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Doubts over viability of Vision 2020

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Tribunal sacks Ishaku, declares Alhassan gov

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…‌judgement, product of executive manipulation, PDP alleges INEC captures additional 99,281 voters for Bayelsa, Kogi polls P.9 U-17 Final: Buhari urges Golden Eaglets to bring World Cup home P.8

Minister-designate and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Taraba, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, acknowledging cheers from her supporters after the election tribunal declared her winner of the 2015 Taraba governorship election, in Abuja, yesterday.

4 siblings killed as building collapses in Lagos

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Biafra: PDP cautions Buhari, APC of danger ahead News

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Pain, anger trail collapse of Enugu bridge

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What ’s new Politics

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Senate Committees: To everyone, something

Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK November 8, 2015

DSS places Dasuki under house arrest again

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, Alhaji Mahmoud Magagi, Ahmed Raji and Saka Abimbola Isah, leading the legal team of Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his trial over false assets declaration yesterday staged a walk out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja saying, they will not be party to illegality.

The angry lawyers in company of about 100 others withdrew their services in the prosecution of Saraki by the Federal Government immediately after the Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar, ruled that he would not stay trial in spite of the pending appeal at the Supreme Court.

BVN use for forex transactions not risky –CBN

African women are endowed with good looks –Siaka Nimet Wellness

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Excessive alcohol causes hepatitis, can damage liver –Doctors

Hepatitis is one of the life-threatening diseases that have continued to ravage the human race. In recent times, it has been on the increase. According to findings, some people contract it through exposure to industrial organic solvents and plants while others unfortunately bring the ailment upon themselves through the habit of consuming ex-

cessive alcohol.

Even at that, the poor habit exhibited by these habitual drinkers has not prevented the efforts of experts in the field to carry out researches into the import of the ailment on infected people. They continue to hammer on the dangers of too much alcohol intake while discovering drugs that could abate the damage caused by the disease.

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday urged banks and other financial institutions ’ customers providing their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for foreign exchange (forex) and other transactions to discountenance rumours about risks associated with volunteering their BVN for such transactions, saying

there is no security risk doing so.

The apex bank made the clarification following information reaching it that some customers were reluctant in disclosing their BVN to authorised dealers and buyers because of claims that there are attendant risks to the disclosure.

1982 and amended last in 1992.

The lawmaker noted that Section 6 (1) (b) of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Act, Cap R7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 prescribes for a certain committee within the agency to review the allocation formula from time to time so as to reflect current and contemporary realities.

Agunsoye expressed the worry that the effectiveness of the current applicable formula, which was over 30 years, would appear doubtful to reflect the realities facing the financial needs of the three tiers of government.

Be agents of change, President tells ministers designate President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked ministers-designat e to ensure they are the agents of change to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians.

In his remarks at the opening of a two-day retreat for members of the incoming cabinet held at the State House Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari noted that the ministersdesignate were privileged to have been chosen to serve as drivers of change.

The retreat with the theme: “Delivering Change: From Precepts to Practice ” was organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. Buhari said in his re-

marks before the retreat went into a closed door session that the expectations of Nigerians from his administration were high.

The president said: “We must count ourselves privileged to have been chosen among millions of our compatriots at this historic time to be the instruments that will deliver the change we have promised.

“The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense. The expectations of Nigerians are high. Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge ”.

Evaezi Ogoro MUSICIAN AND AN ACTRESS

N5,000 stipend: APC senators acting party ’s script –PDP Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says Wednesday ’s rejection by APC senators of the N5,000 monthly stipend, which they promised Nigerians during the electioneering campaign, underscores the monumental hypocrisy of their party in getting to power by means of deceit and false prom-

ises to Nigerians.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Thursday said the development was a clear confirmation of the fact that the APC was a party of hypocrites, who never had the intention of honouring any of their campaign promises.

Reps deny rift between Dogara, Gbajabiamila over committees House of Representatives yesterday denied there was rift between Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, over committees ’ allocation.

There has been insinuation of a cold war allegedly orchestrated by the Gbajabiamila camp following alleged grudges over committee allocations.

Sources claimed the Major-

ity Leader was alleged to have sustained the grudge, leading to the rejection of committees allocated to some of his supporters.

Indication to this emerged when Garba Dati, who was appointed to chair Solid Minerals Development, rejected it on the floor of the House, followed by Sunday Adepoju, who also rejected the deputy headship of his committee.

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Saraki ’s lawyers storm out of tribunal

House of Representatives yesterday told President Muhammadu Buhari to without further delay, submit proposal for a new revenue allocation formula to the National Assembly for further legislative action.

The resolution to this effect was sequel to a motion brought by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, calling for a new revenue allocation formula for the country.

Debating the motion on the floor of the House, Agunsoye recalled that the formula currently in use for the allocation of funds from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government was enacted in

I ’m sure you will expect me to say that I hold board meetings on Mondays with my staff. Far from that, because the life of an entertainer is unpredictable. Our time and energy are channeled to the latest projects we embark on.

This therefore makes my weekly schedules different. Being both a musician and an actress, my schedules are somewhat flexible to accommodate which side has more goings on at the moment. Having said this, I start my Mondays with prayers. Then I head to the gym. When I come back, I take my shower, after which I go to see some movie producers I have appointment with. When I ’m done with that, I now face my rehearsals which can keep me busy till the evening.

TUE

Passion

pectedly, almost everyone went home very satisfied.

The list of the Senate standing committees showed that there was something for everyone. Surprisingly, many new comers to the Senate (against the spirit of ranking) ended up chairing committees.

laundering.

However, just last Tuesday, he secured a relief from an Abuja federal high court, which directed DSS to release his international passport and other travel documents to enable him access to overseas medical facilities.

But operatives of DSS, in the early hours of the day, surrounded his house apparently to prevent him from travelling abroad.

My Tuesdays are somehow similar to my Mondays. I start the day with prayers and exercise. Then I ’m off to hold meeting with production crew and then pick some new scripts and go through them.

SUN SAT FRI THU WED

Many people had predicted a doomsday scenario for Senate President Bukola Saraki last Wednesday when the composition of the Senate standing committees was made public.

However, when he eventually dropped the list, it turned out to be a climax. Quite unex-

For the second time since he left office, the Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday raided the home of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and placed him under house arrest.

First arrested in July 1by the secret police, the Sokoto-born prince was charged to court with illegal possession of arms and money

Reps task Buhari on new revenue formula

Same with Monday and Tuesday, except that Wednesday is my shooting day, especially short films.

Today is what I call my cinema-watching day. I get my mind set for the weekend by going to the cinemas to watch good movies. After, I hang out with friends, especially at Open Mic Night As a musician, on Fridays, I do intensive rehearsals with my band. Later, I try to schedule meetings with my production crew for new projects.

If I don ’t have any event to attend, I try to keep myself busy with movies.

I watch a lot of movies, including mine. After, I would appear at women ’s empowerment programme; I do this often to empower women.

It is my resting day. I go to church and come back to rest. I ’m only out on Sundays if I have an important event to attend or if I ’m invited to perform which, of course, is work for me.

*By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

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Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Doubts over viability of Vision 2020 As Nigeria counts down to 2020, there are concerns as to whether the nation will achieve its objectives of being among the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. Paul OMO OBADAN, writes on how justifiable such concerns are.

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he success of any administration is determined largely by the level of economic planning and growth, with reference to its impact on the citizenry. The crave to achieve a high standard of living for the population of a nation drives it into achieving a high economic growth within a set time. Nations such as Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, achieved a high rate of economic growth in the early

1990s. Other countries such as India, Brazil, Russia and China with a vision set on targeted industrial strategies were able to achieve global recognition due to phenomenal rise in their economies.

In Africa, the careful long-term economic planning of a country such as South Africa under Nelson Mandela, gave rise to a higher national standard of living.

Nigeria, being a well endowed nation with human and

‘VARIOUS ANTI-GRAFT AGENCES SHOULD BE DE-POLITICISED’ 4

natural resources in abundancs, cannot be said to have had a steady economic growth and standard of living, since independence in 1960. A series of national development plans were inaugurated by successive governments, to define a suitable framework for socioeconomic development.

The First National Development Plan in Nigeria was between 1962 and 1968 while the second, was between 1970 and 1974. These plans were aimed at enhancing production, economic growth and at accelerating the post civil war reconstruction respectively. The Third National Development Plan to jump-start industrialisation through import substitution was between 1975 and 1980. A Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was equally introduced by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Similarly, Vision 2010 was introduced by his successor, late General Sani Abacha, in a bid to herald socio-economic prosperity for the nation. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘ACHIEVING THE VISION REQUIRES HARD WORK’

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The Big Read

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

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‘Various anti-graft agences should be de-politicised’

Obasanjo

Enakpene

Usman

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 administration of Olusegun Obasanjo introduced and implemented National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS) in 2003, to set the economy on the path of growth, while late President Umar Yar’adua, in a drive to consolidate on the efforts of his predecessors, stated that his administration’s economic growth, will be based on development and registering the presence of Nigeria among the top 20 economies of the world by 2020. This economic growth plan was tagged Vision 2020.

Vision 2020 is an off-shoot from the Obasanjo’s government. Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth and sets a great vision to be among the top 20 economies in the world by 2020 with a minimum GDP of $900 billion and a per capita income of no less than $4,000 per annum.

Nigeria’s economic potential is well recognised. It is the biggest economy in the West African sub region.

Given the country’s considerable resource endowment and coastal location there is potential for strong growth.

Yet Nigeria has realised very little of this potential. Previous efforts at planning and visioning were not sustained. The history of economic stagnation, declining welfare and social instability, has undermined development for most of the past 30 years.

The Nigerian economy is one of the most developed economies in Africa.

While many economic experts explained that the framework and strategies for economic growth and development in Nigeria for over three decades have been that of alignment and re-alignment, policy inconsistency and poor implementation, others said that government must diversify the economy into non-oil export sector to prevent over dependent on oil.

While serving as the Minister and Chairman of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman had also expressed doubts about the possibility of Nigeria being among the top 20 most developed economies by the year 2020.

In one of his briefings with the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja on the activities of his ministry, Usman said though the country was number 44 when the documentation of Vision 20:2020 commenced, he would be proud if it rises to number 25 by 2020.

“Where were we in 2009? We were number 44. By the end of 2011, we were number 36, this is progress. We made quite a lot of progress. In other areas, we have not.

I don’t want any of you to meet me in 2020 and say you are the one telling us that we are going to be among the top 20,” the minister had said.

“But what I am saying is that even if we are not among the 20 by that time, we were number 44 in 2009.

If by 2020 we are number 25, I will be a very proud man.

The reason is because we are consciously moving and

The Nigerian economy is one of the most developed economies in

Africa.

While many economic experts explained that the framework and strategies for economic growth and development in

Nigeria for over three

decades have been that of alignment and re-alignment, policy inconsistency and poor implementation, others said that government must diversify the economy into non-oil export sector to prevent over dependent on oil.

Yaradua

doing all the necessary things to move up there.

“It’s not saying we must be there. What it’s saying is if we get there, then these are the actions we must need to take as a country. We must do this and that in governance, in human development, in infrastructure.

That is what the document is saying and we are actually taking those steps and if we are, what progress are we making?”

According to John Obe Enakpene, a public affairs analyst, he looks at the Vision 2020 from a positive angle and says government should rectify certain anomalies and embrace continuity. These constraints include vandalisation of government installations, corruption, lack of basic infrastructure, and insecurity.

These setbacks have come in the form of destruction to petroleum pipelines, electricity installations and gas plants. The result has been explosions and fires that have resulted in mass killing of product thieves and innocent people. Power generation has also suffered greatly from these illegal actions. Corruption is another challenge. The various anti graft agencies could be totally depoliticized, and the anti-graft agency could extend its dragnet beyond the apprehension and prosecution of offenders.

Insecurity should be tackled headlong. The rate of armed robbery, fraudulent activities and kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria. Not to talk of the siege of Boko Haram which is being curtailed today.

According to him, “Government should embrace continuity in implementing national development plans of past governments. However, outside the petroleum sector, the economy is underdeveloped and it suffers primarily due to the country’s deficiencies in basic infrastructure. Widespread poverty, unskilled labor, and lack of industrial resources are also big challenges for Nigeria.

The government’s “Vision 20:2020” Plan seeks to position Nigeria as one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. However ambitious the goal is in reaching a $900 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020, the challenge remains to lay the foundation for industrial competitiveness through development of adequate infrastructure, economic models, technical training, and professional experience. Sound fiscal management will be required to maintain low interest and inflation rates, enabling industries to prosper and hire workers which in turn will create taxable revenue for the government and contribute to the stability of the naira.

‘Nation must focus on poverty reduction’ Maxwell Ojelede, an economist argues that reducing the level of poverty and infrastructural development is critical to achievement of vision 2020.

“When you want to reduce poverty you look at what other countries that have succeeded in reducing poverty have done,” he stated.

As witnessed in the BRICS nations, to rank among top economies in the world, two aspects of poverty – income poverty and human poverty- must be reduced drastically Reducing human poverty, according to Ojelede, involves making sure that citizens have access to basic CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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‘Vision 20:2020 must not die’ The principal consultant of Lonadek Consultants and initiator of Vision 2020: Youth Empowerment and Restorative Initiative, Dr. Ibilola Amao sheds more light on the need to keep the vision 2020 dream alive in this interview with PAUL OMO OBADAN The present Buhari led APC Government seem to be paying lips service to Vision 2020. What is your take on that?

Firstly, I implore President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow Vision: 20:2020 to die. The current administration of President Buhari came to power through a system of meritocracy and so must not look back on any mission or vision that is beneficial to the nation irrespective of who initiated it. The nation needs go to back to the drawing board to mobilise her teeming unemployed youth who constitute hope of the nation and has all the energy, zeal and the passion to drive the I call on all tiers of government and authorities or individuals who could influence government positively not to allow that noble vision of the FG to die prematurely since a nation must invest in the future to be great.

Can you tell us more about Vision 2020: Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative?

Since inception in 2006, Vision 2020: Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative, every year holds two workshops for senior students in secondary schools from where it selects the best for its summer camp with the sole motive of building capacities who will become industry experts especially in the oil and gas industry from 2020 when the initiative terminates. In line with the country’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world, Lonadek Oil and Gas Consultant, has successfully organized a summer retreat camp for young professionals selected from different secondary schools in Lagos state and its environ.

The youth initiative, which commenced in 2006, tagged: Vision 2020, Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative, has over the years enjoyed the collaboration of major stakeholders in the economy including oil and gas sector and the government, with the aim of promoting and developing science and technologybased young professionals. This is parts of measure to bridge the gap created by lack of career guidance and counseling among Nigerian youths.

The initiative hopes to help form the creative minds that will make Nigeria, a top 20 country by the year 2020. It also focuses on career counseling, industry awareness and youth empowerment initiative, in order to address the deteriorating educational standard and poor value system and other society challenges that have encompass the country.

How are you funded?

I also call on Governor Ambode of Lagos State to also sustain the private sector/public sector initiative on education which immediate past Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) began because of its positive impact on education in the State. Out of the 45 students who participated at the 2015 camp exercise only two students made it from the private schools unlike in 2006 when we began and when it was dominated by students from private schools.

The ultimate aim of the Vision 2020 is to increase the Nige-

Ibilola

rian Content in the service industry, by training more Nigerians professionals and vocational between now and year 2020. I believe that the appropriate investment in the capacity, capability and competence development of our youths most especially in the area of science and technology in the country can strategically become the primary supplier of global skilled resources to the science and technology driven industries.

Our goal is to build the capacity of Nigerians, Nigerian companies, businesses and vendors to make them more competent and capable to provide quality goods and services in the oil and gas industry. in tandem with that of the Federal Government, to encourage more Nigerian youths to take fulfilling career in the petroleum industry.

Nigeria needs an accelerated development programme for the actualisation of its Vision 2020 programme. For Nigeria to become a top 20 country by the year 2020, every Nigerian would need to do something positive and significantly contribute to the GDP of this nation. We would have to work smart, put in 12-16 hours a day to compete successfully with our Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Malaysian cousins, who have incorporated intelligent, long work hours into their strategy for accelerated development.

Before Nigeria was colonised, we had systems that were driven by merit, hard work, diligence, checks and balances in leadership and these formed our traditional core values. These values are the required ‘software’ that this nation needs to make us a top 20 country. The Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative’ of Lonadek is designed to identify at least 100,000 successful agents of positive change by December 31, 2020. We hope that these gamechangers would take Nigeria to its rightful place amongst the comity of nations. We call on all stakeholders in ‘Project Nigeria’ to take cognizance of the importance of the active engagement and participation of our youths in the socio- economic transforma-

tion of our great country Nigeria. For us to have a better country, we must all create time and invest more in societal transformation through the deliberate act of nurturing and developing our youth.

I foresaw the demand for increased in-country skilled human resources and embarked on this journey of youth empowerment. Our goal is to identify the Nigerian youth with potential, who is willing to submit to the process of talent discovery and skills development.

Our sleeping giants and the leaders of tomorrow need this life transforming experience as their gateway to a brighter and successful future. Few realize that fruitful careers must be birthed from strong foundations, firm spiritual convictions, sound education and well thought-out human capital development.

What was your motivation for this initiative?

In 2005, we were contracted by a multinational to employ some Nigerians for their fabrication yard in Port Harcourt.

Out of over a thousand CVs, we shortlisted over a 100; we set tests and assessments for them and then shortlisted about 20 for interviews conducted over a period of 3 days. I sat in the room with expatriates from Milan, Paris, Port Harcourt fabrication yard and Lagos Office and was totally embarrassed by Nigerians answering questions in a very disgraceful manner. These were intelligent people who had passed the assessment but anytime questions were thrown at them that required them to think outside the box or apply the knowledge they had in a skilled manner they totally failed.

What are the programme’s benefits?

Students learn about the variety of career paths available to them in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry and start to prepare early. Follow-up with the participating schools allows students, teachers and guidance counselors to remain tapped into a vibrant information-sharing network long after the career day has come and gone.

What can Nigeria do in order to achieve some of the ideals of vision 2020?

In order to achieve the ideals of Vision 2020, the nation as whole needs to make a shift in mind-set and in thinking. This shift will begin at the kindergarten level. Professor Wole Soyinka reminds us that the development of human capital will be the greatest challenge facing Vision 2020 and the nation. Therefore, the early childhood curriculum and instruction should be strengthened. Nigerian leadership needs to articulate a coherent shared vision of where the nation is and what the nation will look like educationally by the year 2020. A commitment must be made to its core values, and effort must be made to improve practice in the classroom. The innovations or reforms that have been advanced in the past have failed to reach their intended outcomes because they are half-baked and imposed from the outside. Nigerian educational leadership must now embrace the principle of collective and democratic leadership and accountability as the only way to achieving the vision for all Nigerians.

Global interdependence and global economy rely on a nation’s comparative advantage. Global competition leads to efficiency, productivity and global recognition. Nigeria will need all of these elements to be competitive globally. As economists remind us, competition has costs and benefits.

‘You have to take care of the leakages’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 essential things of life like water, education, healthcare among others. On the other hand, reducing income poverty, involves guarantying people of the minimum standard of living.

“This is only achievable through the creation of jobs.

India for instance has a law which is a national law that makes it possible for every citizen to be guaranteed 100 days of employment in a year.

A rudderless vision In the view of Bashorun Jaiye Randle, Chairman/ Chief Executive, JK Randle Professional Services Chartered Accountants, though Vision 20: 2020 is a huge challenge, it offers the nation an excellent opportunity to redeem itself.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen recently, the multi-disciplinarian, who attributed the country’s economic woes to poor leadership, said a lot needs to be

done to put the economy back on track.

“There are lots of policy issues in our country. You can see the way we have started the story in the middle whereas we should have started it from the beginning.

In other words, if you want to build houses, you have to know how many you want to build and how many you can afford to build and the time frame, so you can’t say you are going to build in one year what by all rational judgment would take five years, because all you do would end up in creating frustrations and anguish.

So, you have to factor in land acquisition, the quality of contractor, legal frame work, how you are going to fund it and how the beneficiaries are going to maintain it; otherwise, you can build the houses and, within five or six years, it becomes a different story,” he said.

Waxing philosophical, he said: “You have to take care of the leakages. If you build a house, somebody has to fund the furniture; otherwise it will just end up as a

mere shelter as opposed to proper home and of course whoever is going to live in it must have adequate economic activity, namely employment to be able to enjoy the house you are providing. That is one example.

You can even extend it to roads as the roads have to be properly designed and you cannot begin to build in the middle of rainy season and expect to build roads that will last. The roads need to be properly designed with proper drainages and, of course, you don’t build for the day but for the future. So, there are myriad examples you can use.”

