Binder1

Vol. 5 No. 44

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015

NEWS

Osibajo’s bank account hacked

N8million stolen

P.7

National Mirror Online

SPORT

P.45

CHAN Qualifier:

Eagles set for Etalons challenge

@NationalMirror

N150

POLITICS

P.11

Tribunal affirms Amosun’s election

I’m not shy around women —Buhari P. 10

President Muhammadu Buhari (4th right); Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Semjem Zsolf (4th left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Paul Lolo (2nd right); Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari (right) and other members of the Hungarian delegation after their meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Maiduguri, Yola under attack •NEMA reports 27 dead, 97 injured ...as death toll mounts Suicide bombing:

P. 7

Military denies using mercenaries

Woman crushes husband’s testicles over adultery Sealxk T

i Sey P.23

P. 8

P. 51

P. 8

14 ways to get your partner talking about sex

P. 32

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gbolaga Ajayi @

y t f fi De ar Gbolaga, I remember 1987 to 1990, when we were toge ther at the Facult y of Law, at the then Uni versit y of Ife. I can still remember some of the profound arguments you presented before us when I was pri vileged to be Student Judge in the Judicial Council.

When I reflect on my rulings and that of my colle agues, our final judgement was that you were simply a Professor of Law! What a wonderful time we had!

Congratulations and keep up the good work .

Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Starter

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Flooding: Nigeria’s cycle of pain, anguish and loss

To be forewarned is to be forearmed, so goes the popular saying. Were that true in all cases, the cycle of flooding in most parts of the country needn’t be an annual ritual of death; displacement and destruction. Flooding has been part of us for as long as there has been rainfall. But in 2012, the country, indeed the global community, recognised that this climatic phenomenon may well be Nigeria’s own brand of natural disaster, just as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, land and mudslides plague other countries. Despite measures believed to have been taken by relevant stakeholders, it may well appear that human error rather than acts of God will continue to ensure that flooding in Nigeria remains a cycle of pain, anguish and loss, writes NICK UWERU.

B

y nature’s design, much of what we know as the North East –Adamawa, Taraba, should be under Lake Nyos, a body of water with much of its source from Cameroon. Sharing border with Borno, Adamawa and Taraba, states in Nigeria, the lake’s primary outflow is River Benue, second largest river in Nigeria. The river takes its course from the Adamawa Plateau in the Cameroons and flows through the lowlands of Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue before meeting River Niger in Lokoja. But by

sheer human ingenuity, much of this water is suspended

by Lagdo Dam, also in the North Eastern African country. As a water reservoir, Lagdo Dam is principally a hydro-electricity generating facility built in the Northern Province of Cameroun. It is 308 meters long, 40 meters in height and nine meters thick. The facility also allows for the irrigation of 15, 000 hectares of crops downstream.

Lagdo Dam covers an area of 586 square kilometer, south of the Cameroonian city of Garoua on River Benue.

At the peak of the season, the water reservoir could contain as much as 883 million gallons of water. Released downstream, it packs the force of a million steamrollers.

Nothing in its path by way of settlements, edifices, vegetation could survive such onslaught.

But as it so happens that the force of nature cannot be fully contained by mere constructed water reservoir, Cameroonian authorities have since devised means of easing CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Starter

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‘Human activities aid flooding’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Deadly flood in Nigeria

pressure on Lagdo Dam. At peak periods of rainfall, they release water from the dam in careful instalments to tapper downstream.

But like most things human, we are never prepared for this eventuality. This is the singularly cause of flooding catastrophe that has since been plaguing the country since 2012.

In the course of the flooding in 2012, Kogi and Adamawa took the worst hit. Of the 7.7 million people affected by the flood as estimated by National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, 633, 690 of them are in Kogi State, says the state government. Though another 18, 000 people were reported injured from the over 27 states affected, Kogi says the casualty figure in the state is minimal, even so the death toll.

But the situation in the riverside settlements in Lokoja, its environs and in other flood planes across the country is cause for much worry. For this year, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, had in its annual Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, SRP, forecast a heavier rainfall and more likely-hood of flooding in the country than was experienced in 2012. As early as August this, year Cameroonian authorities had alerted the Nigerian authorities of its intention to start releasing water from the water reservoir.

By Nigeria’s water resources management plan, a buffer dam should have been in Kashambila, a remote border area in Taraba to act as first buffer against the onrush of the body of water. But that project has not been completed over the years.

Apart from the Kashambila Dam, there were supposed to be seven others, gently terracing down the valley from Taraba down to Lokoja, all to control the flow of water down south of the country. These, too, are largely absent. This is why since

August, it has been one tale or another of flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, down to southern part of the country with tales of sorrow, tears, deprivations and death in its trail.

As at the time the flooding alert was given, authorities in Adamawa state said that at least 30 people had been killed and 120,000 displaced, while more than a dozen Cameroonians were reported to have died in flooding related incidents.

NEMA, warned populations along the river to be on alert and “ready for evacuation” in case of a possible repeat. It is also urged local authorities and emergency agencies along the 1,400-kilometre (870mile) river, the main tributary of the River Niger, to prepare safe locations to move affected communities.

But the release of water from Lagdo Dam is not the only cause of flooding in Nigeria. With seasonal rainfall in recent times becoming heavier on account of climate change phenomenon, the country has become more vulnerable to flooding incidents. Indeed, too, poor water resource management infrastructures, human activities such as deforestation, unplanned urbanisation have contributed also in no small measure to the severity of this human disaster.

For instance, no fewer than 53 people have died in 11 states from floods that displaced more than 100,420 people by the end on September as result of a combination of these factors. Thousands of houses, farmlands and property worth billions of Naira were also lost to the flood disasters in many local government areas affected especially in the northern states.

The affected states are Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi. In

By Nigeria’s water resources management plan, a buffer dam should have been in Kashambila, a remote border area in Taraba, to act as first buffer against the onrush of the body of water. But that project has not been completed over the years.

Kano State, a Director with the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA), Sabi’u Mohammed, said 12 people lost their lives in the disasters. “The deceased lost their lives in six local government areas of the state between August and September as a result of the flooding. “Six persons died in Shonono, two each in Dala and Tudun Wada and one each in Gabasawa and Takai local government areas,” he said.

He said that more than 1, 600 persons were displaced by the flood while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

Mr. Mohammed explained that officials from NEMA had already visited some of affected areas and assessed the situation.

“At our own level we have submitted a comprehensive report to the state government for possible assistance to the victims of the disaster.

“I am happy to inform you that the government had recently approved N15.8 million for the purchase and distribution of

relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in Albasu Local Government Area,” he said.

From Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, NEMA confirmed the death of 11 persons as a result of flooding. Thickman Tanimu , Deputy Head, Sokoto Zonal Operations Office of NEMA said 10 of the victims died in Zamfara, while a seven-year-old boy died at Kuchi village in Kebbe Local Government of Sokoto State.

Mr. Tanimu said that more than 86, 710 hectares valued N1.58 billion were destroyed in the three states. According to him, a total of 20, 477 homes were also affected, rendering more than 46, 200 people homeless. He said that the flood affected eight out of the 14 local government areas in Zamfara, which included Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, Gusau, Anka, Tsafe, Bungudu, Zurmi and Maradun.

The official explained that 8,540 houses CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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‘Government must build enough buffer dams’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

and 6,450 hectares of farmland valued at N260 million were destroyed in the affected areas in the state.

Mr. Tanimu further said that 11 out of the 23 local governments in Sokoto State were affected by the flood, while two communities in Wurno and Goronyo Local Governments were evacuated.

“The other local governments affected were Rabah, Kware, Binji, Kebbe, Gwadabawa, Wamakko, Bodinga, Sokoto North and Sokoto South.” He added that, 24,750 people and six, 922 houses were affected, with 42,800 hectares of farmlands worth N 750 million either totally destroyed or badly affected.

In Kebbi state, the NEMA official said that 10 out of the 21 Local Governments were also affected by the disaster. They are Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Kalgo, Dandi, Bagudo, Yauri, Danko Wasagu and Suru. He disclosed that 21,450 people and 5,015 houses were affected, while 37,460 hectares of farmlands worth N 570 million were also destroyed. According to him, two communities in Birnin Kebbi, namely Wabbako-Fulani and Wabbako-Hausa, have been submerged by the flood.

Mr. Tanimu said that the agency had provided food and other essential materials to assist the victims as part of the initial Federal Government’s intervention.

He attributed the high level of losses to the release of water from Bakalori and Goronyo dams located in Zamfara and Sokoto states respectively. In Kaduna State, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ezekiel Baba, confirmed the death of three people in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.

Bala said that the three persons died in August following a flood disaster which also destroyed several houses and crops.

“We have not had any major flood incident in Kaduna state this year.

“So far, the only areas affected by flood were Kachia, Soba and Kajuru local Government Areas, which was largely due to negligence on the part of the affected communities.

“Many of the affected communities are in the habit of dumping waste in drains,” he said.

He, however, said that the agency had been conducting series of enlightenment campaign to enlighten the public on the dangers of dumping refuse in drains.

“We have also warned the general public on a possible flood disaster, particularly communities living in flood-prone areas,” he added. Similarly, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ahmed Salihu, said that the ministry has assigned contractors to consistently desilt solid waste from drains.

“We have also educated and enlightened all Local Governments likely to be affected

Another flood scene in Nigeria.

more than

86, 710 hectares valued

N1.58 billion were destroyed in the three states. A total of 20, 477 homes were also affected, rendering more than 46,200 people homeless. by the impending flood based on NIMET’s prediction to be prepared just in case the flood becomes a reality,” he said. However, NEMA’s North-West Zonal Coordinator, Musa Illalah, attributed the occurrences of flooding partly to disregard to building regulations by the people.

According to him, building houses on water ways predisposes communities to flooding.

Meanwhile, Mahmood Shehu, Director, Disaster Management, Kaduna State Environmental Management Agency, said that the state government had embarked on the enforcement of public health and environmental standard laws.

He explained that the measure was to check careless attitude of residents to environmental laws as part of efforts to avert reoccurrence of flooding in the state.

The director equally said that adequate measures are being taken on risk assess-

ment, planning, early warnings, information management and communication to curb avoidable disasters.

In Katsina State, three persons died and more than 3, 620 people were displaced by flood during the year. Ibrahim Abdulkarim, the Acting Executive Director, State Emergency Management Agency, said that the flood disasters were recorded in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.

He listed the councils affected as Baure, Bindawa, Charanchi, Daura, Dutsi and Dandume.

Others were Ingawa, Kusada, Katsina, Malumfashi, Matazu, Mai’adua, Musawa, Sandamu and Zango.

He revealed that the state government had established an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps for victims in the affected areas. According to him, NEMA has also awarded contract for a permanent IDPs camp in Katsina metropolis at the cost

of N156 million.

He said that the project, which was under the Presidential Committee on Flooding Disaster, Relief and Rehabilitation, has reached over 75 per cent completion.

Mr. Abdulkarim also said that committee had drilled 10 solar boreholes in flood prone areas, to avoid outbreak of diseases.

He further added that NEMA had distributed 11 trucks loaded with relief materials to the flood victims.

The director said that the agency was enlightening the populace against building on waterways and dumping refuse in the drains. Abdulkarim further stated that ecological committees had been constituted in all the 34 Local Government Areas of the state to mobilise residents on safe sanitation and environmental habits to avert flood disaster. The director advised the Katsina State Government to amend existing environmental and sanitation laws to conform to the present realities.

“Some of the punishments contained in the laws are too light to the extent that the offenders will not feel the impact,” he said.

In Bauchi, the Secretary, State Humanitarian Coordination Team (SHCT), Abubakar Umar, said no fewer than 11 persons lost their lives, with 11,708 houses and 104,147 farmlands destroyed by flood in 2015. Mr. Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi that value of the property destroyed was about N1.5 billion. He said that 88 communities and 105 villages in 18 out of the 20 local government areas of the state were affected.

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Starter

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‘Settlements must leave flood prone areas’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

spent N12.75 million in ameliorating the hardship of victims affected. Abubakar Ibrahim, a farmer in Darazo town, said the flood that occurred in July, caused serious destruction of farmlands and animals. He said that the state government had promised to assist the victims, but added that they were yet to receive anything.

Another victim, Danmmusa Ahmed, who lost his house and birds to the flood in Toro Local Government Area, said they were yet to receive any assistance. “The committee assured us that the government would assist, but nothing has come to me yet,” he lamented.

In Jigawa, Governor Muhammad Badaru said that about 223,000 farmlands were destroyed by flood in all 27 Local Government Areas of the state. He said that the state government had sought for assistance from the Federal Government to ameliorate the hardship being faced by the victims.

“I spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency on telephone, to intimate them on the situation,” he said.

In Jigawa, too, NEMA said four people had died in flood that wrecked seven Local Government Areas of Jigawa recently.

The NEMA Zonal Coordinator for NorthWest zone, Musa Ilallah, said in Dutse that the agency had carried out an assessment tour to the affected council areas to take stock of items destroyed.

He said that the team from the agency visited Guri, Kirikasama, Malammadori, Auyo, Jahun, Kiyawa and Birninkudu, Local Government Areas.

He appealed to state government to increase funding to the state emergency management agency.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Birninkudu Local Government Council in Jigawa, Khalid Ibrahim, said that the council spent N4.1 million on relief materials distributed to victims of flood in Babaldu village.

Mr. Ibrahim said that the local government council had taken measures to clear drains to prevent reoccurrence of flood in the area.

Similarly, Chairman of Kiyawa Local Government Area in the state, Nasiru Ahmed, said that five children were killed and 10,000 farmlands destroyed in a recent flood disaster that ravaged the area.

He also said that two major roads from Dutse to Katanga and Kiyawa and Birninkudu, were cut off, making vehicular and human movement, difficult during the period.

In Gombe, Head of Operations, NEMA, Gombe office, Minin Sa’idu, told a news agency that the flooding that affected the five Local government areas resulted in the death of three persons and destruction of 122 houses.

Kashimbila multi-purpose dam in Taraba.

The floods which ravaged some parts of the country may have destroyed rice plantations that produce about

11 per

cent of what the country needs to meet this year’s consumption. The losses are equivalent to one and half months of

Nigeria’s rice consumption, based on data from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Mr. Sa’idu said NEMA would forward its report to the appropriate authorities for assistance to be rendered to the victims.

Adamu Pukuma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Environment and Forest Resources, Gombe State, described the condition of the victims as ‘pathetic’.

He blamed the people in the habit of dumping waste in drains, saying that this had affected free flow of water in the area.

He also observed that some culverts were initially designed as single cell, but following the change in rain pattern, the culverts could no longer contain the volume of water passing through them.

In Yobe, nine out of the 17 local government areas were badly affected by floods, which destroyed houses, farmlands and livestock. Nangere, Fune, Potiskum, Bade, Jakusko, Nguru, Tarmuwa, Bursari and Damaturu were affected by the floods. Ada-

mu Alabura, Chairman of Nangere Local Government Council, said that in his area, about 330 houses in nine villages, including the council headquarters, were destroyed by floods.

“Many farmlands in the affected areas were swept away or submerged, along with livestock,” he said. Few of the people in the communities claimed that alternative lands given to them to relocate long ago were grossly inadequate.

Usman Baba, a victim in Ngelzarma, Fune Local Government Area, said an alternative land was given out some 50 years ago and already been occupied.

Kawu Bakari, another victim in Jajere, said the waters came from the uplands, submerging their houses and farmlands.

The south of the country is not left out in these incidents. Some communities in Anambra West Local Government Area

have also been hit by flood which reportedly submerged houses, destroyed farmlands as well as household items. The Chairman of the council area, Chief Simon Onuora, told newsmen in Nzam near Onitsha last week that the communities affected were Umuikwu Anam, Oroma Etiti, Umuemyi Anam, Umueze Anam, Umuoba Anam, Umiata Anam, Olumbanasa and Umudiora Anam.

He said the economic and social activities of the residents had been put on hold due to the flooding, adding that farmlands, crops, school buildings and educational infrastructure as well as household property worth millions of naira have been destroyed. “We are not only mindful of what is destroyed already but how to take care of the feeding, shelter, hygiene and medical care of the thousands of our people displaced,” Onuora said.

“The current development is beyond what we can handle as a grassroots’ government; the destruction could be put to the tune of N500 million, but we are making efforts to ensure that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross Society take a trip to this area and see things for themselves.

The damage may not be restricted to the damaged areas alone. As reported, the whole country may be affected in the long run. The floods which ravaged some parts of the country may have destroyed rice plantations that produce about 11 per cent of what the country needs to meet this year’s consumption. The losses are equivalent to one and half months of Nigeria’s rice consumption, based on data from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Imports to make up for the losses would cost $225 million, based on Thai export prices.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Suicide bombing:

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Maiduguri, Yola under attack • Death toll mounts

Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri And Livinus Menadi, Yola

M

aiduguri and Yola, two north eastern state capitals came under attack yesterday from sui-

cide bombers believed to have been sent by Boko Haram, the now virulent Islamist insurgents.

Going by our reporters’ account, no less than 18 people were feared dead with scores injured when suspected male suicide bomber hit

a mosque situated behind Federal High Court in Polo General Area of Maiduguri metropolis.

Residents and sources said.

Maiduguri, the capital of troubled Borno state has witnessed series of suicide attacks this month. Last Friday, there were multiple

suicide bombings in a mosque and other surrounding villages of Molai General Area of the metropolis.

The current incident which took place in the early hours of Friday at about 4:55am, according to sources, claimed the lives of mostly Muslim worshippers as the

Director, Quality Assurance, F.C.T Education Secretariat, Mr. Ayuba Jacob, sealing off a School for not meeting up the guidelings on the establishment and operation of the school in Abuja, yesterday.

Osibajo’s bank account hacked Patience Ogbo

—N8million stolen

P

• Police in manhunt for undergrad mastermind

olicemen attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja are investigating an alleged theft of N8million from Vice President Yemi Osibajo’s bank account.

It was gathered that two undergraduate students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka identified as Ebuka Orumba and Patrick Nwafor allegedly hacked into the account of Simmons Cooper Partner, a law firm said to belong to Vice President Osibajo and allegedly stole eight million naira (N8miilion) from it.

According to investigation, the undergraduates Nwafor is a final year 500level student of Environmental Science while

Orumba is a final year Computer Engineering student.

It was gathered that the students used fraudulent means to hack into the email of the Account manager of the VP’s law firm, one Mr. Tunde Irukera, and they allegedly sent a mail to UBA PLC branch to one Obuba Fidelia on July 2nd instructing the bank to transfer eight million naira from Simmions Cooper Bank account to three different bank accounts they opened for the fraud.

It was further gathered that the undergraduates allegedly connived with

a tricycle rider one Artor Kalu to open a bank account with Zenith bank account number 2086943174 where three million naira (N3,000,000) was transferred to with the false name Engineer Asukwo Okoro.

The remaining amounts were said to have been transferred to two other unnamed bank accounts.

Luck however ran out on the undergraduates when their alleged gang member, Mr. Kalu went to the Zenith bank account at Mushin to withdraw the N3,000,000 but was nabbed by detectives from SARS following a tip off from

the bank.

The police subsequently arrested Kalu and following his statement, the police arrested Orumba but Nwafor escaped.

Following the investigation, the police discovered that Kalu with the help of others got a fake Driver’s license which he used to open the Zenith Bank account.

The police has since charged Orumba and Kalu to court on a 5 count charge on conspiracy, stealing and fraud while efforts is on to arrest Nwafor whom the others claimed to be the mastermind of the fraud.

bomb exploded when they were observing their prayers.

But according to the Information Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Abdulkadir, in a text message to our Correspondent, only six worshippers died in the blast with 17 injured.

NEMA in the said text wrote: “Bomb blast at a mosque behind Federal High Court, Polo area in Maiduguri metropolis.

“Suicide bomber detonates Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) early Friday morning prayers, 6 people are believed to have been killed with 17 others injured.

“Rescue Officials have concluded search and rescue efforts while the injured have been taken to hospitals within Maiduguri for treatment.”

Governor Kashim Shettima visited the scene of the bombing where he condoled with the bereaved families of the victims.

He promised to upset all the medical bills of the injured ones who are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Maiduguri, the state capital.

In Yola on the other hand, a bomb explosion in Jambutu area of Adamawa state yesterday left over 10 persons dead and 50 other persons sustaining several degree of injuries.

There was, however, a mild commotion at the blast site as protesters chased away a military unit which tried to barricade the blast site, after the soldiers who stomped on the scene among the first responders were alleged to have shot and killed a man in the surging crowd.

Those injured in the bomb blast which occurred at exactly 2: 00 pm were Muslim worshippers who had trooped out to partake

in Jummat service, in one of the newly built mosque in the Jambutu suburb.

The bomb explosion which occurred outside the mosque during the Juma’at Muslim prayer, was a carried out by a male suicide bomber.

Jambutu were the explosion occurred is one of the crowded settlement in Jimeta, the Adamawa state capital.

The Adamawa state commissioner of police Gabriel Adaji who spoke to journalist at the scene of the blast said his men counted seven corpses.

He however could not ascertain the casualty figure but noted several persons were receiving medical care in some hospitals in the state.

But an eye witness who identified himself as Iro, said over 50 persons may have been killed in the explosion.

Iro who is an IDP staying in the nearby camp, 100 metres away from the blast site, observed that the casualty figure was slightly higher than the seven been mentioned.

The injured are receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Yola and the state specialist hospital. However, reports from the hospitals indicate that the influx of the injured overstretched resources at the disposal of the health attendants as a result some of the victims could not be immediately given medical attention.

There are also unconfirmed reports that some of those injured in the blast included some NEMA officials who were around the scene because of the proximity of one of the camps for internally displaced persons.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla Bindow was one of the early sympathizers to have visited the site and expressed dismay at the attacks.

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Bayelsa: INEC yet to issue certificate of return to candidate —APGA Adeola Tukuru

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he National chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ,Victor Oye, yesterday lamented that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to issue certificate of return to its candidate and member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly who he said was returned as winner of the state assembly poll.

Oye while speaking at the party headquarters when he unveiled Deacon Christopher Enai as the party’s governorship candidate for Bayelsa State, cautioned that there is no way the party would sit back and watch unnecessary chastisement ‎of its members across the country.

According to him” We have to cry out to let the world hear us. Our member won election convincingly and the tribunal has returned him as winner.

Why has INEC refused to give him his certificate of return where there are no more impediments in his way to victory?” ‎He insisted that something has to be done to review the Electoral Act 2010 in order to make it amenable to environmental needs.

Oye stated that the electoral law was draconian, inhumane and uncivilized, and cautioned that the country should not go into the 2019 general elections with the law.

According to him, the clause which mandates petitioners to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubts was ambiguous.

Wale Igbintade

A

Lagos High Court yesterday declared the appointment of caretaker committees over the administration of local government councils in Lagos State as illegal and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgement in a suit filed by the National Conscience Party, through its lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Justice Abdulfatal Lawal, directed LASIEC to conduct elections in all local governments within 30

NATIONAL NEWS

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Boko Haram:

Military denies using mercenaries against insurgents

Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

T

he Nigerian military yesterday said that it never employed the services of mercenaries to help in the ongoing military operations against Boko Haram in the North East.

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, which frowned at allegations on this, said through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, that it had sufficiently scaled-up the capacity of its soldiers and equipment for the war.

It said that the insinuation and the entire story were utterly scurrilous

and a calculated attempt to smear the good image of the Nigerian military.

The DHQ further stated that the orchestrated campaign was aimed at rubbishing the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies who are working hard to contain the insurgencies in the North East.

“To this end the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to state that the military has enough trained soldiers to fight the terrorists in the North East without resorting to the use of mercenaries.

“Also, the military has significantly up-scaled its troops and equipment deployment since the Presidential mandate and does

not need mercenaries whether foreign or local to put an end to guerrilla movements in the North East within the allotted time.

“Since the Presidential order the military has been fighting the insurgents more and more effectively and all Nigerians, irrespective of where they live, have come to understand that we are making progress.

“The DHQ therefore wishes to state that the report is a covert campaign of blackmail by disgruntled elements in society designed to pit the Nigerian people against their armed forces. These blackmailers are not only unhappy because of the

progress the military is making in the fight but more so because their illicit gains in the war has been effectively stopped.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces are doing all that are needed to be done to ensure that the terrorists in the North East and all forms of criminalities are brought under effective control within the shortest possible time.

“The military authority hereby wishes to appeal to the general public to discontinuance of this unfounded rumours and give the armed forces their support and encouragement in the ongoing war against terror and not giving in to cheap blackmail and propaganda”, the DHQ stated.

L-R: Former Governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Oba Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos and Industrialist, Kessington Adebutu, when Adebutu was capped as the new Asoju Oba of Lagos, on Thursday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Synagogue: Court rules on suit challenging coroner’s verdict, Nov 2 Wale Igbintade

A

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed November 2, 2015 for rulings on preliminary objections in the suits filed by two engineers who constructed the collapsed Synagogue Church Of All Nations’ building.

The Engineers, Mr. Oladele Ogundeji and Mr. Akinbela Fatiregun had sued the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the Attorney General of Lagos State.

Also sued as 4th defendant is the Lagos coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, who indicted the engineers of criminal negligence over the death of the 116 persons who perished in the collapsed SCOAN building.

Ogundeji and Fatiregun are seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State from arresting, detaining, investigating or prosecuting them based on Komolafe’s verdict and recommendations.

They also want an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Lagos State Attorney General or any officer under his authority from initiating or commencing criminal proceedings against him based on the verdict of the coroner.

Their lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, told Justice Ibrahim Buba that the engineers considered the coroner’s verdict a nullity and maintained that there was no basis for the police to invite arrest or investigate them.

Court dissolves Lagos LG management committee .... Orders LASIEC to conduct election in 30 days • We ‘ll appeal ruling —LASG

days.

The court held that no governor is empowered by the constitution to take over the administration of local governments through sole administrators or caretaker committees.

“I call upon the Lagos State Government to immediately implement the judgment of the court by dismantling all the illegal

structures of local government caretaker committees”.

“I also call upon all state governments where the local governments are being manned by administrators to conduct elections immediately”, the court held.

Justice Lawal held that the system of Local Government can only be managed by democratically

elected people and if the state House of Assembly should make any law validating sole administrators for local government, such law will be invalid and unconstitutional.

The court further declared the Lagos State Local Government law, which allows for the appointment of caretaker committees, as illegal and unconstitutional.

The court rejected the argument of LAISEC that it was waiting for voters register from INEC since the same voters register and polling booths were used for the April, 2015 elections.

Consequently, Justice Lawal directed LASIEC to conduct elections in all local governments within 30 days.

Lawyer to NCP, Mr Adegboruwa commended the judge for his manifest

courage, adding that the judgment “has once again proved that the Nigerian judiciary has been the sustainers of our democracy”.

But reacting swiftly to the court ruling, Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy for Lagos State Government, LASG, said that the state disagreed with the judgement, saying it will file a Stay of Execution and Appeal against it immediately.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Fire guts Abuja’s popular shopping mall

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opular shopping mall at the central business district, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, was razed on Friday afternoon.

According to Premium Times, an online news portal, witnesses said the entire shopping area was razed as customers and staffers were seen fleeing the scene.

A staff of the mall who spoke said at the moment

no one could tell the cause of the fire.

“The entire shopping hall was destroyed by the fire,” he said.

Our reporter gathered that security personnel at the gate stopped onlookers and journalists from gaining access into the premises.

Security staff of the mall said no life was lost as fire fighters controlled the situation on time.

Aisha Buhari grieves over minors’ in IDP camps —Urges govs to act fast

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ife of Mr President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to the governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, to urgently do something about the nutritional status of babies and children in the IDP camps in their various states.

According to news release by the special assistant on Media to the First Lady, Aisha is grieved as a mother that children could be going through such appalling conditions in the country.

Mrs Buhari realizes that malnutrition rates for children are at a serious level

in these camps, where large number of people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency is gathered.

It is important to note that even under normal circumstances children have specialized nutritional needs. This in effect underscores the importance of highly specialized nutritional support for this category of children.

Mrs Buhari further commended Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State for donating N150 million to the Governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to assist them in the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

Group urges caution on degrading environmental

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he Lagos Marginalized Communities Forum (LAMCOFOR), has urged the Nigerians and the World over make our world environmental friendly so that generations to come will feel its impact.

In a seminar organized to mark World Habitat day 2015 under the theme, “Public space for all,” coordinator of the LACOMFOR, Reverend Ayo-Oluwa Ogunyemi enjoined all to observe United Nations focal points on the environment mainly: inclusive Housing and social services, a safe healthy living environment for all with particular emphasis for Children, Youths, Women, elderly, Disabled; and promotion, protection and restoration of green urban spaces amongst others.

The day is also the launch of the Urban Octo-

ber Month of celebrations, events and activities.

LACOMFOR is a Lagos based non-governmental organization that deals with the protection of human rights by advocating and engaging government to compensate, rehabilitate and resettle people who have been forcibly evicted from their homes and properties without notice.

The United Nations’ (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated in October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people’s right to sufficient shelter. It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future next generations.

