some of our mutual friends to convince Salma to pick my call, she eventually gave in. She agreed to go out on a date with me.

“She is very humble, mannered, kind and so sweet. I fell in love with her almost instantly. I knew this was someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She is the woman I have always envisioned and prayed for as she gives me peace and so much joy. It ’s really a blessing to know her and have her as my wife, ” he said.

Their wedding took place at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

Salma described her husband as a blessing in her life. “I am truly lost for words when it comes to describing this blessing of a man that God has given me. I love him so much and I thank God each day for bringing him into my life.

“Randy is a genuinely good guy.

He ’s the most caring person I know, always looking out for others, with no selfish interest. He is very hardworking, smart and funny. I love him with every fibre in me. His favourite words are ‘I got you ’. Those three words work magic every time he says them, ” said Salma.

Ayotunde Akeem Sulaimon

A

yotunde Akeem Sulaimon was born at Oluwanishola Private Hospital, Ekiti State to Ayoade and Balqeez Sulaimon. He was delivered on March 1st at 12:29 a.m. and weighed 3.2 kg.

Balqeez told Sunday Mirror that during the pregnancy, she desired fruits.

“I craved for oranges and banana during the pregnancy, ” she said.

Talking about the physical body changes, “Aside from my growing stomach, I gained a little weight and my face

and nose became fat, ” she revealed.

They named him Ayotunde which in Yoruba land means ‘ ’Another Joy is here ’ ’ the reason for this according to his parents, is because they see him as another joy added to their family, just like his elder sisters. Asked what she loves about Ayotunde? I love my son very much. He is the first male child to be born into the family, ” his mother said.

“I just want him to become what God wants him to be, ” Balqeez said.

Patience Oghenero Osutuyi

I couldn ’t take my eyes off her –Segun

I

t was joy when the families of Mr Matthew Utomodu and Mr Ajibade Kalejaye alongside friends and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the marriage of their children, Patience Utomodu and Segun Kalejaye recently.

The wedding, which held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah ’s Witnesses at Festac, Lagos witnessed an array of guests dressed in colourful Asoebi attires of blue and baby pink.

The groom, Segun, told Sunday Mirror that they were both introduced to each other by a mutual friend of theirs. However, they were not serious about it, so they never bothered to take the relationship forward.

He explained that aside from this, they still occasionally met at eateries, but there was still no real feelings between them.

But on February 2 and 3, 2013 when they met at a Christian gathering called Circuit Assembly, they found their rhythm.

The groom said, “During that programme, I couldn ’t get my eyes off her and I noticed the way she looked at me. Our love grew from there and our feelings for each other became mutual ’ ’.

On the day of the wedding, the joy of the couple was quite contagious, as they couldn ’t hide their love for each other.

The groom wore a blue-fitted

suit with a pink blazer and bow tie to match, as well as white-coloured shirt inside with a black shoe.

The bride on her part wore a white French lace dress with embroidery and an Asian veil and princess crown to complement it.

Segun is a civil servant, while Patience is a businesswoman.

T

he family of Mr. and Mrs. Osutuyi was blessed with a baby girl whom they christened Patience Oghenero Osutuyi.

Patience was born at 3.42 p.m. at God ’s Glory maternity home at Jakande in Lekki, Lagos. She weighed 2.6kg at birth.

According to her mother, Mrs. Osutuyi, her baby had to be kept under close watch for a week as a result of skin coloration she had all over her body.

She however explained that there was eventually no cause for alarm.

Mrs Osutuyi told w that her pregnancy period was complication free.

She said she enjoyed eating virtually every food but had serious morning sickness at the initial stage of her pregnancy, the only serious issue during the period.

They named their baby Patience because her husband decided that was the appropriate name given the love of God for the family.

She described her baby as ‘always playful and full of life ’.

31

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What to wear …to a fashion exhibition JUNE 21, 2015

ADAEZE AMOS

T

he fashion world has never been dull. It is always sizzling and brimming with shows of all types… there are those that take place on the runway and others on the red carpet.

Whichever one you want to attend today, you shouldn’t be caught shabbily dressed. Remember you are going to a show where fashion matters a lot. If you are looking for a style that would show off your hot legs, then opt for what Tosin is putting on. What with her jacket! Indeed, this style has a touch of Africa.

32

Perfect Cut

African Look African peplum tops, better worn on jeans ADAEZE AMOS

B

efore the trend to put on peplum African print became popular, it appeared abnormal to wear this style and step out. It is in vogue now if you must know. And its tops are splendid on jeans.

So, don’t be left out; join the bandwagon of African print peplum lovers and catch the feel!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Today’s sty

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Perfect Cut

33

yle enthusiasts splash bold colours better ADAEZE AMOS

H

ave you observed that bold colours are ever present in the style world? If you doubt it, then take a closer look at this page and check out what these divas are putting on. Today’s style aficionados rock bold colours even better these days, not giving a damn whose ox is gored.

Needless to beat about the bush. From the pictures here, it may please you to see that blue and orange colours can be worn in style. Or haven’t you seen that the marvellous Genevieve Nnaji looks cute in these two colours.

Also, take a look at Tiwa Savage in her neon orange low-back dress. She looks attractive.

Accordingly, it’s high time you too began to rock those crazy colours in your wardrobe. Or what do you think?

L

34

OVE

TALK

Sunday, June 21, 2015

with Yemisi

Adeniran

Real ways to a woman’s heart G enuine love, peace and harmony are some of the major adjectives that should best describe an ideal home or a relationship. Sadly, up till now and despite all efforts, many men still complain of a big gap between them and their wives. Their wives, as far as they have noticed, are not at home with them, particularly when it comes to lovemaking. To these men, it is just unfathomable why, despite their efforts, the woman would still give one reason or the other to deny them the warmth that is expected to exist between them.

Meanwhile, the reasons they don’t usually have their way is simply because of their inability, refusal or ignorance of certain things that these women really want from them. Once they are able to provide some of these things, imperfectly as they may be, the women will become very comfortable with their partners such that they begin to yield to their overture many of the time. These things may sound remote, but they have a connection to how sweet lovemaking can be. Let’s consider these few points: Concentrated attention: Many men may be present around their wives some of the time, but of what quality is that presence? Many wives would not appreciate your physical presence, but the emotional angle of it. So, how much of that do you give? They would appreciate that the man gives them the kind of attention they give to football matches between their darling teams and their worst opponents. They would appreciate that they get the kind of attention given to work or some hobbies. Giving them some concentrated attention makes them love their men

Models

the more and want to give them anything they ask for.

Do the little things: Men should not ignore certain little things. Doing them is like giving attention to some little details in the completion of a piece of art. Those little things, at times, bring out the beauty of the piece and distinguish it from the rest. So, men, doing some little work at home, for instance, can appear very fantastic to the woman. It could mean cutting the grass and removing the cobweb around the house. It could even mean fetching the food for the two of you into the bedroom. Small as they may appear, they have their own wonderful effects.

Leadership: Most women believe in the man being the

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

head of the family. Forget about the battle to equal the men in different respect, they want a man who will, indeed, be the head of the family by showing good leadership characters. They want a man that would give the direction to the kind of life the family should lead. This will encompass so many things including the kind of education, lifestyle and living standard of the family. They are not always comfortable taking the lead when there’s a man around; once they take the mantle of leadership, they want to dictate or determine when certain things are right or wrong and that may not favour the men.

Want to be spoilt: No matter how recent the last time you gave her a treat may be, nothing stops you from repeating the feat. It makes her special. It makes her feel that you still fancy her and love her like it used to be those days when you were just dating or courting. It makes her love you more. The treat doesn’t have to come with a big bill; it doesn’t have to be exaggerated. The point you should simply make is that, she is still special in your life and you love her more.

Security: Although this is similar to or can be linked to leadership, it borders on being focused. A woman wants a man who is focused and moving steadily towards a set goal. A woman wants a man who would provide financial security and would always be there for her and the family, no matter the situation.

A listening ear: A woman needs a man who would not listen to his own voice alone, but that of the wife too. This is not about listening alone, but caring. It is perhaps concluded that a man who listens is ready to act.

Without doubt, there are many more things women or wives want from their husbands, the few that have been pointed out are key and would make a lot of difference in any good relationship. Besides, any man who will be humble and bold enough to observe the above and even more is the only man who is in absolute charge of his home. He is that man who can actually find his way to his woman’s heart. So, guys, just try and you will be glad you do. Goodluck and catch ya!

Sexual solutions and love products for adults I am getting married to a man that my parents set me up to marry. I have known him for around six months. He is very quiet and I think we can have a great future together. I will like to learn ways to really please him and I am hoping you can give me advice on what men like – Christina Dear Christina, arranged marriages still happen every now and then and sometimes, the couples involved go on to live very happy lives together. However, I suggest dating him for a while before marrying him. If you intend to spend the rest of your life with someone, six months is too short a time to get to know him. Very often, people get excited and just get married only to end up regretting it.

As for what men like, the specifics vary from person to person. By the time you get to know your fiancé well, you will have answers to these question. That is one of the benefits of long courtships. You can also get this information by asking him. If he is too shy to still say anything, then try different things when you are together and see which ones he enjoys the most. It is not difficult – Uche Hello sir. I called your office requesting for the Max Arousal Gel but they kept trying to make me buy a drug instead. I want to order Max Arousal Gel. It gives me what I want – Jerry Jerry, you can take Max Arousal Gel if that is what you prefer. It is a good product and we have it. It is a mild arousal ointment and the reason my staff were recommending something stronger for you is just so that you will be guaranteed great results. The strength of these aphrodisiacs vary and supplements are usually more reliable than creams when it comes to giving firm erections.

But of course if you have used Max Arousal Gel and liked it, then nothing else matters – Uche Good day sir. I wrote you a long time ago about my small semen issue and you said I was fine. But it still bothers me and I will like to take the supplement that increases it.

Thanks – Jide Sure. Explosion Ejaculate Volumizer is an ideal supplement for semen increment so you can use it. It also facili-

tates greater sexual enjoyment as well so you will like it. It is taken daily – Uche I am interested in something affordable that can help me perform better in the bedroom – Bruce Bruce, cheap supplements are there but sometimes they are slow and take a while to work. So if you don’t mind that, then go for Sex Voltz. It comes in different affordable packages and helps men with performance stamina and firmer erections. The Rock Hard Weekend Performance Drink is also another option and does the same thing – Uche I bought the 6.5 inch Penile Extension from you and I wish I took something bigger. So far it has been okay and my woman and I can have sex for hours with that thing. I just wish there was something bigger – Ejike Ejike the Penile Extension comes in different sizes. I believe that the 8 inch version is available so you can go for that – Uche I am interested in penis enlargement but is it at all possible? I have heard different things - King King, people enlarge their penises every day. If that is what you want, then use a good supplement like Big Bam Boo with an equally good penis pump such as the Machismo Enlargement Pump. They will give you good results within weeks – Uche My wife bought the Spanish Fly Drink and a vibrator from you and it helped her. So it convinced me to come for help too. My problem is quick ejaculation and I have battled it for years – Umaru The solutions to premature ejaculation are many.

You can solve the problem with a delay cream, a penis sleeve or a supplement. For the delay cream, use Gladiator Power Cream. It works within a few minutes. If you prefer a penis sleeve, take the Cock Extender Sleeve. It is our skin color too so it blends in. And for the supplement, take Rhino 5 or X Again Platinum Enhancer – Uche That is all for today. The names of the people fea-

tured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 07086754515 or 08053911233 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia. com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Ifu Ennada

08023012293 (SMS ONLY)

Avoid staying indoors during pregnancy

A

re you pregnant and you lazily stay indoors?

You sleep from morning till night and find it difficult to do even some of the simple house chores? Too bad!

When Tina, 22, was pregnant, she was pampered like an egg. The husband stopped her from doing house chores.

She was chauffeur-driven. A cook was employed for her who did all the cooking and tidied up the kitchen.

Her houseboy was responsible for mopping and cleaning the rooms in their duplex. Tina stopped going to her salon and beauty shop. She now monitored her workers on the phone. All she did was to wake up from sleep, step into her bathtub, powder her face and sit before the TV till night when she would go back to bed.

But her TV, telephones and some of her friends who visited to chitchat kept her busy.

However, medical experts frown at this kind of sedentary lifestyle and they have reasons for that. “The aim of moderate physical activities or mild exercising during pregnancy is to maintain a good health condition for both mother and the unborn baby. Sitting idle and not doing anything in the house is not good for you,” said a medic.

Medical experts insist that exercise, however, is good for both mother and the unborn child. It keeps you aerobically fit, keeps your weight under control, probably reduces the chances of difficulties while in labour.

Researchers asked almost 12,000 new mothers how many times they had their exercise during pregnancy. The women were also asked about their jobs, the weight of their babies and whether they were born early.

The information showed that mentally un-stimulating work, including doing jobs around the house day-in day-out increased the chances of giving birth at least three weeks earlier by up to 25 per cent. Although it isn’t clear why, researchers think it may be that boring tasks increase levels of stress hormones involved in triggering labour.

This is a good point after all, no pregnant mum would love to carry her baby above term and go through the rigours of inducement before labour can set in. So, pregnancy shouldn’t hinder your being active.

‘I stood naked on Eko Hotels balcony’

T

Researcher Hajo Wildschut of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, said: “Pregnancy is not a disease. In fact, most women who are pregnant are healthy and are being delivered of perfectly healthy babies. Women who are healthy and do not have pregnancy complications should not restrict their activities in order to achieve a better pregnancy outcome.

They may safely continue their normal daily physical activities such as jogging, squash and weight training even until late in pregnancy.”

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that in most cases exercise in pregnancy is safe but you should avoid strenuous ones such as cycling, ice-skating and horse-riding.

Therefore, be active! Take a look at Tifanny Evans, the lady on this page, how she modelled it up when she was eight months gone. She still looked glamorous as ever. The singer and songwriter recently participated in a photo shoot that was stylish.

he naughtiest thing I have done is indeed laughable. I feel surprised to share this absurd conduct.

I pray that my mother doesn’t read this because I would be in trouble if she does.

There was a time I stayed at Eko Hotels in Victoria Island, Lagos for an event. At night, just before I took my bath, I undressed and stood at the balcony with my arms stretched out. The sea breeze was blowing on my naked skin. I felt good and relieved. While I stood there, I could see the entire city and its beauty that night. I was just admiring the work of nature, and being in that state, I was indeed enjoying the scenery. The entire city was beautiful that night.

While I stood there, I believed no one saw me. I stood there for about 30 seconds before I rushed back to the bathrooom.

I wasn’t under the influence of any strong substance, not even a sip of alcohol. I did it with my eyes wide open. I was of course totally aware of what I was doing. I just did that random thing.

Don’t hate me because of this. It was one of those youthful exuberances. I was barely 20 years old when I did it and I was a great fan of RSA (Random Silly Acts).

Ennada is an actress who has starred in many movies and soaps.

–ADAEZE AMOS

36

Nkwobi T

his choice dish is from the eastern part of Nigeria and is served in many restaurants. It is made with the leg of a goat or cow and the local aromatic spices. It is very delicious, spicy and can pass for a dessert Ingredients 1kg goat/cow leg 2 seasoning cubes 1/2 cup palm oil Chilli pepper to taste Chopped utazi leaf (as desired) 1 tsp ground ehuru seeds 1/4 cup ground crayfish 1/2tsp ground potash 1/4 cup ugba (oil bean), sliced Salt to taste

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Directions Season the meat properly and cook till it is soft and you have a rich stock,(it’s faster with a pressure cooker) In a pot, make a paste with the ground potash using the palm oil Place on heat and stir Add the onions, pepper, seasoning cubes and crayfish Pour in the cooked goat/cow leg with little stock Cook for about five minutes Add more stock if it is too dry Add the ugba and the ground ehuru seeds Lower the heat, taste for salt Allow the flavour to blend for about a minute and serve Nkwobi is usually served in a wooden mortar garnished with chopped Utazi leaves and onions.

Chardonnay wine

U

ndoubtedly the world’s most sought after grape variety by winemakers and drinkers alike, Chardonnay is one of the most popular and widely grown varietals. Produced in many different wine regions of the world, Chardonnay comes in different styles, from the lean, crisply mineral wines of Chablis, France to New World wines with oak and tropical fruit flavors. It can also be found as a varietal in many fine French Champagnes. Chardonnay is a great pairing with poultry and seafood dishes and earthy foods like mushrooms and aged cheeses

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

POEM

Who am I? I am a surprise I don ’t have eyes I ’m wrapped in plastic I am fantastic I could be red But I ’m not dead I could be blue Bluer than you I could be pink But I don ’t think Make up your mind I ’m not hard to find You could me in a Milk Bar Or eat me in the car I do not walk I do not talk But most of all I don ’t taste like pork I am not shy I do not cry I will never let out a wimpy sigh I find myself covered in spit Then fall into a bottomless pit Serena Williams likes my taste But doesn ’t like tomato paste Do not be scared of me All I want to be is free

TONGUE TWISTER

37

YOUNG FASHION

I am very nice I don ’t taste like rice You can ’t cut me into a slice I ’m filled with sugar But don ’t think I ’m a booger Do not fear I don ’t taste like beer But when I ’m around everyone will cheer People will stop When they see me in the shop You ’ll buy me five times over Like I ’m a four leaf clover People say I rock But I don ’t smell like a sock You might say I ’m food But I ’m never in a bad mood I might ask Sam Who I am He might say “What? ” And tell me who I ’m not.

Understanding the crop jacket for Girls It’s the season of rain, what better time for young girls to dress in the famous crop jacket. You can wear either the jean, camo or even shredded jeans crop jackets. Enjoy the look book below.

crop jacket

WORDS ON MARBLES

The price of greatness is responsibility –Sir Winston Churchill.

JOKE

Why did the boy bring a ladder to school?

He wanted to go to high school.

Why did the girl smear peanut butter on the road?

To go with the traffic jam!

Why do bananas have to put on sunscreen before they go to the beach?

Because they might peel!

Something in a thirty-acre thermal thicket of thorns and thistles thumped and thundered threatening the three-D thoughts of Matthew the thug - although, theatrically, it was only the thirteen-thousand thistles and thorns through the underneath of his thigh that the thirty year old thug thought of that morning.

Growing Up

Sunday, June 21, 2015

crop jacket

crop jacket

RIDDLES

• Why can ’t a man living in New York be buried in Chicago? Because he ’s still living!

• What begins with T, ends with T and has T in it? A teapot • How many letters are there in the English alphabet?

There are 18: 3 in ‘the ’, 7 in ‘English ’ and 8 in ‘alphabet ’.

• Which month has 28 days? All of them of course!

WHO INVENTED WHAT? Martin Cooper created the rst mobile phone

M

artin Cooper, a Motorola researcher and executive is widely considered to be the inventor of the first practical mobile phone for handheld use in a non-vehicle setting. Using a modern, if somewhat heavy portable handset, Cooper made the first call on a handheld mobile phone on April 3, 1973.

A mobile phone is also known as a cellular phone, cell phone, hand phone, or simply a phone, is a phone that can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link while moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile phone op-

FAIRY PUZZLE

erator, allowing access to the public telephone network. By contrast, a cordless telephone is used only within the short range of a single, private base station.

In addition to telephony, modern mobile phones also support a wide variety of other services such as text messaging, MMS, email, Internet access, short-range wireless communications (infrared, Bluetooth), business applications, gaming, and photography. Mobile phones that offer these and more general computing capabilities are referred to as smartphones.

38

Movies & Music

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Phyno, Akpororo, others share Complete Happiness at A.Y show

F

ollowing the resounding success of the 2015 A.Y Live Special Easter Edition in Lagos, Nigeria’s premier non-alcoholic malt drink, Maltina, moved to the Federal Capital Territory for the 2nd leg of the Complete Happiness 2015 A.Y Live series.

The event which took place on Father’s Day at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja featured comedy performances by A.Y, Elenu, I Go Dye, Ushbebe, Gordons, Helen Paul, Akpororo, Fred Bright, Chucks D General and music performances from M.I, Phyno and many others.

Show organiser and headline act, A.Y said the Abuja edition was even better than that of Lagos.

“The Lagos edition was a great opening to the 2015 series of the show. We had some awesome performances and there was an insane amount of laughter.

“We definitely do not want Abuja to miss out on the fun, so we put everything in place to ensure that everyone had the best experience possible in the Abuja show,” A.Y said.

Speaking recently, Maltina Senior Brand Manager, Wole Adedeji, disclosed that the brand continues to partner with AY Live “because the show demonstrates our commitment to inspiring happy moments worth sharing with family and friends”.

His words: “Maltina is a happy brand and we believe very strongly in promoting joy and laughter because this is secret to happiness and wellbeing. The rich nourishment of Maltina to share, your friends, family and loved ones around you and a hilarious and family-oriented show such as AY Live is the perfect package to make your day.

Maltina believes that a family that laughs together stays together.”

The Complete Happiness A.Y Live series is a major part of the brand’s ‘Laugh Out Loud’ campaign launched last year as a demonstration of Maltina’s wish to share happiness to consumers.

The final leg of the 2015 A.Y Live series will hold in Port Harcourt later in the year.

Phyno

Kcee releases Love Boat F

KCee

ive Star Music and serial hit-maker, Kcee releases one of the hottest cross-border collaboration of 2015, entitled ‘Love Boat’. It featured most decorated Tanzanian artiste at the moment, Diamond Platnumz.

With a string of back-to-back hits already on his belt, from his breakthrough hit ‘Now I Know’, to the instant classic ‘Limpopo’, to the recent fan favourite ‘Limba’, Kcee’s new single entitled ‘Love boat’ which ticks all the boxes to make it a hit comes as no surprise.

With hit progression and melodies from the collaborators; and Del B on the boards, Kcee roars back to the fore, with this massive new single, that is bound to make it a favourite and contiDiamond nental hit song.

Akpororo

DJ Spinall now Smirnoff’s brand ambassador Smirnoff, the iconic premium spirit brand from the stables of Diageo Nigeria Plc has announced the signing of DJ Spinall as its brand ambassador. The signing of the ace DJ took place at the headquarters of Guinness Nigeria Plc in Lagos as part of the brand’s activities to further entrench the brand among its esteemed consumers.

It will be recalled that Smirnoff, renowned as the world’s number one party brand, recently launched a new variant labelled Smirnoff Guarana at a thrilling Double Side party that took place at the Auto-Max Car care shop at Oregun, Lagos, first of its kind to happen in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Head, Marketing, Spirits and RTD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Liz Ashdown, explained the rationale behind the choice of DJ Spinall as its brand ambassador in Nigeria.

“Smirnoff is recognised worldwide as the world premium vodka drink and also the world’s most renowned party brand where high energy parties are occasioned.

The party experience gets more exciting when you have the right kind of music. DJ Spinall has demonstrated over time that he understands the essence of excitement as far as parties and gatherings are concerned.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Tariah, Henshaw return to TV as Do-good premieres

C

omic great and renowned Nollywood actor, Basorge Tariah Jnr., is returning to the small screen as ‘Africa Magic’ premieres its new Pidgin English sitcom, Do-good, on July 6.

Do-good, which is a spin-off of a popular Nigerian drama series of the 1990s, features the exploits of the titular character Do-good, played by Tariah, who returns from a sojourn abroad to woo his sweetheart Emem, played by Nollywood leading lady Kate Henshaw.