On the prospects of attaining the much touted vision, he said: “The first thing is to appreciate that when you talk about 20:2020 Vision and you say you want to be one of the 20 most prosperous economies in the world, then the first thing we have to do is to list all the countries in the world from one to whatever and then see which country is right at number 20 and look at the living CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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‘Achieving the vision requires hard work’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 standard of that country. I suspect that country would probably be Belgium. Look at the GDP of Belgium, the country probably has a population of maybe 16 million but its GDP is about 26 times of that of Nigeria. So, that has to be the benchmark and you have to appreciate that while you are growing trying to get into number 20, Belgium is not going to stand still. So, it is going to be a really tough race to catch up with Belgium or indeed any other country. Therefore, it is not enough to just go by rhetoric, it requires a lot of hard work and it means that the process is not entirely that of the elite, everybody has to feel that the benefits would accrue to him from being in the first 20. What is the point in being number 20 in the world when we are still as poor as we were before battling with the issues of housing, electricity, water, insecurity, crimes and massive unemployment.

So, it becomes self defeating. In essence, everything has to be thought out and I think in fairness to those who are behind Vision 20:20-20, they are making rigorous attempt to adopt that approach, but the issue of rolling plans must be taken seriously.

“We used to have rolling plans 20-30-40 years ago but suddenly we stopped following the rolling plans. If you have a rolling plan, it should inform what is put in your budget and you build consensus around the rolling plan and that is what is reflecting in your budget and from your budget you then move to implementation. But, unfortunately, what has been happening is that we suddenly find that we jump into a project and you don’t find it in the budget or it may not even be in the rolling plan.”

More questions, fewer answers As a result, questions have been raised on the way forward for Nigeria if it is to achieve its goal.

“If a country like South Africa with lower population could be generating over 40,000 megawatts, I do not see reason Nigeria with a population of over 170million cannot generate over 50,000 megawatts. No country can boost its economy if it does not have stable power supply. We all know that power is the major thing that

makes an economy to grow because industries, companies, and many businesses rely on power supply. We are talking of Vision 20: 2020 when we are still battling with epileptic power supply,” he said.

If Nigeria is to attain its goal, it has to emulate South Africa in power generation, he stressed.

The electricity supply industries of Southern Africa are dominated by the state-owned utility of South Africa, ESKOM, which generates around two thirds of the electricity produced in the whole of Africa and is extending its transmission grid north into neighbouring sub-Saharan countries. The company provides about 95 per cent of South Africa’s electrical power and more than 60 per cent of Africa’s.

ESKOM, with a generating capacity of 35,200 MW from 20 power stations, is also one of the largest utilities in the world. Generation is primarily coal-fired, but also includes a nuclear power station at Koeberg, two gas turbine facilities, two conventional hydroelectric plants, and two hydroelectric pumped-storage stations.

The company also owns and operates the national transmission system.

“Nigeria also needs to emulate Ghana in the area of

it is not enough to just go by rhetoric, it requires a lot of hard work and it means that the process is not entirely that of the elite, everybody has to feel that the benefits would accrue to him from being in the first

20.

strengthening the economy. Ghana’s economy has been strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels. Ghana is well endowed with natural resources and agriculture accounts for roughly one-quarter of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders.

In 2009, Ghana signed a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness, human resource development, and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with higher prices for oil, gold and, cocoa helped sustain the country’s high GDP growth in 2008-12.

“I believe the goal can be realised within the next few years if the government puts the right thing in place.

More jobs have to be created; infrastructure has to be developed while small scale businesses should be giving the opportunity to thrive because they are the major provider of employment.”

A worldwide consensus on the critical role of competitive markets and entrepreneurs in economic development has emerged in the last decade. In developing countries, the primary barriers to economic growth is often not so much a scarcity of capital, labour or land, as it is a scarcity of both the dynamic entrepreneurs that bring these together and the markets and mechanisms that can facilitate them in this task.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the essential features of an entrepreneurial development culture in Nigeria, as it relates to vision 20:2020 and provides a sense of direction for Nigerian vision 20:2020 planners, makers of policies and government – for them to quickly realize and capitalise on entrepreneurial development culture, since it is a tool for any economy development – thus, it implies that entrepreneurial development culture is indispensable if Nigeria must actualize vision 20:2020.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

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Tribunal sacks Ishaku, declares Alhassan governor

…judgement, product of executive manipulation, PDP alleges OBIORA IFOH, DOOSUUR IWAMB, AND JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

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he Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday sacked Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the grounds that he was not duly nominated during the party primaries for the election.

The governor was ordered to vacate his office by the tribunal on the grounds

that he was not sponsored

by PDP or any political party as demanded by law.

In a unanimous judgement that lasted for about three hours, the three-man panel headed by Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, ordered that the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate Hajia Aisha Jumai Alhassan, who had been appointed as a minister, be sworn in having scored the second largest votes in the governorship poll.

The tribunal held that the purported nomination

of the sacked governor by PDP breached section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010.

The tribunal held that it was a fundamental law in Nigeria that a candidate for an elective position must be duly nominated and sponsored by a registered political party before the candidature can be legally valid.

In the instant case, the tribunal held that there was overwhelming evidence that PDP in Taraba State did not do any primary election that could have led to emergence of anyone as a sponsored candidate.

The tribunal relied on the evidence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on subpoena during the hearing of the petition when the commission testified that it had no record of any primary election by PDP in Taraba State whereas Section 85 of the Electoral Act made it mandatory that INEC must be given 21 days notice of a convention or a primary where candidates are to be nominated for election.

The tribunal therefore said that since Darius Ishaku was not sponsored

Ministers-designate during a Presidential retreat organised for them at the State House Banquet in Abuja at the weekend.

4 siblings killed as building collapses in Lagos FRANCIS SUBERU

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t least four members of the same family lost their lives yesterday at Magodo area of Lagos, when a bungalow collapsed.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 4:50 a.m. while the siblings were sleeping in the three-bedroom bungalow.

Spokesperson, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Kehinde, said a mudslide triggered by the early morning rain led to the collapse of the building located at No. 50 Otun Araromi Street, Orisa,

Magodo, behind Magodo Phase 1 at about 4.50 a.m.

He said the collapse buried the children until their bodies were brought out by the state rescue operation officials It was gathered that the father of the children, Godwin Odia, 50, from Edo State only escaped by the whisker as he was out of the house a few minutes before the tragedy struck.

The names of the siblings were given as Isayo Odia, 23; Clinton Odia, 13; Da-silver Odia 15 and Endurance Odia, 10.

“All the children are of Mr. Godwin Odia, 50-yearold man from Edo State, ” says Akindele, who is the

General Manager, LASEMA. Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA ’s emergency response team, Nigeria Police from Magodo Police Station and Isheri Police Station responded to the emergency.

“The four dead bodies were recovered after digging through the sand.

Another slide occurred six houses away from the incident site about 10.05 a.m. damaging another bungalow, but the occupants ran out immediately for safety, ” Akindele revealed.

He said arrangements were being made to release the deceased ’ bodies

to the Odia family or to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, as at the time of filing this report.

According to Akindele, the agency had been engaging in advocacy for people living in floodprone areas to relocate to avert more disasters, just like the collapsed building which is located in a valley prone to flood.

However, following the collapsed occasion by the mudslide, officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, have marked about 10 houses in the area for demolition in order to avert another disaster.

by any known registered political party, he cannot lay claim to votes cast for any political party and cannot as well claim to be an independent candidate in the election.

The APC and its governorship candidate, Alhassan, had challenged the victory and declaration of Ishaku as winner of the April 11 election in the state

by INEC. At the hearing, counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, adopted his final written addresses and urged the tribunal to return the 1st petitioner, Alhassan, as the elected governor of the state.

However, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in the unanimous submissions prayed the court to dismiss the petition, describing it as lacking in merit.

In his closing argument, the counsel to PDP, Solomon Akuna (SAN), also prayed that the petition be dismissed because the petitioners had not proved their case.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, thereafter fixed yesterday for judgement.

In his reaction, Governor Ishaku said he would appeal the verdict.

Ishaku, who told a news conference in Jalingo yesterday that he would appeal the verdict, added that he believed that the appellate court would reverse the judgement and give him back his victory.

The PDP national secretariat claimed that yesterday ’s judgement was evidence of executive interference in the judiciary.

The party said the reason given by the tribunal for arriving at the “bizarre decision is intriguing and further exposes the contradictions and double standards inherent in most tribunal rulings against PDP interests recently ”.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that “the Taraba State Tribunal ruling again brings to the fore the organised plan by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government to deploy all unorthodox means to decimate the opposition ”.

According to him, “it is rather curious and a great conflict of irony that the Taraba tribunal sitting in Abuja on security grounds faulted the conduct of PDP primaries shifted to the same Abuja on security reasons ”.

The PDP said if the tribunal is faulting the party primaries as basis for its decision, it then means that no APC gubernatorial candidate can stand the test, as their party never had acceptable primaries in any of their states.

“The PDP wants democracy watchers globally to recall that it had earlier alerted the nation and the international community of the grand design by the APC to use the judiciary to wrestle some PDP states, particularly Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Taraba.

“Evidence that the Taraba ruling was a product of Presidency manipulation can be deduced from the fact that a few hours before the judgement was delivered, the APC had arrogantly announced their victory on the news media, ” it said.

The PDP said it was totally “confounded by the brazing show of power by the executive and warned that the development clearly portends grave danger to our democracy and indeed national cohesion and development ”.

It also called on its members across the country, especially in Taraba State to remain undaunted as the appellate courts would restore its well-deserved victory.

Meanwhile, there was jubilation in Angwan Gardi, Sabon Gari and Kasuan Yerwa areas of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, as news of the judgement spread. Other parts of the state capital remained calm with people going about their business.

The jubilating crowd was shouting “Maman Taraba Oyoyoyo ” in the mist of tight security.

This is even as jubilant youths in Bantaje in Wukari local government smashed windscreens of people ’s cars plying the road in celebration of Aisha Alhassan.

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Biafra: PDP cautions Buhari, APC of danger ahead OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it is deeply concerned about the unfolding political events and developments in the South-East and South-South.

The PDP also stated that it is not comfortable with the methods being applied by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in handling of restive youths in the South-South and SouthEast geo-political zones, who are agitating under the Biafra movement, and urged the President to per-

sonally intervene as the matter affects the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

The party said it was concerned that the Federal Government and its agencies had failed to approach the situation with the inclusiveness and seriousness it deserves, but had instead been resorting to the use of security forces.

PDP National Youth Leader, Hon. Abdullahi MaiBasira, said in a statement yesterday that President Buhari and his party should be held to account for the escalation of the agitation, which threat-

ened the unity and national security interests of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

The PDP also urged the ruling party to ensure and guarantee an inclusive administration that would promote harmony among all sections of the country.

“The party further noted the seemingly lack of any clear-cut policy direction that concerned the development, mainstreaming and inclusion of young people in the country by the Federal Government, a worrisome issue that brings to question APC ’s campaign

promise to generate and give three million jobs annually to Nigerian youths.

“The fact that none of the President ’s ministerial appointees confirmed

by Senate is below 40 years also puts to question APC ’s belief for the next generation of leaders, mentorship and transfer of responsibility.

“So far, the resultant effect of this lack of clearcut policy is the stagnation of the economy and laying off of thousands of people from their jobs.

“Rather than the use of force as an option which usually fails as a solution

in this type of self inflicted socio-political problem, President Buhari should as a matter of national interest and practical necessity, make haste to call representatives and leaders of the South-East for discussions before the situation deteriorates, ” the party said.

It added that Buhari and his party should know that sidelining any section of the country is bound to generate unhealthy relations among all integral parts of the country.

The party said that cohesion, development, prosperity and unity should be paramount in government policy and

warned that unless and until all sections of the country are accommodated, certain sections would experience civil tension and agitations as a means of expressing their discontent.

“Finally, as young people who believe in the present and future stability of Nigeria; we urge President Buhari to see himself as the father of the nation and try to open his heart to all by carrying everyone along and through that, create enabling environment for peace, progress and development in the interest of all, ” the statement said.

Virgin Atlantic may stop Nigerian route, lays off workers OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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Coordinator of Durumi internally displaced persons camp, Malam Idris Ibrahim (right), consulting the doctor during Federal Government Girls College Owerri alumni ’s medical outreach to the camp at Durumi in Abuja.

Buhari urges Golden Eaglets to bring World Cup home ROTIMI FADEYI

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday spoke with members of the Golden Eaglets and their officials, urging them to strive for victory today in the final of the Under-17 FIFA World Cup holding in Chile.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke with the Golden Eaglets for about 25 minutes.

Nigeria first won the same tournament in China in 1985 when Buhari was military Head of State and he urged the team to

repeat the same feat today against Mali to make it the fifth time Nigeria would win the trophy.

Starting with the Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, the President congratulated him on leading the team to the final, and then said: ”Your victory tomorrow (today) will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youth. We ’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup.

Please put us on the world map of soccer again. ” Speaking to Udoh Akpan, the goalkeeper, Buhari said he was a very

strategic member of the team, noting: “If you don ’t let in goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup. ” To John Lazarus, a defender, the President said, “don ’t allow anybody to penetrate the defence, ” while charging Tobechukwu Ibe, another defender to “rest well today because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow. ” While speaking with top striker, Victor Osimhen, who has scored nine goals so far, Buhari said: ”Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory. ” The captain of the

team, Kelechi Nwakali, was charged to maintain his winning leadership, while Joel Osikel, a midfielder, was told by the President that he was “the jewel of the team ”, and challenged him to contribute his quota towards victory.

Apart from the 21 players and head coach, Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.

Both coach Amuneke and the team captain thanked the President for his support, and promised not to let him and the country down.

eports emanating from aviation circles indicated that one of the two British carriers that fly directly into the country from London, Virgin Atlantic Airways, might quit the Nigerian scene soon.

The report also alleged that all its Nigerian crew and other personnel would soon be laid off by the airline preparatory to its stopping flight operations in the country.

The report purported that the Nigerian crew were only given three weeks notice without any severance package regardless of their length of service with the airline.

Besides, the report claimed that among its Nigerian staff sacked were 20 air-hostesses, stressing that the airline had in 2014 closed its Nigerian call centre and let go of all the Nigerian staff working in that department.

When our correspondent contacted the Marketing Manager of the airline, Mrs. Kudirat Scott-Igbene, on phone, she promised to get across to on the issue.

But, as at the time of filing this story, she was yet to do so.

Also, calls made to the leaderships of the two leading unions in the country ’s aviation industry where most of the affected staff are members were not responded to.

The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE

and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN. Virgin Atlantic had in 2005 set up a joint venture with the former Virgin Nigeria, but pull out of the deal in 2009 after some disagreement with the Federal Government.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the company, Sir. Richard Branson had said sometime in 2012 that he was weary about doing business in Nigeria.

He had said, “We fought daily battle against government agents who wanted to daily make fortune from us, politicians who saw the government 49 per cent as a meal to seek for all kinds of favour …watchdogs (regulatory body) that didn ’t know what to do and persistently asking for bribes at any point …Nigeria people are generally nice, but the politicians are very insane …that may be irony because the people make up the politicians.

“But those politicians are selfish …we did make N3 billion for the Federal Government of Nigeria during the joint venture … realising that the government didn ’t bring nothing to the table/partnership except dubious debts by the previous carrier, Nigeria Airways …The joint venture should have been the biggest African carrier by now if the partnership was allowed to grow, but the politicians killed it …Nigeria is a country we shall never consider to doing business again. ”

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Bayelsa guber: PDP, Dickson ask court to disqualify Sylva OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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new twist may have crept into the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Seriake Dickson, have begun moves to stop the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate and former governor, Timipre Sylva, from contesting. They have instituted legal action on the grounds that he had been elected twice and no longer eligible.

Dickson and the PDP have approached the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory,

Abuja, seeking for Sylva ’s disqualification.

In the suit No. CV/70/15 Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson & ANORVs Chief Timipre Sylva & ORS, the plaintiffs are seeking the court to determine whether Sylva, the candidate of the APC for the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State is qualified to contest as a candidate in the light of the provisions of Section 182 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

Section 182 (1) (b) states that no person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a state if “he

has been elected to such office at any two previous elections ”.

Thus the PDP and its candidate, Seriake Dickson are seeking interpretation of this section of the constitution and the court to determine whether Sylva who, having already been elected and served for a cumulative period of about four years and seven months as the governor of the state is qualified to seek for re-election a third time for a fresh term of four years.

To the plaintiff, allowing Sylva to contest in the December 5 governorship election would mean that he would be serving more

than the maximum period of eight years allowed by the constitution, hence his ineligibility.

In a statement in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital yesterday, the Acting State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, said as a democratic and law abiding entity, the PDP and its leadership took the legal decision to check what it regarded as “recourse to impunity and disregard to law and order ”.

According to the party chairman, what was at stake was the necessity to guard against any abuse of the democratic process and protection of the

sanctity of the constitution, noting further that the issue was not about Timipre Sylva per se but the need to operate in ac-

cordance with the rule of law.

The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the matter.

INEC captures additional 99,281 voters for Bayelsa, Kogi polls

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he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it had captured additional 99,281 voters in Bayesla and Kogi ahead of the governorship elections in the two states.

INEC ’s Deputy Director for Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Nick Dazang, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.

Dazang explained that the figure represented voters whose data were collected at the just-concluded Continuous Voter Registration and the commission ’s approval to received voters transfer requests in the two states.

The INEC official, however, did not give a separate breakdown of the figure in terms of CVR and the voter transfer for the states.

According to him, while additional 46, 512 voters

were captured in Kogi, Bayelsa added 52, 769 to its registered voters.

Asked if all requests for voters transfer were granted by INEC, Dazang said the commission granted approval to those that met the requirements.

“This does not mean that all those that sought transfer got the approval since the Electoral Act stipulated that voter transfer must be concluded 30 days before the election date.

“Therefore, when you are seeking for transfer at the last minute, you will not get it, ’ ’ he said.

Meanwhile, INEC has confirmed that 663,748 voters have been registered in 1,939 polling units for the Bayelsa governorship election slated for December 5.

According to the commission, 1,397,786 voters will participate in the governorship election holding in Kogi on November 21.

Lagos okada riders warned to abide by highway laws ABOLAJI ADEBAYO Children from the internally displaced persons camp at Durumi, displaying books presented to them by Federal Government Girls College Owerri alumni ’s during their medical outreach to the camp at Durumi in Abuja.

CANUK hosts inaugural dinner dance and awards night

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he Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, CANUK, a Diaspora umbrella body is expecting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at its inaugural dinner dance and awards night slated for Sunday December 6th 2015.

Created as an association to which all Nigerian organisations in the UK can affiliate to, CANUK is planning to host the epochal event at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in central London to celebrate Nigerians during the course of 2015.

Planned to be a posh black tie affair, the dinner will be hosted by the Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Olukunle Bamg-

bose.

According to the organisers, the event will feature live entertainment too with prominent Nigerian artists, Weird MC, Deoba Authentic, UK Jazz band, electrifying youthful dance group, West end theatre musicals “the god are not to blame ”, cultural display, MC Mark, Akpos, DJ Mike Appoh, all performing. High profiled speakers will be making keynote presentations on developmental initiatives for Nigeria. Raffle Ticket star prize is a return ticket to London.

Tickets for the event are being sold for £50 per head and CANUK hopes that on the back of its success, the dinner will become an an-

nual event.

CANUK ’s treasurer and the chairman of the organising committee, Mrs. Ronke Adeagbo, said “This event is being organised to celebrate CANUK delegates, their organisations and all Nigerians in the UK. We have a thriving community in which a lot of us have excelled and we believe that the hardworking Nigerian abroadshould be recognised and celebrated as a role models.

“There are about two million Nigerians in the UK with many of them having reached the very pinnacle of their professional careers. We need to shout more about these achievements and this event will provide us with an ideal

platform to showcase ourselves and our achievements. ” Traditionally, Britain has always been a regular stumping ground for Nigerian presidents and plays hosts to an annual Honorary International Investments Council (HICC) summit. Founded by President Obasanjo in 2004, the HIIC is aimed at attracting more foreign direct investment into Nigeria and is attended by either the president or vice president.

Adeagbo added that CANUK is hopeful of attracting a lot of other dignitaries both from Nigeria and the UK to the dinner and expects the event to be packed with lots of networking opportunities.

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he leadership of commercial motorcycle operators has warned members in Lagos State against plying the restricted routes or face the wrath of the law.

Chairman, Motorcycle Owners ’ and Riders Association, ANACOWA, Lagos State, Alhaji Sulaimon Adeshina-Jafo, gave the warning after a meeting between state officials and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in Lagos State.

He said the directive became imperative in view of the recent alarming rate of armed robberies using the motorcycles in the state.

He said the union would sanction any member going against government rules and regulations of traffic law in the state.

Adeshina-Jafo expressed his readiness to work with Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Commission-

er for Transportation, Dr. Mobereola Ekundayo to ensure the safety on Lagos roads, thereby reducing the crime rate across the state.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Officer of ANACOWA, Ade Ikuesan said that the taskforce has been constituted to arrest any Okada rider plying highways and restricted routes in the state, saying that the union is fully support of the traffic laws.