Various activities around the world are organized to examine the problems of rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment and human poverty.

NATIONAL NEWS

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9

91 companies bid for NNPC’s bunkering vessels service

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC)has began the public opening of technical bids submitted by 91 companies to secure contract for the provision of Coastal and Bunkering Vessel Services.

This is contained in a statement by NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division Mr Ohi Alegbe and made available to News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

The statement said that the coastal and bunkering services was for the operations of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC.

It said the exercise was conducted under the watch of representatives of the bidding companies, officials of Bureau of Public Procurement, (BPP) and the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, (NEITI) as independent assessors.

The statement said that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu expressed delight on the massive turn out of indigenous Nigerian companies and vessel owners in the bid process.

According to the statement, Kachikwu said the entire bidding Process was going to be transparent.

It said that NNPC was determined to get the best

yield in terms of value addition and best services while also promoting the Nigerian local content .

The statement added that the ongoing bid exercise sought to engage the services of reputable organisations with essentially three ranges of Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) 5, 000-8, 000 DWT, 10, 000- 20, 000 DWT and 25, 000-50, 000 DWT. It explained that the coastal vessel was designed to evacuate petroleum products from NNPC coastal refineries to various discharge ports in Nigeria or outside Nigeria as may be designated by PPMC and undertake the delivery of petroleum products to

water fed depots with restricted draft jetties of 6.0 to 11metres.

It further said that thenvessels would conduct shipto-ship transfer of cargo from import tankers and discharge same at waters depots among other functions.

The statement further said that the desired bunkering vessel services would also entail the loading of Automated Gas Oil Ago and low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) from water-fed refineries for bunkering purposes.

It said that the vessel would also supply bunkers to NNPC owned and chartered vessels as required on a monthly basis.

L-R Lagos State Commissioner for Transport ,Dr Dayo Mobereola, Corps Marshal of FRSC Boboye Oyeyemi, Lagos state Commissioner for Tourism , Folarin Coker and Bisi Kazeem, Head Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC during a collaborative meeting with the Commissioners in Lagos.

Alleged graft: group seeks probe of FCT, transport ex-ministers Abiodun Nejo, ADO EKITI

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group, the National Network for Justice and Economic Development (NNJED), has alleged that the Ministries of Transport and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the past administration were used as conduit pipe to siphon the nation’s resources.

Consequently, the group urged the Financial and Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the former ministers of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed; and Transport, Senator Idris Umar over allegations of graft.

In a statement by the

group’s national President, Alhaji Yerima Duniya, and secretary, Mr Adebanjo Olusola, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, NNJED said the two ministries must be probed urgently in the interest of justice, national development, restoration of economic sanctity, probity and accountability in future public servants.

They stated: “With great sense of patriotism and genuine loyalty to the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammad Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government, we call on the EFCC to, as a matter of dire urgency, visit the ministries of the FCT and that of

Transports under the supervision of Senator Bala Mohammed and Senator Idris Umar and critically examine their books.

“The two ministries were critical to the so-called transformation agenda of the last administration and as such received huge budgetary allocations from the federation purse from 2011 - 2015. These ministries under their ministers were known to be very powerful and part of the conduit pipe through which the then First Lady siphoned billions of dollars for her personal gain.

“In the process of doing the bidding of the then first lady, these two ministers

overwhelmingly enriched themselves and joined the League of super ministers who bestrode the political landscape without hindrance,” it stated.

The group listed alleged abandoned permanent site of the College of EducationZuba, poor state of the five new districts opened under him, the last minute release of money for the installation of traffic light without due process after PDP lost the presidential election, third rate railway project and introduction of mass housing that never saw the light of day as among reasons the EFCC must invite, quiz and arraign the former FCT minister.

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NIMASA rescues 3 from Vessel Collision Nick Uweru

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earch and rescue personnel of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have rescued three crew members and recovered one body from an incident which occurred about 65 miles from shore, just 10 nautical miles south west of the Bonga FPSO near Warri where two vessels; MT Elixir and MT Tank collided midstream, SATURDAY MIRROR learnt.

In a statement signed

by Hajia Lami Tumaka, Head, Public Relations of NIMASA, divers and other rescue personnel are still at the site of the incident where eight crew members of MT. Tank appear to have been trapped.

Preliminary reports show that the incident occurred at about 12 midnight on Monday 19th October 2015 and that MT Tank got broken in the process and thus go taken in by water.

The Ag. Director General of the Agency, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has directed comprehensive rescue operation and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain the remote and immediate causes.

The Acting DG expressed sadness over the loss of life occasioned by the incident urging crew members to exercise more caution in navigation especially around terminals.

The three rescued crew members are receiving treatment at Twins Clinic Warri at the behest of NIMASA while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.

Rescue operation is still ongoing for the remaining eight crew members.

NATIONAL NEWS

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WHO to delist Nigeria as Polio endemic country Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

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igeria is at the verge of eradicating Polio as the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to formally pronounce the delisting of Nigeria as a Polio endemic country.

In a press statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ayo Adesugba , the event which is scheduled for the State House on 26th October, 2015 will see the country hosting the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, who will be represented by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso R. Moeti.

According to the Per-

manent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, “The Regional Director will meet with Mr. President to formally announce to the government of Nigeria WHO’s decision to remove Nigeria from the list of Polio endemic countries as a recognition of the achievement of Nigeria in stopping the transmission of the Wild Polio Virus for a period of fourteen months, which has exceeded WHO’s target for interruption.”

The Regional Director, Dr. Moeti, is also expected to emphasize to policy makers and major stakeholders, that despite tremendous progress in Nigeria, complacency is not a luxury at the disposal of the Govern-

ment and partners until the gains of this great feat is sustained for two years to be able to achieve the certification of Nigeria as a Polio-free Nation by 2017.

In order to boost population immunity of children between the ages of zero to five years, as well as achieve eradication status in 2017, Nigeria will continue to vaccinate children, irrespective of their previous immunization status.

President Muhammadu Buhari, during his interface with the high level advocacy team on poliomyelitis, headed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, emphasized that his administration “Would pro-

vide the necessary oversight over the Programme to ensure no child ever gets paralyzed again by Wild Polio Virus.” He therefore directed the Federal Ministry of Health and its Agency to come up with programme elements that would sustain the gains and maintain the momentum towards achieving a final certification.

Consequently, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health, has developed a robust Polio Emergency Plan with corresponding roadmap detailing strategies to sustain the achievement.

L-R: President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zanab Bulkachuwa; Justice of the Supreme Court,Justice Wilson Onnoghen and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at the 2015 NDIC Annual Sensitisation of Judicial Officers for FCT and state high court judges in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Rotimi Fadeyi

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he Presidency, yesterday, said that the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is shy around women, purportedly made by one Gideon Samani and published in a national newspaper was totally fallacious.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said the subsequent attribution of the supposedly “low number” of female ministerial nominees to Buhari’s alleged shyness around women was therefore baseless and a figment of the imagination of the said Mr. Samani, who was falsely

Buhari not shy around women —Presidency described as the “Senior Special Assistant (Political Matters) to the President.

The statement said the assertion by the alleged Presidential Aide that Buhari is “very shy dealing with the opposite sex” because “he has been interacting mostly with men,” was received by the President with shock and consternation.

The statement further said, “for one thing, there is no Senior Special Assistant, Political Matters, in the office of the President for now and Mr. Samani

who was said to have spoken as the Representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at a public function yesterday (Thursday) is not an aide of the President.

“Mr Samani is certainly not an official spokesman of the President. Therefore, he could not have spoken on behalf of President Buhari, who is the President of all Nigerians, men and women alike.

“President Buhari has a wife, many daughters and female relatives whom he loves dearly. He also had a

mother that he adored. How then could he be shy in the company of women, to the point of allegedly not appointing them into public offices, on account of not being comfortable in their company?”

“Nigerian women can be assured that the President holds them in the highest esteem and will always give them due consideration in the discharge of his official responsibilities.

“The statements attributed to Mr Samani are untrue and unauthorized.

Buhari seeks more cooperation with Hungary Rotimi Fadeyi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he looks forward to increased bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Hungary, since both countries have a lot in common.

A statement issued

by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke when he received Mr. Zsolt Semjen, the Vice Prime Minister of Hungary at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari said that his administration would welcome the strengthening and expansion of cooperation between both countries in the areas of security and agricultural development.

“Hungary faces some immigration challenges today, just like other parts of Europe. We also have our challenges in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

“Hungary is able to fully understand our problems, and we can work together”, Buhari said.

In his remarks, Semjen congratulated Nigeria on its last general elections, adding that Hungary looked forward to signing agreements with the country on more bilateral cooperation.

He said that terrorism was a global challenge and pledged that his country would support the Nigerian Armed Forces’ efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The extremism of Boko Haram is not Islamic. It runs contrary to all human philosophies,” the Vice Prime Minister said.

He also promised that Hungary would deploy its expertise in the area of agriculture to assist Nigeria.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Ambode vows to resolve LASU crisis

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agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said his administration has earmarked over N1billion for renovation and supply of furnitures and education materials across all secondary schools in the state.

The Governor, who reiterated the determination of his administration to invest massively in educational sector, said 1, 300 teachers from thousands of persons who applied last month will soon be employed to teach in the primary schools in the state.

Governor Ambode, who spoke in Ilara-Epe while inaugurating Augustine University, a private university owned by the Catholic Church, also assured of plans of his administration to resolve the lingering crisis in the Lagos State University (LASU).

He said the need to resolve the crisis in the institution prompted the inauguration of new Governing Councils for

the institution and other tertiary institutions in the state.

Appreciating the Catholic Church for the project, Governor Ambode said the best way to prepare for change whether positive or negative is to anticipate and manage it.

“From my exposures, I have come to the conclusion that there is no greater form of preparation to manage change than through education”.

“There is no greater investment that the individual parent can make than investment in education of highest possible quality”, he said.

The Governor said that considering the population of Lagos State which is about 20 million, 60 percent of which are people below 35, the State is seriously in need of institutions of learning, adding that the establishment of Augustine University, which brings the number of privately owned universities in the state to four and six universities in all, was a welcome development.

SOUTH WEST

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Ogun: Tribunal upholds Amosun’s election

Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

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he Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Isabo area of Abeokuta, the state capital yesterday upheld the election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the April 11 poll.

The tribunal dismissed the petition filed against the electoral victory of Amosun by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Nasir Isiaka for want of evidence.

The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Henry Olusiyi held that the petitioners, Isiaka lacked evidence to support his allegation of massive rigging and electoral malpractices in the April 11th 2015 election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate at the poll, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka had on April 30 filed his petition ‘EPT/GOV/ABK/001/15,’ before the tribunal, challenging the victory of Amosun, who contested as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate.

Isiaka had alleged that the votes credited to Amosun by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in nine out of the 20 local governments of the state were mared with fraud, malpractices, ballot snatching, ballot stuffing and outright rigging and as such, invalid to secure him any victory at the poll.

He further alleged that the election was characterized by substantial

non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Isiaka in the petition however, prayed the court to declare him as the winner of the election having scored the highest number of valid votes cast at the governorship election.

But delivering judgment amidst tight security yesterday in Abeokuta, Chairman of the tree-man tribunal, Justice Henry Olusiyi held that the claims of the petitioner were largely unsubstantiated and the proofs grossly insufficient to support his allegations.

He further stated that the responsibility of proving the invalidity of the votes credited to Amosun which rested on the petitioner was not properly discharged.

Justice Olusiyi further said that the principal witnesses of the petitioners

only made averments without evidence.

The tribunal chairman ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their case either on balance of probability or beyond reasonable doubt.

“Averments without evidence is deemed to have been abandoned. Pleadings do not constitute or tantamount to evidence,” he said while citing relevant sections of the Evidence Act. He noted that although the petitioners alleged several irregularities in nine local government areas of the state, they led oral evidence only in 12 polling units.

“The petition filed by the petitioner on the 30th of April is hereby dismissed.

The election of the respondent (Amosun) is hereby affirmed,”

Ooni: Court Okays Ife 1980 declaration for selection of new monarch Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO.

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sun state chief judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, yesterday affirmed that 1980 Ile-Ife Chieftaincy Declaration was reliable documents to enthrone the new Ooni of Ife. Ojo, while ruling on the matter brought before the court by Lafogido Ruling House to challenge the decision of Ife Kingmakers to narrow the search for new Ooni to only the Giesi Ruling House, said since plaintiff did not challenge the declaration within five

years after it was registered as stipulated by the law, nothing could be done to discredit it anymore.

Before delivering her judgement, Ojo stated that the rumour making the rounds that she collected bribe of $10,000 and N10 million from some people to favour them was false, adding that she has never taken bribe in her life.

Justice Ojo urged parties in the matter that may have given money to anyone, who claimed to be representing her, to go and collect their money back from such a person and report to the court registrar.

Nigeria in serious ‘labour pain’ —Olajide Kemi Olaitan, IBADAN

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ecretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Dr. Kunle Olajide, on Friday, in Ibadan, raised an alarm that Nigeria is in serious labour pain, saying “nobody is unsure of the type of baby that will be born, despite the results of the various ultra-scan that has been done.”

He said this at the inauguration of a private radio station, Petals FM, owned by Mr. Yinka and Dr. (Mrs.) Joe Okei-Odumakin.

According to him, the present time in the country called for all Nigerians to take interest in the nation’s affairs, stating that as we do not have any other country to call our own, it is important that it works.

Olajide then challenged media houses in the country, to be in the vanguard of the emancipation of the oppressed, noting that the people of Yorubaland have waited for medium like the new radio station that will serve as their voice and say it as it is, given the fact that the region has made lots of sacrifice to keep Nigeria one.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); Former Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Erelu Olusola Obada (right); Speaker House of Assembly, Lagos State, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (left); Mrs. Mojisola Apara (3rd left), Mrs. Lolade Adeoye (2nd right) and Director General Office of Economic & Partnerships, Dr. Charles Akinola (2nd left), during the Funeral Service of Chief Albert Olokunle Apara, in Osun State, yesterday.

... as gov says, my triumph, victory for Ogun people Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

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gun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has described his victory at the just concluded Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as victory for the good people of the state.

This is coming just as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the poll, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka appealed to his teeming supporters to remain calm and refrain from any act of lawlessness.

Amosun, in a statement

issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Adejuwon Soyinka said the legal victory at the tribunal was a further attestation to the fact that his election was genuinely made possible by the good people of the state.

The governor boasted that should the trial be conducted twenty times, himself and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would emerge victorious because he was voted for massively by the people.

Amosun however, commended members of the

tree-man tribunal that sat over the Ogun Governorship Election petitions for the professional manner at which they carried out their duties without fear or favour.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate, Isiaka, while reacting to the tribunal verdict that affirmed Amosun’s victory, urged his supporters to respect the decision of the court and remain law abiding.

Isiaka emphasised that though as law abiding and responsible citizens, both himself and his teeming supporters have the duty

bound to respect the tribunal’s verdict notwithstanding that such did not go the way that would have gladden their hearts.

“I am appealing to all and sundry to respect the decision of the court. We shall carefully study the judgement as soon as possible and will make public our next line of action.

But my appeal goes to all our supporters and those that might have been disappointed with the judgement to remain calm, we still have many options available to us but that decision will be made very soon”.

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Jos Inland Container Depot to commence operation soon James Abraham JOS

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he Jos Inland Container Depot expected to serve both local and international markets of perishable agricultural produce will soon commence operations.

This is, even as the management of Duncan Maritime Ventures, the concessionaires company handling the project has expressed its preparedness to do everything possible to see that the project is completed as soon as possible.

North East Coordinator of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Bali Kparbong and Acting Project Manager, Duncan International Inland Container Dry Port Ltd, Mr Nenfort C. Gonchen, who broke the cheering news yesterday during a tour of the facility in Heipang,Barki Ladi Local Government Area of the state, added that the project when completed is expected to make Nigeria not only self sufficient in fresh agricultural produce but a leading exporter of the produce.

Saturday Mirror learnt that the Chief of Staff to Governor Simon Lalong, Mr John Kufwan was also at the project site yesterday to inspect facilities in the area promised to brief the governor of his findings.

Expressing their commitment to ensuring that the operations of the inland container depot comes on stream, Kparbong said: “There was a problem with the previous government regarding the project but I think ,there is a headway now because we are making fresh arrangement for the project to take off. So, I can assure you that there is good hope for Plateau state and indeed Nigerians because the dream of realizing the project is on course”.

Saturday Mirror reports that the progress of work at the Jos Inland Container Depot had been slow since its foundation was laid in 2007. The hope of realizing the project was further deemed on the 23rd July,2014 when the former Governor Jonah Jang led administration in the state demolished most of the structures in the site. Since then, nothing has been done on the project.

NORTH

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fulani herdsmen kill 7 in Taraba Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

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ocal residents said Fulani herdsmen on Thursday, killed seven people in an attack on Kamberi village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

A resident, Mr. Adamu Adi told Saturday Mirror that the Fulani herdsmen numbering about 40, invaded the village at night, killing seven persons.

Adi said residents of the village were sleep-

ing when the armed men invaded the village and started shooting sporadically.

“The people were attacked without provocation and up till now, we don’t know the cause of the attack.

“The entire village is deserted and people in surrounding villages are also leaving for fear of attack,” he said.

According to him, the herdsmen have been on rampage in the southern part of the state for some

time now, killing dozens and appealed to government and relevant authorities to find ways of ending incessant herdsmen attacks in the area.

He lamented that prolong herders and farmers crises in the state have taken the state many steps backward, urged Fulani leaders in the country to call their people to order, saying violence does not do any society any good.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the herdsmen who alleged that their

cattle are been rustled in the area were on reprisal attack on the village, following reports that those behind the act were living in the village.

Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Kwaji who confirmed the attack said five persons were killed in the village.

Kwaji said the Command have since drafted its men to the area to restore normalcy, saying investigation into the attack is ongoing.

R-L: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi with Chairman, Signal Group Ltd and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, during the ex- governor’s visit to the Government House, Abakaliki on Friday.

100 youths trained on post harvest losses in N’East Williams Attah GOMBE

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total of 100 youths drawn from the six states of the NorthEast, gathered in Gombe for a five day training workshop on post harvest loses on some farm crops which ended yesterday..

Declaring the workshop opened, the Provost of the Federal College of Horticulture Technology, Dadinkowa, Gombe State, Professor Fatima Sawa, said the workshop was organized to train unemployed youths on how to reduce or prevent huge losses occasioned during the harvesting season on some farm products.

The workshop in Dadinkowa was organized particularly to train the youths on the preservation and packaging of crops such as vegetables, Cereals and fruits since post harvest losses on such farm products are about 25 per cent yearly.

Professor Sawa said the workshop was coming timely, considering the huge losses experienced by farmers during the harvesting season stressing that farmers need to improve on their preservation method which is mostly unhygienic, less durable and lacking in modern technology.

She said the programme is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s efforts on food sufficiency for the country adding that participants are expected to train and also pass information gathered to others in their various States.

1,466 companies bid to fix dilapidated Kaduna schools A za Msue KADUNA

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ollowing the declaration of a state of emergency in education sector, Kaduna State Government yesterday, said that no fewer than 1,466 companies have bided for contracts to undertake jobs that would revamp the sector.

Flagging off the selection of suitable and capable companies in Kaduna State, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Adamu Usman Shehu, said the process would be transparent and devoid of favoritism.

Shehu explained that after the state of emergency was declared

by Governor Nasir El-

rufai, the state had bided for renovation, school furniture among other contracts and will choose competent companies with track records of performance to fix the dilapidated primary and secondary schools.

He said the emergency period would enable government to engage and resolve the pressing infrastructural and personnel gaps in schools.

Kaduna State Government had said, under its state of emergency on education that it will provide over 770,000 units of furniture in primary and secondary schools across the state.

Shehu said, “We want to assure all those that bided that due process will be followed and we are ready

to answer any questions from anyone that want any clarification.

“A state of emergency has being declared to enable us fix the

educational sector in the state. 1,466 companies applied and we are going to stick to due process.

“We are going to be

strict. We are going to do it publicly and publish the names of pre qualified companies. We are going to be transparent and open for all to see”

Plateau gets new Commissioner of police James Abraham JOS

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new Commissioner of Police CP ,has been posted to Plateau state. He is Adekunle Oladunjoye.

The new CP took over from Nasir Oki who has been posted to Bayelsa State.

A statement signed by the Command’s Spokesman DSP Abuh Emmanuel, said the new the

Police CP who has since resumed duty, was the Deputy Force Secretary , Force Headquarters ,Abuja.

The statement added that the Ondo State- born Commissioner of Police, joined the Nigerian Police Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1984.

He had served in various capacities in the Nigerian Police Force such as the Deputy Commis-

sioner of Police, Gombe State Police Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Police College Kaduna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Osun State Police Command and Area Commander, Iyaganku in Ibadan.

The statement further added that the Commissioner of Police is a graduate of University of Nigerian Nsukka in 1983.

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

POLITICS 13 Amaechi: Crossing the rubicon

Lekan Adejuwon

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or the immediate past governor of the oil-rich Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, there appeared many rivers to cross in his attempt to get the senate’s nod as a minister of the Federal Republic until last Thursday when he was finally confirmed against all odds.

This is, as the name of the former governor continues to generate considerable controversies in recent time across the nation particularly since the coming on board of the present administration last May. Indeed, the final screening of the embattled two-term governor by the senate has been likened to the Biblical camel, passing through the eye of a needle even as the senate last Tuesday, adjourned indefinitely, the ongoing screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees.

The Acting Clerk of the Upper Chamber, Mr Nelson Ayewoh last Tuesday, had announced to the surprise of many observers, that the senate would not hold its regular plenary on Wednesday without giving any official reason for the postponement.

It was the third of such postponement in two weeks, a development which many have described as politically motivated to either stall Amaechi’s screening or use him to get at President Buhari over his choice as a minister.

Ayewoh said, “This is to inform all distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the resumption of the senate in plenary has been rescheduled from Wednesday 21st October 2015 to Thursday 22nd October 2015.

“All distinguished senators are by this notice, requested to resume sitting in plenary on Thursday 22nd October by 10am prompt.

The postponement, according to sources, was however not unconnected with the resolve by senate leadership to allow the senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to appear in person at the venue of his ongoing trial by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged false declaration of Assets.

Amaechi’s ordeal started on October 6 on the floor of the senate following the announcement of Buhari’s ministerial nominees and the subsequent rejection of Amaechi by a senator from Rivers State.

It would be recalled that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, had earlier, introduced a clause in the new senate rules to include the approval of at least, two senators from the state of prospective ministerial nominees Obviously relying on this proviso, at the plenary of the senate penultimate Wednesday, George Sekibo, PDP, Rivers East, raised a point of order to tell the senate that he had a petition from his constituents against Amaechi’s nomination and asked that he be allowed to submit the petition before the senate.

Sekibo, in submitting the petition before the senate, had declared that the petitioners went into research and discovered that over N70billion was allegedly transferred in hard currency account to places outside the country by the Amaechi-led administration.

Continuing, the law maker said; “And a petition to this note was written to Mr. President. I believe the President has not read it. If hehas read it, he may not have hurriedly nominate Rotimi Amaechi to be a minister “Amaechi is qualified to be a minister, but when issues of corruption and fraud are openly x-rayed by people, it is necessary for Mr President to take a critical look and examine the allegations from these people whether they are true or not” he alleged.

Nevertheless, Sekibo’s declaration met huge resistance from All Progressives Congress APC, senators who instantly kicked with shouts of “no, no, no” The situation resulted in a shouting match between the two dominant parties over the petition, but at the end of

Amaechi

the day, the senate President, Bukola Saraki intervened and in his remark, said, the senate had no reason to avoid hearing of public petitions brought by legislators in respect of the screening of the ministerial nominees.

Amaechi’s woes were compounded with a similar indicting petition from a Rivers State-based ‘Integrity Group’ alleging the former governor’s involvement in large scale financial recklessness during his tenure.

Also following in that order, is a recommendation by a Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government which indicted Amaechi of misappropriation of billions of Naira of the state resources while serving as the state governor.

The senate has since submitted all the petitions against Amaechi to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

But contrary to expectations, the report of Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, detailing the investigation of the series of allegations against Amaechi’s nomination, failed to submit its report to the senate as earlier promised.

However, the embattled former governor,in a swift reaction, wrote to the senate President to dismiss the petitions saying the matters were already in court and that any further reopening of the issues would amount to subjudice.

Amaechi, in a letter which was signed by his lawyer, Edward Pepple, urged the senate to protect the former governor from being forced to comment on a matter that is pending before the courts.

He said; “In the circumstances, we most respectfully urge the distinguished senate to invoke its powers and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Distinguished Senate to protect our client from commenting on the subject matter of the petition and any issues relating to or, arising from the judicial Commission of Inquiry and/or the purported White Paper issued thereto.

“We wish to reemphasis that our client is always ready, usually enthusiastic and desirous of defending himself at all times, however, we have implored and advised him that he is restrained at this time, most regrettably from commenting on the content of that petition which is the subject matter before the courts of law. He is therefore, not in position to respond to the petition, issue by issue before

the distinguished senate” Meanwhile, senators of the ruling APC, had met during the week at the National Assembly Complex to rally support for the embattled former governor of Rivers State.

The APC caucus meeting which commenced on Monday at about 8.00pm at the Conference Hearing Room 1 of the House of Representatives was attended by senators from across the different geo-political zones which include Gbenga Ashafa, Ahmad Lawan, Sabi Abdullahi, Isiaka Adeleke and Babajide Omoworare among others. Senator Ashafa, who addressed the gathering told his colleagues that the single agenda of the caucus meeting was the nomination of Amaechi.

He added that the meeting became imperative because of the opposition to Amaechi’s ministerial nomination from the Rivers State Ashafa then urged the senators to queue behind Amaechi and make sure that their Peoples Democratic Party PDP counterparts do not embarrass President Buharis.

According to him, if the appointment of Amaechi failed, it would amount to a big embarrassment to the President and the APC as a party noting that the exgovernor’s ‘sin’ had been his dogged support for Buhar and the APC. Meanwhile, more facts emerged on Thursday why the senate could not sit at plenary on Wednesday as the absence of the senate President was believed in many circles as inadequate reason for the postponement as long as nature abhors a vacuum.

But the senate said its Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was not allowed to preside over the screening of ministerial nominees because he is of the opposition PDP. Senate leader, Ali Ndume who gave the hint in an interview with journalists, however promised that Amaechi would be screened.

He said contrary to insinuations, the senate has seven weeks with which to conclude the screening and confirmation of the 36 ministerial nominees.

Ndume agreed that; “This is an extraordinary time because we are screening ministers that are predominantly of the APC. So, that was why we said the screening should continue with senate President presiding.

Giving a further clarification, the senate Majority leader said;”this is not a normal day because we are screening APC nominees of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “There are issues surrounding it, but we don’t want any other issues out of it again as the presiding officer is the Senate President who started the screening and we said we would take a day off and continue tomorrow” Former Governor Amaechi, it would be recalled, was until 2013, a PDP member, the party through which he became the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years and emerged the governor in 2007.

He rose to the enviable position of the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum NGF, through which he became the spokesperson of the powerful body a development which set him at logger heads with the former President Goodluck Jonathan, his fellow Ijaw man from Niger Delta.

At the peak of internal crisis rocking the then ruling PDP, Amaechi, with other 4 PDP governors on November25, 2013, left the party for the newly formed mega party, the APC. The rest, as they say, is now history.

But what is not in contest is the alleged insidious role played by Amaechi towards the victory of the opposition and the emergence of President Buhari in the 2015 general election which in the opinion of many analysts, are the fulcrum of the former governor’s present predicament.

Now that Amaechi has taken ‘a bow and go’, what then becomes of the series of allegations in the petitions written against him to the Senate? Only time will tell.

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POLITICS

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari should emulate Obasanjo’s style of fighting corruption – Agboola Kehinde why we said there are different means of resolving the crisis. When you get to the Judiciary, the court will be looking at the structural analysis. National recognizes Idowu Faleye-led chairman. No more, no less, and others have been suspended by National, not only that, when you are angry, you can only go to law court and the law court would look at structural solution, before giving judgment. Immediately they give judgment that is the end. In Nigeria, noise making is part of this thing.

It is a distractive means of getting one known.

Honourable Agboola Kehinde is a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikole and Oye Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. The federal lawmaker, in this interview with LEKAN ADEJUWON, harps on the independence of the legislative arm as a separate organ of government in a democracy. He also talks about the crisis rocking Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the current war on corruption. Excerpts:

H

ow will you assess Nigeria’s democracy and her political structure in the present dispensation?

Our political structure is not bad, particularly that of PDP, but leadership should allow the structure to run. It is one thing to have a political structure, it is another for it to run, and we must be willing to allow it to run.

How will you rate political Ideology and defection in Nigeria?

When you want to talk about political ideology, you shouldn’t forget about history. Remember Late Chief Bola Ige once said what we have originally was not democracy, but transition rule. You would discover that all the so-called political parties are formed by the same group of people. They wrote these manifestos. It got to a point, they didn’t like the previous one, they wrote another one, it is the same idea.