Speaking on the new show, the Regional Director, M-Net (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “Africa Magic continues to lead the way in creating and showcasing the best content made by Africans for Africans. Do-good is the latest in a line of exciting content that continues to appear on our channels. Besides being a stellar comedy series, it also tells a story of love, ambition and focuses on the struggles of the ordinary man. It is a humorous depiction of real life situations and definitely promises to be a hit with all lovers of comedy and good television.”

The new sitcom, which also features appearances from other popular comic actors including Tony Akposheri and Yibo Koko, will be available on the Africa Magic Urban channel (DStv channel 153). Previously renowned for its showcasing of full length contemporary movies, Africa Magic Urban was recently refreshed to focus on general entertainment content and currently features a number of exciting drama series, sitcoms and magazine shows alongside exciting movie content.

Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, said: “MultiChoice has supported Nigerian entertainment for over 20 years and we continue to pioneer in the production and showcasing of the best entertainment content the country has to offer. Do-good is a great example of our ongoing partnership with the Nigerian entertainment industry, and it expands our already impressive list of exciting and fun programming for viewers to choose from.”

Do-good is the latest addition to the thrilling content line-up which recently launched on the various Africa Magic channels in 2015 including the telenovella, Hotel Majestic, and the popular late night talk show, Highlites with IK. Speaking further on the launch of Do-good, Mba-Uzoukwu added: “The Africa Magic brand is synonymous with Nollywood and the exciting content that continues to come out of the industry.

All the Africa Magic channels are the go-to sources for world-class African entertainment content and we consistently work to ensure that our viewers are spoilt for choice.”

Tariah

Mide Martins defends her choice of husband

T

Martins

op Nollywood actress, Mide Funmi Martins, has developed a thick skin to negative stories that have been written about her in the media since she got married to a movie director in the Yoruba film industry, Afeez Owoh.

Not many people had expected the pretty lady to settle for Owoh as husband because he is well older than her. In fact, the man was his late mother’s manager. While alive, Afeez was also a close friend of Funmi Martins.

But not too long ago, rumour had it that Mide had left her husband, but she came out to vehemently deny the speculations. The actress explained why she married her husband, saying the man was by her side when her mother died. She further said at first, she had no romantic feelings for the man, but that as time went on, it developed feelings for him.

In an interview she granted a few months ago, she said, “It is a normal thing for one to develop affection and feelings for someone who is always there for you, especially the person that was really of help when no one was there.

“My husband was the only person that was there for me during this period and that’s one of the reasons I fell for him. And then I love him actually. He was my mum’s manager before she died but before she died, we were best of friends and that’s where the feelings started from.

“So after she died, we became even closer, go out together, work together on some of the movie scripts mummy left behind and from there, things started going and thank God this is our 12th year together.”

Henshaw

Aishat Abimbola’s foundation donates to charity

N

ollywood top actress, Aishat Abimbola aka Omoge Campus, last week led her Unity Foundation, a charity organisation, to Modupe Cole Orphanage Home, Yaba, Lagos.

The group donated items such as rice, groundnut oil, salt, soft drinks, tissue papers, among others.

Speaking after the presentation that was

done in the presence of the less privileged children, she said, “These people are part of us, so we need to show them love. Also our club is just a year old today and we believe instead of throwing a big party we should just come here and show love to these children.”

On the team was Ayomide Amina Momoh, wife of the Prince. Nurudeen Oloworo said the

club is ready to do more in their subsequent years.

“We just feel we should celebrate these people, we have the chance to go to hotel for a lavish celebration but we all decided to come here.

We are a group of people who have the same set of positive mind. We have many types of professions.”

Abimbola

39

40

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)

‘Help! My four daughters are overdue for marriage ’ (3) While Stella was talking, Veronica was contemplating confessing to her four daughters what she suspected was responsible for their predicament.

In need of a serious relationship/marriage My name is Henry, 33. I need a lady for a relationship -08060018369.

V

eronica remembered the story her husband told her before he died and disclosed everything to her children.

They listened attentively as if they would write an exam on that.

“Your father told me a story of how he broke a young girl ’s heart so mercilessly that she wept in the rain and cursed him.

It happened when he was in class three in secondary school, so many years ago. His mother had a house which she let out to tenants. One of the tenants had a girl of 16 who was living with him. The girl would sneak into your father ’s room where he taught her mathematics.

One day, he lured the girl to his bed, and that few minutes act resulted in pregnancy.

“When the girl ’s elder brother realised his sister was pregnant, he confronted your dad, who denied the deed. He swore not to have had any affair with the girl. He lied that he was only teaching her mathematics. The poor girl was taken to her mother in their village but before the 16-year-old left, she tearfully cursed your father.

She stepped out in the rai in the night not caring that neighbours were watching. She looked up in the sky placing a hand on her breasts and the other on her private part and swore that all the female children your father would have in life would be rejected the way she had been denied and rejected. And that he would never enjoy the fruit of his labour in their lives …that as long as she had been denied and done away with, so would his daughters be ignored by

Uche is my name. I deal in telephone parts and recharge cards. I ’m 27 years old. I need a good wife -08028922937.

My name is Emmanuel from Cross River State. I ’m a vendor and I live in Enugu. I need a good wife -08073507667.

Sony is my name. I ’m financially comfortable. I need a sex mate. I live in Enugu -08030887308.

Prince is my name from Enugu. I need a sexy slim lady for a relationship -08074600653.

Big Ocean is my name. I am 25 years old and a footballer. I need a good wife -08053405437.

Ade is my name, a university graduate. I also need a graduate and a working class lady to settle down with. She should be tall or average in height. She has to be plump and a Yoruba, between the age of 30 and 37 -08074600653.

I ’m Alhaji Taju, 57, CEO, Multi Media Co based in Lagos. I need a rich, sexy, busty and moderate-sized sugar mummy, age between 50 and 56.

She must be living in Lagos or Ota, Ogun State -07058574844.

Ola Daniel is my name. I ’m 35 years old and I live in Lagos. I ’m cool but very hot in bed. I need a sexy, sweet, calm, busty and pretty lady between 25 and 40 years old for a relationship -08174455621.

My name is Udo, 50, a graduate of University of Uyo. I have twin sons but I ’m single for now. I need a wife from any tribe and she should be between 25 and 53 years of age -08180743815.

I ’m Ifediaso Onuchukwu. I live in Enugu. I need a virtuous woman for marriage -07087699800.

A model

men, ” Veronica revealed.

“When he told me the story, I didn ’t take it seriously because I was thinking that the curse had prevented me from having a son and that was where it would stop. I only started suspecting the curse may be responsible for your situation when I considered what happened to me. I received almost the same curse from Beatrice, my friend and a lady your father wanted to marry.

I falsely accused her of sleeping around so that I would have your father to me. I told my mother, a spiritualist how I so much loved him and wanted him to leave Beatrice and marry me. My mother asked me to get his picture and leave the rest for her. I stole his picture from Beatrice and when my mother was through with her incantation, she said I should accuse Beatrice of sleeping around. When I did, your father believed and kicked her out of his life and married me. She was so disap-

pointed that she wept continually for several weeks.

The story was the talk of the whole village. Before she left your dad, she heaped curses on the fruits of the union. She said that just as her relationship with your father never led to marriage, so would his daughters be approached for mere relationships that would never culminate in marriage.

“Before your father died, I confessed to him what I did and he was bitter with me. When I tried all I could to give him a male child, I sought help from another spiritualist because my

mother had died. She told me that I would never be able to have a son. She added that I would have beautiful daughters who would reap the result of my curse.

The question now is that I don ’t know the curse she was referring to, whether it was that of Beatrice on me or the curse on your father by the 16-year-old girl whom he pregnanted. ” Veronica ’s story confounded her daughters. Indeed, they were speechless.

•Readers, do you think what she said is responsible for her daughters ’ predicament? What ’s the way out.

Dear Amanda, RESPONSE

Re: ‘I must marry Lillian ’ You must have been bril-

Theo, What an unfortunate and pathetic story you have. Summarily, I opine that you must let go of Lillian for good and allow God to send you a God-fearing wife from a genuine Christian home and not this one shrouded in satanic vision of mysterious apparition and tortures. A stitch in time saves nine. Lean on God now please.

Apeji Onesi, Lagos.

08060504740.

liant to have graduated

and married at the age of

Forever is my name. I live and work in Lagos. I need a lady for marriage.

She must be above 25 years old –08032122017.

My name is Seun. I am 27 years old. I need a responsible, beautiful, humble lady for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage –08078888854.

I am Ade, 47 years old, and based in Lagos. I require a 38 to 42-year-old widow or divorcée, financially stable who ’ll support my business and ready to marry within six months –08188417532.

In need of a sugar mummy/daddy My name is Anuoluwapo. I am a 28-year-old undergraduate from Ogun State. I am academically sound. I need a sugar mummy who can take care of me for a lasting relationship –08059843665.

I am Olu, a 33-year-old, up-and-coming artist from Ondo State. I want a rich, sugar mummy for financial aid and satisfaction –07055226757.

My name is Dennis. I ’m 41 years old; of average height and live in Gombe State. I need a decent sugar mummy in Abuja or any part of North-East.

Religion is no barrier –08183143566.

My name is Victor. I am 25-year-old handsome guy resident at Winners Chapel, Ota, Ogun State. I require a sugar mummy; she should reside either in Ogun or Lagos state –08062270591.

Dan is my name, 32 years old. I live in Lagos. I want a sugar mummy who I can share love with –08028148960.

My name is Amos. I ’m a 30-year-old Christian based in Lagos. I am 5.11 ft tall, from Jos. I need a sugar mummy, between 40 and 45 years old –08095656009.

I am Okafor Frank, a student based in Onitsha, Anambra State. I want a sugar mummy who will take care of me –08062347305.

My name is Sammy, 25 years old. I live in Lagos. I want a sugar mummy for fun and connection, not for money –07065075990.

I am Jide, from Lagos. I am 36 years old and single. I need a sugar mummy that is ready to love me –08024921464.

My name is Clem, based in Lagos. I need a sugar mummy –07086426368.

My name is Sam, 23 years old, I need a caring sugar mummy who is rich and beautiful. – 08034529842

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

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday June 21, 2015

41

How to distinguish between Godly and Satanic death, by Prophet Oloruntimilehin

I

t is imperative for people to thank and appreciate God for allowing them to see each day. Each time people wake up in the morning, they should thank and appreciate God. But as they wake up, they wake up with problems and difficulties. Every person is born with problems and lives with them. So each person is bound to face challenges and difficulties in this world.

A person faces physical, extra difficulties, ulties, family and children problems, husband nd or wife difficulty, feeding and drinking problems. Therefore, there is nobody who o lives on this earth who does not face any difficulty iculty.

Even a wise scholar once said that nobody ody is happy from morning till night.

No matter the position or status of the he person, he or she would be saddened before re the end of the day whether the person is rich ich or poor. Therefore, people cannot be alive without sadness. Some people would be saddened dened when they look at the problems confronting onting them. I pray that whatever sadness people are experiencing would come to an end nd in Jesus name.

Brethren, God provides blessing and d devil provides sadness for people. If evil befall efall a person, definitely devil has a hand in the e evil.

Death has two types, Godly and devil deaths. eaths.

Some years back, I went to a burial al ceremony of an old woman. She had nine e children (8 males and 1 female). All the children ildren are well to do professionals. The death ath of the woman was Godly because the children ildren joined hands together to give their mother ther a befitting burial ceremony. The children en expressed their satisfaction that their mother had a pleasant and joyful life. A lot of people testified to the goodness and generosity ity of the woman. She rendered help and assistance to the needy and poor. The late woman oman had good children because she trained d her children well. In fact, the Bible says in the book of Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. Therefore the death of the woman was Godly because she died at old

General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, distinguishes between Godly and Satanic death. Excerpts: age and in the hands of her children.

Meanwhile, some people died young without attaining a very old age. Their death is that of the devil. What is devil death? This is a death resulting from disobedience. For example, a diabetic person has been instructed to abstain from eating starchy foods and soft drink but he failed to heed the medical instruction. If such a person dies, then the death is that of devil. The person has committed a sin and the Bible says in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death”.

Many people do what they like against medical, spiritual and divine instructions.

If they should die in the course of their disobedience, then their death is satanic.

Similarly, people that embark on ungodly journeys are bound to face the consequence which might lead to death. Imagine the man of God from Judah who preferred to obey and take the advice of the old prophet. He ate and drank in the house of the old prophet and refused to obey God’s instruction. He was killed by a lion (I Kings 13:1-32).

Some men misuse their body sexually. At old age, they become sick and die.

Such death is satanic. Similarly, men that are heavy drunkards and failed to desist from alcoholism and they die from the drunkenness, their death is satanic.

Those that are in haste and eager to get rich quick and get involved in money ritual, i f

they die too young due to their involvement in the act, then they have died in a satanic manner.

A traitor that betrays would not live long.

So a traitor that dies, such person’s death is satanic e.g. Judas Iscariot -Matthew 26:14 – 16, 27:1 – 11. A wife that b e t r ay s her husband or a man that b e t r ay s his wife would not last long.

Brethren, Satan gives people money.

Currently

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

‘God shall confront your enemy’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

erful they are, God knows all about them and I give you the assurance that the Lord will confront them and grant you total deliverance cum freedom in Jesus name.

These evil personalities are enemies to man’s progress. When they enter into any human being, they turn them against other human beings. They kill, steal and destroy them, also oppress the people and keep them in bondage.

John 10:10 says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” When you allow these enemies gateway into your life, business, family, career and whatever, they waste very little time in destroying everything but I give God the glory on your behalf for as many who are reading this message, the Lord shall arise to confront all their enemies in Jesus name.

Pharaoh was an example of those whom God confronted. He rose up against God’s people telling them they would never be allowed to go and worship the Almighty God. He cared not about the Almighty God but in the end he was confronted by God and

his soldiers drowned in the Red Sea. The Lord will confront all your enemies too in Jesus name.

Nebuchadnezzar was another example.

He rose up against God’s children and the Lord confronted him and granted them victory. The case of Meshack, Shedrach and Abednego who refused to worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar and were thrown into a huge fire but God delivered them as the fire respected the creator of fire and they were not hurt, instead their accusers were confronted by God. Herod was another example. He respected not the personality of God and was against Peter, Paul and other apostles and a certain day came he began to make an oration and all the people likened him to God Almighty and in that same event as he was still speaking, worms ate him up alive.

We have the case of Laban who rose up and pursued after Jacob in order to terminate his life and recover everything but received confrontation in a dream. If all those pursuing after you fail to make peace with you, they shall receive confrontation today in Jesus name.

many people in Nigeria are spending satanic money including anointed men of God. There are some money given to men of God that are satanic but the money cannot be rejected because nobody could substantiate the source of the money.

Truly, many politicians embezzle public fund meant for development of the society. Eventually, if the politician uses the stolen money to create jobs for the jobless, that job is satanic. So at time when people request from God they do not receive because their motives are satanic (James 4:3).

The blessing of God brings about joy and peace while sadness that come from Satan brings about human destruction. Imagine the blessing of God for Abraham (Genesis 12:2 -3). So the reward of God and Satan are blessing and destruction.

•For more enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288; facebook.com/pastoroloruntimilehin

Remember that Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Herod all died but he (Laban) who made peace escaped death and so your enemies have the option of either making peace and live or refuse to and perish.

Exodus 12:29-33 says, “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.”

I do not know who is troubling you, but assuredly all those troubling you shall receive confrontation from God Almighty in

Jesus name and you will testify to the glory of God. Even as you are reading this message, believe me, your enemies are already being confronted in Jesus name.

What you need to do now in order to qualify for this deliverance is to ensure you have a good relationship with God Almighty and He will take over your battle and deliver you.

Psalms 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all”.

The righteous are God’s children and He owed them safety. No matter what the devil and his human agents do to the righteous, when the time of their deliverance comes, God will confront their adversaries and deliver them. God has designed this time to confront your enemies and grant you victory. So, if you can become a child of God today, I will assure you that all those that are challenging you shall be confronted in Jesus name. It does not matter how strong that enemy may be or how long he has held you captive, what matters is that God has decided to confront him and set you free, and you shall be free in Jesus name.

42

From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

J

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

esus gives us the idea on how to reach God. He says ‘’I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me’’ John 14 : 6 At a particular time in his history, he told his followers, ‘’…..I am going….to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back….’’John 14 : 2-3.

The Bible is very clear about the plan of God for the world including Nigeria.

The study of Bible gives clear picture of the progress made so far, concerning his plan. His major aim is to save the whole world and bring man back to God hence he sent his disciples out including the modern believers of Jesus Christ to go into the world to preach about the kingdom of God where ‘’There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain….Rev 21 : 4.

Jesus calls Satan, a thief and he said,’’ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy….’’ John 10:10b. The Bible said that Satan is very crafty and his aim is to destroy the work of God on earth. While the Bible makes it clear to us that ‘’ There is one body and one Spirit….one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all who is over all and through all and in all’’ Eph 4 :4 -6, some people still believe that there are other means of reaching God. Christian leaders in Nigeria teach that regular church service attendance, payment of tithes and frequent giving to the development of the church will lead to heaven.

Some even preach that good works when added to non-stop prayer will open the door of heaven to many. Some teach that speaking in tongues is an indication of righ-

Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

J

ohn: 15. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

There is always need for fresh nutrients everyday if a branch must survive and bring forth fruits. Little wonder a branch begins to wither the very day it gets cut off from the tree. God is the vine that we must abide in regularly and continuously if we must bear fruits. Abiding in God does two things for us as earlier mentioned, it defines and refines us.

Last week we explained how God’s presence helps us define our life and our life assignment. And it was iterated that within the confines of our assignment lies our fruitfulness. Now, we need to examine what it means to be refined and how the presence of God refines us.

To be refined means to be improved upon, to be developed and processed into the needed or desired state. Any individual that will bear fruit must be defined and refined. Crude oil has to be defined (identified) and refined

Sunday June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Babel – the source of spiritual wickedness teousness and a qualification for heaven.

But the Bible says,’’ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me,, John 14: 6.

I respect other religions but I believe in what the Bible teaches. ‘’ For even if there are so called gods whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘’gods’’ and many ‘’lords’’) yet for us there is but one God the Father from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ through whom all things came and through whom we live.’’ 1 Cor 8 : 5 – 6.

The Bible told us that “The whole world had language and a common speech” Gen 11 : 1. People of that time planned to build a tower now known as Tower of Babel where ‘’….the Lord confused the language of the whole world’’ Gen 11 : 9. There God split up humanity into a multiplicity of cultures and a diversity of languages. Babel meaning confusion is the same word as Babylon which is the source of spiritual wickedness throughout the Bible.

God has never created many religions and Christianity is not a religion but a way of life.

There are many religions in the world today but to Christians there is one way to God and Jesus is the way. Can any religion apart from Christianity understand the working system of Holy Spirit? Can a Muslim or a Hindu be filled with Holy Spirit which is a gift from God to those who believe in and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour? Why then do some believe that through the inter-faith concept all gods are equal? The Bible does not agree with this because Peter said of Jesus,’’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among

them by which we must be saved’’ Acts 4 :12 The fact remains that Jesus alone paid the price of our sins through his sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

The book of Isaiah said,’’ There is no other God beside me; a just and a Saviour, there is none beside me. Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other’’. Is 45 : 18 -23.

While religious tolerance is necessary especially in Nigeria, peace and justice can only be achieved by God’s intervention and not by a false union of religions.

Jesus is the Messaih who has come to fulfill the prophecies of the suffering servant dying as a sacrifice for sins and rising again from the dead. He is coming again soon to fulfill the prophecies of the reigning king.

In Nigeria, religious leaders submit to the pressure of the secular government to seek a common understanding of the message of salvation and to work towards ‘’visible unity’’ of their religions.

Some religious leaders including Christian leaders come together to form a forum which to me has never positively affected the peace and economy of this country.

Muslim leaders who do not deceive themselves adhere strictly to the ways of Q’uran and practice it discreetly while Muslim theologians insist on the use of Sharia the Muslim law as a way of life. Nothing less than twelve State governments of Nigeria are Muslim States that implement Sharia – Muslim Laws. To question this will be considered a bigot, a reactionary and an enemy of peace and tolerance.

I have no doubt that in my spirit that many religions are grounded in respect for the dignity of the person, the sanctity of life, the pursuit of justice and the call of

peace but I want my readers to know that only in Jesus we have the salvation of man and without him, the whole world is condemned.

Many Christian leaders do not talk about conversion or repentance of sin, their interest is in having large followership whether converted or not.

Moreover, some Christian leaders are involved in secret religions, teaching different methods of soul liberation and spiritual upliftment without Christ or Holy Spirit, thereby introducing Christo- paganism into Christianity.

The main issue of concern here seems to be the belief in Jesus Christ as the Messaiah for all nations of the world including Nigeria.

In Nigeria, there is no doubt that we speak different languages and every Nigerian has special abilities and gifts, we must therefore respect one another, live in friendship and peace.

The change we need requires spiritual understanding not spiritual confusion.

God has a reason for scattering people over all the earth.

The Bible said that they planned to build a city and settled down without the consent of God, so God through the creation of languages scattered people over the earth. We need to learn as people of God in Nigeria that it is essential to get God involved in all our daily activities especially as a nation.

Where we come from, the State or tribe we belong to does not matter now. All that matters is that we are Nigerians and that Nigeria belongs to all of us.

•Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1

Fruitfulness (3) (processed) before it could bear fruit of financial revenue for the country.

Having defined your life assignment, refining your life is essential to bearing fruit and it also determines the quality and quantity of fruit that will be borne. Refining is pruning off what is not necessary and bringing in what is needed. Many have tried fighting the battles of self-improvement so that they can reach their goals and be fruitful and fulfilled in life but they need pay attention to the scripture that says “without me you can do nothing” John 15:5.

This is not about throwing the blames of inadequacy back to God but recognising that even when you look up to the hills your help won’t come from around or abroad but from above- from the Almighty. You need to always lean on God, tarry in His presence that He may help your infirmities and inadequacies.

Your weakness has to be surrendered to God that you may receive His strength.

Refining as earlier mentioned also involves bringing in what is needed. The information and revelation that is needed to achieve your goals and be fruitful in life lies in the presence of the Almighty. You must go to Him if you must get it from Him. As God speaks to you per time, you understand what to do and what not to do.

To be refined by God’s presence, you don’t just bombard God with requests, you must learn to make enquiries. When the desired

fruit is coming forth, don’t just keep fasting and commanding God. Be humble enough to ask God what needs to be done, ask God for the instruction you must obey.

The reason why people don’t bear fruits is either because of excesses or inadequacies.

God is always willing to help you curtail these and fine tune your life into the way He wants you to be. The parable in Luke 13 shows how He is always willing to work on us, work in us so He can be able to work through us.

Luke: 13. 6. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8. And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9. And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

From the parable above, it shows that God is eager to see you bear fruits but also his anger will be kindled when you don’t. His anger could be hot enough to make him cut you off. Cutting off could involve being laid off from a job, missing a contract, or even losing one’s life. Now, this is getting hard but it’s the simple truth. When you are not making a positive contribution where you are then the place is better off without you. Jesus cursed

the fig tree that did not bear fruit to confirm His willingness to cut off anyone that does not bear fruit.

As a child of God, you are not planted to bear fruits for yourself. Though you should enjoy the fruit you bear, it is however meant to glorify God. The car you have should be to God’s glory- it should somehow advance God’s kingdom. Everything you have should be to God’s glory.

In conclusion, if you must experience result in what you do, if you must bear fruits and enjoy good progress in the course of your endeavours in life (be it in academics, finances, career, marriage etc.), then you need to continuously and consistently abide in God. Dwell in His presence, carry His presence always!