He said the union would continue to organise seminars and lectures for members to educate members of ANACOWA across Lagos state on the need to be security conscious and ways of reporting strange movement to security agents noting that the responsibilities of security is a collective duty.

Ikuesan further explained that anyone found without ANACOWA identity cards riding okada in the state would be dealt with and warned that no okada rider should violate traffic laws.

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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER November 8, 2015

‘Nigerians need to ght for the change they desire ’ Otunba Gani Adams is the National Coordinator of the pan-yoruba group, Oodua People ’s Congress, OPC. In this interview with journalists in Lagos, he speaks about issues as they affect the South-West and the nation at large. Ayo Esan was there.

Excerpts: How would you justify the recent position of Yoruba leaders and elders on the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the South West?

What we said at the meeting was that as citizens of Nigeria, we have right to protection. We realised that the Fulani crisis with our people has been on for close to 18 years and there have been lots of incidents that attest to that.

We also realised that most of the kidnapping in Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo states are being perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen.

We took a decision that if the Federal Government fails to protect us, we have the right to self determination.

We are not saying anyone should leave the South West because we want development and the contribution of non -Yorubas cannot be quantified. But that does not mean that some of them should threaten our territories.

We have so many Yoruba people in the North and I have not heard of a situation where a Yoruba man will kidnap a commoner not to talk of a personality. They will not go beyond their boundaries. We cannot say because we want development, we should therefore allow our territory to be threatened.

It is uncalled for that someone of the caliber of Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, should be kidnapped. After paying ransom, he was released and some few days later, the Fulani herdsmen still invaded his farm and destroyed his crops.

Any sensible race will not keep quiet over such an incident. Three days after the Yoruba summit, the kidnappers were apprehended by the security agencies. We have right to self determination and it is a position that we will continue to push if the Federal Government refuses to provide us with enough security. The South West is the economic nerve centre of the country and when you allow such security lapses in the south west, it will affect the country.

Adams

The former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso recently justified the activities of the Fulani herdsmen, arguing that they needed education, what is your take on this?

I agree with him (Kwakwanso) that the Fulani herdsmen need education. Most of the people, who are educated in the South West did not get that with the help of the government, it is an individual effort. How many states in the South provided free education for thier citizens? It is an individual or family effort.

But for Kwakwanso to condemn our position, he does not have the right to do so. I have never heard or seen Kwakwanso condemning the activities of Boko Haram.

For him to support those who kidnap in the South West, it shows that he would not have been a good leader if he had emerged president of Nigeria. I will advise the former governor that he should be careful with his words because Yorubas are too sensitive. Can anyone from the South West go to Kano and make statements against the Arewa Consultative Forum and not be lynched? How can someone come to the South West and condemn what its leaders and elders have said? Yoruba is a unique race that anybody should toy with because we contributed to the survival of democracy.

I am disappointed that some younger Yoruba people supported what Kwakwan-

so said. Some of them do not have political orientation, all they do is support any cause without having any background information. One of them is Professor Daudu Noibi, who in an advert in one of the national newspapers, hurled abusive words at Yoruba leaders and elders over their position.

He is disguising under a religious organisation to make his comments but this is not a religious issue. Where is he coming from to condemn the position of Yoruba leaders and elders? Why is he pretending to be a Yoruba person? Why must he say that those that kidnapped Chief Falae are from Niger Republic and not Fulanis? The CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Rivers tribunal P 12 & 53 judgement and Wike ’s chances in a rerun

THE ENTIRE 108 SENATORS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE LAID THE PLATFORM FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FULLY TAKE OFF.

–SENATE PRESIDENT, DR BUKOLA SARAKI, COMMENTING ON THE CONFIRMATION OF MINISTERIAL NOMINEES BY THE SENATE.

Senate Committees

To everyone, something •Civil society describes lawmakers as insensitive

Senate session

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, may have unwittingly staved serious political crisis in the Senate with his handling of the recent composition of the standing committees, writes GEORGE OJI.

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any people had predicted a doomsday scenario for Senate President Bukola Saraki last Wednesday when the composition of the Senate standing committees was made public.

However, when he eventually dropped the list, it turned out to be a climax.

Quite unexpectedly, almost everyone went home very satisfied.

The list of the Senate standing committees showed that there was something for everyone. Surprisingly, many new comers to the Senate (against the spirit of ranking) ended up chairing commit-

tees.

For those who opposed Saraki ’s ascension to power, who had thought that the Senate President would use the committees to extract revenge, they went home pleasantly disappointed at the fair share of their committees. Expectedly too, Saraki ’s supporters all had positions to rejoice about.

No doubt, it took quite a very long while before Saraki finally released the list last week. Before then, there had been a series of speculations as to who would get what. The norm in the past was that

the leadership of the Senate usually released the list of the committees on the last day of the commencement of their annual vacation.

In the current 8th Senate, that tradition was not adhered to. Two months after the lawmakers resumed from their annual holidays in September, the list was still at abeyance. This sparked off a series of rumours. Many had thought that it would be a booby trap for Saraki, who had had to wage one political war after the other, following the unpredicted and unorthodox process that threw him up as the Senate President.

At a stage, many had associated his travails at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of violation of assets declaration while in office as governor CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

‘The church should be involved in politics ’

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Briefly Osun Assembly pushes for skill acquisition in school curriculum

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sun State House of Assembly has said it would synergise with the executive to ensure the reintroduction of skill acquisition programmes into school curriculum in the state.

It said this would make students to be self-reliant after graduation.

The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi gave the hint at the inaugural meeting of the committee on Wednesday.

He said the economic reality of the country require that every student should be trained in informal education along with a formal education that they can use to stand independently.

According to him, not everyone that attend schools would be able to get white-colar job, saying such student must be skilled to have a source of income.

While informing other members on the template to work with toward the reformation of the state education sector, he said the committee would primarily focus on the standardisation of all educational institutions in the state to enhance better performance of the students.

He stressed that the assembly would work out strategy with the executive to ensure that the tertiary institutions in the state are self-sustaining, rather than waiting for hand out from government.

The lawmaker added that there might be the need for the house to advise the executive to revisit some of its policies on education, which are though humanly, but unsustainable due to economic situation.

He added that the committee as part of his oversight function would visit the six tertiary institutions in the state in order to ascertain their current state of operation and mode of impacting knowledge on the students if it is tandem with the global best practice and the focus of the government.

Honourable Oladoyin noted that the Assembly would not fail to sanction anyone who fails to comply with the approved education laws in the state.

Aregbesola

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Politics

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Sunday November 8, 2015

Rivers tribunal judgement an DENNIS NAKU writes that the nullification of Governor Nyesom Wike ’s election by the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal has altered the political temperature in Rivers. He examines the governor ’s chances in the event of a rerun election in the oil rich state.

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t is no longer news that the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has headed for the Appeal Court as he seeks to upturn the verdict of the State Governorship Election Tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Ambursa which nullified his election.

The tribunal also ordered a rerun of the poll. Except a higher court – the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court – gives a contrary ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been ordered to conduct a fresh poll within 90 days.

It will be recalled that INEC had declared Wike the winner of the poll with 1,029,102 votes, while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, came second with 124,896 votes and Mr. Tonye Princewill, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, got 10,142 votes.

However, Peterside and the APC had rejected the election, describing it as a sham before heading for the tribunal which, on October 24, cancelled the election and ordered a rerun within 90 days.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

of Kwara State to his rumoured mishandling of the list. The rumour was that Saraki left nothing for his major opponents, the “Senate Unity Forum ”, while he reserved all for his staunch supporters in the “Senators of like minds. ” Matters were not made any better because of the prolonged delay in publishing the list.

However, an analysis of the list of the committees showed that the like of Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume were specially taken care of by the Senate President in the chairmanship of the committees.

Lawan, who is a four-time returnee to the Senate and contested the position of the President with Saraki was made chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence. Even though many analysts had expected Lawan to emerge as the chairman of the Senate Committee on appropriation, Defence is equally a very critical body, which ranks among the A-class committees.

For Senator Akume, who is also a very ranking senator who contested unsuccessfully for the position of Deputy Senate President, he too was given an A-class committee to chair as chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.

Curiously, the immediate past Senate President, David Mark, was completely missing in the list. He was neither given any committee to chair nor his name mentioned in any of the committees. It was gathered that the treatment meted out to Mark on this matter was by choice; he had instructed that he be left out of the exercise.

A further analysis of the committee

Swiftly, Wike and the PDP declared that they would appeal the tribunal judgement at the appellate court.

A week after the tribunal ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed a suit filed by Wike, challenging the authority of the state governorship election tribunal to sit in Abuja. The governor also opposed the failure of the President of the Court of Appeal to consult with the Rivers State Chief Judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal before constituting the tribunal.

The Supreme Court, however, ruled that the President of the Court of Appeal had the powers to transfer the sitting of the tribunal to Abuja to safeguard the lives of the judges and their staff. The apex court also ruled that in view of the fact that Rivers had no chief judge or Customary Court of Appeal, it would have been impossible for the president of the appellate court to have consulted them before the constitution of the tribunal. The two courts ’ ruling imply that the only way to change the

situation is for Wike to lodge an appeal against the ruling by the tribunal.

The nullification of Wike ’s election by the Tribunal may have slightly altered the political temperature of Rivers, but it does not preclude the fact that he remains governor of the crude oil state (Rivers), a point which he (the governor) alluded to while addressing a crowd of supporters, PDP loyalists and newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa shortly after his return from Abuja on Sunday, October 25.

He said, “Let me on behalf of the deputy governor and the party chairman thank all of you for the support you have given to us. We have come back from Abuja with the national chairman and other leaders of the party, who were at Abuja with us for this period.

“By my training, I am not supposed to criticise any judge for whatever opinion the judge has. So, what I can say is that the tribunal has given its own verdict, but we know that by the special grace of God, that is not the verdict of God. Nobody can take your mandate. All the gang-ups in Abuja is against Rivers State, but we must protect the interest of this state. If they like, let them use all the powers they have, but their power cannot be superior to God ’s power.

“So, I want to urge you to be calm and peaceful; I am still the governor of Riv-

Wike

ers State. Our lawyers are going on appeal; we are all going on appeal. There is also the Supreme Court. We believe that we have a good case. I have never seen where a lower court will overrule a superior court like the Court of Appeal. In Lagos State, PDP went to court with our governorship candidate, and one of the grounds they went to court is the issue of

Senate Committees: To CURIOUSLY, THE IMMEDIATE PAST SENATE PRESIDENT, DAVID MARK ’ NAME, WAS COMPLETELY MISSING IN THE LIST. HE WAS NEITHER GIVEN ANY COMMITTEE TO CHAIR NOR HIS NAME MENTIONED IN ANY OF THE

membership showed that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) senators head 40 committees, the minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators chair 25.

Here is how the bodies are chaired: senators Dino Melaye, Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Dajuma Goje, Appropriation; Ahmed Yerima Sani, Marine Transport; John Owan Enoh, Finance; Abdullahi Adamu, Agriculture; Kabiru Gaya, Works; Andy Uba, Public Accounts and James Manager, Power.

Others are senators Adamu Aliero, Customs, Excise and Tariff; Oluremi Tinubu, Women Affairs; Uche Ekwunife, Petroleum (Downstream); Aliyu Wamako, Education (Basic And Secondary), Munsurat Summonu, Foreign Affairs; Lanre Tejuosho Health; Barnabas Gemade, Housing; George Thompson Sekibo; Interior; Sam Egwu; industries; Ben

Murray Bruce, Privatization; Oninna Ogba, Sports and Donald Alaosaodura, Petroleum (Upstream).

Some of the senators who retained the same committees from the 7th senate are Senators Hope Uzodinma, Aviation, Gilbert Nnaji, Communications and Enyinnaya Abaribe, Information and National Orientation.

The following senators are to chair the these committees: senators Duro Faseyi, Air Force; Godfrey Utazi, Anti Corruption and Financial Crimes; Rufai Ibrahim, Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; Isiaka Adeleke, Capital Market; Abubakar Danladi, Cooperation and Integration In Africa and NEPAD; Matthew Urhoghide, Culture and Tourism; Rose Oko, Diaspora And Civil Societies; Joshua Ledani, Drugs And Narcotics; Bukar Abba Ibrahim,

Akum me

Ecology and Climate Change, Suleiman Nazi, Employment, Labour and Productivity; Olaka Nwogu, Environment; Emmanuel Pulker, Establishment And Public Service and Salihu Egye, Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs.

Others are Bassey Akpan, Gas; Buhari Abdul-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday November 8, 2015

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‘The church should be involved in politics ’ the church, automatically, you would be looked upon as anti-Christ fighting the body of Christ because the gospel must be preached all over the world. By the time the church begins to pay revenue, it would affect the people to get the gospel. I believe the framers of such a policy may be right based on their reasons but what I am saying is that it will not be good for the body of Christ if the church should pay tax. It will limit preaching. One thing with the church is that whatever you do is between you and God, so I advise that the church should not pay taxes.

Apostle Emmanuel Ocheikwu is an overseer in Tower of Grace International Church, Makurdi. In this interview with HENRY IYORKASE, he argues that there is nothing wrong with the church participating in active politics. Excerpts: You will recall that the clergy have taken participation in active politics with some holding elective positions. Do you subscribe to men of God in partisan politics?

I believe that participation in politics is not evil. What matters is that if you come with a good agenda and the fear of God, God will back you up. But it is like a lot of people enter into politics with wrong motives and the picture they present is more like satanic because their own personal aim and what they will achieve are paramount to them. They resort to deceiving the masses. However, when one goes into politics with good intentions and with the fear of God to affect the masses and also to use the opportunity to preach the gospel, then the people will benefit from it. I believe that entering into politics is not bad but when you enter with a wrong motive, that is when it becomes bad. When you involve God and he permits you to enter, God will guide and protect you. The advice I have for Christians who go into partisan politics is to enter with God ’s plan and by so doing, they would affect the masses positively. There are a lot of people who are suffering because of the leaders we have.

I believe that if our leaders have the fear of God they will be ready to work for God because through politics you can preach the word of God, affect people and lives. I believe that politics is not bad if you enter with a good motive.

On the whole, what can you say is the role of the church in politics?

The role of the church is really to let people know that God is light. A lot of people enter politics with a mindset that is already corrupt to the point that the masses and people now believe that whoever that enters into politics goes with an evil mind. But I believe that when Christians go into politics with good intentions, the life of the people would be positively affected and the mindset would be changed. The reason why a lot of people ’s eyes are still blind to this reality is that they have not seen true leaders or leaders that will impact their lives.

The leaders we have; many of them are good because they have the fear of God but because they have not affected them so they need to affect the people. I believe that if the church enters into politics and preaches the gospel indeed, people will believe that it is necessary for the church to go into politics.

There is proliferation of churches in the nook and cranny of the country. Some observers are of the view that some have

Ocheikwu

I BELIEVE THAT IF OUR LEADERS HAVE THE FEAR OF GOD THEY WOULD BE READY TO WORK FOR GOD BECAUSE THROUGH POLITICS YOU CAN PREACH THE WORD OF GOD, AFFECT PEOPLE AND LIVES

taken to this for the sake of acquiring wealth. How would you react to this?

One of the things I want people to know is that the church is not a man ’s property; you don ’t run a church because you need money. The church is run under God ’s instruction. If you are not permitted by God and you enter into ministry, then you are running your own business.

There are a lot of churches all over the world today but I encourage people to understand that the souls that are being affected matter most. As I would always say, the church is founded by Christ and whoever adds or takes out from it, it is up to him and his God.

Would you subscribe that the church and other religious bodies pay tax to enhance government ’s revenue drive?

By his grace, it is the idea of whoever might have come up with that and to that extent, the person may not be wrong. But let us understand one thing, that if you really want the gospel to be preached, by the time you allow the church to pay revenue, there are people God has called and commissioned for the work who may not have the money to pay the revenue when they must preach the gospel. On the other hand, consider that if you say everybody should pay revenue including

What is your view of the end-time?

We are in the season of the end-time now where you see evil even in the church. You see a lot of evil even among pastors; you see pastors rising against one another, people dipping hands in charms to preach the gospel, so I believe that we are in the end-time. Before you see the original, you must see the fake one. I urge every Christian, every believer to pray to God wherever they go.

For instance, you go to a congregation that you have never been to, pray and ask God ‘are you sure your spirit is here? ’ God speaks to everyone; we all belong to God. So if you really want to fight the end-time spirit, you must be careful of where you go. We are in a season today where everyone feels that the church is prophetic and it affects a lot of people. If you are going into the prophetic realm people telling you your problems without solution, calling names without solution, mentioning things without solution and that means the prophesy is not complete.

I have searched through my Bible; all the stories about Jesus from Matthew to Revelation, when Jesus is talking about prophetic words, whatever he declares must come to pass. If you really want to fight the end-time spirit, you must be careful of who you associate with and the church you attend; you must know how their pastor preaches and the mode of his worship.

Sometimes people are confused as to some of the messages passed out during sermons. Oftentimes, the clergy preach materialism and opulence, what is the idea?

The confidence I have about the gospel is that you don ’t preach outside the scriptures. Any message that goes outside the scriptures, that doesn ’t go in line with the scriptures, is not from God. If you are a child of God or you are a preacher and you are preaching the word of God, then you must follow what Jesus preached.

You cannot preach what Christ taught then you are against Christ. If you study the apostles of Jesus, when he sent them out, they went and each of them preached exactly what Christ taught them. So every child of God or preacher that doesn ’t preach in line with the Bible is against the gospel. You don ’t preach to criticise, you don ’t preach to set enmity; you preach the gospel of Jesus to let people know that Christ is the only one to look up to. One of the assignments of Jesus was that he came so that the sinner would see him and repent. So we don ’t criticise anybody on the altar.

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Opinion

Sunday November 8, 2015

Uncensored

Sheriff Folarin

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

I

t has been five months since the Buhari administration came to power and five months after, the Boko Haram assaults have not ceased. Arguably, the terrorist operation and expansion have been drastically cut down as the caliphate has not only ceased to exist, but also the direct combat between the miscreants and military forces have metamorphosed into hitand-run (scorched earth) guerilla kind of tactic in which the aggressor, apparently flattened out, does not have the will and capacity to match organized troops and would therefore change modus operandi to cope with the circumstances and woefully, stay in circulation.

This explains the seeming only available weapon of the outlaws- suicide bombing. The act has taken different forms, including use of unsuspicious young girls, women in hijab and innocent-looking boys, who, with explosives tied around them, hit at very soft high-density targets, such market places, motor parks, bus stops, schools and worship centres. The attacks have been a daily occurrence and the military, as prepared, armed-to-the-teeth and willful as they may be at present, may never be able to crack this one. Facing Shekau-led forces in the forests or deserts or contending with Boko Haram strongholds in the Northeast will be an easy meat to chew for the gallant Nigerian soldiers; but in the face of the new hit-and-run tactics that have now caused more fatalities and institutionalized fear in the region, the soldiers are likely to be less productive.

Terrorists know that suicide bombing is

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

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

Continued from last week

T

esting while driving led to increases destruction behind the wheel in 2006 Liberty Mutual Insurance Group conducted a survey of more than 90 teens from than 26 high schools. The result sow that 37 percent consider testing to be “or extremely” distracting. A studying by the American Unto mobile association discover that 47 percent of teens admitted to been distracted behind the wheel because of test.

Distracting while is alarming because 40 percent of all AMERCA teens say they have been in a car when the driver uses a cell phone in way that put in danger. 11pecrt of age 18 -20 who where involved in a crash and some admitted they send or relieving text when they crashed. In 2010 the national high way traffic safety administration reported drivers distraction was the coursed of 18 per cent of fatal crashes with 3,092 people killed and 416,000 people injured.

The risk of crashing while testing increase by 23% because reading or sending text diverts the driver eye from the road for an average of 4.6 second the same as driving the lend of a foot ball flied, blend at 55 mph although taking on the phone while driving

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Ridding Nigeria of Boko Haram not something anyone can truly really prepare against. Suicide bombers do not have distinct tribal marks or ID cards to show they are engaged on a mission. They are everyday people, who may have compromised for terrorist groups. Women and least of all, teenage girls are the least likely to be suspected of being on a suicide assignment. And in the Northeast, where women in hijab are prized as highly innocent or sanctimonious, the thought of mission to cause maximum pain or fatality will never pop up in the mind of persons. Also, IEDs can be as diminutive as a cellphone and can simply be wrapped around any hidden part of the human body.

The dangerous course of the Boko Haram war thus makes the fight against terror so, so difficult. The manner of operation makes every component of Nigeria vulnerable to attack.

It is no longer a Northeast or Abuja problem as suicide bombing or destruction with explosives does not require the use of foot soldiers or armed terrorists.