Everybody wishes there is free education, whether it will work or not, nobody cares.

So, when you want to form a political doctrine or ideology of your party, there shall be free education, there shall be free association of members, we will do things that will make everybody happy all the good things, we would say it, but will it run? Nobody has cared to know that, of course Nigeria even don’t want to listen to that. Everybody wants to be pleased, even if you can’t, even when they know you can’t do it, they don’t want to hear. So by our own nature, as people, we have allowed a lot of politicians to deceive us.

Many people have expressed divergent opinions about the crisis rocking the National Assembly involving the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and his ongoing trial by the Code of conduct Bureau. Some hold the view that the crisis has political undertone.

What’s your own reaction?

I am part of those who believe it has political undertone for the following reasons;

Agboola

we told the President, ‘start your probe from the beginning of this democracy 1999, but the man said no, may be because he was scared of some people anyway, he wants the probing on Jonathan regime, so we knew it was a battle against Jonathan, which shouldn’t be, Now Code of Conduct is coming, talking about 2003. The question is why are you doing selective probe?

Moreover, there is in the act of Code of Conduct, in the section 4 says that even when they discover anomalies in what you have submitted, they will first of all call your attention to it. The Senate President said openly in the court that up till now, he has not been informed that there is anomaly, then the question is, are you telling me that Code of Conduct have been very negligent about their duties, that its now they realized since 2003. Don’t Forget, the man(Saraki) declared at the begining-2003, and at the end-2007-Commencement of 2007, he declared, 2011 conviction, he declared. He served as a senator for four years, he declared, they didn’t talk, they didn’t see it, now he is serving as Senate President, you said you find a fault in 2003, so the question is, what have they been doing before now.

Somebody said if you are a kid and you have stolen many years ago, and they discover now, they can punish.

Good! I agree, but this is not stealing.

It is about discovering a paper that you looked at, Is it that they failed to look at it?

Why are they suddenly remembering now? so that’s why we said it has political undertone, and of course we know, like the Senate President himself said, if he happened to be a senator alone and not a Senate President the case wouldn’t be there, and it is just because he had defeated a cabal who had another candidate, who wants to impose on the National Assembly, but to God be the glory, both Reps and Senate, we have been able to maintain our stand.

We will continue to grow and wax stronger than anything. I only want to implore the president to be careful, not to toy with this democracy, because Jonathan and PDP had gone far with democracy. We have deepened our democracy than the way and manner APC is handling the democracy.

They are setting us back far beyond.

In fact, at this time, I think we must thank God that it is PDP that started the first leg of democracy. If it were to be APC, may be we would have lost everything that we have.

They must be careful. They must learn to put their homes in order. It is true, they united to take over power, but they didn’t plan how they would run the power and its more serious running the government than taking over the government. The President even said the ministers he would appoint are noisemakers, so nothing tangible should be expected even from the ministers and yet he said he is looking for people who can serve in that capacity, so the best of Nigeria that will serve there, the President already declared that they would be noisemakers.

Your party, the PDP in Ekiti is seriously factionalized how do you get to this point as the ruling party?

It is part of political development. Democracy is about resolution of crisis. In resolving crisis, there are several means including legal means, constitutional means.

Organization is the structural means of a party. For instance, if you say there are factional leaders, the national leadership will tell us the authentic leader, because it is the National Chairman that will tell the one that is recognized. So, is it the one they have suspended or expelled that is recognized? Media at times will see the truth and close eye and begin to eschew the other side, but the reality will play out and that is

PDP in Ekiti State insists that former Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi must be probed by ICPC. Do you feel this way too?

What is expected of a proactive organ of government is to look at the situation like that for investigation. If at least A has stolen, you should be able to go into it and investigate quietly if actually ‘A’ stole, ‘A’ might have not stolen, but might have mismanaged. The government is not acting, because he is their party person. During the Obasanjo era, most of the governors EFCC fought were in PDP. We expected Buhari government to focus on the APC leaders, because Charity begins at home.

This is not about bail out, if you run government down, we should investigate what happened. What led us to bail out?

Secondly, they should learn from Obasanjo who started cleaning his own house (his party) before outside. It is not about running after our people (PDP) now. Let them run after their own governors (APC) too.

So if PDP in Ekiti insists that Fayemi must be probed. It is in line with what we have been saying.

They have their evidence, why will Fayemi run away from probing? a leader must be ready to be accountable. I was once a former council chairman invited to EFCC. I boldly went there, I wrote my statement, they investigated me, they audited my account and at the end of the day, nobody charged me even to court.

There is one thing we need to learn when we say we are fighting corruption.

We should not miss it out. It is not everything that is punishment, blackmail. In fact, personally, I am worried about Nigeria as a nation, every leader that has served Nigeria is sent off blackmailing, they tell us he’s corrupt, he has done this, he has done that, no one is good, unfortunately, it Is not helping us what I am interested in when two people are fighting is the information I gather from them, and I would go into more investigative journalism, at the end of the day, I will not say the purpose of the investigation is to indict anybody, but rather to rebuild our syste.

We have been doing vendetta corruption management. Nigeria needs to change the approach of fighting corruption. We should rather be ready to have institution reformation to cater, cure and prohibit our corruption. An institution that is unfriendly to corruption will help us a long way.

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TALKING POLITICS

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‘Senators should desist ‘Dismiss soldiers who from following indicted rigged Ekiti, Osun polls’ colleagues to court’ —Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili “T “S ­­ Ayo Opadokun, General Secretary of defunct National Democratic — Coalition NADECO

enators following a colleague to court to answer charges of corruption is not the done thing in any part of the world.

“Such an act of solidarity by those in government was the reason why Nigeria continued to receive negative international ratings in the area of corruption.

“Honestly, my dear Bukola Saraki, you should have dissuaded your colleagues from doing such damage to the democratic institution of the National Assembly.

“My dear friend, leadership by example is everything. You should not privatise our democratic institution. Our dear lawmakers would do well to quickly retrace their steps from this egregious and ill-advised ‘union’ on a private judi-

cial proceeding.

“Citizens must realise that we cannot afford to permit our public officials to continue with the habit of privatising democratic institutions.”

‘APC has no hand in Saraki’s travails’ —Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader, House of Representatives

“E

verything that has a beginning has an end. I don’t think and I don’t know if there is any leadership crisis

in the National Assembly. But the little I understand is that there is an issue involving the Senate President.

That has nothing to do with the APC. “That has to do with the issue of law and I’m sure the Senate President is being surely represented and he will have his day in court. If the matter comes up, I don’t think it’s an APC issue, it’s not an APC issue at all. There is no crisis, not in the House.”

“I can’t comment and promote things that are unsubstantiated. You know the problem is a constitutional and legal problem and I don’t know how you can treat constitutional and legal problems politically.”

‘PDP should think out of the box to remain relevant in 2019’ — Barrister Bashir Maidugu, deputy national legal adviser of the PDP

“W

e are to blame in the sense that democracy is about people.

“There were impositions of unpopular candidates across Nigeria. Not only that, some of the rules and guidelines that were laid down were not strictly adhered to; they were flagrantly violated with impunity and this led to our loss.

“Unfortunately nobody raised his hand to question anything, which is why I make bold to say that we need to change by telling ourselves the truth. We have to call a spade a spade; where there is mistake, dishonesty and selfishness, we have to point it out and discourage it. And to tell you the truth, we need to think outside

he outcome of the probe panel instituted by the military authorities will serve as a deterrent to other military officers “If the dubious conduct of the soldiers is not prevented, the necessary cohesion and oneness that the military signifies could be harmed.

“The soldiers found guilty should be expelled. Expulsion is the minimum punishment for them. Such military officers must serve adequate punishment to serve as a deterrent in future elections,” he said.

“The set up of the probe panel showed that President Muhammadu Buhari and the military authorities were very serious about restoring the glory of the army.

“It was unfortunate that former President Jonathan and the military leader-

ship during his tenure failed to find out what really happened after allegations of electoral malpractices with evidences were presented. The silence of the previous government on the matter amounted to an error. The government of Jonathan undermined the military institution which was set up for the protection of the estate called Nigeria.”

‘Buhari taking his time in appointing Igbo’

—Former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

“Y

ou see, the Igbos are essentially marginalised, there is no doubt about that. But, President Buhari hasn’t finished his appointments and I believe that by and large, he is going to accommodate the Igbos in his appointment. “ So, I don’t think there is any reason for anybody to worry over Buhari. Of course, he might be slow in doing some things, but the Igbos should also realise that the government job is not the best. My thoughts, my prayer for my Igbo people is that we should rather be the Taiwan or Japan of Africa by looking to the President to provide the enabling environment for such thing, because we need to be in areas of our best capacity and I believe industrialisation is that area.”

“So, I believe that Buhari would even-

tually open the door for the Ndigbos. Of course, you know that the Igbos did not vote for him during the elections, so we understand why he is taking his time in appointing them. But, because he is the father of the whole nation now, we expect that he would open the doors for all. We are all Nigerians, whether you voted for him or not.”

‘Concede defeat like me, if you lose’ — Former President Goodluck Jonathan, advising Tanzanian politicians

“I

the box in the PDP if we must make any relevance in 2019.

“If we continue this way, I do not see us making headway in 2019; you have to think outside the box, bring in new people and fresh minds to inject new ideas in the system.”

f you lose, accept defeat.” Any attempt to reject the will of the people can only lead to chaos.

I immediately accepted defeat after losing my re-election bid early this year because I did not want personal ambition to derail democracy in Nigeria.

“I was concerned about allowing my personal ambition to scuttle a democratic system I had helped to nurture,” .

“In any election, there are winners and losers. The presidential candidate who loses on Sunday should gracefully concede the election to avert political crisis.”

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October 24, 2015

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

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Who is free from kidnappers?

From left: Jose Antonio Turrillo, Kenny Oyemwina and- Joy-Ada-Okafor, Turillo’s Nigerian girlfriend who connived with Oyemwina to kidnap him

Kehinde Bamigbetan, kidnapped in Lagos

Ritualists’ den uncovered, 8 kidnapped victims rescued in Lagos

Okonjo, kidnapped with the connivance of palace guard

It has become almost like a daily evil befalling not only the high and mighty but the lowly, helpless and defenseless in the society. Kidnapping has remained endemic in the country despite concerted efforts of security agencies to combat the scourge, writes JULIET UMEH.

S

eptember 21, 2015 will definitely remain deep-seated in the memory of former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae not for good reasons but for bad one. It was a day this elder statesman was meant to eat, dine and make merry with friends, family and loved ones in celebration of his 77th birthday but alas, that day turned out to be a day of agony, gnashing of teeth, sleeping and waking up on a bare floor in the den of kidnappers.

This Afenifere chieftain also a former presidential candidate was kidnapped on his farm at Ilado Village in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State by suspected Fulani militia. The kidnappers reportedly contacted the family of the for-

mer minister of finance demanding N100 million ransom to free him. They later reduced it to N90 million.

On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Inspector General of Police

Emmanuel Oluwatunniso

Monguno, kidnapped after leaving Juma’at prayers

Olubunmi Oke

Nkiru Sylvanus

Solomon Arase to do all within his powers to secure the safe rescue of the septuagenarian. Thank goodness, the former SSG regained his freedom after spending some the days in the hands of kidnappers and he arrived his home at about 4:25pm on Thursday looking weary and frail.

Prior to this ugly incident, the imaginative peace was wedged, as dare-devil gunmen had struck in the most recent times.

This time their victims were journalist/columnist, Donu Kogbara; the wife of the Deputy Managing Director of the Sun newspaper, Toyin Nwosu. There were also cases of lecturer with the Delta State Polytechnic, Mr. Chike Gbenndu, as well as the abducChief Olu Falae, kidnapped recently

It has become a very lucrative business for jobless youth. I tell you, if these youth were employed, they would not be kidnapping. But because they are not employed, they are idle and not just idle, they are armed, so they get up to all kinds of things

tion of Anglican bishop of Gwagwalada Diocese, Rt. Rev. Moses Tabuwaye on his way to Awka, the Anambra State capital for a church programme.

It would also be recalled also that in times past, two maternal cousins of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience Egbeni and Kate Eni were abducted at Akimpelai, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Prior to this, the paramount ruler CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

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‘Unemployment, a factor in kidnapping scourge’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 of Biokpuga in Nembe Local Government Area of the same state, Chief Thirdman Lambert was abducted by unknown gunmen. Also, in Ondo State, a former Chairman of the state’s Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Jimoh Ibrahim, was kidnapped by a gang of criminals demanding for N25 million for his release.

In the time past, it would also be recalled that Professor Kamene Okonjo, mother of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the erstwhile Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who is also the queen of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof.

Chukwuka Okonjo, was abducted from the Ogwashi-Uku royal palace in Delta State.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital gunmen also abducted Mrs. Tayo Rotimi, wife of Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd). Aside these high profile cases, expatriates working in different locations across the country are not spared from this barbaric act and little children are not also left behind in this menace.

Regrettably, there was an outcry over high rate of child kidnapping in Cross River State, in South-South region of Nigeria by a civil society group, The Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) Coalition, a group of civil societies in Cross River State raised concerns about the rising spate of cases of child kidnapping in Calabar the state capital. The group called on government to take urgent and adequate measures to protect the helpless and defenseless children in the state.

According to the Coordinator of the group, Barrister James Ibor, many families have been traumatized and left in distress and helplessness over the disappearance of their kids.

“Over the last nine months, at least 20 children in the city and outskirts of Calabar have been reportedly kidnapped for suspected ritual purposes. The number of such cases seems to be increasingly on the rise.

Children aged between 1 – 7 years have been reportedly kidnapped, leaving families distressed and helpless.

Giving details of children kidnapped so far Barrister Ibor said: “On the 9th of July 2015, a 1 year and 9 months old baby was kidnapped at Ikot Abasi Obori Street, Ikot Ishie Town, Calabar. On 2nd June, 2015 a 4 and a half year old child was kidnapped at Awi, Akamkpa, Cross River State. On 15th May, 2015 a 4 year old child was kidnapped at Akamkpa, Cross River State and a 2 and a half year old child was also kidnapped at Idang, Calabar South. In April, 2015 a 4year old child was kidnapped at 8 mile axis of Calabar.

“Other cases include, an 18-month-old child who was kidnapped in May, 2015 after the kidnappers had lured the child’s mother to Aba, Abia State under the pretence of giving her a job. Again, in April, 2015, a 7 year old child was kidnapped at Ambo Street, Calabar South. Another 7 year old child was kidnapped in April, 2015 at Idang, Calabar South. On 14th May, 2014 a 2 year old child was kidnapped at Okon Ekpo Close, Off Jebbs, Calabar South.

“In September, 2014 a four years old child was kidnapped at Adiabo, Odukpani L.G.A. Also, a little boy of 6 years and his sister (a 2 year old child), were both kidnapped in

Paraded kidnapper

June, 2014 at Ikot-Eyo, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State. We have the full data and documentation of these kidnapped children in Cross River State.

All cases are too numerous to mention and are on the rise daily,” Barrister Ibor alleged.

The group said that there is speculation that these many incidents of kidnapping are sponsored by Politicians in the State who use the innocent victims for sacrificial rituals to gain perceived political victories and favors at elections and electoral tribunals.

Unfortunately, PACT discovered desperate parents have fallen victims of fraud and wicked extortion from the hands of police and ‘prophets.’ Citing example of a particular parent who was swindled N40, 000, by a ‘prophet yet their child is nowhere to be found. “Some self-proclaimed prophets claim to have spiritual powers to conjure

ey, mostly in the tune of millions of naira before releasing their victims.

The abduction of over 200 female students at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok on April 14, 2014 further exposed the security problem being faced by Nigerians to the international community.

The mass kidnap sparked headlines worldwide and invited international collaboration towards rescuing the girls and fighting against terrorism in Nigeria. The question is how does the country degenerate to this deplorable security situation? Worried citizen bared their minds why describing kidnapping as an evil industry.

For Kolawole Ayinde, a Lagos resident, crave for wealth is what is pushing people into soiling their hands in the name of kidnapping. “Crave for instant wealth constitute significant motive behind kidnapping for ritual purpose whereby human body

Kidnapping has grown out of the decades-old question of resource control and the tensions between the haves and have-nots and lure the kidnappers to bring back the missing children. At the moment, we are making efforts in collaboration with some security agents to arrest one of the prophets for extorting N40, 000 from one of the parents and victims. Despite all such claims and so-called investigations, no child has yet been found or returned to their parents,” Barrister said.

The group further expressed worry that rather than help to unravel the cases of kidnapping, the police turn around to extort the desperate parents of victims in the guise of funding the investigation.

These and many other cases either reported or concealed for fear of ill-treatment, point clearly to the sickening level that the kidnapping malaise is daily assuming in the country. The general state of insecurity in the country has reached an embarrassing level and the spate of kidnapping a national disgrace. For sometimes now, the country has been battling with this scourge, which has become a national humiliation and a scandal to a country that pride itself as the largest economy in Africa. Kidnapping has remained endemic in the Nigeria despite concerted effort of security agencies to combat the scourge. Kidnapping in the country is attributable to ransom payment and rituals. Kidnappers demand mon-

parts believed to induce supernatural power are used for fetish purposes.

“Kidnappers go for their victims either in their homes, places of worship or on the road. While most of the victims regain their freedom after the payment of ransom, some others are murdered even after ransom is paid,” he said.

As Makinde Oguns, a civil servant believes unemployment is number one factor pushing youths into kidnapping. “One of the factors is unemployment, especially among the youths. Government needs to intensify efforts at job creation and economic empowerment programmes. The new administration promised to tackle unemployment which is skyrocketing in high heavens by the day. They also promised to give an allowance to them. They should begin the implementation of such laudable plans fast so that the teeming unemployed youths would have jobs and be busy,” he said.

In line with Mr. Ayinde’s submission, Mr. Oguns also thinks crave to get rich quickly without labour is a disturbing factor which requires value education and reorientation.

Nigerian human-rights monitor Casely Omon-Ihabor once said the kidnappings started as a way to draw national and international attention to the difficulties of communities living in Niger Delta region.

“But now, it has spread all over the country,” said Omon-Ihabor. “It has become a very lucrative business for jobless youth. I tell you, if these youth were employed, they would not be kidnapping. But because they are not employed, because they are idle and not just idle, they are armed.” Some kidnappers are criminal groups seeking money; others are armed militants with a host of demands that include more jobs, reduced corruption and a sharing of the nation’s oil wealth generated in the Delta. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil producers, but most Nigerians live on less than $1 a day,” he submitted.

Nigerian political analyst Adekunle Amuwo also averred, “Kidnapping has grown out of the decades-old question of resource control and the tensions between the haves and the have-nots. “The worship for money is a facilitating factor for the crime of kidnapping. So far, money remains the motivating factor in every case of the crime. Kidnapping, like other major crimes in the region, such as illegal oil bunkering, violent attacks on oil companies, the rise of criminal gangs, centers on who gets what in the ‘big business’ of kidnapping those who can pay the huge ransom. Kidnapping today is strictly commercial and it is a lucrative business for its perpetrators,” he said.

Bringing to bare some resultant effects of this ill, Peter Ikeh, an Idumota-based and also an international businessman trader said: “In fact, in Nigeria today, it could be said that the fear of being kidnapped is the beginning of security consciousness. This situation has made some countries issue constant travel warnings to their citizens about Nigeria which is affecting tourism and business transactions in the country.

“The negative image is not healthy for the country’s socio-economic development, Hence the need to urgently address of factors responsible for the menace,” Mr. Ikeh said.

Comrade Abdulrahman Agboola, a journalist says, “There is no justification for criminalities in our legal system which forms the existence of security personnel to abate crimes and keep the society safe from outlaws. The reign of kidnapping in Southern Nigeria has reached an alarming level over time but it remain unabated either due to complacency or incapacitation of our security agencies which is odd to swallow considering the huge budget of the Country on Security,” said. Adding that, it will not be appropriate to allege Officers of Nigeria Police Force of compromise or gross incompetence but it should be appropriate to blame State Governors for our security flaws as Chief Security Officers that enjoys huge amounts as security votes with nothing significant to show,” Comrade Agboola stated.

However, the erstwhile Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, once identified some of the bottlenecks challenges police face in dealing with the criminals in the country. “You see, we cannot stop them from kidnapping. It is only investigation that can do that. One is that in some countries, when telephone calls are made, the police have access to the call log but here, once telephone calls are made with mobile phones, providers won‘t give us that call log. They want us to get a court order in an emergency like investigation. To get the number, you have to go through a tortuous and tedious way of getting court order before the services providers can give the call log. These are unnecessary bottlenecks the police authorities have to deal with which in turn militate against investigative powers of the police.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

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We celebrated Independence Day, Sallah in the rain – Ijora Badia East evictees

Demolished houses

By Patience Ogbo

S

eptember 17th is a day over 15,000 residents in Ijora Badia East in Lagos state will not forget in a hurry.

According to the residents, It was a day, over 100 security operatives accompanied members from the Ijora royal family to forcefully evict them from their homes.

The residents stated that they were woken to the sound of gun shots and the noise of heavy duty equipment strategically stationed but as they grapple to understand what the noise was all about, heavily armed security operatives chased them to leave thier homes shortly after, what used to be thier homes and means of livelihood in ruins.

When our correspondent visited the community, she saw sad looking residents with their children and the elderly sleeping and eating in the open as others ,steered at the ruins that used to be thier homes while some others were seen scavengering and securing what was left of thier property.

Our correspondent noticed a young woman with a newly born baby in a make -shift wooden stall holding tight to her baby.

The new mother who introduced herself as Biodun Okunola 25 said her home was demolished barely one month after she gave birth.

She said “ I am a food vendor. I also sell drinks. On that fateful day about 2am I was sleeping in the house with my husband and our other child when we started hearing horrible noise. I was shocked and ran out with my new baby while my husband

ran out with our other child. Other residents came out and the noise of heavy duty equipment filled the air. Residents were running helter skelter . They were saying “run run, they want to demolish houses” I was confused. I did not know what to do. My husband said we should save ourselves. As we were running, I saw heavily armed security men. I held on to my baby and ran to a safe place. By daybreak, I saw my husband looking for me and by the time we went back to our home to find out the cause of the noise and shooting, we were shocked to see our home in ruin.

I started asking questions because I could not fathom what happened. I learnt that some people called Ijora family were the ones who brought the police and the bulldozers to demolish houses .My shop was demolished too . We couldn’t pick a pin from the house . This was a place we lived for seven years. Nobody came to inform us they were coming to demolish houses.

We were left with nothing but the clothes we have on our back. Government should come to our rescue as we have no place to go. My husband had to build a makeshift stall from planks so we can sleep . That is where we spent the Sallah and Indepen-

dence Day . We had to use tampouline to cover ourselves when rain fell. we have no place to sleep with our children”.

Another resident, Shola Ayetoba 22 ,also calls on the government to come to thier rescue.

He said “ I am a plumber . I live in Ijora Badia East all my life because I was born here. My parents are dead and my siblings and I are struggling to make ends meet. I was not at home that fateful day the demolition took place. It was my girlfriend that called me to rush home that some people from the Ijora family accompanied by security men from the navy, police were demolishing houses.I ran home and all the houses had been demolished. I was in shock. I am aware that a notice of eviction from the Ijora family was pasted on the wall that we should leave but the notice did not specify when we should leave. They pasted the notice on the 16th and the next day they came with thier bulldozers and other duty equipment to demolish houses. I thought they will give us till January 2016 to relocate because our representatives were holding meetings with them but they have done thier worst. They have left us in the cold . I don’t have anywhere to go

My wife died two weeks after she gave birth to our third child. I was still mourning her and thinking of how to cater for our new born child and the two other little children when demolition hit us

with my siblings. I learnt that people were begging them to allow them move household goods before they start demolishing but the the security men prevented them . We are crying to government to relocate us. I had to build a room with a tampouline so we can have a place to put our heads.

The rain fell on us and the sun too. Government should have pity on us and come to our rescue, we lost our fridge, generators, clothes, and other household good” A widower, Tunde Ojora said the demolition of his house added grief and hardship to his family as he is yet to recover from the sudden death of his wife .

He said “ I was a tenant in the community for eight years. My wife died two weeks after she gave birth to our third child . I was still mourning her and thinking of how to cater for our new born child and the two other little children when demolition hit us. That fateful day, I took the baby to my mother to take care of her for me but before I came back, they had demolished my house. Thank God my other children were with my sister probably they would have been killed. I was at my mother’s house when I recieved a call that my house had been demolished. By the time I ran back, the house was in ruin. I did not pick anything . I am confused and distraught. I dont know where to start. I could not celebrate Sallah despite the fact that I am a Muslim. Where will I stay with my children to celebrate? I am thinking of where to run to to get money to rent another apartment. Though I am from the Ijora family, I am affected by the demolition because we were not given enough time to relocate and government did not find an CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

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OCTOBER 17, 2015

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‘Where do we go from here?’

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alternative for us” A mother of two sets of twins , Mrs Taiwo Benjamin said residents were evicted like animals.

She said “ I am a land lady in this community. I was born and breed here and I got married in this community. All the while I have been living here, we were not informed that we are illegal occupants so I was shocked when they came with bulldozer to demolish my home of over twenty years. The demolition has brought me pains and sorrow. I have two set of twins and the last set, about 2 years old are sick because they were exposed to cold because we have been sleeping in the open since the demolition. I lost all my drinks and other commodities in my provision stores . I lost my home. We are sleeping in the open because we have no place to go.

The government should come to our rescue. We are citizens of this country but they are treating us like animals. On that day of the demolition, the security operatives chased us as if they were chAsing cattles. They did not allow us to remove any property. We need government and good Nigerians to come to our aid” A hotel manager , Olumide Ebiwanno said he lost millions of Naira after his houses and hotel were demolished “I am an hotel manager , I went to Ikorodu that day of the demolition but before I could rush back to see things for myself, the hotel I am managing for someone,my houses were destroyed. Each of the house has ten rooms. I took the property on lease and now I have lost everything I worked for for sixteen years. What I lost runs into millions and I don’t know where else to go for help. We had agreement with former governor Babatunde Fashola that we will be relocated before the demolition. The government did not fulfill thier promise and they allowed Ijora family to hurt us . I am using this medium to appeal to governor Ambode to come to our rescue . I have been sleeping in the cold” A 65 year old woman Mrs Stella Omogbemi said she is yet to come to terms with the demolition.

She said “ I am a traditional birth attendant and can hardly move because I have elephantiasis on one of my legs. I am a landlady here for more than thirty years. My husband died and left me and my children with the house.That fateful day, I had attended to a woman who came to give birth to a child about 1am .As I tried to sleep , with. Y children and grandchildren, I started hearing noise. I thought they brought bulldozers to clear the canal beside us but to my shock, people started shouting, “ run , run , run . My children ran out and they came back to inform me that we should escape. I came out and saw Fatia Ojora and he told me that they have orders from the court to demolish houses . I started defecating on my body because the shock was too much. I asked him, where he expected me to go with my children and grand children but he did not answer. The suddenness of the demolition was too much to bear . My children had to carry me to flee with my family as the security men could not allow us to take any property. They demolished everything . We did not pick anything from the house. We have been sleeping in the open. Government should come to our aid” A trader and mother of four, Mrs Hazan

Dreams reduced to rubbles

Kubura said she lost her shop with goods worth hundred of Naira.

“I am a tenant in this community. I lived here for six years and I had a provision shop. It was a big shop but today I cannot boast of anything because my shop was demolished. I travelled to my village that fateful day they demolished. My shop with all the goods were demolished. I was left with nothing. That shop was where I got money to cater for my family and my aged parents.

I don’t know where to start from. Government should come to our rescue because the blow is too”.

Chief Lawole a 68 -year -old and human rights activist claimed to be one of the earliest settlers at Ijora Badia East. He denied

reports that the residents are illegal occupants.

He said “ I have been living in this community since 1973. It is not true that we are illegal occupants because it was the federal government that relocated us from the former railway quarters to this place. Recently, we started hearing about the Ojora famil having interest in our land. We ran to the federal minister of Housing in Abuja and we showed documents and master plan that brought us to this land. The then minister was looking into the issue and the federal government delegation came from Abuja to meet hold a meeting with us. The Lagos state government was represented in that meeting and the federal govern-

Peaceful protest by the community

We are sleeping in the open because we have no place to go. The government should come to our rescue. We are citizens of this country but they are treating us like animals

ment ordered them not to demolish or sale our lands after they gave them proof of the feasibility report that the land belongs to the federal government. However, in 2013, the former governor of lagos state Mr. Fashola demolished Badia and we protested with other national and international human rights groups. Governor fashola had to stop his demolition . This recent demolition is a conspiracy between the Lagos state government and the Ojora family.

As it is, there is no gazette to state that the land has been given to the Lagos state government. This is an illegal demolition and it is unacceptable. The federal government should intervene” A human rights activist and the chief executive of Rural and Urban Development Iniattive (RUDI) a non for profit organization, mr. Musbau Agbodimu took our correspondent round the demolished community in Ijora Badia East. He condemned the demolition exercise.

