Binder1

News

DSS places ex-NSA, Sambo Dasuki, under continued watch

Vol. 5 No. 34

P.8

zz zz zz zz zz

Top Story

Kano gov. moves to spend extra N180m on deputy’s office

Saturday, August 8, 2015

News

zz

P.2

zz zz zz zz

National Mirror Online

P.7

Seized $2.1m cash: Ex-NHIS boss submits to EFCC

@NationalMirror

N150

CBN vows to sanction bank debtors … Plans to provide funds for resuscitation of textile industry

L-R: Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Adm. Patrick Agholor; President Muhammadu Buhari; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila; Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear adm.

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Avm Sadique Abubakar and I-G Solomon Arase, at the graduation of the National Defence College course 23 participants in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reliance ‘Cement, on oil, gas over auto-parts to replace —Buhari petroleum exports’ P.9

Boko Haram in disarray — DHQ

...as leadership tussle factionalises terror sect Sealxk T

P. 6

10 prowess protection tips

ri Teji 5 P.2 P. 32

Page

Top Stories Two

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

Uneasy calm as Kano gov moves to spend N180m on deputy’s office ...Four months after it was built at N303m

B

arely three months after Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, built and commissioned the office of the state’s Deputy Governor at N303 million, his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has moved to renovate the same edifice at an additional cost of N180 million, a development that has created no small disquiet in the opposition camp in Kano.

Ganduje was Kwakwaso’s deputy while he held sway as governor. Consequently, opposition politicians in the state have wondered, ‘Why the additional cost when Ganduje was very much a part of the decision that led to building the edifice?’

As yesterday evening opposition elements in the PDP were yet to officially react. But speaking to the paper off record, a party chieftain in the state said that the state governor will definitely get a ‘strong response’ from the party.

Ganduje ordered the release of N180 million for the renovation of the office of the deputy governor the week after he approved the termination of the employment of 2,620 sanitation workers on N10,

000 monthly stipend.

The office, built at the cost of N303 million, was commissioned by the immediate past governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on March 13.

Addressing reporters on the outcome of the weekly Executive Council Meeting, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mohammed Garba, said the decision to lay off the casual workers was prompted by government’s resolve to ensure probity in their payroll.

Although he didn’t give reasons for the office renovation, the commissioner explained that most of the sacked workers were redundant, as they hardly report to their duty posts.

Mr. Garba, a former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the state government plans to start the recruitment exercise afresh in order to select diligent workers for quality service delivery.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state governor approved the sum of N12 million for the renovation of a ruptured bridge in Yaryasa village in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of the state.

Ganduje

Police crack kidnap Court freezes bank account over fake marriage proposal syndicate, nab 14 W I suspects in Delta ale gbintade

Theophilus Onojeghen - Warri

T

he Delta State Police Command has paraded 14 notorious suspects of a kidnapping syndicate including two who were about collecting N3.8 million from a victim inside a bush in Bayelsa State.

Briefing newsmen in Ughelli, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman, explained that the suspects ran out of luck after they had demanded a N3.8m ransom before releasing the victim and his vehicle when detectives arrested them.

He explained that the armed bandits had earlier attacked one Chief (Hon.) Gabriel Erueme at gun point in Oleh Town and snatched his Toyota Prado SUV before driving away to an unknown destination.

“However, on August 3, 2015 at about 0700hrs, detectives arrested one Daniel Godday Oghogho ‘m’, 42 years and Lucky Ighogboja ‘m’ 35 years at Osekele bush in Bayelsa State while collecting a ransom of N3.8m from their victim,” the commissioner said.

Parading the suspects at the Ughelli Command Headquarters, Usman disclosed that two kidnapped victims were rescued in the last few days while over ten snatched vehicles were also recovered from suspected hoodlums.

A

Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the accounts of a Nigerian, Orobor Ighodaro George (alias Georgio Machini), who allegedly defrauded a Hong Kong national to the tune of $250, 000 on the pretext of a marriage proposal.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who granted the order after entertaining arguments on an ex-parte application from EFCC’s counsel, Mustapha Aliyu, also ordered the bank where the accounts are domiciled, Enterprise Bank, to furnish EFCC with the mandate card, particulars of referees, photograph of the operator, statement of accounts from the inception to date and other relevant documents in respect of the accounts belonging to the alleged fraudster, George.

The application was brought pursuant to Sections 25, 26, 28, 29 and 34 of the EFCC Act, 2004 and Section 60 (B) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act, 2002.

In an affidavit in support of the suit, Olamide Sadiq, an EFCC operative attached to the Advanced Fee Fraud Unit (AFF Team F) of the commission, had recalled that on December 12, 2013, the commission received a petition from the said victim, who stated in details how she was defrauded by George, who is alleged to have fled to the United Kingdom.

According to the case, sometime in 2012, the victim met George through the internet, and they started a romantic relation-

ship that gradually snowballed into a marriage proposal.

The victim then started sending money to George to enable him get to Hong Kong and solemnise the proposal.

Unknown to the victim, the suspect was allegedly deceiving her even with a fake name, Georgio Machini.

The EFCC official said after receiving the petition, the commission swung into action, and investigation revealed that the money was paid in piece meal by the petitioner through Western Union money transfer, adding that same was routed through Malaysia to the accounts of the alleged fraudster in Nigeria.

Ahead of Sallah: Cattle, goat thieves nabbed in Kwara Wole Adedeji Ilorin

P

olice in Kwara State on Friday paraded six men suspected to be cattle rustlers and thieves of other domestic pets numbering 64. They were said to be operating in several locations in the state.

Parading the suspects before newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital, Kwara Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, said the cattle rustlers were intercepted at Oke Ode area in Ifelodun LGA of the state on July 24, 2015 with 11 cattle in a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration number, Lagos LSD 795.

He said: “On interrogation, the suspects could not give satisfactory account of themselves, which raised suspicions, prompting Police detectives to interrogate them before they confessed to have stolen the cows.

“They also confessed that they were a syndicate comprising both Fulani and Yoruba members, and that they sell their stolen cows in Igbeti and Ibadan in Oyo state,” Okasanmi added.

Investigations, he also said had estab-

lished the owner of the truck and the regular receivers of the stolen animals.

The PPRO also paraded two domestic animal thieves, at Ganmo in Ifelodun LGA of the state on August 2, 2015 at 5:40 am in a taxi cab with registration number Kwara X5 498 LRN while in possession of two stolen goats.

“On interrogation, it was revealed that they have been involved in the illicit business for a long time specialising in stealing domestic animals from peoples’ homes while they were fast asleep.

“Investigations took the detectives to the receiver of the stolen goats at Elerinjae, Idofian, who took to his heels on sighting the detectives, abandoning 10 rams, 61 goats and one vehicle he had in his custody, awaiting his accomplices before embarking on their usual trans-state trade trips,” he said.

Similarly, the Police in Osi Ekiti, in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, acting on a tip off, intercepted one Garba Umar, male butcher, resident of Oke Oja in Ekiti State alongside the driver of a vehicle allegedly used in conveying a stolen cow from a Fulani camp near Obbo Ayegunle, in the council area.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

3

August 8, 2015

Local refineries: Is there cause for great expectations?

For many years, some of the nation’s refineries have not made much impact in the supply of petroleum products because of their low level of operations. But there are indications that huge importation of petroleum products and high demand for foreign exchange may drop, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has completed Turnaround Maintenance of the plants. This, according to experts, should translate to the much needed cushion against hard times in the country, writes UDEME AKPAN

W

ith four refineries having 450,000 barrels per day, bpd refining capacity and about 37 billion barrels crude oil reserves, Nigeria should ordinarily have nothing to do with petroleum products importation. In other words, importing fuel into the nation should have been as unnecessary as CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

4

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Not yet Uhuru, as local refineries cannot meet full need’

Thomas Olawore, Executive Secretary, MORAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 taking coal to Newcastle because of its huge endowment.

But that has not been the case for many years as a result of some factors. First, the nation’s refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Warri, Delta State and Kaduna State have not always been in their perfect operational states. Investigations showed that the plants have not always been maintained on record time, thus exposing them to frequent breakdowns. Second, the increased vandalism of both crude oil and petroleum products pipelines has not helped matters. Indeed, it has at various times crippled the supply of crude oil to the refineries for processing as well as seamless distribution of petroleum products to depots.

Consequently, successive administrations of the nation had no short term option than to embark on massive importation of products, especially petrol to meet domestic demand which stands at about 40 million liters per day. The quest for massive importation culminated in increased subsidy burden on the Federal Government. For instance, between February and March, this year, the government subsidy on petrol alone increased by over 65.2 per cent as a result of the rise in crude oil prices from $50 per barrel to over $60 per barrel during the period.

A breakdown showed that the government which incurred a subsidy bill of N487 million per day in February needed to pay N1.4 billion per day in March, 2015. This

Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director-General, LCCI

was mainly because its subsidy per litre had risen from N12.18 per litre to N35.22 per litre following the marginal surge in crude oil prices. The increase in crude oil prices meant that the Federal Government had to pay more for imported petrol since refiners who incur additional cost in the process of procuring and refining crude oil had to pass the high cost to buyers.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA that confirmed the situation in its template puts the landing cost, including cost and freight, traders margins, lightering expenses, Nigerian Port Authority, financing, jetty depot thru put charge and storage which was N83.69 in February at N106.73 per litre. The agency puts distributors’ margins, including retailers, transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and admin charge unchanged at N15.49 per litre. This amounted to a total cost of N122.22, showing an increase of N23.04 higher than the February, 2015 total cost. The PPPRA puts the depot price and subsidy at N77.66 and N35.22 per litre respectively.

Investigations showed that the Federal Government subsidy burden was worsened by the devaluation of the Naira, meaning that marketers of petroleum products needed more local currency to import fuel.

Despite some challenges, the Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore indicated that marketers did their best to import adequate fuel into the country.

But the sad situation may not remain forever as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; NNPC has completed

Dr.-Diran-Fawibe, Chairman of International Energy Services Limited

the turn around maintenance, TAM of some refineries. The NNPC indicated that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have been successfully put on stream after a nine-month phased rehabilitation exercise conducted by its in-house engineers and technicians. The Corporation maintained that both plants have commenced preliminary production of petroleum products after successful test-runs noting that while PHRC is ramping up its operation to about 60 percent of its 210, 000 barrels per day name plate capacity, WRPC production is projected to hit 80 percent of its installed 125, 000 bpd capacity.

The NNPC disclosed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is projected to boost the nation’s local refining capacity with a product yield of 5.0 million litres of petrol per day while Warri Refinery would contribute 3.5 million litres of petrol to local refining capacity. The Corporation noted that it adopted the phased rehabilitation strategy after the Original Refinery Builders; ORB who was initially contacted for the project came up with unfavorable terms.

“Though a decision was taken in 2011 to rehabilitate all the refineries using the ORB of each of the refineries, we were impelled to switch strategy after the ORBs declined participation and nominated some partners in their stead who came up with outrageously unfavorable terms. The nominated partners, as sole-bidders came up with humongous price offers after two years of thorough and exhaustive scope of work definition and price negotiations.”

“The proxies were also unwilling to provide post rehabilitation performance guar-

antees. The phased rehabilitation strategy which entailed phased and simultaneous rehabilitation of all the refineries using in-house and locally available resources in line with the spirit and letter of the Nigerian Content Law, also involved the use of Original Equipment Manufacturer representatives to effect major equipment overhaul and rehabilitation,” it indicated.

The Corporation disclosed that the phased rehabilitation programme which started in October 2014 after the required funding stream was established created a 70 percent reduction in costs which helped largely in mitigating the financing challenges of refinery rehabilitation.

It maintained that with the successful restreaming of the PHRC and WRPC attention has now moved to the 110, 000 barrels per day Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company which is billed to come on stream soon. The Corporation added that NNPC it has also successfully recovered the System 2B Pipeline which was breached last week at Arepo, Ogun State.

The Corporation stated that its team of engineers who were deployed to the scene of the incident was able to access the pipeline after the fire was put out and commenced repair work immediately.

“We wish to announce that the vital System 2B Pipeline which was breached at Arepo last week has been fixed and brought back on stream. Pumping of products through the system commenced on Monday upon successful completion CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

5

August 8, 2015

‘Demand for forex will drop by about 25 per cent’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 of repair work over the weekend. We also wish to call on all those engaged in the criminal acts of pipeline sabotage and oil theft to desist in order to avoid such horrendous deaths as was witnessed in the recent incident, he said.

More than that, it indicated that the Corporation has concluded plans to accomplish 90 per capacity utilisation at the end of its ongoing Turn around maintenance of the nation’s four refineries. The Group General Manager Services, of the Corporation, Mr. Abubakar Muhammed gave the assurance at the ongoing 4-day International conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and exhibitions in Lagos.

He said that of the 90 per cent production capacity of the country’s output crude production; about 40 per cent would be on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) which is known as petroleum.

He said that additional refineries would be expected to increase the country’s refining capacity and domestic consumption.

Muhammed intimated that the Federal Government was committed to the gas development and revive of gas infrastructure. He said that the nation was in need of renovation and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that would define the country’s future oil and gas production and generation.

This appears to be good news for stakeholders, especially the government and consumers of petroleum products. First, there are strong indications that the coming back of the refineries will lead to about 25 per cent drop in the demand for foreign exchange which oil marketers use in importing the product. A finance expert, Dr Ebere Uneze who confirmed the development in a telephone interview over the weekend indicated that the foreign exchange demand may drop by 25 per cent.

“Now that some of the refineries are back on stream following the completion of maintenance, there are indications that the demand for foreign exchange may drop by as much as 25 per cent. This is a remarkable feat which we hope should be sustained through regular maintenance of the plants and even the construction of new refineries,” he maintained.

The spokesman of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Muazu maintained that proper analysis should be made to ascertain the likely impact the reduced importation would make on the demand for foreign exchange in the nation. He indicated that without such analysis, it would be difficult to properly ascertain the likely consequences of the coming back of the plants, fuel import reduction and demand for foreign exchange.

The Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf maintained that the development is a good beginning for the nation. He said the nation should not depend on the plants to completely alter the situation for good as the coming back of all the refineries would culminate in the refining of about 20 million liters of fuel per day.

Yusuf maintained that the nation would still need to import additional 20 million litres daily as the total demand is estimated at 40 million litres per day. He maintained that oil marketers would need substantial foreign exchange to import fuel into the nation for domestic consumption. He called for the immediate privatisation of the four refineries in order to place them in the hands of private investors who have the expertise to manage them properly.

However, the experience of operators in the power sector showed that the approach may not yield much result as least in a short term without the tackling of other fundamental maters, especially regulatory issues and corruption. The PwC Africa Oil & Gas that supported the argument its authoritative report indicated that that there is a great need for Nigeria and other nations to tackle uncertain regulatory framework, corruption and poor physical infrastructure in order to pave way for orderly and sustainable development of the industry.

“The main challenges identified by organisations in the oil & gas industry have remained largely unchanged with the top three issues of uncertain regulatory framework, corruption and poor physical infrastructure also identified as the biggest challenges in 2014. Uncertain regulatory frameworks remain a concern across the industry, with more than 80% of Tanzanian respondents regarding regulatory uncertainty as the top challenge facing the business. Other countries where respondents cited concern about regulatory uncertainty include Nigeria, Kenya and Angola.”

“The inadequacy of basic infrastructure ranked much higher in the current review than in 2013. Areas in which infrastructure remains limited are likely to see the development of existing discoveries stalled unless there is a domestic need for the resource. Organisations identified the price of oil and natural gas as the most significant factor that would affect their companies’ businesses over the next three years,” it indicated.

PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader, Mr. Chris Bredenhann who confirmed the development said the situation is worsened by low crude oil prices. “While the oil price has caused activity to drop, it has also served as a wake-up call to many African governments, which are working hard to pass favourable oil & gas legislation in order to attract investment into the sector.

While response to such a drastic decline is necessary, we have seen the most successful organisations are taking time to re-set, re-strategise and plan for the upturn in prices, which will inevitably come. Africa should be no exception as many of the frontier exploration plays lie on the continent.”

The Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe maintained that the nation’s socio-economic environment does not encourage investment, especially in refineries, apparently because of excessive government control.

He remarked that once the sector is deregulated, local and foreign investors who desire to provide sustainable services and make profit would invest.

Specifically Fawibe called on the National Assembly to ensure that the Petro-

leum Industry Bill, PIB is passed into law without much delay as it has suffered several setbacks in the past. He indicated that the eventual passage of the PIB into law would culminate in the resolution of many outstanding issues, particularly as the law would attract massive investments into the all sectors of the industry. Fawibe maintained that the PIB is important as it is also expected to bring about increased restructuring, transparency and accountability in the industry.

He does not doubt the capacity of President Muhammadu Buhari and his team to deliver. As he puts it, “I have much confidence in him because I worked with him between 1978- 1979 when he was Commissioner Petroleum Resources. Buhari is a man that remains very focused whenever he is committed to a particular issue.”

“He has tremendous experience in the petroleum industry because he was also the Alternate President of OPEC. During that period, we travelled extensively to many OPEC member states for many engagements. We should not forget that he was Minister when the Nigerian National Oil Corporation, NNOC which later became NNPC was newly created. Consequently, he was responsible for the execution of many projects. He did not have much funds because of oil recession which culminated in the introduction of austerity measures in the economy. But Buhari did very well.

With proper guidance and monitoring of his new team at NNPC, the government should be able to find lasting solutions to critical challenges in the important industry, and by extension the nation’s economy,” he concluded.

6

NATIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CBN vows to sanction bank debtors … Plans to provide funds for resuscitation of textile industry Udo Onyeka

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday said that all bank delinquent debtors whose names were published in national newspapers would not go unpunished to serve as deterrent to others who may want borrow money from financial institutions and not pay back.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos after the 323rd Bankers Committee meeting, Acting Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mr. kolawole Balogun, said that the apex bank would impose market sanctions on the debtors.

Balogun who said that the debts were capable of destroying not only the banking industry but the entire economy noted that banks would continue to review the list, but that the debtors who fail to settle with heir banks would definitely be sanctioned.

According to him the CBN would give the debtors some time re-negotiate and agree on the issues, after which sanction would met-

ed to delinquent debtors.

“There must be sanctions for debtors who were not able to reach agreement with their banks. For instance we could impose market sanctions o such persons and directors of debtor companies. The CBN is actually watching and certainly sanctions must be applied when and where necessary.

“The publishing of debtors’ names was not initiated by the CBN. It was actually at the instance of the Bankers Committee, but the CBN is in support of and will take it up from there.

“Non-performing loans, NPLs are toxic to the banking industry and the economy and would not be allowed to continue to increase. If it is allowed to rise it could bring down the financial system and the economy at large”, he said.

Also the Bankers Committee said it would go after currency hawkers.

Speaking on the issue, acting Managing Director, Enterprise Bank, Mrs. Mary AKpobome said that hawking of Nigerian currency would no longer be

tolerated.

“It has come to the notice of the Bankers committee that the county’s currency is being hawked in the streets. It is very bad and would no longer be tolerated. It is not possible to see pounds hawked in the streets of London”, he said.

In a similar vein the CBN also disclosed that it is working out modalities to provide funding under the Real Sector Support Facility ,RSSF, for the revitalisation of the ailing Cotton Textile and Garment ,CTG, industry.

Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, who made this known during a meeting with CTG industry

stakeholders in Lagos, yesterday hinted that the apex bank was prescribing to partner with the textile sector to come up with holistic solutions for the long term sustainable development of the industry.

He lamented that the industry with over 150 vibrant textile mills operating at close to full production capacities and once employed over 1million employment; second to the government as an employer of labour now almost completely dominated by imports from Asia.

He noted that the industry was suffering from huge capital flights as a result of the huge importation of

millions of dollars of textile products into the country.

“India alone estimated to export textile products worth over $140m into Nigeria, while imports from China, Indonesia and Taiwan are more likely to be even much higher. The challenge for us as stakeholders is how to prevent further dumping of the product into the country with the implementation of the Common External Tariff, “ Emefiele explained.

The CBN boss explained that the relationship between banks and the textile companies was thorny because the former were suddenly left with huge non-

performing loans after the bubble burst.

According to him, many banks were stuck with specialised and obsolete equipment that couldn’t be easily disposed of, as this heralded the thorny relationship with both, and this relationship has not been fully repaired.

In its bid to support local content, he noted that though CBN has no mandate to out rightly ban the importation of any product into the country, but recently included textiles as one of the 41 items excluded from foreign exchange sales from the Nigerian FX market.

Army on track to tackle challenges, says COAS

T

he Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Friday that the Nigerian Army was on track to effectively respond to emerging challenges associated with protecting the nation’s territory.

Buratai said this while leading serving army personnel in Abuja to participate in the monthly `Route March Exercise.’

He said troops across the country were physically sound and mentally ready to take on any task assigned to them. `` The Nigerian Army is back, we are fully back on track; the previous impression should be erased, the Nigerian Army is professional. ``We are re-emphasising training which is very important as we strive to remain professional and this is in line with my vision

to have a professionally responsive army. ``The key emphasis here is physical fitness, then mental alertness and spiritual upliftment which are at the core of our operations across the country and the world at large,’’ he said.

Buratai called on all soldiers and officers to strive to maintain an optimal level of physical fitness and mental alertness as the military makes effort to provide security to troubled parts of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the military personnel in the FCT participated in the exercise that was also held simultaneously in army formations across the country.

The Abuja exercise kicked off at 6 a.m. from the Aguyi Ironsi Cantonment to the Guards Brigade Polo Club and back to the Cantonment.

L-R: Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy, Mr. Joel Kopp; Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Aminu Jalal; U.S. Counsellor for Economic Affairs, Mr. Alan Tousignant; and Director of Policy and Planning, NADDC, Mr. Luqman Mamudu, during the visit of the U.S. Officials to the council in Abuja, yesterday.

Boko Haram in disarray — DHQ ...as leadership tussle factionalises terror sect

Ubong Ukpong, ABUJA

T

he Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has said that the leadership of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency group is now in disarray, assuring that the military was strategising to completely wipe of the insurgents.

Given the sustained military offensive in the North East against the insurgents, where their camps were destroyed

and including their administrative headquarters of the phantom Islamic caliphate, not much has been heard from the Boko Haram leadership, Abubakar Shekau.

Shekau was used to making boasts on in videos, but it has been observed in the military circle that he was no longer in position for such boasting, even as his silence has raised questions about his being alive or dead.

However, speaking to our correspondent in Abuja, yesterday, the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Abubakar Rabe, said the military more than looking for Shekau was working towards making insurgency become a history.

He said, “it is not about whether somebody is dead or not. We are thinking about eliminating, anihilating and destroying the entire Boko Haram ele-

ments, not individual.

“We’ve been pounding their camps, they’re all in disarray. We’re on top of the situation and will not relent in our efforts.Our target is to completely wipe them off.”

Rabe, who said that Nigerians should not express so much fear because terrorists were attacking soft targets, said that this was a distraction and that the military was not losing focus on its resolve to wipe them off.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

$2.1m seized cash: Ex-NHIS boss submits to EFCC ... insists ‘I am not on the run’

F al

ormer Executive Secretary of the NationHealth Insurance

Scheme(NHIS), Dr. Olufemi Thomas yesterday voluntarily submitted himself to the Eco-

nomic and Financial Crimes Commission to clear the air on the $2.1million cash seized

from at the Lagos Airport.

One Mr. Ibiteye Bamidele, a bureau de

A group photograph of participants of a training on access to justice and human rights organized by EU and UNODC for Nigeria Police Force led by the IGP, Mr Solomon Arase.

APC USA declares three-day prayer for Buhari Olajide Omojolomoju

U

nited States of America, USA, chapter of the ALL Progressives Congress, APC-USA, has declared a three-day prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari, from August 14 to 16.

The three-day prayer is reminiscent on the 1775 allocation of time for prayer by the Continental Congress in the forming of a new nation in the US. According to APC-USA international secretariat coordinator, Francis John, it becomes imperative to pray for the President as be begins the journey of creating a new Nigeria, where the welfare of every Nigerian is paramount to the government.

APC-USA also informed that it will push for the enactment of a Bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law, fashioned after the one signed into law by late President Harry Truman on April 17, 1952.

He said that the National Prayer Committee was

formed in the United States in 1972, which went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, “with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer.”

John said: “Nigerians scarified quantum efforts since independence, and are yet to benefit from the fruit of their labour; including selfless sacrifices in the mist of surpluses. Is this a result of ignorance or fear for change that we are still living in this situation?

“This has caused Nigerians to flee to other countries, where they are molested, jailed and deported.

The need to make Nigeria a better and safe place to do everything humanly beneficial to its citizenry and communities we live in is good enough reason to improve our prayer life.

“Designating a three-day national prayer is a step in the right direction. The need to give President Buhari a chance to make up our past, resolve our present and invest in our future should be the desire of every Nigerian, real ‘Change’

is here and we should give it chance.”

Eulogising Nigeria’s founding fathers, despite their differences, for securing her independence in 1960 and left us with indelible and unbeatable legacies to date, APC-USA said it is “such a tragedy that despite the fact that Nigerians are well educated, well-traveled, uniquely endowed with abundant human and material resources, we are better known for fraud, looting, corruption, and theft from our national treasury and stockpile same in other countries which use such funds for development.”

It said it is unfortunate that Nigerians in their droves, as a result of the pilfering of the nation’s commonwealth are languishing in abject poverty, adding: “Nigerians do not bargain for this and must cease to continue under this credible administration.”

It added that to “nurture and sustain change, all hands must be on deck, which led to the declaration of a three-day prayer for our President.”

It called on the National Assembly to pass a bill on Nigerian National Day of Prayer to commemorate a voluntary Day of Prayer, adding that this became imperative for the unity of the Nigerian nation.

It said: “Whilst we rely on the power of prayer, we must also uncompromisingly pursue the envisioned and envisaged change for the benefit and most of all for the betterment of our children and generations yet unborn.

APC USA said in borrowing this noble idea from successful countries; it was aware of how important it is to the many Nigerians who rely on the power of prayer during times of both triumph and tragedy.

It said: “Our ability to gather as Nigerians, worship and pray is one of the most valuable freedoms granted to us by freedom of religion. We reiterate and encourage everyone - regardless of religion, creed, ethnicity or political persuasion - to exercise that freedom today as we pray for the safety of our service members, our state and our nation.”

change operator who was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for being in possession of the $2.1m cash suspected to be laundered, had implicated the ex-NHIS boss.

The suspect was however declared wanted by the EFCC on Thursday on the suspicion that he had absconded to evade justice.

However the erstwhile commissioner of health, Ekiti State who voluntarily submitted himself to interrogation on Friday denied that he was planning to run away, insisting he did not get any invitation from the anti-graft agency.

Dressed in a white brocade, Dr. Thomas who arrived the EFCC around 10:am was drilled by the commission’s operative to ascertain his level of complicity.

He was released at about 2:pm. However,

the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren could not be reached as at press time to confirm the interrogation.

His media aide, Mr. Sola Adeyemi had in a statement described his boss as a thoroughbred professional and dutiful public servant who would not stand in the face of the law.

The statement reads in part,”Dr. Femi Thomas is a law-abiding public individual that has treatable addresses in Lagos and Ekiti. He is a man that I work with and I know him for his words and actions. As I speak, we are yet to receive any formal invitation from any quarter on the allegation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, my boss is not on the run, he is in Nigeria, he is available and ready to present himself to the EFCC as soon as he is invited.”

CAC seeks end to double taxation

T

he Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Bello Mahmud, has called on the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) to address the lingering issue of double taxation in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Churchil Williams, on Friday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Mahmud as making the call when the Registrar/ Chief Executive of CITN, Mr Adefisayo Awogbade, led a team of the institute on a courtesy visit to the commission.

The statement quoted commission’s helmsman as stressing the need for tax harmonisation to ensure that people did not suffer double taxation.

According to the state-

7

ment, Mahmud noted that double taxation discouraged payment of tax, among other negative effects on the nation’s economy.

He advised officials of the institute to work closely with the Federal Government, especially in promoting public awareness on government’s commitment to use taxes for public good.

Mahmud noted that public enlightenment was important to enable tax payers appreciate the benefits of tax payment.

He added that this would help eligible persons to appreciate the benefits of tax payment and positively change the perception of tax evaders, the statement quoted him as saying.

The institute’s registrar, Mr Adefisayo Awogbade, had earlier said that the visit was aimed at intimating the commission with its programmes.

8

NATIONAL NEWS

Omeiza Ajayi

T

he last may not have been heard about the recent house arrest of by the Department of State Services, DSS, of the immediate past National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) as the spy agency is reportedly keeping a close eye on the ex-soldier.