The group may simply send or engage two or three persons from the North to any part of Nigeria to get the job done. All that is required is to travel like any other passenger to the destination, spend few days to do surveillance, and then set out on D-Day to hit his/her target. From news reports about use discovery of arms caches these days, small arms, including bombs are everywhere in Nigeria now. And IEDs are what can be manufactured anywhere, as we have seen in the last five years. For Boko Haram to expand its scope of murderous operations, it does not require foot soldiers as establishing a caliphate is no longer a possibility and can therefore not be its aspiration at this rate. Inflicting maximum hurt and frustrating as well as embarrassing the government and disgracing the country have been its ambitions of late.

Nigerian soldiers will therefore not be required for this kind of war. Soldiers can do nothing to detect or disarm a suicide bomber, or to prevent suicide bombing. In actual fact, the soldiers’ strongholds are also susceptible to suicide

bombing. While soldiers will continue to be useful to weaken the group’s base in the Northeast and destroy the vestiges of Islamist terrorism that galvanizes organized terror in the country, what is required at this moment is the maximum use of the “head” or brain and mind, if you like. It is good that the dismantling of the base of planning, recruitment and general operations coordination by the Nigerian armed forces continues; this will cut off the terrorist group from reaching out to its internal co-ordinates and external links, including the ISIS, with which it is affiliated.

The continued pounding of the strategic bases will suffice to decimate the group and liquidate its internal operations. However, the internal co-ordinates will want to continue its suicide missions to expose government and the people of Nigeria. This is where more intelligence is required by all security operatives- the DSS, police, civil defence, customs, immigration, as well as the intelligence units of the army, air force and navy- to track information flow between the coordinates; detect and monitor language, signs and symbols of communication and operations; and even track recruitment and mobilization of suicide bombers and other kinds of bombers, et cetera.

There is need for screening of passengers at inter-state transport parks. The customs should be more sincere about taking stock of the “cargos” or goods in those huge heavy-duty vehicles that enter through the borders and the police should, for once stop the embarrassing toll-collection by the roadside and help in truly checking the trailers and other cargo vehicles that criss-cross the Nigerian highways. The immigration should check who comes in and goes out (to return) into Nigeria. What I have seen at the Seme and Idiroko borders alone show how very irresponsible a country’s national immigration services can be- all that matters is N1,000 or more from those going out of Nigeria, and in most cases, people simply drive in and out without being checked by any of the security

agencies (NDLEA, SSS, police, immigration, customs, health officials, etc.). It is unimaginable and a shame that a country experiencing such massive security crisis can still afford such irresponsible attitude, recklessness, and porosity!

Also, the people must be more sensitive and conscious of their environment. Truly, community policing is required at this rate. Community policing requires people-police interface and in this case, the people do more policing, through eternal vigilance, information and intelligence sharing between themselves and with the regular police as well as prompt action whenever a suspicious or untoward development occurs.

Government will need to invest more heavily on intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms and equip the regular civil security bodies with 21st century devices to perform intelligence operations effectively.

The network service providers will have to be tasked to do more in terms of making their operations more security relevant. If the telecoms companies are indeed responsible, miscreants, including terrorists, insurgents and bandits cannot be using their networks to communicate with such reckless abandon and yet escape through the eye of the needle.

The providers should be able to help with information on location, movement after conversations, and even identity and fact-file of those communicating. Terrorists in detention and their collaborators in and out of government with proven records of fatalities should not be released as has been the case of recent. Dialogue with terrorists must never be an option. This, like release from detention, is a very poor signal as it weakens the resolve to fight the scourge, while boosting the morale of the terrorists.

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

Is phoning behind the wheels insanity? (2)

is considered dangerous the risk increase as short message service or testing because popular. Many studies have linked texting while driving to series of fatal crashes. The International “Telecommunication Union states that texting, making calls and other interaction with in-vehicle information and communication systems while driving is a serious source of driver distraction and increases the risk of traffic crashes. The Virginia Transportation institute found out that text massaging increases a crash risk 23 time worse than driving while not distracted. Even the use of hands free according to the transport research laboratory, makes drivers four times more likely to have an accident, concentration level reduced for 10 minutes after the call had ended. The report also showed that drivers making hand free calls had slower reaction times than those who were slightly over the drink limit.

In the United Kingdom, around 30 deaths on the roads each year are linked to mobile phone use even though the royal society for the prevention accident (ROSPA) believes this is “just the tip of the iceberg” because so few drivers admit to using mobile phone when they cause crashes involving distracted driving injured more than half a million people in 2008 in the United State of American deadly driving habits kill nearly 6000 American a year, according NHTSH. Car crashes are the leading Killer of youth in American – they kill an average of 11 teens each day. As United State secretary of transportation, Ray Lahood says, “the mother who lost children, the children who lost mother. You want no part of that kind of lost” Talking on the phone while driving causes as much impairment as drunk driving its like driving after you have taken four bottles of beer and if you are texting while driving, you are 23 times

as likely to get into a crash. In the US nearly a third of all crashes are either talking or texting. Studies have shown that drivers who use their cell phone for talking texting have much slower response times than those who do not.

They also have slower reaction times than people with blood alcohol levels of 0.08. Studies have also shown that people who talk and drive at the same time are four times likely to crash.

Those who text and drive are 20 times more likely to have an accident. While the danger of phoning or texting behind the wheels is undisputed, laws that ban texting while driving have not reduced the number of crashes across four states in the US. According to a study, but a slight increase in road accident has been recorded.

The highway loss data institute compared the insurance claims in four states of California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington before and after the texting ban, with those in nearby states that don’t have these laws. After the bans, crash patterns varied from one percent more in Minnesota, and the largest crash increase of 12 per cent after the texting ban was among young driver in California. The researches have calculated rate of collision claims for vehicles up to nine years old during the months before and after driver texting was banned. The study shows crashes have increase in three states after the bans were enacted, which indicates that bans could increase the risk of crashing for drivers who continue to text despite the laws. The study notes non compliance as the key reason for the increase in crashes as young drivers among 18-24 years are most likely to text with 45 per cent saying they do so in states that ban texting. It pointed out that the bans are ineffective as 48 per cent of drivers admitted to tex-

ting in the state without bans.

Before I continue, please allow me to once again refer you to the finding of an FRSC commissioned attitudinal survey on motorists. Like I said in an earlier piece the study was conducted in 2013 by NOIPolls to do a road attitudinal survey across 6 locations in Nigeria. To measure the level of compliance on the road, the survey was conducted across pre identify corridors within 9hrs of the day in (morning, noon and evening) for 12 days.

The observation monitored the following: lane discipline, seatbelt/ crash helmet compliance, compliance to overloading rules, traffic light /road signs obedience and the number plate usage.

The survey was carried out in 6 locations.

Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Benin, Kaduna, and Gombe. The survey was conducted via observational study.6 corridors in total selected by the clients were observed across all locations and 6b extra corridors were added by NOIPolls, given a total of 12 corridors observed.

Observation was done by 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily for 5 days. A total of 70,180 vehicles/ bikes were observed across all 6 locations with 29,482 on the highway, and 40,698 on township roads. A total of vehicle/bikes observed by location were 13,426 in Abuja, 11,503 in gombe, 11,903 in owerri, 7936 in benin, 10,435 in lagos, and 14,977 in Kaduna. The findings of the survey indicate that 90% of the total observed vehicles/bikes adhered to mobile phone usage rules while driving.

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

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Man in the News Mobile Telecommunications Network

Telco faces baptism of re AYO ESAN

T

his may not be the best of times for the telecommunication giant and Africa ’s largest mobile operation, Mobile Telecommunication Network, MTN as it is engulfed in crisis.

First the Nigerian government fined MTN $5.2bn for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered and incomplete SIM cards.

MTN in a statement disclosed that the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC imposed the fine due to timing of the disconnection of 5.1million subscribers in August and September.

As if to indict MTN, NCC said all other telecom firms operating in Nigeria complied with the directive, except MTN, according to its Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo.

The NCC said MTN whose biggest market is Nigeria had not denied the infraction and that its enforcement team deactivated the unregistered lines to ensure compliance. “ We had a directive that was given to all the networks to deactivate all unregistered SIM cards on their networks and they had enough time to do that.

“We came out with all guidelines and the fine was supposed to be N200,00 per SIM Card ”, Ojobo said.

A week after the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, slammed an unprecedented N1.04 trillion ($5.2 billion) fine on the telecom operator, the South African bourse also suspended trading in the shares of telecoms firm, MTN penultimate Monday, Trading in MTN shares was suspended and the information was broadcast across the trading platform, ” said Peter Redman of the exchange ’s surveillance department.

MTN is Africa ’s biggest phone operator, and derives its largest (a third) earnings from Nigeria.

It has 5.1 million unregistered or incomplete subscribers in Nigeria.

MTN ’s shares fell sharply shortly after the fine, closing to 12.49 per cent lower at 167 rand — the lowest in several years.

Reacting to the suspension of trading on the stocks of MTN at the South Africa ’s bourse, Afrifocus Securities portfolio manager, Ferdi Heyneke, explained that “there has been some speculation that the company has agreed to pay the fine, but we really want to hear it from the company itself. ” It was gathered later that the Federal Government was trying to reduce the fine.

This was said to have followed series of meetings held between MTN management team from South Africa and Nige-

Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group President and CEO

ria with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The telecoms operator was gathered, may have agreed to pay the fine to sustain the interest of its telecoms business.

It was learnt that the new arrangement disclosed that the federal government is already yielding to the plea, which according to him, was part of the agreement reached at the series of meetings held at the weekend in Nigeria.

It was also gathered that here have been series of meetings at the Presidency between the Vice President, Osinbajo and MTN team both from South Africa and the Nigerian arm. MTN it was further gathered wanted a waiver considering their level of investments in the country, but government did not buy the idea of waiver. There is however possibility of a concession, but certainly not a waiver.

It was said that at the end of the meeting, the MTN negotiated on how to stagger the payment.

The NCC had said that MTN would not escape the fine, owing to the enormity of its implication to national security.

Although NCC had hinted that the issue is being handled by the federal government, the telecoms authority also noted that MTN would risk withdrawal of its license if it fails to comply with the fine.

Even with the widespread calls for the

intervention of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), on the N1.04 trillion fine, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), had called on the NSA not to intervene in the matter, adding that NCC regulation must take its course.

NCC said it had consistently engaged Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs) to strictly adhere to the regulations and its business rules in the registration of their subscribers.

Following several engagements, the Commission had confirmed various cases of violations of the regulations and sanctioned appropriately.

The firm ’s shares recovered somewhat in early trade on the stock exchange advancing 0.9 per cent to 149.50 rand yesterday.

MTN Group has however denied going into any agreement with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, over the $5. 2 billion fine imposed on it for failing to deactivate unregistered SIM. A statement issued in South Africa by the group described the reported pact with the commission as a rumour, while restating its readiness to continue to engage the Federal Government and its representatives on the matter in discussions.

The MTN Group stated: “These reports are false as no resolution has yet been reached. MTN Group continues to engage the authorities in Nigeria on this

matter.

“All stakeholders of the group are reminded that MTN Group and the company will inform them of any material developments in our engagements with Nigerian authorities. Note holders are also asked to exercise caution when reacting to information that has not been released by MTN Group or by the company, ” it added.

While expressing confidence in the Nigerian telecoms market, the group, which has operated in Nigeria for over a decade, stated that as in other markets where MTN Group had maintained presence, it has conducted its business in accordance with established principles related to sound corporate governance.

This is even as it disclosed that as a group, which owes its founding and growth to the emerging world, it is conscious of its responsibility to invest in the growth of local economies and development of communities wherever it operates, saying that “Nigeria is no different. ” According to the statement, the group claimed that since launching more than a decade ago, MTN Group had made significant investments in connecting customers to its network and took its responsibilities and obligations very seriously, anchoring its growth and success on its commercial propositions.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

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

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

Nigeria ’s UN Security Council permanent membership

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ast S September b in i Abuja Ab j while hil delivd li ering a keynote address at the launch of the Global Commission Report, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo reechoed Nigeria ’s quest for a permanent membership seat in the United Nations Security Council, basing such aspiration on her incontestable preeminence profile in Africa and the necessity for balancing the Council permanent membership composition. This newspaper shares the aspiration, especially against the backdrop of the changing dynamics of world.

The disastrous consequences of the Second World War were impetus for the creation of the United Nations Organisation, a more strengthened global body than the League of Nations formed after World War 1. The Security Council, the most powerful organ of the United Nations, is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers include the establishment of peace-keeping operations and the authorisation of military action. It has 15 members, including five permanent ones - namely the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China –the most militarily powerful countries then on account of their nuclear weapon capability. The permanent five can veto any decision, even when it has received the requisite number of affirmative votes.

However, the world order has fundamentally changed from what it was in the immediate post Second World War era. For example, Germany and Japan, two of the defeated axial powers during World War 2, have now become some of the largest contributors to the UN coffers, they angle for commensurate leverage in the politics of the UN. Moreover, unilateralism in international politics

by America and Russia; and intense economic rivalries and trade wars that have replaced the ideological East-West tension and confrontation, have reinforced the imperative for reforms in the Security Council, which is why countries like Germany, Japan, India, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt have put in claims for permanent seats in the Security Council.

Nigeria ’s justification for permanent membership of this most powerful organ of the UN is buoyed by geopolitical considerations and her national and international credentials. First, with her 170 million people, Nigeria is Africa ’s most

NIGERIA ’S JUSTIFICATION FOR PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF THIS MOST POWERFUL ORGAN OF THE

UN IS BUOYED

BY GEOPOLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND HER NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CREDENTIALS

populous country. It has been established that one out of every five Africans is a Nigerian, while one out of every four black person in the world is equally a Nigerian. Therefore, the only truly permanent African representation in the Security Council would be Nigeria.

Besides her huge demographic credential, Nigeria has become a forceful voice even within the precinct of the global body; her unassailable preeminence is confirmed by her recent backto-back election as one of Africa ’s two non-permanent members on the Security Council. At the October 2013 election into the Council, she received the unanimous endorsement of the African Union; in the subsequent election conducted at General Assembly, she was elected with 186 out of a total of 193 votes.

That she is also Africa ’s regional power of impressive economic, political and diplomatic credentials is not in doubt. In the 2014 GDP rebasing exercise, Nigeria emerged the continent ’s biggest economy with a GDP of over $500 billion.

South Africa came a distant second with over $300 billion.

The country has had a long tradition

of being Africa ’s stabilising force, which was why it single-handedly initiated and financed the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which intervened and restored peace in strife-torn Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau between 1989 and 2002. The peace intervention and enforcement operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone cost her over $14 billion, while she lost up to 1,000 soldiers. This is not to mention her pivotal role in reversing military coup d ’état in West African countries like Sao Tome and Principe and recently Burkina Faso.

Participation in international peacekeeping is another crucial area from which her bid for the permanent seat of the Secretary Council should be considered. Nigeria contributed troops to the UN peace-keeping forces in former flashpoints like Congo (1960 - 1964); Lebanon; Cambodia; Namibia; Yugoslavia and India ’s administered Kashmir. Her central role in the liberation struggles in Africa between the 1960s and 1980s pitted her against Western powers and their local collaborators, but the dividends of such titanic struggles were independence in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and the clinical death of apartheid and racial discrimination in South Africa.

Despite this hugely intimidating profile, Nigeria might have Egypt and South Africa to contend with if Africa is conceded a permanent seat. But her most profound challenge might be her sordid domestic profile of a country well-known for massive 419 fraud; kidnappings; armed-robberies, Niger-Delta militancy and, more recently, Boko Haram terrorism. Not to be forgotten is the unenviable distinction of being rated high on Transparency International ’s list of the most corrupt countries in the world.

But we do not think we have an unredeemable case; with hard work and commitment, serious networking and unceasing shuttle diplomacy, the challenges could be surmounted and the hurdles cleared to pave the way for a pride of place in the comity of nations. President Muhammadu Buhari is revered globally; the successful conduct of the last March 28 presidential election that brought him to power has buoyed the nation ’s credentials as a serious democracy. What needed to be done at the home front is the institution of fairness and justice values in our governance template.

Reminiscences NOVEMBER 8 IN HISTORY 1960: Kennedy becomes U.S. president Senator John F. Kennedy is elected the 35th President of the United States, at 43 years of age the youngest president to be elected in the nation ’s history.

1940: World War II - Londoners sleep in tunnels Times were hard in many areas of the world during World War II. Many Londoners spent winter nights in underground tunnels and shelters. Supplies of any new or old blankets that could be spared were called for in order to provide additional warmth for these people.

1917: Lenin appears before Soviet Congress Lenin makes his first appearance before the Congress of Soviets, in which the Bolsheviks hold a 60 per cent majority announcing, “We shall now proceed to the construction of the socialist order ”.

1923: Hitler charged with high treason Adolf Hitler leads the Nazi Party in failed coup d ’état attempt to gain power in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany. The attempt fails and Hitler is arrested and charged with high treason.

1933: Roosevelt announces plans for unemployed President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced plans for the Civil Works Administration that will create 4 million additional jobs for the unemployed. He made available $400,000,000 of public works funds.

1935: Hurricane sweeps through the Bahamas A large hurricane swept through the Bahamas, hitting areas such as the capital city, Nassau. This was the same storm that hit Miami, Florida, resulting in three million dollars of property damage.

1939: Hitler escapes assassination attempt Johann Georg Elser plants a bomb at the Burgerbrau Beer Cellar in Munich where Hitler is due to give a speech, Hitler gives his speech and leaves eight minutes before the bomb detonates killing eight people and injuring dozens more.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES November 8, 2015

Excessive alcohol causes hepatitis, can damage liver –Doctors

Victims of hepatitis

TITILOPE MORAKINYO

H

epatitis is one of the life-threatening diseases that have continued to ravage the human race. In recent times, it has been on the increase. According to findings, some people contract it through exposure to industrial organic solvents and plants while others unfortunately bring the ailment upon themselves through the habit of consuming excessive alcohol.

Even at that, the poor habit exhibited by these habitual drinkers has not prevented the efforts of experts in the field to carry out researches into the import of the ailment on infected people. They continue to hammer on the dangers of too much alcohol intake while discovering drugs that could abate the damage caused by the disease.

According to a medical practitioner with Mount Carmel Hospitals, Ikorodu, Lagos, Dr. John Osondu, hepatitis is a medical condition characterised by the inflammation of the liver and the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The name is from the Greek hepar, the root being hepat, meaning liver, and suffix, meaning “inflammation ”. The condition can be self-limiting (healing on its own) or can progress to fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis.

Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise. The disease is said to be acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists longer. Worldwide, hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of the

condition, but it can be caused by other infections, toxic substances (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants) and autoimmune diseases.

Initial features, the doctor said, are of nonspecific flu-like symptoms, common to almost all acute viral infections and may include malaise, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache. More specific symptoms, which can be present in acute hepatitis from any cause, are profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking among smokers, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) and abdominal discomfort.

Physical findings are usually minimal, apart from jaundice, tender hepatomegaly (swelling of the liver), lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes, in 5 per cent), and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen).

Acute viral hepatitis is more likely to be asymptomatic in children. Symptomatic individuals may present after a convalescent stage of seven to 10 days, with the total illness lasting weeks.

A small proportion of people with acute hepatitis progress to acute liver failure, in which the liver is unable to remove harmful substances from the blood (leading to confusion and coma due to hepatic encephalopathy) and produce blood proteins, (leading to peripheral edema and bleeding). Chronic hepatitis may cause nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, tiredness and weakness, and often leads to no symptoms at all. It is commonly identified on blood tests performed either for screening or to evaluate nonspecific symptoms.

The presence of jaundice indicates advanced liver damage. On physical examination there may be enlargement of the liver. Acne, abnormal menstruation, lung scarring, inflammation of the thyroid gland and kidneys may be present in women with the ailment. The outcome of hepatitis depends heavily on the disease or condition that is causing the symptoms. For some causes, such as subclinical Hepatitis A infection, the person may not experience any symptom and will recover without any long term effects. For other causes, the ailment can result in irreparable damage to the liver and require a liver transplant.

Dr Osondu said viral hepatitis is the most common cause of the disease worldwide.

“The most common causes of viral hepatitis are the five unrelated hepatotropic viruses hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. Other common causes of hepatitis include toxic and drug-induced, alcoholic, autoimmune, fatty liver, and metabolic disorders. Hepatitis could also be caused by bacterial, parasitic, fungal, mycobacterial and protozoal infections. “Complications in pregnancy and decreased blood flow to the liver can induce hepatitis. Cholestasis (obstruction of bile flow) due to hepatocellular dysfunction, biliary tract obstruction, or biliary atresia can result in liver damage and hepatitis.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant cause of hepatitis and liver damage (cirrhosis). Alcoholic hepatitis usually develops after a long period of exposure to alcohol so people should be aware that excessive intake of alcohol, Acetaminophen (paracetamol) and antibiotics are hazard-

ous to their health, ” he disclosed.