Abiding in God’s presence starts with giving your life to Christ. If you are not born again please do, it’s the key to experiencing peace and progress. Outside Christ there might be progress but no peace, even when there is slight peace there is no promise of eternity. The full package is found in Christ and Christ alone. Be fruitful!

•For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S

till on the secrets of marital settlement, we take our bible reading from 1 Samuel chapter 4 verse 10-21. A lot of people are operating the Ichabod anointing. The glory has departed. They are just struggling. They do not read the bible again. What the Lord told me is that many people are going to church, but there is no fire in them. They pray with less fire.

The glory is gone. How can you think of getting married as a single girl, but the glory has gone out of your life? There will not be a happy marriage.

The difference between getting married to a rich Christian man and rich unbeliever man is that on the day of battle, you will regret marrying an unbeliever.

So you have a choice between marrying a man that is not born again, no glory, not carrying an ark, he might even be a nice gentle-man of honour, he works hard, has money, but here is another Christian brother who is born again, has Jesus, but somehow not having enough money; and you go ahead to marry the unbeliever and enjoy your marriage for years. Of course, nobody is exempted from battles of life.

There would come a time when that very nice husband of yours, an unbeliever may face the battles of life. What would now happen when he is not carrying the glory of God? He would either run to church or the devil. When the battles of life begin, you will now remember the word Ichabod.

Of what good is the wife/husband when there is no glory? If you marry Ichabod in the name of a husband, when the battles of life show up, contrary to his desire, he may use you for evil sacrifice.

The same applies to men; marrying a beautiful girl who will take you and your business to the sea for evil manipulation.

All your labour would end up in vain.

Priesthood House with Pastor Bola

E

“

Bello

lijah said unto them, take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.”-1 Kings 18:40. In our last discussion, we noticed the subtlety of false prophets, their operations and the need to isolate them.

We shall speak more loudly about these predators in the midst of the Church and the need to isolate them.

False prophets are people of imperious spirit, and are superstitious to the last degree. They are resolute to carry out their destructive will with intention to derail the very elect from the true message of salvation. They speak by presumption and act by impulse through demonic instinct to ex-ray the mind of their victims so as to gain illegal entrance to their minds. Their assignment is to bring the very elect into delusion and replace the faith of God in them with the faith on emblems and objects. They are liars who lie so as to rub and steal the souls of people and present such to other gods.

God has judged the end of such prophets and those who believe in their doctrines. The declaration of God concerning false prophets is explicit: “The prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die” (Deut. 18:20). No wonder, Elijah of old, who physically became an executioner of the prophets of Baal in his own days, was acting scripturally. He goes all-out to ask the people to seize the impostors, and had them destroyed - the agents of falsehood. Perhaps it was for this singular act that Elijah ascended to heaven

43

Sunday June 21 , 2015

Secrets of marital settlement (3) MANNA DIGEST with Bishop (Dr) Chris Kwakpovwe, publisher, Our Daily Manna Why? It is because you marry a girl called Ichabod with no glory. The woman in our bible reading named her child Ichabod and died because there was no more glory. Ichabod can destroy you and your marriage.

According to the bible, the woman said ‘I will rather die than live without a glory.’ I will rather remain unmarried than wait for my marriage to become Ichabod. No Christian married to unbeliever can say ‘I am happy with my marriage.’ When the battles of life show up and your husband has no Jesus Christ, you try to convert him and he does not want to be converted, then you are in a big trouble!

Hear me all over ver the world, being single is better than marrying Ichabod. About 95% of married people wish they can start again. They are not happy with their husband/wife. Don’tt allow desperation to steal the joy of your singlehood. Some seriousminded people who achieved things for God were not married. Even when they could marry, they ey refused to marry. Jesus could not have achieved glory if He got married. Paul refused efused to marry; Peter got married, yet some me others would not marry.

The husband that at has a flashy car or that beautiful girl having ving everything that you may like may be Ichabod.

May we all go after ter the glory in all we do? When the battles of life come up, the e unbeliever will not be able to survive it even when he turns to the occult for survival. rvival.

There are many

battles which God did not send to you.

If every storm is from God, then Jesus may not have told the storm ‘Peace be still.’

Peace counters war.

Pray that God should give you new oil every day. You don’t have time to pray again. That is why you are dry. There were some seasons you ran away from all those small sins, but now the push for purity is gone. Holiness is no more your game. But you can turn away from your destructive habits, and pray for revival!

PRAYER: • My Father, my ‘Three Friends,’ revive me and takes away the old glory and give me a new fire.

• O God, I command the arrow of dishonour in my career/business to pass over me.

• Honour shall

locate and rest on my children/business/ marital story.

• You arrow of dishonor/trouble/ shame/disgrace, wherever you are coming from in this fasting programme and beyond, as I pray this week and beyond, change your address, pass over me.

• The trouble my Father has not sent, you are a liar, arrow of trouble that my Father has not sent, pass over me by force. My head/career/children/helper/ family rejects you!

• O you trouble/crisis/war that my Father has not sent, you shall not happen.

I command your foundation to catch fire. I uproot you now from your foundation. You shall not manifest in the physical in Jesus Name.

• O God, may I not marry without glory. My Father, the wife or the husband that does not carry the glory, may I not meet them; and if I have met them already, deliver me, O God! •For more information, contact: Our Daily Manna/ Manna prayer mountain ministry Interdenominational.

•8 –10 Omotayo Banwo street, before Moble police Barracks, Orioke Ogudu, Lagos. Email: testimony@ ourdailymanna.org Tel: 234-8056241771, 23418179023, 234-08023154316

Church as God designed it – Joggling in the prophetic streams (6) by an unusual road. Like Elijah, it is needful to fight any form of falsity and expose the atrocities of ungodly people who are acting for gains and rewards but in the name of the Lord which they knew not.

As the Cherubic swords turned away people from making illegal entrances to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, we must use the sword of truth to chase away those lying spirits who have invaded the Church. Their unholy and compromising behaviors, attitude and conducts are prejudice to the faith. The Church is growing utterly careless about spiritual truth as a result of these false workers. People take the servants of Satan for the servants of Christ. Errors are allowed to flourish in the Church unchallenged.

We are no longer our brothers’ keepers but seem to feel unconcern about the falsehood which characterized the operations of many of pastors, evangelists and mostly the false prophets amongst us.

Elijah stood out to condemn the religious contamination of his day. Moses was unhesitant to challenge the false prophets and demand for their death. Jesus was strongly opposed to the false ministry gifts in the Church. Paul, Peter and John spent their lives opposing false positions and misrepresentations of their days.

Who is left amongst us to rise and take up the gauntlet? Sincere loyalty to God would not condone idolatry and allow it to bloom in the Church unchallenged.

It is true that men are responsible for their beliefs, but the Church should not allow falsehood to propagate itself in her midst. The law, the testimony and the prophets are the lamp and the guide of the Church (Isa. 8:20). In other words, if the false prophets speak not according to the testimony of Christ, there is no light of God in them. While the law emphasizes on the moral conduct of believers, the testimony accent to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all who

believe in him. This should be the valid practice of Christians in all ages. The testimony attests and certifies to our conducts that we are followers by what we practice, how we live and how we go about our devotions to Christ. This testimony was the devotion of the apostles; they upheld the sanctity and do not allow its contamination. It was the same testimony in which Jesus Christ was crucified for. He gave the testimony of himself about God and his testimony was true (Jn. 3:32-33; Jn. 21:24). Such testimony is not the testimony that emphasis on what we possess but what we are going to become in Christ (1Jn.3:2). The testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophecy. Its major emphasis is what he desires us to become for God and unto God and not what we become in the world. When the ministration of a prophet is about what you acquire and possess in the world rather than what you become in Christ Jesus, the testimony is falsehood and it is not the spirit of prophecy. The needs of Christians are secured by seeking for the things of the kingdom (Matt. 6:33). The baits of false prophets are basically the needs of people. The emphasis on the ephemerals are mere distraction from the truth.

When an ordinance or practice diminishes the efficacy of God’s word in the heart of the people and shifts their attention to other things continuously, then it becomes idolatry. It is therefore a veneration of strange gods, when you take emblems like rosary, anointing oil, water and other practices as prophetic prayers to God. It was true that Christ used certain emblems for miraculous manifestations but it was not a continuous practice. Certain things could be by the instruction of the Holy Ghost but it should not become a doctrine or practice in our midst. I am not in denial that Holy Ghost could instruct a man to use water, anointing

oil or any other thing for a specific work for a particular reason, but it does not give us the leeway to turn it into a general practice in the churches.

As leaders we should allow the Holy Spirit to lead His church and choose how He wants to do His work. This has become idolatry and it is not different from the practice of the Catholic Church who built a doctrine on the use of cross and rosary. The use of a cross was given to a Roman prince called Constantine, who was to go to battle with for the soul of the Roman Empire said he saw a vision of a cross and heard a voice telling him to go conquer under that sign. He won the battle with the inscription of cross on the shield of his soldiers as he was instructed by the voice, but the Catholic Church has made it a doctrine and a practice which still prevalent in our days. This is nothing but idolatry and a possible replacement on the name given to man for salvation.

The two covenants/testaments, both Old and New are the testimonies of God. It reveals the redemptive work of God for man, and what man can became as a result of what God did.

We could see what Moses became to Pharaoh and Egypt on one hand and God’s people on the other hand. His ministry to both Pharaoh and God’s people is about the law and His testimony. The Testimony of God is therefore the conveyer of the provision of God for man, for both his temporal and spiritual needs. It is therefore unhealthy and unethical for any man or leader to exchange an ideal set forth by God for our liberty for the un-idea that condemns us to eternal perdition. We must follow the initial foundation of the Church lest, we enter into error.

•Pastor Bola Bello – The Priesthood House, bolabelo@gmail.com 08033704564

44

From the Pulpit

Sunday June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

God in hiding

I

t is true. Sometimes God hides. Sometimes miracles hide God and play “hide and seek” with His children as He helps them to build their spiritual muscles, learning to lean on Him and walk by faith and not by sight.

God is omnipresent, that is, God is everywhere (Psa 139:7-12), yet He sometimes hides.

“In him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28); yet He hides. He is closer than the clothes we wear; yet He hides. God is never absent, yet He hides! God hides. It could be that the sins of humanity make us distant from Him as well as separate between us and the divine.

Isaiah laments: “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa 59:1-2).

Other times, God hides neither because of our sinfulness or unbelief in our lives.

God sometimes withdraws the sense of His nearness from His saints. He is not absent, yet He feels so distant! Believers have described such moments as the “dark night of the soul,” laden with spiritual dryness and drought. The lamenting Psalms testify to such moments, pregnant with such feelings of

The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses

T

Alu

he next thing was to design a cloth; it was in the church I first heard of the cloth they called shawarma. Do you know shawarma? Okay, they called it spaghetti. Okay you know spaghetti. You know the food called spaghetti? So you can now imagine when they called that cloth spaghetti. You know what spaghetti is? I grew up with women because I am the only son of my mother, so I knew how women were dressing. Every woman then had simi. Today, do women still wear simi?

It is Satan that has been dropping it small, small. They removed simi but people didn’t know why they were removing it. It was because a time was going to come when he (Satan) will tell them not to wear the one that will cover their stomach. It was the devil that was the source of this nakedness! And there are Ahab’s prophets that keep telling these women, they will go to heaven! It doesn’t matter.

A preacher will read the Bible, especially Deut. 25; 5 and tells you it doesn’t matter, that a woman can wear trousers. But in this part of the world, trousers are worn by men and not women. And I always ask, why are men not wearing skirts? Why is it women that are always wearing trousers?

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. Who is encouraging the women?

Preachers of course! Preachers will continue o preach it until a woman will leave her house and going to church where they will tell her to raise her hands in worship to the Lord: she will look into her wardrobe, the cloth she will select and wear is the one that is sleeveless . Why would a woman; a proper Christian woman, a decent lady want men to see her underwear? And a man of God is saying, you look pretty. You are a beautiful woman. And you don’t know that the same spirit that was

God’s “hiddenness” (Psa 10:1; 13:1; 22:1; 27:7-9; 35:22-23; 38:21-22; 44; 51:11-12; 63:1; 69:16-17; 88:1314).

Tried and tested, they dirge: “How long, O Lord will you hide yourself forever?” (Psa 89:46). This divine hiddenness fits with the description of the Most High Himself dwelling in the thick darkness.

Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud” (1 Kings 8:12). Moses comments: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exod 40:34). King David sang: “He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet” (2 Sam 22:10). God often appears in the cloud, and dwells in the thick gloom of the oracle (Lev 16:2). The Psalmist declares: “Thick darkness is under his feet . . . Darkness is his secret place; dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion” (Psa 18:9, 11; see Psa 97:2).

“Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Saviour of Israel” (Isa 45:15). Humans cannot by searching find God (Job 11:7).

We do not fully comprehend the mysteries of human existence, let alone being of the Godhead. If we could understand God, we should be intellectually equal with God (Gen. 3:22). His ways are wrapped in darkness (Rom. 2:19; Deut. 29:29; Eccles. 11:5). His judgments are as a bottomless abyss (Psa 36:6).

His footsteps are not known (Psa 77:19). “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing” (Prov. 25:2).

New Testament writers concur: “No man has seen God at any time” (John 1:18; see Matt.

11:27). No one can see God; seeing He is “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto” (1 Tim 6:16). “Now we know in part” (1 Cor 13). We only see dimly. Life does not always make sense, being sometimes a confused and meaningless mixture ( See Col 1:26; Eph 3:9).

Verily, God hides Himself.

Why does God hide from His children sometimes? There are three reasons that I posit here: 1. God hides from us because He desires to reduce our dependence upon our feelings.

There are several believers who cannot love and trust God unless they sense His nearness and receives His gifts. They are so fragile in their faith that they have not learned to walk by faith. Some walk by faith, but occasionally need reassuring because at times they begin to doubt, but a few words of encouragement are all they need. However, the best of us have learnt to walk by faith, not by sight. They do not insist on getting perks and gifts from God or even His touch before they will follow Him or love Him. Even when they do not see God’s hands, they trust His heart! They have come to love God best of all. They can honestly say like Job: “Though he slays me, I will still hope in Him” (Job 13:15).

Such are righteous and they “will never be shaken . . . They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes” (Psa 112:6-8).

There are some of us who walk by feeling rather than by faith. They are so dependent upon and even tyrannized by feelings that life

ends up being a roller coaster of mood swings.

Their emotions have become terrible masters instead of wonderful servants in their lives. “If we have to feel good before we will be good, and if we have to feel good before we will do good, we will be forever locked into immaturity.”

John Wesley testified how he refrained from trusting his “frames and feelings” but only following the word of the Lord. God wants to reduce our dependence upon our feelings. It is like withdrawing our addictive crutches that we have depended on too much, so that we can learn to walk well with God! 2. God wants us to give up being over-dependent-childish believers, while we maintain our child-like faith and dependence on God. A good mother gladly caters for all the needs of a newly born baby and toddler, but would consider it a tragedy to be nursing a fifteen-year old like a baby!

Overly protective parents may end up ruining the lives of their children.

Children learn better when they are trusted with given responsibility for themselves or they will be forever immature! There are too many immature believers strewing the landscape! God does not want us forever childish.

He wants us to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

•Tunde Ojewole, Ph.D., is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of his newly released book: GOD’’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/ SMS 08058299434/08060376577.

The spirit of delusion (8) on Ahab’s prophet has come again. The spirit to delude those who have refused to listen to the truth, so that all of the will go to hell!

That is the mystery, brethren, so when we talk here, we are not out of fashion. We are not outdated. We know the truth. We know what the Bible says. And when we speak to our sisters like this, it is because we love you. We want to see you in the rapture. You cannot come here and we deceive you. You have come here so that your eyes will be opened. That is the truth. They told you. It doesn’t matter but it matters!

Now, pastors are divorcing their wives and marrying other women. And there are preachers that are encouraging it, SAYING It doesn’t matter. Very soon, men will begin to divorce their wives in those churches and talking new wives. Why? It doesn’t matter and preachers officiate at these wedding!

Spirit of delusion! Recently, a sister that used to worship here.

Whom I have not seen for sometime (because they changed to another church) that claims to know more than we do visited me. And she brought her wedding card to intimate me of her marriage. She told me they were going to wed in the court. I said, why court, is your husband an unbeliever? She told me the husband was a believer; that he was worshipping in Bride assembly before he moved,. As I was looking at her: I was not vision or revelation and this I told the people I have discussed the matter with. I saw that she was pregnant. I just thought in my heart, you are inviting me for your wedding and you are pregnant. I asked her, I hope you are okay? And she said, yes. I told her. But your body change o! (You are looking different) She told me. Na school cause am (She told me it is her school that caused it). I said this school that you went that your body changed like this. I like that kind of school.

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. A pregnant woman! The pregnancy was evident and that sister was a popular sister in this church; known by everybody. She has left the church

and on her wedding day, all the people that left here were there and hailing her, our sister. Even one of them that left here preached at the wedding, stating how wonderful the sister is: how blessed the brother was to get such a wonderful Christian sister. And he was preaching under anointing but you now the anointing that was on him, because this one does not need vision or revelation. That lady was pregnant!

In this church, we have consistently stood against this. It is an abomination for a woman to get pregnant before her wedding. And not only getting pregnant, we have preached that it is an abomination for the man to see your pant before the wedding day!

William Branham says you are not permitted to even kiss until you are pronounced husband and wife in the name of the Lord. If there are brethren here, you have kissed when you have not married, when you leave here today, go and carry anointing oil and tooth brush and brush your mouth very well. But there are preachers that wed pregnant sisters including end time message churches. And they know that Pastor Moses will never identify with such things. Even among those that attended that sister’s wedding, especially their leader, has up till now not paid the dowry on his wife. And they are the ones that are in the continuity ministry!

We are the ones that are standing still. They are the ones continuing. Is it to continue in iniquity or in the truth?

I am saying all these so that your eyes can open to see the m mystery of His kingdom.

Can God deceive a prophet? Yes! Jeremiah saw it in her: Read verses 8,9 and 10: For this girl with you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

9: and it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart f the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder. 10: then said 1, Ah, Lord GOD! Surely thou have greatly deceived this people and Jerusa-

lem, saying, Ye shall have peace: whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

People have been prophesying to Israel; peace, peace, this and that to Israel but God revealed the end of Israel to Jeremiah. What did he say in verse 10? He said I, Ah, Lord God! Surely thou hath greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul. Jeremiah is saying here, all these prophecies we have been receiving from God making the people believe that Jerusalem, you will have peace, meanwhile there is sword coming upon her. He concluded by saying. Thou hast greatly deceived the people. But was it God that deceived them? You will say potentially, yes. They did not want the truth.

What they wanted was what God gave to them.

This is what we see again in Ezek. Chapter 14. Please, quickly, let us round up with that scripture. Read it from verse 1. Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. l and the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Now, hold on. God was telling Ezekiel: he said. Listen, my servant, let me give you one secret, anybody that comes from Israel like Ahab before you to enquire (because in Israel before they do anything, they must enquire).

He said they have set up an idol n their mind that is; they have already made up their minds as to what they want to do, but to fulfill all righteousness, they are coming with that idol in their mind, i.e. they have already made up their minds as to what they want to do, but to fulfill all righteousness, they are coming with that idol in their hearts. He said when they come to enquire. He will answer them according to the idol of their hearts.

•Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday June 21, 2015

You need a link Last week we started a series on moving out of pit to the throne; I will show you this week one of the things you need to move from any pit to your throne.

A

nd there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him to David, the king said to him, Are you Ziba? And he said, Your servant is he.

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? And Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

2 Samuel 9:2-3 When King David was set to bless and favour Prince Mephibosheth, there was a link that bridged them together. Somebody who knew Prince Mephibosheth told the King about him. Ziba was the man’s name. He was the one that linked Prince Mephibosheth up with King David. There is a gap between you and your destiny that is meant to be filled by the helpers of your destiny. I called them destiny link. They are the people that God has ordained to link you up to your ordained fortunes.

God is the actual Help. He is not only a Helper but He is “The Help”. God is the Help and He makes men to help His children across the world. Helpers are the channels through which helps come.

But God is the source of the help that comes to the helpers before they in turn help God’s children. Destiny links are destiny helpers.

They are the men and woman ordained by God to show you the road to the throne. They are the Ziba you need to move to the Zion of your prosperity.

Bishop Opayinka

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? And Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

2 Samuel 9:3 Ziba was the one that revealed Prince Mephibosheth to King David. Ziba told the King everything about Mephibosheth. Ziba knew where he was and under whose custody he was. He told the King of his cripple condition.

Ziba described him to the King as a lame man.

That is another thing we need to examine. Mephibosheth was not born lame. He was never a cripple fellow. But he became one when he fell from the hand of his nurse when the Israelites were fighting a battle. It was from that day that he became a lame man (2Samuel 4:4). He became immobile. He was stationed to a place.

He was confined to the ground. In another word, he was thrown into a pit. It was a cripple based pit. No one heard anything about him anymore until the link of his destiny showed up. If Ziba had not showed up, perhaps Prince Mephibosheth would have been forgotten

completely.

There are two fundamental things for us to learn as we continue in this study. The first issue is, the road from the pit to the top is made possible by God through your destiny links.

However, you do not look for who to become your destiny link. It is a precious gift from God to you. You don’t look for helpers; you can only receive them through the hands of faith. Destiny links are not sought for physically, but they are rather received in faith. Even if you are to seek them, it has to be through faith-seeking way and not the natural way of begging for helps. Destiny helpers are not human arranged connections. Destiny helpers are not your personal paid god fathers. Mephibosheth did not look for Ziba. He was not the one that initiated his move to the King’s palace. It was God that raised a link for him. There is a link for you and the fellow knows almost everything about you but you have to be patient enough to ask God to show you the actual person. A self made links will lead you to more problems.

PROPHECY: Repeat this word of prophecy with a fervent faith in the name of Jesus: I receive the link to my destiny; I receive the link to a peaceful matrimonial home; I receive a link to my educational, vocational and business career; I receive a link to my children; I receive a link to my calling and profession, in the name of Jesus.

This faith confession should always be in your mouth because destiny links are in levels.

The one that assisted you yesterday might not be appropriate for today.

That is how to receive and discover the link you need for the fulfillment of your desire.

When God wants to zooms you up, He will give you a Ziba. The Ziba is the link that we are talking about. But you do not need to look for him.

45

It is God that will bring him or her to you. The only thing you need to do is to look up to God. The way up is to look upward. When you look unto God, God will raise men for you. Similarly, the way down is to look downward. When you look unto men, you block helpers from reaching you because men cannot help you until God orders them to do so.

Another salient thing that we need to consider is the fact that, Ziba knew that Prince Mephibosheth was a lame man. He knew what kept Mephibosheth to the ground. Ziba was not ignorant of the source of Prince Mephibosheth’s problem. Ziba was aware of the pit experience of the Prince who was originally meant to be in the palace. Your destiny link knows your plights and reveals them to the solution you need. Your destiny link knows that you are lame in your finances.

Your destiny link knows that you are lame in getting a job. They know what you need. Your destiny link understands that, you are lame in almost everything that gives other people joy.

Your destiny link will not just go and begin to make jest of you and expose your awful experience to other people. Your destiny link will cover your disgrace and bring you honour. Your destiny link will rather bring you laughter in the place of weeping. Your destiny link will quench the fire of your problem and bring you the comfort of the needed solution. I see God giving you a destiny link in the name of Jesus.

•Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka is the presiding Bishop of Glorious Tabernacle International located Behind Ondo State Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State capital.

Share your testimonies and prayer points with me at: O8060297831 joshuakolawoleo@ yahoo.com

Service is the pathway to honour Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-time Evangelical Ministry, AbuleEgba, Lagos, in this exhortation, teaches on the need to lead a good life. Excerpts:

S

ervice is a vital aspect of our walk with God. Service is your ladder to higher heights in life.

The question I’ll like to ask you is do you serve God with the sense of mediocrity or with the touch of excellence Psl 148 Vs 13, Isaiah 28 Vs 29 since God is excellent in workings will must serve him in excellence to reciprocate his gesture serving God with excellence mean using the best of our divine endowment skills, talents, resources for the promotion of his kingdom here on earth.

• It also means doing the best you can to promote his kingdom.

• Why do you use quality things in your house and then use inferior quality in the house of God • Most people give the best to their boss in the office but in the house of God they do what they like • If you are cleaning the house of God, clean it in the most attractive way.

• If you are ushering, usher with a lovely style and skill • If you are a decorator, decorate the house or the alter, Go for the best.

1.

You must have “Excellence” mind set. It is a way thinking to be the best n whatever you are doing. To serve with excellence you need to do the work first in your mind before the hand finally does it.

2.

You must be innovative: to serve with excellence you need to seek for a new one best ways to do the assignment. I.e. you

must be creative.

3. You must be focused: the light of the body is the age. Matt 6 vs 22, if you put your whole heart into whatever you are doing your better ideas will come to you.

4.

You must be ready to spend your money: to seek for ways and ideas of improving the quality of what you do for the promotion of God’s kingdom.

No one will give respect to you based on fallacy Where you are, don’t be an undertaker be partaker Only a partaker have access if you are not a partaker you have no place in life.

Don’t be a god chaser but be a god hunter.

Matt. 6 vs 33 seek ye first the kingdom of God. When man lifts you he can demote you unceremoniously. James 7 vs 17 Service without eye service makes a high flyer. Exd23 vs 25-26 service Job 36 vs 11 service John 12 vs 23 – 26 service Anytime you complain you complete your matter. Micah 7 vs 8 if I fall I shall rise up again Anytime you murmur then you murder your life Until you serve God and take it as a profession, then you cannot be blessed.

It doesn’t take time to be blessed, it only take truth.

The vacancy of kingdom service there is no qualification Service guarantees reward, see serving God as a profession not a hobby.

God always pay his workers. God does not bless as a group, God blesses individually psalm 34 vs 5 Service and reward, they are tied together. Not knowing your time is the greatest tragedy.

The world system depends on buying and selling, but the kingdom system depend on sowing and reaping.

True riches are certain. Daniel 9 vs 2. Be a good reader. Any one that serves God is divinely protected. Isaiah 59 vs 2 How can I get involved despite 1. By sparing your time for God. Isaiah 6vs 8, Luke 19 Vs 4 2. Your input determines the quality of your output. Psl 50 Vs 14 How do you get connected from where you are? (YOUR PROPHETS) Prophets are distributors Prophets are duplicators Prophets are seers Prophets are sayers Prophets are undertakers. Psl 10 vs 5 – 17, Gen 45 vs 5 Balaam could not become because Moses could not be cursed.

To love is a mandate but the companies you keep determine what accompany you.

The families to which you believe determine what you enjoy.

What are the keys to connect?

1. Keep hearing your prophet. Act 3 vs

Pastor Bamidele

22, Ezk 2 vs 22, John 6 vs 63 The word of a prophet is the light of a prophet.

2.

Obey the things you are hearing.

Prophet did not only bless but they also give instructions. Instructions are commanders.

Disobedient to a prophet is like to remove the umbrella over you.

3.

Observe your prophet. Be close to your prophet. Follow those that are following him.

4. Abide with your prophet no matter the circumstances. Be connected to your prophet. Don’t be ashamed of those God has placed ahead of you. Don’t jump from one place to the other.

5. Serve in the prophet house to which you believe.

•For counselling, contact: Pst_lai@yahoo. com.

46

From the Pulpit

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday June 21, 2015

Power of visitation Visitation does not only give rise to explosive church growth. His also reveal both the strength and the weakness of our follower or member. As shown in Genesis 3; 8 –13 Visitation is all about going to people’s homes and workplaces in order to minister to them. There is no limitation to what to minister to them. Also, there is no limitation to the Pastor greatness that would be accomplished therein Moses A Omogbehin and thereafter.

Every leader must know and follow this instruction; there is none of our follower that nd they heard the voice of the LORD does not need visitation. It only depends on in“ God walking in the garden in the cool dividual visiting, some may need physical cash of the day: Adam and his wife hid (money) materials needs (cloth, food, etc) some themselves from the presence of the LORD may need spiritual blessing such as prayer amongst the trees of the garden. And the and spiritual counsel. But the truth is this evLORD God called unto Adam, and said unto ery of our member or follower has a needs. him, where art thou? And he said I heard Minister to people in their home settings and thy voice in the garden, and i was afraid, in the workplaces is one of the greatest areas because I was naked; and I hid myself. And every leader must pay attention to. This prehe said, who told thee of the tree, where of I cious ministry is also one of the greatest keys command thee that thou shouldest not eat? to be an effective ministry. Visitation is an esAnd the man said, “the woman whom thou sential part of real pastoral ministry, God had gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, committed unto our hands as a leader. and I did eat” and the LORD God said unto Every leader must forget their experience the woman, “what is that thou hast done? as a leader. I know many leaders must have And the woman said,” the serpent beguiled been humiliated, bastarlized, molested, hume, and I did eat.” Genesis3:8–13. miliated, disgrace, dishonored, manipulated Then, what is visitation? Oxford Learn- etc. Not all these must allow forming an odd er’s Dictionary defines the word visitation, or hindrance in our heart from doing the real as an official visit, especially to check that ministry. Because visitation is a real ministry. rules are being obeyed and everything is satLeaders, visitation will transform your isfactory. ministerial call and pastoral ministry! Hear Every leader must learn the art of visit- this, there is nothing in life and ministry that ing their followers as when necessary, due has a merit that does not have demerit. Only led by the spirit of God or when request is focus on the merit on daily bases and be sensibeing made by any of their God’s given fol- tive to demerit. Because when you focus on the lower. merit and sensitive to demerit. The merit will

(The Coach)

A

bring you more blessings rather than demerit.

The reason why we experience more misfortunate, evil, error, mistake etc more than the blessing there in is simply because we are not sensitive enough to demerit. Hear the scripture, “Go your ways behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves” Luke 10:3.

That is the very reason; whenever you have to carry out this glorious assignment, you must always consider this bible reference “be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” provs 27:23.

Visitation is not pseudo – Ministry. It is the real thing. Regardless it how much you pray and what you must have considered to be your experience as stated early. Read the manual manufacturer (Bible) and you will discover that God expects every leader to visit their follower and as a result of visiting you will know them much better, know the reason why God instructed to do so, purpose and benefits of visiting. Hear this, every leader must choose to have more than a teaching and preaching centre where the sheep just gather. Every leader must learn the art of moving (Visiting) from one home to another home and from workplace to another workplace. Never present yourself as an armchair executive leader.

But be a real leader (Shepherd) who both seeks and also train their follower under them to seek the lost sheep through this channel called “visitation”.

Hear this, “Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people.ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and HAVE no Visited them: behold I will visit upon you evil of doings, saith the Lord. Jere 23:2 1.

God visit Adam and Eve in the Gar-

den of Eden. Gen 3:8-13.

2.

Moses visit his people:’’ And when he was full forth years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel” Act7:23 3.

Apostle Paul after he had preach visited his people.”And some days after Paul said unto bananas, let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have Preach the word of the lord, and see how them do.’’Act15;36 4.

It is scriptural to visit 5.

God expect every leader to visit 6.

The church will not grow as expected and as ordained by God 7.

Every church follower or member needs a visit 8.

Every sheep’s visits needs a repeated visit from the same leader.

9.

Every follower needs visits from other leaders and pastor 10.

Every member deserves to visit 11.

Many of the sheep will fall into a wrong hands without adequate visit 12.

The more you visit a follower, the more vibrate and healthy they will become.

13.

The sin of neglect is the failure to visit Continued from next week •I know this teaching has blessed and imparted you. Please, write and share your testimony with me through: Covenant and Fulfillment Ministries, 10, Onuwusasoigwe Close, Hostel Bus Stop, Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos.

Email: omogbehin31@yahoo.com or Call: 08034980921, 08054120540

Falling into Satanic traps (1) Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

T

his is also a testimony which I have been asked to share. However as you read, I want you to note two major factors that helped this couple, which if applied will also work for you. They are Confession (James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”) and Determination (Proverbs 3:5-8, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”)

We were the “perfect” young couple by all outward appearances. Tony and I met at college. We married in the late 1960s and had three children in the early ‘70s. We truly loved one another, had great Christian friends, and our lives revolved around church-based activities. During the initial year of our turbulence, we were both Bible study leaders, we worked with the youth in our church, and we served on a number of Christian committees.

It was in this environment that a (married) church friend began to flirt with me. I was very taken with this because he was financially and socially established, in stark

contrast to my husband and me. We were in the midst of preschoolers, my husband’s frequent business travel, and financial stress. Nothing was especially wrong with our marriage—even as I look back carefully I know that we loved each other—but it did lack romance (or time for romance).

With three preschoolers and the busyness of life, Tony and I had become efficient roommates. Our relationship had lost its zing. So it was fun to be flirted with again. It made me feel worthwhile, cute, fun—something other than an unappreciated mother and roommate.

At the same time another couple we hung around was struggling with infertility. She began confiding her problems to us and (as I found out later) to Tony. She was younger and flirty and needy. Tony was drawn in; she made him feel handsome, manly, and desirable.

After playing with fire, we two “strong” Christian people who knew better, who knew it was wrong, independently began extramarital affairs. Though we were each praying that God would stop us, God is a God of free will, and he allowed us to make our choices. Satan is truly the great counterfeiter.

Our marriage was still a good partnership arrangement, and we were both successful in living double lives. We weren’t fighting or arguing any more than usual, but we both recognized that things weren’t rich and full between us. I didn’t spend time comparing Tony to him—life was too busy.

When I wasn’t taking time to be the “other woman,” I had to move fast to keep up the wifely pretense and activities. Apparently, Tony did too. In our guilt, we became short-

er with one another and more accusatory— even in jest. I remember almost being relieved when the phone would ring and then go dead—it wasn’t him calling. I’d say jokingly, “It must have been your girlfriend.”

I never in a million years believed it actually was. Jesus’ comparison of us to dumb sheep is poignant. Looking back, I feel like a royally dumb sheep in so many ways. Questions of logic as well as emotions flood my mind as I try to rethink all of this. Where did we think this would go? Where did we think things would end? What on earth were we thinking? Were we just blind—and deaf—and dumb? Yes. All of that. We were two “smart,” logical, faith-based people following the wiles of Satan blindly into the pit. We fell for the fun, appreciation, prideful attention, and the excitement. We were dumb in the dumbest way while appearing smart to the world and to each other. Neither of us realised the degree of the fire in the pit we were walking toward.

After about nine months of the affair, I was so overcome with guilt and confusion that I finally confessed to Tony. He immediately confessed to me. We were both devastated. The moment of confession came in October. We were out of state at the time, visiting Christian friends. I certainly wasn’t planning on confessing. I didn’t have a plan for anything. But, at some point that weekend, I told my friend what was going on, and she insisted that I tell Tony immediately. So, I went upstairs in their guestroom and ruined what was supposed to be a really nice weekend. And then he confessed too.

When it all came out, there were tears, rage, guilt, accusations, spontaneous phone calls to the “others,” challenges, ul-

timatums, judgments, more tears, and a huge release in making love amid the tears.

(I think the term “stranger than fiction” could apply here.) We knew that our marriage was too valuable to throw away, and we knew we wanted to do what was right before God, but neither of us felt it could be totally fixed. There was too much water under the bridge, too much hurt, too much of a violation of trust, too much closeness in our circle of friends, too much of everything bad. Only God’s will could make it good again.

When we returned home, we knew we needed counseling (duh!, as my kids would say) and sought out a Christian counselor.

He was God’s provision for us as we tried to be faithful. He met with each of us individually and together. He consistently pointed us to the Bible and what God intended for marriage. He restored our hope—in God’s promises and in God’s ability to do the impossible. As I look back, this was the key: hope, not in either of us but in God. If he could redeem sinful people, surely he could redeem our marriage. We had one other couple that we confided in. The wife was my other saving grace. She listened to me for hours on end, always without judgment, but consistently encouraging me to follow the advice of our counselor, and the will of God. Tony didn’t talk to anyone except our counselor and didn’t seem to have the need to talk that I did.

Continued from next week •You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday June 21, 2015

47

News Cleric tasks Buhari on equitable distribution of resources, appointments

T

he Shepherd-in-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Ogudu Expressway Cathedral, Ogudu-Ojota, Lagos, Sup. Evang. J.B. Adelaja has urged President MuhammaduBuhari to ensure equity in the distribution of the nation’s resources and making his appointments.

Adelaja, made the call recently in Lagos, at the completion of a seven-day special prayer programme for the parishioners and the nation.

The event, tagged; Special Prayer for The Nation”, held at the church auditorium witnessed a large turn-out of faithful and Christians from far and near, as well as leaders of the fold worldwide.

The cleric said that equitable distribution of resources and appointments would foster unity, peace and enhance speedy development in the country. His words: “I want to congratulate President Buhari and enjoin him to ensure even distribution of resources and appointments

Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard

Ojemeni (JP)

A

s we saw in last Sunday’s write-up that the Laodicean Church (the 7th Church) is a lukewarm and materialistic church. Revelation 3:14-22. It is also the last church age, the 7th Church age. A close look at what they say about themselves and what our Lord says about them, there is a great contrast. They say they are rich and have acquired wealth and have no need of anything.

Yes, of course, it is in this time and age that we have pastors owning luxurious cars, jeeps, aircraft and costly mansions, dressing in costly attires, etc. and so these are the things that make them say they are rich.

Take a close look at the church structures and the life style of the church leaders you see why they say so. Though, many people argue that most members of these rich churches are languishing under chronic poverty, yet the leadership is there boasting that money is no longer their problem.

Even where they have welfare packages, that they are not doing enough compared with what they are getting. You see the passage in the Bible that is always used to support the churches becoming wealthy is 2 Corinthians 8:9 where the scripture says though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.

Personally, I do not think that the problem is having the money but the wrong use in which the church has engaged herself in investing the money in too much luxury, gigantic projects at the expense of affecting the lives of the poor, less privileged, soul winning, is what the Lord Jesus frowns at.

To the extent that many members of our churches where we say money is no more our problem, have no food to eat even af-

across the country in the interest of peace and unity. According to him, equitable distribution of resources and appointments across the nation will not foster unity but will also boost the socio-economic development of the nation”, he stated.

The occasion was also used for the inauguration of the new Parochial Committee of the church for the 2015/2017 service year.

Those elected include Chairman, Eld. Bro.PeterEyanaku,M/C Giwa and Evang.

GbengaOlufowora. Others are Cape Elder Bola Salami, Secretary, M/S/E Oye Oni and Senior Leader Idowu Oshinuga, while M/C Akinsanmi, Senior Leader Oke David and Leader Sunday Tinubu will serve as treasurers.

Speaking on behalf of others, Eyanaku promises a new beginning for the fold, as the shepherd charged the new executives to see their elevation as service to God and humanity.

(L-r) Minister in Charge, Assemblies of God Church (AGC) Rosanwo Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, Rev (Evang) Matthew Ubong, Youth President, Deacon Uche Ogbonna and Vice President Mr. Melody Oguh, during a recent church event in Lagos.

Laodicean church - a type of 10 virgins Bishop Bernard Chukwuma Mbamalu Ojemeni, General Superintendent of Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc, in this piece, gives an insight into the New World Order. Excerpts: ter church service, no shelter, and some of their children are out of school for lack of school fees. Evangelism and soul winning which is the heart-beat of God has just less than five percent of the total sum coming into the purse. There is no more city-to-city wide crusades to win souls – the unbelievers to the body of Christ.

What we have today is movement of members from one church to another. What happens to nation-to-nation crusades, the type we witnessed in early 70s when T. L. Osborn and Late Arch-bishop Benson Idahosa conducted in many cities and outside Nigeria.

The type Rolnald Bonnke also conducted in many African nations and so many other great men of God in the past. We do not see such move of God in this time.

The money we spend in building cathedrals and acquiring mundane things is over 90 per cent of the total sum that come into our coffer.

That is what Jesus is frowning at. Jesus said “But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

It means that their condition is nothing to write home about.

They are to be pitied. Spiritually, they are poor and cannot see from God’s perspective. What they are paying attention most is not what God wants. And that means that they are not living a holy and righteous life.

They are living in sin. Christ advises them to buy gold from Him, refined in the fire so that they can become rich.

That is, the church should seek for genuine word of God, which is the true riches. And white clothes to wear to cover her shameful nakedness. This speaks of holiness and righteousness to avoid great shame and disappointment on the last day.

Brethren, we in today’s church must realize that all is not well with the church of Jesus

Christ. There is too much lukewarmness.

So many iniquities and the love of many have waxed cold. Matthew 24:12. Even looking at the account of 10 virgins in Matthew chapter 25, we can see that they all slumbered and slept and their lamps went off because the bridegroom tarried. In other words, a state of lukewarmness.

The picture is not different from the Laodicean church. Except there is REVIVAL in the body of Christ, the church will not be qualified to go in the rapture. It is this condition that made Jesus to say in Luke 18:8b.

Nevertheless, when the son of man shall come, shall He find faith on the earth? Is He going to see anybody standing for Him? Or shall we all be caught in the same lukewarmness and materialism? It is a question that today’s church needs to answer.

Are we going to heed His counsel or are we going to continue to be wise in our own eyes, deceiving ourselves? I thank God that as many as will heed these warnings and repent will be among the five wise virgins that made it to Heaven. I will specially thank God for the mid-night cry or shout which woke up the slumbering and sleeping virgins before they can make use of their extra oil and get their lamps burning.

There are two conditions to be met before they can be qualified to meet the bridegroom. (1) They must be awake (2) Their lamps must be burning. If the two conditions are not met, it then means the church is at the ratio of 0 to 10 (0:10) preparedness.

That is to say, if Jesus is to come now, nobody is going anywhere. That is why I say I thank God for the midnight cry or shout that is the last straw that breaks the carmel’s back. The midnight cry or shout is an event that will shake the whole world and that is the last sign before the coming of Jesus Christ for the rapture. The rapture is when the true children of God, the five wise

virgins will be caught up from this earth to meet Jesus Christ in the air, from where they will be conducted to the city hall of Heaven for the wedding of the bride and bridegroom. Jesus Christ of course is the bridegroom while the five wise virgins are the bride. Remember, it is the mid-night cry or shout that woke them up from that slumber and sleep; before they put their extra oil and lit their lamps. The extra oil of course is their saving grace.

They simply got revived and put themselves in the right perspective and thereby qualify to go in the rapture. The five foolish virgins, even though they heard the mid-night cry or shout did not have what it takes to amend their ways in the short possible time, between the time of the event and the arrival of the bridegroom.

They have gone so far into the world, that, it will not be easy for them to make amends.

If you have been following my End-time Revelation you know that the mid-night cry or shout is an event that will shake the whole earth which is the supernatural destruction of Russia and her allies – Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Libya, Turkey, Germany and other countries that hate Israel, as they invade Israel any moment before 2033 A.D. as the time lapse based on our calculation from 6,000 years man’s earth lease.

Please if you have not given your life to Christ, do so now and join us in our Holy Ghost service on Sunday 9am in the address below. I promise to give a copy of Endtime Trumpet free of charge. Remain blessed as you come.

•For further information, contact us at: Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc.16/18, Johnson Street, off Kajola Street, Yakoyo, Lagos. Tel: 08023261219, 09095268897, 08036116881; Email: bishop.bernard@yahoo.com

48

P

From the Pulpit

NEWS To succeed, Buhari needs counsel of men of God–Akindele

resident Mohammed Buhari has been advised to seek counsel from men of God for him to run a successful administration as he is also enjoined to surround himself with God fearing men, so that the much needed dividend of democracy could get to citizens of the country.

Giving this advice, Prophet Omoniyi Akindele of the Light Evangelical Pillar of Truth Spiritual Church, Meiran, Lagos, also revealed that God loves Buhari, which is the reason He (gave) him victory at the polls.

Akindele further revealed that God has promised that there would be an

Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

T

Sunday Mirror Sunday June 21, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bona

here is an increasing interest to share more light on this deliverance subject, reasons being that many of todays Christians with their new generational teachings believes that once you are saved, you are forever saved.

I would say, they are right but there is one fact about the gospel they did not understand. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is based on principles. These principles are:

1) The principle of salvation: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life: This principle requires only believing God by faith in his son Jesus and manifesting such faith by living a Holy life.

The Bible says you will not perish but must surely have everlasting life in Christ – 2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” It is still the same principles of salvation, which demands, that the moment you give your life to Jesus and faithfully remain in him through his teachings, you shall be a new creature by your character, your old ways of lifestyle shall be gone and your present life shall be characterized with holy living sanctity and separation.

2) The principle of deliverance: Genesis 12:1-3 “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, get thee, out of thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house unto a land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing.

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee, and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

This principle requires something else more than ordinary believing. It requires faith that must produce action.

The action God expected from Abram, was to get up and get out. This is deliverance. After Abram had had encounter with God. Deliverance can involve either: a) Breaking a yoke attached to your spiritual life b) Getting up and getting out of the land of slavery or bondage c) Breaking covenant you had with unclean spirit and destroying the powers attached to them d) Loosing evil ropes and breaking

abundance of food during Buhari’s regime.

He advised that despite the heavenly support, Nigerians must be prayerful and careful not to gamble with their golden opportunity.

According to the prophet, God warned that Nigeria must learn from the short-lived era of late Murtala Mohammed in the 70s. He added that God said that though there was plenty of food in the era, but that some clay foot men came to disrupt the abundance.

“In short, they turned Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) to operation feed yourself ”, he said.

He continued: “God wants Buhari to be very prayerful because those who worked with Murtala in his cabinet were also responsible for the downfall of his regime.”

Akindele added that things which were open to the citizens as their benefit later became their source of pain.

The prophet noted that God said that Buhari must remember that there is no government without conspirators striving to pull it down so, he (Buhari) must pray for celestial wisdom like Solomon who begged God for wisdom to rule his people.

According to the cleric, God has

given same chance to Buhari whom He (God) expects to be like Solomon.

It would be recalled that Prophet Akindele recently warned President Buhari against hawks within his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) for him to deliver the much needed dividend of democracy to Nigerians.

Akindele added that Buhari should seek the counsel of men of God for a regime that posterity will live to praise.

“God told me that He aims to use Buhari to put the footing of the nation on solid ground for the future generation”, he revealed.

Breaking the powers of evil family altar evil chains all over your spiritual life destinies, careers and business e) Destroying evil plantation, either in your life, or in your place of living f) Uprooting and vomiting evil seed planted in your life. Deliverance is a spiritual war against powers holding you bondage.

Powers, whose presence in your life has left your life the way it is. Deliverance is escaping from satanic prison house.

That was exactly what Abram did by God’s instruction.

Remember Abram had received the gospel of salvation preached to him by God himself.