The Service had on July 16 raided the Abuja and Sokoto homes of the ex-NSA predicating its action on the availability of credible intel-

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DSS places ex-NSA Dasuki under continued watch ligence linking Mr Dasuki with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State.

“The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street,

Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015.

“The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered,

among which were some incriminating items.

These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.

“The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs”, the DSS had explained.

However, Saturday

Mirror sources in Abuja stated last night that the Service was working on “several leads” it obtained during the raid of Dasuki’s homes.

“Although, his passport was seized, I cannot say if it has been returned to him, but what I know for sure is that

Nigeria’s 20 million hepatitis population:

Medical firm urges action against scourge Muda Oyeniran

C

Governor of Sokoto State (middle); Aminu Tambuwal; Acting President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Garba Muhammad (2nd left) and members of the Guild, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Sokoto,yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

We ‘ll be accountable to Nigerians –DG, DSS

• Says agency after saboteurs

I

n a bid to set record straight on the recent clamour against activities of his agency, Lawal Daura, director general, DG, State Security Services,DSS, has assured Nigerians of a more resolute and professional service which will attend to valid reports brought before it without prejudice to anybody.

Daura made this known in a surprise chat with Al-

jazeera TV, monitored by our correspondent on Friday. “Whatever comes before us with facts and figures, it will be dealt with equally as required by the law,” Daura said.

The chief spook said that the agency is not distracted by the recent campaigns. The DG of Nigeria’s secret police noted that the service will be accountable to the Nigerian citizenry urging them to

raise their expectations while affirming that ongoing investigations and clampdown on corrupt persons and saboteurs of the nation’s interests will be sustained.

In the less than 30 minutes chat, Daura who since assumption of office has clamped down on alleged corrupt individuals and organisations added that, “Nigerians should closely

watch and follow what we have started and what we will continue to do. I am sure they will not find us wanting.”

According to Daura, the the Department of State Security under the new leadership is poised to restore the confidence of citizens in the service, which has an all-encompassing mandate to protect the interest of the Nation.

Glo set to sponsor Nigeria’s biggest Dance Competition

G

lobacom which has established a reputation for supporting the entertainment industry in Nigeria will today throw its weight behind a new Reality TV Show which it says will change the face of entertainment in the continent.

The show is a dancing competition sponsored by Glo and designed to promote

dance culture among West Africans and assist those who may want to go into the dance profession to discover their prodigious talents.

Glo said in a press statement that details of the reality show would be unveiled at the Silverbird Galleria, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, in a launch event to be attended by Glo officials and showbiz stars

including dance legend Peter Okoye of PSquare and Kafayat Shafau Ameh, popularly known as Kaffy, Nigeria’s dance queen who made history by entering the Guinness Book of Record as Longest Dancer.

Other stars expected at the event are Flexxy, a dance choreographer who has led dancers on many musical videos as well as dance

projects, Glo ambassadors, D’banj, MI, Flavour and Ego. “It is going to be the biggest reality TV show in recent time, with huge benefits for the participants in the competition, entertainment lovers and television viewers generally,” the company promised, adding that the ultimate winner and runners up will cart away mouth-watering prizes.

the service is not laying low. They are working on more leads”, said the source who pleaded anonymity.

At present, the DSS has no known spokesperson and it was not immediately possible to get confirmation for this report.

oncerned about the prevalence of Hepatitis and the alarming rate of Hepatitis infection in the country, Fidson Healthcare Plc has called on all Nigerians to embark on nationwide preventive actions against the menace of Hepatitis virus in the country, in commemoration of the World Hepatitis Day. The leading pharmaceutical company advised Nigerians to prevent viral hepatitis infection by getting tested, vaccinated and seeking adequate treatment for the string of hepatitis viruses, known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver diseases.

The company made this call, following various media reports on statistics credited to the Federal Ministry of Health, which states that over 20 million Nigerians are presently infected with the Hepatitis virus. This figure represents a substantial percentage of the 400 million people reportedly living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, according to WHO reports, which also state that 1.4 million people die due to these infections every year.

Fidson’s Marketing Manager, Mr Friday

Enaholo, said this report is very alarming, as it shows that on the average, one out of every twelve Nigerians is infected with the Hepatitis Virus. “This data is worrisome and calls for national preventive actions that should involve every Nigerian. Every stakeholder within the health sector and member of the public has a role to play, either in the area of policy formulation, compliance and even as basic as living a healthy and hygienic lifestyle”, he stated.

Mr Enaholo further said that a bigger concern is the fact that these diseases are preventable, but most people, especially those living in rural or semiurban areas of developing countries don’t even know how to prevent them. “This is why as a company; we are actively participating in this global campaign by enlightening Nigerians, through all possible communication channels, on how they can prevent the spread of Hepatitis”.

He therefore advised Nigerians to make deliberate and preventive efforts by steering clear of unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing of drug-injection equipment that can all result in hepatitis infection.

He also maintained that safe and effective vaccine can protect from hepatitis B infection for life.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

9

Reliance on oil, gas over —Buhari ‘Cement, auto-parts to replace petroleum exports’

Nick Uweru And Omeiza Ajayi

C

ement, auto-spare parts and even cars have emerged as three of the 13 National Strategic Export Products, NSEP, to replace oil in an effort to diversify the nation’s revenue base, says the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. This comes as President Mohammadu Buhari stated yesterday at the state house that the time of over reliance on petroleum as sole source of revenue generation in the country is over.

Mr President made this disclosure when he granted audience to Dr Kanayo Nwanze, the Nigerian born President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the Presidential Villa.

NEPC, earlier, had identified auto-spare parts export, cement and even car as part of 13 other products from the country’s vast agro-allied industry as having rich potentials for export. The council, on its website, stated that this was part of efforts to address the quest to increase the basket of exportable products from Nigeria following

the dwindling oil revenue.

Concurring with the findings of NEPC, the federal government has promised greater attention to agriculture sector, saying Nigeria can only continue to ignore the sector at its peril.

President Muhmmadu Buhari stated that crude oil and gas exports will no longer be sufficient as the country’s major revenue earner.

“It’s time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice.

We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many as want to go into agricultural ventures,” Femi Adesina, the president’s media adviser quoted Mr Buhari as saying.

The president pledged that his administration will also cut short the long bureaucratic processes that Nigerian farmers had to go through to get any form of assistance from government.

He told the IFAD President that improvement of the productivity of farmers, dry season farming, and creative ways to combat the shrinking of the Lake Chad

will also receive the attention of his administration.

“There is so much to be done. We will try and articulate a programme and consult organizations like IFAD for advise,” the President said, adding that foreign exchange will be conserved for machinery and other items needed for production, “instead of using it to import things like toothpicks.”

Dr Nwanze congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the general elections and assured him that IFAD was ready to give all possible assistance to the Federal Government and Nigerian farmers to boost agricultural production in the country.

IFAD is an international organization dedicated to addressing issues of agriculture and poverty alleviation. It was established in 1978, and has been collabo-

rating with Nigeria for over 30 years.

NEPC on NESPs, on the other hand, grouped the 13 products under three categories these are agro industrial, mining related and oil and gas industrial products.

It said: “For agro industrial it has palm oil, cocoa, sugar, rice and cashew while mining related are cement, Iron ore/metals, auto parts/cars, aluminium.

“The other oil and gas industrial products have petroleum products, fertiliser/urea, petrochemical and menthol.”

It added that with dwindling oil revenue, coupled with the quest to increase the basket of exportable products from Nigeria, the council had planned to launch the One-State-OneProduct initiative.

According to the statement, the initiative is tar-

geted at developing and promoting one product for export per state.

Besides, the initiative takes cognisance of the country’s comparative advantage in terms of the vastness of its natural endowments.

It also considers “effort to diversify the nation’s revenue base, using the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan”.

It noted that the economic pundits and stakeholders in the sector believed that when OSOP becomes operational, it would shore-up the revenue of the 36 federating states.

It stated that in order to fast track the initiative, the council would have a two-day capacity building programme for State Committees on Export Promotion and City Chambers of Commerce and Industries in all the states.

The project would develop the capacity and prepare stakeholders for the implementation of the plan, thus ensuring qualitative and quantitative products for non-oil exports, it stated.

According to the Executive Director of the council, Olusegun Awolowo, “The underlined objective of the programme includes to upgrade the technical knowledge of the state committees.”

It will also “bridge the gap between the council and relevant stakeholders at the state level and equip them with non-oil export Project Management Skills covering techniques of export project formulation, monitoring and evaluation.

“This interface would enable participants to engage in effective partnership to NEPC in promoting the development of the nonoil export sector.”

Pray for me, says new GMD, NNPC

T

he new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has appealed to friends and well-wishers to stop placing congratulatory adverts on him in the media.

Dr. Kachikwu who assumed duty as the 17th GMD of the Corporation on

Tuesday 4th August, 2015, said he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment that does not require the frivolity of congratulatory adverts and the celebration they connote.

He said he would rather appreciate that friends and well-wishers support him with their prayers for divine guidance to carry out the onerous task ahead.

...Reassigns Komolafe as GGM, Special Duties

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the redeployment of Mr. Gbenga Olu Komolafe as the Group General Manager, Special Duties.

Until his appointment, Mr. Komolafe was the

Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the Corporation.

The most senior General Manager in the Crude Oil Marketing Division, Mr. Musa Yola Usman, has been directed to function as the Group General Manager in acting capacity.

President Muhammadu Buhari (2nd left), inspecting a guard of honour with Commandant of College, Rear Adm. Patrick Agholor, at the graduation of the National Defence College Course 23 participants in Abuja,yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Muda Oyeniran

A

public health expert and former Consultant to the Federal Ministry of health on primary healthcare, Dr. Martins Ogundeji has blamed the high maternal mortality rate in the country on the poor attitude of health workers to pregnant women and lack of needed infrastructures in the nation’s hospital and maternity centres.

Ogundeji who spoke in an interview with Saturday Mirror during the week expressed sadness that Nigeria now ranked second in the list of countries with

‘Poor attitude, facilities fuel high maternal mortality’

the highest maternal mortality rate saying the country health system was to blame for the development.

According to Ogundeji who is also the Executive Director, Primary Health Care and Management Centre (PriHEMAC), an Ibadanbased non-governmental organization, one would have thought government would do something about delivery of pregnant women so that when they get to the hospital or any healthy facility, at least emergency cases would not be delayed.

“If you see any woman bleeding at the point of delivery, you would think government would make adequate provision for such women to have basic equipment a pregnant woman needs in assisting delivery.

But one would be amazed that in some hospitals in the country candles are being used in taking deliveries of pregnant women due to absence of electricity”, he added He also accused many nurses and health workers of lacking empathy for

pregnant women which eventually drive them to traditional birth attendants who are not supposed to take their deliveries.

On getting to the maternity centers where women are supposed to deliver, the nurses would be asking ridiculous questions and requesting for some tests such HIV test to be carried out before the woman can be attended to instead of adopting universal precaution of saving the person first.

10

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Taiwan braces for typhoon T

Millions displaced

by Asia floods

The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton crew with the cocaine bales seized

T

orrential monsoon rains in the aftermath of Cyclone Komen continue to cause flooding in India, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries, leaving hundreds dead and millions displaced.

In India, at least 206 have been killed due to monsoon-related accidents, according to government officials.

Late Tuesday, a flooded bridge derailed two trains carrying as many as 1,600 passengers traveling in Madhya Pradesh, killing dozens.

In West Bengal, 97 are dead while hundreds of thousands of people have been moved to relief camps to escape the floods. Though there has been a respite in rainfall, the largest problem is now overflowing dams and rivers which have risen above danger levels.

Elsewhere in India, roads, dams, and rivers are overflowing, sending floodwater into villages and forcing local residents to flee their homes.

Other countries in the region are also experiencing extreme difficulties due to heavy rains.

In Pakistan, the flooding has affected over one million people, killing 166 and forcing 803,271 people to evacuate their homes,

according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. The government has set up over 70,000 tents and has distributed over 4,000 tons of food to the worst-affected

areas.

Meanwhile in Myanmar, severe flooding has caused the death toll to reach at least 88 while 330,000 others have been affected, according to a state-run newspa-

per, which cited government officials.

The government says flooding has destroyed 10,956 homes and 217,580 acres of farmland, displacing 85,400.

Coast Guard seizes cocaine worth $181 million on vessel

T

he U.S. Coast Guard seized 12,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $181 million when it intercepted a semisubmersible vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean last month.

The 40-foot long homemade vessel was spotted July 18 by a U.S. Navy aircraft, which called the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Stratton to a spot 200 miles south of Mexico, the military organization said.

Four men were taken into custody and the Coast Guard discovered 16,000 pounds of cocaine aboard.

Six tons of cocaine were removed while two tons were left on the sub to help balance it as the Stratton tried to tow it to shore.

But the homemade vessel took on water and sank. It went down

in 13,000 feet of water in international waters.

The Coast Guard said the bust was the largest ever semi-submersible interdiction in its history

and it was the first time one of its ships had recovered two subs on one patrol. The Californiabased Stratton also seized 5,400 pounds of cocaine in June.

Another blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh

A

group of attackers hacked a Bangladeshi blogger to death Friday in his apartment in the capital of Dhaka, authorities said.

The killing of the secular blogger, who uses the pen name Niloy Neel, was at least the fourth this year targeting those who posted online pieces critical of Islam.

In addition to police, Imran Sarker, who heads the Blogger and Online Activists’ Network in the nation, confirmed the attack.

Neel wrote posts condemning the recent killings of three other bloggers in his country.

He also routinely posted on women’s and minority rights, communal violence and the oppression of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Police spokesman, Muntashirul Islam, used a different name for the blogger, whom he referred to as Niloy Chakrabarti.

He was killed in his apartment Friday afternoon by a group of five or six men, the spokesman said.

aiwan is bracing for a powerful storm that’s barreling toward it across the Pacific.

Typhoon Soudelor, which this week became the strongest storm on the planet so far this year, is expected to slam into Taiwan’s eastern coast at around 8 a.m. local time (8 p.m. ET) Saturday, bringing fierce winds and torrential rain.

The storm has lost some of its earlier force, but its maximum sustained winds when it makes landfall are still forecast to be around 200 kph (125 mph), the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.

Authorities in Taiwan are preparing for Soudelor, deploying more than 35,000 military personnel to help relocate residents of vulnerable areas.

Parts of Taiwan are expected to feel the typhoon’s effects from Friday afternoon onward.

Schools and government offices in some areas were closed Friday for all or part of the day. Taiwanese airlines have announced flight adjustments, canceling a number of domestic and international flights for Saturday, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. Railways have likewise suspended high speed and regular train services, said the Agency.

The Central Weather Bureau has warned 16 cities and counties they’re likely to experience intense rain and powerful winds from Soudelor.

“By midnight, tropical storm-force winds will circulate around the entire island before it moves

across,” CNN meteorologist Tom Sater said.

An 8-year-old girl and her mother died, and the girl’s twin sister remained missing, after they were swept out to sea Thursday by swells that might have been caused by the typhoon’s approach, the island’s Central News Agency reported, citing emergency authorities.

Another 8-year-old girl survived and was pulled from the waves by rescue workers, the news agency said. The group was dragged out to sea from shallow waters at a beach in the northeastern county of Yilan.

Sater warned that communities in low-lying areas of Taiwan’s rugged eastern coast are at risk of a storm surge, flooding and landslides.

After Taiwan, Soudelor will churn across the sea to mainland China.

The storm is forecast to weaken by then but is still predicted to pack hurricane-strength winds when it makes landfall late Saturday.

Nearly 5,000 people, most of them working in the fishing industry, have been moved to safer areas in Fujian province, which is expected to take a direct hit from the typhoon, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The West Pacific Basin has seen 10 typhoons so far in 2015.

Of those, five have reached super-typhoon strength, meaning sustained winds of at least 240 kph (150 mph). That total is higher than the average of four for an entire year.

Truck bomb kills 15, hundreds hurt

A

truck exploded on a main road in Afghanistan’s capital Friday, killing 15 people and wounding 240 others, authorities said.

The blast in Kabul destroyed residential areas and businesses,

police Chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said.

The injured included 47 women and 30 children, said Sayed Zafar Hashemi, a deputy spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani.

There was no claim of responsibility.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

11

South West

I’ve never spent a kobo without the House’s approval —Aregbesola

O

sun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that his government has never spent a dime without the approval of the Osun State House of Assembly since he assumed office.

He made the disclosure while addressing a gathering during the Special Parliamentary Session organized by the members of the Osun State House of Assembly in honour of the 50th birthday anniversary of the Speaker of the House, Hon. Najeem Salam.

He stated that his government has been conscious of the legislative roles in the running of the

constitutionally designated duties of the government, stressing that the impact of the legislature can never be over-emphasized towards the achievement of a sustainable democracy.

His comments were in reaction to the recent petition allegedly written and forwarded to the House for investigation by one sitting Judge of the State High Court, Justice Folahanmi Olamide Oloyede, where he was accused of having collected and mismanaged over N538billion between 2010 to 2014.

Described the allegation as unfortunate fabrication and baseless, he denied it

and stated that even if the state is earning five billion naira every month, it could not still accrue to such out-

rageous amount within the years in question.

He added that despite his high level of transparency

and openness, he could not believe that such a hate statement could emanate from an arm of the govern-

ment who is part of the system and who by the virtue of her office is highly respected.

Corporate Lagos endorses Ambode’s security, judicial reform plans

T

he quest of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to reform the security and judicial sectors received a massive boost on Thursday as individuals and corporation organisations made commitments in cash and kind towards ensuring a safer and more secured Lagos.

At a dinner put together by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), members of the corporate world and respected members of the society, lauded the strides of Governor Ambode in the last two months as well as his plans to upgrade the security network in the state, and affirmed their commitment to continue to support the government’s strides to make Lagos safer.

At the event, over one billion naira was realised from cash donations from various corporate organisations and individuals while others made commitments to provide security patrol vehicles and gadgets as well as technical knowhow.

In his remarks, Ambode said that his administration remains committed towards evolving new strategies to effectively police Lagos and rid the state from all forms of criminal activities.

He said his administration was already thinking of overhauling its security apparatus to be able to rise up to the evolving trends of crime in the state.

“Right now we have just

about 33,000 people policing us and we’re about 20 million. So, if you combine other forces, the fire service, LASTMA and ambulance service, it might bring the number to about 40,000 of them as against 20 million people,” he said.

“I can admit we lack the right technology. We don’t have a holistic approach to coordinate everything that we are doing and then we don’t have the security management that Lagos actually needs, and we are underpoliced and we are not getting the right technology to be able to say that Lagos is secured. We must now integrate men, equipment and technology to keep Lagos safer,” he added.

“Technically, Lagos State Government, the police and other security agencies have analog technology right now, so there is no interface amongst all of us. So we need to migrate to digital for improved information dissemination,” he said.

“It’s in my interest that I drive the business of making Lagos safer and it’s also in my interest that you join hands with me to succeed in this,” he concluded.

Among those present at the dinner were the President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Alike Dangote; Managing Director, Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola; Chairman, Zenith Bank Group, Jim Ovia; Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, Tony Elumelu; top executives of financial institutions and firms; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) discussing with former Minister of Health & Chairman, Juli PLC., Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi (left) and President/C.E.O, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (middle) during a ‘Dinner with His Excellency’ organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) at Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Victoria Island, on Thursday, August 06, 2015.

Factional crisis: PDP NWC moves to avert defections in Ekiti Abiodun Nejo Ado-Ekiti

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has decided to wade into the crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the party to prevent massive defection of its members.

A source in the party said the Prince Uche Secondus-led NWC opted for reconciliation rather than applying punitive measures

to forestall the crisis from degenerating into uncontrollable situation before the 2018 governorship poll in the state.

The PDP source in Abuja told journalists in AdoEkiti on phone yesterday that the reconciliation became necessary to ensure aggrieved members did not desert the party for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

He said the conviction of the NWC was hinged on the need for the PDP to avert prolonged internal crisis

that could deprive the party of its stronghold on Ekiti.

According to him, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and the Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, may be asked to convene a meeting with the warring factions in Ekiti State on behalf of the NWC next week for the amicable resolution of the matter.

It would be recalled that the PDP in the state has been factionalised following the alleged suspension of the State Chairman,

Chief Idowu Faleye, by a group over alleged poor handling of some party issues, particularly bordering on their welfare and announced the state Deputy Chairman (North), Mr Tunde Olatunde as replacement.

But Faleye, who insisted that he remained the authentic chairman, and the State Working Committee (SWC) members, suspended Olatunde and four other State Executive Council (SEC) members for alleged anti-party activities.

EFCC prosecuting only Tinubu’s perceived enemies —Rights’ Group Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo.

A

n Osun state based Human Rights’ Group, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEO, yesterday accused the chairman of Economic And Finan-

cial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, of prosecuting only perceived enemies of the national leader of All Progressive Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the chairman of the body said it amounted to double standard for EFCC to act so fast on the

petition against the wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, without inviting the petitioners “while same EFCC, instead of acting on petition of Justice Oloyede against Governor Rauf Aregbesola, chose to invite the petitioner for clarification.”

Alimi further alleged that from its findings, arrangements had been con-

cluded by the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Tinubu, and some APC governors to raise the sum of N4.7 billion to shield Aregbesola from investigation after they got a hint that President Mohammadu Buhari has already queried both EFCC and ICPC for not acting on the petition against the Osun Governor.

12

REGIONAL NEWS

August 8,, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Polio: Bill Gates commends High rate of HIV in Taraba Kano State government Abdulgafar Oladimeji KANO

T

he world’s richest man, Bill Gates, has hailed the success recorded by Kano State Government in the fight against polio disease, noting that no part of the state’s 44 local governments has recorded any case in 2015.

He also congratulated the government and people of Kano and the development partners for the feat, adding that, one year without any recorded case of polio in Nigeria deserves commendation.

Gates, who spoke during the Mid-Year Review Conference with governor Ganduje, and Aliko Dangote, at the Kano Government House, further tasked the state government and its partners in the fight

against the disease to maintain their efforts towards sustaining the record. He said the tripartite arrangement between Kano State Government, Dangote Foundation and Bill Gates Foundation on routine immunization, should serve as a model for other states in the country.

He vowed that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will extend its contribution to the tripartite agreement for another one year while emphasizing on the need for the state government to ensure timely release of its counterpart contribution to the funding and also strengthen the accountability mechanisms in the immunization proce.

Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar

Ganduje pledged to ensure prompt release of funds and efficient tracking of routine immunization activities in the state as part of efforts to achieve total Polio eradication in the state.

He said that at the inception of his administration on May 29 2015, there were challenges that cropped up, assuring that they were promptly addressed.

“We have started birth tracking and record system for routine immunization and by next week, we shall start training about 1, 963 Traditional Birth Attendants to help in strengthening provision of quality integrated maternal and child health in the state”, Ganduje said.

The governor hailed the commitment shown by the

state Emirate Council in the battle to eradicate the paralyzing disease, disclosing that the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi, II has warned that any traditional leader in his domain whose community fail to cooperate with health officials during immunization exercise would be summarily dethroned.

Business mogul, Aliko Dangote, represented by the C.E.O, Dangote Foundation, Dr. Zouera Youssoufou, said the outcome of Polio immunization activities in Kano was encouraging, stressing on the need for the partners involved in the scheme to recognize and give incentives to those who played critical roles in attaining the feat.

Executive Chairman of victims support fund, Prof. Sunday Ochecho (left), presenting a cheque of n20 million to the Permanent Secretary, Borno Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ahmed Sanda, for the treatment of victims of insurgency, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

blamed on inadequate funding, manpower

Justin Tyopuusu, JALINGO

T

araba State team leader, HIV State Programme Implementation, Unit, SPIU, Dr. Musa Obadiah, has hinted that the high HIV prevalence rate of 10.5 per cent in the state is due largely to inadequate manpower and funding.

Musa, who made the assertion while speaking to National Mirror in his office yesterday, said inadequate man power especially doctors and nurses in the state hospitals and poor funding to help monitor the scourge in the rural areas have contributed to the increasing cases of HIV in the state.

“For some time now, doctors and nurses have not been employed in the state the few are leaving to federal health institutions because of the sharp difference in pay structure.

“Equally worrisome is the fact that lack of funds have contributed in worsening the situ-

ation as health workers cannot frequently go out to monitor and counsel people.”

He noted that only 27,000 people were currently accessing antiretroviral therapy in the state and that efforts were on to close the gap with the 20,000 others who are living with the virus but have not started accessing treatment.

Expressing the need for people to frequently check their status for earlier identification and treatment, Musa said 80 per cent of transmissions occur through unprotected sex and urged the people to be mindful of their social behaviour.

Musa informed that the drugs are currently accessible in 21 comprehensive care centres across the state, just as he said Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission, PMT, is currently running in 42 centres in the state and urged the people to take advantage of the services being rendered at the centres.

Kogi 2015: I can’t step down for anybody –Adinoyi Ojo Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

F

ormer Managing Director of the Daily Times Newspapers, Dr. Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, has said that

his ambition to be the next governor of Kogi state is real, saying that he is not out to step down for any other aspirants without genuine reasons.

The former Special Assistant on Media to

the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, answering questions after he had been presented the Nominations and Expression of interest forms at the APC national secretariat said, Kogi State has the resources, both human and material to meet the need of the people.

“I believe that I am bringing a very unique credential to this race. I

believe that Kogi State needs my service and the state needs someone like me because of my exposure, my education and for the fact that I also cut across. I am someone who has friends in the three senatorial district and people genuinely believe that I can make a different. So, somebody has to offer me a good

reason why I should step down”.

He said the large number of aspirants contesting the ticket shows the vibrancy of the state, but urged the party leader to show capacity to prune down the number if the need be.

Also speaking, Ocholi Enejoh James (SAN), who is also an aspirant, urged the party leadership to

restrict last-defection into APC for electoral gains.

“24 years ago Kogi State was created along with others, and 24 years later, no indices of development present. No single industry apart from Obajana Cement.

“No IGR, state begging for money like the proverbial woman sitting on a goldmine” he said.

Politics

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

Is PDP broke?

Lekan Adejuwon

F

or the acclaimed Africa’s largest political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), this appears not the best of times.

Barely two months after losing power at the national level to the opposition, All Progressive Congress (APC), the party is gradually settling down to assume the reality of its new position as the leading opposition party after an unbroken 16 years of being in the saddle.

The present crisis rocking the party was beamed to the media last week, with a screaming headline that the umbrella party is broke as it was apparent that PDP could no longer meet many of its financial obligations.

Towards this end, Prof Wale Oladipo, the National Secretary of the party in a shocking move, communicated the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to all its directors and establishment staff of the party via a memo dated July 29, 2015, titled: “Reorganisation and restructuring of staff at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party” In the controversial memo, the party’s scribe threw the bombshell when he announced the decision to cut down on the number of staff among other measures taken at the 406 meeting of the NWC where he said the new measures were approved.

Oladipo said apart from the reduction in the number of the staff on the payroll at the party’s headquarters, the salaries and allowances of those left behind would also be cut as much as 50 per cent.

Among the decisions listed are ‘reduction of the allowance of all NWC members by 50 per cent and the reduction in the number of security personnel attached to the national officers by 50 per cent” Other measures included the reduction of the salaries and allowances of all staff by 50 percent, effective August, 2015.

Oladipo added that establishment staff who, would remain are required to obtain individual letter of revalidation from their state chapters within one month of the memo as to the suitability for service at the national secretariat.

The above tall order was perceived in many quarters as a dangerous signal for a party that harbours perhaps, the nation’s largest class of bourgeoisie with a track record of holding the Nigerian economic and political power in the jugular for the past 16 years.

Expectedly, the planned ‘restructuring’ of the PDP was met with stiff resistance by the secretariat staff who, in attempt to save their job, resorted to a media war against the party’s NWC throwing tantrums and threatening to open a can of worms at the Wadata House, Abuja PDP headquarters.

The face-off between the PDP and its workers started after the letter said it would reduce its staff strength by 50 per cent while cutting the salaries and allowances of the remaining workers by half.

The workers had in a fist of resounding fury and frustration leveled some allegations against the NWC of the party which they summoned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate, while describing the leadership as ‘obsessively corrupt’ Determined to open the Pandora box into why the PDP lost during the last presidential election, the workers also accused the leadership of causing the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the crucial 2015 election. ”We have incontrovertible evidence” the group claimed “that some NWC members worked assiduously against the presidential candidate of the PDP, former

PDP

President Goodluck Jonathan, in the last election in order to get back at the ex-president for rejecting them in strategic campaign offices, a development which came after they had squandered 450 million naira earlier approved by President Jonathan.