The medic said that giant cell hepatitis is a rare form that predominantly occurs in newborns and children. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the presence of multinucleated hepatocyte giant cells on liver biopsy. The cause of giant cell hepatitis is unknown but the condition is associated with viral infection, autoimmune disorders, and drug toxicity. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements also cause hepatitis. Exposure to other hepatotoxins can occur accidentally or intentionally through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption, Mushroom poisoning is a common toxic exposure that may result in hepatitis. Massive hepatic necrosis is also known and is usually rapidly fatal. The pathology resembles that of sub-massive necrosis but is more marked in both degree and extent.

He explained that chronic hepatitis with piecemeal (periportal) necrosis (or interface hepatitis) with or without fibrosis (formerly chronic active hepatitis) is any case of hepatitis occurring for more than six months with portal based inflammation, fibrosis, disruption of the terminal plate, and piecemeal necrosis. This term has now been replaced by the diagnosis of ‘chronic hepatitis ’.

Chronic hepatitis without piecemeal necrosis (formerly called chronic persistent hepatitis) has no significant periportal necrosis or regeneration with a fairly dense mononuclear portal infiltrate. Councilman bodies are frequently seen within the lobule. Instead it includes persistent parenchymal focal hepatocyte necrosis (apoptosis) with mononuclear sinusoidal infiltrates. Hepatitis E causes different histological patterns that depend on the host ’s background. In immunocompetent patients the typical pattern is of severe intralobular necrosis and acute cholangitis in the portal tract with numerous neutrophils. This normally resolves without sequelae. Disease is more severe in those with preexisting liver disease such as cirrhosis. In the immunocompromised patients chronic infection may result with rapid progression to cirrhosis. The histology is similar to that found in hepatitis C virus with dense lymphocytic portal infiltrate, constant piecemeal necrosis and fibrosis.

Dr Osondu noted that the Autoimmune hepatitis which is genetic causes abnormal immune response against liver cells.

“Autoimmune hepatitis has a genetic predisposition as it is associated with certain human leukocyte antigens. The symptoms are similar to other hepatitides and may have a fluctuating course from mild to very severe. Women with the disease may have abnormal menstruation or become amenorrheic. The disease occurs in people of all ages but most commonly in young women.

The disease which he termed as lifethreatening affects the liver more than any organ in the body as it also affects liver cells, especially the ischemic hepatitis which occurs due to insufficient blood or oxygen.

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Praise & Worship E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com G-mail:ranke2015@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

24

Our shining demands that we engage in turning many to righteousness (soul-winning). No wonder the Bible says, he that winneth souls is wise.

Bishop David Oyedepo

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2015

The road to heaven, by Pastor Muoka

QUOTE

Understanding: Need for successful life 41

Problems of spiritual illiteracy 42

Mystery of speaking in tongues 22 & 23

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Vineyard

Briefly BSN donates Bibles to prisoners

I

Celebration

n line with her mission to meet the scriptural needs of Nigerians, The Bible Society of Nigeria has donated 3,000 copies of the Bible to eleven different prisons in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States.

Beneficiaries of these Bibles are the Maximum, the Medium and the Female Prisons in Kirikiri. Other prisons are Ikoyi and Alagbon Prisons all in Lagos State. In Oyo State, Abolongo and Agodi Prisons also benefited while Ijebu-Ode, Ibara and Ilaro Prisons benefited in Ogun State. In Osun State, Ilesa Prison also received. Each of the prisons received 250 copies each except Ikoyi and Alagbon Prisons in Lagos State which received 400 and 100 copies respectively. In 2014, the organization donated assorted Bibles worth N14.1 million to different categories of less privileged Nigerians.

According to Benjamin Mordi, Deputy Manager, Media and Programmes, the Bible Society of Nigeria is a non-profit-making interdenominational Christian organization that translates the Bible into local languages, publishes, distributes and raises funds for Bible work.

“So far the complete Bible is now available in 24 Nigerian Languages. She gives Bibles free to old peoples’ homes, orphanages, people with visual disability, prisoners, among others’, he said.

Sunday November 8, 2015

Pray for Buhari, cleric urges Nigerians ...as MFCGM inaugurates church

FARIM celebrates anniversary

F

reedom Foundation Apostolic Revival International Ministries is set to mark its fourth anniversary thanksgiving service tagged “The Blessed Generation” from November15-22, 2015 at 30, Ajisebiaramecca Street, opposite low cost estate, Ikorodu Lagos.

Speaking on the programme, the host, Prophet Sam Ojo OmolojuJesu revealed that God will release His grace and blessings on all attendees as their lives will change for the better. He added that the past month’s edition of all night of change recorded amazing testimonies of liberation.

“The programme features praise/worship extravaganza, revival, deliverance, healing as Prophet Obafemi Akinade, Lady Evang. Deborah Olufunke Okenimofe praise band (Ilorin) and others will minister in song”, he revealed.

GGC set for prayer programme

A

ll is set for Global Grace Church dual programme scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in the morning at 8am and evening from10pmdawn.

The programme tagged “Prayer without ceasing” adopted from Thessalonians 5:17 will end on Friday, November 13. The second part tagged “Eleventh hour miracle” comes up on Friday, November 27 from 10pm till dawn at 1, Olorunishola Street, Behind Alade Market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

Pastor Joseph Isitor speaking on behalf of the host, Prophet Samuel Daniel revealed that the programme is all about breaking the yoke of enemies towards the end of year upon the lives of attendees to enable them travel peacefully during and after the yuletide season. He urged all to come with seven specific prayer requests.

L-R: Prophet Stephen Asagunla, Pastor Samuel Mensah, Pastor Olusegun Akomolafe; Pastor-in-charge MFCGM, Nigeria, Barr. Brendan Okwor, Pastor Olusola Akomolafe; General Overseer, MFCGM worldwide, Prophet Afolayan Samuel and Pastor Oyenekan Olushola on the occasion

Odinaka Uruakpa

T

he General Overseer of Mission of Faith Christ Gospel Ministries, Worldwide, Pastor Olusola Akomolafe has urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari so that he can deliver on the good plans he has for the development of the country.

Akomolafe gave this charge during the church inauguration, ordination and 40 days fasting and prayer thanksgiving of Mission of Faith Christ Gospel Ministries, Nigeria held last weekend in Lagos.

Speaking on his vision and prophecy concerning the country, Akomolafe noted that God has blessed Nigeria with great ministers of the gospel whose prayers have been protecting the nation.

“God has blessed this country with people whom I refer to as gospel generals such as Baba Adekunle, Kumuyi and a host of others.

God revealed to me that with all the deadly things going on in the country, it is the prayer of these men of God that is protecting the country”, he noted.

Komolafe also claimed that it would please God if Nigerians would allow the current president to do his work since he was installed by God Himself, adding that God had revealed to him earlier that Buhari was going to emerge president of Nigeria.

“It is God that put Buhari in the presidential seat of this country. Sometime last year, when I was in Ghana, one of our men of God in Ekiti who goes by the name Daramola came to visit me and he asked me who I thought would win the presidential election and who would emerge as governor of Ekiti. I told him that Buhari would become the president and Fayose would once again emerge governor in his state; he asked if I was sure and I respond-

ed in the affirmative because that was what God revealed to me”, he stated.

When asked what attitude he expects Nigerians to exhibit toward their president, Akomolafe said: “Nigeria is the most favoured among all the nations in Africa that God has good plans for and this is reason the country continues to remain one indivisible entity. Citizens should stop complaining, they should rather pray for president Buhari because he has good things to contribute to the development of the country. Initially, we didn’t know God would use until Buhari came contesting again after whom losing in the past. This is the fourth time he has contested and finally won. I must say that God is looking at the heart and not the face. God has looked into the heart of the current president and seen that he would do well for the country having learnt his lessons from past mistakes.”

Comparing the state of the country with that of Britain where he resides, Akomolafe blamed corruption, which he referred to as a cankerworm that had eaten into the fabric of the nation, as the major problem of Nigerians.

“Almost all Nigerians are corrupt, especially the politicians. The British people are good. They are humanitarian in nature and I believe God deliberately took someone like me there. The Britons have good policy; they love to help the poor, unlike the corruptive spirit that is in our Nigerian blood. Any sickness affecting the blood is a killer disease. By the way, Nigeria is polluted, but if we can gather together and fight this cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our country, I believe Nigeria will become the great nation it used to be”, he maintained.

Akomolafe said the reason the wrongs

even in the midst of many religious outfits in the country is because the devil does not like Nigeria. Therefore, Satan is on the prowl, as he has planted distractions which he uses to have his way with the people, especially men of God. “As a minister of God, there are three things you need to avoid namely; pride, money and women. If you can allow these things to be on their own, then you will succeed in the ministry.

These things have been planted there as distractions by the devil. Immediately you are marked for the work of God, the devil will be on the track waiting to pull you down. Since I became a minister of the gospel, I have encountered a lot of temptations including a woman who promised me a house in London to lure me into having sexual relationship with her.”

While advising the youths, the cleric noted that just like bad traits in a parent is passed to the children, the youths are a product of the society they find themselves.

“I really pity the youths because anything in a parent will automatically be passed into the blood of children because they know what you are doing.

They don’t want to work hard before they get money; they want to get money in a crooked way.

The government themselves don’t encourage the youths. I must say that armed robbers, kidnappers and people involved in vices and shady businesses are the product of the society they find themselves. When there are no jobs to engage themselves in and they don’t want to go hungry, these young ones resort to stealing and kidnapping. Many of the people in top positions have milked the fortunes of the country.

How can somebody store trillions of dollars in bank; how are they going to spend it? Unless we change our attitude and continue to pray for the nation, things may not be rosy for the citizens”, he lamented.

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From the Pulpit 21

Sunday November 8, 2015

How to sustain God’s presence in your life Miracle Arena with Bishop

T

Theo Ugochukwu

here are numerous ways through which one can sustain God’s presence in one’s life. Let us consider the following ways.

1.

Be a solution: Daniel 5:13-14 “Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The King spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the King brought from Judah?” I have heard of you; that the Spirit of God is in you. And that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you”. When His presence dwells with you, men and women will seek for your counsel.

Daniel knew the dream that the king dreamt in his bed chamber because of the abiding presence of God upon his life. Daniel saved the other Diviners that were supposed to die for failing to interpret the king’s dream. Instantly Daniel became a solution and automatically became the leader, I declare over your life, by the abiding presence of God in your life, you will become a solution to your family and generation in

Jesus name.

2.

Meditate and live by God’s word: Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth. But thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.

Today, you could see Christians running, seeking for “what is God saying” yet they do not study His word. Whenever you fellowship with His word, you are fellowshipping with God. These days you hardly see Christians in Bible study. It is shocking that Christians cannot differentiate between a real Minister of God from the marine spirits.

The hearts of many Christians are empty of the word of God. Years ago, I had a revelation from God, about a man, God said I should tell him to fast and pray in other to prevent the calamity that will befall his business. The moment I told him about it, he told me that he had no time to pray and fast that his pastor was there praying for him.

Five months after, he had a very serious shaking that collapsed his business empire. Till today, he has not recovered.

It is time for Christians to go back to the word of God and meditate upon it. When you meditate in God’s word, you will re-

The conditions of man with Rv Dr Chike C

F

Obiechina

rom these teachings we can see the four different positions that a person may be in relation to God:

1. Living in darkness: A person living in darkness cannot see the kingdom of God. They may be living a good life or an evil life but they are in darkness. They are in the domain of the kingdom of Darkness, serving the god of this world.

2. Born again but outside the kingdom of God: They are born again, they see the kingdom of God but they are not serving God, not being obedient to Him. They are serving themselves, doing what they desire. They are in control of their lives. They are doing what pleases their flesh and are not obeying the commands of Jesus (‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?’ Luke 6:46) . They, too, are in the domain of the kingdom of Darkness, serving the god of this world.

3. Born again and entering the kingdom of God: These people are serving God by doing His will but they periodically slip backwards to serving self (they at times fall outside the kingdom of God and into the dominion of Satan). They are, at times, allowing God to make them perfect and holy, but may be taking one step backwards for every two steps forward.

4. Born again and has inherited the kingdom of God: These people are doing God’s will, obeying the com¬mands of Jesus (‘if you love me, you will keep my command¬ments.’ John 14:15), they have crucified their flesh (Gal 5:24) and are

ceive deep revelations and insights concerning God’s will for your life. It is only then you will hear Him speak to you by His Spirit.

3. Obedience to his word: It is absolutely correct.

There must be a story to transcend you to the glory. Jesus Christ suffered some pains before he could gain eternity for us. He suffered rejection so he could reconcile us with the father. John 10:11 “I am the good Shepherd.

The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Jesus gave us a practical example in James 1:22. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.

Friends, hear me, reading and meditating on God’s word is very good, but it will not profit you if you do not obey the divine instructions in it.

It is not the hearer of the word that is blessed but the doer. Those who refuse to obey the word of God are the ones full of all quotations but no transformation in their lives. Psalm 119:9 says “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word”.

Abraham today is called the father of faith. Note – Abraham saw his divine placement before he received it physically. He believed before he received.

Until you discover your place you will be displaced.

“All things are possible to him that believeth” {Mark 9:23}. A whole lot of people are disobedient to God’s word and the church is paying for it by the negative stories of the attitude of believers. Disobedience is simply doing what you are not asked to do or refusing to do what you are asked to do.

It is seriously affecting the attitude of our children today. You are asked to carry the broom to sweep but the chairs you were asked not to carry.

You decided to go and carry it.

Disobedience is the greatest sin in the bible, and it is really affecting the love of God’s glory in the body of Christ today.

May God help us from the evil spirit of disobedience that has entered into many homes and institutions today in Jesus Name.

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

Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com

The conditions of man (1)

consistently producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). They walk in unbroken fellowship with God. The struggle over whom we will serve The person who is seeking to inherit the kingdom of God may often vacillate between serving God and serving self. Their struggle is about whom they will serve with their body, soul and spirit. They may have more conflicts and more stress than a person who is living in darkness and cannot see the kingdom of God, who is only serving their self.

The children of God are still subject to their human nature. Their carnal mind is constantly trying to usurp the mind of the Holy Spirit. Their daily struggle is with whom they will serve in everything that they do. Are they serving God or their selves in each situation? This is one of the key principles to keep in mind.

When we make our own decisions about our life, such as where we will live, what church we will belong to, who we will marry, how many children we will have, when we make these decisions then we are being the god of our lives, we are serving ourselves.

If we truly are in the kingdom of God, then God alone will make these decisions. Jesus said, ‘If anyone wants to be my disciple, let him give up his self-will, take up his cross and follow me.’

(Mt 16:24) If we are in the kingdom of God, then certainly God is to be the king and ruler of our lives and not we ourselves. The Lord God is the sole ruler in His kingdom and those in His kingdom do only what He tells them. We are to be like Jesus, who does only what His Father tells him (as the Gospel tells us many

times: John 8:28-29, 4:34, 5:30, 6:38, and 14:31). Holy Spirit); it is impossible for them to When we want to be the master of our be brought to the freshness of repentance fate, the captain of our destiny that means a second time, since they are crucifying we want to be our own god, to take the right- the Son of God again for themselves, and ful place of the Lord God in our lives. When making a public exhibition of him. A field we are making the major decisions in our that drinks up the rain that has fallen frelives, we are rejecting the true God and sub- quently on it, and produces a fruitful harstituting a false god. It is the same situation vest, receives God’s blessing; but the one when we allow others to make these deci- that grows brambles and thistles is worthsions for us. We are allowing others to be the less, and near to being cursed. It will end god in our lives. There can only be one God, by being burnt.’ it is only Him that we are to serve, to obey, to James tells us ‘Blessed is anyone who do His holy will. perseveres when trials come. Such a perPerseverance son is of proven worth and will win the Look at the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4- prize of life, the crown that the Lord has 15) where Jesus taught about these different promised to those who love him.’ (James conditions of people who have seen the king- 1:12) dom of God (who were born again): Those In the world but not of the world people on the edge of the path are people Jesus said, who hear the word of God (see the kingdom ‘You do not belong to the world because of God, are born again), but the devil comes I have chosen you and have drawn you out along and carries away the word that was of the world.’ planted in their hearts (their new birth nev(John 14:19) er matured). Those on the rocks are people However, you are still in the world. Jewho hear the word with joy but they have no sus prayed to His heavenly Father, root - they give in when their faith is tested.

‘I am not asking you to take them out Those in the thorn bushes hear the word but of the world, but to protect them from the are choked by their love for the world. Those Evil One.’ in the rich soil produce a harvest through (John 17:15) their perseverance in serving God. In Hebrews 6:4-8 we read ‘As for those Continued next week people who were once brought into the light GOD BLESS YOU…….. (were born again, could see the kingdom Rv Dr CHIKE C OBIECHINA of God), and tasted the gift from heaven, President; Lovers Of God Living and received a share of the Holy Spirit, and Church inc.

No 73 aratumi road iba tasted the goodness of God’s message and new site Ojo Lagos state Nigeria the powers of the world to come (have en08066894745 tered the kingdom of God), and yet in spite drchikec2020@gmail.com of this have fallen away (have apostatized loversofgod2020@gmail.com by rejecting Christ and blas¬pheming his

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Cover

Sunday November 8, 2015

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Mystery of speaking

S

peaking in tongues, according to the urban dictionary, is a term for a phenomenon which today is better known as automatic or unconscious talking. The person who speaks in tongues is said t be unaware of what he says, he could talk in a foreign or made-up language or fall back into speech patterns of his childhood.

According to some religious writers, in Old Testament times, foreign tongues were not a good sign for Israel at all; they were believed to be a warning to the nation. But for some Christians today, speaking in tongues which involves a language(s) that is not normally understood by the speaker or the listeners is an act or gift they need to possess to be saved.

The first place that speaking in tongues was recorded in the New Testament was in Acts 2:1-4, on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were all together in one place waiting for the comforter that Jesus Christ had promised them. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Considering the Greek translation of the word tongues, which means languages, implies that the tongues that were being spoken on the day of Pentecost were those of a known language. The tongues were words with specific meaning and not just babbling as clarified in Acts 2:711 which states; ‘Utterly amazed, they asked; Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs; we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

So clearly, speaking in tongues in the New Testament church were tongues of known languages and not unknown languages or unintelligible sounds. The people of that time were praising God in different tongues or languages to give evidence for unbelievers that God was at work in more ethnic groups than just the Jews. This according to American writers, Walvoord and Zuck, validated the fulfillment of Joel chapter 2 to the Jews as well. They also alleged that speaking in an ecstatic language was common among members of the early Christian churches, but no one could understand this form of tongues, which sometimes the speaker or another person would interpret.

In first Corinthians 12:6-11 and Romans 12:6-8, Apostle Paul classified speaking in tongues as just one of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. Also thankful for his own gift of speaking

Worshippers

Speaking in tongues was one of the signs that Jesus promised His Apostles when they would be empowered to proclaim the good news to the world. It was listed as one of the spiritual gifts, but some churches today believe that people have to speak in tongues to be saved. ODINAKA URUAKPA speaks to clerics to get their view on the issue in tongues in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, Paul told his churches that speaking in tongues was better practiced in private than in church, unless someone could interpret the ecstatic speech.

From many records, there is nothing in the Bible saying speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation as taught by the Churches who deem it an important part of their worship. Some churches, especially the Pentecostal, teach that speaking in tongues is evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit, but it is not essential for salvation and eternal life while others teach that is must be experienced by everyone who has truly been saved. Yet, many traditional Christians, however, believe that the gift of speaking in tongues was no longer given after the apostolic age in the first century.

According to the Director of Studies, University Bible College, Ojodu, Ogun State, Professor Macaulay, aside the cleansing of sin by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, nothing else Christians do, speaking in tongues included, can guarantee their salvation.

“When we speak of salvation, we are talking about the soul of a man. The soul of a man that had committed sin and we are talking about the sin that has been committed by Adam and Eve. Jesus died on the cross to cleanse that sin which is the original sin. No matter what we do after this, it does not save anybody. Whether you pray every day or you give alms to people; all these do not save anybody. So, speaking in tongues

when an individual speaks in tongues, it is by the power of

God that descends upon

him that enables him speak a language that he does not understand.

does not save anybody”, he reiterated.

When asked if the Bible support speaking in tongues or not, Macaulay said: “As far as I am concerned, no Bible would tell you that it is right to speak in tongues.

Even Paul said it that though he spoke in tongues, it is not compulsory that all Christians speak in tongues. When you speak in tongues, you are not speaking the human language, but heavenly language which an individual cannot understand. When a person is speaking in tongues, even the interpreter has to be filled with the spirit of God to interpret it. On the day of Pentecost, the Disciples of Christ did not speak in tongues, they spoke in human languages and that was the reason the people who were there during the festivities understood the languages they spoke; they spoke languages of many people who were present in Jerusalem on that day.”

On what makes speaking in tongues a heavenly language, Macaulay said: “It is a heavenly language because it is not a language that any man in this world can speak or understand, except through heavenly power i.e. the power of God.

Even the person who is speaking in tongues may not understand what he is saying and that is why the Bible said if there is nobody to interpret it; he should keep his mouth quiet because he is speaking a language that he and people around him don’t understand. The Bible compares such a person to a mad man, but it also states that if there is somebody to interpret for the person involved, then it is good for him to speak.”