By him living a life of righteousness, in conformity with his faith secures his salvation in God, even if he did not leave his fathers house where he was when he encountered God. But for him to possess the material blessings of God through promise, it became absolutely very necessary that he should leave where he was to go to where God wanted him to be.

For instance, you know that the children of Israel, did not possess Canaan land, while in Egypt.

They had to leave Egypt to that land that follows with milk and honey which is Canaan land.

The principles attached to the gospel of Christ are different covenants of faith one has to observe to receive blessing attached to such teaching. One can be saved, through the gospel of salvation yet he/she is still in bondage.

Except the yoke is broken through deliverance prayers such person might make heaven, but would have succeeded in living a life of frustration, rejection, abandonment, delay, denials, afflictions, lack, hardship, poverty and or sudden death. Regrettably, many Christians, even most ordained pastors, evangelists, deacons, deaconess are going through these experiences.

I have seen a case where a brother whom I am well convinced that God called him had his ministry frustrated and folded up, because he neglected the ministry of deliverance.

I may not know your perception about this, but one thing is clear you need deliverance to possess all the material blessing God has blessed you with.

Do not forget that the blessing of Abram was conditional. God was saying to Abram, if you will obey me, and get out of your father’s house it is then I myself will bless you.

He gave him four promises of blessings if he obeys him. These blessing are:

a) tion b) c) d)

I will make of thee, a great naI will bless thee I will make thy name great And thou shall be a blessing

I may not have known what manner of blessings God has promised you which the powers in your father’s house have sieged out of your reach. You need to go to deliverance ministries today for deliverance so that you could reach out for your testimonies.

3) The principle of the baptism of the Holy Spirit: Acts chapter 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayers and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brethren.”

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues and the spirit gave them utterance.”

This principle requires that anyone who desires to be filled with the Holy Spirit must, separate, with praying, fasting, and waiting anxiously for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who fulfill this principle with a desiring heart, clean, pure and genuine must surely be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

4) The principle of healing: Matthew 8:17 “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah, the prophet saying “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses” Isaiah 53:3 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed” - Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the hand writing of ordinance that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” This principle requires unshaking faith at the finished work of Jesus at the cross of Calvary for us. Once this great faith is had, healing miracle takes place.

5) The principle of prosperity, wealth and riches in Christ – Deuteronomy 8:18 “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for his he that giveth thee

power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the store house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” The principle of riches in Christ, is only effectual to those who understands the mystery of sowing and harvesting. Wealth in Christ does not come through prayers. It comes through giving. These givings includes: a) Paying of your tithes correctly b) Giving offerings in the church that befits your level c) Fulfilling your vows and pledges as at when due d) Giving to the orphanages, and less privileged e) Giving to fellow church members when they run to you for assistance f) Free will offerings and donations in the church g) Sowing of seed, into the church or into the life of any man of God, as you are led h) Making use of every other giving opportunities in the house of God God blessed as we continue next week.

Testimony Demonic Seed Disappeared Early this year, I was in a dream some people who I did not recognise gave me cooked egg. When I ate it, I tried to swallow it, it could not pass through my throat. In my attempt to swallow it I woke up.

Then I noticed an object moving in my throat. Brethren, everyday this thing was making me uncomfortable.

I could not swallow spit. I could not eat well. I went to general hospital, Isolo, they told me to run some laboratory test, which I did, but the result, proved nothing. Medication given to me, did not effect a changes on me.

Then, I decided to meet the man of God, he gave me prayer points. Told me how to pray it. After the prayer the object disappeared. Praise the Lord!

Sis. Blessing •ADDRESS: Pastor Kingson I. Bona General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries No. 6, David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun-Ikotun, Lagos.

08023404926, 08038206508, 09030284883 www.chapelofholiness.org

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday June 21, 2015

Glo tops NCC’s internet subscription rating ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

N

igeria’s National Te l e c o m m u n i c a tions Carrier, Globacom, has increased its internet subscriber base by over a million new users.

The mobile operator hit 19,690,526 surfers mark in the month of April, moving away from the previous number of 18,617,607 users in March.

According statistics released by the Nigerian Com-

munications Commission, NCC, new internet users on its network in April, 2015, increased by one million making it the highest in the country for the month under review.

The telecommunications regulatory body added that the telecoms provider also retained its position as the second largest data service provider in the country.

The NCC said in its report that Globacom gained a total of 1,072,919 additional internet users on its net-

work during the period covered by the report.

This increase amounts to 67.58 per cent of total number of new internet subscriber figure of 1,587,514 for the telecom networks for the month of April.

The latest statistics, which was captured in the current monthly Internet subscriber data by the NCC, showed that MTN lost 384,487 internet subscribers in April, after it recorded 39,520,285 users, down from 39,904,772 in

March 2015.

On the hand, Airtel Nigeria recorded 17.2 million internet users in April, as against 16,603,147 customers recorded in March. The data showed that internet users on the Airtel Nigeria network increased by 669,518 in April.

For Etisalat, 10.4 million of its customers browsed the internet in April, against the 10,189,568 users in March, showing an increase of 231,661 in the new month.

Presenting an overview of the entire industry,

NCC said the number of subscribers browsing the internet on Nigeria’s telecoms networks increased to 87,055,484 in April, up from 85,467,970 users in March.

The data further revealed that the increase of 1,587,514 internet users during the period was on both the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks in April.

The latest addition of more internet subscribers

to the Globacom network could be linked to the recent massive upgrade and modernisation of the operator’s network across the country.

The network enhancements have increased the capacity of the network and significantly boosted service quality levels.

The operator also recently introduced a number of innovative initiatives which give more value for money for the various services the operator provides.

Seven Energy hosts CNG forum for SMEs GBENGA ODOGUN

I

ndigenous integrated gas company, Seven Energy International Limited, will host an interactive forum on June 24, 2015 for small and medium enterprises, SMEs, in Calabar, Cross River State themed ‘Gas to Power Your Business’’.

Speaking ahead of the event, Steve Tierney, Managing Director, Accugas stated that “the forum is intended to develop and drive our support to SME businesses and to help this important part of the Nigerian economy.

Understanding how switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a real alternative which will have a substantial impact on their competitiveness”.

He noted that Seven Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Accugas, “has built up infrastructure and a reputation for the reli-

able supply of high quality gas to sustain business operations for many large industrial customers. We want to bring this value and reliability to the bedrock of the Nigerian economy, SME’s’’.

It is expected that the event will attract several SME’s across Cross River State and its environs. Attendees will learn about the significant competitive advantage natural gas has over diesel including environmental benefits and lower energy cost per unit.

The company has continued to champion an industrial gas revolution through the development and production of natural gas, and, critically, its commercialisation through investment in processing and distribution infrastructure, where the Company has invested over $1 billion in the south east region of the Niger Delta in the last five years.

L-R: Co-Producer, Kids Say The Darndest Things Nigeria, Oludare Onasanya; Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; Executive Producer, Kids Say The Darndest Things Nigeria, Chichi Nwoko; Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiareno Atimomo and Head, Sponsorship and Events, Modupe Thani, during the premier of the programme in Lagos, recently.

Camerounian agency signs MoU with NCC ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

B

anking on the vast experience of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC as a foremost regulator in Africa, from whose experience and expertise it wants to tap from, the Telecommunication Regulatory Board (TRB) of

Cameroun at the weekend signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NCC. The signing ceremony, which took place at the Corporate Headquarters of NCC in Abuja, was described by the Director General of TRB, Monsieur Jean Louis Beh Mengue as “a defining moment for us as regulators.” A statement

by Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo quoted Mengue as saying that “the signing of the MoU comes to formalise and concretise the ties that have characterised our relations.”

According to Mengue, this signing opens yet another avenue in the long and brotherly relations and “in a new area where we acknowledge the NCC

has more experience where TRB can tap and benefit from its rich experience in areas such as the control of Quality of Service, Number Portability, Consumer Protection and passive infrastructure regulation just to name a few.”

Mengue said he is sure NCC will also benefit “from our experience in different areas.”

FIIRO boss asks youths to develop their communities ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

Y

ouths have been urged to deploy their energies in productive ventures that can enhance the socio-economic development of their communities rather than engaging in destructive tendencies that will not bring

glory to them and their mother land This advice was given in Lagos by the Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo on the occasion of a day empowerment forum held by UbuluUku Youths Association, UYA, Lagos Chapter.

Elemo, who was the

chairman of the occasion remarked that Nigerian youths are facing a precarious situation, with a high unemployment rate but however stated that such a situation should not warrant them taking to undignified social vices.

She said government has been trying to reduce unemployment in the land

and organisations such as FIIRO, which she heads, are committed to boosting research and development that will create job opportunities for the youths.

The special day themed, ‘New Growth Agenda for Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation in Anioma’, also featured the unveiling of the community’s web-

site: www.udu-youth.org designed to enhance the quality and availability of information to members as well as showcase UbuluUku’s development initiatives in Anioma.

President of UYA, Mr. Ben Iyiegbuniwe in his welcome address described the forum as apt saying it will afford the youths the oppor-

tunity, to engage strategically with key stakeholders from the community.

Keynote speaker for the forum and notable scholar at the Lagos Business School, Dr Chris Ogbechie, identified poor quality of education, unemployment and low level of economic empowerment as critical issues affecting the youth in Nigeria.

50

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NBC apologises for inability to switch over to digital TV T he National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has apologise to Nigerians for its inability to switchover from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television, DTT on the June 17 international deadline.

This is contained in a statement signed by the commission ’s Director, Public Affairs, Alhaji Awwalu Salihu in Abuja.

The statement however assured Nigerians that dis-

appointing as it might be, it was not without a fairly good shot at success.

According to the commission, it has been working actively since 2006 to put all the building blocks of the transition in place.

“The journey would have been completed if funding had been available.

“It is important however to state that the journey toward Digital Terrestrial

Television has already started.

“At the moment, Nigeria has reached about 20 per cent penetration of the 26 million TV Households (TVHH) in the country, ’ ’ it said.

The statement said that the commission had worked with DigiTeam Nigeria, to harmonise the minimum standards for Set-top-boxes and the transmission standards for

all member states of the ECOWAS. “It is noteworthy that the main penalty that Nigeria will face consequently is that analogue signals will receive no protection in the event of interference from digital signals from our neighbours.

“We have also completed the frequency re-planning, successfully done the coordination with our neighbours and have selected a

second signal distributor, ’ ’ the statement said.

It further said that it had licensed a free view signals aggregator and had also selected 11 successful companies to manufacture set-top boxes in Nigeria.

“The commission had also put in place an EPG/ STB control system to protect the investment of the local Set-top-box manufacturers.

“Our goal is to enable

the evolution of a digital television ecosystem that not only transforms television and broadcasting in general.

“But also able to help bridge the digital divide, create jobs and grow our national economy, ’ ’ it said.

The statement further assured Nigerians that it would only switch off analogue signals when majority of Nigerians could receive digital signals.

NDIC, Judiciary, indispensable partners in nancial stability –CJ

T

he Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has said the judiciary and Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC are indispensable partners in ensuring financial system stability.

Auta spoke as the Chairman of a one-day seminar organised for judges of the Federal High Court by the NDIC in collaboration with the court in Abuja, on Saturday.

The theme of the fourth edition of the seminar held in conjunction with NDIC was ``2015 Annual Sensitisation Seminar for Judges of the Federal High Court ’ ’.

According to him, the judiciary is an important stakeholder which has a critical role to play in ensuring the maintenance of depositors ’ confidence and financial system stability in Nigeria.

“Our unique court is constitutionally reposed with exclusive jurisdiction in respect to Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation activities.

“We are, therefore, integral and certainly indispensable, to the holistic implementation, realisation and accomplishment of the NDIC mandates as provided in the NDIC Act. “The objectives of this programme are being achieved; judges are now better informed not merely on NDIC operations, but on the dynamics of financial services and, indeed, the economy as a whole, ’ ’ Auta said.

The chief judge also said that judges were now better positioned to deal with complex financial disputes and developing core competences in banking matters, culminating in quicker justice delivery.

Auta said that apart from a robust legal framework and structure of the banking system, there were other considerations critical to NDIC ’s role in ensuring financial system stability.

These, he said, included macro-economic stability, soundness of the financial system and high threshold of supervision and regulations.

He observed that NDIC ’s current efforts at the National Assembly aimed at amending its extant laws was evidence of the recognition of the feedback from the judiciary at the annual seminar.

L-R: Human Resources Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Aminat Oyagbola; Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck; winners of the MTN quiz, students of New Era Girls Secondary School, Adekan Oluwatosin; Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Derisola Soname and co-winners from Gbaja Girls High School, Onyejekwe Chinaza and Gake Mojola, during the closing ceremony of 21 Days of Y ’ello Care in Lagos, at the weekend.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Stakeholders seek harmonisation of salaries of civil servants

A

cross-section of Nigerians has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to harmonise the salaries of Federal civil

servants in ministries and agencies as part of measures to ensure equity in the public service.

A nation-wide survey

Shettima appoints new SSG, Special Advisers, others NUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

G

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday announced the appointment of Alhaji Usman Shuwa Jidda as Secretary to the State Government, SSG, while Barrister Yakubu Bukar and Alhaji Modu Musa retain their positions as Head of Service and Chief of Staff respectively.

This is the first appointment embarked upon by the governor after his reelection bid in the April 11th general elections.

The appointment which is with immediate effect followed the dissolution of the cabinet on 27th May, 2015, and in accordance with the powers vested on the governor by section 208 Sub-section 2 (a) and (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary Administration and General Services, Governor ’s Office, Dr. Maryam Bukar Ibrahim, and made available to our correspondent.

The governor also ap-

proved the re-appointment of Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau as his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Alhaji Usman Kumo, as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media (Radio), while Miss Kwapchi Bata Dibal also retains her position as SSA on Media (Television).

Also appointed as SSAs are Yusuf Usman Shettima and Abba Bashir Talbari (Social Media), Baba Zannah Abdulkarim, (Special Projects), Mustapha Mohammed Kukawa and Christopher Godwin Akaba (Special Duties).

conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed that most of the respondents, including the civil servants, believe that the disparity in the salaries of public servants in different ministries and agencies has impacted negatively on the morale of some workers who feel short-changed by the arrangement.

The respondents also called for the periodic review of salaries and wages, as well as judicious utilisation of public funds to provide social amenities.

Alhaji Ahmed Usman, Gombe State Head of Service, called for harmonisation of the basic salary, to be differentiated by only the allowances.

“I want to see harmony of income because the volume of work is the same, to be dif-

ferentiated by allowances.

“Allowance, in this perspective, is understandable; if you are in Abuja, which is a very high density area, certain allowances should be peculiar to you.

“All aggregate of things that take your income have to be provided and made affordable to discourage going for extra resources to satisfy those needs, ’ ’ he said.

He also called for the periodic review of salaries and wages, to reflect the prevailing economic realities in the country.

Mr Zareh Baba, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Adamawa chapter, said that since all categories of public servants bought essential commodities at the same markets, it would be fair if their wages were harmonised.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday June 21, 2015

51

Bayelsa 2016: Will a dark horse succeed Dickson?

BY IYOBOSA JACKSON

I

t is often said that even two weeks is a long time in politics. In Bayelsa, prevailing indications are that between now and next year

when gubernatorial polls will take place in Bayelsa, much is bound to happen. Expectedly, the Peoples Democratic Party’s loss at the last general elections and festering interpersonal frictions with key personalities in Bayelsa may have truncated Governor Seriake Henry Dickson lone-star run. What remains to be known now is the likely dark horse that would be the beneficiary of what many critics perceive as the governor’s excesses.

Although Governor Dickson may not have made good an expected 2014 bid to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not a few of his party members swear that his chances of getting the nod to fly PDP’s flag for the gubernatorial poll, scheduled for the end of the year, are getting dimmer by the minute. And this is no thanks to what has been dubbed his many “sins” in the past three years.

According to available information, the embattled governor who was thrown up for the office courtesy of the benevolence of the immediate past first family of the country has over the years jettisoned the very ideals that stood him out for the job. For a man who rode on the heels of the strong support of the former first family, it is quite instructive that he could have frittered away such goodwill within three years. He has been accused of various sins against his state, the people and his party. His band of supporters is waning by the day and it is yet to be seen if there is any redemptive opportunity for him as the date for the primaries draw close.

Question is: what exactly is Dickson being

accused of? To start with, the governor appears to have stepped on so many toes. First was a fight against the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and her godson, Waripomowei Dudufa, who was a presidential aide under Jonathan’s administration.

For some inexplicable reasons, Dickson’s loyalists accused the former president’s wife accusing her of planning to destabilise the peace and the prevailing stable political atmosphere existing in Bayelsa State at that time. She was also alleged to be using about 1,000 political thugs.

When that allegation could not be substantiated, the governor and his cohorts dropped it and opted for fence-mending with the former First Lady’s family. Some would say it was a mere face-saving ploy as there was no indication of remorse.

Also, the Bayelsa State chapter of PDP, apparently prompted by the governor, expelled nine of its members from the party over alleged anti-party activities in the last general elections. The development, which was conveyed to members via a press statement claims that the decision for the expulsion followed an unanimous voice vote by members of the state executive committee, after deliberations on a report submitted by the chairman of the PDP Disciplinary Committee.

The development, which allegedly had the imprimatur of was largely seen by most PDP members as an affront to immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan as most of the affected party members were identifiable associates, friends and very close allies of the former president.

The governor too has made enemies across the Niger Delta in the last several months.

Till date, questions are still being asked as to the reasonableness in Dickson constituting a committee to review projects being executed

by the Niger Delta Development Commission in the state. Though he attempted to assuage the resultant bad blood generated by his action, many stakeholders in the NDDC across the region still see the governor’s action as designed to witch-hunt targeted persons and not as he argued, to ascertain if the state is getting its fair share of the intervention fund. Other reasons abound why elders and stakeholders in the politics of the state now hold that Dickson’s time is up.

In politics, both real and unreal accusations sometimes drive a formidable wedge between a candidate and the constituents he seeks to represent. According to several Bayelsans, Dickson’s many ‘sins’ include covert moves against President Jonathan’s re-election by reaching out to the APC and ex-Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi on all issues regarding the last general elections.

According to an online media report which ought to be taken cautiously, in awareness of the odds against his second term ticket if Jonathan had won the March 28 presidential election, the governor wanted Jonathan to lose so that he can win. “Dickson made ‘secret’ moves for the president to be defeated while still making the right noises in the public in order to counter Dame Jonathan’s metaphorical shovel to bury him politically,” the report alleged. What prevails now may seriously hurt Governor Dickson with growing perception of being one man that must not be allowed to run things in the state if he seeks a second term ticket.

This was demonstrated last February 5, when Dickson was humiliated at the Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa, venue of the PDP presidential campaign rally. After the frenzied crowd had enthusiastically received Jonathan, the atmosphere was fouled when the president tried to urge them to cooperate

with Dickson Instructively, as Jonathan made the call for Dickson’s support, the crowd responded with loud shouts of “No! No! No!” Then there is also the allegation of abandonment being leveled against Governor Dickson by people of the state who prefer that he sits back in Yenagoa to work his talk. Only recently, the Congress of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), raised objection against the frequent trips of the governor outside the state.

According to the NUJ, the governor should reduce the frequency with which he travels outside the state and concentrate instead on governance. The eight-point communiqué further suggested that Dickson visits communities in the state to ascertain the problems affecting them in order to attempt solutions.

The union also urged the state government to conduct quarterly Town Hall meetings in order to integrate the views of the people of the state in major government policies and programs.

Stakeholders in Bayelsa PDP and other actively involved in the affairs of the state argue that a major upset awaits Dickson in the countdown to the governorship polls in the state. The reasons are not far-fetched. The state PDP might not be interested in fielding him. The governor is also a hard sell if the opposition party in Bayelsa adopts him as their flag bearer for the election. With the way things are playing out, it is quite possible that dark horse might as well knick the governorship ticket of Bayelsa State. If that happens, it should not surprise the incumbent who also got into office as a dark horse favoured by the former President Jonathan and his wife. History may as well repeat itself.

Jackson contributes this piece from Abuja.

Boosting employment opportunities for lawyers TUNDE OLOFINTILA

W

hen Lawyers gather, be it in the hallowed bowels of the court and tribunals halls where they slug it out to resolve the mystery of legal cases or at workshops, seminars or learned conferences where they dig deep into the foundation, practice and interpretation of Law, the attitude, colour and character of their gathering are always the same: some serious business. The recently concluded 48th Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) was no exemption to this norm and time-tested practice.

It was serious business right from the opening ceremonies when the frontline legal icon and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and the Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad of the Supreme Court addressed the Law Teachers and wittingly or unwittingly set the agenda for this year’s Conference. As it were, majority of what the duo said at the opening ceremonies later formed the pith of the deliberations of the Conferees and the meat of their communique.

In tandem with the theme for the Conference “Mainstreaming Interdisciplinary Approach to Legal Education: Imperatives for the Development of Nigeria”, Babalola, a man who roars where angels tremble to whisper, frontally tackled such contentious issues as the place and import of Law Teachers as experts and specialists in Law, funding of quality Education, admission into Colleges/Faculties of Law, the running of the Law School, Interdisciplinary Approach to Legal Education and appointment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) as well as Extension of Funds to Non-

Profit Private Universities. Such weighty issues could not have escaped the powerful rays of his searchlight.

For example, Babalola would not fathom why it is difficult for Nigeria to step up the current allocation of about 7% of its national budget to fund education to meet the UNESCO recommendation of at least 25% of the national budget of every country should be dedicated to education, the fact that it has to grapple with other matters such as health care delivery, security and infrastructural development as well as funding of education notwithstanding.

He would not be taken in on why the annual budget of $7,130,137,243 which translates to N1,212,123,331,310 for North California State University in 2012 could be more than the Federal Government of Nigeria’s budget of N495,456,130,065 for 50 Federal Universities and UBE (Universal Basic Education) which translates to 40.88% of the budget allocation of American University within the same time frame. As for the Hon. Justice Muhammad who stood in for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Hon. Justice Mahmoud Muhammad, he counselled all lawyers, Judges, Law teachers and indeed all stakeholders in the legal profession to play significant roles in sanitizing the legal profession by identifying and flushing out all the bad eggs in order to restore the dignity and honour that had been the hallmark of the noble profession in yester years.

According to Muhammad, the legal profession has been facing a lot of challenges from within and from without as a result of “bad eggs amongst (some) practicing lawyers, (some Judges) and even from Academics” and therefore implored the Law teachers, whom he described as “a collection of great minds who have the onerous responsibility of moulding the character and minds of students, for posi-

tive contributions to the political development of this country”.

After four days of rigorous and painstaking sessions and copious drinking from the fountain of experience and knowledge of some erudite Judicial Officers of note, seasoned Legal Practitioners and Legal Academics from all over the world, the Law Teachers, through the communique at the end of their 48th Conference, returned a unanimous verdict that a lot still needs to be done to make the wheel of justice run faster and smoother in the overall interest of the administration of justice in Nigeria.

Determined to insulate Law graduates from the ever expanding unemployment market, the Association advocated for an immediate expansion and reformation of the curriculum of legal education in Nigeria to accommodate new areas of market economics and developmental studies such as Agriculture, Medical Science, Physiology, Nursing, Sociology, Psychology and Marketing among others, reasoning that such immediate expansion and reformation of the curriculum will guarantee rapid development of the different spheres of the society and make law graduates employable in different fields of human endeavor. In addition to the above, they advocated that a new curriculum with respect to cyber-law should be developed for Nigerian Universities in keeping with the practice in other jurisdictions, such as the United States and the United Kingdom to enable Nigerian trained lawyers handle the increasing legal challenges thrown up by the fast growing cyber technology.