Dismissing the allegations PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, described the allegations as baseless, adding that the ruling APC was using them to destabilize the PDP. The workers under the aegis of the PDP Staff Welfare Association, in a swift reaction however, debunked Metuh’s allegation saying: “We are not surprised that the allegation will become the most fashionable means of covering tracks.

“The allegation is a wide window into the impressionable character of the man who has been in the saddle as the party’s image maker and an ominous signpost into the shallow manner the publicity of the party has been run” the staff said in a statement signed by their chairman, Ngozi Nzeh and Secretary, Dan OchuBaiye.

Still on Metuh’s allegation, PDP workers asked; “Who plays anti party activities, you may ask?

“Staff members who are genuinely resisting the morally repugnant and obsessively corrupt NWC so that the PDP will survive, or, some NWC members who have the track record of anti-party activities?

They expressed worry that a party which nine months ago, had about N12billion in its kitty could suddenly go broke when they have evidence indicting NWC members for corruptly enriching themselves with the party’s funds.

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the lingering crisis in the PDP as analysts say the ugly development within the umbrella party cannot be divorced from the recruitment procedure of staff members which cast a lot of doubt on the loyalty of the workforce particularly when many of the party chieftains had defected to the ruling APC leaving behind their cronies in the PDP. A competent source has revealed that “Some of the workers were brought to the party by their godfathers who have since defected to the APC “Our fear is that these workers who owe allegiance

13

to the godfathers that facilitated their employment in PDP will be passing sensitive information and documents to their godfathers in the APC. But in another development, while the accusation alleging that PDP workers were acting the script of a fifth columnist to undermine the authority of the party, indications emerged during the week, that the majority of members of the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP have thrown their weight behind the workers of the party in their desire to make members of its NWC accountable for the N12bn they were alleged to have squandered in just nine months.

Apart from rendering the account for a huge sum, the workers have also called for the sacking of the remaining NWC members following the resignation of the party’s former chairman, Adamu Muazu.

Meanwhile, the move by the PDP’s highest decision making body seemed to have a telling effect on the party’s NWC last Tuesday as they abandoned their duties at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, following the resolve by the PDP BoT and NEC members that they must throw in the towel and allow peace to reign.

The PDP BoT and NEC had in a meeting in Abuja, queried the eligibility and moral right of the NWC members to implement the report of the PDP post election review committee headed by Senator Ike Ekweremadu to be delivered later in the month.

With the new development, there appears to be no end in sight to the lingering crisis rocking the PDP even as the clamour for the mass resignation of members of the party’s NWC continues.

A member of the party’s BoT who craved anonymity during the week, disclosed to journalists chat the NWC members must resign in view of the fact that they were tarnishing the party’s image and chances of winning future elections.

Meanwhile, the workers in another twist are threatening to release several documents on how the NWC allegedly looted the party’s treasury in phases if the crisis is not resolved.

But matters took a new direction on Wednesday when the party’s NWC maintained its resolve to restructure the party insisting that it would not be deterred by what it called “the unfortunate reactions of the party’s staff The leaders in a statement, said: “The attention of the NWC has been drawn to the unnecessary and unfortunate reactions of junior, intermediate and supervisory members of staff under the auspices of PDP Welfare Committee in reaction to directive on reorganization and restructuring of the party.

“For the purpose of clarity, the process of staff reorganization is a sub component of the reform process in the party “Consequently, the NWC affirms that the internal memo emanating from the office of the National Secretary stands. The NWC will not be deterred, blackmailed or cowed from taking objective steps necessary for sound political health, astute opposition and general reorganization” It was gathered that the members of the NWC at their weekly meeting on Wednesday, reportedly directed the angry workers to write individual letters of apology and show remorse for their action before they could be listen to by the NWC. But the workers have remained adamant, vowing not to tender letters of apology as demanded by members of the National Working Committee of the party before discussions on how to end the ongoing crisis between them and members of the NWC would begin.

Who blinks first?

14

POLITICS

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CLO’s grouse with Buhari on corruption –Ezike Ibuchukwu Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike is the Executive Director (ED) of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO). The human rights activist, who was a member of the 2014 National Confab in this interview with LEKAN ADEJUWON speaks on a number of burning national issues including Buhari’s system of governance, the war against corruption and others:

A

lot has been said Comrade, about the slow pace of governance in the past two months when President Buhari took over as a result of which Nigerians are getting impatient with the new administration which promised to hit the ground running. Do you share the same view?

At the initial time when this statement was bandied around, I tended to feel that Mr President was delaying in constituting his cabinet, but with the facts on the ground now, I Have retraced my step to join those who support the sincerity of the man to thread cautiously to pick his cabinet because we have seen that corruption had become so pervasive in Nigeria. You don’t know who you are going to pick as ministers or chairman of parastatals or commission whether he is one of the corrupt persons who will be picked by antigraft agencies immediately after he or she is inaugurated. That will bring a bad dent on the image of the government. If he is taking his time to screen the citizens and come up with sincere honest and dedicated Nigerians who will assist him to save Nigeria from this collapse, I am not of the opinion that he is wrong delaying such appointment.

What is your take on the on going war against corruption with the revelation of massive looting of the nation’s resources? Do you think Buhari has the capacity to win the war in view of the fact that corruption has a way of fighting back anyone that fights it?

The Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, which is the founding father of all civil societies groups in Nigeria has a position on corruption which is that Nigeria must be free from corruption which is the greatest challenge facing the country today, there is no campaign or struggle that will be put into fighting corruption that will be too much. I support, just like the CLO where I serve supports General Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption. I don’t believe that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. It is only a corrupt person that fights corruption and corruption fights him or her. But if you are not corrupt, if you are not an abuser of due process and rule of law and you are transparent, sincere and patriotic, if you fight corruption, it would not turn back to fight you because you will not be found to be corrupt. The CLO recently issued a press release where we strongly supported Pres-

ident Buhari’s stance on corruption. But the only issue we have with the corruption war was when Mr. President said he would probe only Jonathan’s administration.

Corruption did not start with Jonathan administration whereas corruption had been committed even during the military.

The regime that toppled his military regime enshrined deep rooted corruption in this country. That is Babangida’s regime.

We saw a situation where states were created for girl friends, local governments were created for girl friends, the emirs and traditional rulers to pacify individuals and there were no parameters for creating states and local governments during that particular regime. So, corruption does not only mean only looting of the resources of the state, corruption means perversion of justice, it also means abuse of due process and rule of law. You recall that Prof Tam David West was jailed not because he stole money, but because he was said to have collected wrist watch as a gift. So, if you have created state, or local government without due process, that is corruption in itself. For example, how do you justify Osun State with a population of 3 to 4 million and 30 local governments and Lagos State which has 20 local governments with a population of 20 million? Same thing goes for Kano State. It is corruption in a sense. If we had sat as a conference of the Nigerian people as we did in 2014 and we decided to create local governments, I don’t think Lagos State would have settled for less local government areas than Kano. So there is need for the current government to review all these issues because of injustices, because of imbalances and because of abuse of due process and rule of law and that is what we are saying. But the government of the day must start from somewhere and the place to start must be from the known to the unknown. So, the attempt to start from Jonathan administration is not acceptable to the CLO. He should extend it to Babangida’s regime that sow the seed of corruption in this country.

I want to take on the CLO on one issue. The American government recently, drew the attention of Nigeria to the allegation of human rights abuses by the Nigerian soldiers in the prosecution of Boko Haram war as a condition of its refusal to sell ammunition to Nigeria. But here we are in Nigeria, your organization has not for once, took up the campaign?

Ezike

It is not true. You will recall that in 2009, the police came and sealed the secretariat of CLO and disarmed us from working.

Our facilities, our computers, laptops were vandalized and taken to Onikan Zone 2 Division of the Nigerian Police and we went to court after over a year and we got an order of the court that indicted the Nigerian Police for fraudulent and without due process of law invaded our premises and so till today, police have refused to return our facilities which they stole from our office, nor have they been able to pay the N25m compensation which the court ordered nor have they gone on appeal against the decision of the court and this is part of the impunity we talk about in this country. So CLO was disarmed. All our donor agencies stayed away from us. They cannot invest in a crisis ridden organization. CLO had crisis. There was no doubt about it, but this crisis was created by the state. So, when we couldn’t pay our staff, when we could not hold meeting because the centre could no longer hold, how do you want us to go to the North East to verify? But in all this, how did the Amnesty International come to Nigeria? They come and use our members who are spread over the north east. It is the facts provided by some of our members that they were using. Where is the AI in Nigeria? But if CLO make a statement in Nigeria, will the government take it serious? The Nigerian government has made us lame duck before it happened.

Secondly, this report by Amnesty Organisation has not been proved it is still a mere allegation. These are the issues.

Recently, the former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh at his valedictory speech, made a pronouncement that he inherited a military that is ill equipped to fight Boko Haram. How do you you reconcile that with alleged mutiny in the army leading to trial of some officers. What is your take on this?

The CLO has been against the court martial or any punishment being meted to the soldiers who were fighting Boko Ha-

ram insurgency in north east region. Our position is premised on the fact that you don’t ask a farmer to go to the farm without the farm implements and you expect him to produce anything. The Nigerian soldiers were asked to go and fight Boko Haram with bare hands, obsolete weapons.

I was on AIT program on Monday with a retired Major and he did say that why the Nigerian army were unable to combat Boko Haram was because there were insufficient funds and training for the personnel and other logistics for the army to do their work and that was why when our soldiers or policemen go for international operations, you see them coming with accolades, but because you have asked these young men and women to go and fight the insurgents that were equipped with sophisticated arms with bare arms, they will not be able to do anything. Some of them, their salaries and allowances were not paid and these lads were being asked to go and kill themselves, causing their families to lose their bread winners. So what Alex Badeh is saying is the same story that we hear in all our past administrations when the government is there and they ask you to abuse due process and rule of law and even to commit murder and you did. But if you are a real professional in a field and you are brought in a place where your professionalism would be tampered with or your expertise would be queried why can’t you then throw in the towel? Is it a bad thing in Nigeria for people to resign?

So if Alex Badeh knew that what he was asked to do was wrong, that he was fighting insurgency with bare hands, that he was not encouraged, why was he punishing the soldiers who have refused to go and die in the war front without weapons?

Why is he telling us what happened now?

Is it because everybody had seen the mindset of the current administration to fight corruption so everybody is trying to save himself ? We are not taking him serious because the statement he made is not different from what any other past public officers have made.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

August 8, 2015

Talking Politics

‘Accommodate S’East ‘Buhari bears no grudge against Igbos’ in power sharing’ ­­— Osita Okechukwu, South-East APC ­­— Alhaji Tanko Yakasai “T “A s it is, the South-East has no representation among the configuration of the House leadership, but the South-West alone has two slots, all in an effort to satisfy the personal interest of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the interest of Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The implication is that now the SouthEast has no representation in the leadership structure of the House- In the entire National Assembly, the only representation the zone has is the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu.

“Those that are calling for his removal should realise the implication of their agitation, because it would mean that the South-East would be entirely excluded in the entire leadership struc-

he appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Engr. Dennis Ajulu as Group Managing Director, and Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the NNPC, respectively, and enlistment of Enugu Airport among those to be upgraded, are clear indications and demonstration that Mr. President bears no grudge against Ndigbo for not voting for him.”

ture of the National Assembly. This would not augur well for the unity of the country and the future stability of this nation.”

‘Why I support Dickson for second term’

—Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, former governor of Bayelsa State

“G

overnor Dickson, has done well, what I have seen on ground in the last three

years in the state is very encouraging.

“Our problem has been the continuation of policies and programme of government. I served this state for six and a half years, Goodluck came in, served one year, the remaining six months, he was campaigning for the office of the Vice President. “ Governor Timipre Sylva came in, of course I didn’t see anything visible on ground, am not castigating him, but you could walk from Igbogene to Swali Market, I did not see anything that was added to what I left behind, even to complete the project I started was a problem.

“I feel very bitter when you come to government with good intention, you start a project for the good of the people and that project is abandoned”

‘Why Buhari wants to probe only Jonathan’ —Chief John Odigie Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

“T

he President I’m aware knows that he has only four years, minus 2 months. So it is not four years anymore and if he wants to probe Nigeria, where does he stop? 16 years? 50 years?

“Where do you stop when you want to do that kind of probe?

“What is important is that the level of impunity in the last six years was high.

“The level of rot in the last six years, the extent to which the economy of this nation has been damaged in the last 6 years is something all of us agree needs to be looked into.

“It is phenomenal, absolutely phe-

nomenal I do not know. I can’t speak for the President, neither can I speak for the Presidency but I’m not aware there is going to be a formal probe, meaning the High Court Judge with a few people sitting with him.

“But these things are there even if you don’t want to see them, they are sitting right in front of you.

“The impunity of the corrup¬tion is looking at you in the eyes. Nigerians by the time we are talking about saw people not bothered about hiding anymore. So, when talking about probe, you can turn without seeing the damage, the theft, massive theft; so that is the way I interpret it.”

‘We ‘ll defeat Boko Haram this year’ —President Muhammadu Buhari

“I

assure you that we will defeat Boko Haram by the end of this year”.

“I am impressed by your concern and critical approaches by increasing your contributions to the multinational task force of the Lake Chad Commission. This is a great sacrifice on the part of the Benin Republic….

“Even in my first coming into office under a different arrangement, we have learnt to live in peace with our neighbours. Within the week I was sworn in, I went to Niger, Chad.

I was supposed to go to Cameroon but I was summoned by the G7 leaders to brief them about the security situation in Nigeria concerning Boko Ha-

ram which declared allegiance to ISIS which gives it international dimension”.

‘The world takes Nigeria serious with Buhari’s US visit’ —Former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari

“I

was in the United States myself.

I spent many years there.

“They have never assembled that calibre of people to meet with any visiting Head of State like they did for him (Buhari).

“In the Oval Office of the U.S President where he received foreign dignitaries, look at the line up- the President, the Vice-Pres-

ident, the Secretary of State and the National Security Adviser, who else is left?

“They take Nigeria serious, they take this new government serious, they take the issues you want to discuss with them seriously enough. And if you look at his agenda he (Buhari) presented.

“In addition, he had a private meeting (breakfast) with the vice president, he was given a lunch by the Secretary of State, they came to see him where he was staying. Normally, you go and meet them.

“They came, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney-General, the Head of CIA, the Commerce Secretary, the Deputy Secretary of Defence, the Joint Chief of Staff. So, it is very clear that they wanted to hear from him what was his agenda and how they can help, and he was quite clear on what he wanted”.

16

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Living

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

17

When teachers become sexual predators

“I am convinced that the prosecution has proved that the accused sexually abused and exploited the child. Teachers are supposed to be destiny helpers and shapers, not destiny destroyers.” Those were the words of the judge who sentenced Kareem Akinyemi, a 35-year-old class teacher, to seven years imprisonment in Ekiti State for defiling his nine-year-old student. Akinyemi is not alone in this unholy act. ERIC ELEZUO takes a look at others like him and the disastrous consequences of their horrible lapse

W

hat would make a full grown man get attracted to a teenagerstudent or in most cases, a toddler, who is still in the primary or nursery school under his tutelage to the extent of having carnal knowledge of her or him as the case may be?

Recently, the press was full of reports of amorous relationships between hell bound teachers, guardians and the like, who are involved in one form of sexual escapade or another with students. These affairs have, most of the time, ended in sexual acts, especially rape.

It is, however, no longer news that the amorous relationships that exist between lecturers and students in the higher institutions of learning have reached alarming proportions. It is also not to be taken for granted that most of these girls involved are up to the age of reasoning, or that they made their own choices. Most of them are intimidated into giving in to the amorous advances of their caretakersturned-lovers, either because of the fear of not graduating, or using it to pay for one favour or another.

That is the higher institutions! The

crux of the matter is the high profile sexual escapades going on in the primary and post primary institutions where the teacher, who is supposedly the guardian of the students, lure them into unholy relationships, going as far as having carnal knowledge of these immature girls. One thing about these relationships is the fact that most of these men are married, and some of these girls are just about the same age as their daughters, if not granddaughters.

Recently in Jos, crisis erupted as the principal of the Federal Government College, Jos, one Mr. Mohammed Manko,

was in an amorous relationship with the girl to protect her to the chagrin of his teachers. One of the teachers, who asked for anonymity remarked: “What example is he giving to us teachers under him? He is expressly asking us to make our pick from the bevy of girls, and do what he is doing. Manko is a very bad example of a guardian. I am happy it resulted to pregnancy to expose him to the whole world.”

It is, however, impossible to believe that most of the teachers of the college have not joined Manko in his desire to sample young

Most of these girls are not up to the age of reasoning or making positive

choices. Most of them are intimidated into giving in to the amorous advances of their caretakers-turned-lovers, either because of the fear of not

graduating, or using it to pay for one favour or the other.

was alleged to have impregnated a Senior Secondary (SS3) student of the college, whose name was given as Aisha Suleiman.

She was only 17 years.

Sources said that the principal, who had dated the female student since she was SS1, made no effort to hide the fact that he

and immature flesh, much as most of those spoken to denied vehemently.

The source added that the principal owned up to the illicit affair, pledging to marry the 17-year-old girl, who had just concluded her senior secondary education.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

18

LIVING

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Some of these students are not totally innocent’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Mr. Manko is a minute number of those who had taken undue advantage of students under their tutelage to dabble into sexual relationship with them. While most of them may not have impregnated their subjects, some have, and proceeded to aborting the pregnancy. A host of others have been apprehended, either through reportage or being caught in the act.

Not quite long along, a judge in AdoEkiti, Ekiti State sentenced a 35-year-old class teacher, whose name was given as Kareem Akinyemi to seven years imprisonment for defiling a nine-yearold girl. According to the judge, Olayemi Abodunde, the prosecution proved that the teacher sexually abused the minor.

“I am convinced that the prosecution has proved that the accused sexually abused and exploited the child. Teachers are supposed to be destiny helpers and shapers not destroyers,” she said.

In May, the Police in Kano announced that it had arrested a serving policeman, Cpl. Sani Salisu, for allegedly raping a minor.

The statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Magaji Majiya, said, “The command wishes to inform the public that, in its effort to flush out the bad eggs from the force, it has arrested a serving member of the force, Cpl. Sani Salisu.

“He was arrested for luring and taking advantage of a seven-year-old girl inside a kiosk located at Mangoron Mahauta Brigade Qtrs., Kano.”

In another development, a teacher at a private school, Adeniran Adebayo, was accused for molesting a 10-year-old form four pupil inside the school toilet.

The victim and the suspect, according to a source, are pupil and teacher at a private school on Olateju Ilesanmi Street, Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos.

The victim said her health teacher threatened to flog her if she raised alarm while he had sex with her in the toilet. She added that a female teacher in the school, however, heard her cry and came into the toilet, which prompted Adebayo to stop and hurriedly dress up.

The police officer in charge of the case said, “I interviewed the victim after the matter was brought to the SCID. She said on the fateful day, she was in school after the closing hours and was waiting for her younger brother, who attended the same school, so they could go back home together.

“While waiting, she decided to get busy with her assignments. She said it was while she was doing the assignment that the teacher came and said she should follow him. He then took her to a toilet within the school premises and threatened to cane her if she screamed, unzipped himself, undressed the pupil and had sex with her.

“The girl said she was crying while this was on. It was a female teacher, who was passing by that heard her cry. The female teacher came closer to have a better look and immediately the suspect saw her, he quickly zipped up. The pupil said the female teacher told him that being a teacher, he should never have taken advantage of the

girl.”

However, the teacher denied the allegations.

The rampancy of the unsavoury sexual attraction among male teachers and their female students cannot be overemphasized.

Most female students who went through it unnoticed seem not to understand the trauma they actually passed through or the devastation they were actually heading to until much later in their lives.

Alicia Morgan (not real names) is a 300 level student of the Ekiti State University’s satellite campus at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin.

She told National Mirror that while she was in the secondary school, her Physical and Health Education teacher professed love to her, and followed it up with what looked like it.

“I felt we had something, but never really knew I was killing myself by instalments. Today, it is difficult for me to relate with those of my calibre, and I am just an emotional wreck. He ruined me, sexually, emotionally and in every other way possible. I was naive and innocent, and he took advantage of it because he was perverse,” Morgan said.

She said that each time she reads about the molestations of minors by their teachers, memories keep flooding back to her, and immediately, she will recoil to self condemnation, becoming a heavy mass of wreck for a long time, calling the man in question a ‘sexual predator.’

She added: Most of my relationships since then have been really awful and violent. I can’t trust men in positions of authority. I had great plans for university.

If he had not done what he did to me when I was too young to know what was going on, my life now would be very different.”

Chidera is nursing a 10-year-old boy today, the product of a romp she had with her teacher when she was 15, and in the secondary school. She is full of regrets, though she tried as much as possible to shield the teacher’s identity at the time of the incident, the reason she failed to divulge, even now.

She said: “The closer I get to the age he was, the more I realise how awful it was, what he did. I see how he manipulated my 15-year-old self and I realise how someone of my age would not know, absolutely, that it was completely wrong and inappropriate to get into a relationship with someone of that age.

“I wish someone had told me, when I was 15, that if the teacher in question really loved me, he would never act on it.

And I wish someone had told me that it was never, ever my fault.”

However, some female students have also been found to lure their male teachers into relationships.

Segun is a youth corps member serving in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. He narrated that the ‘green light’ these secondary school girls beam at teachers, especially, the young and handsome ones, is hard to resist, adding that one needs to be a eunuch to say an emphatic no.

“You see this beautiful girl visiting your lodge for no apparent reason, scantily dressed and rolling her eyes like Mami Water. My brother, resistance can only be divine,” he said.

Dr. Friday Udeh of the University of Uyo has independently studied pupil and teacher relationships, and challenges the notion that girls are necessarily powerless or exploited in them, pointing out that a significant proportion end up marrying or living together in an enduring and solid relationship, stressing that girls need to be protected against predatory male teachers.

But many have wondered how these

It’s a combination of ‘my favourite teacher or student’ which leads to constant contact and running

errands. Teachers and students get close as a result of the above, the closeness begins to develop into

admiration, and finally one can do

‘anything’ for the other

relationships crop up to germinating into full time affair.

Mrs. Mabel Adenike explained that while going through her daughter’s English Language examination script, she noticed that the girl had written the name of one of her teachers as her best friend in the essay part and went ahead to describe and say why he is her best friend. She said she had raised alarm at her descriptions though they were innocent. She promptly called her daughter and the pep talk began.

“Most relations between teachers and female student begin platonically before blossoming into amorous ones. It is all a combination of ‘my favourite teacher or student’ which leads to constant contact and running errands. When most people get close as a result of the above, the closeness begins to develop into admiration, and finally one can do ‘anything’ for the other,” says Nkem Begho, an expert in behavioural tendencies Mr. Michael Owolana is the proprietor of Jemik College in Agbara area of Lagos State. He says that teacher/student sexual relations are abominable, and should be condemned with both legal means and moral upbringing. He stressed that measures have been put in place in the school to prevent unwholesome contact between teachers and students of the opposite sex to cut short the closeness that makes the heart fonder.

“It is evil, wicked and should be condemned by anyone who is morally upright, and loves education. While we cannot say that there are no wolves in sheep’s clothing, we believe that such a thing cannot happen here. We have put in place several measures to forestall the occurrence, and we pray that God helps us.”

Mr. Adekunle Famoriyo, who is Head of the Department of Arts, Hopebay College at Alaba, admonished parents to take adequate care of what their female children are up to, saying that “education does not end in school, but continues in the homes.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

August 8, 2015

19

Street partying: When culture challenges modernity

Hosting parties on main roads and on Lagos streets might have outlived the reigns of kings and tenures of not a few modern governments. But in recent past, the government of former Governor Babatunde Fashola came up boldly with a law banning the old culture. This legislation controlled the practice minimally to the surprise and joy of Lagosians. But that success seems to have been a flash in the pan.

Now, many revelers and their musicians are back to the streets with giant loud speakers and other instruments, which produce not only melodious noise but discomfort to residents, many of whom have become victims of its deadly effects, reports JULIET UMEH.

C

ould Mr. Biodun Oyewole ever forget July 18, 2015? Certainly not, because that was the day his dear wife had the terrible experience of losing three months’ pregnancy. The pregnancy, according to him, “would have been saved if not for the ‘road block’ on our way to seek medical attention at White Chapel Hospital, the closest medical facility to our home in Cement area of Dopemu, Lagos. The most painful part of it is that the pregnancy was long expected, having been married for four full years,” he bitterly narrated.

On the afternoon of the fateful day, Kemi, his wife of four years, developed some strange feelings all over her and sharp pains in the lower part of her abdomen. Remembering to religiously respect her doctor’s advice to always visit the hospital if there is any abnormal situation, he didn’t want to take a chance.

Immediately, Oyewole and his wife’s younger sister helped her into the already positioned car within their compound at No 13 Ajiboso Street, Agege, Lagos.

“As I drove out of the gate and made a detour into the next street to connect the

main road, alas, there was a ‘road block,’ but not by armed robbers, the community vigilant group or the police, but by some revelers, who were drinking, eating and making fun. I was so infuriated because there was no sign to warn road users to make use of alternative routes and my wife’s condition wasn’t getting any better. Unfortunately, by the time I succeeded in finding a road, which was badly pothole-ridden, we were not able to get to the hospital on time to save the life of the foetus,” Oyewole regretted.

The ordeal of this couple is an example of what many people suffer in the hands of revelers mostly on weekends and occasionally on week days in Lagos and other cities and towns, even villages across Nigeria Teju Aderinto an employee of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, also shared his experience with Saturday Mirror. He said, “After one of those nerve-racking days at your workplace, definitely your home might just be the only thing on your mind. It was so annoying that after maneuvering all the traffic on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway,

connecting my own house became a knot too hard to crack. The situation became so terrible. At first, no one knew the cause of the traffic jam, but eventually we began to move slowly. It was so unfortunate that we were just being tortured for no sins of ours, but by some residents who closed a street that links to a major road that some of the residents use. It was so annoying.”

Recently, some residents of Lagos raised the alarm over the re-emergence of road blocks on community roads in the metropolis, pointing out that individuals organising social events ranging from naming ceremony, birthdays, burial ceremony and so many others cause traffic jams, which worsen human and vehicular movements in case there are emergencies such as fire outbreak, road accident, serious illness, etc.

But giving the history behind such parties in his home in Agege, a suburb of Lagos, Alhaji Haruna Gbadegeshin, said those who are raising eyebrows over staging of parties on Lagos roads or streets do not understand that this culture is not only the characteristic of

Lagos, but hallmarks of social events in Yorubaland or South-West Nigeria. He told Saturday Mirror that the practice, which existed from time immemorial, is usually described as Owambe party, which features a popular local musicians and gaily dressed groups that gladly dance to his music showing appreciation by pasting money on his forehead. The septuagenarian added: “It is popular in Yorubaland to ‘close roads’ or ‘take over streets’ to accommodate all guests to a party because the Yoruba like to turn any rite of passage or milestones in one’s such as birth, death of elderly, house warming, marriage, traditional or religious festival or and other major achievements in one’s life to grand celebrations which usually attract their kith and kin from far and near.

Such parties, even if they started from the celebrant’s room or his backyard, develop into others staged by relatives as a way of showing solidarity.”

But despite the strong belief that the state of excellence and aquatic beauty, Lagos, is the most ‘social’ in Nigeria, its CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20

LIVING

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Event centres and schools are viable alternatives’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

government promulgated a law in 2008 banning street parties in the law entitled: ‘Bill on Commercial Activities and Prohibition of Obstruction of Traffic’ which makes it an offence for any person or group to obstruct traffic on any road in Lagos State as a result of social or commercial activities.”

Interpreting the law, a legal practitioner, who prefers anonymity, explained that “by the provision of the law, anybody that obstructs a law enforcement agent of the state in the course of enforcing compliance to this law will be liable to a six-month jail term with an option of fine or N10, 000 or both.

So if people are still having these parties, it is due to the negligence of the residents who have failed to report the matter to the proper authorities and security agents who have refused to make any arrest in recent times.”

Also speaking in the same vein, Barrister Basil Ude Ikpenwa, a Lagosbased legal practitioner, said it is not the fault of the judiciary, but that of will power by the executive to implement the law already established. He sees the practice of barricading the street as more of sociological or psychological problem.

“Moreover, once a law is made, then it is for the executive to execute the law. It is already a law and there’s no argument or misconception about it,” he told Saturday Mirror.