He explained that when an individual speaks in tongues, it is by the power of God that descends upon him that enables him speak a language that he does not understand. He added that in the same way, the interpreter would also need the power of the Holy Spirit to interpret to people who do not understand it.

“When you are speaking in tongues, there is somebody; an interpreter; not one from a Bible college, rather an interpreter that read from heaven or the spirit of God from heaven is on that interpreter so that he can now interpret what that person is saying to the understanding of the people”, he explained.

The theologian further explained that

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Cover

Sunday November 8, 2015

in tongues

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We must not forget that Christ promised His disciples other important and relevant signs through which the people would believe the power and divinity of

He who sent them.

A worshipper

though the act of speaking in diverse tongues is one of the spiritual gifts, but it is not a gift to be used at just any time nor in the way one pleases.

“Speaking in tongues is not a gift to be used anytime one likes, it is a gift that is necessary at a particular time. There are some churches that would tell you that if you don’t speak in tongues, you are not a good Christian; they don’t understand Bible. I must say that many of our pastors are spiritual illiterates; they don’t understand Bible; they do they understand how to interpret the Bible; they mess up Christianity, and that is the consequence we are suffering today”, he revealed.

According to Pastor Timothy Iyang of Faith International Mission, Lagos when Jesus gave His disciples the commission to preach, speaking in new tongues was one of the signs which He predicted would accompany their works so that the people they came in contact with would believe.

“In Mark 16:15-18 Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Then Jesus predicted what would happen saying; ‘These signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’

Though these verses do not predict how often these signs would occur, or wheth-

er every believer would be involved in each of these signs, or whether believers should make special efforts to display these miracles, I believe speaking in tongues like other signs mentioned were meant to make people believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ”, he explained.

Iyang claimed that the most important thing that happened on the day of Pentecost was that through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Disciples were able to preach the word and declare the wonders of God to people in their own tongues.

“Shortly after Christ had risen into heaven, as recorded in Acts 2:1-4, His disciples were observing the annual festival of Pentecost and suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting; they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

This day came the fulfillment of what Christ had predicted. What kind of tongues were these we may ask? They were foreign languages. There were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. The most important thing that happened that day was that through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Disciples were able to preach the word and declare the wonders of God to people in their own tongues”, he explained Just like Paul made clear in first Cor-

inthians chapter 12, speaking in tongues is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit so it is not a prove that the Holy Spirit has come to a person because there are other spiritual gifts that could be bestowed on Christians. It is wrong for people to think that those who speak in tongues are more spiritual or closer to God than those who do not. For the fact that Saint Paul advised in first Corinthians for people to practice their act of speaking in tongues in private when there is no one to interpret, this means it is not a criteria to becoming spiritually close to God”, he maintained.

For Pastor Peter Nwaru, the fact that Peter alongside other disciples proclaimed to those who accepted their message and opened their eyes on the divinity of Jesus Christ, speaking in tongues was actually an end to a means.

“We must not forget that Christ promised His disciples other important and relevant signs through which the people would believe the power and divinity of He who sent them. Speaking in tongues was actually an end to a means because Jesus had mandated His disciples to proclaim the good news to the all nations and how would they achieve this if they didn’t have a mastery of the languages or tongues of the people they were to preach to. Moreover, when the disciples preached they encouraged their listeners to repent and be baptized and thereby receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2:38.This promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit applies to Christians of every century. Though the verse does not make clear whether the gift of the Holy Spirit means that the Holy Spirit is the gift, or whether Peter meant that, in addition to receiving the Holy Spirit, they

would receive speaking in tongues or some other manifestation of the Spirit as the gift one could decipher by themselves when they read more into scripture, that speaking in tongues is just one of several gifts of the Holy Spirit that could be bestowed on a believer”, he explained.

On speaking in tongues being a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit, Nwaru said: “Just like I pointed out earlier speaking in diverse tongues is one of several gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in scripture that could be bestowed on a believer; I would refer us to first Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and other passages of the Bible to get a clearer picture of this.

It is a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit because it was one key gift Jesus promised His disciples through which they were empowered to speak the diverse languages of the people they were going to introduce Christ to. It is a gift that would make a believer speak the language of another tribe or which is not his own and which he cannot even understand as demonstrated in the case of the disciples at Pentecost.

When Paul also spoke about it in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, we are made to understand that when a person speaks in tongues, he must make sure that there is another to interpret; otherwise, it should be done in private.

This shows that, if a person genuinely falls into tongues then it should be that which is understood if not by everyone present, but one person whom the spirit bestows the power of understanding.

When people say this gift or act is a requisite for salvation, they are making a huge mistake because it is not. Jesus has died on the cross to save us and all that is left for us is to live God-fearing lives.”

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24

From the

Pulpit Sunday November 8, 2015

The road to heaven, by Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, explains how to make heaven. Excerpts:

I

saiah 35:8-10 says, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.”

Beloved, it is expected that whoever that wishes to embark on a journey must first know the route to his destination because in the absence of that, such person may not get to his or her desired destination, and all roads will look like right way.

The same is pertinent to any person who wishes to be in heaven at the end of this earthly journey. But unfortunately many people including religious leaders in this generation do not bother to know the road to the Kingdom of heaven, and as a result made a ship wreck of their journey, because they followed the wrong way- the sinful way, the way of pleasure, the way of reveling and banqueting.

Such people love the things of this world which unfortunately will not be buried with them. They would watch home videos and other worldly television programs for many hours even the whole day but would detest listening to sermon for only an hour. They will hate to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit for few minutes. Such people want to attend social gathering and merry making but could not spare few seconds to search the Scripture. No wonder the Bible says the road is a narrow way.

Matt. 7:13-14 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”.

There are but two ways in which the race of mankind can travel, the one narrow, that leads to life and salvation and the other broad and wide, which leads to hell and destruction. But because of the difficulties in the way to salvation, and the easiness of the way to hell and destruction, only few walk in the one, but so many in the other. Our Lord Jesus Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words straight, and strait, have very different meanings. The word straight means not crooked, very wide, smooth,

and open, many thronged on it and it is the way to death. The way to death is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which men go. They fall into it easily, and without effort go without thought. If they wish to leave that, and go by the narrow gate, it would require effort and thought, so they considered it very inconvenient to follow. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions.

It does not care whether you are on micro skimpy skirt or clothe that flaunts your breast. It does not care about the number of rings on your fingers and toes or quality cum quantity of jewels you put on. It does not matter whether your hair style is made up of human hairs or lion skins, or whether the attachments on your head stretch to your legs or stop at the neck, or whether you are rich or poor, what matters is that your name is not in the book of life and therefore you are condemned.

That is why you are on this broad way and that is why there is a large company on this way.

The strait road on the other hand which is the way to heaven is pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered. It is constricted, close, and not obviously entered. It is not the great highway that men tread. Few go there. The few on this way are seen travelling in solitude and singularity.

Heaven is not for the carefree person neither is it a place for the halfhearted, but, it is a prepared place for the prepared people. It does not matter how rich and generous you are to the people, or how regular you are in the house of God, or how many days and weeks you ob-

served fast, or what your position is in the house of God. What matters is your relationship with your Creator, thus, the qualification is righteousness and holiness in Christ Jesus. You must be able to deny self, keep the body under control from riotous life, and mortify corruptions if you are to be on the way to heaven. You must be able to resist daily temptations and go through much tribulation. You must watch in all things, walk with care, and ignore all the difficulties that attend to your faith, put off evil habits and part with old companions that entice you with sins.

Nothing sinful or unclean enters the road, including whatever that works abomination, or makes a lie, or he who turns the grace of God into lasciviousness, or he that gives heed to false prophecy and dreamers, or holds and propagates false doctrines but the road is meant for only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life

who are saved from their sin.

Rev. 21: 8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”.

The fearful, such that for fear of suffering disowned Jesus, and rejected the grace of God that has come to mankind. The unbelievers, such as have sat under the dispensation of the gospel, but have rejected our Lord Jesus Christ, and have refused to come unto Him that they might have life.

Those that do not believe the great work of God in The Lord’s Chosen shall never be found on the road to heaven. Also, the abominable, such as live in the practice of sins against nature, sodomy, lesbianism, homosexuals, and such uncleanness as renders them abominable in the sight of God and man. The abominable included those women that put on men’s clothes and vice versa as stated in the Holy Book of the Bible.

Deut. 22: 5 says, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God”. Women that wear trousers or any of the men’s clothes whether they consent to the fact or not shall have no business being on the road to heaven. Heaven is not meant for such people. Also, the murderers, such as destroy either the soul, body, or good name, of their neighbours, especially persecutors; the whore and her followers, who are drunk with the blood of the saints, the abortionists and those that assist in such heinous crime shall not be found on the road to heaven. The whoremongers of all sorts, both spiritual and corporal, particularly such as are guilty of uncleanness in a matrimonial state; the fornicators, adulterers and prostitutes are not candidates of heaven and thus cannot be allowed on the road to heaven. If such are your cases, you are on the broad way that leads to destruction.

The sorcerers, such as exercise witchcraft, consult with the devil and his human agents such as the seer, marabout and trade with familiar spirits shall not tread on the road to heaven. The idolaters of all sorts and kinds, such as worship false gods, or the true God after a false manner; covetous persons, who make the world their god; and sensual persons, who make their belly their god shall not be found on this narrow way because they cannot be accommodated on the strait way to heaven. All liars, those which lie with the lip, and talk falsely; those that lie in their lives, as all hyp-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 Pastor Muoka

PASSION

A Lifestyle Magazine

Sunday November 8, 2015

APPLAUSE

‘It’s fulfilling being a top model’ >>27

African women are endowed with good looks – Siaka Nimet >>26

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Passion

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

African women are endowed with good looks –Siaka Nimet Kogi State-born Siaka Nimet is the current Miss Tourism. She studied Sociology at University of Ilorin. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, she relives the night she was crowned beauty queen and speaks about the positive change she hopes to bring to bear on the Nigerian woman, among others.

What actually fascinated you about Miss Curvy Nigeria Beauty Pageant?

What fascinated me was the search for African pride because I love Africa and I’m proud to be one. Another thing that attracted me was the idea behind the pageantry because it is a unique concept. I saw it as first of its kind.

Can you relive what happened on the night of the pageant?

On that night I was crowned the second runner-up, I was deliriously overwhelmed. What I can never forget about that night was how the crown was placed on my head and the feeling of joy I had because of it. Tears of joy ran through me.

come.

and

alone beauty.

What phy?

They are the most natural and cutest beauties. We don’t have to do any surgery to have curves. As Africans fat women, we grow the curves and the most fabulous body shape. That brings about unique

is

your

What do you think gave you an edge over other contestants?

What I think gave me an edge was my boldness and carriage. We actually had a week of camping that prepared us for the main event and during that period, we had numerous tasking activities. I learned endurance and the ability to be strong enough to face life challenges. I make bold to say that I’m proud of my carriage and good body frame. The reason is that it gives me full confidence to face anybody, any day, and any time.

As the current Miss Tourism, what are your duties?

As the present Miss Tourism of the brand (Miss Curvy Nigeria, 2015), I am set to create more awareness by travelling across states and countries. This is to organise several programmes and talk shows for plump ladies who don’t have confidence in themselves and who feel that due to their body size they can’t attain or achieve their life purpose.

As a beauty queen, what positive changes would this bring to your lifestyle?

As regard my lifestyle, I’m set to bring about positive change to the society. I would change the orientation and mind set of Nigerians about plump ladies. Just as Africa is endowed with mineral and natural resources, God has created the African women to have beautiful, fabulous, thick and curvy bodies. We need to realise and appreciate that. If you are fat, strive to keep fit, stay focused, confident, self-fulfilling, attractive, happy and proud.

Why do beauty queens dump their boyfriends once they are crowned?

Why on earth would I dump my boyfriend? That is if I have one anyway!

My life phy is that how far but you live that

What are the qualities of your ideal man?

He has to be understanding and trustworthy. He should be ready to make sacrifice no matter what.

Can you your style?

Moderation watchword.

What would you like to be remembered for after your tenure?

I would like to be remembered for my positive impact and contribution to the lives of plump ladies through Miss Curvy Nigeria platform.

What lesson has life taught you as a beauty queen?

Life has taught me to stay focused, to endure and to be strong enough for challenges because they will

What do life would w i th ou t The world have been boring. It have been w o r s t live.

philosoit’s not how well matters. d e f i n e is my style

you think have been fashion? w o u l d ugly and wo u l d t h e place to

philoso-

Where do you think some ladies are not getting it right in the fashion?

Some ladies wear what don’t suit their body shape and fail to blend their colours well.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, November 8, 2015

What thrills you most about fashion?

What thrills me most is the alluring colours of our home-made African print fabrics - AsoOke, Kente, etc. They are colourful and our fashion designers are actually using them to give us wonderful styles.

Our fashion has somehow enriched our culture.

Applause

27

‘It’s fulfilling being a top model’ Adaeze Amos

W

hen Jennifer Enujiugha, an on-air personality was growing up, she never dreamt she would be a renowned model. Jenny as she is affectionately called by her fans is a graduate of Crop Production and Protection from Abia State University.

This choreographer, who is also the logistics manager, Dance With Peter Okoye, a new reality TV show for dancers, said though growing up was tough, it was fun.

She is indeed elated that she never lost focus of what she intended to be in life.

“I grew up in a family of just two girls. It was fun but tough childhood. Although I lost my mum at a young age, I was still focused. I’m not surprised that I’m into showbiz/modelling which is completely different from what I studied in the university because I have always had passion for the media and entertainment,” she recalled.

Today she is fulfilled in her vocation because she followed her heart and what she has passion for. Jenny is bold to counsel mothers to give their daughters who want to be models a chance to pursue their goals.

“Growing up was an adventure, I have always loved to be on the spotlight and could play dress-up sometimes but I never knew I would be a top model later in life. The thing started manifesting when I became very passionate about modelling in my third year in the university,” Jenny said.

It was in the modelling world that she learned how to comport herself in the things she wanted to do.

“At some point in life, I became carefree with my appearance and I figured that modelling helped me to become cautious of myself. I started training on how to retain my

carriage and poise as a lady. I believe every model should be given an opportunity to showcase his or her potential,” she said.

This plump artiste is happy who she is today. “Being a model has automatically made me a queen and brought out the better part of me. When I say better part, I am referring to my curves which can’t be hidden even if I wear Jalamia or a loose dress. Amazingly, being fat is already challenging enough because the industry thought we (bold and curvy ladies) shouldn’t be part of the modelling world.

But thank God we have proved them wrong. Today I’m a Curvy Nigeria Top Model,” Jennifer added.

What are her duties as a curvy top model? “My duties as a curvy top model are not farfetched. I want to prove that ladies can go about things the right way and still conveniently attain a top position in modeling. Second, I would always represent plump models in every fashion show.

This alone is a handful and what I’m doing should give every portly lady who wants to be a runway model hope. I believe they should keep trying. Let determination be their watchword in whatever they want to achieve,” she stressed.

Who does Jenny look up to in the modeling world?

“I really cannot tell you that there is someone I look up to in modelling because I cannot categorically say how they got to the position they are now or how they achieved their current status,” she said.

What is her philosophy of life? “Patience is a virtue, consistency and determination pay well at the end. Of course, put God first everything you do,” she advised.

Now that Jenny is flying the flag of fashion in the country, she asserted that she can’t be seen “shabbily dressed. I can’t be seen doing punk or putting on too many crazy colours at the same time.

I will always humbly rock whatever I choose to wear well. Maybe because bad dress sense and arrogance put me off”.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

GROWING UP with

Aunty Titi

Hello children, How are you? Make sure you read your books so as to be abreast of your studies while at home. Remember to observe hygienic practices. Wash your hands always.

Enjoy the interesting stories, cartoons and riddles we have for you in this edition.

The Panda

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DO YOU KNOW? The origins of the Candy Cane

A

lthough there are numerous legends about the origins of the candy cane as a religious symbol, the first historical mention of this holiday treat came from Germany in 1670, when a choirmaster bent sugar sticks into the shape of a shepherd ’s cane to hand out to children, according to the Great finder, the first reference to candy canes in America was in America was in 1847, when a German-Swedish immigrant in Ohio used them to decorate a spruce.

The original canes were entirely white, and it wasn ’t until the 20th century that the colorful red stripes were added. In the 1920s, cracker businessman Bob Mc-

Cormack began making candy canes as Christmas treats for the community in Albany, Georgia, pulling, twisting, cutting and bending them by hand. In the 1950s, McCormack ’s brother-in-law invented a machine to automate the process. Later, McCormack ’s descendants developed packaging advances that enabled them to ship the fragile canes around the world.

RIDDLES

T

he panda also known as panda bear or the giant panda is a bear native to south central China, It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivores, the panda ’s diet is over 99% bamboo and it ’s occasionally eat other grasses, wild tubers, or meat such as birds, rodents or carrion. In captivity, they receive honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, or bananas along with specially prepared food. The giant panda lives in mountain around the central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. As a result of farming, deforestation, and other development, the panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived.

It has a body shape typical of bears, a black fur on its ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, arms and shoulders. The rest of the animal ’s coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, speculation suggests that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage in their shade-dappled snowy and rocky habitat. The giant panda ’s thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. It has evolved from previous ancestors to exhibit larger molars with increased complexity and expanded temporal fosse Giant pandas are generally solitary, and each adult has a defined territory, and a female is not tolerant of their equal gender, it communicates through vocalization and

T

scent marking such as clawing trees or spraying urine. They are able to climb and take shelter in hollow trees or rock crevices, but do not establish permanent dens. For this reason, pandas do not hibernate, which is similar to other sub tropical mammals, and will move to elevations with warmer temperatures. Pandas rely primarily on spatial memory rather than visual memory.

Social encounters occur primarily during the brief breeding season in which pandas in proximity to one another will gather. After mating, the male leaves the female alone to raise the cub.

Though the panda is often assumed to be docile, it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of irritation rather than aggression.

Giant pandas reach sexual maturity between the ages of four and eight, and may be reproductive until age 20. The mating season is between March and May, when a female goes into estrus, which lasts for two or three days and only occurs once a year, When mating, the female is in a crouching, head-down position as the male mounts her from behind .Copulation time is short, ranging from 30 seconds to five minutes, but the male may mount her repeatedly to ensure successful fertilization. The gestation period ranges from 95 to 160 days.

The giant panda is an endangered species, threatened by continued habitat loss and by a very low birthrate, both in the wild and in captivity. Its range is currently confined to a small portion on the western edge of its historical range, which stretched through southern and eastern China, northern and northern Vietnam.

JOKE

wo mental patients were walking close to a swimming pool. One jumped into the pool and the other jumped in to save him. Their doctor saw the rescue and called the rescuer to his office.

“Due to your actions, it appears your

mental state is fine, ” the doctor said to the patient, “You can go home to your family, but before you do, you should know that the person you saved hung himself today. ” The patient replied, “He didn ’t hang himself; I hung him there to dry.

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address jokkyisland@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 08050324794

Question When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height. Ten years later at age sixteen John returned to see how much higher the nail was. If the tree grew by five centimeters each year how much higher the nail would be?

Answer The nail would be at the same height since trees grow at their top Question A headless lawyer had a letter to write; it was read by a man who had lost his sight. The dumb repeated it word for word; and deaf was he who listened and heard.

Answer The letter in question is the letter ‘O ’. It is zero. The lawyer had nothing to write.

The blind could read nothing. The person who was dumb could repeat nothing.

The deaf man listened and heard nothing.

Question A man walked in to a bar and asked for a glass of water the bar man took out a gun and pointed it at him the man who asked for the glass of water just smiled and walked away happy Why? Answer He had the hiccups

WORDS ON MARBLES

Leadership exists in its most natural form among equals. It is not the same as domination or the exercise of power. True leaders respect the integrity of others.

–John Adair

POP

TONGUE TWISTER

A big black bug bit a big black bear, made the big black bear bleed blood.

A bitter biting bittern Bit a better brother bittern, And the bitter better bittern Bit the bitter biter back.

And the bitter bittern, bitten, By the better bitten bittern

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

29

Sunday, Nevember 8, 2015

Dude Style

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

‘Passion is vital to career-building’

Bez Idakula is one of Nigeria’s celebrated musicians. In this interview with VICTOR UDOH, the Glo Ambassador speaks about his passion for music and his growing up.

Your kind of music is quite difficult to perform, and Nigerians from every indication like music with strong beats. How do you break even?

It’s been amazing; we have different markets, with over 20 million people in Lagos.

When doing business in Lagos, you find some are doing a dinner and need a performer.

For that kind of event, they won’t call someone with club sound. Rather, they would go for someone with a nice kind of sound that would go with the dinner.

Again, much is going on. I play on many of the big stages as do other artistes. Currently, we are doing Globacom’s famous music concert, Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce stopovers in about eight cities. So, sometimes it is not about advertising on billboard to get audience.