Mr. Agbodimu also expressed his displeasure over the demolition exercises in Lagos state when he led a group of protesters to the Lagos State Assembly on the 2015 World Habitat Day. He urged the governments to quickly put machinery in place to alleviate the plight of the evicted residents at Ijora badia East and other residents in Lagos that were forcefully evicted.

He said “Nigeria joined the world to celebrate World Habitat Day on October 5th.

The question is, can Lagos residents join in this celebration? More than fifty thousand people have been forcefully evicted from their homes in Lagos state and we don’t know the next community that will be evicted. These are poor and vulnerable people trying to eke a living for themselves but the government turned against them and demolished the houses they can provide for themselves. This is not what obtains in other countries as housing, shelter are government responsibility to thier citizens . It is sad that government in Nigeria especially in Lagos state has not provided accomdation but they are demolishing people’s houses and rendering them homeless. According to the United Nation, every government should provide at less 10,000 housing units every year to meet the housing needs of its people. The Lagos state government is notorious for forceful eviction of the poor. They chase the poor from thier homes without compensating them in the name of rebuilding the community but after rebuilding, the houses are given to the rich because they become too exhorbant for the poor. That is the case in Makoko, Temidire and other communities that the government took over. We are saying enough is enough . Is this the change the APC led federal government talked about? Lagos state government cannot continue in its demolition of houses without providing alternative low cost houses for the people. As I sm talking to you, more than twenty thousand residents are sleeping and living in the open at the Bar beach and in the open .They are victims of forceful eviction. It is sad that the government is not doing anything to check Shylock landlords in the state but they are quick to demolish the homes of the poor and vulnerable. Is it a crime to be poor in Nigeria?. We are appealing to the federal government and international organizations and the United Nation to come to the rescue of the evicted residents and call lagos state government to order to stop its demolition spree”

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

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Jenny

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

ELEBRITY

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I’m not a dropout

—T-Code

T-Code became famous with the song, Hotter Than Fire.

Since then, he has been waxing stronger. In this interview

by OSEYIZA OOGBODO, he doesn’t beat about the bush as he declares that he’s the originator of fuji hip-hop, not LKT. He also explains why he and his Hotter Than Fire cosingers, Sheyman and Dr Pat, parted ways.

Why did you choose T-Code as your professional name?

Well, in this industry, you need a name that will make people want to know who you are and is simple and easy to pronounce and remember at the same time. And most times, we choose our artist name from our original name and that’s what I did too. My name is Taiwo Korodo so I combined the first alphabets of the two to make T–Code because I’m a coded guy.

You are popular for your fuji hip-hop style. How did it happen for you?

Well, I began singing professionally in the year 2000 with a full fuji music band. Later, I delved into hip-hop. I felt it was time to step up as an educated

someone who wishes to be like you. That makes you a role model. He is also doing fuji hip-hop but genuine music analysts can tell who is the original and better among us. See, I’m the king of the genre, and that’s not in contention. But I see everything as a healthy competition between us.

guy. As a matter of fact, singing just fuji wasn’t given me the recognition I wanted so I decided to modernize it and the only way was to make it hip-hop. I did so and it has paid off for me and I’m the pioneer of fuji hip-hop anywhere.

After Hotter Than Fire, people expected more songs from you, Sheyman and Dr Pat, but you parted instead. Why, what happened?

I left them because I rediscovered myself and realised I had to do new things on my own. I found out it was time to be myself again as I was before and not in a collective.

Also, I know the value of being independent and I realised it more when people were saying I couldn’t survive without Sheyman and Dr Pat so I decided to leave them to stop people thinking that without Sheyman and Dr Pat, I couldn’t survive.

You say you are the pioneer but people believe you are copying LKT. No. I’m not. I’m way ahead of LKT. I often wonder why people think I copy songs that LKT did or that I imitate his voice. That is a capital NO. I’m always amused when people think I’m the one copying him. Let me tell you, I can tell you when LKT started his career as a musician. But he can never come out to say he knew when I began singing. Except if he goes to do research on me. But no problem, it’s good to have

What are the challenges you are facing?

I don’t believe in challenges. I see them as paying one’s dues as it is impossible not to have challenges, even if you are the best at what you do. So I believe one will continue to pay his dues as long as he lives. Even mega stars like Chief Ebenezer Obey, KSA and others are still paying their dues. Once you stop paying dues, you are gone, career wise. So it is normal to me that I’ll keep paying my dues.

Most musicians are uneducated or dropouts. How about you?

I am different oh. Education is very important and I believe in it so much.

That’s why I studied banking and finance at Kwara State Polytechnic and graduated in 2002. But I’ve always loved entertainment from when I was little and I was already trying my hand at music before I gained admission so when I graduated, it wasn’t difficult for me to decide to delve fully into music especially as the Nigerian music industry was really growing then and keeps growing fast even now so there are more opportunities for one as a musician now.

There were also rumours about you and Laide Bakare.

They were irrelevant and unnecessary rumours. What’s the big deal in being friends and colleagues with her? I’m not surprised that people insinuated about us, but that is the world for you. Anyway, I met her at an event of another actor, Saidi Balogun. That was in 2011. Funny enough, we were fans of each other. Even as at that time we met, one of my songs was her ringtone. Anyway, I sold the idea of us doing some things together to her and when we met again at another event shortly afterwards, she said she was interested in us working together and that was what gave birth to her record label project and so we recorded Azonto Fuji.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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s w ne Seyi Shay remixes Right Now with Iyanya and Banky W OCTOBER 24, 2015

08036961187

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kingseiza@gmail.com

with

Oseyiza Oogbodo

Shay

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ne of the biggest female artists in Africa this year, Seyi Shay, has remixed her hit single, Right Now, with R&B dons Banky W and Iyanya.

If you think the original was sexy, you definitely need to bump the remix of the Harmony Sam-

Iyanya

muels’ produced joint released three months ago as Shay’s first single since going international with Island Records.

Right Now, in the same fashion as Murda, another of her hit singles, has gone on to dominate and top several charts across Africa with its

Deonlysaint hits the stage with Mr Olopa

A

fter much ground work, talented hip-hop singer, Dr Adesina Chinedu, who is better known as Deonlysaint, has hit the music stage with his first ever single, Mr Olopa featuring Kelcube.

The new single was officially released nationwide a few days back and it’s gradually winning the consciousness of music fans with its vibe, rhythm and message.

Deonlysaint

Presently the song is on radio and on blogs across the nation, and in the next few days, the artistic singer will be hitting locations for the video shoot of the song.

Deonlysaint’s music journey started a decade ago. Just like many others, he started singing at the age of eight in a church choir and later joined a defunct music group, DRW, during his high school days.

Previously into rap, he later metamorphosed into afropop. Apart from his music dexterity, Deonlysaint is also a medical doctor who graduated from the University of Benin. He’s also of a mixed ethnic background with his father a Yoruba and his mother an Igbo.

At the moment, he’s managed by Lednit Scream Aloud Entertainment and Kuronbefun Entertainment However, despite the success he’s gathering from his debut single, Deonlysaint is not resting on his oars as he’s currently planning on recording his next single with eclectic producers, Indomix and Altims.

He’s also planning to feature some superstars on the songs.

W

slow dance reggae approach and an amazing video shot by Meji Alabi that’s got the world talking.

Banky W and Iyanya come through on the remix and deliver amazing verses. W continues his run with another seductive punchline-filled rap, while Iyanya raises

the roof with every possible melody delivered from his amazing voice.

Right Now Remix follows up a succession of hits that have placed Shay at the top of the pecking order.

Shay has announced that she will be releasing her debut album, Seyi or Shay, in November.

Project Fame 2015 finalists’ latest move … to release collabos with superstars

2015 finalists and collaborating stars

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inalists of Project Fame 2015 are set to release their official debut singles, just a few weeks after the end of the competition.

These new singles are set to make a mark as they are collaborations with major artists and top producers in the music industry. This new initiative by Ultima Limited with the support of 960 Music is expected to launch the contestants’ careers and showcase their talent to a very large audience of music lovers all over.

Earlier on during the competition, the contestants were paired with established artists to recreate one of the established artists’ hits. This proved to be a huge success.

Now again, each of the 6 finalists have been freshly paired with A-list artists and producers to compose and record their debut singles which will be released during a live concert by the collaborators on October 24th, 2015 and will be given massive airplay.

Below is the list of the new collaborations.

Jeff will feature Iyanya (Iyanya is the first-ever Project Fame winner, while Jeff is the latest winner). Pearl will feature Yemi Alade; Anderson Sound Sultan; Ada Chidinma (PF winner/alumnus); Arewa Praiz (PF alumnus) and Deinde will flow with 9ice.

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news

OCTOBER 24, 2015

CLASSICAL LYRICS

Jimi Solanke, Chris Ajilo, Beautiful Nubia for EMUfest

Solanke and Nubia

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e (EMUfest organisers) are pleased to announce the schedule for the 6th annual EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest 2015). As in previous years, all the events are free and open to every member of the public.

The festival commences on Thursday, November 5 with a songwriting and percussion workshop for all ages, followed by the very popular Talent Night where more than 25 emerging musicians will showcase their works with a live band.

Both events will take place at EniObanke Arts Centre, 19 Adekunle Fajuyi Way,

Nubia and Ajilo

GRA Ikeja at 11am and 5pm respectively.

On Friday, November 6, the festival shifts base to Ijebu-jesa, Osun State, where the townspeople and visitors will get to enjoy performances by legendary highlifer Chris Ajilo, Beautiful Nubia and others as part of the town’s annual heritage celebration called Egboro Day. This concert will hold at Ijebu-jesa Town Hall from 5pm until late in the evening.

The festival train rolls into Ibadan on Saturday, November 7 with a concert scheduled to hold at Alliance Francaise, 7th Day Road, Iyaganku from 5pm until 9pm.

The EMUfest Grand Concert, which has always been the highpoint of the festival, holds on Sunday, November 8 at the aforementioned EniObanke Arts Centre, starting from 3pm until 9pm. It will be headlined by the highly acclaimed storyteller, dramatist and musician, ‘Baba Agba’ Jimi Solanke, Beautiful Nubia and many other folk music innovators.

Unlike previous years, however, the Grand Concert will not mark the end of this year’s festival. On Saturday, November 14, EMUfest will feature a special concert as part of the annual Lagos Book and Art Festival.

Kelly Hansome releases his first official 2015 single

A

fter the leak of Bounce Along which still has the internet buzzing and wanting more from the Maga Music Group head honcho, Kelly Hansome, he again lives up to expectations on Akunatakasi, a jam destined to win hearts and backsides on the dance floor.

Akunatakasi is an afropop single with a highlife groove dedicated to the loyal lady who stuck by her man through thick and thin as he hustles to become successful, and in Akunatakasi, Kelly pledges to spend his fortune with his loyal chic.

Being one of those talented artists who are gifted with crafting beats as well as singing, Akunataksi is produced by Kelly himself with assistance from fellow Ugly Beatz compadre, Otyno. The production quality is a testament of Kelly’s growth and consistency over the years.

Revealing the concept of the song to his followers on social media, he shared

pictures of famous couples whose relationships have stood the test of time. You can join in the conversation also by sharing pictures of model long term relationships and tagging Kelly on Instagram using the hashtags #Akunatakasi #GrindTogether #BallTogether.

The song premiered on October 20 on the morning rush on The BEAT 99.9 FM with veteran OAP, Olisa Adibua.

In English, Akunatakasi means ‘wealth bites’. The song is inspired and created to be the soundtrack to an upcoming movie

by Charles Okocha with the same title Akunatakasi which stars Kelly who also plays a role behind the scenes as project manager for the movie.

A hard worker, besides working on new music and acting, Kelly is currently studying and working on a couple of books about the music business which he hopes will benefit upcoming artists and music professionals when released.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hansome

Falling For You Artist: Di’ja featuring Patoranking Continued from last week You wanna make love I make the money Slow down make I show you the way Take you on a ride to that milky way Rude boy always in a hurry You wanna make love I make the money Ogbeni make I show you the way Take you on a journey to that milky way Chorus (Di’ja) Boy your mouth too sweet, see I’m falling for you Baby boy I am falling for you See I like your style, I am falling for you Baby boy make I whine am for you Boy your mouth too sweet, see I’m falling for you Baby boy I am falling for you See I like your style, I am falling for you Baby boy make I whine am for you Chorus (Patoranking) I tell you whine on me tonight High mana go crazy Make you no go sleep tonight Omo na democracy I swear you no go sleep tonight Girl whine whine whine The way you whine on me tonight Girl whine whine whine Girl you no go sleep tonight Girl whine whine whine Move your body feel alright Baby just whine whine whine Verse (Di’ja) Hold me close, never let me go Hold me tight, you know You love the way I whine Hold me close, never let me go Hold me tight, you know You love the way I whine Verse (Patoranking) Cutie me love what me hearing At the same time me love what you wearing Your backside is looking so daring Yeah me want that your love girl no sharing Hook (Patoranking and Di’ja] What you gon do What you gon do now Hey girl me wan kiss and caress you What you gon do What you gon do now Tell me if na cash and carry Wha ya say Chorus (Di’ja) Boy your mouth too sweet, see I’m falling for you Baby boy I am falling for you See I like your style, I am falling for you Baby boy make I whine am for you Boy your mouth too sweet, see I’m falling for you Baby boy I am falling for you See I like your style, I am falling for you Baby boy make I whine am for you

Concluded

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

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162 African superstars confirm attendance for AFRIMA 2015 in Lagos

•••Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Diamond Platnumz, Casper Ynovest, Yemi Alade, Charlotte Dipanda, AKA, Olamide, Stanley Enow, Davido, Stonebwoy among them

Ladysmith-Black-Mambazo

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n celebration of African music and culture, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in league with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) has announced AFRIMA 2015 nominees and the multiple award-winning male choral group from South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo to lead the invasion of over one hundred and sixty two (162) African superstars who have confirm attendance to the 2015 AFRIMA Awards slated for Sunday, November 15 at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ladysmith is arguably the most decorated male group in Africa, having won multiple awards including four Grammys in 1988, 2004, 2009 and 2013 respectively. Formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, the group had been singing together since the early 1950s. However, it was Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s collaboration with Paul Simon in 1986 for the Graceland album that brought it the much needed international acclaim.

Confirming their performance at AFRIMA Awards, band’s manager, Majozi Christopher Zolisile, stated: “AFRIMA 2015 will be staged in November which coincidentally is the month for Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s 55th anniversary. It will be amazing and electrifying to perform on a big stage like All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2015 in Nigeria.

We are looking forward to it.”

Other artistes billed to perform at the award ceremony include Yemi Alade from Nigeria, who broke records with her hit single, ‘Johnny’ in 2013. Her counterpart from Cameroon, Charlotte Dipanda, an Afro pop singer, who has worked with Congolese singer, Papa Wemba and provided background vocals for Manu

Davido

Dibango, Rokia Traore and Axelle Red will also grace the AFRIMA stage. The duo of Diamond Platnumz, a Bongo Flava recording artist and dancer from Tanzania and Olamide from Nigeria will set the stage on fire at the AFRIMA 2015. Both have won numerous awards.

Other artistes and nominees that that have confirmed attendance from Eastern Africa include Vanessa Mdee, Bebe Cool, Tsedenia, Alikiba, H_Art the Band, Dr. Jose Chameleone, Danny Kalima, Makadem, Lilian Mbabazi, Sauti Sol, Cindy, Lulu & the Zakaleo Band, Liron, Suzanna Owiyo, Ben Pol, THT, and Teddy Afro.

From Southern Africa are top acts like AKA, Busiswa, Amantle, Cindy Munyavi, Gazza, Blade Deep/Delura, The Soil, Kunle Ayo, Cassper Nyovest, and KO while representing Central Africa are Awilo Logomba, Stanley Enow, Charlotte Dipanda, NG Bling, Jovi, Daphne, M’vula, Betty Akna, Mani Bella, Featurist, Vumomse, Missy BK, and DJ Malvado.

Confirming attendance from West Africa region are Sarkodie, Stoneboy, Toofan, Kiff No Beat, Dark Suburb “The Skeleton”, DJ Arafat, Wiyaala, Sekou Kouyate, Gangbe Brass Band etc. Representing the host, Nigeria include Davido, Wizkid, P-Square, Timaya, Nneka, Flavour, Darey, Brymo, Seyi Shay, Wande Coal, Praiz, Niyola, Patoranking, Adekunle Gold, Kiss Daniel, Aramide, Timi Dakolo, and J. Martins among others.

The Central and Northern Africa regions’ delegates will be led by Awilo Logomba, Stanley Enow, Charlotte Dipanda, NG Bling, Jovi, Daphne, M’vula, Betty Akna, Mani Bella, Featurist, Vumomse, Missy BK, and DJ Malvado,

Diamond Platnumz

Yemi Alade

and Manal, Don Bigg, Monsif Jilali and Ahmed Soultan, Cheba Sabrine, Alsarah, Souad Massi, Samira Said, Gabacho Maroconnection among others.

The 2015 AFRIMA Awards will be broadcast live to 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world with the support of AFRIMA media partners

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stands still for Fifty ondonAkindele, LFunke

Lin fresh tiff with celebrity blogger, Linda Ekeji ondon was brought to a standstill last Saturday, October 17th, 2015 as the festival premiere of the enthralling motion picture, Fifty, and the cast of A-list Nollywood stars quietened the Funke usuallyelebrity raucousmovie streetsartiste, of London’s Akindele, is rarely upset about Leicester Square. publications about her. But with This event marked the first Linda Ekeji, celebrated blogger, the African-style film premiere in movie maestro of ‘Jenifa’ fame is ready London and witnessed the largest to make an exception. ever assembly of spectators during Popular known as Jenifa, Akindele its the London Film and hasscreening asked Ms.atIkeji to withdraw Festival. apologize for a post on Ms. Ikeji’s blog The stars the night Omoni published onofJanuary 25,were titled, Did Funke Ireti Akindele shade ToyinEgbusonAimakhu Oboli, Doyle, Dakore last night?

Akande, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Wale InThe the post, Ms. Ikeji suggested that Ojo. celebrities were joined by an Instagram picture on Ms. Akindele’s the acclaimed creative director, Biyi page was intended as a slight on Bandele, and the award-winning fellow actress, Ms. Aimakhu, who was executive producer, Mo Abudu. recently rumored to have separated In continuance of its worldwide from her husband, Adeniyi Johnson. acclaim and overwhelming According to Ms. Ikeji, the two appreciation, much awaited actresses had the previously fallen out Fifty thrilled a grateful festival audience and enjoyed a rapturous and unending standing ovation. The movie is set for release nationwide

C

“(The post has portrayed) Funke Akindele’s brand in bad light,” her management said. “It has promoted unhealthy rivalry where there is none.”

Reports has it that Ms. Akindele’s lawyer, said the post was “borne out of pure malice for our client who has carved an inch (sic) for herself in the entertainment industry whilst also inciting hatred between our client and Toyin Aimakhu on one hand and our client and her fans on the other hand,” in a seven paragraph letter made available to the media outfit.

Ms. Ikeji was subsequently advised to remove the post, offer a retraction and Ms. Aimakhu had “shaded” Ms. and make available a link to Ms. Akindele over the latter’s 2014 divorce.

Akindeke’s team.

Doyle, Abudu, Bandele, Egbuson and the premiere MsOboli,Akindele, through her Ikpe-Etim at As at the time this report got to us, management, said thanks to Ms. Ikeji’s their personal on the December 18th, 2015.

Ms. Linda Ikejilives, is yetwhile to sayjuggling anything blog post, she was exposed to “cynical careers and family against the concerning the case.

Fifty captures a few pivotal days comments and hasty judgements”. sprawling backdrops of the upper in the lives of four Nigerian women middle class neighbourhoods of at the pinnacle of their careers.

Lagos.

Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are The four lead characters muster forced at midlife to take inventory of courage, put on their six-inch heels, work hard and party too, and strut confidently to tackle life’s curveballs head-on.

With rave reviews, a world-class creative team (of vast Nigerian ancestry), and a tale that speaks directly to the psyche of every conscious Nigerian woman, Fifty is a poignant and hugely momentous chapter in Nigeria’s emergence on the world film stage. The film is set

Chidinma How to succeed in fails the entertainment freestyle — Jenny O test B roadcaster and musician, Jenny O, has adviced entertainers who are yet to succeed on how to become successful.

When E-News asked her what she feels are the determinants that can make an artist successful in Nigeria, she said, “First is the proper ap-

proach to people. Some care little how they relate with people and tend to come off very annoying and rude. Well, it’s not a good idea if you wish to stay relevant and successful in the music industry.

“Another factor that should be considered also is what you’re putting out, whether a song or video. Ensure it’s something the audience would find appealing.

Having faith and trusting God go a long way too.”

Victor Udoh

A

s he prepares to release his album, I Am Not Afraid, aspiring gosto redefine movie-making andhas moviepel singer, Victor Uche, told going in Africa.

E-News that he was inspired to record Fifty will premiere inencounter Nigeria with the album because of his with a special Grand World Premiere on December 13th, 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and there are a limited number of tables available at this grand premiere, so book your VVIP table now and be one of the first to watch Fifty on the continent. Fifty will then be released in cinemas nationwide on the December 18th, 2015.

Go out and support this African movie-magical experience wherever you are in the world as Fifty also enjoys worldwide distribution via Netflix to 65 million homes globally.

Glo-sponsored Dance with Peter:

First evictees leave today

T

Jenny O

‘Armed robbery attack inspired my album’

he Globacom-sponsored Dance with Peter reality TV show will today (Saturday) evict the first set of dancers.

A total of eight dancers who recorded the lowest score from the judges were placed on eviction list after last week’s performance. They include the duo of Captain Z and Mannaseh, G-Stream and Ernest Smiley, Snipe and Tom Tom and Fearless and Rick.

Today’s telecast of the show will reveal whom among the dancers have been saved by the voting public and who will exit the competition.

With “Latin American Dances” as the theme of the show, the 30 dancers were paired up and they gave a

good account of themselves which place made it difficult for the judges, Peter Okoye, Kaffy and Don Flexx, to decide on the dancers to be nominated for eviction.

Speaking to the eight contestants on the eviction list, show promoter, Peter of PSquare said that he was sad to see some of them go, adding that the dancers had made him proud. He, therefore urge them to make utmost use of everything they had been taught in the competition.

“Even though you guys are going now, I don’t believe you’re losers.

Ensure that you make use of everything we’ve taught you in here, and if you do that, you can even be better than those that are still in the competition,” Peter said.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Style & Glam

OCTOBER 24, 2015

le StyGlam

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and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

St r uct ure d e legance from

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o be a sophisticated working class girl is to have a fashion-f mind. It is to have orward a wardrobe filled wi th colourful and tastef pieces both for day ul and night events, fo If you are lost at wh rmal and informal ou at t do to fit well int tings. o this class of a wo just have a look at rking girl, this collection from Lady Biba, fashion Bisola Adeniyi . Tagg lab el owned by ed structured elega nce, she designed th for the sophisticate em especially d working class girl.

They are to make a craving working girl fashion want to fill her ward robe with its classy creation. feminine The pieces come bo ld in bright and attr active colours, exud yet playful and inter ing a serious active appeal.

According to Bisola Adeniyi,….“The Stru cture Elegance colle designed mainly for ction was the working girl who wishes she had more hours in a day but than 24 wants to conquer th e world, one elegant time.” heel at a So, if you are that sophisticated working girl that’s exciting, and loves to play wi daring, th secondary colours , then this structur collection will sure ta e ele gance ke your style up a no tch .

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Style & Glam

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

Hot in An

Fashion

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

n frenzy

nkara

n frenzy

Style & Glam

OCTOBER 24, 2015

I

t was nev on an o er a fabric that on ut e could literall ing. Today, y h wear ow t aken o simply n a dif ever, Ankar cannot ah f e s r every Nigeria eem to get e ent life form as n n ; ou “Zebra ” to “I designer from gh of it. Alm we t u ost in the “Jewel en Bas mo i” b runway st amazing w use it in the y Lisa“, s ir a I mean abroad and a ys. It has fe collections t home atured everyw , o h is now a main ere. The low it is everywh n stay in ere; ly reje c every woman ted Ankara ’s ward robe.

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Fashion

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Guest G

‘You are what you wear’

Ms Evelyn Oputu, former Managing Director of Bank of Industry, spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her style and taste. Excerpts:

You stand out in style in spite of your busy schedule. What‘s the secret behind this?

Let’s have it at the back of our

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minds that God is the only one who makes things happen and possible. If anyone has anything, assets or attributes that people can see and acknowledge, it is God that has given it to the person. If you are said to be beautiful, brilliant, rich or good at anything, just know that you are just being blessed. Those who didn’t have those attributes are just not being privileged; it is not as if they don’t want it. So, it cannot be by anyone’s power. If you have a favourable stature, just know that you are just blessed; it is not that you have done something special.

Are you saying one cannot work specially towards an admirable look?

Of course it is possible, but what I am saying is even when you work and it becomes glaring to people around you, just believe that you it has been allowed by divine luck because there are many out there who had worked so hard but had no fruitfulness.

What do you have to say about one’s style and personality?

I will say it is about one’s creativity, one’s style and taste. A person’s style is the person indeed.

It is how the person perceived life and his or her environment. It is the level of that person’s creativity. It reveals some deep things about the person, whether he or she is simple or complicated. It is about you, about the individual.

10 evidence based health tips

1. Nothing soft about soft drinks!

Sugary drinks are the most fattening things you can put into your body. This is because liquid sugar calories don’t get registered by the brain in the same way as calories from solid foods. For this reason, when you drink the so-called soft drinks, you end up eating more total calories. Sugary drinks are strongly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and all sorts of health problems. Keep in mind that fruit juices are almost as bad as soft drinks in this regard. They contain just as much sugar, and the small amounts of antioxidants do NOT negate the harmful effects of the sugar.

2. Go nuts

Despite being high in fat, nuts are incredibly nutritious and healthy. They are loaded with magnesium, vitamin E, fiber and various other nutrients.

Studies show that nuts can help you lose weight, and may help fight Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, about 10-15% of the calories in nuts aren’t even absorbed into the body, and some evidence suggests that they can boost metabolism.

3. Do away with junk

All the processed junk foods in the diet are the biggest reason the world is fatter and sicker than ever before. These foods have been engineered to be “hyperrewarding,” so they trick our brains into eating more than we need, even leading to addiction in some people.They are also low in fiber, protein and micronutrients (empty calories), but high in unhealthy ingredients like added sugar and refined grain

4. Don’t Fear Coffee

Coffee has been unfairly demonized.

The truth is that it’s not unhealthy as it has been made out to be. Coffee is high in antioxidants, and studies show that coffee drinkers live longer, and have a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and numerous other diseases .

5. Eat fish

Pretty much everyone agrees that fish is healthy.This is particularly true of fatty fish, like salmon, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and various other nutrients. Studies show that people who eat the most fish have a lower risk of all sorts of diseases, including heart disease, dementia and depression.

6. Get enough sleep

The importance of getting enough quality sleep can not be overstated. It may be just as important as diet and exercise, if not more. Poor sleep can drive insulin resistance, throw your appetite hormones out of whack and reduce your physical and mental performance. What’s more, it is one of the strongest individual

risk factors for future weight gain and obesity. One study showed that short sleep was linked to 89% increased risk of obesity in children, and 55% in adults.

7. Don’t go on a “diet”

Diets are notoriously ineffective, and rarely work well in the long term. In fact, “dieting” is one of the strongest predictors for future weight gain. Instead of going on a diet, try adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Focus on nourishing your body, instead of depriving it. Weight loss should follow as a natural side effect of better food choices and improved metabolic health.

8. Drink water, especially before meals

Drinking enough water can have numerous benefits. One important factor is that it can help boost the amount of calories you burn. According to some studies, it can boost metabolism by 24-30% over a period of 1-1.5 hours. This can amount to 96 additional calories burned if you drink 2 litres (67 oz) of water per day. The best time to drink water is half an hour before meals.

One study showed that half a litre of water, 30 minutes before each meal, increased weight loss by 44%.

9. Eat your meat

Meat can be a nutritious and healthy part of the diet. It is very high in protein, and contains various important nutrients. The problems occur when meat is overcooked and burnt. This can lead to the formation of harmful compounds that raise the risk of cancer. So, eat your meat, just don’t overcook or burn it.

10. Eat eggs, and don’t throw away the yolk

Whole eggs are so nutritious that they’re often referred to as “nature’s multivitamin.” It is a myth that eggs are bad for you because of the cholesterol.

Studies show that they have no effect on blood cholesterol in the majority of people.

Additionally, a massive review study that included 263,938 individuals found that egg consumption had no association with the risk of heart disease. What we’re left with is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, and the yolk is where almost all of the nutrients are found. Telling people to throw away the yolk is among the worst pieces of advice in the history of nutrition.

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Male Essentials

31

e l b a u l a v n i 5 1 s p i t g n i s s e dr

1. Fit is king – The most dramatic improvement you can make in your style is to make sure everything fits impeccably.

Most guys wear clothes that are too large.

Make sure everything you wear is almost hugging the shape of your body – without being tight. Bad fit is an epidemic. The Kinowear Bible shows you how to avoid the “bad fit disease”.