Concerned citizens in Lagos State, Saturday Mirror gathered, are sad about the development and they have continued to raise questions on why in these modern times when there are many event centres, stadiums, school fields, hotels and commercialised local government halls in most localities, people still prefer to hold social functions in the streets, exposing themselves to the elements or not minding if the weather suddenly becomes cloudy and or a downpour suddenly starts. But they are surprised by the timidity of the Lagos State Government to enforce the law that outlaws parties on roads and streets.

Worried by street partying, Tunji Areola, a resident of Egbeda said: “I don’t understand why full-grown adults want law enforcement agencies to use canes on them before they can obey simple rules that are meant to guide them. Some people take delight in breaking laws.

Even traffic lights are not obeyed. Some drivers would always want to disrespect the red lights except mobile policemen or officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) are around. That is the only time you see them obey traffic lights. It’s sad,” he lamented.

But Kingsley Ukoh, a trader based in Oshodi, advised the state government to step up their game in implementing the law already in existence since 2008. “I think the government should step in once again and call residents to order. They feel government has forgotten about the law. If nothing is done now to contain this, it might be a very big challenge in the Mega city. I remember what it used to be before Fashola’s government banned it. As much as I am not against

people partying, I think it should be done responsibly. Some say it is a way of fighting stress or boredom. Agreed, but they should not stress up other people in the process of relieving their own stress. Stress is a silent killer,” Kingsley submitted.

However, the general manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Engr. Rasheed Shabi, frowned at the re-emergence of blockage on roads by revelers in Lagos State saying that such is against the law of Lagos State. Citing some implications of such actions he said: “Let’s look at a situation where there’s fire outbreak and a fire engine is coming, how will it have access? Or if you have a pregnant woman about to give birth and you want to rush her to the hospital and people have already jam-packed that area with chairs, how would that woman feel?” he asked.

But shedding some light on what the agency is doing about the menace, the LASEPA boss promised that now that the complaints are coming up again, “we will step up our surveillance to enforce the law that is already on ground.”

Engr. Shabi added, “We were doing that before, the compliance was so high and encouraging, but we relaxed because we didn’t receive any complaint from anybody again. But now that we are hearing from you (Saturday Mirror) and some other people, though I have never observed such, we will send our surveillance team out to monitor every nook and cranny of the state.

However looking at the problem with the eye of a social scientist, a senior lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Dr Bola Ogunlade, said social values of people and the environment explain why partying on the streets has continued unabated.

According to him, “People from this environment like to party a lot. It is something they cherish and place so much social value on. Partying or merry making has become their culture and therefore their part and parcel,” he explained.

Commenting on why the people have refused to obey the law, he said, “The people you are talking about may not know that there is a law banning them from blocking the road. I myself that is speaking to you don’t even know there is a law banning it, though I know that I am not going to block the road if I’m having a party, because that has to do with my own level of education. If I organise a party and I don’t want to go to an events centre, or if I feel that this party is a small one that may not warrant going to an event centre, I can put up a canopy in my own

Despite the strong belief that Lagos is the most ‘sociable’ state in Nigeria, its government promulgated a law in

2008 banning street parties. The Bill on Commercial Activities and Prohibition of Obstruction of Traffic makes it an offence for any person or group to obstruct traffic on any road in Lagos State as a result of social or commercial activities.

house and hold my party there,” he said.

Also, the don noted that some issues make some Lagos residents to close major streets for parties, stating that, “The kind of houses and the way they are constructed in Lagos are part of the problem. There are many houses without space, some without compounds. But those organising parties there cannot afford the money for events centre. If these people are doing things like burial, naming ceremony, the next option for them is to block the road that passes in front of their home.”

However, for Lagos society to achieve total respect of the laws, the sociologist advised that government should always come up with an alternative whenever a ban is being placed on anything. He explained: “When you make a law, you should understand the people very well and ensure that such law works. The way the law will work is when you know that something is important to the people, you ensure that there is always viable alternative for them. So the government will make sure that in the midst of communities, spaces like recreation grounds are created. It may not be more than one plot, but will be dedicated for the community to do things like that instead of blocking the street. But if they don’t have alternative, they will be forced to block the road.”

Ogunlade may have forgotten that most communities in Lagos are not

It is popular in Yorubaland to ‘close roads’ or ‘take over streets’ to accommodate all guests to a party

because the Yoruba like to turn any rite of passage, milestone or major

achievement to grand celebrations

planned, therefore it would be difficult to create areas for recreational area.

Alternatively, like the university lecturer said, Engr. Shabi also advised that those who feel that events centres are too expensive should make use of schools at the weekends, instead of blocking the roads.

But Alhaji Gbadegesin thinks the culture cannot be easily eradicated in places where it is cultural to advertise one’s wealth and the strength of one’s influence in one’s family, as it is in Yorubaland. In such communities, the umbilical cord of family relationship is very strong and parties are social functions which serve as events for family reunion.

Says Gbadegesin, “The Yoruba are so ceremonial, societal in their traditional settings that they prefer to stage events so close to their roots or among their ancestors, whom they believe are a living presence among them, instead of moving out to a strange land or foreign venue, where they will be denied the right to do things like ‘sons and daughters of the soil.

“Apart from this, the security situation of the country nowadays does not encourage one to have parties at a venue or terrain that is strange to one’s everyday experience. If I hold a party on my street, a stranger that wants to foment trouble or engineer violence can be easily spotted and arrested before he achieves his evil aim. But such is not possible in a hotel, town hall or events centre, where apart from guests, many other people who are not invited are around either as workers of the facility or there to carry out their nefarious activity either to steal phones, eat free food, pick pockets, kidnap or terrorise people.”

It seems the issue at hand is a conflict between old culture and modern legislation, which will take some time to produce a winner.

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Relationships

Should women tolerate premature ejaculation?

P.32

Sex talk 10 prowess

protection tips P.32

Fashion

A touch of lace P.28

Nancy ... new face of Trending

22

ENTERVAGANZA

August 8 , 2015

Celebrity

My talent hunt show is on course —Emmanuel Eyaba

Emmanuel Eyaba, a producer, director and member of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), is one of Nollywood’s prominent personalities based in Abuja. OSEYIZA OOGBODO met him recently during a working visit to Lagos and he spoke about his plans and his talent hunt show, Unleash Ur Creativity.

What’s the latest about you?

As usual, I’ve a lot of irons in the fire, and they’re all searing hot. One of them is Raw Impact which I’m very passionate about because we celebrate raw talents through it. Another is Unleash Ur Creativity, a movie talent hunt which continues to gather steam by the day. And there are still others.

How did you get into filmmaking?

It’s a very long story dating back to 1997 after I finished secondary school.

I wrote and produced my first movie then but it did not see the light of day due to lack of experience. I then gained admission to study theatre arts at the University of Calabar. While in school, we were into a lot of stuff, stage plays, radio drama, church films and so on.

But professionally, I worked as an IT student with Mr. Teco Benson on the set of The Senator in 2002. I gained so much knowledge on his set and on return, I directed my first movie, The Enemy Within. After that, I directed The Pottersbride. I then produced and directed my first project which was a short film titled Millimetres, an action film on the Niger Delta militants’ saga in the South-South. I then worked on the set of Streets Of Calabar as a third assistant director for a Chinese director. And I learnt so much on the set.

Then I moved to Abuja in 2011 for my NYSC where I served with Zenith Film School as an instructor. NYSC was fun because I published my first book, a compendium of five plays which I donated to schools in FCT. The project gave me an NYSC honours award. After NYSC, I was contracted by the Nigeria Customs Service to shoot a series and we came up with The Frontiers, a series which aired on NTA Network

for 30 weeks. After The Frontiers, I co-produced and directed Spycing featuring Iyanya, Emeka Enyiocha, Uti, Alexxx Ekubo, Nazareth Jesse and a couple of other actors.

You went for a professional filmmaking course in America. How is it helping you now?

Well, the programme changed my total orientation on how we made films. I am more detailed in my work now. A good script starts from the story, the script, and the cast, down to the interpretation of the characters. So I try to infuse all of these elements into my work now. I have also created a platform where I can share my knowledge to the younger generation so that the industry can improve.

What have you achieved as a filmmaker?

Wow! Achievement? I wouldn’t like to blow my own trumpet, but I get people telling me, ‘Oh, Emma, saw your work. Nice one. Keep it up.’

What are your plans for the future?

To set up a film school and TV station soonest.

It’s believed that it’s better for entertainment people like you to be based in Lagos, but you are based in Abuja. Is that affecting you in any way?

Well, I have heard a lot of people saying that, and some have even asked me why I’m not in Lagos, but I think I can still make impact from Abuja, so I’m good with being in Abuja.

How far with Unleash Ur Creativity?

We’re still on it. We’re still going

strong in our plans.

We intend to empower 50 filmmakers in Africa.

I’m very, very passionate about it because it will empower upcoming

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

filmmakers. As I said earlier, fifty of them, in two groups of 25 each will be selected and camped for one month during which they will learn the rudiments of filmmaking and then shoot a short film. They will be required to conceptualize a story, produce and premiere it within the period. The movie will then be premiered to an audience on live TV and the winning group will receive N10,000,000 (ten million naira) to produce a feature film. Those selected will comprise of storytellers, actors, cameramen, editors, musicians and songwriters.

While they are working, the audience will watch their efforts and get to know how things are done behind the camera from the scripting stage, casting, down to choosing of locations, rehearsals, principal photography, and editing of the movie.

Just watch out for it.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

August 8, 2015

Birds of the same feather

… bad boy Timaya hangs out with bad girl Rihanna I t’s said that birds of the same feather flock together.

And it’s reasonable to say that Umbrella singer, Rihanna, and Sanko singer, Timaya, are birds of the same feather because they are both in the same profession and they both have a bad boy-girl image.

Rihanna for example proudly refers to herself as bad Girl RiRi. She started music with a good girl image but when she dropped the album, Good Girl Gone Bad, it signified that she was tired of being seen as a good girl and was ready to be seen as a bad girl which she is now.

And in order to live her bad girl lifestyle to the fullest, she has told the world that she

doesn’t see herself as a role model to the many youths looking up to her.

Like Ri, Timaya has courted controversy for most of his career. There have been reports of him fighting with one of his lovers, making a rude comment while accepting an award, and now the latest, a rape allegation which is still trailing him.

Anyway, he put aside his rape saga for some time to perform at Crop Over Festival which took place in Rihanna’s home country, Barbados, quite recently, and the bad boy and bad girl naturally connected, being that they have the same instincts, so they took a picture together and Ri danced excitedly to Ti’s performance.

… Sir Victor Uwaifo blows hot with new song with 2face

F

ollowing the raucous reception music legends, Sir Victor Uwaifo and 2face Idibia, received for their duet performance of Tupepe in Abuja, Hypertek Digital/960 Music has announced its release as the second single from Uwaifo’s latest album, Legend Reborn.

Tupepe is produced by the super talented and versatile Jay Sleek who’s Midas touch has seen him work with legends from 2face to Uwaifo and recently Orlando Julius. The song marries the essence of rural Edo sound that has been well exported by Uwaifo with contemporary Nigerian pop leading to a song that appeals to all ages.

Timaya with Rihanna

Bad news trails Kiss Daniel … reportedly broke and in need of money

K

iss Daniel is a relatively new celebrity. He only became celebrated in late 2014 when his song, Woju, became a mega hit.

But like most celebrities, especially music artists, he’s reportedly already having issues with those behind his success.

According to a report trending presently and developing by the day, Daniel is having issues with his label, GWorldwide Entertainment, over money.

Daniel is said to be broke and in need of money because his label allegedly holds on to the money he makes from shows, claiming that it’s yet to recoup the money invested in Daniel’s career.

The long and short of this is that most artists always have issues with their labels after they become successful, so don’t be surprised if you hear that Daniel is no longer with G-Worldwide.

Daniel

Uwaifo

The video for the song, directed by Clarence Peters, is scheduled for release in a matter of days. It promises to be a spectacular visual treat starring both legends.

Uwaifo through Hypertek Digital/960 Music Group released Legend Reborn, a double album, in February. Volume 1 consists of throwback classics such as Joromi, Guitar Boy, while the second volume contains fresh songs done in collaboration with some of the current biggest and talented artists and producers.

Uwaifo is also a world class sculptor, academic and writer and his music has impacted people across the world.

24

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

E-NEWS

AFRIMA receives 2,558 entries for 2015 edition

... 13-man jury panel to arrive Lagos today

CLASSICAL LYRICS

Fans Mi

Artist: : Davido featuring Meek Mill Continued from last week

Verse 2 (Davido) Omo baba olowo pocket full of dough Everybody know all these girls they know Everywhere I go I got dough to blow Time to switch it up to another flow Girl I love the way you make your body go And I want you to make my money go Looking for the omo wey dey carry load Anything you see man you fit carry go I swear I know go lie My fans give me life ya They make me feel so happy Oya tell them give me chance Chorus (Davido] I remember when dem girls no dey come around I remember when I had no money in my bank account I remember when the street no dey show me love But now dem dey love me bami mu dis Hennessey Omo kilo kan mi, kan mi pelu jealousy

Mike Dada, AFRIMA Executive Producer

T

he International Committee of All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, has announced a staggering submission of entries with a total of 2,558 for AFRIMA’s 2015 edition at the close of submission of entries on Friday, July 31st.

The entries were received on the AFRIMA website and social media platforms from African artistes, record companies, and music/entertainment journalists from across the continent and the Diaspora whose works were produced between May 31, 2014 and July 31, 2015 in accordance with the stipulated guidelines by the academy of the jury of AFRIMA. But more exciting are the entries from artistes of African origin living abroad and non-African countries which shows the global recognition of AFRIMA, which is in partnership with the African Union Commission, ONE Campaign and Africa 2.0.

The percentage of entries received for the 2015 edition is progressively higher than the 2014 edition of 2,025 entries with 79.2%. Out of the entries received this year, 73 were from music and entertainment journalists across Africa against the total of 38 entries (52.1%) from the same category in 2014. Other entries were from artistes, songwriters, video directors, music

Omo kilo kan mi, kan mi pelu en-

Strano

producers and record companies.

According to the Chairman, International media committee of AFRIMA, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, “The International Committee is excited about the quality of entries received this year as many were from accomplished artistes in African music. The impressive 2015 edition entries received is a reflection of growth and acceptability of the vision and ideals of AFRIMA’s commitment to communicate Africa to the rest of the world via art, music, tourism and entertainment.”

As part of the adjudication process which will last for 7days, the submitted works will be further screened by a 13-person jury panel which represents the 5 regions of Africa and the diaspora from the following countries: Kenya, Senegal, Republic du Benin, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, UK and USA as well as a representative from the African Union.

Following the adjudication process, a nomination list will be released to the public on a later date in August 2015 to vote for a nominee in each of the 33 categories of the award.

Speaking on the 2015 entries received, Co-Producer and Regional Director, East Africa, AFRIMA, Mike Strano restated that “in line with our

integrity, transparency and AFRIMA core values of FACE IT (Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency), we will always ensure that the adjudication process, pre-selection process, the auditing phase, the nomination process, the voting process and the eventual winning stage are all transparent.”

We are firm, transparent, and thorough about the whole process. This is All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA and it is our pledge. We will always guide it jealously,” he affirmed.

The award ceremony, which promises to be a premium and star-studded event, will take place on November 15, 2015 in Nigeria. It will be broadcast in 84 countries and on 109 television stations across the world.

The AFRIMA Music Village, a 2-day event of music festivities featuring national pavilions, cultural/entertainment exhibitions and music concerts between November 13 and 14, will precede the award ceremony.

There will also be an Africa Music Summit on November 13, themed Reviving the Business of Music in Africa. The one-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.

emy Omo kilo kan mi, pemi lori cell mi oh Nigga I’m just balling balling with my fellas mi oh Oya je ka ko’rin, ko’rin pelu fans mi Oya je ka ko’rin, ko’rin pelu fans mi Oya je ka ko’rin, ko’rin pelu fans mi Oya je ka ko’rin, ko’rin pelu fans mi Outro (Meek Mill) HKN, Dreamchasers, Davido Meek Milly, OBO, Westside Africa Riders!

Outro (Davido) Oya je ka ko’rin Feeling up with Milly eh Oya je ka ko’rin Feeling up with Meek Milly eh Oya je ka ko’rin On the beat Shizzi eh Oya je ka ko’rin Oya je ka ko’rin eh eh eh Oya je ka ko’rin oh oh oh Concluded

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-NEWS

Meet Project Fame 8 contestants August 8, 2015

25

West Africa’s number one music talent hunt, Project Fame West Africa, is back with a bang for its eight straight season which commenced last weekend when the fourteen contestants who have now made it into the renowned Project Fame Academy were chosen out of eighteen contestants who performed for the chance of making it into the academy.

Alas, eighteen were called, but fourteen were chosen, and even from this weekend, these fourteen too will start getting eliminated until the main winner will emerge. Below are the lucky fourteen.

Adanoritsewo Gold Tosanwumi is a Sociology graduate of Delta State University. She’s the youngest of seven girls, and her sisters have been her greatest critics, pushing her to be the best.

Emmanuel Amos Anderson lost his sister about a year ago and her death has taught him that ‘you only live once’ so use your talents appropriately while you can.

Funmilayo Comfort Arewa aspires to become an extraordinary superstar through winning PFWA which she says she can win by having a teachable spirit.

Kumi Ada

Biko

Joy

Deinde

Stephen Sackitey Okletey Biko says he intends to make the best use of his stay in the academy and emerge as the winner.

Chike Osebuka Ezekpeazu hopes to learn more about music in the academy, come out a better person and ultimately win the competition.

Deborah Ohiri is very resolute and an embodiment of persistence and commitment. After two unsuccessful attempts to get into the academy, she got in this year and intends to make her mark there.

Pearl Anderson

Chike

Jeff

Deinde Okubajo loves beautiful women and detests body odour and mosquitoes and he says no one should be surprised if he’s caught flirting in the academy.

Jeffrey Ufedo Akor says his strategy to win PFWA 8 is to ‘be attentive, watch and learn.’

Jennifer Chioma Amadi’s strategy to win is to put God first and give every performance her best.

Richie

Arewa

Deborah

she had to sing at a job interview.

the guitar even before he started singing. He plays the guitar with unique dexterity and passion.

Joy Chukwuma’s goal is Olanma Pearl Awa-Agwu is to win PFWA 8, and win it she a twin and her strategy to win is must, she says. to stick with the saying, ‘When Amma Korantema Kumi’s the going gets tough, the tough number one hobby is everything get going.’ that is related to music. She deRichie Tay started playing cided on music as a career when

Tejiri Odjighoro was the lone survivor of an accident.

She has since realized is too short

Jennifer A single experience that made her realize that life is too short to leave one’s passion unattended is the accident she had last year, in which she was the lone survivor. Hence, her mission in life is to live without fear, know her limit, exceed it, and make the best of her life.

Tejiri

26

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tunde Kelani hops aboard the online TV train

Celebrated filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, has joined the growing band of online television owners with rich African culture contents for viewers globally.

The new online platform, tundekelani.tv, is web-based and optimum on all mobile devices.

The video channel is designed to offer viewers of all ages a refreshing viewing experience of past and current works of the awardwinning film director and other culturally-themed contents from different owners across Africa and the Diaspora.

The platform also offers viewers, business owners, private or corporate organisations the opportunity to advertise and promote their brands.

“It’s an attempt to respond to the yearnings of our teeming fans for rich African-themed contents on the go. Distributing films or other contents physically is becoming increasingly difficult, revenues are lost on a daily basis and content owners are at the mercy

of the menacing activities of pirates. I think it’s just natural, expedient and sensible to take contents closer to the consumers on demand and in terms that suit all the parties involved,” Kelani says.

Research, Kelani said, has shown that with a simple mobile device, online TV viewers can watch any content online without scruples.

To subscribers of tundekelani. tv, there will be a wide range of genres: movies, high quality drama, interviews and documentaries that focus on issues mainstream media fails to cover adequately.

Besides Kelani’s titles such as Oleku, Agogo Ewo, Saworoide, Thunderbolt (Magun), Narrow Path, Campus Queen, Maami, his latest experience with filmed play, Yeepa, an adaptation of Prof. Femi Osofisan’s classic play, Yeepa Solarin Nbo, will be on the playlist.

Also coming to esteemed lovers of the new channel is Amos Tutuola’s Palmwine Drinkards.

Kelani

Akindele, Ukeje, Henshaw, others for London Life, Lagos Living

M

ake it Happen Productions, one of the leading production companies in Nigeria is set to thrill its numerous fans to yet another spectacle as it presents the stage play, London Life, Lagos Living.

A stage production of Bobo Omotayo’s book, the play brings together a potpourri of A-list actors who will give members

of the audience ‘not to forget in a hurry’ performances. They include Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindele, OC Ukeje, Wale Ojo, Chigurl, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Lami Phillips, Patrick Diabuah and Adebola Williams.

“We are very excited to bring the production of Bobo Omotayo’s London Life, Lagos Living alive on stage,” said Akin-

doju, CEO, Make it Happen Productions.

“Omotayo’s book captures the experiences of the Nigerian who lived in London and moves back home. The adaptation is hilarious and entertaining, and we are therefore honoured to be producing it this year,” she added.

The play will be staged from October 1st – 4th, 2015 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

No way back! … Nancy Isime takes over Toke Makinwa’s Trending

Isime

F

or some time now, fans of celebrated on-air personality, Toke Makinwa, have been hoping that they would see her back in her role as the host of

Trending, a popular programme on Hip TV which she suddenly stopped being a part of.

Those fans will just have to give up that hope, willingly or otherwise, right now as Hip TV has revealed another lady, Nancy Isime, as the new face of Trending.

Though Makinwa didn’t do too badly on Trending, Isime, being an ex-beauty queen, is certain to do as well as, if not better, than Makinwa.

Makinwa

All in all, fans of Trending are in for a good time as Isime will do her best to surpass Makinwa and will therefore end up giving Trending’s fans a very good time.

Akindoju

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

Expressive from Pink any Amber T

27

Tiff

o many, the pink colour is a tough colour to carry off, so, they avoid it. However, Folake Folarin, the Chief Executive Officer of Tiffany Amber fashion label believes in the pink colour for not just its sweet signal but because it is good at sending messages across to people without uttering a word. “ Pink is a wonderful colour and is good to express a number of feelings, such as love, happiness and above all glamour.� She said. Apart from choosing a particular shade of pink that compliments your skin colour, your accessories, hair styles and make-up should also be put into consideration. For instance, hair worn up looks great with hot pink while hair worn down works well with pale and pastel pinks.

28

STYLE & GLAM

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

A touch of F

or now lacy wears are every girl’s best friend.

Whether as a simple shift, a structured pencil dress, a maxi with wedges for a stylish take or a prom dress for hitting the town, just a touch of lace on your choice will simply make the whole difference. You may choose any colour that either suits your skin colour or your dress.

You may garnish your dress with this lace choice at your bosom, arms’ side or the down side of your outfit and you can be sure of an elegant stand out While looking decent remains important, you should not have to sacrifice femininity to do it. Wearing lace can be an easy way to add a touch of feminine charm to your wardrobe and doing it stylishly will just add a glamour to your date.. Sheer lace, lace trim or even a sexy lace shoe can also do the magic.

A lace dress is the ultimate in feminine sexiness. Lace dresses - whether they are casual sundresses or long, flowing gowns always call attention to the wearer. While a full- lacy dress is strictly for evening attire, a touch of it on a dress can qualify it for a formal wear.

Girls, take a cue from these models.

Fashion

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

n frenzy

August 8, 2015

lace

n frenzy

STYLE & GLAM

29

Fashion Guest

30

STYLE & GLAM

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Why I love Top 10 surprising black outfits’ sleep wreckers – Toyosi Akerele

Though famous for her leadership skills around the globe, Toyosi Akerele, the founding Executive Director of RISE Networks, a leading social enterprise, is not without a fashion style. She showed YEMISI ADENIRAN this rare side of hers in this interview.

You were described in 2011 by Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United during the Young African Women Leaders Forum as one who personally inspires her. Where did you get your own drives from?

God Almighty is my main aspirator. Without Him, no one can claim to be anything. My mother and particularly my gender drives me all of the time. You know in this part of the world, women are rated as second citizens, no one expects anything beyond the ordinary from a woman. It’s like the female gender has a particular distance it can get no matter how much she tries. You are like expected not to go far. The society believes women don’t have what it takes to lead or to sustain an leadership position which is absolutely wrong. Yes, we have a lot ot things working against us, lots ot responsibilities we attend to but that definitely don’t say we will fail or that we cannot succeed like our male counterparts. As far as I know, I can do anything you ask me to do, provided it is decent, reseasonable and prestigious.

My gender cannot limit me. I am unstoppable, I am strong and an achiever just as the African woman that I am. This thought spur me on, it gives me the strength to go an and with God behind me, I can definitely do all things.

You are gradually standing out with your peculiar hair-cut. Is this a decided signature?

Not really. It is just what is convenient for me for now, I may decide to wear another style tomorrow.

What colour do you like most?

I think I love the black colour. May be this is natural because I read law, so, I am used to the black and white colour.

But beyond that, the black colour con-

Y

notes and gives an aura of strength. It is combinable easily, does not fade easily and conceals everything. I have other colours especially bold coloured ones.

Do you think Nigerian men have problems coping with career women?

I don’t think so. I think it is only unsuccessful me that have problems with their career wives. There are lots of career women who still have fun with their men. Honestly, if there’s a man who is uncomfortable with his career wife, then check him, he is feeling inferior because he is unsuccessful.

our weight, mood, memory, longevity—you would be hard-pressed to find a single aspect of your health that doesn’t depend on getting enough sleep. Beyond the obvious sleep-wreckers, such as bad hotel beds and alcohol, a lot of things stand between you and a good night’s rest. Here are ten surprising factors that might be keeping you from catching a solid eight hours a night.

A hot room/bed: Your body clock regulates your core temperature, and its fluctuations tell you when to sleep and when to wake up. You are coolest in the middle of the night, when sleep is deepest. If you’re too warm, your internal alarm assumes it’s time to rise, and sleep becomes fitful.

Money worries: Decreased financial resources leads to worry over paying bills, and you may be required to work more. The physical and mental overload increases activity in your brain, causing you to ‘think yourself awake.’ This is when frustrated insomniacs often resort to distraction tactics, such as television. But even though watching TV may calm your racing mind, the flickering light will interrupt secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin, causing a less-than-restful night.

Hellish heartburn: If daytime heartburn is a pain, a midnight attack is a nightmare. It can stir you awake, often multiple times throughout the night. Symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occur when the valve between your stomach and esophagus malfunctions, allowing acid to seep past. Some patients wake up choking or coughing, while others don’t consciously rouse but still feel drained in the morning. People with nighttime heartburn often wake up with a bitter taste in the mouth or a sore throat.

A squirming bedmate: A limb-flinging, snoring, blanket-stealing partner will undeniably disrupt your sleep. But your bedmate may also be guilty of subtler offenses. Your partner’s teeth grinding, frequent bathroom trips, or even body heat can also spoil your slumber.

Reading non-fiction: Having a heated conversation prior to pillow-time is known to keep you up, but the same can go for what you are reading. Non-

fiction—self-help books, books about finance—may be too much about you. Emotional, absorbing topics can also keep you awake. With fiction, on some level, you know what you’re reading is imaginary, which removes the emotional connection.

Bad Air: According to a Harvard study, poor air quality can increase your risk of disordered sleep breathing—repeated lapses in respiration during the night. Air pollution increases inflammation. This may make your throat more likely to close and your oxygen levels to fall during sleep.

Popping B –Vitamins at night: Think of B vitamins as energizers: They help form red blood cells and assist in the process of making energy from the food you eat. When the vitamins are doing their job correctly, they also regulate your sleep schedule. If you take them at night, though, they can keep you up. Leafy green vegetables, beans, fish, and poultry are usually packed with B. But if you’re taking a supplement, make sure to pop it in the A.M. S/he comes, you don’t: Sometimes sex sets you up perfectly for a good night’s sleep.

After you do the deed, your body is relieved of stress, and your brain surges with oxytocin and serotonin, which have powerful sleepinducing effects. But if one partner climaxes and then conks out before returning the favour, that could keep the other partner up.

Why? If you don’t quite get there, your blood is still flowing, there’s a buildup of pressure, and your brain is saying, ‘sex’—not ‘sleep’.

Late night exercises: High-impact exercise less than three hours before bed could leave you with an energy rush. If you must work out at night, take a bath before bed to lower your body temperature.