What inspires your music?

First, all my songs come from listening to an actor or actress on television, and then inspiration comes. I would just pull it up and create a sound and start writing based on stuff that people can relate to or my live performances or life situations.

As a foremost Glo ambassador, did you ever see yourself at this level?

It is a blessing to be here. I try as much as possible to be normal, and not get carried away. I do my job to be a great brand for the company and endorse it the best way I can.

itself. There is the online situation where we have people like Spinled, we have I-tune music and a lot of people have come up with platforms that people can leverage on. We can buy music via these platforms. Right now we just need a lot of people to purchase online and a lot of people need to use the online platform which is growing and I think CDs would be a thing of the past.

Why are upcoming artistes finding it so difficult to become stars, with some even quitting?

I don’t think it is different from any other business. When starting any business there is what we call incubation period like an egg is about to hatch and it will not hatch until it grows up to become a chick. That is the incubation period, and that is when you need to work because if you are building a structure, you need to put the foundation before you can put the structure. You know a lot of passersby will not believe you are building a foundation because they won’t see any building. But you know that is the underground work that needs to happen; again sometimes, when you are building a skyscraper the foundation is more different and you need to put in commensurate work as regards your destination. So, I don’t think it is more difficult; it’s a norm.

And sometimes it takes 10 years to get success.

You perform in schools but it seems the era of life performances in schools is over. What impact would this have on grooming young ones in different genres of music?

It is a really good thing to do. In the past, our parents would comment on the kind of music they heard at live stage performances.

But this has started dying down with the new jet age of digital information where you merely need to How was it growing up? slot in your CD. But Growing up was amazing; I grew up in Jos. we should try As a child, I had musical parents who moti- to bring vated me. My dad would play the guitar and b a c k my mom would back him up. I grew up in that kind of environment, which is why I can do what I presently do easily.

You came out of the 10 Strings who are students; how do you feel emerging from there?

Well, I was not a student. I just went to talk to them about associating with them. And it’s amazing that Mr. Emmanuel Akapo provided me the platform. A lot of people desire a platform and once it is provided, they would be able to function well.

How was your first experience on stage?

It was amazing. When one is on stage, one’s job is to entertain. So, there is a need to fill the gap and the people’s joy is to be entertained, and the task is, how do I entertain my audience? What do I bring into play to make them sing and sometimes one might be shy to perform! But when you get results, it is always amazing and I got those results.

Aside from music, what else do you do?

Music is generally all I do right now.

Who is behind those concepts of good videos you shoot?

I have shot two videos from Kemi Adetiba, one from Clarence Peters and another from Next. They always come up with the concepts. I try to be creatively removed from what they do and go along with them.

What is your advice to the Nigerian music industry following the ravaging menace of piracy?

My advice is that right now it’s fighting

that system. This is because as a musician you need to have an idea of your instruments; either you play the keyboard, guitar or drum. That would really distinguish you from other artistes.

Talents who can play an instrument know how to move on stage and other bits of their craft will always be above other people.

How do you see the Nigeria music industry in the next five years?

At least, in the past five years, there has been tremendous growth in the music industry. In the next five years, I look forward to seeing a lot of artistes who are really skillful having passion for their careers and not money. If you are in there for money you may as well be importing containers. So do it

nated and organised where we have royalty collections where you can release your albums and you have a lot of people who have already purchased it before you even release it. I believe that would be the norm in the next five years. And it has begun already.

Five years ago, did you see yourself at this level?

Well, I will say yes. I actually saw myself being higher but you know sometimes we cannot really foretell the future even if we have all the statistics. So, I knew I was destined for high places. If I am not yet there, it means I’m still working hard towards reaching that spot and when I get there, it will be amazing.

How would you advise upcoming ones?

They must first discover where their talent lies and follow it. If it is music, then the kind of music to play. You need to pick so you won’t get confused. And you need to put all your energy into actualising your dream.

Then make sure you practise along that line.

Your music has stood the test of time, over five years, when others have dwindled.

How can young musicians record such feat as yours?

They have to create music that is genuine. Sometimes, once in a while, we need to create music that can stand the test of time.

To do that, you have to wait for inspiration or seek inspiration.

You don’t have to sit idly; get on the go, or provoke the inspiration.

for t h e p a s sion.

I see the music industry more c o o rdi-

What will be your advice to the government on the music industry?

This current government shouldn’t neglect music. In America, it’s a huge contribution to the GDP. If they can find a way that music will pay them, it would be amazing. And that will give the artistes more respect, their economy more money and also enrich a lot more people around the music industry, like the make-up artistes and the people that follow the artistes around. It will get to everybody around and it will be amazing. Unemployment will reduce as a lot of people around the artiste will be productively engaged.

&

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Weddings Engagements

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

You can call this line 08050324794

CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS Sunday, November 8, 2015

I call Bukola my mother –Olujimi TITILOPE MORAKINYO

T

he families of Onasanya and Apata celebrated the ‘new beginning ’ of their children, Bukola Apata and Olujimi Onasanya respectively as they were joined in Holy matrimony recently.

The conjugal blessing took place at Ikoyi Registry, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Captivating Bukola was stunningly dressed in her lace wedding attire with a sheer Venice lace neckline-pleated satin cummerbund, and she harmonised her bridal look with beautiful multi-pearl drop ear-

rings. Olujimi looked dapper in his blue normal paired with a pink bow tie.

The guests later moved to the bride ’s home at Oganla compound in Ibadan, venue of the reception, which was beautifully decorated in purple and pink, as well as rich cream roses.

The couple as well as guests had no dull moment as they were treated to nice music and delicious, assorted meals and drinks.

Buloka and Olujimi met at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State in 2007 after which they became friends, and they dated-

for eight years. Olajimi proposed to Bukola and she accepted; today, they are one flesh.

According to the groom, “I love my wife for her kind gestures.

She is a virtuous woman and I call her my mother ”. The excited and beautiful bride said that she fell in love with her husband because he is caring, understanding and fun to be with and one who is ready to listen and ever sacrificing ”.

It was a celebration of love as guests and the bride ’s family were gorgeously dressed in purple and pink and the groom ’s parents in leaf green colour.

Williams ’ gentle nature attracted me –Rita

I

t was the beginning of a new life for Williams Aligbre and his belle, Rita Arigold Eduwa, when they were joined in conjugal bliss at the Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church, Asaba, Delta State and had their traditional wedding recently.

The event took place at Amukoko Orile Lagos while the couple was elegantly dressed in the Edo native attire. Pretty Rita looked eye-catching in her gold lace blouse, a blue two-piece wrapper and a

Kelly Oluwanifemi Ogungbesan

K

elly Oluwanifemi Ogungbesan was born at Budo Specialist Hospital, Ajah, Lagos to Mojisola and Kolawole Ogungbesan and she weighted 3.5kg at birth.

Mojisola said that apart from the normal things that occur to women during pregnancy, such as swollen feet and occasional heart burn, she felt unusual pain at some point.

The mother also revealed that she enjoyed eating

gold and blue headgear.

She harmonized her look with a gold clutch purse, shoes and coral beads, Williams complemented his bride in his gold lace traditional attire, cap and coral beads.

Williams and Rita had been dating for a while and they however decided to keep it under wraps.

According to the bride, “I met my husband last year on my way to an event. I could not resist his handsome look and gentle nature. ” The couple began a

BABIES OF THE WEEK fruits during the period. “Though fruits are are part of a normal diets for pregnant women, I had this passion for water melon and mango, which I craved for all the time. ” Mojisola revealed.

According to the parent, Oluwanifemi is a special and dear child to their hearts because she brought in divine favour and financial breakthrough to the family.

On the choice of name, the father said: “we named her Oluwanifemi, meaning ‘God loves and is merciful to us ’. We want her to become a medical doctor. ”

Adesire Okedeyi

A

desire Okedeyi was born at Agbado Health Centre, Agbado Station, Ogun State to Olaoluwa and Olatorera Okedeyi. She was delivered at 5.30 p.m. and weighed 2.5 kg.

According to Olatorera, “during the pregnancy, I craved for pap and water leaf soup. I also loved eating ‘amalafunfun as well and I also drank lots of water. ” “During the pregnancy, nothing irritated me, ” she stressed.

What do Adesire ’s parents love most about her? “We love everything about her;

romantic relationship and it blossomed into marriage.

Speaking on the qualities he adores in his wife, the groom revealed that “she is beautiful, gentle an easy going person, loving, caring and above all, humble ”.

At the event, families and friends of the couple appeared in a pink and blue Aso ebi, it was fun all through as the floor was turned to a dancing competition, led by the couple.

she is beautiful, smiles a lot, however, she disturbs only when she is hungry, ” she revealed.

“We want her to become a medical doctor but my greatest desire for her is to become the first lady, either of this country or her state because I love to be called the mother of a first lady. However, we will support her in her chosen career, ” Olatorera disclosed.

What is the meaning of her names? “The name, Adesire, was given to her because it was when she was given birth to that her father opened his new business site, which means she arrived when good things are happening to the family, ” Olaoluwa added.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What to wear …Africa fashion exhibition Sunday, November 8, 2015

ADAEZE AMOS

O

ne way African culture is advertised to the world is through fashion exhibitions which come up every November. If you want to attend, you need to start getting ready early with what to wear so that you won ’t be taken unawares. As a style aficionado who likes to set the pace in fashion, you should be creative with your attire so that you would stand out.

Therefore you should put your fabric into consideration while designing. For instance, check out what model, Debby, wore to such an event. She used African fabric and designed this fabulous style that showed little flesh. If you are crazy over crop top style, check out how she designed hers and take a cue from her. After all, this style is not rampant.

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Perfect Cut

African Look Native fabrics splash alluring colours on runways Adaeze Amos

A

frican print fabrics have remained ever colourful but they are more alluring on fashion runways, especially with its stage lights!

No wonder our own models slip into dresses made with these fabrics with pride and they walk boldly showcasing styles that can be designed using such fabrics.

Take a closer look at the models on this page and see how these native prints keep splashing sweet colours on both models and runways.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Handbags:

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Perfect Cut

: Ladies can’t have enough of them!

Adaeze Amos

E

ver wondered why handbags shops would always have scores of ladies either trooping in or stealing glances at the bags hung in show glasses? They have been said to be every lady’s best friend as they are seen as fashion accessories that can’t be ignored in every lady’s wardrobe. A lady feels she is incomplete without them.

If you are in doubt of this, then look around you, you would see it’s almost impossible to see well-dressed ladies without handbags. It has even become a fashion rule not to leave the house without one. That’s why the designers would always smile to the banks.

They too are very creative producing big, small, moderate, no matter the size you need. It’s available!

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

L

OVE

TALK

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

with Yemisi

Adeniran

Something to be considered:

As a man, have you ever wondered what sex means to a woman?

W

hether we like it or not, the meaning of sex varies from person to person.

Everyone has his own experience and value of sex, and what it represents to him or her in a relationship. It is an emotional connection, trust and friendship that is absolutely essential for any meaningful and lasting relationship.

It is also one thing that can make a loyal bond to any one person more than friendship?

Sex is an extremely important physical and emotional element of any romantic relationship.

In other words, sex has the ability to greatly impact a couple ’s relationship based on the meanings that are placed on sex. While these meanings definitely vary from person to person, and couple to couple, there are a few common things that sex represents for a woman in a relationship.

1.

It shows a woman that you love her When you take your time working your way around every nook that makes your woman shiver, kiss all her favorite spots, and make sure she ’s fully satisfied, there is no better way of making a woman know that she ’s absolutely loved and cared for.

2.

It shows a woman you are attracted to her When you ’re having regular sex in a relationship, it shows a woman you are attracted to her, and that you think she is sexy, and desirable.

Edwin is my name. I ’m looking for a sexy and romantic lady of 17 years for friendship -08094186336.

My name is Uche, 42, an engineer from Anambra State. I ’m 5.8 ft tall and a Christian. I need a 28-35 working-class graduate from Anambra for marriage - 08062227333.

Taiwo Olumide is my name. I ’m a student, light -kinned and tall. I need a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. I ’m live in Ibadan -08072225028.

I ’m Jude, 28 years old. I ’m shy, friendly and live in Lagos. I need a caring, understanding female friend from any state. She has to be between 19 and 35 years old -07032292819, 08097013057.

My name is A1, 23, from a Yoruba-speaking state. I ’m young and beautiful, a mother of two beautiful girls. I need a 28-40-year-old rich man who is ready to take good care of me. Trust me, I ’m ready to put smiles on his face anytime. I wouldn ’t mind Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or even a white man -08107346507.

Mohd, 40, wants a mature lady, tall, sexy, with bleached skin and big boobs. She has to be a working-class living in Kaduna, between 25 and 35 years old, for friendship -080 37348310.

3.

It is passion Sex is passion. It makes a woman feel loved and beautiful if you want her as much as she wants you in your relationship.

My name is Ade, I live in Lagos. I am a worker and student. I ’m 27 years old.

I need a caring, sexy lady between 20 and 25years old -0708857453.

My name is Afam, 25, a graduate. I need a sugar mummy for a serious relationship -07060932985.

I ’m Moses, 27, from Lagos. I need a God-fearing, loving, caring and honest lady, between 19 and 25 years old, for a committed relationship -08024204122, 08038566795.

I am CJ, 32 years old. I need a mature and God-fearing lady for marriage -08137729887.

4.

It is a trusted connection between two people The difference between a one-night-stand and sex in a relationship is that you share a deep connection with your partner, something you don ’t usually find after a heavy night of drinking.

And because of such a connection, sex is something that must be shared between both partners, not taken from either one.

6.

It is pleasure Pleasure is self-explanatory really. Sex for women in a relationship means pleasure.

That can range from full out multiple O ’s or just an awesome romp that

Uche, 20, from Anambra needs a God-fearing, handsome, caring and rich guy of 25 years and above that will take care of her -08144815735.

Paul is my name. I ’m 50 years old. A graduate of University of Uyo, I ’m from Akwa Ibom State. I need a lady for wife -07030809667.

If you aren ’t having sex with your lady, she is most likely feeling like the most unattractive woman alive. Nothing makes a woman doubt herself (body wise) more than being sexually rejected by her partner!

5.

It is fun Of course, sex means fun for women in a relationship. Sex is not a chore to women. The age-old myth that women don ’t like sex as much as men is complete rubbish.

Many women are extremely sexual beings that love to have fun and feel the immense gratification that comes along with amazing sex.

In need of a serious relationship/marriage

I ’m Kemi, fair in complexion and pretty. I ’m 20 years old and live in Lagos. I need a guy of any age that can take good care of me and ready to marry me -08067706966.

Moses, 27, needs a serious relationship that can lead to marriage.

She should be between 21 and 28 years old. She should be a workingclass, dark-skinned and beautiful. She should be living in Lagos 07087764057.

I ’m Dennis by name and I ’m 25 years old. I live in Abuja and I ’m working. I need a lady between 20 and 23 for a serious relationship that could lead to marriage -09030465717.

I ’m Sunday, dark, 35 years old and 6ft tall. I ’m a civil servant from Ondo State. I need a God-fearing lady between 25 and 32years old. She has to be a working-class from any part of the world -07031151927.

My name is Agbamue Samson, 2 7years old and a working-class. I need a sugar mummy between 30 and 40 years of age -08061540752.

Gabby is my name, 45, a media officer in Makurdi. I need a mature lady of 55 years old and above for companionship -08178717095.

I ’m Alex, 29 years old living in Abuja. I ’m fair in complexion. I need a sugar mummy who is 38 years old for a relationship -08061500561. e cards. I ’m 27 years old. I need a good wife -08028922937.

My name is Joy, 30 years old and I need a God-fearing man for a serious relationship that could lead to marriage. I ’m in my final year in the university and I ’m a businesswoman from Benue State -08123493530.

Models

leaves a lady feeling good and giddy.

You should find out what exactly creates the most enjoyable and pleasing sex for your lady, and make it happen, over and over!

Overall, sex is many things So, sex does not mean just one thing to a woman in a relationship. It can mean many things, maybe even more than have been mentioned here.

But broadly, sex comes down to represent three main things – love, a con-

nection, and pleasure!

Sex does mean different things to different people, but these values are the most basic. They are what most women find sex to mean in a relationship.

But if As a couple you are not experiencing real intimacy and fun that should accompany sex in your relationship, something must be wrong somewhere. You then need to sit down and reexamine what you are having with your partner.

Bimpe is my name, 42-year-old mother of one who seeks a husband.

He has to be a bachelor and a serious man who is ready to settle down -08099384270.

Taiwo is my name. I ’m a 29-year-old graduate. I live in lbadan and I need a responsible and God-fearing man of 31 years old or above for a serious relationship -08090810838.

Ade is my name, a university graduate. I also need a graduate and workingclass lady to settle down with. She has to be a Yoruba lady between 30 and 37 years old -08074600653.

My name is Sammy, 25 years old. I live in Lagos. I want a sugar mummy for fun and connection, not for money –07065075990.

I am Jide, from Lagos. I am 36 years old and single. I need a sugar mummy that is ready to love me –08024921464.

My name is Clem, based in Lagos. I need a sugar mummy –07086426368.

My name is Sam, 23 years old, I need a caring sugar mummy who is rich and beautiful. – 08034529842

NOTICE: Please note that we don ’t do personal connections outside this column. Calls to connect privately are not allowed. Just send an SMS or email and we ’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I ’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Shelly Ogbise

߾ࠆ߾ࠀࠁ߾߿ࠀࠀࠇࠁ ߶ࠡࠛࠡ ࠝࠜࠚࠧ߷

Why you need maternity night wears B eing pregnant doesn ’t mean giving up your personal style even when you want to retire to bed. There are so many maternity night gowns that are comfortable and can flatter your beautiful shape – whether you ’re carrying high or low, big or small tummy.

If your body changes are stumping you, then opt for casual-chic night looks to take the hassle out.

If you ’re big all over

Some women gain just in the belly, but many more discover that baby weight distributes all over. You ’re not alone if you ’re swelling everywhere from your limbs to your face. But whether you ’re tall, plussize, or just feeling bigger than your usual self, don ’t let trying on night clothes become a battle. Soft fabrics and longer lines are best ways to help you feel great on bed while still accentuating your beautiful bump.

A long story

Start with a soft knit night dress and a hemline that hits around the knee. A touch of form-fitting fabric emphasizes your baby bump and lets you move around freely. Cover with a long sweater that nearly matches the length of the dress to keep the shape long and lean. Complete the night-cool look with soft stockings especially if you are cold.

A leg up Leggings are every pregnant woman ’s best friend, giving maximum comfort

‘I allowed myself to be soaked in rain ’

as your belly continues to grow. You may opt to wear it under a transparent night dress and you are ready to say good night If you ’re carrying low If your baby is sitting low, you might be showing off a sweet belly just above your hips. For your comfort, look for a night dress that ’s soft on the waistline. Belowthe-bump cuts can be especially cute, nipping in and accentuating your shape.

T

he naughtiest thing I have ever done was to walk in the rain because I needed to meet up with an appointment with my date. I ’m someone who takes appointments seriously. I hate coming late and start saying it ’s African time.

On this day, I was properly dressed and my Brazillian hair a beehive. I really looked good!

I didn ’t know it was going to rain that day although when I left my house, it was a bit sunny, no sign it ’d rain at all.

But when I was close to the place of the appointment, the weather suddenly changed.

It became cloudy as well and I continued walking to the place unworried.

I had already called him that I was close to our meeting point. Soon the rain started.

I began to walk faster because I didn ’t want my flawless make-up and well fixed eyelashes to

be soiled by the rain. The more I walked faster, the heavier the rain. The rain drops were so big that they landed heavily on my head.

I continued walking not caring. It got to the extent that I started catching the attention of some people.

Some were even beckoning on me to run inside where they were standing, but I ignored them.

But before I could get to the place, I was thoroughly drenched. My hair was a mess of itself, my makeup soiled. In fact I looked funny or should I say stupid!

That was a day I wouldn ’t forget in a hurry.

I count it as the naughtiest thing I have ever done because nothing stopped me from running into somewhere and wait for the rain to subside.

•Queen Ogbise is the current Miss Curvy Culture. She hails from Bayelsa State.

-Adaeze Amos

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Frejon

T

Titilope Morakinyo

F

rejon is a coconut bean dish made from black beans, coconut milk and white sugar and popular in Nigeria.

Frejon has its origins in Brazil and Portugal and is a delicious dish that finds a sweet, yet delicate balance from the addition of coconut and sugar.

It is traditionally eaten on Good Friday, during the Easter season and is usually served with toasted garri/dried and ground cassava and fish stew.

It is quite easy to make and really hard to go wrong with even if it’s the first preparing the meal and it is also cheap to make.

It is a special occasion dish, perhaps once every couple of months. Just because it’s a Good Friday dish, doesn’t mean you can’t eat it any other time of year.