2. Keep it simple – You want a wardrobe that looks great on you, but don’t overdo it. Don’t wear more than three pieces of jewelry or more than three colors. Don’t dress like a rock star unless you’re in a band. If you want to be flashy, a simpler but stylish look would be sporting a black striped dress shirt with a white blazer, a dark pair of jeans, a dressy belt, and your sharpest dress shoes. You could also add a flashy watch or a simple accessory like an interesting necklace, but nothing more.

3. Change the way you see casual – Casual doesn’t have to be boring. Have fun with collared shirts, or take some inspiration from those who approach casual a bit differently.

4. Pay attention to your supporting pieces - Some sweaters are lean and others are big and chunky. The first rule of thumb is that your top and bottom halves need to match. If you’re wearing a big, chunky, rugged fisherman knit sweater, your bot-

tom needs to be rugged, too. Don’t wear a fisherman’s sweater with a beautiful silkand-wool suit pant. Instead, wear it with something as casual as cargos or jeans, or dress it up with a Harris tweed blazer.

5. Never go shopping alone – Most of the time, it’s tough to trust the sales people because they usually work for commission.

Shop with a friend who will give you their honest opinion.

6. Stay a notch above – Don’t overdo it to a fault, but dare to take some risks. It’s always better to be a little bit overdressed than underdressed in any setting. All you have to do is think about where and who you’re going to be with and just step it up one notch. But make sure you’re not better dressed than someone who is more important in a certain setting, like your boss.

7. Never underestimate the power of details – The last thing on is usually the first thing noticed. So mind the details instead of throwing together the main parts of your outfit. “Details” can include a scarf, a subtle pocket square, or the way you tie your tie knot.

8. Invest in a superb pair of shoes – If it’s one thing that women will notice, it’s your shoes. Especially how clean and sharp they look. It’s easy to wash and press the rest of your clothes to keep them looking new, but most guys disregard their

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

shoes. Show that you’re a man of taste by getting a great pair of shoes and keeping them in pristine condition.

9. Fashion Tees with logos – When you’re going around with a big logo on your shirt, you risk looking like a walking billboard. Lose the lame Coca-Cola shirt and go for a classic v-neck tee or something artsy.

10. Disregard trends – Beware of buying something just because it’s “in” right now – stick to what you truly like. A lot of people rush to get in on the latest trend and end up with a bunch of clothes they don’t wear. It’s better to learn to build a versatile and timeless wardrobe first – then bring in your own twists with some of the new fashion. This one tip will save you so much money 11. Don’t be a sucker for brand names – Don’t be a Patrick Bateman. Before you decide to purchase an item, ask yourself if you are buying it simply because of the brand name or because you love the quality and style. Ask yourself, “Would I buy this if there was no logo on it?”

12. Continually cultivate your image – Invest more time and money into your image. Cultivate your fashion sense. Your style is a huge mode of communication, and is worth caring for as much as your

education, career, and relationships. Sign up for our free crash course on knowing your own style. Oscar Schoffler, longtime fashion editor of Esquire once said, “Never underestimate the power of what you wear.

After all, there’s just a small bit of yourself sticking out at the collar and cuff. The rest of the world sees what you drape on your frame.”

13. Ask for real feedback - Most of your friends and family aren’t going to go out of their way to tell you what looks bad. You have to ask for it. In fact, ask anyone and everyone you trust to tell you the truth. Ask your hairstylist, ask your best friend, ask your mother!

14. Upgrade your shave - Even if your fashion is golden, an unkempt beard can be an attraction killer. Achieve a perfect shave by trying a shave brush and old-fashioned double-edged razor.

15. Experiment with style – The only way you’ll really learn, is if you go out there and try new things. I make an effort to try something completely out of my comfort zone whenever I’m at a store – many times you’ll end up loving something you never thought you would. If you make mistakes, life goes on. So many guys are afraid to express themselves through their style, don’t be one of them.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angle

Male

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

Can a married woman be f M

Why not?

arriage should never be the end to a good friendship, or what do you think? I asked this because I’ve found out that a lot of people find the idea of a married woman being best friends with a married man stupid. I know that you’re supposed to have friends and all that, but if you’re married and you have a best friend that is the opposite gender, then a lot of people will consider that wrong. For a lot of men if not almost all African men, most would tell you if asked that they wouldn’t feel good if they had a wife who had another male friend with whom they were constantly contacting regularly as close friends or best friends.

Many people get confused with the idea that once they start dating and indeed do get married; all friendships with the opposite sex should become a thing of the past.

They will even question the rationale behind making new friends with members of the opposite sex.

This is more common among our women folks who see marriage as the end all and be all, to all human existence. For them, marriage is the final destination for every woman and any woman who’s not married or who is still interested in having friends of the opposite sex while married really do need to have their head examined. They will tell you that your partner should automatically be your best friend if not the only friend you should have.

Granted, they may be right to any extent in the sense that one actually needs to be very good friends with one’s partner if not best friends. For me, marriage is the best compliment you can pay to your friend as it is the ultimate extension of friendship. But be that as it may, marriage is not a jail sentence whereby you are kept in statutory confinement without an option of getting close to someone else apart from your partner. Every friendship outside of a marriage should create a good ambience of understanding and a solid bedrock for emotional stability and help once in a while as a sounding board for how to relate better between the husband and the wife. Healthy friendships will support a marriage and make it stronger. Those

friendships can be of opposite gender and not just same sex as the society commonly accepts. There’s nothing “stupid” about an opposite gender friendship because it can be a very special, uplifting, supporting and positive part of a person’s life. But the married couple has to have a lot of things going for it. I believe for it to work, trust and effective good communication being must be paramount. The opposite sex friendship has to also be quite “transparent” and “out in the open” just like a same gender friendship for it to work. It’s the relationships that are done in secrecy that can cause problems because they reveal a missing trust aspect in the marriage or something worse.

It even becomes imperative to have a close friend at work if one is also in the labour market. In reality, most people do have a close or best friend of the opposite sex at work that can be referred to jokingly as a work spouse and a home spouse. The work spouse is someone with whom you interact and get along with very comfortably in a distinctly friendly manner, sharing things you may not do with the spouse at home because of the nature of your job and the understanding that your married partner may not fully understand the nature of your job and cooperatively getting the job done better and faster. The home spouse is the person with whom you share sex and children and very deeply personal thoughts and feelings with.

It can also happen in other spheres too.

Some friendships would have stood the test of time and it would be a disservice and even very wrong to discard such friendship on the platter of marriage. And yes, it is entirely possible to be very close with both and not be cheating on your spouse at home. Speaking from personal experience here, I do have a few friends of the opposite sex I’m close to and so does my wife. What really matters is mutual trust and respect for each other and the relationship and not allowing mistrust or ego to come into the relationship. All in all, a married woman can be best friends with a married man not her spouse; it’s really not a big deal.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

14 tips to get your partner talking about sex

Do you want your partner or spouse to open up and talk about sex, their interests and the things they want to try in bed? Well, here’s the right way!

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ast experiences. Don’t confess about your past experiences, especially if your partner doesn’t know just how sexually liberated and active you’ve been before you met your lover. Surprisingly, most partners prefer to stay in the dark instead of hearing their partner’s confession about their kinky past.

If you’re sure your partner would be able to handle your past, slip a few details now and then and watch how they react to it over a couple of weeks.

Avoid the serious talk. ‘We need to talk about sex’ is the last thing you should say if you want to broach the topic of sex and sexual fantasies. Well, that’s unless one of you say something that offends the other.

The best time to talk about sex is when both of you are in bed. The second best time to talk about it is when both of you are just fooling around or relaxing around the house. The third best time to talk about it is when the opportune moment crops up, either because of something a friend said or something you saw on TV or in a magazine.]

Speak in third person. If you’re feeling terribly awkward about the impending sexual conversation, talk about a ‘friend of yours’ who likes a particular fantasy or has indulged in a particular sexual act.

It’s easier to talk in third person, and if your partner likes the idea, you can always smile sheepishly and confess that you were talking about yourself ! ]Don’t push it. Don’t go overboard while trying to please your partner, or to prove that you love their idea even if you don’t. Just because your partner enjoys something doesn’t mean they expect you to enjoy the same things. Sometimes, it takes a compromise between sexual interests. And at other times, it has to

be a complete no-no.

Talk to your partner about your sexual interests, or hear theirs out. Take some time for the ideas to sink in, and if it’s something you just can’t do, be frank and tell your lover about it without making them feel judged!

Delay real action. What do you do when you get into bed to make love? Do you rush into the act because you find your lover irresistible? Well, stop and take it slow the next few times you’re in bed with them.

Taking it slow in bed, and talking about things either of you enjoy can be a revelation that can make your sex life a lot more interesting. Take time to explore each other, talk about things both of you enjoy and try new things that feel good in bed.

Start the conversation with a confession. But don’t go overboard just yet. If you’ve been trying to ask your partner what they enjoy, and your partner just blushes coyly or pretends like they’re interested in nothing but the missionary, don’t push them on.

Instead, make a small and calculated confession.

Brush the surface of something you enjoy and tell your partner about it. And see how your boyfriend or girlfriend reacts to your little confession. Taking it slow can help your partner test their own boundaries without assuming you’re a sexual deviant!

Talk dirty in bed. Dirty talk sets things rolling, especially when both of you are completely comfortable to explore each other’s sexual minds without feeling inhibited by it. If you want your partner to open up to you and talk about the things they enjoy sexually, just start talking about something naughty or dirty while having sex with each other. One thing would lead to another, and before you know it, you’ll

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Female

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

friends with another man?

Watch it!

A

This column is x-rated unleash a wildcat. And oh yes, the sex will blow your mind too!

Don’t clam up. Don’t judge your partner. Just because your partner says they’ve fantasized about having a threesome doesn’t make them a bad person. All of us have our own sexual fantasies, and as tame as yours may seem to you, there’s a big chance you’ll shock many with your own imagination!

If your partner trusts you enough to share their deepest, darkest fantasies with you, the least you can do is let your partner know you accept them for who they are. On the other hand, if you clam up and appear shocked or annoyed, your partner may feel ashamed and never ever open up to you again!

That annoying feeling. If something your partner says bothers you or pricks you hard, sit down with your partner. Calmly and cautiously, tell them how you feel, all the while reassuring them that you’re not judging them but just trying to understand their sexual side better.

On the other hand, if your partner’s sex talk or sexual fantasies arouse or interest you, ask your partner to elaborate so you can add your own experiences and interests into the conversation.

Sex suggestions aren’t criticisms. Understand this well, and remember it. If your partner tells you something in bed that offends you, even for a moment, you need to realise that your partner is revealing it to you only to make both your sex lives better. And your partner isn’t saying it just to hurt you or make you feel humiliated in bed.

Accept criticisms in bed gracefully, or even laugh about it. But make sure you remember it so your partner can feel comfortable enough to share their secrets with you in future too.

The right time. Don’t say the wrong things at the wrong time. If your partner talks dirty or shares a fantasy that you don’t particularly appreciate while having sex, don’t stop the toand-fro midway and stare at your partner with a shocked expression. And talking about some-

This column is x-rated thing embarrassing or awkward immediately after having sex isn’t advisable either.

If you really want to go into details about a particular sex secret of your lover’s, talk to them about it a while after they mention it, so they don’t feel judged or insulted by your question.

Be open to the conversation. Ask open ended questions when you’re talking about sex secrets with your partner, and try to see things from their perspective before making judgments.

Discuss things both of you enjoy, and take baby steps into the world of exploring sexual fantasies and dirty ideas together. If it works and something makes both of you super horny, well, good for you guys! And if it doesn’t excite you or your partner, move on, there are enough sexual ideas to set your sexual passion on fire!

And it all starts with communication.

Don’t be a prude. Look, if you want to talk about sex and kinky ideas, you might as well throw prudishness out of the window, and prepare yourself for a wild ride of sexual exploration. Reveal your fantasies, get kinky and start by telling the truth about the things you enjoy and the new things you want to try in bed.

Holding your sexual thoughts close to your heart and expecting sex to magically get better with each passing day as the infatuation wears off is like asking for a miracle every time you have sex.

Open your mind, and explore the world of sexual fantasies and lusty desires together. And as kinky or as naughty as you may think an idea is, believe it, it’s all been said and done by someone else before!

Use these 14 tips to get your partner to open up and talk about sex effortlessly. And most importantly, you have to remember that we live in a world full of sexual fantasies and deviant thoughts. And as freaky as you think you are, your fantasy isn’t as unique or shocking as you think. So don’t be ashamed. You’re never alone!

nyone has the right to have friends but the problem is how both parties who are friends conduct themselves and go about their relationship. A whole lot of time, most people do not understand the difference between being friends and lovers, especially men. There are lots of men who would have benefitted from women who are willing to be good friends but the fact that men hardly control themselves when associating with the females make most women keep away from being friends with men. There is a huge difference between being friends and lovers.

Friends should not get intimate like lovers and most times tell each other the raw truth.

Good friends also watch the back of each other without expecting any reward or being sentimental about it so, if you ask me, i feel, it is very good for males and females to be good friends...married or not but anyone who is not capable to draw the line should not.

Coming to to the idea of a married woman having a male as a best friend. There is nothing wrong with it but the woman must be extremely careful and also let the husband know who this male best friend is. Most men can’t handle this especially here in Africa so the woman must ensure she does not get involve with the male best friend in activities that will make the husband angry or suspicious.

I have seen married women who get the best of advise concerning their marriage from males who are very honest and good friends.

Men can be very good human beings when they do not attach sexuality in relationships. Naturally men have very liberal and good hearts when it comes to helping and making others happy but once sexuality comes into a relationship, men tend to misbehave.

Women have more strenght in controlling themselves sexually when dealing with male friends than males.

There are males who always read the good and kind gestures of women as such women wanting to have intimate

runs wih them. You give a man a gift and he will read love meanings into it. You tell a man how good he looks, he thinks you want to have a love relationship with him. You touch a man ‘s hands or body whom you are close with without you having any hidden love agenda, such a man will think you are cheap and looking for a love affair.

Knock-it-off guys!!!! All kinds of silly meanings and interpretations our men concieve when dealing with well meaning women who just want to be frineds with them make being best friends with you rusty. So if you are married but certain that keeping a male best friend can not hurt your husband, then go ahead.

While in the relationship, there are some red flags to watch out from your friend that will indicate he is crossing the line of being just a best friend and wanting something deeper.

Watch out when he invites you to his home late at nights and instead of talking with you in the sitting room, he takes you to the bedroom.

Watch out when he gives you gifts like lingerie, underwears....these are intimate gifts that should come from your husband. If maybe you feel he means no harm, confront him boldly and warn him not to give you such gifts.

Avoid him kissing you on th lips or hugging you so tightly when you people greet. A friendly hug does not kill and anyone can hug but let it be snappy and not so smoochy.

If he does this, warn him and if he continues, stay away from him.

Invite him to your home and see how comfortable he is with your husband. You people can do dinners/lunch at home and watch how both men relate. If both of them are uncomfortable with each other, by all means break up the relationship before he breaks up your marriage.

Best friends among a married woman and a male must only happens with two people who are sensible and realistic with life issues and not for two psychos who do not understand what life is all about.

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOMAN

‘Style is considerate’

Although pretty and feminine as much as a woman should be, Eunice Efole is one woman who thrives in the male-dominated world of business. A graduate of Business Administration from the University of Lagos, she is a German-trained Diamond cutter and a top property developer. She has won several style awards, the latest of which is the Most Outstanding Fashion Icon of the Year by Classic Magazine. She spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her exploits in her chosen field, love and how parents can tutor their kids well for a better Nigeria. Excerpts: You won the Most Outstanding Fashion Icon of the Year at the 2015 Carma Awards.

How do you feel?

I feel very great and well honoured to have been acknowledged not just as a fashion icon but as an outstanding one.

Although this is not the first time I would be awarded as being stylish, I am grateful to God Almighty and Classic Magazine, the organiser of the award. It s a privilege and I am forever grateful. It is not cheap to be recognised as I was so, I am very happy for the honour. I pray that as these people have deemed it fit to have me celebrated, they will also excel and be celebrated out of many in Jesus name.

What would you say is working for you in this regard?

No doubt, God has been good to me, otherwise nothing that anyone sees as being outstanding would have been there or visible. He has crested me uniquely and has also helped me to nurture every good asset He gave me. In addition, God has enabled me to identify His gifts in my life and taught me how to carry myself well in the public and everywhere I find myself.

When a woman or man consciously or unconsciously places value on herself or himself, he is bound to be noted anywhere he goes. It is this value that will guide him or her in the way she speaks or does her things.

What does it take to be called elegant?

Like I said, you must have great respect for yourself. You must not talk anyhow; I mean you must avoid gutter language and words. You must speak good and correct English Language; your grammartic expression must be elevated. You must appear and sound polished. You must not speak anyhow. This does not imply that you should fake accent. Be yourself by speaking simple and correct English. In

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appearance, you must be neat and creative in your choice of wears. While you are not to break the bank or close your bank account just because you want to seen as being elegant, you must add taste to your look. This also does not mean you should go overboard. You must know what fits you at every point in time and be ready to add a little lift here and there. You must avoid weird dressing. Style, as far as I am concerned encompasses a lot of things. It is a natural phenomenon. It is not about the cloth you wear, it must be decent, simple and pleasing to the eye and to other people. It must attract a decent person. I say this because there are times we dress shabbily or weird and you still get admirers. This is why it is important to check the kind of people we are impressing. If the people showering accolades on your appearance are indecent, then you are not a decent dresser. Besides, an elegant woman must be very conscious of her image.

What do you mean by this?

Image is a very big business worldwide.

Nobody judge a book by its cover, appearance matters most where stylishness and elegance is concerned. It is important not to display your bad asset but the good ones.

Meanwhile, before this can be effectively achieved, you must have been the knowledgeable type who is well on top of the fashion game. Style, we must also know, is considerate.

How do you mean?

It is considerate because only reasonably ladies are stylish. Reasonable women always think of the effect her appearance has on others around her. She is not the type who easily throws caution into the winds. She wants to appeal positively on others, she does not want to leave a negative memory behind her, so, she dresses decently and not provocatively.

What do you say about some events that need revealing wears?

It happens. There are some events that require revealing dresses but when trying to reveal, we must know what to reveal. It is inconsiderate to reveal sensitive parts of our bodies as women. This is why I said style is considerate.

Let’s talk about your growing up. Where did you grow up and what were some of the fond memories?

Although I am from Delta State, I grew up in Benin. I had a very wonderful childhood. My father, an architect, died when I was young but he was a disciplinarian. I picked my passion for building construction from him. My mother was an active politician who was highly recognised and respected by her people. We were nine in all, five boys and four girls. We were all given a very good foundation upon which we all built our lives so far. They taught us the essence of hardwork, they wouldn’t joke with the truth and this has greatly rubbed off on me and my children today.

How does it feel to be in a male dominated career like building that you are?

It feels good and very challenging. It makes me feel strong and unique. As a top property developer, I feel I am a challenge to the male folks and feels up to the saying that whatever a man can do, women can also do. It will also please you to know that I am a German-trained Diamond cutter. All these are an indication that it is not right to judge people from their outward appearance. I may look feminine or soft outwardly but I tell you, I am as strong as that strong man close by. I love challenges and I am not easily discouraged from whatever I believe in.

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Today’s youths are too consumed by the internet.

They are too

exposed to too much of the new media and it is affecting their way of thinking and disposition

to life.

They are

exposed to short

35

Keeping ABREAST

The virgin bride

• Maryland bride presents father with ‘certificate of purity’ - signed by a GYNECOLOGIST - on her wedding day to prove she’s a virgin • Document says that her ‘hymen is intact’ and is signed by her gynecologist • It adds that she ‘honoured’ God and her father by not having sex

cut to wealth, crimes and

fraudulent acts that are not in any way assuring the society of a better tomorrow.

What’s your view about today’s youth and their disposition to life?

I think they are too consumed by the internet. They are too exposed to too much of the new media and it is affecting their way of thinking and disposition to life.

They are exposed to too much short cut to wealth, crimes and fraudulent acts that is not in any way assuring the society of a better tomorrow. I don’t want to sound negative, but I think a lot has to be done to put them in check.

What do you think should be done?

I think a lot of work rest on the shoulders of the parents. Parents should find time out of their busy schedule to groom their kids in the right way. Many parents are today over-engrossed with work and other ways of making money at all cost at the detriment of their homes and the kids. The worst thing that they do today is their believe that exposing them to the world of internet is what civilization is all about. Many don’t even get to see or have exclusive time to talk and spend with their children. This is bad. Parents should find tangible time to guide their wards through life. They should let them know what is good and healthy from those things that are not. We are their guiding angels that they can see now; we should do what is right. We should get them busy with better things than the new media. I am not saying knowledge of the internet is bad but we need to guide them right on its positive use. Many of these youngsters don’t know how to communicate well because of their overdependence on the phones and the new media generally, this is not good enough as this will deter smooth life in the future. To achieve this, parents must be gentle and apply subtle measures to do this. Do not enforce rules on them, appeal to them. It is not about flogging, it is about discussing with them. Be their friends but establish your authority on them.

A

bride presented her father with a ‘certificate of purity’ on her wedding day to prove she was a virgin.

Brelyn Bowman of Maryland, USA, gave the framed document to her proud father, who is a pastor, before tying the knot with her groom, Timothy, earlier this month.

The statement on the signed certificate confirmed that her ‘hymen is intact,’ citing a passage from the Bible that some Christians interpret as instruction to abstain from sex until marriage.

But Brelyn faced criticism online, with many finding it strange that she chose to share such intimate details about her sex life with her father.

The certificate, which Brelyn gave to her father, Pastor Michael Freeman, on October 10, contains this passage from Corinthians 6:20. It reads: ‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.’

The document was signed by both Brelyn, who is in her twenties, and her gynecologist, who appears to have conducted tests to check whether she is a virgin.

The certificate reads: “On the 10th of May 2006, I, Brelyn Freeman, made a vow to glorify God in my body and spirit which are God’s because I have been bought with a price (Jesus).

“I have kept this commitment and present this certificate to my father, Dr Michael A. Freeman, to show how I have honoured God and my earthly father in my body by maintaining my purity and that my hymen is intact on this 10th day of October 2015.”

Mr. Freeman has said that he was not expecting to be presented with the certificate and was caught off guard when he was asked to stand during the wedding reception.

He said: “I was totally unaware of what was about to take place. During the remarks, she shared that she wanted to honor me by not allowing any man to touch her before her husband.”

The pastor added that all of his children said they would save themselves for marriage, with his eldest daughter Brittany presenting him with a similar document at her wedding six years ago.

However, he said his son had engaged in pre-marital sex.

He added: “It’s not about what they did for me, rather what they did for themselves.”

The virgin bride faced criticism online, with many finding it strange that she chose to share such intimate details about her sex life with her father.

Lou Ellen Partridge Doty wrote on Facebook: “I find it rather disturbing. I was a virgin on my wedding night, but that was between my husband and I. My father had nothing to do with it.”

Sareta Ashraph said: “Leaving aside the whole issue of the apparent importance of women being virgins when married (especially when this standard isn’t applied equally to men). Why on earth is she presenting such a certificate to her father? This whole thing comes across less as religious than it does disturbingly patriarchal.”

The bride’s father hit back on Twitter, writing: “A lot of your hate mail will come from those who don’t feel good about who they are. #prayforthem.”

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

36

Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Stop spoiling your kids!

O

ver-indulgence is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse.

Here is a perspective that might help you stop: Your primary job as a parent is to prepare your child for how the world really works. As a parent, you must teach him that in the real world, you don’t always get what you want. Let him know that he will be able to deal with that as an adult if he has experienced it as a child.

Do not encourage material benefits. If your parent/ child relationship is based on material goods, your child won’t have the chance to experience unconditional love.

Be a good role model because parents are not the only influence in their kids’ lives, so it is better to be the best influence,.

Redefine what taking care of your children means.

Are you providing for them emotionally and spiritually?

You need not buy them material goods in order to create a bond. Instead of tangible gifts, how about spending some time together? Be careful that you aren’t teaching

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•

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them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.

Don’t let your guilt get in the way of your parenting.

Your job as a parent is not to make yourself feel good by giving the child everything that makes you feel good when you give it, Your job as a parent is to prepare your child to succeed in school and when they get out into the world. Kids have to be socialised in a way that they understand you work hard for what you get. You must not teach your child that he will get everything through manipulation, pouting, crying, door slamming and guilt induction.

Make sure your children aren’t defining their happiness and their status in the world by what they wear or drive. Sit down with them and have a one-on-one conversation about what really defines their worth — their intelligence, their creativity, their caring, their giving, their work ethic, and so on. If you spent equal time sitting down and talking to them about what really mattered as you do shopping, you might be able to counterbalance the countless

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Parenting

N

ew research suggests that caffeine is linked to low-birth-weight babies and that drinking coffee is linked to a longer pregnancy.

The report suggests that drinking 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per day raised the risk of a baby being born small by between 27% and 62%.

Smaller babies have higher risks of certain health problems, and the researchers say recommendations on safe limits need to be reconsidered.

Everything the mom-to-be eats and drinks potentially gets through to the growing baby. That’s why health

images they see telling them otherwise.

Understand “intrinsic” versus “extrinsic” motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when people do things because they feel proud of themselves when they do it.

They feel a sense of accomplishment and achievement.

Extrinsic motivation is when someone does something because of external motivation. For example, they will receive money, a toy or privilege if they do the task. If you are always rewarding your child with material things, he/she will never learn how to motivate themselves with internal rewards like pride.

Make sure your child understands the value of hard work. Cite example of people who worked hard and are doing well today. If your child aspires to be wealthy, that’s not a bad goal, but let him know that it takes a lot of hard work to get there. Emphasise that the difference between winners and losers is that winners do things losers don’t want to do.

If your child idolizes a celebrity, ask him/her why.

Encourage him or her not

•

to be carried away with the person’s acquisition or his clout. He should be ready to make a positive influence on people.

Your child does not have

•

to love you every minute of every day. He’ll get over the disappointment of having to be told “no.” But he won’t get over the effects of being spoiled.

Tiny Feet

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NAME: Opeyemi Sanusi BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs. Sanusi AGE: 8 days BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Caffeine linked to low-birthUpdate weight babies

organizations set recommendations for limits on things like alcohol and caffeine in pregnancy.

Along with nutrients and oxygen, caffeine passes from the placenta to the baby. However, the effect isn’t the same on a baby as it is in adults.

The researchers recommend limiting caffeine to 200 milligrams per day. That’s equal to two 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee. Caffeine levels may be stronger in coffee bought at a coffee house.

Caffeine is also found in tea, colas, energy drinks, and chocolate.

For the new research, researchers looked at information about diets and birth details of about 60,000 pregnancies over 10 years.

All sources of caffeine were monitored in the study.

In a news release, the lead

researcher says, “In this study we found no association between either total caffeine or coffee caffeine and preterm delivery, but we did find an association between caffeine and SGA [small for gestational

age].”

The source of caffeine also seemed to make a difference. Women who daily had 100 milligrams of caffeine in general increased the length of their pregnancy by five hours. However, caffeine from coffee was found to add eight hours overall from drinking 100 milligrams a day.

So what should a coffee-loving pregnant woman with concerns do?

“Good advice would be to keep it to a minimum,” says the lead author of the research. “One or a maximum of two cups a day.”

Culled from www.webmd.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

37

Dear Bukola

Having problems with your marriage, family, relationship, career or life generally?

Help is at hand with Bukola Oyetunji, Relationship Expert, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author of Stranded With a Status and One Good Spouse Deserves Another. www.bukolaoyetunji.blogspot.com, Follow on twitter @bukolaoyetunji

My wife disrespects me all the time

Dear Bukola, read your column recently. I like what you are doing, thanks for making impact in people’s lives.

I have a problem with my wife. She disrespects me in front of everybody at home and even when we are outside. It pains me so much because I do not know what I did to deserve this from her. I try my best to take good care of her but all I get in return is insult all the time. I have told her severally how unhappy this bad attitude of hers makes me but she is not ready to listen. What should I do? Please advise urgently.

I

Dear disrespected husband, hanks for reading the column and for your compliment, please don’t stop reading…. Grace speaks through us all.

Concerning your wife’s disrespectful attitude towards you, you did not put in your mail if that is the way she’s been right from when you met her or the attitude was caused by a change in circumstances. Notwithstanding, I think your wife needs to go for counseling; probably you both need it. Reason is because a woman is supposed to be submissive to her husband whatever the situation may be. You are her head and I do not think anything is excusable enough to change that. I know some women can be like that if they are the ones taking charge of all expenses in the house, they forget that as a helpmate, they should support their husband no matter what. Also she may be frustrated over some issues happening to her… are you sure she isn’t transferring her aggressions to you? You mentioned that you have told her severally how unhappy her bad attitude makes you feel but since she is finding it difficult to listen, try counseling. Truth is that disrespect may be caused by some experiences from her background or her upbringing. The last resort you can go for if she refuses to turn a new leaf is to talk to her parents or anyone you know she holds in the highest regard about it. Let them talk some sense into her.