Smartphone addiction: E-mailing and checking sports scores are all stimulating activities that prevent you from winding down. The worst part is the autopilot, reflex-response to a “new message” sound. “If you hear the tone, it’s irresistible. Even a quick check wakes your brain and your body. It’s a light box that you’re shining into your eyes at 11 p.m. Your body is seeing a strong trigger that it’s daytime.

Check the phone once an hour or so before bed, and then cut yourself off. Yes, please!

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

August 8, 2015

Male Essentials

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

6 ways to get better teeth

O

ral health has come in for some serious criticism lately.

One dentist, Dr van Tulleken, made headlines by stating that British people are internationally renowned for having bad teeth – both crooked and discoloured. Not only that, poor dental hygiene plays havoc with your immune system and increases the chance you’ll develop dementia and heart disease.

But you don’t need to break the bank on a set of porcelain horse dentures to improve your smile; leave that to the cast of The Geordie Way is Essex Shore. We asked Dr Richard Marques of Wimpole Street Dental to give readers his halfdozen tips to dental perfection.

Do double time Brushing is still the simplest and best way to beat tooth decay and bad breath. Twice a day after food remains the gold standard but, if you’re using the wrong tools, not all cleans are created equal. “Using an electric toothbrush removes 80% more plaque than a manual,” explains Dr Marques. Splashing out on some high-end bristles could save you far more in dentist’s bills further down the line. Marques recommends the Philips Diamondclean but admits even a batterypowered manual is better than nothing.

Wash your mouth out Used as a supplement to – not instead of – brushing, mouthwash is an effective way to further improve oral health. There are specialist options on sale to tackle particular problems; Corsodyl – the one with nasty ‘blood when

you brush’ adverts – is great for improving gum health, while Colgate FluoriGard saves your teeth by preventing cavities.

“For general use I recom-

mend a non-alcohol mouthwash like Listerine Total-Zero, which freshens breath and prevents any gum problems or cavities,” says Marques.

There’s also been research suggesting a link between alcohol in mouthwash and an increased risk of mouth cancer. Put down the bottle.

Mind the gaps

It’s the fiddly bit of dental hygiene and therefore the first part of your morning routine to be scrapped when you’re in a rush.

But don’t; brushes don’t touch between the teeth and decay will start to fester, eventually developing in your gums and even resulting in teeth falling out. Choose standard floss over interdental brushes (you have more control) and draw the floss up and down over the triangle of gum between your teeth for the most effective technique.

“There is also a new method of using an air-flosser,” says Marques. “Which targets between teeth and can be filled with mouthwash for an anti-bacterial

boost.” The future is here, use it.

Get the pros in If you’re guilty of letting things slip between your lips then book in a session with youR hygienist. Spend 15 mins in their care every six months and you’ll have a clean slate to work with. “A full clean with polish removes all stains and improves the colour of your teeth,” says Marques.

Good news if you’re a slave to morning coffee, or enjoy a crafty fag with that glass of wine.

All white on the night Don’t believe the adverts, whitening toothpaste alone isn’t enough to undo the damage completely. It’s packed with sodium bicarbonate and lifts lighter stains but won’t achieve the pearly whites you truly covet. Stay away from the offthe-shelf kits too, Ross Geller. Avoid comedy choppers with in-clinic laser whitening. “It involves the application of a hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth, which is then activated by a laser to lift stains,” says Marques. “And because enamel is porous, it can reach inside the teeth and clean all the way through.”

Brace yourself Train tracks are fine when you’re a teenager; you’ve got acne and a cracking voice box to contend with, who cares about a bit of dental bling? But walking into a boardroom doing your best impression of a Bond villain is tough to pull off. Luckily for you, crooked teeth today can be sorted without you being railroaded. “There are two options,” says Marques. “Invisaline retainers (like a clear gumshield) or a new system called Incognita, which works like train tracks but are attached behind the teeth.” Your move, brace face.

32

August 8, 2015

Male

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Relatio

Angle

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

Should women tolerate p

Unconditional love will help

P

remature ejaculation is generally acknowledged as one highly feared sexual problem among men. It usually has far reaching consequences, often affecting to a certain degree the relationship that a man has with his sexual partner. When a man is troubled by premature ejaculation, a couple’s sex life can be extremely disappointing for both parties, and this may often lead to couples ceasing having sex altogether and sometimes even to the end of the relationship entirely. Among contributing factors are illness and diseases, anxiety and stress. Poor diet can also affect a man’s sexual prowess especially among the working class who are almost always on the road with very little time to cook balanced diets at home but eating junk food wherever and whenever they can snatch the time to sit down for a few minutes to eat.

While most people often times like to define premature ejaculation as ejaculation that occurs within a particular amount of time (often said to be 2 minutes or unusually short while comparing expectations of yourself with that of your partner), personally I think Wikipedia’s statement is more accurate, “Today, most sex therapists understand premature ejaculation as occurring when a lack of ejaculatory control interferes with sexual or emotional well-being in one or both partners.” This is because the act of having sex itself comes with some expectations by both partners and mutual satisfaction is one of those expectations.

A lot of men are suffering from this problem and are not ready to admit to it and this has led to a lot of frustrations on the parts of both partners. A lot of women who may not understand what is going on will allow this frustration to manifest in so many ways like ridiculing the man after a while or even going as far as having other sexual partners to satisfy them either openly to the man or secretly to the society. But no matter how frustrated you are as a woman, chances are that your partner is even more frustrated. It’s incredibly frustrating to lack control over one’s own body believe me.

And this is not to mention that he may be beating himself up really hard about this and seriously going through mental and emotional tortures. It is likely affecting his feelings of self-worth and sense of masculinity, and he may have simply given up all hope that he could be any other way. He may have come to identify with the premature ejaculation as part of who he is, versus something that he is experiencing and thus is changeable and not permanent.

The truth be told, even as there are as many medical solutions as there are reasons for premature ejaculation, relationships and marriages have been seriously affected and will continue to be affected by this problem that goes directly to the ego of the man. Sexual prowess is almost universally seen as what primarily defines who and what a man is in many cultures. Interestingly, women may say that love is all that matters and that they can live with a man who has premature ejaculation but most men know for a fact that it can and will affect relationship satisfaction. All men and women will feel more satisfied as a couple if the man didn’t have this problem. And a lot of women I spoke with to get a female feedback said premature ejaculation was a major issue in a relationship and most of the women who considered longer sex to be crucial said they’re more likely to split from a guy based on this problem.

My advice to a lot of women who have men going through this is to commit today to shifting into a state of unconditional love, acceptance and total support for your man through this process. Know that overcoming this requires both physical and psychological changes, and one of the biggest ways you can help him is to be there at his side through the process. If he feels pressured by you to overcome his premature ejaculation, it’s going to have the opposite effect much like a man pressuring a woman to have an orgasm. It just won’t work. So to answer the question, I’ll say it can if both parties are not in sync.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

10 prowess protection tips E

rectile Dysfunction (ED) becomes more common as men age. But it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. How can men avoid ED?

1. Watch what you eat. A diet that’s bad for a man’s heart is also not good for his ability to have erections. Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. Blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body. Recent studies show that ED is relatively uncommon among men who eat a diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats including nuts and olive oil, fish, and wine, particularly red wine.

2. Maintain a healthy weight. Being

overweight can cause many health problems, including Type 2 Diabetes, which can cause nerve damage throughout the body. If the diabetes affects the nerves that supply the penis, ED can result.

3. Avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol. High cholesterol or high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, including those that carry blood to the penis. Eventually, this may lead to ED. If your cholesterol or blood pressure is out of control, get it treated.

Blood pressure drugs can make it hard to get an erection. But doctors say many cases of ED that get blamed on these drugs are actually caused by arterial damage resulting from high blood pressure (read hypertension).

4. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. There is no evidence that mild or even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function. But chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions -- such as interfering with the normal balance of male sex hormone lev-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

RELATIONSHIPS

August 8, 2015

onships

Female

33

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

premature ejaculation?

No way!

R

This column is x-rated els, and that can lead to ED. 5. Exercise regularly. Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED. Watch out for any form of exercise that puts excessive pressure on the perineum, which is the area between the scrotum and anus.

Both the blood vessels and the nerves that supply the penis can be adversely affected from excessive pressure in this area.

Bicycle (or Okada) riding, in particular, can cause ED. An occasional short ride is unlikely to cause trouble. But men who spend a lot of time biking should make sure their bike fits them properly, wear padded cycling pants, and stand up frequently while pedalling.

6. Keep tabs on testosterone. Even in healthy men, testosterone levels often begin falling sharply around age 50. Every year after age 40, a man’s testosterone level typically falls about 1.3%. Symptoms like a low sex drive, moodiness, lack of stamina, or trouble making decisions

This column is x-rated suggest a testosterone deficiency, as do spongy erections. Your doctor can check on that.

7. Avoid anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, which are often abused by athletes and bodybuilders, can shrink the testicles and sap their ability to make testosterone.

8. If you smoke, stop! Smoking cigarettes can harm blood vessels and curb blood flow to the penis. And nicotine makes blood vessels contract, which can hamper blood flow to the penis.

9. Steer clear of risky sex. Some cases of erectile dysfunction stem from penile injuries that occur during sex. Keep your penis from bending painfully, jamming against your partner’s body, bending the wrong way or being weighted upon.

10. Curb stress. Psychological stress boosts levels of the hormone adrenaline, which makes blood vessels contract. That can be bad news for an erection. Anything a man can do to ease tension and feel better emotionally is likely to give his sex life

a big boost.

ecently, I was having a third counseling session with a young couple who have been married for five years. We have already done two sessions as usual with people when it comes to the issue of sex, they will likely not open up to you honestly unless you are very good and have your ways of extracting the truth from them. What most people who go for counseling fail to understand is that, the more you hide some facts from your therapist/counselor, the more you make it difficult for him/her to know what services/solution to render to help you solve your problems.

So after two sessions, it was only on the third session that i was able to extract the REAL cause of why this particular couple who came to me for counseling Therapy. This couple have been married for the past five yeears and the man has a problem of a very bad premature ejaculation. The woman said,- she thought it was a just a face that would stop as they mature in their marriage but rather discover that, the husband sexual problem keeps getting worse as the years go by.

When i probed further how she has been coping all these five years, she said,- she naturally loves the husband but was assured by him that he will tackle this particular problem. She also said that, though she is not someone with heavy sexual appetite, her husband problem eats her up deeply.

She hardly gets any sexual satisfaction and the husband seems not to worry so much about this other than assuring her he will get help but he never did.

Now the main bulk of talking rest on the man who has the problem and i felt so much sad after hearing how this problem have made his love life miserable before he could get someone like his wife who never cared about it but went ahead to marry him.

As we progressed, it turned out this man has never- ever went to any proffessional be it a medical doctor/ marriage counselor/Therapist for solution. All he has been doing is taking some local concortion recommended by his friends and relatives who knew about his problem. He confessed that these concortions usually make him feel worse after sex and worst part, never helped at all. He was grateful for having such an understanding wife who could be patient with him for up to 5years. Sadly, it turns out, this

understanding wife is running out of patience and forces him to solve this problem or stand the risk of losing her. Hence they came to me for counseling/therapy.

Now, premature ejaculation is one hell of embarrasing sexual issue for most men and such men keep concealing it due to societial shame ..whatever reason they could give. Due to the fact that the African women also feel awkward talking about sexual problems openly, such women who have relationships with such men tend to suffer in silence...covering up!

It will gladen your heart that this sexual problem has a solution but the sufferer must be willing to work on it till the end. Sadly, it is a male issue and taken into consideration how careless and carefree our men are when it comes to health issues(till it gets too late) most men will always go for a quick fix and quick fix in anything we do in life hardly works. If it works, it hardly last for good long term.

It is high time people in this part of the world understand clearly the power of counseling/therapy. Going to a counselor/therapist should never be a white man’s issue because the white man’s bilogical and sexual reproductive system as made by GOD is the same thing with the men in Africa.

A man with such an embarrasing reproductive problem should take time out to get rid of it. Meeting a marriage counselor/therapist including your GP when neccessary helps you to get to the bottom of the issue and solving it once and for all. Like the couple i am talking about here, the man was suprised to discover that certain lifestyle of his which he never care to stop or even minimize has been causing his problem for years. When we get to the area of what he eats, the wife was opening her mouth and was not suprised but bold enough to spill the beans how the husband kept insisting on eating some particular foods even very late at nights.

The medical doctors most time refer such cases to Therapist and Counselors because after recommending some drugs and such men are not getting relief, the counselors/therapists have their own side of treatment that can work alongside the drugs recommended by the doctors.

By the time we rounded up our third sessions, the man was suprised at the health analysis we arrived at.

34

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Woman

‘Charity will save Nigeria’ For Amaka Rosman, he lping the poor and making them happ y is a way of finding real fulfilmen t. Although far from being describ ed as being rich, the mother of four , for several years has engaged in the struggle to put a smile on the fa ces of the less privileged whereve r she located them. In this interview with YEMISI ADENIRAN, the mothe r of four spoke on the fun and th e challenges of her choice of passio n.

Where did you get your passion for charity from?

I picked it from my father, so, in a way, I think I can boldly say that it ‘s in the family. I grew up to watch my father give to every needy he came across with. He would rather not eat than saw a poor suffer for anything he could provide. It was that bad and serious. At first, we couldn’t understand the reason behind his actions and we thought it was going to be for a period of time. But later, we discovered that it was part of him and he wouldn’t stop at anything to give to the needy around,

so, we couldn’t beat him, we ended up joining him. My father was a great man and he is my role model. He was always taking care of people, paying their children’s school fees; take care of widows and all. Those days, when my father would carte all kinds of things in the house away for widows, pay their children’s school fess, my mother was always angry with him but I was always telling her to leave him alone and let him do it. Of course, this gradually rubbed off on me and I soon discovered that I could not get my mind off anyone I met that lacked one thing or the

other. While in school, I would rather shared whatever I had, food or fruits with anyone who did not have than eating all just because I had. I could leave my home to go and give something to someone somewhere that I felt needed it. This grew with me as I grew up and it has become my flesh and blood today.

How would you describe the journey so far?

Although it has not been very easy, I want to say that God has been very helpful. I am not a rich woman but He has seen my intention and has been crowning my efforts with great suc-

cess. He has encouraged me in many ways, especially from the side of the recipients. My friends and family have also been there for me and this assignment most of the times. There are some times I have gone to some people for assistance and I have heard them told each other not to give me because they would not see any of them on me.

But my friends have been very supportive. They always come to my rescue whenever there is a need for it and I am very happy and encouraged about that.

Personally, I have been marketing one or two things I have to get enough fund to cater for these people under my care but really it is not enough.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

August 8, 2015

If our leaders in government and the ones in churches and citizens will strive to do more in the area of charity,

will look down on our plight in and set us free.

God

Nigeria

He will step

into our situation more than we can ever imagine How about your husband?

At first, he did not understand why I had to be taking the food that is meant for the family out to as gifts for people; he found it weird and strange. With time however, when he saw the zeal and the passion in me to cater for these needy ones, he let me be and today, he has been so supportive.

What’s your evaluation of Nigerians on philanthropy?

I have observed that though few people are involved in the art of charity but I want to say here that we can do more as we have lots of the less privileged in our midst. It is sad however that many Nigerians who are well to do don’t believe in giving to the needy which is bad. Even the government both at the federal and state levels are not doing enough. There should be something slated for orphans, widows and the sick in our various hospitals every month to have them catered for.

From my experience, there are many in the hospital who are just there but cannot fend for the cost of their treatment. Many can hardly eat three times in a day, many cannot afford to buy the drugs they daily need. There are others who have made these hospitals their permanent homes just because they have not been able to pay up their bills.

Worst still are those who have been abandoned because of the same reason. Meanwhile, we have a lot of rich and comfortable individuals around us who are able to pick up these bills and give beeter lives to these people.

What many don’t know is that there are more blessings in giving than receiving. Most of our rich men and women only want to give to people who equally have the ability to give them back the double of what they have given. This is not good. We should all remember that there is nothing we have that can be as much as what God has in store for us here on earth and in heaven. Besides, it is not until one is very rich that he or she should begin to give to others.

The little thing you have that is extra should be considered for the poor and the needy around you.

How fulfilled are you?

I am much fulfilled. I am happy to be a source of joy to the less privileged around me. You cannot measure or imagine the amount of joy and indepth happiness that I feel anytime I put a smile on the face of somebody in need of something when I give it. In my area, many feel free to approach me for whatever they need and I am grateful to God for helping me to fill up that space. I have never failed them and I pray that God will continue to help me not to fail them..

What advice do you have for women like you?

My advice is not for women alone but for everyone and the nation as a whole. Embracing charity is the best way to curb poverty in the land, that is why I want everyone especially the government to make it a point f duty to give as much as possible for the needies. I want to encourage religious groups particularly churches to do more in this regard. This is because it is clearly stated in the Bible that when we give to the poor in our midst, cloth them, we are doing this for God. If we want to get kudos and be welcome home when we finally depart from this world, then, we should do more of this.

Laying treasure in heaven is in living a charitable life. It is not about living big on earth, competing with others, building Universities and engaging in things that are only driving by personal and worldly gains. Honestly, I did not go into this because of any religious inclination. It was because I saw my father doing it and could see the joy of making people happy. If the money that we have cannot be benefitted by those who do not have, then, it is a waste. And for parents, I want us be involved in the art of giving, it is seed that our children will definitely reap one day. Besides, it is a good legacy to be left for our children. It has a voice and we must empower it to speak even when we are no more. Enough is enough of gathering wealth for just our families, let us extend it to those that are in dare need. I believe this is also spelt out in the Quran. All we need to do is to do more than we are doing. We shouldn’t do it when they see vision for us because we are asking for something from God. Let us make it part of us and our land will receive more of God’s mercy and intervention. For me, I am glued to charity, we are simply inseparable. My wish is to have outlets where I can feed the needies without any hitch.

Are you saying giving has the capacity to deliver Nigeria from the problem of insurgency?

Yes, it can. Like I said, if our leaders in government and the ones in churches and citizens in the country will strive to do more in the area of charity, God will look down on our plight in Nigeria and set us free. He will step into our situation more than we can ever imagine, this is because it is not by anyone’s power or might that true deliverance can be attained in the situation we are in.

What of the factor of prayer?

Yes, prayer is the master key to all things but if only we will endeavour to pray in unity. More than prayer however is the power of giving which if honestly done will move God on our situation.

Keeping ABREAST

Miss Bum Bum contest kicks off in Brazil

S

triding down the streets of Sao Paulo in their green and yellow bikinis and high heels, these glamorous models have been stopping the traffic as they promote the much anticipated ‘Miss Bum Brazil’ competition.

With just a tiny bikini and a flimsy white sash to cover their modesty, each of this 27-strong bevy of ladies is doing her best to represent her state in the competition known locally as Miss Bum Bum. Bending down to allow plenty of photos of their peachy behinds, the models are busy raising awareness of the start of the online voting stage of the competition. The public must decide which of the 27 women will be allowed to compete in the November final.

Competition is fierce as only 15 of the buxom beauties will be allowed to take part in the final. The winner of the competition will be awarded a much sought after cover shoot for a popular men’s magazine, a significant cash prize and celebrity status.

Miss Bum Bum was first started five years ago and developed into a major glamour model competition in Brazil.

Several spin-offs have been held as well as the world famous annual competition in Brazil.

However the contest has been hit with several incidents of controversy. The 2014 contest was marred by scandal after it was alleged that one of the contestants, Indianara Carvalho, had bribed the panel of judges with over £70,000 in cash to make sure she was crowned the winner.

Before her long awaited photo shoot,

Ms Carvalho later revealed in December 2014 that she had undergone surgery to ‘restore’ her virginity so she could enjoy her first time with ‘someone special’.

She won the 2014 competition despite Claudia Alende, better known as the Brazilian ‘Megan Fox,’ appearing to be the clear favourite among the jubilant crowd. Ms Alende had to settle for second place.

Rumours of bribery and vote rigging have been alleged in the previous two competitions.

2014 contestant Livia Santos was kicked out of the competition for allegedly rigging the online voting poll by attempting to buy votes.

Likewise, contestants Mari Sousa, 25, and Eliana Amaral, 24, were also accused of paying bribes in the 2013 edition of the much loved contest.

However, the contest has continually broken new ground with a wide range of different contestants bringing something unique each year.

Last year’s competition saw the appearance of Juliana Bittencortt, the first plussize model to make the top 28. Similarly, Patricia Oliveira became the oldest contestant ever when she competed at the age of 39 last year.

All of the girls will be hoping that winning the competition will change their lives, but one former winner has warned that hard work is required.

Miss Bum Bum 2013 winner Dai Macedo told reporters last year that winning the coveted title was no easy feat. “It’s a lot of work, a lot of devotion. I denied myself a lot of things. No nightclubs. No sweets. I went to the gym Saturdays and Sundays, she said.

Parenting

36

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Helpful tips for new parents Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

B

eing the parent of a newborn infant requires large amounts of energy and good humour. Some times this is difficult if you are feeling tired and overwhelmed by your new responsibilities as a parent.

The positive aspects of being a new parent are the many rewards and precious moments as you watch your baby grow and develop.

Important Points to Remember There are several points you need to remember: Parenting is a learnt skill – most parents learn on the job Be kind to yourself – remember you are new at being a parent Start each day afresh even if the day before things had been difficult There are lots of supports available to help you in your new role – a great place to start is the Child and Family Health Nurse, they will know what is available in your community for new parents Think positively, be practical and stay in touch with the outside

world Try to retain your sense of humour.

Caring for Yourself Take time out each day to do something you enjoy – this may be a walk in the park, swimming or reading a book for 30 minutes Try to make friends with other new parents – share babysitting or cups of tea Try to limit the amount of housework or home maintenance you need to do (especially in the early weeks of parenthood) Learn some quick relaxation techniques to use when things get difficult (see below) Try to sleep or rest when your baby is asleep Take care of your physical needs by eating well and exercising regularly Think about the help you need around the house – list this on a piece of paper – so when people ask if they can help you have lots of things you can ask them to do Join a new parents group – this allows you to meet other new families in your community Arrange regular child care by a

Parenting

grandparent, friend or in council operated occasional care Take care to avoid heavy lifting or placing strain on your back by twisting when lifting your baby or baby equipment Be efficient when cooking make extra meals that can be frozen for the time when you are feeling too tired to prepare a meal Talk about your feelings or concerns to a sympathetic listener – this may be a friend, parent or health professional If you are feeling lonely or isolated ask your Child & Family Health Nurse if they can arrange a volunteer home visitor to come on a regular basis Caring for your Partner Plan time together Arrange a night out – but don’t forget to arrange the baby sitting If a night out isn’t possible – think of activities that you can do as a family e.g. a picnic in the park, a ride on a ferry, a walk around your neighbourhood Identify and ask your partner about the things you can do about the house or to help with the baby – write a list and put it into action Find time to have a conversation together about your feelings, relationship and needs.

A Quick Relaxation Technique This takes only a minute or two and can save you from hours of stress Breathe out with a long sigh, dropping your shoulders as you do so Relax your face, unclenching your jaw. Become aware of your

facial muscles, eyes and forehead, and try to relax them Keep your breathing easy and quiet.

Repeat this technique again, and as often as you feel is necessary

Tiny Feet

NAME: ISABELLA Godwin BORN TO: Mr and Mrs Godwin 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

Meet America’s youngest Update mayor! zz James Tufts, 3, becomes the first citizen of Dorset,

zz Tufts promised people ice-cream if he won their backing for Mayor

T

hree-year-old James Tufts has become America’s youngest mayor following a successful campaign on Sunday.

Adorable tot, James Tufts, followed in his six-year-old brother Robert’s footsteps, who served two terms in the ceremonial position in Dorset, Minnesota, aged four.

James spent Election Day chatting to voters and wooed the tiny town’s residents with the promise of ice cream if he won.

The boy’s mum Emma, a food service director, said, “James was very excited once he realized he won.

“Both he and Robert got their face painted and then he soaked up some congratulatory attention.

“We are proud of the hard work they both have put into being and becoming mayor.

“The discipline they have when all they want to do is be kids and people are asking for autographs, they usually stop what they’re doing and engage with the person asking.

“Robert loves that James looks up to him and enjoys being his mentor.

“Even though it’s simply a ceremonial position, they

took it one step forward and used this opportunity to help not only the town but to help several charities as well.”

She added: “James’ campaign was successful by simply talking to people in town. Dorset is more of a family than a town. He loves the people there as much as they love him.”

However, a career in politics could be brief for both brothers, as they would rather be fishing than debating. Their mother said, “James says he is going to be a fisherman when he grows up.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

How women in South Sudan are replacing lost lives with new babies

37

Losing loved ones, searching for food and income, and coping with the trauma of fleeing violence all takes a toll on South Sudan’s newest mothers. But they cannot be happier. They have a mission and are succeeding, even though it’s at great cost. “In this country, we have lost so many lives. We must replace them with more children,” says Angelina, 27, who has just given birth to a set of twins after a 10-day labour! Nyalen, a mother of seven, who has just had another baby, says, “Actually I want to have five more, so my children add up to 12!”

I

n Bentiu, South Sudan, Martha Chuol Nyalen has a new baby she can’t feed.

Mother and child sit together on an iron bed under a green mosquito net in the middle of a hot July day. Rain threatens, and so do soldiers. From this field tent turned maternity ward, it’s easy to hear sporadic gunfire in Bentiu town, a 10-minute drive from the United Nations “protection of civilians” camp where Nyalen fled, with her family, four months ago.

Outside, war is felt in its usual ways.

Nyalen — a tall, tough mother of seven with literal battle scars — got a mixed version of the best: Her husband was killed in the fighting, but in February she made it to the U.N. camp with all six of her kids and a baby still growing in her belly.

A few months later, she gave birth without complications, and now she fusses over her baby and beckons visitors for help. She wants anyone who looks like they might have even the smallest bit of authority to feel the child’s fever. Nyalen’s baby is glowing heat, and hungry. The baby came almost two full days ago, but Nyalen’s milk hasn’t followed. She thinks the U.N. survival rations — grains, cooking oil, salt — aren’t nutritious enough to kickstart her milk. There’s no fish, no sorghum — none of the things family members brought to her home when she gave birth before, in peacetime.

As soon as her milk comes in and her baby can eat, Nyalen will take the child to her tukel, or hut, in the U.N. camp, and then she’ll pick up the grueling routine hundreds of women here are following: rising before dawn, collecting water, and walking four, five, six hours to find firewood, and then four, five, six hours back, to cook with it or sell it.

At that point, ironically, the breast milk she’s been waiting for might not matter that much. She’ll be gone so long, and so exhausted by walking in the sun, that she might not have many nutrients for her baby anyway. Or she may be pregnant with another child.

Angelina, 27, is in the same situation.

Her husband is fighting with the rebels and she is tending her hours-old twins, after a 10-day labor that left her shivering and weak. But she’s only thinking about when she can have another child.

“In this country we have lost so many lives,” Angelina said. “We must replace them with more children.”

There’s not especially good science on how fleeing conflict affects maternal health. A 2007 study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggested that conflict may push maternal mortality up by as much as 44%, but the authors noted they only had patchy data, much of it now

15 years old.

Simon John Deng, the doctor in charge of the maternity ward in the U.N. camp, however, said the effects of the war’s trauma were evident, even if research has yet to measure them well. “There’s no food.

You’re walking long distances, carrying heavy items — including the other babies,” Deng said. “As professionals, we can see these factors, even if there is nothing like a clear study.”

So could some of the women in the recovery room. Most nuzzled new babies, but one young girl, who looked no more than 15 years old, lay silently. An older woman sitting next to her said she was the girl’s mother. “Her baby died in the womb and she had to deliver,” the older woman said. “I do not want to tell you more about it, but I want people to know that this is happening too.”

Mary Tifo, the trained midwife in charge of the Bentiu camp’s maternity ward, warns that not everything is tragedy, even in the middle of war. “With these deliveries now, there are also good things,” said Tifo, 45, who worked for 20 years as a midwife in Malakal, another of South Sudan’s big but remote towns. “Earlier, during delivery in the villages, there was no medical support.

Here [in the camp], if you bleed, you’re given a drip. You can be injected so the labor becomes shorter and less painful.”

Nyalen, with her feverish and unfed newborn, has also noticed that birthing children in the camp has its benefits. She missed the celebration in her village — the visits, the laughter, the ululating women —

but she preferred the experience of childbirth in the camp. “Delivering in the camp is actually easier,” she said. “Maybe we should have more children. Actually I want to have five more, so my children add up to 12!”

Deng, the chief doctor, said the camp clinic has also made it easier for women to get prenatal checkups — or any kind of maternal care at all. “For many, this is their first exposure to [maternity] services,” he said. “The crisis brings them all in one place.”