Considering the importance of Information and Communication Technology in the 21st Century and the concomitant phenomenon of rapid globalization, it is imperative

for Nigeria to facilitate the development of information and knowledge-based economy through the instrumentality of law. Consequently, Information Technology law should be carried out as a law course to be taught in the penultimate law of the basic law programme in all Faculties/Colleges of Law in Nigerian Universities.

To make Nigerian lawyers really relevant in the competitive global market, there is the need for Nigerian Universities to ensure that undergraduate students, especially in Law, undergo entrepreneurial training to endow them with skill and competences that can empower them to be self-employed and sharpen their capacity to have legitimate sources/streams of income. Legal education in Nigeria must strive to achieve synergy between the law graduate and the society in such a way that our universities will not just be turning out job seekers who become stranded when there is no vacancy in both the public and private sectors.

In addition to the above, there is an urgent need to re-evaluate and re-engineer the Nigerian postgraduate education in Law in terms of designing more suitable research methodologies with a view to accommodating new frontiers of knowledge, Information and Communication Technology as well as entrepreneurial studies.

This would in turn ensure response to current realities, global competitiveness and relevance.

With multi-disciplinary training, Lawyers can be gainfully engaged in Advocacy, as Solicitors or in Educational and Research Institutes where the likes of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Prof. Itse Sagay, Prof. G. A. Olawoyin, Prof. I.O Agbede and Prof. P.A. Oluyede as well as Prof.

Ayo Ajomo among many others have made indelible marks.

•Olofintila wrote from Lagos

fyn

52

Politics

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP needs repositioning –Babalola Engineer Femi Babalola is a PDP chieftain in Oyo State and a governorship aspirant in the last general election. In this interview with journalists in Ibadan, he discusses the failure of the party in the March/April election, efforts at positioning the party for future polls and the re-election of Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, among others. AYO ESAN brings excerpts: Your political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost the last general election and many of the members have left for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Do you still see PDP as a viable political party?

The PDP by its intrinsic characteristics will remain a viable political party in the country. In fact it has greater capacity for viability than the APC notwithstanding outcome of the last general election. You have to understand the makeup of the party to appreciate its strength. Components that constituted the PDP dated back ahead of the present fourth republic. These components were generic and quite tangent to the nation. The PDP is built on very strong foundation and it will be very difficult to break its sinews. It will be simplistic to doubt the party ’s resilience or write it off. But this is not so with the APC. We cannot forget the fact that the APC is a marriage of convenience. Throughout our political history, we have seen that mergers of political parties have never really worked. Though we have seen the APC apparently breaking that jinx by winning the federal election, it is not certain how long that amalgam would work.

That fabric is not neatly knitted and anything can happen anytime. The PDP will be more capable of intrinsic rejuvenation than any other political party in the country and it will definitely bounce back. The party ’s loss generates interest because nobody expected it to lose because of its size as the second largest party in whole of Africa, but loss of elections by a big party is not new to history.

India ’s biggest political party the Congress Party has severally lost elections and it is presently out of power. In US, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have variously lost election at times least expected. At a time, serial victories of the Republicans almost pushed the Democrats to the background. But that had not undermined the viability of these political parties. In spite of panic exit, the PDP will remain the largest party in Nigeria. It will take years of exit of members for the party to plummet, but we will not allow that. Recently, those in APC admitted that there are still many good people in the PDP. That is very true.

Efforts of these good people will save the party. I do not only expect the rebounce of the PDP, I expect it sooner than later.

That optimism is premised on recent resolution by elected members of the party and some other bigwigs not to defect.

Are you also contemplating leaving the PDP? I do not need to leave the PDP to offer selfless service to Nigeria. Those leaving the PDP have not considered the dialectical implication. A politician would have been most insulted if he is considered to be unprincipled. Politics is principle

Bab balola

THE PDP WILL BE MORE CAPABLE OF INTRINSIC REJUVENATION THAN ANY OTHER POLITICAL PARTY IN THE COUNTRY AND IT WILL DEFINITELY BOUNCE BACK.

driven and I remember Senator Bola Tinubu mentioned that recently. So I don ’t envy those going to the APC. Besides, political parties should not be reduced to shifting coalitions. But then, the Nigerian polity is ripe for bipartisanship and the polity will benefit immensely from across party collaboration. As Nigerian political parties embrace détente and intensify bipartisanship, the political environment will become less acrimonious and defection will be discouraged because you are able to contribute to national development whatever your political party. A clear proof of my point was the President Buhari ’s endorsement and push of Dr. Adewumi Adesina for the presidency of the African Development Bank AfDB when Adesina was essentially in PDP as incumbent minister in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. This should be the new attitude among politicians in the interest of the country. If you recall stalemate in the US that led to the shutdown, matters were resolved through resort to bipartisanship.

If party rigidity had been sustained; the shutdown would have lingered with adverse effect on that country. In Oyo State here, I have advocated all party support for Governor Ajimobi in order to move the state forward and allow it attain its full potential. Politicians across political parties in the state must be willing to collaborate with the incumbent notwithstanding how they feel about the governor or the ruling APC. It is high time politicians came to synergize in the interest of the masses that look up to the political class for gains of democracy. The political class has a duty to ensure that democracy works. Democracy must be made to meet the yearnings of the people. That is why I call for aggregate support for the present administration in the state and by extension the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. It is not enough for the opposition to criticise, it must proffer solutions too. The incumbent occupies the driver ’s seat and those of us in the passenger seat should be there to guide him by pointing out potholes,

sharp bends among other hazards.

So what are your suggestions for Governor Abiola Ajimobi?

The governor should champion bipartisanship and interact with politicians across party lines. Ordinarily, there should be no problem with Ajimobi ’s triumph. The governor only needs to put up the best civil behavior and encourage politicians in other parties to work with him. He should know God put him there and should conduct himself as governor of all. I will implore him this time to look inward in selecting his aides. He can no longer expect that problems of the state can be solved by outsiders. He should work with aides who are familiar with the state and understand the cultural context they operate. A second term governor who has no eye on the next election should function as a statesman whose gaze is on the next generation. He simply has to devote himself to policies and programs that will position the state for the future. He has to deliver more on welfare and improve quality of life. In this respect, he needs a sense of empathy and his aides must also be empathy sufficient. They must think that children in public schools are like their children, patients in public hospitals are like their family members and the people struggling on the streets are like themselves. He must seek to expand opportunities. It is not time to bruise the feelings of the people. If the government fails to help in this respect, it diminishes itself. Besides that, the governor must devote himself to creating jobs. This he can do through deliberate engagement of the Lebanese business community in the state. The Lebanese are the largest employer of labour in the state. He can engage them in fashioning strategies to widen the scope of job opportunities they offer. The governor should also consider infrastructural expansion in agriculture.

Enhanced mechanization of agriculture and deliberate deployment of industries to harness value chain in the sector will lead to expansion of job opportunities on farms. That will engage all categories of workers from machinists to doctors, accountants, engineers among others.

Education in the state must move from the hyped free education to that which instills in students the tools to adapt and innovate in a climate of constant technological change. The founding fathers had placed education in the heart of the bargain the state government has with the citizens. The people will still require the quality of authenticity from him; hence, he must live up to character and promises he made to the people. That will determine the value of service he renders.

That enormous duty will require that he enjoys aggregate support of all politicians in the state.

For a party that has called the shots for 16 years, how would the next four years be like for the PDP? The irony is that the PDP will more or less still rule the country from outside office. It will still be the party to look CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, June 21, 2015

53

ifting alliances THIS ACTION OF AJIMOBI SHOULD NOT COME TO MANY AS SURPRISE AS IT ’S JUST THE SITUATION OF 2011 REPLAYING ITSELF BUT IN A NEW DIMENSION.

Ajim mobi

scene.

Sunday Mirror learnt from reliable sources that shortly after his victory in the April 11 gubernatorial elections and the vehement rejection of the results by former Governor Ladoja, Senator Ajimobi got across to Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala for a kind of working relationship between the ruling party and the LP. Indeed, it was gathered that part

of the agreement would be for Akala to nominate some people into the cabinet which, it was learnt, include one of his sons.

This action of Ajimobi should not come to many as surprise as it ’s just the situation of 2011 replaying itself but in a new dimension. It will be recalled that when Senator Ajimobi was elected the governor of the state in 2011 under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), many political watchers believed that his administration will run into problems given the fact that his party did not have twothird of the members in the state House of Assembly, with just 13 members.

But he was to display his political sagacity when despite the opposition of the leadership of his party, he went into an alliance with Senator Rasheed Ladoja and his party, Accord, such that the ruling ACN was able to produce the Speaker and Accord produced the Deputy Speaker despite its being the party with the least number of lawmakers in the House.

This action by Ajimobi was to change the prevailing circumstance at the inception of his administration in 2011 as the state House of Assembly was populated by the three parties with the ACN having 13 members, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 12 members and Accord Party, seven. In view of the fact that Accord as was then composed was more or less an extension of PDP, many believed that should he fail to move speedily to court the party through the alliance with Ladoja and both PDP and Accord should team up in the House, it would be pretty difficult for him to have a stress-free relationship with the lawmakers. In fact, the ruling party in the state (ACN) would have been turned to the opposition party with the two other parties producing the Speaker if they had wanted.

The alliance was not to be limited to the House of Assembly as Ajimobi appointed from Accord two Commissioners, two Chairmen of Local Government Councils, Special Advisers and about 40 members of Board of Para-

arch of peace

Tinu ubu

Rising from a meeting convened under the auspices of the Forum of APC state chairmen with Oyegun on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chairmen said that despite the “disappointments ”, they were happy that the APC ’s leaders accepted the outcome of the election that

brought Senator Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

In a communiqué they issued and which was signed by the chairman of the Kano state APC and Acting Chairman of the Forum, Umar Mohammed at the end of their meeting which bordered on the review of the 2015 general elections, the chairmen said “We totally aligned ourselves with the President ’s position regarding the leadership of the National Assembly ”.

Also a second term senator from Lagos State, Senator Gbenga Asafa has begged APC senators to unite .

Ashafa, in a statement last Thursday urged the two groups to reconcile so that the APC could forge ahead. He said if the APC remained disunited; the party would not be able to deliver on its promise of change.

He said, “We have to realise that the hopes of Nigerians are high. The new government has amassed a lot of political capital having been elected as a result of the massive goodwill for our various candidates in the elections and the stark disenchantment with the previous administration.

“As a result, the goodwill of Nigerians must not be taken for granted. So I make this call for one Nigeria and it starts with us – one Senate, united for the progress of our various constituents and translating change into policies and laws that will, in turn,

yield tangible and beneficial results for everyone. ” Ashafa urged all party members with various leanings to set aside their personal ambitions for now, noting that “whilst the party ’s decision is binding on us all, we must see the bigger picture, which is a progressive and united Nigeria. ” Also the League of Patriots, LOP has cautioned the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Timi Frank over his call for the resignation of the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as a result of the crisis arising from the election in the National Assembly.

In a statement jointly signed by Messrs Orobosa Omo-Ojo and Osa Director, convener and president of the group respectively, the LOP said Frank ’s tirade against Odigie-Oyegun is suicidal.

According to the statement, “The attack on Chief Odigie-Oyegun is simply unwarranted, considering the fact that the APC is still weighing all options relating to the outcome of the elections of principal officers in the National Assembly – to ensure the unity of the party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to put on record the selfless con-

statals. The alliance was not to last for more than a year before the Ajimobi-led administration became the subject of virulent attacks from not only the members of Accord but their leader as well.

For instance, Ladoja on one occasion berated the administration of Ajimobi, describing him as lacking in capacity to govern the state. According to him, the inadequacy had become manifest as a result of the working alliance entered into with Accord Party.

Ladoja had said, “The working relationship with ACN government in the state has exposed its shortcomings on how to run government. The decision of Accord Party to enter into working relationship with the ACN government in the state has really exposed the latter as incapable of running smooth government. The state government is not in tune with what people of the state really want. Shortly after the last election, the ACN government approached us for a working relationship so that they could, among others, have two thirds majority in the House of Assembly. We at Accord obliged them so that we can jointly move the state forward. Our relationship only exposed their level of ability to run a government and now that we have seen their level of ability to run a government, it is glaring they are grossly incapable of running a government. The ACN government in the state is not godly, hence its decision to be executing programmes that are not CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

tributions made by Chief Odigie-Oyegun in the long-drawn struggle by the Progressives in Nigeria. In 1992, while in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), His Excellency abandoned his comfort zone to join others in exile to actualise June 12, 1993 presidential mandate Nigerians gave to Chief Moshood Abiola of blessed memory ”.

It noted that unlike the average Nigerian politician, the APC National Chairman cannot be accused of pursuing a personal agenda in the outcome of the election of National Assembly ’s principal officers. The group said, “His role was informed by the dictates of his office which requires him to defend the corporate interest of the party at all times – which he did. As it turned out, this didn ’t preclude the individual interest of Senators and House of Representatives members who were at liberty to exercise their franchise as it turned out. ” The group urged Frank and others who might still resent Chief OdigieOyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to sheathe their swords in the overall interest of the party. It added that “what has happened should be seen as incubating process that can only lead to a stronger, vibrant legislature for which the APC will be credited. ”

54

Politics

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ajimobi and politics of shifting alliances CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

in the interest of the people. How can you say you will provide another alternative to the people you demolish their shops and stalls six months after the demolition? ” The final straw was however to come when after having enough, Ajimobi decided to dismiss all members of the Accord in his cabinet. It was so bad that the sour relationship did not end even before the last general elections with the Accord saying it to whoever cared to listen that it will send Ajimobi packing out of the Agodi Government House.

With this development, many political analysts are skeptical that if the relationship became a reality, it would not go the way of that entered into with Accord. Indeed, the first sign that all may not be well with the alliance was the call by the leadership of the LP on the lawmaker elected as Minority Leader to

reject the position.

The LP in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Taiwo Ibrahim, described the inaugural proceedings of the eighth House of Assembly which it said brushed aside parliamentary rule to produce the new Minority Leader as a flagrant abuse of the rule of law and a practical demonstration of democratic indiscipline.

Taiwo said notwithstanding the calculation that one of its members was hoodwinked to assume the position, as a political party of high integrity established to foster good governance via principle and respect for the rule of law, the LP would not fold its arms to have elementary rules circumvented for whatever purpose.

He said, “Rising from its State Executive Council meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the Labour Party in a communiqué signed by the Chairman, Comrade Gbenga Olayemi and the Director of

Media and Publicity, Hon. Taiwo Ibrahim, the party dissociated itself from the attempt that surreptitiously link it with a nocturnal alliance to swing the pendulum of position to its side through the backdoor.

“The party realised that basically the position of the Minority Leader should automatically go to the party that has the second largest number in the House of Assembly. The party, however, appreciates the principled stance of Hon. Gbenga Oyekola representing Atiba State Constituency for standing by the dictates of the law and the directives of the party on the floor of the Assembly.

The communiqué further stressed that the party was now fully positioned to assume the front burner of opposition in the state. This, we believe will put the government on its toes as we shall constructively engage it to entrench good governance for the people of the state. ” Whether the alliance between the

Adeyemo

Ibadan-born businessman-turned politician and the Ogbomoso-born former governor will last for the next four years remains of interest to political watchers.

‘PDP needs repositioning ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

up to. Nigerians may pretty turn to the party for hope that would see the nation through the next four years. The country will witness for the first time brilliant alternatives and options a very vibrant opposition could offer in a democracy.

We will deepen competitive political system the way opposition has never done before. Options the PDP comes up with may be the mainstay of our democracy in the next four years. For instance as the nation ’s economy limps due to poor performance of oil in the international market, the PDP may lead in profiling policies for post petroleum economy in the country, while the ruling party grapples with the daunting task of socio-political delivery. You can see that the PDP will be able to drive public life from the back bench so to say.

Do you back calls for clean sweep of the party ’s NWC? It is important as a party that we avoid

hasty generalisation and value judgment. I do not think the party so far has investigated how it lost the general election, so how come we apportion blame? I think it was defeat trauma and from the look of things, it is subsiding now as we come to terms with the reality. Even if we had won, the party would still have investigated the victory vis a vis electioneering and expenditure among others. And now that we lost, such inquiry is still called for, and I am aware a post election committee was set up. There and then there could be sanctions otherwise, we would be witch hunting. We must shun irrationality or else we will throw the baby away with the bath water.

As a politician, what is your take for 2019?

It will be too early for anyone to be talking of 2019 now. We have just had a general election with severe aftermath for the PDP. A reasonable preoccupa-

tion now is how to rebuild the party and fix its features. I am going to be part of the national contrivance to reposition the party. The problem appears rather simple in Oyo State, but it is not so in other parts of the country. And since the party is one strong national body, we in Oyo State are concerned with the right therapy to restore the party to its boisterous health.

But you said that the problem in the Oyo PDP is not as serious as it is elsewhere.

Do you really think so?

I am not denying the fact that party in Oyo State has its share of the overall crisis in the PDP. Without mincing words, that played out here during the last general election. But right from the time the Baraje splinter group emerged, we knew the party had a big problem to grapple with but the party here maintained neutrality. The Oyo PDP was not part of that problem at all. What we sought to do then was to make all sides to the crisis see rea-

sons and we appealed for calm. You can see that the Oyo PDP has always been mature the way it handles issues. When I positioned that the PDP has no serious problems here, I am saying it is not something outside our capacity to resolve. We have what it takes to resolve crisis and not allow it to snowball. I am aware that the party in the state will come up with a machinery to reconcile all members, seek return of those who left and forge a common course for the future. By the pattern of the last governorship election in the state, it became clear that the PDP is still the preferred party except that we splintered our votes. All the votes that went to the Accord Party, Labour Party and the SDP were all PDP votes. You can see that what the APC scored, in spite of the expected bandwagon effect of the Buhari ’s victory, was a minority vote. So you can see what I mean that the PDP does not have serious problems here. All we have to do is to reach out to all aggrieved individuals and fashion a truce.

NEWS

Agbaje salutes Muslims, urges them to pray for peace AYO ESAN

T

he People ’s Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate for Lagos State in the April 2015 election, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has called on Nigerian Muslims to exploit the period of the Ramadan fast to pray for the restoration of peace through the length and breadth of the country.

Describing Nigeria as a nation going through hard times, the politician said Nigerians realise that it would take the intervention of God to bail their country out of its current difficulties.

Agbaje gave the counsel in a Press

Statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Felix Oboagwina, saying, peace had eluded Nigeria for too long.

“Especially with the advent of a new administration, Nigerians everywhere deserve peace, ” the PDP Governorship Candidate said. “This holy period provides a great atmosphere to seek supernatural help for the restoration of peace to this great country. ” He also enjoined Muslims to pray for the success of new regimes at the Federal Government, state government and local government levels, as well as for the people of Nigeria.

“We must pray that God will bless this country with caring and visionary lead-

ers, leaders who would have a passion for programmes and policies geared towards alleviating the sufferings of the common man, ” he said.

“This is the holiest period in the Islamic calendar and our Muslim brethren should seize the opportunity to seek divine intervention in our national affairs, ” Agbaje said. “Politicians and government can do their best, but it takes the intervention of the Almighty God to turn a nation ’s fortunes around and to prevent natural and other sorts of disasters. ” Enjoining Islamic faithful to seize the period as a time for sober reflection, Agbaje encouraged them to cooperate with their neighbours from other faiths to create an atmosphere that would facilitate

peaceful coexistence and nation-building.

Agbaje

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview

Sunday, June 21, 2015

55

FG needs to set up CKD tool plant to create jobs –RTEAN boss Alhaji Musa Isiwele Shehu, is the National President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria. In this interview with Chidi Ugwu and Adeola Tukuru, he looks at the critical role of transportation sector, how the Federal Government can generate revenue through the establishment of transport banks and toll gates and how to tackle unemployment in the country among others issues. Excerpts: RTEAN is a major stakeholder in ensuring smooth running of the nation ’s economy, given the critical role of transportation of goods and services across the country, with a new government in place, how do intend to work with the new administration to ensure to ensure stability of the system?

Well, in Hausa language, there is a saying that if your father dies and your mother is still young, the man that marries your mother becomes your father.

We have a new government and we are going to be loyal to the government. That was why after congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari, I gave some suggestions because I know that government needs revenue so I suggested what will bring revenue to the government and also assist the transport industry. I requested for Transport Bank, because it obtains in any neighboring countries such as Kenya and Ghana who have transport bank that belong to genuine transporters. This bank will be able to assist genuine transporters with soft loans at zero per cent interest. Not, like TIB because the TIB that government organised under SURE-P never gave vehicles to transporters. They were given to their girlfriends, classmates and their cronies. And they never brought vehicles that are roadworthy, you can see, all the huge amounts they spent there, where are the vehicles on the way?

I also advised that they should bring back toll-gates which will generate billions of naira to the Federation Account.

It is done everywhere all over the world, and they will do it in a way that there will be no fraud. Let me give an example, there is a photocopying machine that you employ someone to monitor but the number of Photostats done will be recorded accurately by the machine itself. If they can install such machines on the tollgates, which would be counting the number of vehicles that pass the highway a day. This can bring big money that can fix the road rather than looking for another loan somewhere to fix the roads for us.

The toll-gate can equally help a driver, who is coming from a long distance to get himself back instead of swerving into the bush. That interaction between the driver and the toll-gate attendant will remove the sleep on the driver ’s eye and get him back on track.

I also advised that there should be Weigh Bridge, something like scale in every 50 or 100 kilometers, like if you carry more than 30 tones as trailer across the weigh bridge it will show. Then, they can reduce the load and punish the driver that carried the overload. Because if you look at it now, a trailer will carry like 600 bags of cement the driver will go and look for tomatoes or look for wood to put on top of the truck or trailer for the driver to benefit. These are among the things that are damaging the nation ’s roads.

If the new administration still wants to use the TIB they will need to overhaul the place. I know President Buhari is a

no-nonsense person; he will not accommodate what the previous government did, where everybody was doing anything he likes. They did not follow rules and regulations because if they actually did with the transformation agenda former President Jonathan started, we will not have any broken down vehicles in Abuja even in Nigeria as whole. We ought to have new vehicles on the roads and for President Buhari to create more job opportunities he need to establish a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) tool plant not only auto manufacturing assembly plant, but that one that can equally create job opportunities for young graduates that are roaming around the streets.

Accidents involving articulated vehicles are a major issue in the country at the moment, what is your organization doing to stem this ugly tide?

We have been doing a lot; we held a meeting with Road Safety last Monday where I presented a paper on the possible causes of these accidents. We need to checkmate the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO); they are giving license to underage drivers. These classes of drivers have no wives, nothing, they do not care. They take alcohol like ‘Ogogoro ’ before they go into the steering. Some of them take solution (drugs) and all sorts of things. And seeing a vehicle coming some of them will still overtake and do not care what would be the consequences.

I know in those days, you must go for a test before a license is given to you. Even in Dubai now before you get a license to will take three years. But, this place, they are not issuing license they are buying license. We should put a stop to that. You as a journalist, you can just phone one VIO and say I am sending someone, and the person will just go there and pay and you have your license. It is not supposed to be so, look at what happened at Onitsha where so many people died, vehicles gone.

That was caused by inexperience because that place was an expressway, the road is not bad but the driver just descended with full speed from the bridge and met traffic jam. There is nothing he can do at that point, so he just rammed into the traffic and the accident happened. If it were an experience driver if he want to descent from a bridge he will apply cooler which will hold the vehicle back. That way once he apply break then it hold but at that speed when you apply the break of a truck or a lorry it doesn ’t hold like that.