She needs to know that a man should be respected properly so as to ensure their ego is intact. I believe with patience on your side and more love, she will learn to respect you at home and beyond. Cheers.

T

bukola.oyetunji@gmail.com. +2347012974472

My husband thinks it is my fault we are childless

Dear Bukola, got married to my husband 10 years ago as a virgin. Since then, we have been trying to have children to no avail. We have gone through several medical tests but it all revealed we are medically fit to have children. My husband is an only child so because of this, his family members are making life hell for me. It would have been a bit easier for me if my husband could join his faith with mine that we would have children but instead, he calls me a witch all the time now. There was even a day he told me I had made a covenant with the devil that I would not have a child of my own. I really don’t know where he got that from but God knows I want to have children desperately like my life depends on it. I am a very miserable woman right now because I am scared he would take the advice of his people to take another wife soon. Please help!

I

I am married to an over-possessive man Dear Bukola, y husband is making life hell for me. I got married to him 2 years ago as a secondary school drop-out. I was 18 years old then. I wanted to further my education i.e., write WAEC and hopefully gain admission into one of the higher institutions in the country. I met him through my aunt in the village; she advised me to marry him so that he would take care of me and help me further my education. He was 39 years old as at this time. I was reluctant because I really wanted to go to school but he persuaded me to marry him. He promised me he would help me accomplish all my dreams.

I moved down to the city with him and started my role as a wife. To my surprise, when I told him last year that I wanted to go back to the village to write my WAEC, he shouted at me that what do I need it for that was I not married? Since then he has been monitoring my movements. I don’t have any friends anymore and I cannot travel to my village. He is gradually becoming a violent man now. I am thinking of leaving him because he did not marry me legally or traditionally. What do you think I should do? Please help me out I am getting fed up!

M

Dear frustrated, hen I began to read your mail, I thought you were actually legally married to the man in question but at the end I was relieved to read that you are neither legally nor traditionally married. This makes it better because there is noth-

W

ing binding you to the abusive relationship you are in presently. So many young women out there (Just like you) have been deceived into a wrong marriage through fake promises that cannot be fulfilled by the man. The first mistake you did was get ‘married’ to a man at a period you were supposed to face your education. Yes he promised to help you accomplish all your dreams but if he meant well for you, he should have helped you write your WAEC, gain admission into a higher institution then talk about settling down with you the proper way. You shouldn’t have moved into the house of a man without making something meaningful out of your life first because you still had age on your side and no need to rush. Anyway, now that you are in this situation you have to think deeply about what you want out of life. Are you willing to continue being the ‘live-in-lover’ of an over-possessive man that may eventually turn you to his punching bag? Or you want to pick back all the pieces of your life and start from where you stopped? There are signs that he would eventually take total charge of your life sooner than later and believe me that relationship would become emotionally abusive, verbally abusive, physically abusive and sexually abusive if you do not take to your heels right now.

There are signs to justify that already.

Many women in abusive relationships right now saw these signs like you do right now and trust me, they wish they had left at the early stage you are. Take care dear; I want the best for you!

Dear miserable woman, know what you are going through right now because I have witnessed how women in your shoes sometimes find the pain of not having their own child(ren) unbearable. It would have been a better situation for you if unlike your in -laws, your husband believes strongly that you would have children together but since reverse is the case; you have to become more prayerful than you were before. You mentioned something about having faith so I believe you are a religious person, this is a plus and it will work for you. About your husband calling you names and alleging you of what you did not do, pray for him…. It’s good he married you as a virgin so false accusations about how you spent your years before marriage is ruled out. Let him know also that you really want to bear him children so he shouldn’t think otherwise. Do things that would remind him of the love that brought you both together in the first place. If he gets married to another woman there is no assurance that she will bear him children so he should focus on partnering with you in achieving the best you both want from your marriage. Please don’t be miserable - eat well, rest well and make yourself happy so that getting pregnant would not be a difficult feat to achieve. Most importantly like I said, pray often for there is nothing prayers cannot do. We have had testimonies from people who waited for a long (even longer) period - but today they’ve been blessed with wonderful children- so I believe if you can hand over everything to your creator, your case would turn out as a testimony too. I wish you all the grace you need!

I

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

divorce court

‘My wife is a free woman’

A

debayo Ojo, a civil servant in Ondo State, has prayed an Akure Customary court to dissolve his 17 year marriage with his wife, Ebunoluwa alledging that she slept with different men.

Ojo added that his estranged wife even went to the extent of turning his children against him.

He told the court that on many occasion he had caught his wife with several men on their matrimonial bed saying that he is no longer interested in the marriage.

He added that his wife was found of making suspicious

‘ My father-in-law sent me packing from my matrimonial home’ • My wife always pays the rent because I am not buoyant enough but the last rent was paid by my father-in-law who had been threatening me to vacate the house or commit suicide —Husband • My husband is working but he always tells me he does not have money —Wife “He also arrested me; I passed a night in the cell before my father came to bail me.” he said.

The respondent said that his wife with whom he had three children was having extra marital affair.

“My wife cheats on me, I read her chat on her phone and I discovered she was having an affair with a man.

“I confronted her and showed

40 year-old Information Technologist, Mr Samuel Bankole, has told an Igando Customary court in Lagos that his fatherin-law was responsible for his leaving his matrimonial home.

Bankole, who was responding to a divorce suit filed by his wife, Iyabo, said his father

in-law forced him out because he was unable to pay the house rent.

“My wife always pays the rent because I am not buoyant enough but the last rent was paid by my father-in-law who had been threatening me to vacate the house or commit suicide.

“On that fateful day, he came with a thug, beat me and threw my belongings out.

A

‘My wife beats me’

Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

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50-year-old pastor, Tunde Adekunle has dragged his wife, Agbeke Adekunle before a customary court in Akure, the Ondo state capital over allegations of public assault.

According to Pastor Adekunle, the founder of the Christ Living Church in Owo, his wife was very troublesome.

He told the court that his wife beats him at the slightest provocation even in public

places.

The father of four disclosed that his wife had once torn his cloths into shreds in the presence of his con¬gregation during a church service.

Adekunle accused his wife of being responsible for the scars on his body, saying she had turned him into a laughing stock everywhere, even in church

The pastor added that his wife was a disgrace to his pastoral calling and ministry.

“There was no more affection existing in our marriage and home again, therefore; I want this court to separate us for me to enjoy peace in life,” he told the court.

Adekunle begged the court to dissolve his 15 year old marriage.

her their conversation but she could not give me a satisfactory answer.” he said.

Bankole also claimed that his wife always curse him saying he always hear her during the mid-night swearing that it would not be well with him.

He begged the court not to grant his wife’s wish as he was still in love with her.

The petitioner, Mrs Iyabo CONTINUED ON PAGE 39 In response, his wife denied the allegations but said she was ready to ways with her husband for peace to reign.

Presiding over the case, Olayinka Falo¬dun said evidences before the court showed that both parties were no more interested in the marriage Falodun therefore, dissolved the 15 year old marriage between the pastor and his wife.

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phone calls during the day and midnight, saying: “these are evidences that would attest to the fact that my wife is a prostitute.”

The plaintiff stressed that his wife was very disrespectful and has also refused to show any remorse for her bad attitude.

Responding to her husband claims, the defendant told the court that all the men that her husband alleged were her concubines were mere people who she worked with as a labourer.

She expressed regret marrying to her husband who she thought had only two wives but she was shocked to have later discovered that the plaintiff ’s wives were actually eight in number.

On why her children treated their father with disdain, Ebunoluwa said that it was because of their father’s failure to perform his responsibilities as a father.

The Customary President, Olayinka Falodun, while adjourning the case, asked the two parties to bring two of their relatives each, to the court.

NAN

‘My husband defecates in our cooking pots’

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n aggrieved housewife has filed for divorce after her husband would not stop defecating in the family’s cooking pots.

Oluwakemi Ogundele told the Igando Customary Court in Lagos earlier this month that her husband, Oluwafemi, was a violent drunkard and often beat her. Worse, Ogundele said, whenever her 37-year-old husband got drunk, he would defecate in their cooking pots and on their plates.

Ogundele asked the court to dissolve the marriage because Oluwafemi no longer provided for her or her children, and that she does not love him.

Her husband denied the charges but agreed that there was no love between them. It was unclear how long the couple had been married.

The court adjourned the matter and warned the couple to maintain peace.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

‘She is an unrepentant drunkard, smoker’

divorce court

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• She has since grown to be an unrepentant smoker and drunkard. They know her in all the beer parlours in Iseyin here. She does not have respect for her marital status or the integrity of our children. The situation has forced me to chase her out, but now I want the dissolution to be formalised —Husband

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or being an unrepentant drunkard and smoker, a middle-aged man, Kunle Isalu, has urged a Grade “C” Customary Court in Iseyin, Oyo state, to dissolve his 10-year marriage with his wife.

The wife, Lara, with whom he already has four children, developed the bad habits over the years, following her bad friends.

The children are eight, six, four and two respectively.

While explaining his ordeal, he said: “Lara has always been a very good wife until of recent when she started keeping a bad company of friends.

“The first day I came home from a month’s journey was when I first noticed that her mouth smelled of alcohol and cigarette.

“She has since grown to be an unrepentant smoker and drunk; she now drinks at will to the extent that they know her in all the beer parlours

in Iseyin here.

“She does not even have respect for her marital status or the integrity of our children; the situation has forced me to chase her out, but now I want the dissolution to be formalized.

“All our children are still with me and I’m sure they don’t want to go with her. I really can’t explain what the problem is.

“We have summoned various family meetings to make her change, but all was to no avail.

“I want her to drop my name after this dissolution, my lord.”

The President of the court, Raimi Oyegbenle, while reacting to the appeal, expressed his displeasure with the woman’s absence in court, in spite of series of court summons.

After serving a fresh summon on Lara, compelling her to appear in court on the next adjourned date, he adjourned further hearing on the matter.

‘ My father-in-law sent me packing from my matrimonial home’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 Bankole, 32, a trader had sought for the dissolution of her five-year-old marriage over lack of care and threat to her life.

She said that her husband was an irresponsible husband and father.

“My husband is working but he always tell me he does not have money, I have been the one paying the house rent since the inception of our marriage and also pay the children’s school fees.

“When the rent of the two-bedroom flat I first rented was about to due, my husband disappeared from the house with all his belongings to an unknown destination and I was pregnant then.

“I don’t have money so I have to sell my late mother’s property to pay for my antenatal and to feed myself.

“I was in the hospital for six days because I could not pay, I was release after my father came to pay the bill and I stayed with my father for nine months before he rented anoth-

er flat for me.

“After my father rented the flat, my husband came back to the house,” she said.

Iyabo also told the court that her husband threatened to kill her.

He said that her husband once tied her nose and mouth with cloth, adding that it took the intervention of neigbours to save her.

“There was a day his girl friends came to my house around 11p.m. to beat me up.

“After I recovered from the beating, I came out to take air when I saw those girls with my husband outside the gate chatting and drinking.

My husband also beat me whenever he sees me talking with a male customers or whenever he read my chat with a male friend on phone; all the scars on my body was as result of his constant beating.

The petitioner pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage, saying her life was at risk and wanted to live and cater for her children.

‘I’ve not seen my husband for 10 years’

• My husband abandoned me and the children. He got a job in Owerri 12 years ago and stopped calling me since 10 years. All efforts to reach him proved abortive — Wife

A

housewife, Bose Ayinde, on Tuesday told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos, that she had not seen nor heard from her husband for the past 10 years.

Bose, a 39-year-old trader, told the court that her husband, Nureni, with whom she had three children in their 18-year-old marriage, abandoned her for 10 years.

“My husband abandoned me and the children; he got a job in Owerri 12 years ago and stopped calling me since 10 years.

All efforts to reach him proved abortive.

“I always travel to Abeokuta

in Ogun to see his parents and informed them that their son was no longer calling me.

“They always tell me that I should be patience that he will call me that he used to communicate with them.

“I used to beg them to give me his new phone number so that I can call him but they refused,’’ she said.

The mother of three accused her husband who was not in court of lack of care.

“I have been the one paying the house rent and paying the children school fees, he did not call to ask for the children wellbe-

ing nor visit home for once.

“His parent never call nor ask for the children. Anytime I go to them for their assistance in their granddaughters school fees, they always tell me to wait that my husband will soon come.’’

Bose pleaded with the court to dissolve the 18-year-old marriage because she was no longer in love and wanted to move on with her life.

“I am no longer in love with him and besides, I want to move on with my life, she said.

The President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, has adjourned the case .

‘My wife was impregnated by another man’

• My wife left my house to an unknown destination and I did not know that she was pregnant until she gave birth later in her new man’s house —Husband • It was my husband that pushed me to find solace and comfort in another man because he was always beating me —Wife

A

67-year-old welder,Jimoh Ayinla, has filed an application at an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to divorce his 59-year-old wife, Anike, for alleged adultery.

Ayinla told the court that his wife whom he had married for 38 years with seven children was adulterous which led to her being impregnated by another man in his matrimonial home.

“My wife left my house to an unknown destination and I did not know that she was pregnant until she gave birth later in her new man’s house,” he said.

Jimoh told the court that 14 years after his wife had left her matrimonial home and refused to return, he had to marry another wife in 2013.

“I married another wife because our children that used to cook for me had all married

and I was getting older to cook for myself.

“It was after I had remarried that my wife returned to our home and I had to accommodate her. But, I rejected the child she bore for another man asking her to send the child back to her father,” he said.

The petitioner said that Anike had been fighting him and his second wife since she returned to her matrimonial home.

“Anike was always engaging my younger wife in physical fight on daily basis and I am afraid she might kill her one day.

“She always slaps me whenever we have heated argument.”

Jimoh told the court.

He alleged that Anike would leave the house for weeks without his consent and that he was tired of having to repay

her indebtedness to people she borrowed money from.

The petitioner, therefore, pleaded with the court for the dissolution of his 38-year-old marriage, saying there was no more love in the relationship.

However, Anike, who did not deny the allegations, said she was pushed into the act because her husband was in the habit of constantly assaulting her.

“It was my husband that pushed me to finding solace and comfort in another man because he was always beating me.” she said.

She, however, begged the court not to grant her husband’s application for divorce saying she was still in love with him.

The President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola has, adjourned the case for further hearing.

(NAN)

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40

EVENTS

Dancing with Peter getting hotter

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

•••as AFRIMA sets for Lagos Much hyped music awards, AFRIMA, is scheduled to hold in Lagos, and as it gets set to hold, artists are also getting set to attend it. Sarkodie, AKA, Vanessa Mdee are some of those artists.

The reality show, Dance with Peter, is getting hotter by the day, as proven by the pictures here. So, don’t you just wish you were dancing with Peter?

Busiswa

Sarkodie

AKA

Alikiba

Vanessa Mdee

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

OCTOBER 24, 2015

41

The Computer and our health

T

he use of computer has become part of our everyday life. Be it smart phones, laptops or desk top, information technology ( ICT) has succeeded in revolutionising the very way we live our lives. From simple typing to surfing the Internet or online shopping, an average individual spends substantial hours on the net, using various forms of computer. Statistics abound to prove this. For example, more than 70% of children belong to one social network or the other, while 25% of girls and 20% of boys between age 9 and 14 are said to have a computer and spend at least one hour per day on the Internet.

It is therefore not a surprise that computer use also have its health implications. Such implications lead to emerging symptoms which range from mild to severe.

Such computer -linked infirmities include:

Visual problems:

Sitting behind the screen of a computer for hours expose the eyes to unhealthy rays and leads to fatigue of the eye muscles from intense focusing. This can lead to various problems of vision known collectively as computer visual syndromes (CVS). CVS could lead to a. Red and watery eyes b. Photophobia( pain or discomfort on exposure to sunlight or bright lights) c. Dry eyes d. Double vision e. Temporary short sightedness f. Tired eyes

Prevention:

1. Keep the computer screen 16-30 inches away from the eyes and 20 degrees below eye level 2. Attach antiglare to the computer 3. Direct lights away from the computer screen and keep the screen away from sunlight 4. Use specialized tinted glasses

to shield your eyes from direct exposure to the screen

Postural problems:

The use of laptops especially, predisposes the user to sitting and barely moving behind a system for long hours. This is more so when the seat being used is not ergonomical. Also, abnormal positioning of the hands and legs in this situation can lead to various musculoskeletal disorders affecting the muscles involved. Such challenges include a. Headaches and neck pain b. Back pain And c. Pain in the arm or legs

Prevention:

1. Use suitable seats that are adjustable 2. Use seats with lumbar support and comfortable/adjustable arm rest 3. Keep feet resting flat on the floor or on a foot rest 4. Keep the knee at a right angle

Repetitive stress injury: In computer use, fine muscles of the hands are repeatedly used, pressed against hard surfaces, exposed to vibrations or kept in perpetually awkward position. This exposes them to

musculoskeletal and injury and leads to: a) Pain in the hand b) Poor grip and c) Numbness

nervous

Prevention:

1. Keep the arm in the most comfortable position And 2. Keep the wrist straight

Psychological effect:

This is common with internet users and the negative effects are more pronounced in young people in school, who after sometimes literally get addicted to the internet. These effects include: a) Lying about the amount of time or actions taken on the internet b) Withdrawal from friends and

relatives and disobedience to parents c) Lack of interest in their appearance and hygiene d) Falling of school grades e) Change in sleeping habits with attendant tiredness

Prevention:

Parents’ monitoring of internet use by youngsters.

Generally, ergonomics should be considered in procuring furniture for office use. This is important as a substantial part of waking hours are spent in the office and behind a desk. It is also imperative to take breaks in between working on the computer or the internet. Other adaptive technologies such as special keyboards and automatic break timers should also be considered.

Conclusion:

When symptoms persist despite adequate preventive measures, it is good to visit the hospital for proper diagnosis in order to rule out other possible causes of symptoms.

You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare. com.ng. Every Wednesdays and Fridays (4-8pm)

PAGE

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TOURISM Legend of Ogunladindin, world’s first blacksmith 42

Have you ever been to the palace of Ooni of Ife? Do you still need answers to anything bothering you? Then you have not been to Ile Ase, the ‘Temple of Wisdom.’

I

le-Ife now in the present day Osun State of Nigeria is generally believed to be the ancestral home of the more than 30 million Yoruba race. That explains why the University City is also referred to as The Source.

The ancient city lives up to this appellation any time and any day. In its bowels lie many historical sites, symbols and artefacts. Perhaps, the one singular place that has the largest concentration of these is the Palace of the Monarch, Ooni. Hardly would one sight any monument or structure in the ancient palace that does not have a very rich history and cultural/religious attachment. It is indeed a bastion of these sites.

Out of this long list, one of those that stand out and most symbolic is the Ile Ase. Literally, it means the House of Authority or House of So-Shall-It-Be. But a bright and colourful signpost that stands before the modern structure that harbours the most ancient and first foundry in the world simply reads “The Temple of Wisdom” Now flocked by tourists, then it used to be crowded by the patrons of Ogunladindin, the first blacksmith. Ogunladindin, it was, who brought the art of blacksmithing into the world.

One of the myths surrounding the personality of Ogunladindin Alagbede Akoko,

Oranmiyan Staff

Ifa Temple

has it that the renowned smith was sent

by Olodumare to cast and make iron implements for humans. He always came every five days. And no matter the size or complexity of the work, he would charge a uniform price. Humans then were so fascinated and satisfied with his products that they wished to have him with them permanently instead of a sojourner. They devised a way. The great smith was offered a woman as wife. With this he had no option but to stay and cohabit with humans.

With time, he took in apprentices whom he taught the science of blacksmithing.

With their penchant for impatience and deceit, his head apprentice believed he had learnt enough and so could be on his own despite the warning of the great Ogunladindin.

The said apprentice left and set up his

Wisdom Temple

own foundry. To his chagrin, his patrons soon all returned to Ogunladindin as they found his products inferior to his master’s.

Unable to live with the shame and humiliation, the former apprentice concocted a plot to which Ogunladindin’s human wife was party. At the discovery of the treachery, Ogunladindin ascended back to Isalu Orun (heaven) where he was greatly annoyed and feeling betrayed and disappointed. He, however, did not ascend to heaven through a great chain without making some pronouncements which came to pass almost instantly.

Hence, the place got its name Ile Ase, a place where whatever is said comes to pass.

The belief in this myth is still persistent till this day. Many, from all walks of life, come to the Temple of Wisdom to seek their life mission.

Inside the temple is a different ball game.

The reporter’s guide, an Ilari Oba, warned strictly that photography is prohibited in the confines of the building. And that should anyone do it, the product would be blank. The reporter’s attempt to try this out and experiment was, however, discouraged.

The ancient foundry of Ogunladindin still stands. Slightly off to the right, the tip of the chain through which the great smith ascended to heaven in anger still protrudes. Further off is a place where one is forbidden to reach.

However, the shrine is white. A white foundry!

A lot of people were entering the temple and praying: many loudly, but most, reverently and quietly. This is however after they must have dropped some money. The belief that whatever one asks for in the temple will be granted is still very strong.

Such is the faith of the believers that even foreigners are not left out. Many Caucasians at the place also followed suit and probably even more reverently than their African counterparts.

“Many politicians come here especially before elections and during electioneering campaigns. Their prayers are always answered. Women in search of the fruit of the womb have been known to return with their children later to give testimony. They come with gifts and many things for the shrine and the priest,” the Ilari explained further.

But why is such an ancient shrine wearing such a modern look from the outside?

The Ilari replied: “Most of the structures here were renovated when the current Kabiyesi came on the throne. Being a widely travelled man before coming on the throne, he believes that these places must look attractive and appealing. So he approved funds for the facial upliftment of these structures.

“You have been inside. The modernisation has not taken anything away from its efficacy and potency.”

Why the name, Temple of Wisdom?

“Isn’t it a wise person who would come and make supplication here? Is it not only the wise that would learn from the story of Ogunladidin? Everything that surrounds the temple radiates wisdom,” the reporter’s guide pointed out.

If you want to go there and heap curses on your perceived enemy or bear evil intention against your fellowman, you need to think twice.

“Anybody who comes there to curse their fellowmen will not get home safely.

They will die before they get home. You must come with a clean heart and only ask for things that will beneficial to you or your fellow men,” the Ilari warned.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

LEISURE

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43

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From the

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service We’ll sustain strike at ports until NPA pays, says MWUN 44

T

he Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) said there was no going back over its ongoing strike until the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) paid the nine months salary arrears being owed.

President of the Dockworkers Branch of the MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos as maritime activities closed on Friday.

Adeyanju said the NPA had consistently failed to honour previous agreements to pay.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, however, said the authority planned to pay next week.

He said the delay in payment was due to adherence to procedures of the Treasury Single Account.

In the week under review, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) embarked on consumer awareness programme to discourage importation of substandard goods.

The Director General, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said the awareness exercise included interactions with the public as well as encouraging consumers to always insist on quality products.

Odumodu spoke during the organisation’s `walk for standards’, titled `Standards - the World’s Common Language’ to celebrate the 2015 edition of World Standards Day. He said the exercise was also meant to raise consumers’ awareness on impact of sub-standard goods.

The programme comprised a special facilitation visit to factories, a stakeholders’ forum in Aba and simultaneous walk against sub-standard products in Abuja, Kaduna and Awka.

In the week under review, manufacturers complained about the bureaucratic bottleneck being suffered in the process of clearing goods at the nation’s ports.

The manufacturers spoke under the aegis of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), at an interactive session with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The President of MAN, Dr Frank Jacobs, said the delay experienced in the ports had affected the manufacturing industry.

During the week, gunmen attacked and boarded a refrigerated cargo ship off the Niger Delta and kidnapped four crew members.

The pirates reportedly stole cash, destroyed equipment and kidnapped two Lithuanian and two Ukrainian sailors before they escaped.

Also in the week under review, a former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt.

Dennis Osah, expressed concern about the dearth of indigenous manpower

to run Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The master mariner said the trend had made

foreigners to dominate the nation’s maritime sector.

Osah said the authorities had failed to

give priority to the quality of training offered in maritime training schools.

He said Nigeria had not

properly utilised the vast potential of the maritime sector for economic benefits. (NAN)

L-R: Lagos State Safety Commission, Director General, Mr. Fouad Alade Oki; Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Michael Kolawole Akindele and Public Relations Officer, LASEMA, Mr. Adebayo Kehinde, at the scene of the three storey building which collapsed on 87 Odunfa Street, Lagos Island, recently. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

NCC destroys pirated products worth N 1.4bn in Kaduna

I

n line with its anti-piracy campaign, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), on Thursday destroyed pirated items valued at N1.4 billion in Kaduna state.

Mr Afam Ezekude, Director-General of the Commission, said the items, which included software, books, CDs, DVDs and other pirated materials, were seized during the commission’s enforcement drive in the North-West zone. ``These pirated materials that are publicly burnt today were confiscated in the course of our enforcement campaign in the last four years. ``This is to further demonstrate our commitment to zero tolerance policy on piracy. ``The market value of these items is N1.4 billion; this is what some persons wanted to earn illegally at the expense of the right owners,” Ezekude said.

The D-G noted that public destruction of the items would not only serve as deterrent, it would also prevent them from being sold to unsuspecting Nigerians.

He said that the inten-

tion of the commission was to ensure that piracy was no longer a profitable venture in Nigeria. ``The era in which pirates enrich themselves through fake products, thereby undermining the

sales and distribution of legitimate products, is over,” he warned.

Ezekude explained that to make its enforcement activities more effective, the commission had articulated an integrated pub-

lic enlightenment strategy aimed at raising awareness of stakeholders on their roles to combat piracy.

In his remark, ACP Sadiq Gambo, who represented Kaduna State Police Commissioner, said that

the police was ready to partner NCC in its fight against piracy.

He advised Nigerians not to patronise pirated products to discourage the activities of pirates.

(NAN)

Kerosene: DPR moves to shut down erring filling station

T

he Plateau State office of the Department of Petroleum Resources has appealed to members of the public, the police and the media to collaborate and report to it any filling station that sells above the government-fixed prices for petroleum products such as petrol and kerosene.

The Department said it has recorded greater achievements in the enforcement of the Federal Government’s rules that “no marketer should sell above government regulated price of N87 per litre for petrol and N50 per litre for kerosene.”

The new Controller of Operations of the DPR in Plateau State, C.B. Douglas, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, said the Department is also

ensuring that products are available in a large quantity and quality.

Stressing that the desire of the Department is to ensure that every marketer operates according to the rules, Douglas said it would be helpful if other stakeholders in the state collaborate and report defaulters to the DPR. He said anyone wish-

ing to report a defaulter could call the Controller Operations on 08033112432, 08056696568, Operations Manager on 08113952130, DMR on 08039686814 and Chief Chemist on 08025740162.

Douglas said recently, the Department mobilized its staffers and went round the metropolis to checkmate the activities of

racketeers towards ensuring that marketers do not cheat on the unsuspecting customers.

He said during the raid, any marketer that was caught racketeering was punished and also forced to revert to the government price.

They were also sanctioned and made to pay a fine of N100,000.

FRSC convicts 38 offenders in Ogun

T

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ota, Ogun, on Friday said that its Magistrate Mobile Court convicted 38 offenders for various traffic offences.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Leye Adegboyega, FRSC Unit Commander, made available to newsmen in Ota. Adegboyega said that 44

offenders were arraigned, but the court presided over

by Magistrate Olayinka Idowu, discharged and acquitted six people.

He said the offenders were arrested for various traffic offences ranging from drivers’ licencing, seatbelt, and tyre violations as well as driving with shattered windscreen. ``The commission has mandated that the traffic of-

fenders should be prosecuted in court to serve as deterrent to other road users, especially this period of ember months. ``And one of commission’s strategic goals is the enforcement of road traffic laws and regulations through prosecution of offenders in mobile court.

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

PAGE

45

Home based Super Eagles in training ahead of their second leg encounter with Burkina Faso

CHAN Qualifier

Home based Eagles set for Etalons challenge Ifeanyi Eduzor

H

ome based Super Eagles will tomorrow be guest of Etalons of Burkina Faso in the final round second leg qualifier of the Africa Nations Cup for home based players in the continent slated for Rwanda next year.

When both teams met last Saturday in Port Harcourt, Nigeria defeated their opponents by 2-0 to brighten their chances of picking one of the tickets for the championship.

Bature Yaro got the opener for Nigeria when he rifled the ball into the net in the 25th minute to give the Super Eagles B team the lead after they had held much of the possession but with very little to show for it while Gbolahan Salami got Nigeria’s second goal in the 77th minute through a penalty kick.

Nigeria is targeting its second straight qualification for the CHAN tournament having finally broken the jinx in 2014 where she made it to South Africa for the first time in the history of the championship.

The reverse fixture which was originally fixed for today was few days ago moved to Sunday by the Federation Burkinabe de FootBall, Burkina Faso’s football governing body, a decision which was approved by the continental Football body, CAF and will be played at the August 4, stadium, Ouagadougou.

Home based Eagles will be going into today’s game with a lot of expectations from Nigerians who want to see the team replicate their first leg performance last week in Port Harcourt in tomorrow’s cracker.