Deng was a general practitioner at the hospital in Bentiu town, where he grew up, for seven years before the current conflict started. “Then, we were seeing two to three women a day” for prenatal care, he said. “Now, we have seven or eight a day.

It means they’re changing their minds, their behavior.”

On the other hand, much has been lost.

When Bentiu changes hands, whoever’s just won a battle sacks the city. Bentiu’s hospital, like many across South Sudan, has been destroyed.

“For a long time [the hospital] was occupied by armed groups,” said Aimee Ansari, outgoing country director of CARE, the NGO. “All the investment that we made is gone. The beds, the scales, the fridges, the chairs, the desks, the files.

Files sound like just pieces of paper, but in a health center, those are files on what complications women have had in birth before — so you’ve lost all of their medical history. That’s devastating.”

In today’s South Sudan, there’s nothing loss doesn’t touch. Schools have been ransacked, too. Thousands of cattle have been stolen, the equivalent in this culture of looting an extended family’s entire assets. Men have been shot as they fight, of course, but also as they flee with their families, trying not to get sucked into the conflict. More than 2 million people have fled their homes, according to one U.N. estimate; no one knows exactly how many people have died, although the International Crisis Group estimated 50,000 dead as of November 2014. No one’s really counting.

And children are dying, some in horrific ways. Anthony Lake, the top UNICEF official, said in June that in Unity State, where Bentiu sits, “boys have been castrated and left to bleed to death … Girls as young as 8 have been gang raped and murdered … Children have been tied together before their attackers slit their throats … Others have been thrown into burning buildings.” Still more children fleeing the violence have been lost to simpler ravages: snakebites, diarrhea, and starvation.

All that loss makes women feel even more pressure to give birth. Saita, health adviser for CARE, remembered one young woman, who barely survived a lifethreatening pregnancy, refusing advice about delaying her next birth. “My work is to give birth,” Saita remembered the woman telling her. “Even if I die while I’m giving birth, it is OK.”

38

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘I caught my wife in bed with my neighbour’ • I caught my wife red-handed inside our bedroom having sex with one of our neighbours. I immediately reported her to her father who advised me to ignore her and marry another wife.

T

he 35-year-old marriage of Israel Sanusi and his wife, Airat, has been dissolved by an Igando Customary Court on the grounds of infidelity.

The Court President, R.I. Adeyeri said he was left with no choice than to dissolve the marriage seeing that the couple can no longer live together

‘My wife doesn’t want me to touch her’

• •

I am tired of the marriage because I am neither a stick nor a stone ­—Husband I have been denying my husband sex because he borrowed N690, 000 from me and has refused to pay. I will continue to starve him of sex until he pays the money —Wife

Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

A

39-year-old trader, Modinat Idowu, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Thursday that she would continue to deny her husband, Akeem Idowu, sex until he has paid the debt he owes her.

Idowu said this while responding to a suit filed by her 45-yearold husband whom he had been married to for 12 years.

She said: “I have been denying my husband sex because he borrowed N690, 000 from me and has refused to pay.

“I will continue to starve him of sex until he pays the money.

“Akeem is in the habit of swearing and cursing me with a charm called ‘Ishan egungun’, a specially prepared masquerade’s rod, and this is affecting my life.”

Mrs. Idowu, however, urged the court not to grant her husband’s wish for the dissolution of their marriage, saying that she was still in love with him.

Akeem, a businessman, had asked the court to dissolve the 12-year-old marriage over alleged sex denial by his wife.

He said: “My wife does not want me to touch her nor make love to her.

“I am tired of the marriage because I am neither a stick nor a stone.”

Akeem alleged that his wife loved attending social activities and hardly stayed at home.

Whenever she went out, she would not return home until after five days or seven days, he said.

He said: “My wife will go from one party to another, spending days and neglecting the family.

“I have reported her sever-

ally to her father who always calls her to order but there has been no positive change.”

Akeem described Modinat as a liar, not trustworthy and always inconsistent in her words and actions.

He said: “Modinat lies a lot.

“One day, she told me that she was going to Mushin in Lagos State, but some hours later, someone called to tell me that she was in Igbo-Ora in Oyo State.

“When I called her and confronted her that she was in Oyo State as against Mushin she claimed she was going to

when she left home, she cut her cell phone line.

“She took permission on another day that she was going to Oshodi, but someone saw her at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

“I cannot just account for her movement.”

Akeem pleaded with the court to dissolve the union since he was no longer interested and did not love her any more.

The President of the court, Hakeem Oyekan, adjourned the case for further hearing.

as husband and wife.

Mr. Sanusi, 75, had dragged his 51-year-old wife to court for allegedly sleeping with his neighbour.

According to the plaintiff: “I caught my wife redhanded inside our bedroom making love with one of our neighbours and I immediately reported her to her father who advised me to ignore her and marry another wife” Whenever I try to make love to her, she would beat me or use a sharp object to attack me. “She also used a broken bottle to stab me on such occasions. “It was frequent fights over sex in our former house that forced the landlord to give us a quit notice,” he told the court Airat, however, defended her action saying the man who her husband claimed to have slept with her was invited by her to repair “something” in her room.

Adeyeri, the court president said: “All efforts to reconcile the couple had proved futile as the petitioner insisted on divorce.

“The court has no choice than to dissolve the union despite the fact that the wife still claims she love her husband” Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to go their separate ways.

‘My husband treats me like a maid’ • My lord, I want an end to this marriage because I cannot endure it anymore.

My husband is too harsh and finds fault with everything I do —Wife

A

4-year marriage between Munirat Usman and Azeez Usman has been dissolved by an Ilorin Area Court over maltreatment of the wife.

Addressing the court, 31-yearold Munirat said her husband treated her like a maid instead

of the wife that she is.

She complained that he was in the habit of beating and insulting her in the house and public places.

According to her, she got married to her husband in 2010 and the marriage is yet to produce any child.

She told the court she was tired of the marriage and begged for it to be dissolved.

“My lord, I want an end to this marriage because I cannot endure it anymore. My husband is too harsh and picks fault in everything I do,’’ she said.

The husband, Azeez in his

response said he had no reason to keep her and asked the court to grant her request.

Presiding over the case, the judge, Mr Yusuf Abdulkareem granted the couple’s request.

He dissolved the marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the plaintiff (naij.com)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DIVORCE COURT

August 8, 2015

‘She sends thugs to beat me’

39

• My wife always sends thugs to lay ambush and beat me anytime we fight at home. I’m afraid they might kill me one of these days. —Husband •It’s been hell on earth as my husband has made our home uncomfortable for me —Wife

4

5-year-old trader, Benjamin Orjika, has dragged his pregnant wife to an Igando Customary Court in Lagos accusing her of threatening his life.

Benjamin, who wants his 14-year-old marriage dissolved, told the court that his wife, Patience, wanted to kill him by sending thugs to beat him.

“My wife always sends thugs to lay ambush and beat me anytime we fight at home.

“I’m afraid they might kill me one of these days,” he alleged.

The petitioner described his wife as a troublesome woman, who always made his life miserable by fighting and raining curses on him.

“My wife is a troublemaker; she doesn’t have respect for me and is fond of slapping me anytime we have a misunderstanding.

“She doesn’t regard me as her husband and she loves commanding me as if I am her son or younger brother,” Orjika said.

Orjika, however, begged the court to dissolve their marriage, adding that he was no longer in

love with his wife.

However the wife, 40-year-old Patience, also a trader, agreed to the dissolution of the marriage, saying she was also fed up with the marriage.

“In 2007, I came to this court asking for the dissolution of our marriage, but the court called our family members and they settled our differences.

“But since then, our marriage has not worked out well. It’s been hell on earth as my husband made our home uncomfortable for me,” she said.

Patience, a mother of two, denied sending thugs to beat her husband, saying she could not do such a thing.

The court president, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, told the petitioner to wait for his wife to put to bed before continuing hearing on the case.

“You don’t divorce a pregnant woman because you do not know what will happen to the baby.

“The court will continue with the hearing of the case after the delivery of the baby,” he said.

Adeyeri, however, urged the couple to maintain peace.

‘My wife wants to be a sex worker’

• I cannot continue with my husband, he has not been showing love and care to me and my two children —Wife

T

he 10-year marriage between Faith Usman and her husband Idris has been dissolved by an Ile-Ife Customary Court in Osun over frequent misunderstandings and lack of care.

Faith, a business woman at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, had urged the court to dissolve the marriage because of Usman’s constant trouble, persistent fighting, lack of care and neglect.

She said the marriage was contracted in 2004 and was blessed with two children, Victor, 7, and Blessing, 5.

Faith also told the court that her husband was fond of quarrelling with her constantly, adding that Usman did not want her to work.

“I cannot continue with my husband, he has not been showing love and care to me and my two children” she said.

Faith prayed the court to grant her the custody of the

children so that she could take proper care of them educationally and morally.

Usman, however, denied his wife’s allegation, but accused her of selling beer and wanted to turn herself into a sex worker.

He told the court that he would not allow his house wife to be a sex worker.

The court president, Abidoye Olatunbosun, held that efforts to resolve the dispute between the couple had proved abortive, and dissolved the marriage.

He ordered them to go their separate ways, noting there was no love between them. He awarded custody of the two children to the mother, and ordered Usman to pay N4, 000 and N3, 000, respectively as upkeep for the children.

Olatunbosun also ordered that the children’s school fees and hospital bills should be taken care of by the father (naij.com)

‘My husband poisoned my food’ • My husband took a lady to his village for marriage without my knowledge; when I confronted him, he said he was tired of me and that I should pack out —Wife • Please separate us; I don’t want to commit murder —Husband

A

55-year-old civil servant named Samuel has asked the court to dissolve his 16-year-old marriage to his wife over lack of respect.

Addressing the court, Samuel said he may kill her one day if the court does not separate them “Please separate us; I do not want to commit murder,” Samuel pleaded.

Responding to her husband’s divorce suit on Thursday, September 11, at the Igando Customary

Court, Lagos, Charity Nyenka, a 49-year-old businesswoman accused him of trying to poison her so he can marry a new wife.

She said: “God exposed him when he came to church one evening as the Holy Spirit arrested him, and he confessed to having poisoned the food I was to eat.

“My husband took a lady to his village for marriage without my knowledge; when I confronted him, he said he was tired of me and that I should pack out.”

She added that there was a night he tried to strangle her but she managed to escape and ran to neighbour’s house.

She described her husband as an ingrate who had nothing when he married her and she assisted him in starting a business but when the business started to flourish, he began to misbehave.

She told the court to grant her husband’s wish as it had become obvious he no longer loved her.

‘He does not perform well in bed’ • Since I got married to him, I have not enjoyed sex —Wife • She is never satisfied in bed, Even if we go five rounds, she will still ask for more —Husband

A

n Agege Customary Court in Lagos on has dissolved a seven-yearold marriage of an office assistant who said that her husband was unable to satisfy in bed.

The Court President, Mr Emmanuel Sokunle, held that evidence before the court showed the marriage of Mr Maxwell Madu and Grace, had broken down irretrievably.

He noted that the petitioner, grace insisted on divorce.

“Starting from today, you cease to be husband and wife; you shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace.

“The custody of the child is granted to the respondent, Mr Maxwell Madu,” he held.

Sokunle ordered that the

child should spend part of his holidays with his mother.

The petitioner, who resides at No. 6, Church St., Bariga, Lagos, submitted that Maxwell, 40 had not been able to give her sexual satisfaction.

“Since I got married to him, I have not enjoyed sex; he does not perform well in bed,’’ she said.

She also said that Maxwell, a businessman, was unable to impregnate her after their only child.

“It was by God’s grace that we had the child,” she said.

Grace also accused Maxwell, of maltreating her.

“Anytime I return from work, he accuses me of lateness and calls me a prostitute. ”Since he became jobless, I

have been responsible for providing clothes and food for the family as well as paying our child’s school fees.

“I want the court to dissolve the union and grant me the custody of the child,” she said.

Responding, Maxwell, said that since he lost his job, Grace had taken to adultery.

“She is never satisfied in bed; even if we go five rounds, she will still ask for more.

“My wife returns late at night, flirts around with different men and, at times, does not come home after work,’’ he said.

Maxwell, however, said that he was willing to live with Grace, if she would change her behaviour.

40

EVENTS

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osas, Gbenro say thank you with high octane party Last weekend, latest celebrity couple, Gbenro Ajibade and Osas Ighodaro, held a party to say thank you to their friends who stood by them during their nuptials. The party held at Ikoyi, Lagos and was a blast as several of their celebrity friends turned up to honour them. IK, Timi Dakolo and Gideon Okeke were some of those friends.

Ubi Franklin and Toke Makinwa The couple, Gbenro Ajibade and Osas Ighodaro

Osas and Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi

OC Ukeje

Ehiz

Gideon Okeke

Osas and Olisa Adibua

Timi Dakolo takes a selfie with fellow guests

Naeto C and wife

IK, Osas and Kemi Akindoju

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

August 8, 2015

Persistent Erection Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions

Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)

R

emember Kunta Kinte? The famous Gambian slave and hero of Alex Haley’s book ‘’Roots: The Saga of an American Family’’. According to legends, Kunta offended his American masters at a certain time and he was asked to choose between two punishments; one was to be castrated and the second; to cut off his foot. History has it that, Kunta Kinte without much hesitation went for the latter option of having his foot amputated. That is how important a functional manhood is to a man, since ancient times. In fact, one of saddest things that can happen to any man who is not under an oath of celibacy is the inability to attain an erection strong enough to enjoy sexual intercourse with a woman. While some men cannot get it up at all -what is termed impotence- others have issues with keeping it up .In between these are myriads other complaints represented in the spectrum of erectile dysfunction.

Men want it hard and long, if you know what I mean.

Most men would wish for that turgid erection, lasting forever, to show their women the ‘stuff’ they are made of. So it is a paradox of sort when a man now presents in the emergency room; complaint being inability to, after getting it up, bring it down. This is called persistent erection. It is usually a sad scenario, which would have been funny if not for the sheer agony involved–a man with a rock hard and pointing erection under a big dress (babanriga) presenting at the emergency department begging the doctors to bring down an erection that has been on for more than a few hours. We call it Priapism.

Sufferers call it sheer agony!

Meaning: Priapism is a state of persistent penile erection, often painful, lasting more than 4-6 hours, not due to sexual stimulation and usually not relieved by orgasm.

It can occur in all male age groups from new born to elderly, but commoner in boys 5-10 yrs and men 20-50 yrs of age.

It sometimes starts after prolonged sexual activity, though not directly linked to it.

Mechanism: For erection to occur, blood usually rushes into the tissues of the penis, filling them up. This incoming blood is then trapped by penile muscles which block the veins and protect back flow thereby keeping the penis hard until after ejaculation or after removal of sexual stimulus. It is then these veins relax and allow blood to drain away into the main circulation. Disruption of this mechanism keeps blood trapped in the penile tissue and leads to perpetual erection .This is usually dangerous for the penis as this ‘bad’ blood which is now devoid of oxy-

gen may damage it, if not drained quickly enough. There are two type of Priapism – ‘low flow’, described above and more dangerous when compared with the high flow. In high flow Priapism, the problem is not directly with the veins ability to drain blood away from the penis, rather they are overwhelm by a very high flowing current from injured penile arteries. High flow priapism is a milder version because drainage of blood continues.

Causes: A number of causes have been identified for priapism, top of which is heamatological diseases like sickle cell and leukemia, but there are others: • Overuse or inappropriate use of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and others in its class • Medications: such as antidepressants, some anti hypertensives and antipshycotics • Hard drugs: including marijuana and cocaine • Alcohol consumption: dis alcohol

sef!

• Trauma to the penis • Tumors • Bites: from some species of spiders and scorpion • Spinal cord injury: which is why priapism occurs in some men who died by hanging • Unknown: in a third of cases.

Symptoms: Persistent erection lasting more than six hours May be very painful if it is the low flow variety where the erection is usually full and turgid May be seen also as a low grade painless erection lasting several hours if it is the high flow variety Symptoms of underlying causes such as sickle cell and leukemia may also be seen

Treatment: Priapism is an emergency and should be treated as such. You must be in the emergency room after four hours of persistent erection. The longer you delay, the more likely the risk of erectile dysfunction or permanent damage.

Prior to reaching the hospital ice pack may be applied on the penis and around the perineum At the hospital, a quick diagnosis is essential to determine the type, as different treatment applies to the two. In high flow priapism, conservative management is favored; however in low flow, different modalities are adopted to bring a quick relief to the patient. Some drugs may be injected into the penis to bring about detumescence/relaxation and relief pain.

Needles might be inserted to drain the trapped blood, and sometimes, surgery is required.

Furthermore, underlying causes are

treated. For example in sickle cell disease, in addition to relieving symptoms, measures such as rehydration, oxygen therapy and blood transfusion will be taken.

Prognosis: When treated early, most men with priapism will recover fully with their sexual function intact. When there is substantial delay however permanent damage may occur and sexual function may be lost. So in this case time is penis.

Prevention: Because some of the causes are unknown, they may not be preventable.

However in some people with recurrent ‘’stuttering’’ priapism , prevention is possible and should be encouraged. In this group of people there are medications that can be prescribed to prevent recurrence. In others, preventive measures include •avoiding triggers such as hard drugs and alcohol •managing known triggering diseases such as sickle cell disease •changing medications if due to an identified medication And •avoiding indiscriminate use of sex enhancing drugs

Conclusion: So when next you wish for that lasting intimidating erection like that of the Greek god Priapus, or you even went as far as taking medications to achieve it, be careful, so that you don’t get more than you bargain for.

You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng. every Wednesdays and Fridays(4-8pm)

42

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ori Aye: The well that sees tomorrow Ori Aye, the well that sees into the future, is a top destination for visitors to Ondo town in Ondo State. YEMISI ADENIRAN captures the essence of the mysterious well and its historical significance to the Ondos

T

he concept of destiny runs through the cosmology of most, if not all, African societies. The Yorubas call it Ayanmo or Kadara, the Igbos call it Akara Aka while the Hausas call it Bayewa Allah. In the past, parents would consult seers just to get a wind of what the future held for their children. This finding was known as Akosejaye among the Yorubas. A peep into the future of a child, they believed, offered them an early opportunity of effecting change where there was a negative prediction. The enquiry was made within the first ten days of a child’s birth and strictly by its biological parents. This was mainly to keep the prediction secret until the child himself became of age and needed to know what his future held. For the Ondos, this exercise was con-ducted in a different manner. According to Chief Adedeji Fakoya, the Odogun of Ondo land, the child in question is the actual enquirer, and he is expected to have come of age before taking a peep into his future – at no other place than the Ori Aye (the peak or crown of the earth) Ori Aye is a natural phenomenon that is as old as Ondo town itself. It is a sacred well that is capable of seeing into the future of anyone who desires the knowl-edge. Chief Fakoya says of the sacred well, “the well is not just an ordinary one as it links with the high seas. “ Ori Aye’s depth is endless but

the water is as clear as crystal.” And quite unlike what obtains in other cultures, Odogun Fakoya informs, “any-one who wished to determine his future did so flamboyantly. It was never done in secret. He or she was expected to go with a number of his friends, loved ones and some drummers who would celebrate with him once the prediction was favourable. And once he got to the well, he would simply peep into it and a vivid picture of how he would end up in life would in-stantly be played to him. “If the prediction was contrary, the drummers with their entourage, automatically stopped celebrating, an indication that the outcome was negative. The victim, now downcast, would leave the scene amidst tears and agony. He or she was left with no other option than to await the fulfillment of the well’s verdict.” However, not all enquirers who got un-desirable verdicts took Ori Aye’s predictions in good faith.

There were instances where some who were not strong enough to bear such evil verdicts instantly took their lives by simply jumping into the well. It therefore became necessary, at a point, to stop people from visiting the mysterious well. Apart from the frequency-cy with which disenchanted enquirers jumped into

the well, an incident took place that was the last straw for custodians of the well. Odogun Fakoya told Saturday Mirror the story: “Two friends decided to visit the well to find out what the future held for them. They both went with the usual pomp and pageantry. The first friend looked into the well and saw himself well dressed in beautiful regalia, just like a king. He was extremely happy and announced his discovery to his people. He began rejoicing immediately as he was convinced that his later life would be kingly. The second man was unfortunately not favoured by the well’s verdict. He saw himself in rags and was immediately thrown into sorrow. It was indeed a tale of different strokes for different folks.

“They both left for their different homes. The first enquirer, as a result of his favourable prediction, quit all serious work in anticipation of his wealth. The other enquirer, who got a dismal verdict, however, felt too ashamed to stay still in the town. He left the town for an isolated area where he made his new home.

He became a big time farmer there and gradually, many people joined him. After a while, the people made him king over them as the founder of the settlement. “He soon became

so wealthy and respected. One day, he decided to go back to Ondo, his home town, where people thought he was probably dead or living in penury somewhere. When he got into town with all the fortune he had acquired, his friend who got a positive prediction was still where he left him, playing the traditional Ayo game and still awaiting his day of glory. “When news of his friend’s success got to him, he was forced to leave the town in shame.

That started the com-moon saying: “bori eni sunwon, owo eni e mu tunse i” in Ondo dialect, which simply means: heaven helps those who help themselves. “After this incident, people’s belief in Ori Aye, of course, started to wane and many chose to believe more in hard work than in the predictions of the well.” Despite this loss of influence, however, Ori Aye retains its potency still and is not taken for granted by the Ondos.

In fact, mere touching the slab, which covers it, attracts sanctions.

The culprit would be made to provide sacrificial materials to appease the power behind the well.

According to Odogun Fakoya, “Ori Aye is still as powerful as ever. If you want to prove its power, you can pick a time to come and check your future,” he asserts.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

LEISURE

43

44

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service Haruna Jauro Assures Stevedores of NIMASA’s support

T R-L: Ag. Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro presenting a plaque to the President, National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, when the association paid a courtesy visit to the Agency.

NRC implements trial run of modern train control system

T

he Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Thursday commenced the trial implementation of modern train control system in Lagos, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and improving safety.

Speaking at the trial run, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Adeseyi Sijuwade noted that On-Board Computers would be installed in all Locomotives and Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) for monitoring.

Sijuwade said: “Before today, we rely solely on mobile phones for communication in the head office, as well as on all our trains out there, all over the country.

“But with the installation of this safe train control system, we are now in a position, where we can, through the satellite link and with the On-Board Computers installed in our locomotives, we can from the Operation Control Centre, communicate with the train drivers, and actually monitor the speed of the train.

“We can monitor the driver from here at Ebute Metta, our headquarters,

and all through the nation.

We can monitor the locations, we can monitor all incidents on our tracks. “ We can also control the train from here, when the need arises, in a safe manner, put the train to a halt with or without the control of the drivers.”

He said that the system would ensure operational efficiency and safety, adding that with the system, it would be almost impossible to have train collision.

“It will totally eliminate all uncodinated movements, even the train drivers can actually reach us easily.

“It is a system where we can sit here at Ebute-Metta, and visualise through screens, the movement of trains all over our railway network in Nigeria’’.

According to him, besides greatly enhancing safety in NRC train operations by minimising the human factor, the system will avail the corporation access to monitoring and controlling train speed , so as to curb derailment and collision.

The managing director said that the system would help drivers to adhere to

journey time, minimise damage to infrastructure, improve comprehensive record of data for operational efficiency and accident investigation.

He added that STC would enhance capacity to increase frequency of train movement, so as to increase the revenue base on the NRC. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Safe Train Control Project covers the entire narrowguage rail network of the NRC. The installation of the On-Board Computers (OBC) on locomotives is to monitor and control train movement.

The Installation of Endof-Train (EOT) device is to

monitor trains’ integrity, a satellite component to link the trains to a central Operations Control Centre (OCC).

While the Derailment Detectors (DD) would minimise damage to tracks and track-side infrastructure, electronic fence to prevent trains from collision, as well as a comprehensive computerized OCC that seats controllers.

The STC project is implemented by a Consortium of Ansaldo, Gear Group, South Africa, and A3 and O Ltd. NAN reports that Mr Arnoud De Nooy, the Chief Executive Officer of Gear Group, South Africa, explained how the system works to monitor and control train movement. (NAN)

he Acting Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has assured Stevedoring companies of a quick resolution to some of the issues challenging their operations in the ports.

The DG stated this when he played host to the Executive Committee of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies led by its National President, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola at the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos.

Mr. Jauro who observed that the Federal Government has gazetted a new set of guidelines for stevedoring operations in the sector noted that its enforcement will commence in earnest after due sensitisation of relevant stakeholders with the provisions.

“I can assure you that the guidelines we have put in place, which also have applicable sanctions will address all the issues you have raised and we are committed to enforcing all its provisions once we have sensitized all relevant stakeholders” the DG said.

The DG also said that the Agency will continue to engage its sister agencies with a view to resolving all outstanding issues

for the benefit of the maritime sector and the country at large.

Earlier in his address, the President of the Association Mr. Bolaji Sunmola noted that the association in line with its 2014 regulation is prepared to collaborate with the Agency in the areas of human capacity development which is intended to help in the areas of job creation in the maritime sector.

He expressed the displeasure of the Association on how its rights and privileges are being trampled upon by some government Agencies and called on the Agency to step into the situation to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s ports.

It will be recalled that a new set of ministerial guidelines for the appointment and operations of stevedoring services at the jetties and terminals was formally presented to stakeholders in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital during this year’s celebration of the Day of the Seafarer.

The guidelines, which were developed pursuant to relevant Sections of the NIMASA Act and the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, are aimed at addressing the appointment of stevedoring companies, inspection and enforcement, application fees, charges and dues as they apply to stevedoring operation.

FAAN ready for hitch-free Hajj operations –MD T he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has concluded all arrangements at the nation’s airports for the smooth transportation of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The National Hajj Commission has announced that transportation of

pilgrims to the Holy land will begin onAug 18.

FAAN Managing Director, Mr Saleh Dunoma, announced this shortly after he inspected facilities at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said that the

management had been working in collaboration with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, to ensure all facilities, including conveniences at the terminal were ready for the operation.

According to him, the facilities at the Hajj terminal have been upgraded to meet the needs of the intending pilgrims.

Dunoma directed the

Airport Manager and the Terminal Manager of Hajj & Cargo Terminal to ensure full comfort of the intending pilgrims.

He urged all pilgrims to cooperate with health officials at all the airports during screening and routine checks to ensure smooth operation.

He said adequate measures had been put in place to ensure security at all the airports.

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8, 2015

45

Oliseh will lead Eagles to victory — Nieketien Super Eagles players celebrate after scoring a goal in a match. Inset: Sunday Oliseh

Ifeanyi Eduzor

A

s the new Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, prepares to have his first official assignment in the Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania next month, ex- junior international, Peter Nieketen, has thrown his weight behind him, saying the former Super Eagles captain has what it takes to succeed in the national team.

Nieketen told Saturday Mirror that although Oliseh has not been tested as a coach, his credentials stand him out among his peers, noting that having acquired one of the best coaching certificates, Oliseh is fully equipped to take the national team to greater heights.

“I want to disabuse the minds of many people from thinking that because he has not handled any team at club level, he will not make a good coach.

“What I expect Nigerians to do is to offer him all the necessary advice to enable him excel in the job and being one of the few Nigerians with the best coaching certificates, I have no doubts in my mind that he will replicate what he has been taught in the class-

… advises Keshi to go back to school

room on the field of play,” said the former defunct Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Julius Berger player.

According to Nieketen who played for the Nigeria national U-20 team at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship tagged “Chile 87”, people should realise that it is easier to handle a national team than a club side because national team comprises of the best players who the coach only needs to blend for them to post good results unlike a club where a lot of work need to be done by the coaching crew before turning them into a winning side.

“It is important for Nigerians to understand that there is a great difference between a national team and club side. National team requires both experience and managerial ability to blend the best players a country can produce while in the club side, the coaching crew need to do a lot of

work starting from recruitment to training the players and assigning various roles to them and I am confident Oliseh as a team player knows what to do.”

Nieketien who laced his booths for Kedah FA and Terengganu FA both of Malaysia and later Gabonese clubs, AS Douanes, ASMO FC and Delta Telestar respectively, expressed confidence that the Super Eagles under Oliseh will defeat their Tanzanian counterparts in the 2017 Nations Cup qualifier on September 5, just as he predicted that the team will qualify from the group made up of Chad, Egypt and Tanzania.