If look at the people driving trailers now, they are below 20 years, you will think they are motor boys, no they are the main drivers.

That is why we need to checkmate the VIO, whoever applies for driver ’s license must be tested. We wanted to establish driving academy which will affiliate with universities both local and international where drivers will go for proper driving lesions but they refused to give us license.

It would have been structured in such a

Shehu

way that even the drivers that are operating now will still go there for refresher course. I can tell you that some drivers you see on the highway nowadays cannot read signboards; Buhari has come now these are some of the changes we should expect so that things are done properly not through back door.

How well are you prepared for the enforcement of the speed limiting device law by the FRSC come September 1, 2015?

I am a signatory to the speed limit device initiative. The good thing is that it is going to save lives. The implementation will commence on September 1 this year and we have started making arrangements with some foreign companies who have approached us to fix the device for us. They want our members to key into their product and I said okay they are going to sponsor the media because we plan to launch it in every states. And we are going to advise FRSC to properly monitor its officers. This is because if some of their officers resort to taking bribe to set erring drivers free, there should be no ‘this is my friend, my class mate, I am warning you, and you must fix it tomorrow ’. If they do that it will fail. So it can only succeed if they are ready to enforce it. We are ready because it will save lives. Let all of us join hands together and make it a reality.

RTEAN recently embarked on construction of about 185, 000housing units for members, what informed this decision?

The houses we have in Nigeria are not enough not to talk of the exorbitant prices charged for the ones available. For two bedroom flats you asked to pay N5 million so that informed our decision to partner with some foreign partners particularly a company from Canada that will actually build these houses for us at affordable prices. So we made arrangements, invited our partners and held several meet-

ings, and some engineers and architects do design. At the end we agreed that they are going to fund the project but we would provide the off-taker and at the same the certificate of job conclusion. They do not want to release the money to us.

They will come and build it themselves.

Like Saturday, we went to inspect about 58 hectares of land in Gwagwalada. And we have got some in Kaduna, so we want to start 1,000 houses in every state of the federation. But we want to do first of all is to start in Abuja, the second is Edo state. And it is going to be affordable houses and they are not necessarily meant only for RTEAN members after conclusion but the every member of the public who can afford it.

Anybody who has interest can request from us and buy. We have given our foreign partners the least of off-takers containing the names of our members, photographs and signatures. It is when the RTEAN has laid foundation and the construction get to lintel level that the form will be issued out for interested members of public to buy.

With these ideas, have you in the past tried to put this across to the relevant authorities like the National Automotive Council, what is your working relationship with the National Automotive Council?

It is so cordial. Anytime they call for a meeting we normally have meetings, and we have workshop. We even planning and we signed agreement with the ministry of works, they handed over the workshop facilities to us for 10 years nationwide. We have started working in Ijora. We have partnered with Ashok Leyland of India, and Bosch Company in Germany to come and establish a CKD tool plant in Nigeria.

We have held meetings several times if you go to Ijora now, we have cleared the place and we have started tiling the offices there. The land space there is about 5 hectares. We also have something like that in Bridge Head Onitsha, and indeed all over the states, so we are trying to partners to establish our own CKD plants in the country.

57

SMExtra

Sunday June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Charleston killer wanted to start a race war have a job, a driver’s license or anything like that and he just stayed in his room a lot of the time,’ Cowles said.

A high school classmate of Roof’s, John Mullins, told The Daily Beast that the accused white supremacist killer was ‘kind of wild’ and a big time prescription drug abuser.

‘He used drugs heavily a lot,’ Mullins said.

‘It obviously harder than marijuana. He was like a pill popper, from what I understood. Like Xanax, and stuff like that.’

Court records reveal that a February drug charge cited Roof’s possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and LSD, RadarOnline reports.

Of the shooting, Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen said: ‘We believe this is a hate crime - that is how we are investigating it.’

‘A giant among men’: Pastor and senator who was shot dead One of the dead has been confirmed as Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a pastor who recently led rallies after unarmed black man Walter Scott was shot dead by police two months ago.

The 41-year-old South Carolina native also played a key role in pushing for legislation for officers to wear body cameras by co-sponsoring a bill recently signed into law.

He began preaching at the age of 13, becoming a pastor at the age of 18.

He graduated from Allen University in 1995 before studying at Princeton, the University of South Carolina and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

He became the youngest ever African American elected to the legislature when he was just 23. He was elected as a state representative in 1996 before being voted on to the State Senate in 2000.

He was also named as one the African American community’s 30 leaders of the future in 1999 in Ebony magazine.

He is survived by wife Jennifer and two young daughters, Eliana and Malana.

His cousin, Kent Williams, said that Pinckney was devoted to his family.

‘He loved his family, took care of his family,’ he said. ‘Just a wonderful guy - what anybody would want in a father, and in a pastor and in a senator anywhere in this country.’

State House Minority leader Todd Rutherford added: ‘He never had anything bad to say about anybody, even when I thought he should.

He was always out doing work either for his parishioners or his constituents. He touched everybody.’

State Senator Marlon Kimpson remembered Reverend Pinckney as ‘a giant’ and ‘a legend’.

‘He was the moral compass of the senate,’ he said.

On Thursday, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have launched a hate crime investigation into the mass shooting, ABC reported. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies have joined the investigation, Mullen said.

The killer is believed to have entered the church around 8pm before taking part in the prayer group for about an hour, police said.

Although it is a black church, it would not be surprising to see a white person - or a person of any other race - attending a gathering there, Charleston’s NAACP President Dot Scott told CNN on Thursday.

Speaking in the NBC interview, Pinckney’s cousin said Roof had specifically asked for the reverend before sitting beside him throughout the meeting.

The Reverend Norvel Goff, a presiding elder for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, told the Washington Post that the suspect ‘walked in, from my understanding, not so much as a participant, but as a brief observer who then stood up and then started shooting’.

Cynthia Hard Clementa Pickney

Susie Jackson, 87

Depayne Middleton Parishioners weep at memorial service

Memorial service

Police received the first call about the shooting shortly after 9pm.

Emergency responders found eight people dead inside the church, and one was taken to hospital where they later died, Mullen said on Thursday. Among the dead was Reverend and State Senator Pinckney. On Thursday, photos showed a black cloth placed over Pinckney’s seat in the South Carolina Senate.

The eight other victims, aged between 26 and 87, were named by the coroner on Thursday.

They were identified as Tywanza Sanders, 26, Sharonda Singleton, 45, DePayne Middleton, 49, Cynthia Hurd, 54, Myra Thompson, 59, Ethel Lee Lance, 70, Daniel Simmons, 76, and Susie Jackson, 87. Police said that three survivors were also found inside the church.

Dot Scott of the NAACP told the Post and Courier that a female survivor told her family members that the gunman said she could escape. He said he was letting her live so she could tell the world what happened.

Meanwhile, family members who were being briefed by chaplains after the shooting reportedly said that a five-year-old girl survived the attack after she was told to play dead by her grandmother.

‘The tragedy that we’re addressing right now is indescribable,’ Mullen said on Thursday morning. ‘No one in this community will ever forget this night.

‘We are committed to do whatever is necessary to bring this individual to justice. We are

not leaving any stone unturned.’

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr added: ‘This is an unfathomable and unspeakable act by somebody filled with hate and with a deranged mind.

‘We’re going to put our arms around this church... We’re going to find this horrible scoundrel.’ And speaking from the White House on Thursday afternoon, President Obama called the murders ‘senseless’.

‘Any death of this sort is a tragedy, any shooting involving multiple victims is a tragedy,’ he said. ‘There is something particularly heartbreaking about death happening somewhere we seek solace and we seek peace.

‘Methodist Emanuel is in fact more than a church; this is a place of worship that was founded by African Americans seeking liberty.

This is a sacred place in the history of Charleston and in the history of America.’

He went on: ‘The fact that this took place in a black church also raises questions about a dark part of our history.’

He also spoke out about how the incident again signals the need for stricter gun control.

Killer’s sister calls off wedding

A

mber Roof called authorities to report her own brother as the Charleston shooter when she saw surveillance photos on television Daily Mail Online can reveal.

Roof, 27, who called authorities on Wednesday according to FBI sources after she came to the devastating realisation that her brother, Dylann, was suspected of shooting dead nine people in a South Carolina church.

Her call led to an overnight manhunt that ended with Roof’s arrest yesterday after a tip from florist, Debbie Dills, alerted authorities to Roof’s presence in Shelby, North Carolina.

Although authorities haven’t said why Roof fled to Shelby, Amber’s fiancé Michael Tyo lives just three miles from where the 21-year-old was captured, in a residential area of brick ranchstyle houses.

Now it has emerged that Amber was to be married on Sunday (today) but has cancelled the wedding in the wake of the tragedy brought on by her brother.

Exclusive details obtained by Daily Mail Online show that just days ago she was excitedly counting down to her wedding to US Army Reserve Recruiter, Tyo. Intriguingly Dylann, who friends and family have described as increasingly introverted in recent months, was not named as part of the wedding party that included Tyo’s son, Andrew, as best man, his youngest child, Tavin, as ring bearer and ten-year-old daughter, Kailey, as flower girl.

Amber and Dylann’s sister, Morgan was to be bridesmaid and her cousin, Kasey Buntin, a nurse, was to be maid of honour.

The couple got engaged on November 1 last year at Rock Ranch in Georgia. Writing on theknot.com where the couple was registered, Amber recalled how Tyo, who has three children from a previous relationship, surprised her during the Fall family trip On Thursday, Tyo packed up his children and dog for an altogether more somber trip as the family attempted to retreat from the scru-

Amber Roof and Michael Tyo

tiny Roof’s act has placed them under Oblivious to the atrocity her younger brother had been planning for months she and her fiancé anticipated a small ceremony at Lexington’s Mitchell House and Gardens. Her grandfather Joe Roof was to perform the ceremony.

She wrote: ‘Michael had the proposal planned for a couple of weeks. He had called the Rock Ranch and told them his plan. They agreed and were more than happy to help’.

58

North

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gen. Agwai to head committee to end Kaduna killings A ZA MSUE KADUNA

F

ormer Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), has agreed to chair a committee charged to recommend ways to end attacks on communities in the southern part of Kaduna State.

The Kaduna State Government disclosed this yesterday in a press state-

ment made available to journalists.

A statement, signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai ’s Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the committee is part of the government ’s multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the killings in the area, which have continued since the post-election violence of 2011.

According to the statement, the committee ’s terms of reference are to “identify socio-political and economic factors that promote existing conflicts in Southern Kaduna and advise on measures to be taken by Government to address them, “explore ways of finding mutual solutions that engender reconciliation amongst and between communities in Southern Kaduna; and

to advise on how the villages and communities of Southern Kaduna would be free from attacks bedeviling them ”.

The committee has 30 days within which to complete its assignment and submit its report.

Agwai is presently serving as a United Nations envoy in Sudan.

Meanwhile, a cross section of Southern Kaduna residents, Sunday Mirror

have expressed happiness over the action taken so far by Governor El-Rufai ’s administration to end killings and attacks in the area.

Similarly, in the ongoing efforts to contain the security challenges in parts of the state, Governor El-Rufai on Friday held an emergency meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.

The meeting reviewed the security situation in the state following attacks in Katsak and Danborno villages in Jema ’a

and Birnin Gwari local government areas.

Sunday Mirror learnt that the meeting analysed the incessant attacks and collated firsthand details from the sites of the latest attacks.

The meeting also appraised the deployment of security personnel and stressed the importance of partnerships between traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders in strengthening intelligence gathering.

Niger gov reads riot act to public servants PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N Bags of rice and distributed to people during the Ramadan fasting by former commissioner, Borno State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, Hon. UsPHOTO:INUSA NDAHI man Mamman Durkwa in Maiduguri, yesterday.

Ganduje slashes salaries of political appointees by half ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

K

ano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday announced a 50 per cent pay cut for political appointees in the state, stating that the decision was informed by the dwindling revenue allocation from the Federal Government.

Ganduje, who disclosed this at the swearing-in ceremony of members of the state executive council said, political appointees are entrusted with public of-

fice with the sole purpose and the aim to serve the populace.

According to him, Nigerians are fed up with the breach of public trust by political office holders since 1999, pointing out that this culminated in the mass voting and support the incumbent APC government enjoyed from the majority of Nigerians.

He therefore charged the newly appointed commissioners to work tirelessly towards the delivery of the dividend of democracy in the state.

Ganduje informed the

commissioners and the entire state civil service that his administration abhor corruption and would run a template of zero tolerance for corrupt practices.

He added that his administration would not hesitate to detect corrupt practices, adding that political appointees and civil servants found to be culprits in the act of corruption would not be spared for betraying the trust.

Sunday Mirror reports that, the state Solicitor General, Barrister Mukthari Bebeji, yesterday administered the oath of

office on 13 political appointees, whose names were screened and confirmed by the state House of Assembly.

The new commissioners and their portfolios are, Mohammed Garba (Information, Youths and Culture); Barrister Haruna Falali (Justice); Nasriu Gawuna (Agriculture and Natural Resources); Kabiru Isa Dandago (Finance); Muritala Sule Garo, (Local Governments and Rural Development); Zubeida Lawan (Women Affairs and Social Development) and Kabiru Getso (Health).

Ramadan: Ex-commissioner distributes food items in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

T

he immediate past Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation in Borno State, Hon. Usman Mamman Durkwa, has personally distributed 3,000 assorted bags of rice and sugar as well as cash donations to the people which cut across all the 27 Local Government Areas of the state in the spirit of the Ramadan season.

Every year during Ramadan and other religious festivities, our correspondent observed that Hon. Durkwa usually distributes trucks of assorted food items to his people including pensioners and the less privileged in order to cushion their hardship, particularly the people from Hawul, Chibok, Askira/Uba, Shani, KwayaKusar, Damboa, Bayo, Biu, and Gwoza council areas of southern Borno.

In Hawul, where the commissioner hails from, he sent representatives who are to visit all the wards and gave them bags of rice and cash donations in the spirit of Ramadan Kareem.

Distributing the items in Maiduguri yesterday, Durkwa said the gesture was to further cement his relationship with his people irrespective of political inclinations as well as a demonstration of govern-

ment ’s appreciation for their commitment, loyalty and cooperation with Governor Kashim Shettima ’s administration.

He noted that with the dwindling economy, which has led to hardship currently being faced by the electorate and poor masses, he had to identify with his people by giving his widow ’s mite to alleviate their suffering during the period of the Ramadan fasting.

iger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has warned public officers in the state to discharge their duties effectively or risk being fired by government.

Giving the warning during an inspection visit to the building materials market in Minna, Bello told the workers to sit-up and do what is right so as to move the state forward.

According to him, his administration came on the platform of change and for that reason; there must be a clear departure from what was obtained in the past in the state.

He however expressed disgust at the shabby state of the market and ordered for the immediate placement of sign- posts to provide direction where various items could be easily

obtained by customers in the market.

Bello also directed the contractor handling the market project, government officials involved and the shop owners to come together and agree on the affordable prices of the shops.

Earlier, the contractor handling the second phase of the market projects told the governor that the project was on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the state and the contractor. He added that the occupants of the shops would, however, be responsible for payment of their shops on owner occupier basis.

Also, some of the shop owners that spoke to the Governor complained of the high price of the shops, while urging him to intervene to enable interested businessmen and women afford them.

Al-Makura donates mobile hospitals to crises ridden communities IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

N

asarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-makura, has donated three mobile hospitals to communities affected by last year ’s communal crises to ameliorate sufferings in the affected communities due to shortage of medical facilities and personnel.

The mobile hospitals were distributed at the Lafia Government House by the governor to the affected communities of Iggah, Arikya and Fadama Bauna, which will serve the host communities and other adjoining areas af-

fected by the crises.

Al-Makura said the hospitals are equipped with state-of- the- art facilities ranging from laboratory, theatre and admission ward for patients in critical need of medical attention before they can be taken to a referral medical facility.

According to him, the areas where the hospitals are earmarked have most of their medical facilities destroyed as a result of recent communal crises that ravaged some parts of the state in recent years, stating that the mobile hospitals would go a long in addressing the medical needs of crisis ridden areas. ”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South

Sunday, June 21, 2015

59

There ’re PDP moles in Delta APC, Okotie-Eboh faction alleges THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

T

he Chief Adolo OkotieEboh led faction of the troubled Delta state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged that there are moles in the party, threatening to reel out names of those it described as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “agents of destruction ” pretending to be members of APC in the state.

Mr. Alex Eyengho, who is the factional spokesman of the Okotie-Eboh faction disclosed this on Friday while

addressing newsmen in Warri, in reaction to a statement credited to Ogbueshi Sam Abumujor, an APC chieftain in the Prophet Jones Erue/ Olorogun O ’tega faction.

Eyengho told journalists that: “Our attention was drawn to yet another media statement, this time credited to a certain Ogbueshi Sam Abumujor who also claimed to be a member of APC in Delta State. Like one Jesutega Onakpasa who fooled himself recently with an unverified expulsion statement, this jester of a fellow called Abumujor this time around stated that Chief

Okotie-Eboh is an agent of the PDP! “Not surprisingly though, this has been the sustained media trend since the hitherto executives of APC in Delta State led by Prophet Jones Erue was on April 30, 2015 dissolved and described as illegal by Justice Obi of the State High Court, Asaba, based on a suit filed by Chief Okotie-Eboh, challenging the entire procedure that brought in the illegal executives. ” While debunking the news spreading around that some members of his faction have been expelled from

the party, he said: “We have made it manifestly clear that neither Chief Okotie-Eboh nor any member of his faction have been expelled, or can be expelled by the party on the pages of newspapers, because there is a clear procedure enshrined in the APC constitution for expelling erring members.

“Chief Okotie-Eboh ’s faction exhausted all the internal dispute resolution machinery within the party all to no avail until they resorted to court action, as a last resort. The party leadership at the national level knows this too well.

“On who are the real PDP agents or not, it is instructive and rather ironical that the likes of Chief Tom Ikimi, Fidelis Tilije and a host of others who accused Chief Okotie-Eboh of working for the PDP have since shamelessly crawled back to the same PDP for a pot of porridge! These Onokpasa and Abumujor fellows and their co- travellers will soon do the same. These are all shamed and expelled members of the now defunct Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), who have since become willing agents of the PDP and bread and butter politicians sent to destroy APC in Delta State by hijacking the party structure

in the state at all costs. Soon, we shall reel out their names to the public. ” “For us as founding members of APC in Delta State, we shall not allow these fifth columnists to destroy a party (Delta APC) we built from the ACN days with our sweat and blood under the exemplary and dogged leadership of Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, no matter the cheap blackmail and shenanigans. These jokers came to meet us in APC and will certainly leave us in peace and go back to where they came from. We used our very viable and effective ACN political structure and machinery in Delta State to build APC in the state.

Contempt: Judge orders detention of Ughelli BEDC boss in prison THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

A

L-R: Former President, Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, Ass. Prof. Smaranda Olarinde; Lecturer at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD ’s College of Law, Barr. Ife Bamidele and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Festus Ebiri, at the National Law Teachers Association Conference in Ado-Ekiti,

Ajimobi tasks Nigerians to emulate Arisekola ’s philanthropic qualities KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged wealthy Nigerians in the state to emulate the humility and philanthropic qualities of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao, whom he described as an ‘epitome of godliness and humility ’.

He gave the charge yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, at the residence of the late business mogul who died last year at the age of 69 years where many dignitaries had converged for the first year fidau prayer of the former Deputy National President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

The governor, while speaking on the virtues of the late Arisekola, said, “ Aare was not a king, but he ruled Yorubaland with

his humility, his philanthropic gestures, reason the Sultan of Sokoto described him as ‘an era ’.

“Aare Arisekola was an epitome of humility when he was not rich and he was also an epitome of godliness and humility when he was rich. I did not come here because of Aare Arisekola ’s children but because of his legacy of humility. Let us all emulate this quality in him.

If you are rich, be good to the poor. If you are poor, be good to the rich and the powerful in the society ”.

He specifically enjoined his kinsmen in Ibadan, whom he said were fond of being envious and full of malice to stop being malicious, but embrace love like the late Aare was.

“I particularly refer to you my Ibadan kinsmen because you are fond of envy and malice. Stop it.

Many of you believe we would not win the last

election, but now that we are going to spend eight years, what are you going to do? Learn to exude love for one another. That was what Aare Arisekola stood for. What have you been doing about the feuding children of Aare? Many of you collected money from the Aare, yet spoke of of him ”, he said.

Ajimobi pledged to live by example, promising that “I am ready to be giving to people like Aare was doing, but I know I cannot do like him. Aare was known for giving money to people for all reasons.

Come for gift from me, but not too much. If you come for naming ceremony, I will give you money, but if you come again for birthday, I will not give it to you. It is only Aare that could do that ”, he said.

The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Agbotomokekete in his sermon, eulogised the vir-

tues of the late business man, while urging the people present to see life as ephemeral and should always strive to do good as no one knows when his end would come.

To the children left behind by Aare, he called for unity and love, saying, “you should all see yourselves as the legacy that Aare left behind. You must be in unity and cohesion so that the legacy would not be destroyed.

See yourselves as one, and not different children from different mothers who should do things according to your wishes, but as a united family ”.

Eminent personalities that graced the prayer session were the popular juju maestros: King Sunny Ade and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, traditional rulers, religious leaders, relatives, captains of industry as well as numerous poor beneficiaries.

Delta State High Court sitting in Ughelli, the administrative headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Council has ordered the immediate arrest and subsequent detention of the Principal Officer, Ughelli District of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, Mr. Pius Ajeh at the Okere Prison in Warri for seven days for contempt of court.

Honourable Justice Ebiowei Tobi of the Ughelli High Court II, who handed the order, said Mr Ajeh, who is representing BEDC as a defendant in suit no. UHC/193/2015 failed to obey a court or-

der in February 23rd, 2015 directing him to reconnect the premises of one Mr. Ilesha-Yovwe Udoro, plaintiff which he had earlier disconnected.

The court maintained that the action of the Ughelli BEDC ’s Principal Officer amounts to disobedience and disrespect thus he should be remanded in Okere prison to purge himself of the contempt.

“I hereby order that Mr Pius Ajeh be arrested and detained at the Okere Prison Warri for seven days so that he be purged of his contempt and thereafter be brought before me on June 25th, 2015. The DPP of Ughelli police station is hereby ordered to carry out the above order ”, Justice Tobi declared.

Kidnappers release Winners ’ Chapel pastor RICHARD NDOMA

T

he pastor of Living Faith Church, Pastor Seyi Adekunle, who was abducted by hoodlums, a week ago, in his church along IBB Way Calabar, regained his freedom yesterday, policed sources said.

A source in the church said that the pastor was taken to the outskirts of Calabar at midnight and asked to go home. He later found his way to the church premises where other pastors were holding a vigil for his release.

The pastor ’s release was

confirmed by the chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Cross River State, Pastor Lawrence Ekwok, who declined to confirm if any ransom was paid.

He however expressed gratitude to God, the police and the media for helping to facilitate the release of the pastor.

The spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr Hogan Bassey, said that two suspects were arrested which led to the release of the pastor. “No ransom was paid but we are on the trail of other accomplices and very soon I will give you more details ”.