Although, the team made up of players that ply their trade in the continent’s local league will be going into Sunday’s game

with a two goal advantage, but they should also be mindful of the fact that their fellow West Africa country have of recent emerged as one of the country’s soccer power houses and as such underrating them could be dangerous.

Nigeria will be going into tomorrow’s game without the services of national team handler, Sunday Oliseh who was last Thursday flown to Belgium for medical checkup but it is expected that his assistants who will stand in for him are capable of mapping out strategies that will prevent the ambitions Burkinabe’s from overturning the table against them in the all important qualifier.

While it is true that the team will be missing the absence of Coach Sunday Oliseh but his assistants has assured Nigerians that they are capable of winning the match and qualify Nigeria for the tournament in Rwanda.

“We are quite aware of what is at stake in tomorrow’s encounter but we are capable of holding our own against the Etalons.

“It is true that the entire team will feel the absence of Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh but his assistants has what it takes to stand in for him in his absence and get good result which Nigerians will be proud of ”, said assistant team coach, Also speaking on the team’s readiness for the encounter, Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, said: “To us nothing is won yet; there is still 90 minutes to navigate. It is going to be tough navigating the second 90 minutes in Ouagadougou. So, the boys are aware of this and the coaches are doing everything possible to prepare for the second leg the way we prepared for the first leg.

Even harder than we prepared for the first leg so that we can a get a better result.”

Meanwhile, NFF President

Amaju Pinnick has charged the Eagles Team B to do Nigerians proud by not only going to Ouagadougou to earn the ticket to Rwanda 2016, but by also defeating their opponents.

“I believe you can do it because, with a bit more luck, you could have won the first leg by a much bigger margin. There is no longer anything called home advantage in international football.

The turf is where the business is done, and the better team will always triumph. I know you are the better team.

“I want you to forget everything about a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. Sunday is another day and you should aim for 90 minutes of excellence.”

The overall winner of the two legged encounter will be eligible for a place at the 4th African Nations Championship ‘Rwanda 2016’, which features only players of domestic African Leagues

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MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’m not an angel, B says Costa

Robben set for return against Cologne

C

helsea striker Diego Costa has told Football Focus he knows he is “no angel” on the pitch and he will not change his combative style of football.

Costa has twice been banned for three games this year; after stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can and for a clash with Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny.

“I’ve got this far thanks to the way I play the game,” said the 27-year-old Brazil-born Spain international.

“I’m not going to change that because of what people may think of it.”

Costa moved to Stamford Bridge in July 2014 from Atletico Madrid, and helped Chelsea win the Premier League and League Cup last

Costa

season.

“I think that football has always had a passionate, aggressive side, with players giving their all,” said Costa. “People have to get used to this.

“Some people seem to think football is like theatre, and that everyone has to play the good guy.

“But I think that you transform when you cross the white line, you’re not the same person as off it. I give no apologies and I ask for none. Out there I’m going to fight for my team and do the best I can.

“Afterwards, when the match is over, I have my family and my friends. I have fun like a normal person. But on the pitch don’t try and put wings on me, as I am no angel.”

Pellegrini denies rift with Kompany

M

anchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is adamant there is no rift between himself and Captain Vincent Kompany.

However, Pellegrini would not confirm that Kompany will return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Manchester derby against United at Old Trafford.

Kompany was left on the bench for home wins over Bournemouth and Sevilla in the last week after Pellegrini expressed his

frustration that the defender played for Belgium in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

The 29-year-old had missed City’s previous five games with a calf injury and Pellegrini had insisted he would not be fit to play during the international break.

Pellegrini denies the defender is being punished for representing his country and intimated that he feels Kompany may not quite be fit enough for the rigours of a keenly-contested derby.

E Kompany

Ameobi

“I don’t have any problem with Vincent Kompany,” said Pellegrini. “Every week I need to choose the starting 11, the 11 that I think is best for that game.

“I didn’t punish Vincent and I don’t have any problems in the relationship with him. I think after one month or five weeks without playing, and without training, you may be fit, but you are not ready to play an important game.”It is important for him to work some days before he will return to the team.

Robben

transfer after passing trials at the club.

Ameobi spent the better part of his career at Newcastle United where he made his debut at 18 years against Chelsea on September 9, 2000.

The Zaria-born player made 312 appearances for the Mag-

pies; 145 of those as a substitute, scoring 53 goals.

He was recently with Crystal Palace but was released at the end of the season after joining them from Turkish side Gaziantep BB. The lanky striker appeared in the 2014 World Cup with Nigeria after he switched allegiance to the Super Eagles despite youth caps for England

Ameobi signs for Bolton

nglish Championship side Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of Nigeria international Shola Ameobi on a short-term deal.

The club announced via their official website that the 34-year-old joined on a free

ayern Munich winger Arjen Robben could return from injury against Cologne as the Bavarians bid to become the first team to win their opening 10 Bundesliga games.

Bayern, chasing a fourth successive title are seven points clear after a record ninth consecutive win at the start of a season.

Robben, 31, has not played since 3 September because of injury.

“If he’s fit, he’ll be in the squad,” boss Pep Guardiola said.

Robben suffered the injury while playing for the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Robben’s fellow winger, Franck Ribery, who has not played since March because of an ankle injury, has increased his training load.

On Tuesday, Bayern visit German Cup holders Wolfsburg in the second round of this season’s tournament.

Asked if he was thinking about that game already, Guardiola said: “No. Women can multitask, but not me.

SPORT NEWS

GOtv Boxing Night: Boxers talk tough ahead of championship

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head of the GOtv Boxing Night holding on Sunday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, opponents have been boasting of decimating each other. Nigeria’s Isaac “Grenade” Ekpo, a former Commonwealth Super Middleweight champion, has vowed to stop his opponent Jules “Tyson” Kabore of Burkina Faso in the fourth of their 10-round contest when they meet in the event’s headline bout.

“Kabore is taller than I am, but that will have no bearing on the fight. I will be celebrating my birthday on Sunday and I have to give myself a birthday present.

Stopping Kabore in the fourth round is the present that I want and deserve. He is not going beyond that and he knows,” raved Ekpo.

Responding to Ekpo’s claim, Kabore noted that he cannot be

defeated in Nigeria, Kabore said: “I won four of my seven fights via TKO. I am undefeated since turning professional. I am taller and better than Ekpo. Tell him that.

He will fall. That is not a subject for debate.”

Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, the National Lightweight champion billed to fight Joe “Otto Boy” Joseph in a challenge contest, has dismissed his opponent’s chances of defeating him as non-existent.

“I have been a champion for ten years. It takes something to be a champion, which Ottoh does not have. Many have tried and failed.

Ottoh will fail,” he said. Ottoh’s response was similarly threat-filled.

“Tell him that he has spent his time. This is my time. I will beat him and tell him that his time has gone. No story,” he bragged.

Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, who won the one million jackpot for the best boxer at the last edition

Action recorded at the last GOtv Boxing Night

of the tournament, is convinced that he will repeat the trick when he takes on Saheed “Happy Boy”

Olayiwola in a national light welterweight challenge duel. Fijabi said his opponent will transmute

into a sad boy from “Happy Boy”.

“He calls himself Happy Boy, but when I finish with him, he will be the saddest boy in the whole of Nigeria. Just wait and see,” he boasted. Happy Boy, however, is convinced that he will be the happier person at the end of the fight.

“Fijabi is a small boy. I will teach him boxing lesson and he will go home crying like a baby,” he retorted.

GOtv Boxing Night, an initiative to revive boxing in Nigeria, will feature six professional fights. The others are six-round duels which will see Jamiu “Naval Man” Olabode, take on Pelumi “Haggler” Sodubi in a welterweight challenge, while Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will square up with Isiaka “Easy Lion” Yusuf.

Waidi “Skoro” Usman will take on Taofik “Taozon” Bisuga in a Featherweight challenge contest.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Speed star, Bolt, adds one of world fastest cars to collection

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sain Bolt is the fastest man in the world and now he’s been pictured in one of the world’s fastest cars.

The six-time Olympic Gold medallist posted a picture of himself posing with what is presumably his latest set of wheels - a Nissan MY15 GTR. The GTR, which costs about £80,000, sports a sleek chassis and design with a speed of 0-60mph in just 2.9 seconds.

Clearly, as Bolt points out in the image’s caption: ‘Fast knows Fast.’

Bolt already owned gold Nissan GTR, which he shows off here at the car giants’ New York HQ Of course, Bolt is no stranger to the Nissan range and already owns a gold version of the car.

Bolt, who turned 29 in the summer, is now entering the twilight of his sprinting career, but his ambitions show no signs of letting up.

The Jamaican has earmarked either after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro or the World Championships in London a year later as a potential date for his retirement, but has some lofty goals he wants to achieve before then.

In an interview with the

Compton Herald earlier this month, Bolt confirmed that he was aiming to break the 19-second mark for the 200m; and it’s worth noting that he’s already come within two-tenths of a second of achieving the milestone.

His record of 19.19 seconds for the 200m has stood since August 20 in 2009; four days after he set the 100m record of 9.58 seconds, both at the world athletics championships in Berlin.

He told the Compton Herald: ‘I really want to run under 19 seconds. It’s one of my major goals.’

Bolt added: ‘I think it’s one of the toughest ones, because it’s going to be hard to find the right day and the perfect race to get this 200m record.

‘It will not be an easy task, but I personally feel I can do it and my coach (Glen Mills) thinks I can do it. So, it is just about the work and finding the perfect time to do it, so it is one of the things (for 2016).’

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Poulter makes bid to save Tour card

Poulter

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an Poulter made a last-minute journey from Florida to Hong Kong in an attempt to save his European Tour card and perhaps his 2016 Ryder Cup chances.

Poulter, 39, dropped out of the world’s top 50 on Sunday, meaning he would be unable to complete the 13 events required for European Tour membership.

But former US PGA champion Rich Beem gave up his place in the Hong Kong Open to allow Poulter to compete.

Beem, 45, said he “did what any other professional would do”.

Poulter thanked the American on Twitter, writing: “Where would you like me to take you for dinner?”

Englishman Poulter fell to 51st in the world rankings on Monday after Andy Sullivan won the Portugal Masters and Emiliano Grillo was victorious at the Frys. com Open.

That meant he was ineligible for next month’s WGC-HSBC Champions event and would only have played in 12 events this year on the European Tour.

Only players with European Tour membership can be considered for Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

After Beem stepped aside, Poulter flew to Hong Kong, landing at 19:00 local time on Wednesday.

He will tee off at midday on Thursday and be assisted by a local caddie, as regular bagman Terry Mundy is on holiday.

Beem said he was “bummed out” to miss the tournament, adding: “If he goes and cranks up four wins in four weeks, he better send me a nice Christmas gift.

“The only true favour I ask is he misses a few putts in the Ryder Cup.”

Gouveia gunning for home glory in Portugal

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ne of the UK’s most exclusive golf clubs is to start charging £125,000 to new joiners.

Wentworth, which was bought by the Beijing-based Reignwood Group in September 2014, has told existing members they must stump up £100,000.

Annual fees on top of that are to rise from £8,000 to £16,000.

James Wyatt said he and other members faced having to pay “an enormous amount”.

The Surrey golf club said membership pricing “is a private club matter”.

Mr Wyatt, who learned of the new fees at a meeting on Tuesday evening, told the BBC: “You’ll have to pay a debenture of £100,000 and if you want to join as a new member it’ll be £125,000.

“A debenture is essentially a loan note with no interest on it, but there was some doubt as to whether we’re looking at what we all think a debenture to be, or if it is really just a payment to the owners to fund their purchase and improvements in the club.

“On top of that you’ll have to pay annual subs of £16,000.

He said the debenture scheme and increase in annual subscriptions would come in to force in April 2017.

Currently, full members pay a

joining fee of £15,000.

Despite opposition, one of the club’s members - who preferred not to be named - said he welcomed the increase, calling it “fantastic news”.

He said: “Members for years have been asking for improvements to our courses, facilities and services.

“The new investment plans, focused on quality and family, will propel the club forward to become one of the finest golf and country clubs in the world.”

The golf club is on the Wentworth estate, in the heart of the Surrey stockbroker belt.

Its large houses are home to Middle Eastern royalty, international business tycoons, professional golfers and celebrities.

The six-figure cost of membership would make Wentworth the UK’s most expensive golf club, although some other exclusive venues worldwide reportedly cost more.

The BBC asked three other top UK golf clubs; Royal Liverpool, Sandwich Royal St George’s and The Belfry for details of their membership fees.

The first two said as private members’ clubs they would not disclose the information, while the Belfry revealed the joining fee for the Brabazon course was £2,000, with an annual membership fee of £3,250.

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MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

COPA-Cola tourney: Nike Grammar School emerges Enugu champion Ifeanyi Eduzor

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ational Grammar School, Nike Enugu has emerged champion of the Enugu zone of the on-going COPA- Cola championship.

In an entertaining final decided at the Government Secondary, School , Enugu football pitch, the team inflicted a 3-0 defeat against Community Secondary School) Ogbakwe, Enugu.

The school won in the prestigious grassroots football tournament, themed “Everything for Football” and which featured over eight Secondary schools in Enugu including, Annunciation Secondary School, Enugu; Uwani Boys Secondary School, Enugu; College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu and Union Boys Secondary School, Enugu.

Other schools that competed at the Enugu tournament were,

Government Secondary School, Enugu; New Layout Secondary School, Enugu; National Grammar School Nike, Enugu and Community Secondary School, Enugu, thereby attracting a more robust participation with larger spectators within the state.

For emerging champion, , the school smiled home with the star prize of N200,000 while the first-runners up, went home with a cash prize of N100,000 and a silver medal.

The second runners-up, Annunciation Secondary School, Enugu which defeated College of Immaculate Conception by 1-0 got the sum of N50, 000 and a bronze medal.

Speaking after the final match, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola, Patricia Jemibewon expressed satisfaction with the level of the tournament as well as the passion displayed by the teams in Enugu.

Wrestling: I’m ready for title defence — Power Lee Ifeanyi Eduzor

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ro Wrestling Africa (PWA) heavyweight wrestling champion, Power Lee says that he is ready to defend his title against his challenger Michel Noudem “ le Matraqueur of Cameroon when they meet on November 1 at the Indoor Sports Hall of Asaba Township Stadium.

Power Lee who defeated the Cameroonian on 19 September at the Palais De Sports, Yaoundé,

Power Lee

Cameroon on September 19 noted that he wants to present the belt as a birthday gift to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the creation of Delta State even as he appealed for financial support for the successful defence of the title.

The champion who hails from Owhe in Isoko North local government area of Delta State paid the price of winning the title in a hard way as he had injury on his left knee which was dislocated and despite the injury, he showed the Cameroonian fans the hard stuff he was made off by recording a pin fall against Michel Nodem fifty minutes into the title fight. “ I want to tell Nigerians that I am ready for the title defence but I need the financial support of both the Federal and Delta State Governments, Niger Delta Development Commission, Isoko Development Union and well meaning Nigerians to accomplish it and ensure the belt remains in the country”, he concluded.

Celestial Church agog for Shepherd’s Cup

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rrangements have been concluded by the Hephzibah Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ to organize Shepherds Cup Football Competition among eight parishes of the church.

According to a statement by the organizers, the first edition of the one day annual competition will be held on Saturday, November 7, at Temidire Primary school besides Hephzibah parish, Shogunle Lagos.

Shepherd of the church, Superior Evangelist. Wole Odugbemi, his colleagues Shepherds and the national youth coordinator, will be on ground to honour the event with participants from the host;

Hephzibah Parish and sister parishes such as Ojodu Express, Government Layout; Afonifoji Ibunkun, Mushin, Oshodi 2 Aladeseye and Ajah.

Coordinator of the tournament, who also doubles as President of Hephzibah Sports, Seun Idowu told Saturday Mirror that the event is aimed at promoting peace and unity among young celestials, members of the Church and Clergy as well as Help to develop talents in the church.

Head, Organizing committee, Seun Kakaki noted that prizes shall be given to winners at the end of the one day championship.

Falconets in a prayer session before a match

World Cup qualifier

Falconets, Basetsana test might in Abuja Ifeanyi Eduzor

U-20 female national team, Falconets will today at the Abuja National Stadium, host their familiar foes, Basetsana of South Africa in the first leg of the African final qualifying round for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup. To get to this stage of the qualifier, Falconets, who emerged runners-up at the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2014, whipped Liberia 14-1 on ag-

gregate in the first round, before routing Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in the last round.

The Basetsana were held 0-0 in Zambia but edged out the hard-fighting Zambians 3-2 at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa in the return leg.

Speaking on today’s match, Falconets’ Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo, said the reigning world vice champions are ready to make Nigeria proud as they target a handsome win that will make the return leg in Johannes-

burg a mere formality.

Nigeria’s Falconets have played in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since it was launched in Canada in 2002.

The second leg comes up on October, 24 with the eventual winner of the two legged encounter booking a ticket as one of Africa’s representatives at the 2016 U-20 Women World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

Siasia Invites 51 for Senegal 2015

Head Coach of the U-23 national team Samson Siasia has invited a total of 51 players made up of 35 home based and 16 overseas based professionals to camp, in preparation for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations holding in Senegal from 28th November - 12th December this year.

From the list released, the home based players are being led to camp by experienced Enugu Rangers’ goal tender Emmanuel Daniel, Abia Warriors defender Erhun Obanor, Warri Wolves attacking midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and Enyimba midfield maestro Kingsley Sokari.

The foreign based players is being led by Turkey based Azubuike Okechukwu who doubles as the team captain , Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Belgium based Moses Simon, Spain based Isaac Success

and Germany based Taiwo Awoniyi.

Other players invited to camp include; Junior Ajayi, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu, Shehu Abdullahi, Alex Iwobi, Kingsley Madu, Vin Solomon Amuzie, Uche Ikpeazu, Stanley Amuzie, Aminu Umar,Paul Onuachi, Yusuf Mohammed, Emanuel Iwu, Segun Oduduwa, Sincere Seth and Chima Akas.

Also invited to camp are; Chima Akas, Daniel Etor, Godwin Aguda, Usman, Mohammed Usman Mohammed, Ndifreke Effiong, Chukwuemeka Iroha, Austin Oladapo, Christian Pyagbara, Stanley Dimgba, Semiu Liadi, Godspower Effiong, Ifeanyi Mathew, Bright Onyedikachi, Prince Aggrey, Mustapha Abdullahi, Muritala Adamu, Zaradeen Bello, Dayo Ojo, Seun Olulayo, Tiongoli Tonbara, Kufre

Siasia

Ebong, Kingsley Eduwo, Stephen Eze, Anaezemba Nzube, Charles Chukwudi, Daniel Emmanson, Ibrahim Alhassan and Adebayo Ajadi.

Home based players are expected to report to the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye camp immediately while the overseas -based players would report at the team’s final training camp before the tournament.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Crime Watch EFCC arrests Maina’s bankers ... for allegedly helping former Pension boss steal billions T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two bankers with Fidelity Bank who allegedly aided the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina,to launder stolen funds.

Danjuma Zubairu, Group Head of Private Banking, and Abubakar Gwambe, an account head, were arrested on Thursday following fresh evidence that they are managing proxy accounts for Mr. Maina, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Mr. Maina is currently on the run after the EFCC filed charges against him for stealing billions of naira through a phony biometric exercise alongside Steve Oronsaye, the former Head of Service of the Federation.

A Senate joint committee on public service and establishment had, in 2013, indicted Mr. Maina of fraud after he was brought in to reform the pension administration.

On Friday, the EFCC said they had traced N2.8 billion to numerous bank accounts

used by Mr. Maina.

“The accounts which have over time witnessed massive inflow of slush funds include two corporate and three individual accounts,” the anti graft commission said.

“The first individual account opened in the name of Abdullahi Faizer, had a turnover of N1.5billion while the other operated in the name of Nafisatu Aliyu recorded a turnover of over N100,000.

“The corporate accounts of Cluster Logistics had a turnover of N500million and $400,000 USD. Drew Investment and Construction and Kongolo Dynamics Cleaning Limited recorded turnovers of N54million and N509million respectively.”

All the five accounts, according to the EFCC, had different opening packages.

“Four of the accounts were allegedly opened by one Khalid Aliyu, a relation of Maina, who was an employee of the bank. The said Khalil is currently at large,” said the Commission.

“But investigation estab-

O

Man kills brother over fowl

ne Paul Unegu of Hausa Quarters in Izzi Unuphu community, Abakaliki local government area of Ebonyi state has been arrested for killing his elder brother, Sunday Unegu.

Paul, who killed his elder brother in a scuffle, was arrested on Thursday.

Sunday, police say, had accused Paul of stealing his fowls and had warned him to desist from the act.

The victim’s wife, Ifeoma, told sympathizers that Paul continued to steal the husband’s fowls which annoyed him and he confronted Paul in his house, leading to a violent fight between the two.

She said, ‘’I told my husband not to go to Paul’s house because of the matter because I know how he behaves but he did not listen to my advice.

‘’Look at what it has resulted to; am now a widow in this early stage,” she said.

A witness said the victim confronted Paul with a bottle with which he hit him on the chest and then went brought a cutlass from

Maina

lished that Abdulrasheed Maina is the one operating the accounts.”

Competent sources in the

his house. ‘’So, when Sunday came back with the cutlass, Paul confronted him and two of them started struggling. ‘’In the process, the cutlass cut his throat and he fell down while

anti-graft agency disclosed that the nexus between Mr. Maina and the accounts was established through a de-

blood started gushing out seriously’’.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, George Okafor, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect had been arrested.

Mr. Okafor, an assistant su-

tailed analysis of telephone text messages and email communications between Mr. Maina and the bank officials.

The bulk of the monies, it was gathered, had been moved through some Bureau de Change operators who convert them into dollar and transfer to Mr. Maina, who is believed to be hiding in the United Arab Emirates.

The EFCC has been on the trail of Mr. Maina for years.

Before the agency filed charges against him in absentia, it arrested Ann Igwe, who served as Mr. Maina’s secretary during his reign as the chairman of the controversial PRTT. Ms. Igwe was arrested in July this year by the Commission and she had provided “useful information,” a source close to the agency said.

It was gathered that Ms. Igwe allegedly confessed on how the biometric contract allegedly awarded to streamline pension administration under Mr. Maina actually became a conduit for stealing pension fund. perintendent of police, said the command received a distress call on the matter and that by the time police officers arrived the scene, the victim was already bleeding.

Mr. Okafor said the victim was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“The suspect will be arraigned in court after investigation,” he said

Police nabs human trafficker with 12 girls in Jigawa

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he Jigawa Police Command of the Nigerian police has arrested a 60year old woman with 12 young girls in Kazaure Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Usman Tilli, made the announcement on Thursday in Dutse while parading the suspect and her victims before journalists.

He said the suspect, who gave her name as Ladi Dahiru, was nabbed on Tuesday with 12 young girls below the age of 13 in Kazaure by policemen attached to Safer Highway Patrol.

He said the suspect claimed to have taken the girls from their various villages to attend Islamiyya Schools in Kabala Doki, Kaduna State.

Mr. Tilli said some of the children were from Jigawa State, while others were from Falle Village in Kunchi Local Government Area of Kano State.

“Based on our investigation, the parents of the victims whose ages range from nine to 12 years handed over their daughters to the suspect with the believe that they were go-

ing to Islamiya School in Kaduna.

“But further investigation revealed that the suspect only had a room and parlour in Kaduna where she used the young girls for dubious act,” he said.

The police boss said the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution after conclusion of investigation into the case.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

EFCC arraigns businessmen for failure to declare $5.3m T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned one Ojukwu Nnamdi Rowland before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos on one count charge bordering on bulk cash movement and money laundering.

Rowland was alleged to be in possession of $2,917,272, which he failed to declare to the authorities when he was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, en-route China.

The charge reads: “That Ojukwu Nnamdi Rowland on or about the 8th day of October, 2015 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court had in your possession cash in the sum of US$2,917,272 (Two Million, Nine Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Two United States Dollars) during your outbound clearance for travel to Addis Ababa and failed to declare the said sum of US$2,917,272 to the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service as required under the provision of section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No.1 of 2012) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011(as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012).”

When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, G.K. Latona, prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused in prison custody.

Justice Buba adjourned the case to November 2 and granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50 million and one surety in like sum.

The surety is to have reliable means of livelihood and verifiable landed properties.

In the same vein, the EFCC also arraigned Ngene Linus Chibuike before Justice Buba on one count charge bordering on Money Laundering.

The accused was alleged to have declared only $11,500, while being in possession of$2,495,498, which he failed to declare to the authorities at the MMIA. The charge read: “Ngene Linus Chibuike on or about the 8th day of October, 2015 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court had in your possession cash

Ojukwu and Ngene

in the sum of US$2,506,998 (Two Million, Five Hundred and Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight United States Dollars) during your outbound clearance for travel to China en-route Addis Ababa and

falsely declared the sum of US$11,500 (Eleven Thousand and Five Hundred United States Dollars) to the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5)

of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012).”

Justice Buba granted bail to the accused person and adjourned the case to November 2 for hearing.

Man docked for hard drugs accuses NDLEA of torture A n accused, Emmanuel Uwa, on Tuesday told the Federal High Court that he was tortured by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency leading to him bleeding when he urinated.

Mr. Uwa, 38, of Agboride village, Amaizu community Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was arrested and arraigned by NDLEA in 2012 for being in possession of 1kg Indian hemp.

He was brought to the court on Tuesday for cross and re-examination.

Addressing the court, Mr. Uwa said officials of the NDLEA numbering 21 invaded his compound at 3 a.m. of February 15, 2012 and started ransacking his rooms after asking for one Sunday Ogbonnia who resides in the

compound.

He said he had told the NDLEA officials that Mr. Ogbonnia was not in the compound and they forced him to follow them to their office in Afikpo North.

“Because I refused to follow them, they started beating me mercilessly.

“They later bundled me inside their car and left. They broke my legs and inflicted injuries on my face as can be seen even till now.

“When they got to their office, they continued the torture to the extent that I started urinating blood each time I want to urinate and it is still happening to me.

“They said I should admit that am a drug dealer to free myself which I refused because am a trader; I trade in palm oil not hard drugs.

“They later forced me to sign a prepared statement which I did to save my life because I was seriously injured by them and needed medical attention which they said I will not get unless I sign the statement ’’.

He said his step-brother framed him up because of the struggle for his late father’s assets which he said polarized his family.

While interrogating Mr. Uwa, the prosecution counsel, M.C. Onyia, said that he was found with a polythene bag of Indian hemp when officials of the NDLEA surrounded his compound.

Mr. Onyia said no official of NDLEA tortured him and that the suspect voluntarily wrote a statement where he admitted committing the crime.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Crime Watch Man bites prostitute’s OCTOBER 24, 2015

breast over pay

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n Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, sentenced a 19-year-old man, Sunday Jimoh, to six months in prison for biting a woman on the breast.

Jimoh was arraigned on a onecount charge of unlawful assault of a woman.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Munirat Giwa-Babalola, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said Jimoh was found guilty of the offence and should serve his sentence with hard labour.

The convict was asked by the court if he understood the charge as read from the First Information Report and he answered in the affirmative.

The convict then pleaded guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Corporal Kola Olaiya, told the court that Jimoh assaulted one woman, Meseheno Asukwo, by biting her right breast and face.

He said that the convict, of no fixed address, went to a brothel on October 21 at about 8.00 p.m. in Ekotedo, Ibadan, to patronise Meseheno.

He added that “after having sex with Meseheno, trouble ensued because Jimoh refused to pay for the service rendered and, in the process, the convict bit the complainant on the right breast and on the face.”

According to the prosecutor, the offence is against the provisions of Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

Woman killed 2 months after wedding

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28-year-old woman has been shot dead in Benin, the Edo State capital by gunmen two months after she wedded.

The deceased simply identified as Divine Ken was killed in her apartment at a shopping complex which equally doubled as a residential building at Uselu area in Benin around 11pm on Tuesday.

Reports have it that armed robbers had robbed the complex a week earlier only to return on Tuesday after a tenant made the private security guard to open the gate on the premise that he was going out

to purchase some items.

After gaining entrance into the building, it was said that the robbers tied up the security guard and broke into shops and rooms.

Somewhere along the line, they met Divine Ken who was the only one in the building besides the security guard in one of the rooms, and opened fire on her, and killed her.

It was gathered that the tenant who went out of the building before the robbery incident has been arrested.

The deceased wedded on August 29, 2015, less than two months ago.

Man, 25, docked for allegedly raping boy

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25-year-old man, Benjamin Ibehmonic, on Friday appeared in a Makurdi Magistrate’s Court for alleged rape of a 13-yearold boy through his anus.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Omaye Ujata, told the court that one Christian Ornguga of No. 39 Off Vandeikya Street, High-Level Makurdi, reported the case at B Division Police Station.

Uajta said that Ibehmonic of the same address raped the informant’s younger brother through the anus while he was coming back from an errand.

She told the court that the complainant told the police that he sent the victim to buy him recharge card.

The prosecutor said that Ornguga told the police that the accused called him into his room,

tied his mouth, legs, hands and had sexual intercourse with him through his anus.