“Everybody is aware that the Tanzania game will be a test match for Oliseh but I am looking forward to his using that game to assess his team ahead of the clash with Egypt which is a more difficult task. But one considers the calibre of players in the Super Eagles and the new technical crew, I do not

have any doubt that we are going to beat the East Africans convincingly. “ On the frosty relationship that existed between the former Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi and the NFF, he posited that such will not happen this time around considering that Oliseh’s appointment was done entirely by the football house “I sincerely believe that there will be cordial relationship between Oliseh and the NFF unlike when Keshi was around because his appointment was an entirely NFF affair and both parties will try and keep to their own side of the agreement,” Nieketen said.

He stated that he expects Keshi to go back to the classroom and update himself with the most modern technique of coaching because according to him, it is one thing to be a good coach and another thing to be a good manager which he will acquire in the classroom.

Nieketien explained that it is important the former Super Eagles gaffer goes back to school because it will enable him not only get the required certificate, but discover his deficiencies that will make him a better coach in future.

46

SPORT

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 8 , 2015

2015/2016

Big six set for

The English Premiership over the years has lived up to expectation as the most watched league in the world. Apart from having a wide followership, it has also cut a niche for itself as the most entertaining , most popular and best branded league in the world. It is expected that this year’s league will not be different from the previous ones. While the big teams will continue to maintain their dominance, the lesser ones will try to spring some surprises which has been the trade mark of the Premiership since its inception in 1992. As the 2015/2016 English Premier League begins today in about six cities across England, Ifeanyi Eduzor previews the six biggest teams in the Premiership.

Chelsea Chelsea is likely to stick with last season’s formula after a surprisingly quiet summer in the transfer market. Although they are closing in on the Augsburg leftback Baba Rahman and retain an interest in Everton’s John Stones, their only major signings have been Asmir Begovic as the new understudy to Thibaut Courtois and Radamel Falcao on loan.

There is no pressing need to change the strongest defence in the league. John Terry is the leader and he will be partnered

by Gary Cahill, although there will be opportunities for Kurt Zouma. Branislav Ivanovic will continue on the right, César Azpilicueta on the left.

Against lesser teams Cesc Fàbregas will play alongside Nemanja Matic in midfield, and Eden Hazard, Oscar and William will scheme behind the striker. Yet José Mourinho can be cautious against rivals and may start Mikel John Obi or Ramires instead of William or Oscar in the big matches. Ramires can play on the right or in the middle.

The main question surrounds Diego Costa’s fitness. If the striker’s hamstring problems clear up, then Chelsea should win the league. Yet they will not want to have to rely on Falcao or Loïc Rémy too much.

Terry

Iheanacho

Manchester City Raheem Sterling is the big new arrival at the Etihad and it looks as though Manuel Pellegrini intends to play his £49m signing from Liverpool on the left of a front three, taking Jesús Navas’s place alongside Sergio Agüero and David Silva. The only thing that may complicate that situation would be if Kevin De Bruyne were to join the party before the end of the month, which would put a strain on City’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, not to mention Pellegrini’s preference for a couple of defensive-minded midfielders.

Central defence still remains a problem.

With Martín Demichelis not getting any younger, Vincent Kompany erratic last season and Eliaquim Mangala not making the expected progress, it was a surprise City were not first in the queue for John Stones’ services, instead of belatedly acknowledging interest almost as an afterthought. City does not seem as decisive as of old, perhaps because this is widely expected to be Pellegrini’s last season.

It is understood that Pellegrini may also give Nigerian young star, Kelechi Iheanacho a big role in the team having performed well in pre-season trials.

Today’s Matches Man United

v

Tottenham

12:45

Bournemouth

v

Aston Villa

15: 00

Everton

v

Watford

15: 00

Leicester

v

Sunderland

15:00

Norwich

v

Crystal Palace

15: 00

Chelsea

v

Swansea

17: 30

Arsenal The Petr Cech effect is already being felt.

Whether Chelsea will live to regret the decision to sell the A-list goalkeeper to their cross-city rivals promises to be a subplot to their season but Arsenal are convinced they have a fortifying upgrade. They have already seen off the Blues in the Community Shield and hope that Cech can help them once again win the Premiership.

The lineup is otherwise the same as last season’s and Arsène Wenger’s greatest wish is simply to have better luck with injuries, so that he will be able to field his best team more often and have them generate momentum, as they did over the second half of last season.

The biggest teaser, at present, concerns the identity of the striker, with Theo Walcott in possession of the shirt, largely after his fine performance in the FA Cup final last season. But Wenger has said he remains open to opportunities on the market and the club continues to monitor the Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Even without him, Arsenal has a lineup that bristles with power.

Cech

Rooney

Manchester United Rio Ferdinand doubts whether Louis van Gaal knows what his best defense is, so it would not be all that surprising if no one else has much of a clue either. Matteo Darmian appears likely to be the firstchoice right-back, despite Van Gaal initially saying the Italian would start behind Antonio Valencia in the pecking order. Van Gaal is currently persisting with combinations of Daley Blind and Phil Jones or Chris Smalling for the centre-back positions .Even after all that money spent further up the pitch though it is hard to believe Marcos Rojo will not get a look-in once he is back after his summer with Argentina.

Talk of United playing 3-5-2 at this stage of last season seems to have been abandoned in favour of a 4-3-3 formation, though given that Van Gaal wants Wayne Rooney as an out-and-out striker and he keeps talking up Memphis Depay as a No10, the 4-2-3-1 he has been fielding in preseason seems more likely. Depay could play

2014/ 2015 Premiership Table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team Chelsea Man City Arsenal Man. Utd. Tottenham Liverpool Sout’ton Swansea Stoke Crysta Everton West Ham West Bro, Leicester Newcastle Sunderland Aston Villa Hull City Burnley QPR

Pd 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38

W 26 24 22 20 19 18 18 16 15 13 12 12 11 11 10 7 10 8 7 8

D 9 7 9 10 7 8 6 8 9 9 11 11 11 8 9 17 8 11 12 6

L 3 7 7 8 12 12 14 14 14 16 15 15 16 19 19 14 20 19 19 24

GF 73 83 71 62 58 52 54 46 48 47 48 44 38 46 40 31 31 33 28 42

GA 32 38 36 37 53 48 33 49 45 51 50 47 51 55 63 53 57 51 53 73

GD +41 +45 +35 +25 +5 +4 +21 −3 +3 −4 −2 −3 −13 −9 −23 −22 −26 −18 −25 −31

Pts 87 79 75 70 64 62 60 56 54 48 47 47 44 41 39 38 38 35 33 30

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

August 8, 2015

47

Premier League:

dominance

forward left in a 4-3-3 but if he plays in the central position behind Rooney that would leave Juan Mata out on the wing or out of the team. For wide players in a 4-2-3-1 United have options in Ashley Young, Valencia, Adnan Januzaj and even Ander Herrera or Marouane Fellaini, though there is still the possibility of Pedro joining from Barcelona as a replacement for Ángel Di María.

Vertonghen

Tottenham Hotspur The most eye-catching change from last season will be the presence of the £11.4m signing from Atlético Madrid, Toby Alderweireld, in central defence. He will partner Jan Vertonghen in a kind of coming together of their roles in the Belgium team.

At international level, Alderweireld is the right-back; Vertonghen the left-back.

Mauricio Pochettino has added the rightback Kieran Trippier from Burnley and although the 24-year-old is not expected to dislodge the first-choice Kyle Walker at the beginning of the season, he will certainly provide competition. Trippier was impressive for Burnley last season and Walker’s fitness record is chequered, to say the least.

Kevin Wimmer, the big centre-half, has been signed from FC Köln to further swell Pochettino’s defensive options and the manager hopes the unit will prove to be more secure than the one that shipped 53 goals in the Premier League last season. It will be imperative to retain the outstanding goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who has made

Clyne

it known he would be open to a move to a Champions League club.

Liverpool The chance to exorcise last season’s demons at Stoke City may come too soon for Roberto Firmino with the £29m summer signing having played only 67 minutes in pre-season, and Emre Can could start at the Britannia Stadium in a three-man midfield, but this probable team highlights exactly where Brendan Rodgers felt the need to strengthen.

Liverpool look stronger with Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, James Milner offers experience and balance in the centre, Jordon Ibe’s impressive development may be rewarded with a regular start, so too Joe Gomez at left-back, and a concerted effort has been made to address last season’s serious weaknesses in attack.

Danny Ings’ work-rate and movement have impressed but Christian Benteke, the costliest summer recruit at £32.5m, is favourite to lead the attack at the start of the campaign. The Belgium international scored a fine goal against Swindon Town in his first appearance for the club and his understanding with Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Ibe will be crucial to Liverpool’s prospects.

Wembley mean he is no longer the bestkept secret in the game.

Norwich City’s starting goalkeeper John Ruddy has already touted him for the very top. The squad to a man eulogized about their hungry young leader. For those observers in Norfolk who need no convincing of his class after witnessing it at first hand, it is illuminating to see the rest of the football world awaken to a fresh new story.

The Scot may still be studying towards his UEFA Pro-Licence qualification, another factor which underlines his accelerated progression, but he showed last season that he has long since left the classroom behind.

Norwich has been routinely touted with a swift return to the Championship this summer but expect Neil and his players to deliver their response throughout the season where it matters.

Jokanovic

Neil

New Premiership entrants counting on upset Norwich City Alex Neil may prefer to avoid the spotlight but the Norwich City boss is about to be thrust into it ahead of the Canaries’ Premier League return today against Crystal Palace.

Neil has seen a quick progression as manager. At 34, he will be the youngest in the English top flight and also the only Scot plying his trade there as well. After a modern era defined by the exploits of Sir Alex Ferguson, the fellow Glaswegian is now a trail blazer in his own right. But none of that is likely to faze a man who prior to heading south to Norwich City from Scottish Premiership club Hamilton at the start of the year was a complete unknown.

Neil’s exploits in guiding the Canaries to a Championship promotion success at

Watford Ever since Troy Deeney’s memorable play-off semi-final goal against Leicester City in May 2013 the club has had a keen eye for drama.

One managerial change per season is clearly no recipe for success so the owners, the Pozzo family, made four last season and it did the trick. Giuseppe Sannino had gone before the first month of the campaign was done. If that was short-lived, Oscar Garcia managed just four games in charge. But with hindsight that was actually a stay of some substance. His successor, Billy McKinlay, lasted just two matches.

With supporters wondering what was going on and becoming frustrated that a squad of considerable talent was being undermined by the changes, then came manager number four, and so began the charge for promotion. Serb Slavisa Jokanovic arrived from Spanish club Hercules and took the Hornets on a journey that ended with memorable celebrations on the south coast as a 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday lunchtime in April proved to be the win they needed. Results the following day went their way and an epic four-way tussle for automatic promotion had been won with a game to spare.

There are 22 different nationalities at Watford – “lingo bingo” as one national newspaper called it this week, so there will be no cliques in the dressing room. Miguel Layun was one of the players who won promotion last season and has had a hectic

summer on and off the field, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico and celebrating the birth of his first child.

Of course it’s on the pitch that they will ultimately be judged this season. Prodl summed up the mood amongst the new arrivals who are relishing the prospect of their first season in England. “We have to be a tough opponent against every team. We want to stay in the league, that’s our first target, it’s going to be difficult but we believe we can do it.”

Bournemouth Bournemouth Coach, Eddie Howe has won promotion from every division in the Football League but the Premier League represents his biggest test.

The riches of the Premier League ensure that newly promoted clubs no longer operate on a shoestring budget, and that much is true with the Cherries, who have combined a spate of free transfers with some substantial spending. Sylvain Distin will add vital experience, if not assurance, to the defence, but the latest signings came in the form of talented full-back Tyrone Mings for a record fee and Max Gradel from Saint-Etienne.

Fourteen goals last season was not enough to convince Brett Pitman to remain on the South Coast, as he moves to Ipswich Town.

Quite rightly named the League Managers’ Association manager of the year after guiding Bournemouth into the top flight for the first time in their 116-year history, Howe can do no wrong as he tests himself in Europe’s most cosmopolitan division. A winner of promotion in each division of the Football League now faces his most daunting test yet, as he attempts to assert Bournemouth’s adventurous style of play on some of the biggest clubs on the planet. The only concern is whether rival teams will finally catch on to the hype.

Bournemouth may be primarily about their passing game in open play, but they arrive in the Premier League with a trump card from set pieces. In Ritchie, the Scotland midfielder who has wasted little time impressing for his country, there is a left foot waiting to pray on unsuspecting defenses across the league. Seventeen assists came courtesy of Ritchie’s guile last season, while no player created more chances for the champions of the second tier. Callum Wilson and new signing Joshua King will be fed all season long. Furthermore, the 25-yearold Scot’s tenaciousness should define the team’s approach at home.

Howe

48

SPORT

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young players need government support — Akpoborie

F

Oliseh invites 23 home-boys for Tanzania The Super Eagles celebrate one of their two goals against Chad in Kaduna in their opening 2017 Afcon qualifier in June.

S

uper Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 home –based professionals who will kick start preparations for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Tanzania.

At the head of the pack is Warri Wolves’ forward Gbolahan Salami, who scored one of the goals when the Eagles opened the race with a 2-0 win over Chad in Kaduna in June. There are also regular faces like Solomon Kwambe and Nelson Ogbonnaya.

Oliseh has also invited a handful of players of the U-23 squad that survived a stern test in Pointe Noire last Sunday to qualify for the African U-23 Championship finals, alongside former junior international goalkeepers Olufemi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, as well as a number of new faces led by top scorer in the Glo NPFL race, Tunde Adeniji of Sunshine Stars.

Other players invited are; Orji Kalu (Enugu Rangers), Idris Aloma (Enyimba FC), Chima Akas

(Sharks FC), Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC), Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars), Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars) and Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars) Also included in the list are Ifeanyi Mathew (Nasarawa United), Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba), Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United), Lordson Ichull (Warri Wolves), Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC), Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves), Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC), Bright Ejike (Heartland FC), Bright Onyedika-

Ifeanyi Eduzor

number that Anambra State football is not for sale. It’s time for him to go. We don’t want him again.

He has led the game astray in the state. We need fresh air. People with interest and passion of the

game have to take over to rebuild the ruin,” he stated.

The former member of Anambra State Sports Council added that he never blamed NFF for their recent threat to take over the

chi ( Ifeanyi Ubah FC) and Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars) while the goal keepers are Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC);,David Obiazor (Heartland FC) and Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars) The players are expected to report to the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Monday, 17 August. Nigeria plays Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on September 5 in one of the Match day 2 games of the qualification series for Gabon 2017. It will be Oliseh’s first match in charge of the Super Eagles.

ormer Super Eagles player and technical adviser to teams participating at the Port Harcourt Regional Championship of Airtel Rising Star (ARS) 5 U-17 football tournament, Jonathan Akpoborie has urged the Nigerian government to invest in sports development through grassroots initiative such as the ARS in order to reverse the setback which the nation’s football has witnessed in recent times.

He told Saturday Mirror that Airtel Rising Star tournament has revealed that a lot of talents abound in the country positing that there is need to encourage many of such tournaments to ensure football development in the country.

“When you listen to many people outside, they keep on saying that the nation lack football talents but when you come to event like the Airtel Rising Star, you will discover that Nigeria boosts of a lot of talents who only needs government encouragement to develop their full potentials.

He expressed confidence that very soon, the tournament will become more competitive and attract participants from different regions of the country and challenge the dominant teams in the competition.

Akpoborie while commending Airtel for the initiative charged Governments at various levels to invest more in sports development.

Mojereola eyes U-17 team

Oduah wants Obiano to intervene in Anambra FA crisis

F

ormer Vice Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, Prince Isidore Oduah, has called on the State Governor, Dr. Willy Obiano, to intervene in the leadership tussle that has paralyzed the State’s FA and made it a laughing stock in the country.

The former member of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) decried the poor state the former chairman, Chief Mike Umeh, left football administration in the state, noting that his decision to stage a comeback must be condemned by well meaning citizens of the state.

“Governor Obiano must act decisively because of the national disgrace the administration of Umeh has brought to the state.

Anambra State used to be pace setter in sports and has produced many players for the national teams but all these are now history. “Umeh met four teams on ground when he came in but the state is now left with none. He has held football, the youths and other key stakeholders’ hostage and the people of the State needs liberation,” Oduah said.

“I have told him time without

running of football in the state because of the inability of the State FA to have an election, noting that it is regrettable that the action is coming because of the ambition of one individual..

South –West defends U-15 cricket tourney

T

he National U-15 Boys Cricket Championship has ended in Abuja with South-West successfully defending the trophy for a second year running.

This year’s final edition had five teams from the six geo-political zones of the country in attendance. These included SouthSouth, South-East, South-West, North-Central and North-East South-West won the toss and elected to field prompting NorthWest to bat first. It soon proved to be the best decision after the North-West Batsmen crumbled like a pack of cards under some very good deliveries from the South-West Bowlers. At the end of the first innings, North-West could only manage a total of 34 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 10 overs.

In the second innings, SouthWest gradually and efficiently glided to victory scoring 3 runs

: South- West U-15 Cricket team displaying their trophy after the tournament.

per over for the first 5 overs.

However they ensured victory at the 8th over scoring a total of 36

runs for the loss of 1 wicket to be crowned champions for the second consecutive time.

Micura tourney ends in Lagos

T

he All Stars team of Kirikiri has won the 2015 edition of Micura Fly Emirates championship when they defeated Simeone FC by 5-4 penalties in the final played at the Kirikiri Play Ground.

After a barren draw first half, both teams came out smoking in the second stanza with the Simone Fc slightly dictating the tempo of the game. However, the All Stars players woke up from their slumber in the 58th minute with massive attack and defense which nearly paid up in the 60th and 63rd minutes but poor finishing in front of goal robbed them of scoring chances.

At the end of the match, coordinator of the championship and ex defunct New Nigeria Bank and Bendel Insurance of Benin defender, Lawrence Orairo lauded the two teams for their fighting spirit.

Mojereola

P

romising football star, Mojereola Sulaiman Abiodun says that he has what it takes to be invited to the national U-17 team even as he revealed that his target is to emulate former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Barcelona Fc playmaker, Andre Inesta.

According to the budding star with abundant skills, speed, creativity and ability to score goals with the slightest opportunity who narrowly missed a selection into the Nigeria U-17 team to 2014 FIFA World Cup finals won by Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates told Saturday Mirror that he is ready to contribute his quota towards the success on the team.

“My greatest desire is to play for the U-17 national team en route plying my trade in top European teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. In fact I wish to lay like former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Barcelona’s Andre Iniesta”, said the player who trains with Abarowei Football Academy, Ikotun Lagos and scored 15 goals at the last Alimosho Soccer Competition.

The All Stars team of Kirikiri has won the 2015 edition of Micura Fly Emirates championship when they defeated Simeone FC by 5-4 penalties in the final played at the Kirikiri Play Ground.

Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

August 8, 2015

Police recover gun at birthday party Patience Ogbo

T

he police in Lagos State have arrested two executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos state over allegation of gun running and illegal possession of arms.

The suspects were said to be drinking and making merry at a birthday party organised by one Deji, the NURTW boss at Ebute-Meta, for his daughter at the Ebute Metta area of the state when policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad Ikeja swoop on the guests and arrested the suspects following a tip off.

It was gathered that the police were after Mr. Deji and other suspects but he escaped after sighting the policemen.

The police team were said to have ransacked the house in search of illegal weapon and they recovered a double barrel gun hidden in the ceiling of the apartment where the birthday was being celebrated.

The police arrested one Jelili Oni 32 and Mayowa Oladoja 29 executives of the NURTW in charge of tricycle operation in the area and they were taken to SARS office at Ikeja for interrogation Oni said “ I am the treasurer of Tricycle operator in Ebute-Meta.I have two children and my wife is pregnant. Deji is my cousin and he used to act as a thug for politicians. He has been accused of many crimes but that was then. He is our chairman at Oyingbo and Ebute-Meta and sometimes last month,he organised birthday party for his daughter.

Our members came to give him money for the birthday and to celebrate with him;we were however shocked when police came and were asking for Deji. Before we knew what was happening,Deji had fled and the policemen arrested me.

The policemen ransacked the house and they found a gun hidden in the ceiling.

They asked me if I knew anything about the gun but I said no. They brought me to SARS to get more information about Deji but I do not know where he ran to. “.

The second suspect,Oladapo said he was at the birthday party to enjoy himself when he was arrested “I am a member of the Task Force Unit for the Tricycle riders operating at Ijora.

Jelili called me to take money to Deji at his daughter’s birthday party. I saw the women cooking so I decided to wait to enjoy myself. All of a sudden,the police stormed Deji’s house and they arrested me. Deji had fled but the police found a

•Arrest 2 NURTW members

NURTW members arrested over illegal gun possesion

double barrel gun during their search.

The policemen took me to the station for questioning and I told them I do not know anything about the gun”.

Ebute-Metta and environs have been a hotbed for gang war and murder of rivals gang members.

Last week saturday,armed youth stormed the area and caused havoc. As they forced their way into shops and houses looted at will.

In the process,three men were murdered by suspected rival gangs and the police have been patrolling the area.

A security man in the area who requested anonimity said.

“The boys are always fighting over the control of parks and they kill one another in the process. These boys are cultists and they are the ones running the NURTW. When a rival gang takes over the NURTW in their domain,they organise themselves

and the leaders arm the boys with guns which they use to inflict injury on rival members. They do this to gain control of the parks and the markets because that is where they get their daily bread from.

Sadly when they attack like that,innocent residents are affected as they will loot shops and kill to exert their supremacy” The Lagos State police spokes person DSP Patricia Amadin said normacy has returned to the area.

Teacher shot dead after visiting son in school

A

female teacher has been assassinated in Nsukka in Enugu State while she was on her way home after visiting her undergraduate son in Nnamdi Azikwe University.

Princess Uzoamaka Onyishi was a teacher with Urban Boys Secondary school, Nsukka, and last week she was cut down at her prime at age 40 by two unknown gunmen, who ambushed her about 200 metres to her house at UwaniUgwu in Nsuka metropolis.

The mother-of-five was said to have earlier visited her first son, Chidera Onyishi, a first year student at the Department of Political Science, at the University campus, and was returning home around 8.00pm in her blue-coloured Toyota Corol-

la, which she drove and had her younger cousin in it as the only passenger.

It was said that she slowed her car at a flooded spot close to her residence at Uwani-Ugwu when one of the two gunmen on motorcycle, who had been lurking around pulled out a gun and shot her in the head.

Princess was said to have died on the spot. Her widower, Sunday Onyishi, a popular transporter in Nsuka in an interview while lamenting the circumstances surrounding her death, said she would be sorely missed.

He said, “The whole thing still sound strange to me. I still could not believe that my wife was killed like a common thief. We have been married for the past 22 years and

blessed with five children.

“I am a transporter. Nobody has ever complained to me that she had problem with her. I don’t know why she was killed. When my sister in- law rushed to me and broke the news of her death, I rushed shouting, neighbours joined me, we combed the entire place but could not see the killers. Then we invited the police to see what happened. I am not suspecting anybody but the killers of my wife will definitely be brought to book. We moved in into our own building five months ago.

Her killers did not allow her enjoy the house she laboured for all these years of hardship. I want the police to unearth the surroundings of her killing by faceless two young men.”

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

50

CRIME WATCH

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Welder beats wife to death ...In police detention, awaiting trial

A

welder, Yusuf Olasoji, has reportedly beaten his wife, Kehinde Olasoji to death in AdoOdo/Ota Local Area of Ogun State.

The incident happened at their residence in Iyana-Iyesi.

Yusuf who is now in detention at the Ogun State Police Headquarter at Elewe Eran, and Kehinde were said to have engaged in incessant quarrels which often resulted in physical abuse of the victim by the suspect.

According to the twin sister of the deceased, Taiwo Akinbote, her late sister had relocated to their mother’s house because of her troublesome husband but returned to her matrimonial home when the two in-laws brokered peace between them.

Taiwo said her late twin sister bore three children for Yusuf. She met her death on her return when at night, the two of them started another round of quarrel, and was beaten to death.

The incident was confirmed by the command’s image maker, Muyiwa Adejobi, who added that the suspect had since been in police custody.

He said, “We have the case here with us. The suspect murdered his wife and has since been arrested. The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case should be transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation. Post-mortem will be carried out before we can release the corpse for burial.”

Yusuf

Late Kehinde

Another kidnapers’ den uncovered in Oyo

T

he Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Muhammad Katsina, earlier in the week said his command had discovered another kidnappers’ den at Oyagbe area, in Oyo town.

Katsina said this at a news briefing in Ibadan where some suspects linked with the crime were paraded.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the hideout was said to have been a deserted hotel whose owner was now in police custody.

Katsina said operatives of the state command had arrested five suspects in connection with the crime.

The commissioner also told newsmen that a victim, Husseni Sani, was rescued from the den of the kidnappers.

He said the kidnappers came from Benin Republic and moved to Kwara State before finally settling in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He said: “Today we are happy to announce that a ground breaking discovery was made yet again and this time in Oyo town where some wicked indi-

Solomon Arase, IGP

Katsina, Oyo State CP

viduals kidnapped a fellow human for ransom.

“We have so far arrested five people connected with the crime, including the hotelier, and the victim, who is now in

our custody.”

But the owner of the hotel said the suspects had approached him for a three-room accommodation for two weeks and paid a deposit of N5,000.

He said he had no idea that they were kidnappers and that he got to know about their activities when the police came to arrest him.

The victim, a cattle rearer from Ikoyi Ile in Kajoola Local Government Area, said he was kidnapped at Ogbomoso and was fed on rice for 14 days Sani said the kidnappers had demanded N1 million and threatened to kill him and his elder brother if he was unable to pay.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who had earlier spoken to newsmen in Oyo, thanked the police and other security agencies for their swift action in arresting the suspects.

The traditional ruler called on residents to always inform the police when they suspect suspicious movements in their environment.

“I have to say at this juncture that it is everybody’s duty to alert the security agencies over the happenings in their environment,” Oba Adeyemi said.

NAN.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Crime Watch

August 8, 2015

NAFDAC discovers illegal factory loaded with expired canned food

T

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday said it had uncovered an illegal factory within the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos loaded with various expired canned food.

The agency’s Spokesman, Mr Anslem Okonkwor, said disclosed this in a statement that the discovery was sequel to a special raid and enforcement operation in some markets in the metropolis by officers of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the agency.

It said that the expired canned food were worth millions of naira, adding that a 24-year-old man, Victor Okeke had been arrested in connection with the expired products. ``The factory, which was originally a one-room shop was used to stock, re-validate and distribute expired products, particularly, food condiments. ``Some of the expired products discovered in the unhygienic factory included expired Maggi sauce with manufacturing date of 15/08/2011 and expiry date of 15/08/2014. ``Other products included Amoy Dark Soy Sauce, Costa Corned Beef and Exeter Corned Beef among others. ``For the Costa Corned Beef, whether expired or not, the 24-year -old suspect,

changed their labels to Exeter Corned Beef,’’ it said.

The statement also said that the suspect revealed that changing their labels was to attract patronage to the Costa corned beef because it was a faster moving brand than the name Costa in the market.

It said that Mr Shaba Mohammed, the leader of the NAFDAC team, who addressed journalists shortly after the exercise, revealed that the agency had been on the trail of the alleged owner of the factory following intelligence report on his activities in the market.

Mohammed, an Assistant Director, Enforcement Operations, had also revealed that the suspect, who also claimed to be the managing director of the factory, was caught re-validating the expiry dates of Maggi Arome sauce and Amoy Soy sauce. ``These products were smuggled into the country from Ghana and the expiry dates of 2014 shifted to August 2016,’’ he said.

According to him, the products expired since August 15, 2014. ``We have arrested the suspect and also evacuated the remaining products in the illegal factory. We are also charging him for counterfeiting. Some of the products were not registered by NAFDAC. ``What we found on ground here can-

Orhii

not be consumed. We saw two drums filled with ordinary water which he uses to immerse the products and the labels will remove without any traces and are replaced with re-validated labels,’’ Mohammed was quoted as saying.

51

He lamented that most of the re-validated products had been pushed into the market for unsuspecting consumers to buy. ``Consuming such products could lead to terminal diseases such as liver and kidney diseases which are currently on the rise in the country. ``The sauces are sodium-based products that could lead to hypertension if consumed,’’ Mohammed was quoted as saying.

He said that the suspect would be arraigned in court where the products evacuated would be used as exhibits against him.

“Every single thing that is here is dangerous to human health,’’ the statement claimed.

NAN recalls that the agency in its determination to ensure stringent punishment for counterfeiters is currently reviewing its laws with a view to making convicted counterfeiters of drug and food products spend the rest of their lives in jail.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, had declared that the current law, which stipulated a fine of N500, 000 or 15-year jail term upon conviction, was inadequate.