60

Sport p I couldn’t have written a better script P. 62

Sport

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NFF to investigate Keshi’s Ivory Coast application

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS JUNE 21, 2015

P. 61

: t u o l l a f p u C d l r o W 0 U/2

Blame NFF, not the coaches –Onigbinde PIUS ANAKALI

I

Onigbinde

f anyone had expected anything less than a Bronze medal from Nigeria’s U-20 team at the 2015 FIFA organized World Youth Championship in New Zealand, such would have been branded an NFA, a coinage of Nigeria Football Association as it was then known; derogatorily used when refereeing to an unserious person.

To many Nigerians, the junior national team had more than enough talent to shock the world and bring home her first ever FIFA U-20 trophy.

An insight to what the Flying Eagles can do came to the fore earlier in 2014 when it emerged the best team in the continent lifting its 7th the African Youth Championship trophy.

With the feat many had expected even a better outing at the world level. With Kelechi Iheanacho hitting the nets England and Taiwo Awoniyi still as hot as ever, the thinking was that the Nigeria will be unstoppable in New Zealand even though it had Brazil to contend with the its group.

With Manu Garba and Emmanuel Amuneke in the technical crew, the Flying Eagles was seen a complete team.

However, a 2-4 loss to Brazil in its opening match exposed the inefficiencies in the technical crew or so it seemed, but it was explained away by the coach who promised to do better in the next two matches.

The encounter against North Korea was fantastic as the team lived up to its expectation beating DPKR 4-0.

Buoyed by their last result, Garba predicted that the FIFA U-20 was destined for Africa, as the expectation even became higher, but instead of building on that success the junior national team lost by a lone goal to Hungary.

That encounter, analyst argued was lost from the bench rather than on the field on play. Former Eagles keeper Emmanuel Babayaro was one of such, saying the technical crew were lacking in many areas.

That failure has led many calling on the football authorities to engage the service of foreign technical advisers.

“Nigeria coaches are very good but their ability is limited when it comes to playing at the world level.

Their best ends in Africa and I think we should look beyond them now if we want to progress internation-

ally”, one analysts said.

He cited the case of Stephen Keshi at the last World Cup to buttress his point, adding that against France, Keshi was clueless, when Onazi got injured just as Garba was clueless against Hungary.

Reacting to Falcons’ loss in Canada, former Falcons midfielder, Maureen Mmadu also blamed poor tactics as the reason for the team’s failure.

“I think we have good and talented players, very physical and very athletic. I will rate them 70 per cent.

But our tactical approach was faulty”, she said.

Now, asked whether the time has come to go across the border in search for coaches for the national teams, Adegboye Onigbinde, former Super Eagles coach and FIFA instruction rubbishes the idea, arguing that it is the NFF that failed Nigerians and not the caches.

Speaking in an interview with National Mirror, Onigbinde said the problem is not with the coaches but with the type of coach employed by the Nigeria Football Federation.

“How do you get these coaches to position, are they qualified, who employs them. Are they the best we can offer? Onigbinde asked.

According to him there are lots of good coaches in the country, who are intelligent and technically sound but don’t get the opportunity the show their ability.

He wondered why Nigerians would be calling for the service of a foreign technical adviser rather than ask questions on the quality of coaches the NFF employ.

“It unfortunate they way things are happening in this country. I have been in a panel that recommended three coaches for a job and when they select they picked least qualified.

“That goes to tell you that, Nigeria local coaches are actually good but selecting them for national assignment in the big challenge.

He also queried NFF support for the coaches in the areas of training, recalling recently that the NFF took ex-international and some others on capacity building in England as if its only every ex-international that can make a good coach.

“If ex-international are very good at coaching why is Pele not a coach”, he asked. “Even Diego Maradona that tried it, what has he achieved with it”, Onigbide asks rhetorically.

While saying he not out to rubbish anyone, but implored the NFF appoint coaches based on what they know and not who they know.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday Junr 21, 2015

NFF to investigate Keshi’s Ivory Coast application T he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed it will investigate reports that national team coach Stephen Keshi applied to manage Ivory Coast.

On Friday, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced it had received 59 applications in the race to succeed Herve Renard.

The list will be then be narrowed down to three who will be interviewed.

The FIF initially published the name of every man to declare interest in the job, including Stephen Keshi.

He is still employed by Nigeria having signed a new deal in April.

The page on FIF website listing Keshi and 58 other applicants for the Elephants job has been taken down but the NFF insists that will not prevent ‘a full investigation’.

“The NFF will open a full investigation to determine whether Keshi actually applied for the vacant Ivory Coast job,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said.

“There will be no hasty decision.

We hope to get a full part from the Ivory Coast football federation before

C

ABUJA

A

fter Nigeria’s Super Falcons failed to live up to expectations in the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup in Canada, former Head Coach James Peters has heaped huge blamed on Nigeria Football Federation for not giving the team adequate technical backup ahead of the tournament.

Peters who was assistant technical Director under Aminu Maigari-led NFF wondered why a senior National team should be left backroom staff

Keshi

making an official statement.”

Keshi returned as Nigeria coach for the third time in April by signing a two-year contract with the NFF. In his first spell he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but the deal was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup. He later returned on a match-by-

match deal, which ended in November 2014 after failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup. As caretaker coach, Keshi endured a turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by the NFF and only reinstalled after intervention from then Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan.

at Karabukspor, told the media in Turkey that Emenike who has been linked to Tottenham Hotspur will remain in Europe.

“Emenike will join a top European league over the summer, he will not be moving to the Arab Gulf or China,” Ildiz told Radyospor.

The Super Eagles striker has had a 2015 to forget as injuries and loss of form saw him netting few goals for Fenerbahce and also losing his place in the Nigeria set-up.

He has also had to deal with the death of his father, Pa Felix Emenike Ndukwu, who passed on in May this year.

The interment took place on Friday, June 19 in Amakor-Amazano, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Valere Hoaundinou as well as Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Joel Obi were all in attendance to give support to the striker.

with only three technical officials.

While admitting that the team have bunch of talented player, Peters who is an experienced female coach argued that only sound technical backup would achieved desired result.

According to him, “We can’t do things differently and expect a normal result. Football has gone scientific and must be treated as such. Why will anyone blame the team’s Head coach? A single coach cannot see or know everything.

“It is practically the duties of sound technical backup to assist in

making sure that things work out well. Take for instance, during the last Women U-20 World Cup, Nigeria got to the final because there were other technical officials including me who assisted in making sure some loopholes were plucked.

“Even in this tournament, Nigeria found itself in a tough group and if you watch the those on the bench of their opponent, you will see quality coaches who see what the head coach may not see before, during and after every match.

“Until we do the right thing, we will continue to go round and round.”

Win or be Ubah warns club

M

illionaire club owner Ifeanyi Ubah has warned that heads will roll should they fail to beat El Kanemi Warriors in Katsina in continuation of the Nigeria league on Sunday.

Top officials informed AfricanFootball.com flamboyant Ifeanyi Ubah read out the riot act to his title-chasing club against the background that he wishes the club who were previously known as Gabros

with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

F

Super Falcons ouster: James Peter lambast NFF People JOEL AJAYI

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor AAG: Obisia calls for early camping

No Asian move for Emenike ontrary to reports linking Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Emenike, with a move to the Middle East, a close confidant of the player has revealed that the former Karabukspor striker will still ply his trade in Europe in the 2015/16 season.

Emenike, 28, has endured a torrid campaign last season netting only five goals in 34 league matches prompting rumours Fenerbahce might let the powerful striker go.

Yucel Iidiz, who coached Emenike

61

International to play on the continent next year.

Oil tycoon Ubah has set high standards for the Nnewi club so much so that he was disappointed when they could only manage 1-0 home wins over Sharks and Dolphins recently.

“The proprietor has given the club a tall order to win in Katsina against El Kanemi or else heads will roll,” one official hinted Afri-

canFootball.com “The pressure he is bringing on the team has been overwhelming because even when they won at home against Sharks and Dolphins, he was not impressed as he wanted them to win by bigger margins.”

Newly promoted FC Ifeanyi Ubah have been punching above their weight in the top flight as they are now just two points behind league leaders Sunshine Stars.

ormer national boxing coach Obisia Nwankpa says there is the need for early camping of the country’s pugilists to enable them win medals at the forthcoming All Africa Games slated for September 4- 19 in Congo Brazzaville.

He told our correspondent that although Nigerian boxers will give a good account of themselves at the Games but there is the need to have adequate preparations ahead of the competition. “ There is the need to have adequate preparations ahead

of the Games as that is the only way to guarantee medal haul in such a championship that will attract athletes from all countries in Africa.

“It is true that we have always performed well in previous All Africa Games but we must plan ahead to maintain that momentum and the only way we can achieve this is by embarking on early camping ahead of the championship.

“I also want our sports administrators to realize that other countries are taking the Games serious and as such we must put things right to ensure we are not disgraced in Brazzaville”, he concluded.

Floyd Mayweather (L) exchanging punches with Manny Pacquiao during their Mega fight last May

Mayweather looking forward to September

P

ound- For- Pound fighter, Floyd Mayweather has insisted that he is looking forward to his next fight in September just as he confirmed that finding an opponent would take some time.

“I’ll look forward to fighting in September. Hopefully we’ll get a solid competitor.

I’m pretty sure we will have a solid competitor; everything takes time. We’ll see.”

His recent remark will be a disappointment for the camp of Amir Khan who has been hoping for a fight with

the undefeated five- division boxer.

It would also seem a Miguel Cotto rematch is out of the question with the Puerto Rican expected to face Mexican starlet Canelo Alvarez around the same time.

On whom his next opponent would be, Mayweather insisted that he does not know the person but was quick to add that his next opponent will soon be unveiled.

“The truth is that we don’t know my opponent yet.

We have to take time but it would soon be sorted out.

Calzaghe: I regret not fighting Froch Former undefeated super middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe says he regretted not fighting four time champion, Carl Froch whom he believed he would have beaten.

Froch has consistently accused Calzaghe of avoiding him insisting that he would have ended his dominance of the super middleweight division if they had met.

According to Calzaghe who retired in 2009, their fight would have being a mega fight which boxing

fans would have been proud of, but insisted that he had bigger things to do then than thinking of fighting Froch.

“If there was one person I would have loved to fight, it would have been Froch . Bu at that time I had bigger and better things such as fighting Mikkel Kessler for the undisputed championship of the world, and then I stepped up to lightheavyweight to win a Ring Magazine belt in the United States against then poundfor-pound best ,Bernard Hopkins.

62

Sport

Sunday June 21, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirro-

Xavi:

I couldn’t have written a better script

According to your biographer this was the first official presentation of your life. How did it feel to hold up a new shirt?

It was something new for me because I’ve never had to do one before. I had one on a much smaller scale when I was 11 years old when I came to Barcelona, but never something like this. The way I was I m very received in Qatar has been marvellous. I’m ldren who welcomed grateful to Al Sadd, to the children ll fans in this country me here, and the fanatic football who behaved so well towards me. u to leave the club Was this the perfect time for you re career? where you have spent your entire y friends insisted that Last year my mother and my nd look at the differI should stay one more year, and ence it’s made. I’m happy that I was able to witness all that I did this year, with the treble and everything m farewell. around it. It’s been a real dream b to repeat a treble, Barcelona became the first club and you were a central part of both of these teams.

Which was the more satisfying – 2009 or 2015?

Both, of course both. This one was a mixture of excitement, happiness and nostalgia; because I e the last game that I already knew that it would be anted to make sure to would play for Barcelona. I wanted ble way, and this was say farewell in the best possible a script which could not have been written better. ible; we thought that Both trebles have been incredible; eat the treble but by it wouldn’t be possible to repeat circumstances of football and with this outstanding e to do it again. So I’m team that we have we were able h. proud to have been part of both.

What was it that informed your decision to come and play in Qatar?

It’s an ideal project for me. The three different components came together e. For one perfectly for my family and me. there is the possibility here att Al Sadd to continue winning trophies, to e try and do our best to win the mleague and the cup and comons pete well in the Asian Champions asLeague. Then there is the fantasy tic project at Aspire where my professional formation will continue, and finally to be

an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is something that is very exciting. The team will keep getting more competitive and I am very proud to be here. In the future I’d like to do my coaching license as well as become a sporting director.

Have you already had the chance to see much of the city?

It It’ss surprised me positively. There are things to do all the time and the people have welcomed me with a lot of passion.

I can only talk positively of this country, which has placed a big focus on sports.

For me it is a great place to be and to develop further in the long term with the sights set on the World Cup in 2022.

Do you feel like you can help to develop the football culture in Qatar even further ahead of that tournament?

I want to bring all of my experience from Barcelona to Qatar, and I see that there are already teams here who like to play our style of football. I know that Al Sadd and the coach here play the style which we have played with Barcelona and with the Spanish national team over the past decade, so I come with the knowl-

edge that I’ll be able to contribute.

I have seen games of Al Sadd and they attempt to keep the ball, and play in a style similar to what I’m used to.

Do you think Qatar’s national team will also be looking to play the possession style which possession-style Spain and Barcelona have pioneered over the past decade?

I think so, that’s the idea of Qatari football. They are looking to immerse themselves in the culture of Barcelona and Spain, which has had so many successes on the world stage in recent years.

They want to compete w e l l and to reach the

It was the last service to his club of 17 years when Xavi Hernandez lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in Berlin, the 25th piece of silverware in an incomparable club career at Barcelona. Just a few days later, on the pitch of Al Sadd Club in Qatar, the midfielder many consider Spain’s greatest ever pulled on the shirt of just the second club of his career.

World Cup in 2022 with the most competitive team possible.

What do you see as the main advantages of the tournament?

Previously we had to travel to matches the day before. Here the fact that you don’t have to travel advanta long distances is an advantage.

N I also think that playing in Noall vember and December will allow tourname players to reach the tournament conditio in the best possible conditions. alrea There are also stadiums already employing air-conditioning, so I think the conditions are here to su make this World Cup a great suct cess. It will be a benefit for the players.

You lifted the 2010 World Cup in the first tournament on the African continent. What do you think you can do to inspire the youngsters of the region ahead of the first edition in the Middle East?

I would like to bring all my m experience in Barcelona, all of the values which I learned in La h Masía: sacrifice, hard work, huwa mility, all of what I learnt I want to transmit here. I also want to wond immerse myself in this wonderful culture and with all the humility in the world wo I want to contribute my m part from what I have ha Barcelona learned in Barcelona.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport p

Sunday June 21, 2015

‘Kane, Sterling are overpriced’

Marseille sign Pele

M

R

io Ferdinand believes that top English talent is “overpriced” as rumours persist of big-money moves for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

Sterling has been the subject of two bids from Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Manchester City, while England team-mate Kane - who scored 31 goals in all competitions for Spurs last season - is a reported target for Manchester United. Ferdinand, who retired after finishing last season with QPR, was once the subject of the British transfer record when he moved from Leeds United to Manchester United for £18million in 2002.

Liverpool seal Gomez deal

L

iverpool have confirmed the signing of England Under-19 defender Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic.

The 18-year-old has penned a long-term deal at Anfield.

After breaking into the first team at Charlton last season, Gomez made 24 appearances in all competitions.

He joins James Milner, Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan as season reBrendan Rodgers’ off-season cruits so far. me true,” “It’s a dream come l’s official Gomez told Liverpool’s real and it website. “It’s a bit surreal t. But I’m hasn’t really hit me yet. ted to o get get buzzing and just excited gre eat started. “The club has got great history and it’s a great club, and en fo followone that I’ve always been oung. g ing from when I was young.

Gomez

C

helsea and Manchester City have held talks about signing Alex Song from Barcelona, according to Sky sources.

The two Premier League heavyweights are particularly interested in him because he qualifies as a homegrown player even though he played for Cameroon.

Song, who spent last year on loan at West Ham United, has two years left on his Barcelona contract.

West Ham are still hopeful of turning their loan agreement into a permanent transfer but Sky sources understand there is interest from several other clubs - including Chelsea and City.

Pele

Song

arseille have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Ligue 1 seasson with the signing of goalkeeper Yohann Pele from Sochaux.

The 32-year-old will provide competition for firstchoice stopper Steve Mandanda at the Stade Velodrome after agreeing a threeyear deal.

Pele - who is the club’s second close-season signing after GeorgesKevin N’Koudou - arrives on a free transfer after tertr minating his conm tract tra with Sochaux.

The move caps T an incredible couple in of years for Pele afy ter he h missed three years of football due to t a pulmonary embolism, before embo returning to footreturn ball in January 2014.

Putin insists 2018 World Cup was won fairly

R

ussian president Vladimir Putin has insisted that the 2018 World Cup will go ahead in his country, despite the launch of an investigation into alleged corruption during the bidding process.

And Putin said England’s failure to secure the tournament came about because the bid team did not exhibit its country’s potential as a host. England was eliminated in the first round in 2010, securing only two out of a possible 22 votes from FIFA’s executive committee. David Beckham, who was part of the bid team, later said the process “felt unfair”, as England had been promised votes which eventually went to other contenders.

Prosecutors in Switzerland are conducting an investigation into allegations surrounding FIFA’s handling of the 2010 bidding process, process which led to Russia apoli have completed being named hosts their first piece of busifor 2018 and Qatar ness ahead of the new for 2022.

Serie A season with the signSwiss attorney ing of Empoli midfielder Mirko general Michael Valdifiori.

Lauber announced The 29-year-old midfielder last week that banks sealed the move to San Paolo in the country reported on Saturday after completing 53 possible acts of money a medical at the club’s training laundering in what he deground, president Aurelio de scribed as a “huge and comLaurentiis confirming the deal plex case” targeting “crimion Twitter. nal mismanagement and Valdifiori’s switch sees him money-launderlink up with former manager ing” in the bidMaurizio Sarri, the head coach ding contest. having joined from Empoli to replace the outgoing Rafael Benitez. After helping Empoli to promotion in 2013-14, Valdifiori impressed in his first Serie Valdifiori A campaign last season as the club retained their top-flight status - eventually finishing eight points clear of safety in 15th.

Putin

Napoli swoop for Valdifiori

N

Chelsea and Manchester City track Alex Song

63

N I G E R I A

N2.65bn Vol. 5 No. 23

Sunday JUNE 21, 2015

Back Page

Comment E-mail:

nwaunah@yahoo.com Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Dean, School of Languages and General Studies, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe

with Jim Unah ISAH OJOCHIDE HALILU

W

e should start by asking a few pertinent questions on the issue of the enormous powers granted our Presidents by the constitution: Why raise the dust now with Buhari? Did former Presidents Obasanjo and Yar’adua of blessed memory and Goodluck Jonathan not enjoy same enormous powers? Why the concern now with President Buhari? Why is the ruling elite now catching cold when Buhari has not even assumed office?

It is worth remembering that in spite of his “brash-in-your-face American style” leadership: in spite of his experience as a former military head of state, OBJ was once compelled to cry out to Nigerians when the National Assembly tried to obstruct the president’s policies and programmes for the poor people.

That was instructive Now, in the aftermath of Buhari’s

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

-Amount NNPC, Chevron have been investing in scholarship yearly

I N

F I G U R E S

- The amount Ekiti N720m state APC, has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose, for paying himself salary arrears

Re: The price of progressive change

victory at the polls, some die-hard PDP activists are asking cynically if Buhari would find it easy to actualise many of his policies and programmes. Could be that these cynics know something that the rest of us do not know? Or is t that there are plans to use the National Assembly as clogs on the wheels of Buhari’s administration?

Of course all these are clear signs of the existence of class conflict, which the poor people may not even be aware of. But the greedy and rapacious elite have been at this game for a long time now. Many of them are the godfathers of some of our newly-elected members of the National Assembly. Alan Ball I think it was who defined politics as a game of who gets what, when, and how? What is happening now shows how the rich and powerful always get their way and leave the rest of us shortchanged, hungry and helpless. It is a signification of the battle between THEY (the rich and the powerful) and US the poor and downtrodden.

In many of his policy statements, Buhari has always expressed concern about the plight of the long suffering Nigerian masses and what he plans to do about this is cold comfort to the members of the ruling elite. This why even before he is sworn in the elite class was gearing up for the fight that would demonstrate how conservative and unyielding to change they are. Conservatives are anti-prog-

ress and anti-change. And so they are battle ready to use any means available to “whittle down (his) president’s enormous powers”. But this time around with Buhari as the arrowhead and the level of awareness among Nigerians brought on especially by the hardships of the recent past, the elite class is not going to find it easy to engage in their usual deceit and manipulation.

Can the average Nigerian today forget easily how the elite class has continued to subvert the education sector just to keep the people in perpetual ignorance and subjugation? Truly their game is up.

Today the elite class is faced with a war that it cannot win. All those apologists for conservatives would fall and be put to shame.

Change is a permanent feature of life that keeps society moving forward. But to be conservative is to allow such stagnation as often leads to decadence. Indeed the conservative agenda leads directly to decadent materialism.

Now, while I agree with you that there is a difference between constitution making and law making, while I agree with you that there is a need ultimately to return to the people in a sovereign constitutional conference. I also suggest that the press in particular and all the progressive forces in general should rise up to the challenge of educating and informing the masses of the salient issues

CHANGE IS A PERMANENT FEATURE OF LIFE THAT KEEPS SOCIETY MOVING FORWARD.

BUT TO BE CONSERVATIVE IS TO ALLOW SUCH STAGNATION AS OFTEN LEADS TO

DECADENCE. INDEED THE CONSERVATIVE AGENDA

LEADS DIRECTLY TO DECADENT MATERIALISM.

involved. ..There is an urgent need to mount a vigorous campaign, enlightenment campaign to support Buhari’s policies and programmers for the Nigerian masses. And it must start right away.

The campaign must be right away to make the people aware that there is always a fierce class battle going on.

I think one way that Nigerians can pay the price of progress is to be alert to their circumstances and their surroundings.

Thank for your time. God bless you.

Amen.

Isah Ojochide Halilu is a lecturer in the Department of Languages Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna.

Enyeama to appear before NFF disciplinary committee

N

igeria international Vincent Enyeama must appear before the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 or risk being sanctioned.

The Lille goalkeeper is expected to explain his remark against the NFF’s choice of Ahmadu Stadium, Kaduna for Eagles Afcon qualifier against Chad played on June 13,2015.

“You will recall that you were queried by the Nigeria Football Federation for your uncomplimentary remarks with regards to safety and security in Kaduna State, host of the Nations Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Chad Republic,” Chris Green wrote “You received the query letter on June 13th, 2015 and

refused to reply to the query up till now, which is well over the 48 hours deadline given to you to reply to the query. Consequently, the NFF has referred the matter to the Disciplinary Committee for adjudication.

“You are by this, invited to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of Nigeria Football

Federation sitting on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2015 at the Federation’s Secretariat in Abuja. The committee sitting will commence at 11am prompt.

In a related development, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who was sent off against Les Sao has been issued a letter of reprimand, ordered to produce a

written apology and fined the sum of $5,000.

“The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has viewed your behavior and conduct during the Nigeria/Chad match as tantamount to gross indiscipline and unprofessional, which undermined the discipline of the team in its totality

and a breach of ethics for players as well as the Code of Conduct for players and officials,” a letter signed by Tunde Aderibigbe on behalf of the General Secretary read.

“Consequently, the NFF having reviewed the situation hereby impose a fine of $5,000 (Five Thousand American Dollars Only) on you as well as a written apology.

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd. Head Office: 155/161, Broad Street, Lagos. Tel: 08034101207, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District, Area 10, Abuja. Tel: 08070428249, Advert Hotline: 08098305995, e-mail: mail@mirroronline.net. Editor: AYO OLESIN. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos.

Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Ondo State. ISSN 0794-232X