The accused was arrested during police investigation and he voluntarily confessed to the crime.

She said that investigation into the matter had been completed and applied for a date for hearing.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 284 of the Penal Code and the accused admitted committing the offence.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Mohammed, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Mohammed said that the surety must reside within Makurdi town, and adjourned the case till Nov. 23, for hearing.

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Man, 43, docked in Ogun for N710,000 fraud

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43-year-old man, Olayemi Kayode, who allegedly obtained N710,000 under false pretext, was on Friday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

Kayode, who resides at No.11, Adenekan St., Iyana-Iyesi in Ota, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

Prosecutor Ebibomino Itaita told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in June at Winners’ Chapel headquarters, Canaanland, Ota. Itaita said the accused collected N710, 000 from one Iseolorunkanmi Alex, under false pretext of assisting him to buy a Volkswagen bus, an agreement he failed to fulfill.

The offences contravened Sections 319 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Funke Odubanjo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in the like sum.

Odubanjo said the sureties

Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase

should swear to an affidavit of means and produce one year tax clearance and also show evidence of identification.

She said the evidence of identification should either be

a national identity card, driver’s licence, or an international passport.

The magistrate adjourned the case till Dec.15 for hearing.

(NAN)

3 bag 5 months imprisonment each for selling Naira notes A Gudu Upper Area Court in the FCT on Friday sentenced three accused persons to five months in prison each for illegally trading in Naira notes.

The convicts were Eya Ebere, 22, of Kuchin Goro, Airport Road, Sheitu Lawan, 27, and Anas Bashiru, 23, both of Trailer Park, Abuja.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, however, gave the convicts an option to pay N15, 000 each as fines, and warned them to desist from committing the crime.

The convicts were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and illegal trading in Naira notes.

Pregnant woman crushes husband’s testicles over cheating, killing him

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ragedy struck yesterday in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, when a pregnant woman crushed her husband’s testicles, which led to his sudden death.

But it was a double tragedy for the family, as his friend who took him to the mortuary was killed in a fatal accident, a day after his friend’s death along Otuocha-Adani Road.

A source close to the family where Governor Obiano of the state hails from, told City Today that the middle aged couple (name withheld) had a quarrel before they went to bed.

The woman, who was said to be carrying five months old pregnancy, had accused the husband of having an affair with another

lady outside.

It was gathered that trouble started when they went to bed; the woman was said to have gone to the man’s room, held his testicles and crushed it with an object which led to his sudden death.

But tragedies did not stop there, as the victim’s friend (name withheld), a commercial motorcycle rider, who led others to deposit his corpse in a mortuary in Onitsha, was said to have gone to work the following day and was killed by a hit a run vehicle.

The Onitsha Area Commander, Mr. Philip Ezekiel, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), confirmed the unfortunate incident but did not give details. He said that the Otuocha Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was investigating the matter.

Prosecuting Umoh Inah told the court that the convicts were arrested by police operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau, FCT Command, on Sept. 21.

Inah said the convicts were arrested at Kubwa, Deidei Expressway, Abuja, where they were selling Naira notes and coins to the public.

The prosecutor said that N168, 000 notes of different denominations was found in their possession.

He said the offence contravened Section 97 of the Penal Code and Section 7 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 as amended.

The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Micheal Eze, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Eze said that Ebere is a mother of two, Lawan is a father with a hospitalised daughter and Bashiru is also a father.

He said that the court should be lenient to his clients as they were all first time offenders and fell into hands of the wrong people in Abuja.

He promised the court that the accused would desist from committing crime.

(NAN)

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OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Investment Profiles with Godwin Uba ubagodwin@yahoo.com 08034494437

Producing vegetable oil for export

also very important.

Prospective investors will be given details information on these vital issues.

INTRODUCTION

A

nation that wants to grow must look inwards so as to harness those areas where it has comparative advantage over other nations.

When this is done, then efforts would be done to develop those areas to the advantage of the nation.

Apart from petroleum, Nigeria is blessed with other agricultural products which when processed and exported can fetch up to 60 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Unfortunately, some of those natural resources endowed to the country are not fully utilized.

This does not tell well of a nation that wants to generate employment to teeming unemployed school leavers. It does not tell well of a nation that wants to generate more foreign exchange to correct imbalance of payments. It does not tell well of a nation that wants to develop rural areas.

Therefore there is urgent need to think of how to make good use of what we have to get what we want.

In this write up we shall discuss on how to establish a project using abundant raw materials grown in abundant in Nigeria; vegetable oil is highly demanded in the international market as well as within the country.

Prospective investors will be educated on how to use either local technology or imported machines to set up internationally acceptable product.

RAW MATERIALS & SOURCES The raw materials needed to set up this project are cotton seeds, melon seeds, groundnuts, palm nuts or palm kernel.

All these are grown in all parts of Nigeria. Therefore easy procurement of raw materials is assured.

USES OF THE ENVISAGED PRODUCT Vegetable oil is a major ingredient in soap, cream, butter and margarine production. It is used at homes and fast food centers as cooking or frying oil. It acts as a substitute to a more expensive Olive oil, as salad oil.

The cotton seed, melon seed, groundnut and palm kernel cakes is rich in protein and carbohydrate and is necessary input in livestock feeds formulation.

Vegetable oil and cakes are therefore commercially and domestically valuables.

PACKAGING Packaging is another important area to pay attention to. There is internationally recommended method of packaging the vegetable oil.

Locally, there may not be much worry about the packaging. In this case the promoters may opt for P.E.T bottles. In terms of international market, adequate care should be taken.

Details will be given to prospective investors.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The project cost implication depends on the type of oil and sources of raw materials. Investors any part of the country can produce quality, well refined oil for export and local markets for each of the projects, using different raw materials are shown below. From our estimation, depending on the capacity of the plants the cost implications are shown as follows As a result no waste is envisaged.

MARKETING OF THE PRODUCT The increase in the demand for soap, cream, butter, margarine and other industrial products, has made the demand for vegetable oil very high.

The demand covers not only within Nigeria, but across the globe.

Some companies in Europe, America, Asia and even some part of Africa are readily available to purchase in bulk from those who may wish to exploit the opportunities in international market.

Details of such foreign buyers will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

TECHNOLOGY (plants & machinery) The plant and machinery required depends on the type of product the prospective investor may wish to produce and the raw material input.

From survey carried out the major raw material required include crusher, Toaster, Filter press, refining plant. Other equipment includes receiving tanks, weighing scale, project vehicles etc.

The advantage of the plant is that it has economic efficiency of processing cotton seed, melon seed, groundnut and palm nuts as well as palm kernel.

What the promoters need is to have separate processing shaft for different vegetable oil seeds.

The promoters have the option of using either locally made machines or imported ones.

Details on how and where to procure and install, quality machines and equipment (both locally made and imported ones) will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

PRODUCTION CAPACITY Technically, it implies that the processing plant would be worked to its optimal capacity and all the estimated projections would be achieved. Details would be given to prospective investors.

QUALITY CONTROL It is advisable to prospective investors to maintain high quality standard so as to attract wider acceptable of the product both internationally and locally. The refinery plant should be well equipped enough to refine an internally acceptable product.

The quality control specified by Nigeria and International Standard Organization is therefore very essential.

Moreover NAFDAC requirements are

FUNDING There are financial institutions and special project funding organizations that would be recommended to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

PROFIT POTENTIALS The seeds contain 25 percent of yellow oil. Adopting two processing machines for project take off at 5 tons per plant, and working for 300 days, 3000 tons of vegetable oil would be produced in a year.

Given 25 percent as oil content per ton, 750 tons of cake would be produced annually.

Assuming a conservative price of N25, 000 per ton, an average of N18.75 million would be made in a year as annual turnover.

Selling in the international market will yield more returns.

For further details on comprehensive & bankable feasibility studies & reports, procurement & installation of the machines & equipment (both local and foreign made) test-running recruitment of quality manpower and training, funding arrangement, please contact the writer.

Uba Godwin Global Trust Consulting Group 56 Ishaga Road (1st floor), Surulere, Lagos Tel: 08034494437, 08023664368, 09093939140 E-mail: ubagodwin@yahoo.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Onitsha bridge gridlock calls for Second Niger Bridge

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he traffic gridlock on the ever busy Onitsha Bridge has again rekindled calls from commuters and other users of the bridge for President Mohammed Buhari to resume the construction of the Second Niger Bridge suspended after he assumed office four months ago.

Commuters and other users of the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway on Wednesday faced a hectic time as they were trapped in traffic gridlock for almost twenty four hours stretching from 5am Wednesday to about 1am on Thursday.

The traffic hold-up started building up since Monday due to the failed portion of the road at Okwe Housing Estate, but it came to a head Wednesday morning through Thursday following the palliative work being carried out by some people said to be staff of Direct Labour Agency (DLA) of Delta State and Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA).

Following the traffic hold-up, some impatient and reckless drivers took one way which brought to a halt for several hours vehicular movement, forcing

commuters to trek all the way from Onitsha to Abraka bus stop in Asaba, Delta State capital, while those coming from Asaba end equally trek to Onitsha.

The traffic situation was so hectic that it stretched from Onitsha Bridge to Chiedu Oko in Asaba and Asaba-Onitsha buses which normally collected N100 per drop increased their fare to between N300 and N500 per drop.

Consequently, drivers and commuters who bemoaned the insensitivity of political leaders in Nigeria called on President Buhari to resume immediately the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, which its completion will improve the sufferings encountered by the users of the road.

Mr. Ignatius Eke, a legal practitioner in Onitsha, who resides in Asaba, said that in spite of the fact that President Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State should immediately direct their aides to fix the road with drainage permanently, the President should as a matter of urgency begin the construction of Second Niger Bridge.

SOUTH EAST

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Buhari’s one man rule unconstitutional, says Igbo leaders Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

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he Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of gross violation of Nigeria’s constitution.

In a communiqué issued yesterday after its meeting in Enugu, the Igbo Leaders noted that five months after he was sworn-in, “President Buhari has not been able to form a government, but has continued to rule alone.”

They stated that President Buhari has violated the Constitution of the country in so many ways including the appointments he has made so far.

The ILT noted that his

one man rule had generated much tension in the land and had caused serious retardation of the economy, social dislocation, insecurity and polarization along ethnic and religious lines.

In the communique, ILT said it “supports the fight against corruption provided it is not selective, and it is subject to constitutional limitations on power, especially limitations arising from our Federal system and the guarantee of civil and political rights.

“The ILT reminds the President that the main problem of the country today is the National Question, which demands, among other things, the restructuring of the Fed-

eration, and calls on him to set up immediately the machinery for the purpose and for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference resolutions.”

On the menace of Fulani herdsman, the group stressed that they had continued “to constitute a menace and security problem in the country and calls on the President to restrict them to cattle ranches as it is done in all cattle-rearing countries all over the world.

“The ILT condemns in no uncertain terms the movement of Boko Haram terrorists to the prison in Ekwulobia in spite of the protests of Anambrians.

There is no reason or justification for this act if it is

not to further threaten the security of Anambarians, many of whom are victims of the sect’s violence and have been driven out from North-Eastern part of the country. If the Boko Haram insurgents are awaiting trial, simple logic dictates that they should be located near the courts in the North-East. In any case, such criminals should not be allowed to contaminate and endanger the security of non-members of the sect. There is a feeling among Ndigbo that these Boko Haram insurgents are advanced groups of Jihadists, just like the Fulani herdsmen roaming over the South-East, South-West and North-Central armed with AK47 guns.

Buhari urged to respect federal character principle

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ormer chairman of defunct Onitsha Municipal Council, Chief Michael Ozua Okoye, has urged President Muhammed Buhari to give Ndigbo their own due in the distribution of appointments and projects in the country.

Chief Okoye, who is the traditional Prime minister of Ndigbo otherwise called Onowu Ndigbo, said that the call has become imperative given the fact that in the appointments so far made by President Buhari, except in the case of Ministerial, Ndigbo has been carefully excluded.

The elder statesman warned that excluding the South East geo-political zone in the running of the affairs of the country would not be in the overall interest of the entire country.

He said that Buhari as a statesman should not allow any section of this country to protest or go down on their knees begging for appointment before their due is given to them in a Federation like Nigeria.

He said that Buhari as the President, who has sworn to protect and

defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knows that the Federal character principle enshrined in the constitution, every geo-political zone, especially the South East should get their own share of political appointments and critical infrastructure.

“Buhari cannot afford to sideline Ndigbo. Whatever is due to them should be given to them. I am sure Buhari cannot say no Igbo man or woman is qualified in whatever standard he uses for his appointments.

It is common knowledge that we have eminent people who are qualified for any position.”

He called on the President to tackle critical infrastructure in the zone such as Onitsha-Enugu Express road, Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, the Moribund Onitsha River Port, dredging of the lower Niger among many others.

Chief Okoye however, lauded Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for sustaining security in the state through effective collaboration and synergy among the security outfits in the state.

L-R: Marketing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme; Prof. Pat Utomi; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh; HR Director, Mrs. Tolu Agiri and Honourable Commissioner of Employment and Wealth Creation, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Etti, during Unilever Idea Trophy 4th Edition Grand Finale, yesterday.

60% illegal arms in South East sourced locally — PRESCOM I t was revealed yesterday at the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM), stakeholders’ sensitization forum held at Enugu, Enugu State, for South East zone, that 60 per cent of illegal arms in the zone are sourced locally.

The South East coordinator on House Survey, Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Professor Aloysius Okolie, made the revelation during a 2-day stakeholders sensitisation

forum on the comprehensive national small arms and light weapons survey in Nigeria held at Villa Toscana Hotel Enugu, between the 22nd and 23rd of this month.

To buttress his point he said, “The 60 percent are fabricated here locally and some communities are known for their natural fabrication of arms” He revealed further that politicians are part of arms proliferation in the area, adding that “most of the political leaders help in the importation and fabrication of arms”.

During the sensitization forum tagged: “All Hands on Deck”, he stated also that,”40 percent of the arms are imported by these political leaders and the rest 60 percent fabricated within the zone.”

According to him, “the essence of the survey is not for the government to embark on disarmament, but to find out those factors that motivate people into acquiring such arms and sources of the arms.”

Earlier, the PRESCOM Coordinator, Mr. Dickson N. Orji, reiterated that the forum gave room for infor-

mation and interaction on how to curtail proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

“It will create awareness on the socio-economic impact of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferations in Nigeria and sensitize the Nigerian populace on the proposed comprehensive SALW survey in Nigeria”, he stated “The forum will galvanize support for the survey team and enumerators to ensure collaboration at the grassroots for the success of the project,” he added further.

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Rivers begins demolition of structures to avert flooding Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

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he Rivers State Government said it has begun the demolition of structures which are impeding the free flow of water along the creeks, canals and other waterways in the state.

This move, according to the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) became necessary to avert severe flooding which is already ravaging parts of the state due to heavy rains across the country.

Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Felix Obuah had in the past few weeks, warned residents and land developers in the state, especially in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor Local Government Areas not to erect structures on the waterways.

But RIWAMA’s Director of Administration, Mr. Ian Gobo, who supervised the demolition, recalled that the National Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had listed Rivers State among what they called the ‘flash floods location’.

A statement issued by the agency on Friday said the demolition began on earlier in the week.

The statement reads, “The demolition exercise which began on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, saw the pulling down of two structures which were erected right on the waterway of the Mini Ekere creek in Rumuobiakani, Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

“Using a massive swamp boogie for the operation, the RIWAMA officials leveled the structures which were built behind No. 10B Enugu Street, Rumuobiakani.

“On Thursday, the team moved to No. 3 Valley Close, Rumuogba, where a one-storey apartment had encroached into the same creek and completely blocked the water channel, a situation that forced the water to veer off its course thus threatening to submerge several buildings along the creek.

“Residents of surrounding shanties, including those on the imposing one-storey building watched as the swamp boogie pulled down the fence of the apartment, even as people were seen working anxiously to reerect another illegal fence on the waterway.

“However, to ensure that the law takes its course, Mr. Gobo and some senior health officials of RIWAMA issued an abatement notice of 90 days which they served the owner of No. 3 Valley Close, Rumuogba to enable him move out and also pull down the structure.

SOUTH SOUTH

OCTOBER 24, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alamieyeseigha’s best friends were his worst enemies –APC ••• as party pays family condolence visit Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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he Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress APC, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to members of the Alameiseigha family, saying that those who were regarded as his best friends were actually his worst enemies.

The leadership of the party had visited the Alameiseigha family at their Yenagoa home, to commiserate with them on the sad and shocking demise of the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa state, Chief D.S.P Alameiseigha, who died on Saturday at the age 62.

The state Chairman of the party, Chief Tiwei Orunmighe who led the delegation, said the man whose death is been celebrated today has impacted positively in Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation and Nigeria in particular, adding that the legacies that have been left behind are for the younger generation of the Ijaw youths to live by.

“We are actually celebrating, we are not mourning, and this is not the moment to mourn, Alameiseigha remains a hero to the Ijaw people. He was indeed a realist, he stood for the Ijaw people, but the love he showed his people was returned in betrayal.

“The same people accusing the APC and the British government of conspiracy in his death, was the same people that protested carrying casket in Yenagoa against him, impeached him without investigations of the alleged crimes and now they want to tell the people they love him for the sake of politics.

“That betrayal, humiliation and dent is the wound that never healed, which he tried to pretend all was well till death took him away, a vacuum have been created and the Ijaw nation will do everything to fill it” The party prayed God to grant the wife and fam-

ily the courage to keep the family together and his legacies, adding that all Bayelsans ought to go down on their knees and thank God for the life of the deceased though, it was short lived.

According to the Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Akpoebi Alamieyeseigha, who spoke on behalf of the family, the period was the most difficult period to the family, adding that the man everyone knew and called was no more.

He said God knows the best for his bereaved brother and nobody can bring him back again but all the family needs is the prayer of everybody.

Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (3rd from left), listening to an address by the President Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Elder Monday Etokakpan, who led the leadership of the association on a courtesy visit to the former governor in his office in Abuja on Friday.

Wike’s media aide escapes assassination Dennis Naku, PORT HARCOURT

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pecial Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, escaped death after he was attacked in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area by gunmen suspected to be hired assassins.

The unknown gunmen had shot several times at his vehicle, a Ford Escape, with Registration Number; Rivers 105 RVGN, leaving bullet holes.

The incident, it was gathered occurred at Israel Ama Bridge in Buguma, at about 8pm as the gunmen were

said to have shot at the vehicles owner’s seat with the belief that Inko-Tariah was sitting inside the car.

Narrating the surprising development, the governor’s aide said he heeded the advice of his police escort not to stop, even as the assailants continued to rain bullets on the back of the vehicle.

Inko-Tariah disclosed that his police escort, who was by his side in the front of the vehicle, immediately opened the front door and shot sporadically to scare the bandits away.

Inko-Tariah said, “I am still shocked over what happened. I was completely confused. The police escort

told me not to stop the car and that I should continue to move on. It was God that saved my life.

“They (gunmen) thought I was at the back of the car and that was why they targetted that point.

“With the tinted glasses, they had concluded that I was probably at the owner’s seat and they riddle the back side of the car with bullets.

“It was a close shave with death and I thank God for His divine intervention. I am a simple man; I don’t owe anybody and I am not covetous. So, why would somebody want to take my life,” he queried.

The Rivers Governor’s

media aide stated that he was on his way back to Port Harcourt after travelling to Buguma to resolve a land dispute.

Asked if the attack was politically motivated, he said, “I am not ruling out anything and I am suspecting everything.”

Inko-Tariah, however, disclosed that he had since reported the matter to the State Police Command with hope that investigation would begin with a view to unmasking those behind the attempt on his life.

Contacted, the State Assistant Police Public Relations Office, Grace IringeKoko, said she had not been briefed on the matter and promised to speak as soon as she got the details.

Ibibio group honours Akpabio Jackson Udo

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sociocultural group based in Akwa Ibom State, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio on Friday, paid a courtesy visit to the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, where it also made public the plans by the association to honour the former governor for his “selfless service to the state and the nation’.

Addressing the Senate Minority Leader, President of the group Akparawa Monday Etokakapan, said they were in his office to thank him for the selfless service he rendered for the people of the state through the uncommon transformation and development the state witnessed under his leadership.

The group said; “since you assumed your seat in the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you have kept Akwa Ibom State in national and international limelight through your activities in the National Assembly by displaying an uncommon gallantry.”

The group condemned the recent attempt by some sponsored individuals to pull him down saying, “we have noted with concern, the various attempts to pull you down, but we implore you not to be daunted by the scheming of detractors but continue to be steadfast, adding, “as a senator of the Federal Republic, we have no doubt that that you will do well, accept our encouragement to do more” In his reaction, Senator Akpabio thanked the association for expanding beyond ethnic considerations saying, “For expanding the scope of your membership, you have demonstrated unity and oneness.

“Appreciating me, shows that the association is built on truth you are saying you are with me and proud of me as your former governor and a senator. I promise to work for further development of the group.”

Akpabio also declared; “as you have deemed me worthy of your award based on my service to the state as a former governor and senator, I accept the honour to bestowed on me by your worthy group with pride”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 24, 2015

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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Slovenia receives 47,000 migrants in few days •••plans to build fence to halt influx S

lovenia said it was considering building a fence along its border after more than 47,000 migrants crossed into in the country in just a few days.

The country has become overwhelmed with a massive influx of refugees after Hungary closed its border with Croatia.

The Slovenian Interior Ministry said around 47,500 had entered the country since Saturday, including some 10,000 in the past 24 hours.

When asked if there was the possibility of building a fence on the border, Prime Minister Miro Cerar said: “We are considering also those options.”

He added: “At first, we were seeking a European solution. If we lose hope on the European level, if we do not get enough on Sunday then all options are possible as that would mean that we are on our own.”

He also accused Croatia of transporting too many people too quickly to Slovenia.

According to Slovenia’s interior ministry, the cost of fencing off the 670km long border with Croatia would be about 80 million Euro.

Officials said the country is too small, and does not have enough resources to handle such large number of people.

Several European leaders are due to meet in Brussels on Sunday under the auspices of the European Commission to discuss the latest developments in the migrant crisis; Europe’s biggest since World War. Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa have reached Europe this year, with hundreds losing their lives in risky voyages across the Mediterranean.

Most are trying to reach Germany and other rich countries. Croatia began directing migrants into Slovenia, which is part of the European Union’s open border Schengen Area, after Hungary

closed its borders.

But bottlenecks have built up along new routes and border crossing points in the Balkans, and aid workers fear the humanitarian crisis will deepen as winter weather sets in.

Slovenia has asked for the EU for assistance and officials said Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland offered to send police reinforcements.

On Friday morning thousands of refugees and migrants were sitting in a field outside a small town of Rigonce near the border with Croatia as temperatures neared freezing level.

From there they will be escorted by the police to a camp to be registered before they continue on their journey to Austria.

‘We have been travelling for 10 days and it was

Overwhelmed: Thousands of migrants are escorted through fields by police from the village of Rigonce to Brezice refugee camp in Slovenia

very difficult,’ Abdullah, 23-year-old medicine stu-

dent from the Syrian city of Aleppo, which has suf-

fered heavy destruction and many deaths during

that country’s four-yearold civil war.

Patricia as the “strongest hurricane on record” in the Atlantic and eastern

North Pacific Basins.

Mexico has not formally requested help from the U.S., but State Department

spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Friday that America “stands up to offer any assistance that we

can in the aftermath of what at least appears to be a pretty epic event in terms of the intensity and size of the storm.”

Hurricane Patricia: Strongest storm ever measured to hit Mexico H

urricane Patricia became the strongest storm ever measured on the planet early Friday, with experts warning it could trigger 40-foot waves along southwestern Mexico and “life-threatening” flash flooding.

More than 7 million residents — and an estimated tens of thousands of U.S. citizens visiting or living there — were told to prepare for the “worstcase scenario” as the ferocious storm was expected to race ashore on Mexico’s Pacific coast between 6 to 10 p.m. ET Friday.

The tourist magnets of Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo were directly in the Category 5 storm’s projected path, and Puerto Vallarta’s airport was closed Friday out of precaution as some stranded vacationers described their inability to fly out a “nightmare.”

Packing 200 mph winds, the U.S. National Hurricane Center labeled

43 dead in crash between bus and truck in France

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t least 43 people, mostly elderly retirees, died in a fiery crash between a bus and a truck in southwestern France on Friday, authorities said.

French President Francois Hollande called the accident near the town of Puisseguin, close to Bordeaux, an “immense tragedy.”

Interior Ministry spokesman, Pierre-Henry Brandet, said firefighters were met with a “gigantic” blaze when they arrived at the scene, and warned the “heavy” death toll could climb.

The local prefecture in Gironde said that the bus was carrying a group of elderly people when it crashed with the truck at

about 7:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET) around Puisseguin. It said eight people were injured, four of them seriously, including two people with head trauma and two with serious burns.

One child, who had been in the truck was among the dead, the prefecture said. It was not immediately clear if the rest of the casualties were passengers on the bus. A spokesman for France’s Interior Ministry told reporters it appeared that the victims were from the area.

France’s BFMTV reported that the few survivors managed to escape by smashing windows. More than 60 firefighters responded to the scene and

helicopters were assisting, the station reported.

The National Gendar-

merie said on Twitter that around 200 officers were mobilized.

An aerial view of the site where a coach (bottom) carrying members of an elderly people’s club collided with a truck (top) outside Puisseguin near Bordeaux, France on Friday

Quote of the day “Everything that has a beginning has an end. I don’t think and I don’t know if there is any leadership crisis in the National Assembly”.

— Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila speaking with State House Correspondents after he led some members of the House to meet President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

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Nigeria’s wicked problems and Buhari’s dilemma

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he coming of President Buhari was very well celebrated in Nigeria and the entire global community.

Equally celebrated is the new concern for good governance and better behaviour of public officers.

Everyone is happy and ready to receive the message of hope under the platform of CHANGE. I hasten to add here that CHANGE was my campaign slogan in 2003 in the contest for the governorship of Ondo State, which was declared open by then General Muhammadu Buhari, now President Buhari.

Specifically, my campaign slogan was CHANGE 2OO3.

By now, President Buhari must have come to terms with the fact that his mandate cannot possibly be immediately realised. What he met in Aso Rock is certainly different from the Nigeria he had in mind. It’s certainly not the same Civil Service.

The structure he met is definitely more volatile than the structure of yesteryears. Most important, there is no money like before!

The President came with his last energy to fight corruption. But by now, he must be getting to know that in this part of the world, corruption is computerised. He must have asked himself many times: Where do I start from?

He ran to the Judiciary to ask for support. For eight years, Obasanjo was asking for a separate court for the trial of corrupt persons.

He got nothing. Mr. President set up Professor Sagay’s commission, thinking it was all about getting it right with the right people. While still waiting for what to do, he went to the Nigeria Bar Association and begged lawyers not to defend corrupt public officers. As usual, the lawyers replied that an accused

CFR

The President came with his

last energy to fight corruption.

But by now, he must be getting to know that in this part

of the world, corruption is computerised person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction! So what is a court of competent jurisdiction?

The President, not finding the respite he wanted, and time being an enemy, went to the accountants and begged for help. They told Mr. President that the accounts must be balanced. If the accounts are not balanced, accountants can do something. But with a balanced account, the entry is closed!

Mr. President took time to prepare himself on the best way forward.

And as the end of five months in office was fast approaching, he remembered his promise to Nigeria- Ministers must be ready by September!

At the peak of the United Nations meeting of the Security Council, the

issue of which gate to use to enter the venue almost made the President miss the meeting. This is despite the fact that Nigeria has established an office in the United Nations since 1990. Our representative did not know which gate was appropriate for our President until the gate was closed!

As the President proceeds to govern Nigeria, these ‘LITTLE’ problems continue to surface. They are far from the real problems he has come to solve. But what can he do? When our oil money was traced to a certain bank, Mr. President was so excited. He was about preparing a letter of request to bring the signatories from London where they are resting to sign off the account.

The President was told that the principal signatory to the account

was down with last-stage cancer!

If it were in the days of Buhari as military Head-of-State, the said minister would have been home in twenty four hours, even with cancer times two! But since the President promised to be a true democrat, human rights are another issue.

Best of luck Mr. President!

The problems of Nigeria that Buhari has come to solve are wicked problems. They include unemployment, the insurgency of Boko Haram, struggle over resources, praxis of corruption, infrastructural decay; specifically the issue of darkness and systemic collapse, all of which commutatively point to ‘a failed state.’

The problem comes from the collapse of trust between government and the people.

Government doesn’t trust the people and the people no longer trust the government. People say sometimes when government says ‘good morning,’ it might mean ‘good night!’ Please check your watch!

Institutional void prevents investment from global investors. It is important to note here that local entrepreneurs are also divesting at a very high rate. Government alone cannot provide jobs. Even the few people that government employed are not being paid their salaries.

Government staffers are working for eight months without salary!

Who breached the Pyramid of Trust? How gigantic are the wicked problems on Buhari’s hands? Next week, we will look at the wicked problems on Buhari’s hands. Make it a date!

*Jimoh Ibrahim writes from the MBA class of the University of Cambridge

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