According to Orhii, the new law will also make counterfeiting a non bail-able offence, adding that a whistleblower clause was also included in the new proposal.

(NAN)

Kidnapper begs to be in DSS detention to cool brain Chris Njoku Owerri

A

notorious kidnapper , Henry Chibueze a.k.a Vampire, stunned the public when he pleaded with the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to allow him remain in the State Security Services (SSS) detention for some years to cool his brain having been involved in over 300 kidnapping operations across the country.

It took several weeks to arrest the dare devil kidnapper as he had been killing his victims at the slightest suspicion of Police involvement.

Vampire was arrested in a house of a close relation at Ohafia, Abia State, along with others comprising two women, a native doctor, named Dan Elengi, who was said to be the proprietor of a popular hotel at Ohii in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, and a runaway Boko Haram soldier, Akeem Bello from Kwara State.

Vampire, (28), who hails from Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State operated from Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, where he lived with his Cameroonian wife. He returned to the state to carry out a kidnap operation on tribunal judges handling election petitions in Imo State, but luck ran out on him as he was injured in a gun duel with security agencies though he escaped with the gun shot.

He told Governor Okorocha who subjected him and other suspects to a rigorous interrogation one after another at the DSS office, Owerri, that he collected a whopping sum of N110 million from one of his victims in Rivers State, and

…after killing three brothers, girlfriend, monarch’s wife

thereafter murdered him.

He admitted that he needed to cool his brain after he had kidnapped over 300 people and murdered many of his victims including his girlfriend, a teacher at Father Ede Secondary School, who he accused of stealing his N45 million.

“I only killed a monarch’s wife in Imo State, my girlfriend I killed her because she stole my N45 million after I opened a super market for her in Aba, Abia State.

“Oga I don’t want them to release me now. They should keep me for several years here to cool my brain,” he begged the governor.

He told the governor who demanded to know if he could surrender all his money and property to the public particularly

to the poor, that the money he made was used to care for less privileged. “Oga the money I make is given to poor people; I don’t have a house as I have sold the one I had at World Bank to solve a problem. I no get any account,” he said.

He accused the proprietor of the hotel, Dan Elengi, of keeping guns for them in his hotel, adding that the man collected N50 million as part of his share in a kidnapping deal that involved the killing of a victim in Rivers State.

Although the proprietor of the hotel denied ever collecting money from Vampire, he admitted that Vampire used to bring cloths and jewelries to his hotel to sell to customers.

“I never collected money from him. I

even drove my wife and closed her shop because she defended him when I told her that I suspected his behaviour. I was annoyed with my wife because she said I wanted to drive away her customer,” the hotel owner said He also disclosed that the runaway soldier, Akeem Bello, used to drive him in his car each time he wanted to buy food for his kidnapped victims, adding that on two occasions, he paid him N500, 000 for each trip each.

He however, exonerated his elder brother’s pregnant wife, of knowing that he was involved in kidnapping business just as the nurse who was picked up for treating his gunshot wound claimed she never knew it was a gun shot wound.

Man, 40, docked for allegedly dumping toddler at police station

A

40-year-old man, Abdulhamid Yunus, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly dumping a child at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Police Station.

The accused who resides at Anifowose in Ikeja, Lagos State, is facing a three count-charge of child abandonment, disorderly conduct and disobedience to lawful order issued by a constituted authority.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the accused had on July 31 at 9 p.m., brought an aban-

doned toddler to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Police Station.

The prosecutor told the court that the baby that Yunus brought to the station belonged to an alleged female-suspect that had been in the police custody.

Yunus who allegedly claimed to be a relative of the female-suspect said that he had been responsible for the upkeep of the baby till then. ``The accused abandoned the toddler at the police station with the excuse that he could no longer care for the child while the mother was in the police custody.

“Yunus in a disorderly manner and

without regard for the safety of the child, flung the child to the floor at the station.

“He, thus, disobeyed the police order not to abandon the child at the police station; thus causing a scene in the station’s ‘charge-room’ and disrupted police processes,’’ he said .

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 123, 166 and 247 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, in her ruling granted Yunus bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to Sept. 17 for mention.

52

CRIME WATCH

August 8, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Troops recover cattle, goats from rustlers

Goats recovered from rustlers

N

igerian troops yesterday made startling discovery while combing and clearing terrorists in and around Dikwa, Borno State.

In the development, during a cordon and search operation in Jakana village, the troops of 7 Division Garrison recovered 15 cows, 174 goats and a donkey from rustlers.

Cattle recovered

The animals have since been handed over to their identified legitimate owners.

The rustlers were apprehended and are currently undergoing investigation.

Similarly, troops at Jehu near Jakana, arrested Mai Mustapha, a fuel supplier to Boko Haram terrorists and Madu, who coordinates buying of food items from neigh-

bouring villages for the terrorists.

Additionally, Nigerian troops Thursday morning blocked Boko Haram fighters that attacked Dumbuluwa village in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State.

During the operation, the troops discovered pile of street lamps poles cut into pieces by Boko Haram terrorists, which

NAFDAC arraigns businessman over importation of unregistered products Wale Igbintade

A

businessman, Okeke Victor Ebuke, was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court, in Lagos, over alleged importation of unregistered food products into the country.

The accused, a resident of 126, Ago palace way, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have on or about July 20, 2015, at B66 Jigawa Plaza, Balogun Business Association, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, imported unregistered processed food which includes

Amoy Soy Sauce Dark; Maggi Arome Assaisonment Seasoning; and Jade Bridge Superior Dark Soy Sauce.

NAFDAC’s prosecutor, Mr. Kumar Shamaki, informed the court that the said food products are unfit for human consumption. Adding that the accused falsely labelled the imported food products.

The offence according to the Mr. Shamaki are contrary sections 1, 1(b), 5(a) of the Food and Drugs Act. Cap. F32, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under section 6(1) (a), 17(1), and 3(1) of the same Act.

The accused however pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

Upon the plea of the accused, the prosecutor while applied for a date for trial, urged the court to remand the accused person in prisons custody.

Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Idris, ordered the accused to be remanded in prisons custody, while adjourned the trial till September 20.

Justice Idris, however stated that the court will look into the accused’s bail application if filed before the trial date.

Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Musa, who was then the head of operations, defrauded the bank of N101, 707,000, Usman and Suleiman, both tellers connived to defraud the bank of N6, 627,500 and N6, 267,500 respectively.

“The crimes were committed between 2008 and 2010. They had at different times debited the bank’s customers by carrying out unauthorized withdrawals.

“They were arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the bank’s management, after several customers lodged complaints alleging fraudulent deductions from their bank accounts. They had backed up their claims with various documentary evidence – stamped deposits and investment certificates.

“After five years of trial, Justice Mairi-

ga, having been convinced by the evidence brought before him by the prosecuting counsel, Aisha Habib, found the ex-bankers guilty of the charges.”

The trial judge said: “By considering the amount involved and weight of evidence presented before the court by the prosecution, which was never challenged by the defence, it shows that their wrongful act caused a great injury to the bank.

“I therefore, find the accused persons guilty as charged, and so convict and sentence them to 55 years, seven years and 29 years imprisonment respectively without an option of fine, with the jail term to serve concurrently.”

The judge also ordered the convicts to return the stolen money to the bank.

Ex-bankers bag 91 years jail term over N114.6million fraud

A

high court in Kebbi State has jailed three former bankers over fraud put at N114.6 million. The convicts, who were jailed by Justice Ibrahim Mairiga, include Suleiman Ibrahim Musa, Bilyaminu Usman and Lawal Suleiman.

They were convicted on 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, theft and criminal breach of trust brought against them by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently sentenced to 91 years in prison.

The convicts, who were former staff of FinBank Plc (acquired by First City Monument Bank Plc in 2011), Birnin-Kebbi branch in Kebbi State, were first arraigned on July 21, 2010, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A statement by the Head of Media and

they use in making Improvised Explosives Devices.

The gallant soldiers killed eight terrorists.

Man arraigned for attempting to kill wife

A

man was arraigned on attempted murder charges on Thursday before a Katsina Senior Magistrates’ Court following allegation that he attacked his ex-wife with matchet in her current matrimonial home.

The suspect, Ibrahim Ashiru, who resides in Sabuwar Unguwa area of Rimi Local Government, Katsina State, allegedly committed the offence on June 20, 2014.

It was alleged that he sneaked into the house of Muhammad Aminu, his ex-wife’s husband around 2.00am, attacked the couple with matchet and inflicted serious injuries on them(file image).

The police prosecutor, Inspector Hashimu Musa, told the court that the accused was aggrieved that his former wife had married another person after he dumped her.

He said that the offence was contrary to sections 351, 229 (1) and 247 of the penal code law.

The Magistrate, Hajiya Nafisa Bagiwa, said that the court would not take the plea of the accused as it had no jurisdiction to do so.

Bagiwa said that since the matter involved attempted murder, the police should carry out investigation and forward the case file to the Ministry of Justice for advice.

She adjourned the matter to September 1 for mention and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

August 8, 2015

Investing in table wine

S

trategies for national economic survival dictate drastic economic reforms. One of such reforms is to discourage mass importation of foreign products and look inwards towards producing those goods that can be easily produced internally.

This will reduce drastically the pressure mounted on demand for foreign exchange.

We all know that a nation that relies wholly on other countries for its needs will never grow.

It is also a known fact that government cannot provide all the needed employment to school leavers and graduates if industries are not established, not by government but by individual investors. The only role government can play is to protect the local industries by passing favorable laws to that effect, provide an enabling business environment and offering adequate international relations.

To ensure the survival of our great country, the President and his Economic team banned the importation of some items into this country. The government felt that there are some products that can be comfortably produced in the country.

Thus Nigerians have been consistently advised to embrace industrial production, local sourcing of raw materials, import substitution and export promotion. This is the only way this country can move forward. The president has not relented in his efforts to see that Nigeria economy wears a new look.

The whole nation must support him to achieve all his objectives.

I strongly believe that the benefits of his economic reforms will not be reaped in a short term, but in a very long term if vigorously pursued. From our detailed investment analysis carried out, there are still some products that can be produced easily in this country, yet they are massively imported. One of such products is table wine.

Table wine production should fall in line with the above economic goals all the required inputs for its production can be locally sourced.

Importance and Uses of Product Wine is a non- alcoholic beverage popular among the upper and the middle class. It is served at ceremonies and social gatherings such as weddings, outings, naming ceremonies, house-warming, parties and night clubs.

In recent times, table wine has gained wide acceptance owing to its low alcoholic content. It is also a known fact that some brands have medicinal properties. Thus owing to changing lifestyles, drinking habits and health reasons, wine is now generally taken in preference to beer and other spirits.

As such, it is now widely consumed by many households. It is also served in hotels,

restaurants, and aircraft among others.

From market survey carried out, there is an excellent local market, hence some businessmen in Nigeria have continued to import wine from the U.S.A and other European countries to the detriment of our national economy.

Possibility of running this project in Nigeria From all indications, wine can easily be produced in Nigeria since the raw materials, manpower and other required inputs can easily be sourced in the country.

The only thing lacking in Nigeria is the standard machines and part of the equipment required for production. These machines can easily be imported from technologically advanced countries into this country.

Already there are some foreign manufacturers of these machines that are located in Nigeria that can supply these machines. Some of them will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

This project can be established in any part of the country, both in the rural and urban settings.

Those that Can Invest Although anybody can go into this business, but people into water and fruit juice/ drinks bottling are mostly favored.

Some of those importers can easily travel to overseas countries, procure the machines and install them in this country.

State and local governments can also set up this project in their areas to generate employment.

Those that have investment funds, but do not know where to invest them can consult the writer for further clarifications.

Those that have fruit plantations but do not know how to process their products to more valuable and marketable products should contact the writer for further discussions. This project is for everybody.

Raw Material Requirements Raw materials for table wine production include grains like maize or wheat and fruits such as sweet orange, citrus, grape, cashew, paw-paw, pineapple, mango and cocoa. Others include tubers such as carrot and potatoes and other additives.

All these are 100 per cent locally available. The choice of raw material depends on the envisaged brand of wine.

Water is a common input which accounts for up to 70 per cent.

Plants, Machinery and Equipment Machinery and equipment include the crusher, juice extractor, liquor digester, fermentation tank, strainer, filler, corking machine and weighing scale. Auxiliary equipment includes knives, hydrometer and Plastic/glass containers and buckets.

Again, all these are locally available. Most of these machines are manufactured by foreign companies based in Nigeria.

Production Process Production process involves raw materials sourcing, selection, cleaning, peeling crushing and extraction. Other steps include digestion, cooling, straining, fermentation, ageing, clarification, pasteurization and bottling.

Production may be diversified to include three brands, one each for local consumption, special export and sacrament.

Details will be shown in the project feasibility report.

Capacity The envisaged machinery has a capacity for 1,250 liters of wine per day.

Operating at 50% capacity level, a total of 156,250 litters will be produced in 250 working days per annum. The capacity can also be increased if the promoter wants.

A smaller version of the plant which produces 500 liters per shift may be fabricated for small-scale investors.

Marketing Strategies 60 per cent of which will be sold to the dealers while 10 per cent will be sold directly to religious organizations as

sacrament wine for Holy Communion. The remaining 30 per cent can be exported to other African sub-regions.

Estimated Cost of Project and Funding An estimated sum of N21.1million (as shown below) will be enough to commence the project. From pre-investment analysis carried out, the returns on investment is about 72%.Total projected revenue will be N58.7Million in the first two years. This figure will increase to about N85.5Million in the 5th year of operation.

The project will yield a first year net profit of N25.3 million.

The payback period is about 2years with a very hard working and experience manpower. The project is very viable and highly profitable.

Some financial institutions to be recommended will provide the necessary funds if the proposal is supported with a bankable feasibility report Project Estimated Cost The actual cost of establishing the project will be determined after conducting comprehensive feasibility studies on the project. However, from our preliminary studies, the takeoff cost is as follows-

Estimated Project Cost (N’000) Pre-investments 520 Space rent (variable) 1200 Plant and Machinery 8000 Fixtures and Fittings 250 Capital Utilities 2000 Project Vehicle 2500 Working Capital (start-up) 5000 Contingency margin 2000 Total Investment 21,470

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rev. Sisters dedicate Old Peoples’ Home

T

he Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Sisters on Thursday commissioned their newly constructed old people’s home at Nkpor, Anambra State.

In her welcome address at the event, the Superior-General of the congregation, Mother Mary Claude Oguh, thanked God for the successful completion of the project. She said the project, Mater Christus Home for Old Sisters, was conceived many years ago, but could not be materialised until the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, breathe life into it through his moral and financial support. She noted that Mr. Obi visited the project many times even after he left office.

The Superior-General, who thanked others for their contributions to the project, also appealed to the people to continue to support its maintenance at all times.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Dennis Isizor, who blessed and dedicated the building, said it was to the greater glory of

54

August 8, 2015

God. In his goodwill message, Mr. Peter Obi, who was accompanied by two of his former commissioners, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna and Engr.

Patrick Obi, as well as Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, described the conception of the project as visionary. He said he would continue to assist in its maintenance in line with his belief that the elderly are critical component of the society, who, having devoted their productive years to the service of the country, need great care and compassion.

Speaking further, Obi said he had to fly in the same day to attend the event because of how important the aged are to the society. He recalled that as the former Governor of Anambra State, he paid some old people above 75 years, who were not pensioners nor had any means of assistance N5, 000 every month. He also said that his government spent close to N40 billion to settle arrears of pension and gratuities owed state workers since 1999.

“I made sure that those that retired from service got their entitlements in three months,” he said.

SOUTH EAST

Enugu designs rural based economic policy Dennis Agbo ENUGU

T

he Enugu State Government has commenced the design of a rural base economic policy and industrial development, as a measure to curb economic starvation in rural communities.

The Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Obinna Mbaeke, disclosed this while unfolding the new government’s road map to reduce

poverty in the state during a meeting with staff of the ministry.

Mbaeke identified poverty as one of the challenges ravaging rural communities, blaming the development on deficiency of basic amenities and infrastructure.

He noted that government’s attention had been drawn to the issue, and promised that the state government was determined to expand rural economy.

The commissioner pointed out that macro

and micro industrial interventions and other poverty alleviation measures would be established in rural areas to curb ruralurban migration.

He also noted that the ministry was studying the challenges in accessing state government loan in various micro-finance banks meant for small and medium enterprises with a view to making it reliable.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Anthony Ogbu, explained that a feasibility stud-

ies had been carried out in the three senatorial districts to ascertain the challenges, and map out the way forward.

Ogbu called on the people to avail themselves of the opportunity, and key into some of the ministry’s economic programs.

Some directors in the ministry expressed the determination of the staff towards driving the policy to a logical conclusion.

The members of staff were also advised to be proactive in meeting the demand of the day.

FAAC rates Anambra high in IPSAS compliance Eric Elezuo

A

nambra State has been ranked the best among the states of the Southeast, and 4th among the states of the Federation, which have successfully adopted and complied with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

This is contained in a recent report published by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), which scored Anambra high among the states that have complied and domesticated the National Charts of Accounts and Development of Accounting Policies and Procedures in the coun-

try.

The report further revealed that Anambra State not only took the first position amongst States in the South East Geo-Political zone, but was also one of the four states in the Federation that were able to generate general purpose financial statements, statistical reports and multi-year budgets from their general ledger.

With this latest ranking, Anambra State has demonstrated in practical and concrete terms its resolve to embrace accountability and transparency in governance hence, the influx of development partners and other multi-national organisations to the state.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Dennis Isizor( middle), with the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi ( right) and the Superior General of the congregation of Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Sisters, Mother Mary Claude Oguh(left) during the blessing and dedication of the congregation’s Mater Christus Old people’s home at Nkpor

Mass defection hits Anambra PDP as 1000 members join APGA

O

ver 1,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, during the week, defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

This was witnessed during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected members of APGA state executive committee in the state capital, Awka.

Some of the defectors cited the seamless bickering and crises rocking the party in the state as some of the reasons for their defection.

Speaking at the occasion, the APGA National chairman, Dr. Victor Ike-Oye, welcomed the defectors, and assured them of a level playing ground.

According to the chairman, the formal swearing-in of the new

leadership of the party was to give them legal backing, which will enable them to function smoothly as contained in the party’s constitution.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, who went biblical, described the event as ‘Pentecost’ in tune with the events of Pentecost of first century in Jerusalem.

He, therefore, urged the new leadership of the party to perform their duties with boldness and conviction, while putting the interests of the party first in all their endeavours.

He further demanded unity and love among party members, adding that it should be their watchword while pledging to contribute his own quota as and when opportunity calls.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

August 8, 2015

SOUTH SOUTH

Wike assents to anti-kidnapping bill Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

R Cocoa farms destroyed by flood from an abandoned dam at Okubuchi Irruan Boki, in Cross River State on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the new antikidnapping law passed by the State Assembly, will help in checking the rising wave of crime in the state.

He spoke on Friday,

INC leadership crisis deepens Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

T

he leadership crisis rocking the Ijaw National Congress, INC has deepened, following the alleged suspension of the President of the body, Chief Boma Obuoforibo as a result of which a mild drama occurred at the secretariat of the foremost Ijaw body yesterday.

It was gathered that Obuoforibo allegedly ordered one of his aides to lock up the offices as well as the gate of the secretariat so as to prevent a panel set up by the congress to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct against him from sitting.

The situation was however put under control by a team of armed

policemen drafted to the venue of the sitting.

Addressing newsmen, acting president of INC, Mr. Charles Ambaiowe, condemn the action of the suspended president of the congress in ordering that the secretariat of the INC be locked up.

Ambaiowe explained he had invited the police to unlock the gate in order to allow the panel that would look into allegations of gross misconduct against Obuoforibo sit, adding that the suspended president was expected at the sitting, but refused to honour the invitation by the panel.

According to him, “This morning, we had a slight incident. Late last night, the suspended president decided to take certain precipitate action in the sense that instructions

were passed to our confidential secretary in the office and to the gatemen that they should lock up every area of the offices as well as the gate.

“They were also told to leave the premises and that, directly meant that he (Obuoforibo) was trying to forestall this panel from gaining entrance into the INC secretariat to do its job.

I think that was appalling,” Ambaiowe said.

He dismissed the claim

by Obuoforibo that he was still in charge of the INC, adding that the constitution of the apex Ijaw body supports that the vice president takes over in the absence of a president.

“There is no ambiguity on who is the leader of Ijaw National Congress as of today. First of all, you may refer to Article 15b (of INC Constitution). It clearly says that in the case of the absence from office of the president of the congress, the vice president shall

automatically function as acting president.

“If Barrister Boma Obuoforibo, the suspended president chooses to delude himself that he is still the INC president and that he is still in charge, then his case amounts to impunity and recalcitrance.

Earlier, Obuoforibo had insisted that he remained the INC president and dismissed claims that he had been suspended from his position.

Describing those claiming that he has been suspended as dissident members of the INC, Obuoforibo said in a telephone interview with Saturday mirror that his purported suspension was only in the imagination of such members.

According to him, “I remain the President of the Ijaw National Congress and I have not been suspended. Those that made such allegation must prove that I used falsified

document.

“My purported suspension is only in the imagination of some treacherous elements within the National Executive Council, who see INC as a platform for the pursuit of self-interest rather than the collective interest of the Ijaw ethnic nationality,” Obuoforibo said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the panel, Chief Awortu told our reporter that the panel would be fair to all parties involved in the crisis.

“You know the INC is the foremost organization of the Ijaw people worldwide.

Like such well organized bodies, when there is a crisis of this nature a panel is usually set up.

“Therefore, the panel was set up to look into the crisis presently in the INC and we have invited the parties involved to appear before us. We are a panel and we will be fair to all,” Awortu said.

New 4 Brigade Commander resumes Sebastine Ebhuomhan

A

new helmsman this week, assumed office as the Commander of 4 Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Benin City, Edo State.

He is BrigadierGeneral Faruk Yahaya, who replaced BrigadierGeneral Olajide Olaleye.

His appointment followed President

Muhammadu Buhari’s recent shake-up of Service Chiefs and the appointment of MajorGeneral Tukur Yusuf Buratai as the new Chief of Army Staff.

In a press release from the office of Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain J. E. Unuakhalu and made available to Saturday Mirror,

the army stated that “The new Commander assumed duty on Wednesday, 5 August, 2015 at Headquarters of 4 Brigade of Nigeria Army as the 35th Brigade Commander after the Handing and Taking Over procedures.”

“He is a seasoned infantry officer who rose to the rank of Brigadier-

General in the Nigeria Army after completing all statutory courses and examinations. He participated in several operations in and outside the country and served in various units and formations in the Nigeria Army. Until his appointment, he was the Principal General Officer at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja,” the

55

statement added.

“In view of this development, you are pleased requested to disseminate this information to the general public. While we look forward to your usual cooperation, please, accept the assurances and warmest regards of the Commander,” the statement concluded.

when he gave his assent to the bills on: Rivers State Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori ( Amendment) Law, 2015. Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Amendment Law, 2015, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No.4 of 2015 passed by the State legislature.

He said with the law becoming operational, criminals convicted for kidnapping and accessories to kidnap will forfeit their assets, funds and proceeds from kidnap.

He said: “I am happy to assent to this antikidnapping bill as it will help the security agencies in their fight against kidnappers and their sponsors.”

On the Rivers State Kenule Beeson SaroWiwa Polytechnic, Bori ( Amendment) Law, 2015, Governor Wike said the renaming of the school became necessary because of the contributions of Saro-Wiwa to the development of the state.

He said that the third bill he assented to titled, ‘Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No.4 of 2015’ is aimed at returning dignity and respect to the traditional institutions.

The governor said that there was no reason why the State Traditional Institution should be politicized while commending the State Assembly for always putting the interest of the state first in their consideration of bills.

Presenting the three laws to the governor for assent, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Amaehule said, the three laws are vital to the good governance of the state.

Speaker of the House, Mr Ikunyi Ibani assured the people of the state that the Assembly will continue to partner with the Executive for the development of the state.

Quote

of

the

day

It was unfortunate that some elements were frustrating the efforts. We even had to query some suppliers for the delay in the delivery of arms and ammunition.

—Immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd), on the situation of Nigeria’s arms.

Saturday, August 8, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

The strategy before the business

O

ne of the major reasons businesses fail is lack of proper understanding of the strategic agenda of the business or the corporation. Today’s CEOs often do not articulate appropriate strategy for their businesses. They, more often than not, underestimate the importance of strategic thinking and knowledge.

Regrettably, many CEOs have not attended even one single lecture on strategy. No university offers Strategy as a discipline. The subject may just be mentioned as a topic in one of the courses. Ask the teacher where he studied what he is teaching and he will tell you …

In military schools for instance, we understand the subject is often mentioned and taught. However, we can only hope the teaching is current and based on current materials of international standards that can produce the desired results.

The importance of Strategy cannot be overemphasised, for everybody needs strategy to succeed.

Indeed, it appears that everyone’s assignment today is finding appropriate strategy to maintain life.

If one fails in life or business, the main reason can be attributed to lack of good strategy. It is not sufficient to find strategy. It is important to look for a good strategy to navigate very difficult situations or to get a pleasant life.

What is Strategy? This is a question everyone thinks he has an answer to. But when you ask them to speak, they will tell you things like ‘Strategy is what I am doing,’ or ‘Strategy is to be clever,’ or vaguer still, ‘Strategy is strategy’!

In one of my meetings with top management staff of one of our companies, I asked a senior manager to define ‘Strategy.’ He said ‘Strategy is something strategic’!

Everybody was laughing. I asked him what his position was in the company. He told me he was the Head of Strategy Development. I asked the CEO to sack him. The CEO redeployed him as Deputy Re-

CFR

T oday’s CEO s

often do not

articulate appropriate strategy for their businesses .

T hey,

more

often than not , underestimate the importance of strategic thinking and knowledge gional Director! It sounds like promotion. What do we do? Lord, help us!

When the Head of Department of Strategy in a company cannot define Strategy and he is promoted to the position of Regional Director, despite the fact that the CEO is aware of his shortcoming, as well as the administration department that did the redeployment, how do you expect that company to move forward?

This is another example of the challenge of inadequate knowledge of the subject known as Strategy.

There is no way a company can move forward if it does not understand or have a strategy. The CEO of that company told me that the supposed Head of Department of Strategy Development has over 20 years of industry experience. To me, it is 20 years of spreading Ebola Management Virus (EMV) across different corporations. I am doing a diagnostic review of the previous institutions where the officer worked before he joined our organisation.

Preliminary report is regrettable.

For example, one of the companies where he previously worked hardly breaks even, despite having been in existence for 60 years!

Strategy can be defined as: “The act of effective allocation of resources to achieve specific goals.”

No one appears to have defined Strategy better than Professor Alfred Chandler, who defined Strategy as: “The determination of the long-term goals of an enterprise, the adoption of courses of action, and the allocation of resources for achieving these goals.”

The key issues in the definition are ‘determination,’ ‘long term goals,’ ‘course of action,’ ‘allocation of resources,’ and ‘achieving these goals.’

Reflecting on those definition keys shows that if everything is available without determination, there is no need to get started, as we may not be able to achieve these goals. Little or some kind of determination will not lead anyone to achieving those goals.

God the creator appears to have revealed to us through the Bible how much of such determination we need to achieve a goal. In Corinthians 9: 24-27, the Bible says: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain.”

The questions to ask are: Are we running in a form that the run can achieve the goal? Will this determination currently in place ever lead us to our destination? We must not lose sight of the fact that we are not the only ones who want to achieve the goal, so our run or determination must be strong and resolute.

There is joy in the spirit of never giving up. The price is golden.

Even the Creator attests to this in Galatians 6: 9. “….And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.”

What management needs is continuous determination that is resolute to succeed. It is, however, important to note that determination may not produce immediate result.

Determination must mature before it can produce the desired result.

In strategic studies, we have located at least six key factors that can assist in sustaining the determination that is much needed to succeed in achieving these goals.

We usually call them the ‘Six Ps of strategy.’ They are Plan, Position, Ploy, Pattern, Philosophy and Process. We do hear CEOs saying correspondingly: “We Plan to expand our business this year; our strategy is to Position ourselves for new acquisitions; we also Ploy to deter entry by aggressive take over; we Pattern our growth on the emerging markets; we shall pursue our Philosophy of customer first; and in the Process, we will do everything our stakeholders want us to do, for we count on their loyalty.”

It appears we use those ‘Six Ps of Strategy’ unconsciously most times.

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Editor: GBEMISOLA OLUJOBI. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos.

Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Ondo State. ISSN 0794-232X.