Ingredients 2.5 cups of brown honey beans (ewa oloyin) 1-2 cups coconut milk 1/2 cup coconut water with pulp (optional) 1-2 cups granulated white sugar 1 Knor cube How to prepare

Pick beans if necessary to remove dirt, stones, weevils Add the beans to a pot; add enough water to cover beans completely, add no salt or onions Let boil continuously over medium heat for about 1-2 hours till soft and mushy; keep adding water as needed Keep boiling and boiling Once beans is soft and mushy, strain extra liquid if any with a sieve, large bowl and a large spoon Stir beans around to strain extra liquid; use spoon to scrape underneath the sieve to rid it of extra Transfer the sieved beans to a bowl Add coconut milk to beans in blender Add coconut water Blend till smooth, add to dry pot over medium heat and boil for five minutes Add knorr cube and sugar Let boil uncovered for 10-15 minutes over medium heat till it starts to thicken, once it starts to thicken then stir After five more minutes, it should be cooked Cover pot and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions Frejon is traditionally served with toasted garri and with fish stew.

Tempranillo

empranillo, arguably the most famous of Spain’s native grapes, is a vibrant, aromatic varietal that offers spicy, red fruit aromas and flavors. The grape’s name translates to “little early one,” a moniker that references fruit’s early ripening tendency-Tempranillo thrives even with a short growing season.

The varietal is at its best in top Riojas, where oak aging is employed to generate increased complexity and harmony. From the best sites, these wines can be remarkably concentrated with great aging potential. New wines from this region are darker, and more robust, with more dynamic primary fruit flavors than traditionally styled examples. These wines seem to reflect the influence of Spain’s other key region for Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero. Regardless of style, Riojas tend to be medium bodied wines, with more acid than tannins. These wines generally feature Tempranillo blended with Garancha, Mazuelo, and Graciano. For these wines, there are three quality levels, which will appear on the label.

Everyday drinking wines fall under the category of “Crianza”, “Reserva” denotes more complex and concentrated wines, and “Gran Reserva” refers to the most intense wines, made only in

the best years.

The same labeling scheme applies to wines from Ribera del Duero, which, like Rioja, is dominated by Tempranillo and shares similar blending grapes.

Again, Ribera del Duero wines are generally darker and more powerful than the most traditional Riojas. These wines also generally see less oak treatment than Riojas. From Rioja, we like wines from Marqués de Cáceres, Montecillo, and Cune. In Ribera del Duero, consider Dominio de Pingus, Convento San Francisco, and Pesquera.

In Portugal, Tempranillo is called Tinta Roriz, where it is used to produce wines that are fragrant and complex, with good color, body, backbone, and resistance to oxidation despite possessing only moderate acidity. The second most widely planted variety in the Douro region of Portugal, it is increasingly popular as a stand-alone variety for dry red wines. (Tinta Roriz is called Aragonez in Alentejo, where it is softer and more liqueur-like.)

Pair older-style Rioja with simple meats like chicken, leg of lamb, and pork loin. However, the newer style of Rioja and Ribera del Duero works especially well with bolder meat dishes or an aged Spanish cheese like Manchego or Idiazabal.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

Sunday, November 8, 2015

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Once upon a time

WHO INVENTED WHAT? Sewing machine was created by Elias Howe

The selsh giant

I

t was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass, beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peachtrees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children stop their games in order to listen to them. ‘How happy we are here! ’ they cried to each other.

One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years.

After the seven years were over he returned to his own castle and when he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden. ”What are you doing here? ’ he cried in a very gruff voice, and the children ran away.

“My own garden is my own garden, ” said the Giant; ‘any one can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself. ’ So he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED, He was a very selfish Giant The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it.

They wander round the high wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside ‘How happy we were there, ’ they said to each other.

Then the spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost. ‘Spring has forgotten this garden, ’ they cried, ‘so we will live here all the year round. ’ The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down.

‘This is a delightful spot, ’ he said, ‘we must ask the Hail on a visit. ’ So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rat-

tled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.

‘I cannot understand why the spring is so late in coming, ’ said the Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white garden; ‘I hope there will be a change in the weather. ’ But the spring never came, nor the summer. The autumn gave golden fruit to every garden, but to the Giant ’s garden she gave none. ‘He is too selfish, ’ she said.

So it was always winter there, and the North Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the trees.

One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music. It sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King ’s musicians passing by. It was really only a little linnet singing outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world.

Then the Hail stopped dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him through the open casement. ‘I believe the spring has come at last, ’ said the Giant; and he jumped out of bed and looked out.

What did he see?

He saw a most wonderful sight.

Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children ’s heads. The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing. It was a lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was wandering all round it, crying bitterly.

The poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and roaring above it. ‘Climb up!

Little boy, ’ said the Tree, and it bent its branches down as low as it could; but the little boy was too tiny.

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lias Howe born in Spencer, Massachusetts, created his sewing machine in 1845, using a similar method to Fisher ’s, except that the fabric was held vertically. An important improvement on his machine was to have the needle running away from the point, starting from the eye. After a lengthy stint in England trying to attract interest in his machine he returned to America to find various people infringing his patent, among them Isaac Merritt Singer. He eventually won a case for patent infringement in 1854 and was awarded

the right to claim royalties from the manufacturers using ideas covered by his patent, including Singer.

Singer had seen a rotary sewing machine being repaired in a Boston shop.

As an engineer, he thought the device was clumsy and decided to design a better one. The machine he designed used a falling shuttle instead of a rotary one; the needle was mounted vertically and included a presser foot to hold the cloth in place. It had a fixed arm to hold the needle and included a basic tensioning system.

YOUNG FASHION

SUNGLASSES

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unglasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and highenergy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that are colored, polarized or darkened.

Sunglasses can be worn to hide one ’s

eyes. They can make eye contact impossible, which can be intimidating to those not wearing sunglasses; It can also be used to hide emotions; this can range from hiding blinking to hiding weeping and its resulting red eyes.

Fashion trends can be another reason for wearing sunglasses, particularly designer sunglasses. Sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a fashion accessory. Fashion trends can also draw on the “cool ” image of sunglasses

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Movies & Music

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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Potaranking, Elenu, Dammy Krane show can-do attitude Potaranking

elebrating the can-do attitude that drives Nigerians every day, Malta Guinness has launched a vibrant new campaign tagged: ‘You vs...’ to celebrate the everyday Nigerian who takes on typical everyday challenges with a smile and a spring in their feet.

The campaign kicked off with full energy as thousands of commuters and several other road users had their faces beaming with joy, as they woke up to find scores of BRT buses from Malta Guinness to help get them to their respective place of work for free.

The fun didn’t stop there, as people on the buses were entertained

by A-list comedians Elenu, Pencil and a host of others. In addition, the brand took the energy and excitement to the UBA Park at Apongbon market in Lagos to inspire people at market to take on their day and go about their activities with a can-do attitude. Performing at the event was Whayasay crooner Patoranking and Amin crooner Dammy Krane who gave the audience a lot of musical goodness.

Marketing Manager Malta & APNAD, Mr. Uche Onwudiwe, while explaining the significance of the campaign said the ‘You vs...’ campaign is Malta Guinness way of celebrating and inspiring Nigerians to keep up the can-do-spirit that enables them do more on a daily basis. We attempted to help relieve some of the challenges experienced in everyday life as was evidenced with the You vs. the Traffic earlier in the day; Traffic morning blues amongst other every day-to-day challenges.

Said Onwudiwe: “Malta Guinness has been energising Nigerians for 25 years with natural goodness as they take on life’s everyday challenges. Whether it is traffic, the commute or the 8-5, whatever challenges life throws up, Malta Guinness is there to give you the energy and vitality to deal with it. Let’s Go Naija!”

Currently broadcasting across Nigeria on national television, the new TV commercial: ‘You vs...’ which was launched alongside the campaign...’ features a modern day, Burna Boy version of the 80s classic hit, ‘Pump Up The Jam’, and it is purposely designed to excite Nigerians who take on every day with a smile as they tackle their everyday work life, inspiring everyone to take up the can-do spirit.

The new television commercial will be accompanied by a new inspirational outdoor and radio as well as a number of on-the-ground activities to inspire people with Koffi that can-do spirit, so Nigerians get ready.

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onsidered to be Nigeria’s most versatile entertainer and king of the new generation, Koffi’Tha Guru’ as he is called will today be live on stage with his annual comedy concert ‘Out of Control’ at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

The theme for this year’s edition ‘15 shades Ballistic’ describes an assemblage of 15 great comedians as well as 15 wonderful artistes among which are Alibaba, Okey Bakassi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Bovi, Omobaba, Helen Paul and Chi gul.

Others are Yaw, Cee.Y, Bowjoint, Josh2funny, 2face, Yemi Alade, Falz the bahd guy, Pasuma, Tony Oneweek, Beautiful Nubia, Sola Allynson, African China, Nosa, Isaac Geralds, Boomerang and Ruffcoin.

They also include Ikpa Udo, Ex.O, Diana Bada, OluJazz, TRockk, Crown Troupe, Samnem, Cymbals. Others include Mr Gerrarahere Francis Odega, Saka, Frank Donga, Charles Inojie and Mr Latin.

It promises to be fans’ delight as it shall build up from last year’s edition that had Sir Shina peters, Ras Kimono, Sunny Neji, Adewale Ayuba thrilling fans to a wow experience alongside Koffi and some other comedy talents like Omini, Baba de baba, SmS, etc.

Tickets for the event have been pegged at N5,000 as Koffi considers everyone to be a VIP. Guests will also be treated to goodies from partners, a couple’s weekend treat, and some special surprise interactive packages

RMD, Basketmouth, Uti in first-ever selfie from space

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Uti

Koffi Tha Guru celebrates Out Of Control today

igeria’s top celebrities, Richard MofeDamijo, BasketMouth, Uti Nwachukwu and Kemi Adetiba joined international top shots to the party capital of the USA, Las Vegas, for the first ever Selfie from space, courtesy of the world’s number one brewer, Heineken.

The event which took place recently in Nevada, Los Angeles, as these celebrities joined other big names including popular Bond Villain, Dave Bautista to experience the first of its kind Selfie from space as well as many other exciting activities which were lined up in preparation for the James Bond “Spectre” premiere.

In partnership with Urthecast, Heineken created the Selfie experience from space using a camera on the Deimos satellite, currently in orbit 600km above the earth’s surface to take ultra HD imagery of the lucky celebrities including the Nigerian quartet assembled at the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas.

Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji remarked, “We are very proud of our long-standing association with the James Bond franchise and we are especially proud to partner with ‘Spectre’ on this adventure as we bring the experience to Nigeria with four of the country’s most loved entertainment personalities. Their fans will be able to share the experience with them through their social media pages and it promises to be a lot of fun.”

The Heineken Spyfie is one of the activities in the brand’s integrated global “Spectre” campaign, which centers around the latest installment in the James Bond film series titled ‘Spectre’. The campaign also features an exciting TV ad featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond in a high-speed boat chase.

Beginning with 1997’s, ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, Heineken has partnered with James Bond since 1997 and Spectre is the seventh consecutive film in the partnership.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dare Art Alade

Movies & Music

Sunday, November 8, 2015

AFRIMA provides free voucher to guests

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hile unveiling the activities of the 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, ceremony in Nigeria, the International Committee of AFRIMA has announced 5,000 units of discount shopping vouchers worth N3,000 each to be distributed to all guests/participants by Supermart.ng, an online Supermarket at this year’s All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA coming up next sunday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Unveiling the partnership deal, Director of Communication and Sponsorship, AFRIMA, Matlou Tsotsetsi said, “There is a global call to action today for collaboration.

Businesses, great and small are called upon to examine economic challenges and share ideas on how it can be eliminated in Africa. This is a good opportunity for us to air our views about the approaches be-

ing used to shop with convenience in Africa. Like it or not enterprises are growing in Africa. With Supermart. ng, the cost of moving goods and personnel around, cost of maintenance of motor vehicles due to high wear and tear and with so much man-hour wasted due to road congestion is reduced.”

With an amazing three-hour grocery delivery across Lagos, Nigeria, Supermart.ng is the largest online supermarket in Nigeria with a convenient platform for online grocery shopping without leaving the convenience of your home or office.

Supermart.ng have the widest selection of grocery items online with over 60,000 items on their online supermarket. They also offer shoppers products from top brands.

According to the Senior Associate, Communications and Partnerships, Supermart.ng, Oluwatayo Alofun started that “Supermart.ng is proud to support the All Africa Music Award, AFRIMA 2015. This is in line with our business objective of meeting African needs by Africans. While we are meeting these needs in the area of food, technology and logistics, we

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Cosmo Lounge fetes Mr. Nigeria Int’l in PH

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osmo Lounge recently hosted the new Mr. Nigeria International Africa 2015, Abraham Ibiang, in Port Harcourt. The foremost lounge which is located in the heart of GRA, Port Harcourt had in entourage a bevy of beauty queens from this year’s edition of the prestigious Mr. and Miss Nigeria International Pageant, NISM 2015, which held at Lekki, Lagos on October 4.

Ibiang, who has long enjoyed fame mostly in the South-South from his 084TV show, arrived at the party in a colorful style accompanied by some pageant kings and beauty queens, friends and well-wishers. They didn’t hesitate to party hard and celebrate with the Nigerian International Supermodel Ambassador who represented Rivers State in the National contest where he emerged overall 1st runner-up with the title “Mr Nigerian Africa 2015”.

We say, ‘Kudos Mr. Naija Africa. Do make Africa and Nigeria proud! We are here to support you.’

Glo Dance With Peter contestants deliver on MJ dance routine

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he transition from Hip-Hop to Michael Jackson dance steps on Glo-sponsored reality T.V. show, Dance with Peter, on Saturday has heightened the excitement and rivalry among the contestants.

As customary with the show, contestant after contestant displayed sublime dance steps and tried to out perform each other as they recreated dance moves made popular by the world famous late Michael Jackson widely acknowledged as an inimitable singer and gravity defying dancer to the extent that the legend MJ would have been proud of them.

Last night’s show began with the show judges, Peter Okoye, Kaffy and Don Flexx laying down the marker by exhibiting MJ’s dance moves including “Moonwalk”, “Spin” and “robot dance”. It was like watching three clones of Michael dancing on stage.

The battle for retention in the academy by the housemates raged on as four of the five dancers: Socrazy Cool, Mali Hotboy, Ernest Smiley, Nekky and Snipes placed on probation in the last edition earned a last chance to prove their mettle while Socrazy Cool was saved and sent back to the academy.

Commenting on the performance of the dancers, guest judge and contemporary highlife king, Flavor, expressed his desire for ‘passion’ like the late Michael Jackson was renowned for in his works repeatedly to the extent that it earned him the sobriquet of “Mr. Passion” from the audience.

The twenty-one housemates who were placed in a group of seven comprising 3 members were deliberately left without choreographers. They were to train themselves on Michael Jackson dance steps. Surprisingly, they stunned the judges, Peter Okoye of P-Square, Dance Queen, Kaffy, and Choreographer, Don Flexx, with electrifying body moves.

While Miracle, TJ and Mali Hotboy performed “Dangerous”, Weezy, Octopus and Amazing Amy performed ‘Wanna be starting something” and Nekky Messiah and Kevin performed “Ghost of Jealousy”. Other groups that performed were Socrazy Cool, Bobby and MOD who performed “Beat it; Paulette, Ernest Smiley and Julius Fakta who performed “Bad” and Snipes, T-Rubber and G-Xtreme who performed “Thriller”. The highpoint of the show was the performance by MX, C-Fly and Yemi who did “They don’t care about us.”

As the anchor, Ehis, announced the evictees, there was a deafening silence that could make the drop of a pin seem so loud. “The first to be evicted tonight” Ehis said, “is ... Mali Hotboy”. He announced Ernest

Smiley next and, thereafter, Snipes as the remaining two dancers to leave the contest.

Reacting in an emotion-laden voice, Ernest Smiley said although he was pained by his eviction from the house, it was the beginning of the journey to stardom for him.

“I know this is the end of the road for me in the academy, but indeed, it is the beginning of my journey to stardom.”

The next generation network, Globacom announced that those who missed the show on Africa Magic Urban on Saturday night can look forward to watching it on African Independent Television (AIT) 5 p.m. on Sunday to catch the contestants repli-

cate the thrilling dance steps of Michael Jackson.

Dance with Peter also runs on MTV Base on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The company advised the public to vote for their preferred contestant by sending his or her code to 55518 at the cost of N50 per SMS. Those up for eviction are Weezy, Octopus, Amazing Amy, Socrazy Cool, MOD and Bobby Blankson. Voting lines are open from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 12 midnight on Monday.

“Voters stand a chance of winning fantastic prizes including Iphone 5 handsets, Glo internet wifi and modems as well as Glo recharge cards,” the statement added.

Mr. Nigeria

Dr Sid, Reekado Banks, others thrill fans

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eading record label, Mavin Records has again served fans with a pleasant surprise.

Performing at Oga Madam Live on Stage with Lolo 1 at Muson Centre recently, Mavin All stars group Reekado Banks, Korede Bello joined Dr Sid on stage to perform their chart-stopping gyration new single, ‘Jantamanta’ They delivered a highly energetic performance to the delight of fans. Despite the absence of Mavin Records Boss, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Aphrodija and D’Prince, they delivered the new single in a dramatic way, thrilling fans.

Dr Sid

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)

My husband now interested in his son ’s mother (3) This is the conclusion of Theo and Philomena ’s story started penultimate week.

When Theo ’s mother brought Stella the lady that had a son for Theo and her grandson (Theo Junior), there was chaos in the family.

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hen Theo Junior asked her grandmother what she would be calling Philomena, Theo ’s wife (his father ’s wife), the question was ignored.

Theo ’s mother then called Stella. “The lady who would have been my daughter-in-law, please come. This is Philomena, my son ’s wife. She has been a good wife to my son, hmmm, but it ’s just that her womb has been under lock and key since ten years she has been married.

She is barren and only God knows why.

I think she has to thank you for coming to her rescue. Now that you have brought a grandson to me, I would give her less stress and let her be. But she must respect you. You have free access to this home, after all, my son is the father of your son. Feel free to visit at any time, nobody would ever stop you because you have made me proud and made my son a father. I was a laughing stock in the entire Umuojima village because of Philomena ’s bareness but now I think I ’m fulfilled, ” she said, not giving a damn if Philomena was hurt.

The two ladies (Stella and Philomena) stood looking at each other for a while before Stella dropped the bombshell. “Hmm, Mama, ” she said, gazing up to Theo ’s mother.

“My son asked an important question but you didn ’t answer him. Maybe you were busy or you didn ’t have the right answer to his question. He asked what he would be calling Philomena, your son ’s wife. Let me saw it now that he should be calling her Auntie and not Mama or Mum since I ’m alive. That would make it easier for us all so that when my son calls mum, I would know I ’m the one he is calling. Anyone who wants to be called a mum should be pregnant, carry it for nine months, push the baby, that ’s when the person deserves to be addressed as such. Mama that ’s what I want to say, ” she said, stealing a quick glance at Philomena.

“Okay Stella, you are right. Let him call Philomena Auntie. Whatever you say here is supported, ” she nodded.

That was when Philomena opened up.

“I ’m not even interested in whatever this little boy calls me-Auntie, Sister, Mama, whatever. I ’m not bothered at all. That is less of my problem for now, ” she said, tying

A model

her wrapper stronger on her waist.

Stella raised her hand indicating that she had more things to say and Theo who had been keeping mum asked her to talk.

“Another thing is that I want to ask for a favour. I would like Theo to allow me live here with my son pending when I would get an accommodation else where. I was working in Umuahia, Abia state capital until I was transferred to Lagos where the headquarter of the company where I work

is. Please, I don ’t know anybody I can stay with. Mama please help me beg Theo to accept me. I promise not to come in between him and his wife, ” she enthused.

Theo agreed, not consulting with his wife. He gave a tangible reason for accepting to accommodate Stella and his son. “It ’s okay Stella, you can stay. This would give me the opportunity to bond with my son whom I hadn ’t seen since he was born. I need to bring him closer to me, and teach him some

things he needs to know. I would tell him a lot about his family. I ’m glad you gave him my name and surname and that is what he bears in school. Thank you very much for being there for our son even when I denied you. So, why should I refuse you this single favour. My guest room is free, you can move in there with my son. And then the kitchen is roomy enough for you and my wife. You can cook here, I hate buying food from outside. Even if you were doing it before, you have to stop that habit now that you are here because of my son, ” he said.

When the family meeting was over, none of them put Philomena into consideration.

She too was short of words, though she wasn ’t happy that Stella and her son were coming to live in her matrimonial home without her passion. When Theo ’s mother went home leaving Stella and Theo Junior, Philomena Tried to forge ahead as if nothing happened. Before she could wake up, Stella had already woken up, cooked for herself and her son before leaving for work. Theo would take his son to school first before going to work. All was going on well before Philomena started complaining very seriously. “I started complaining when my husband would spend most of his time with Stella, discussing and chatting in the living room. My husband who used to watch TV in the master ’s bedroom, now prefers to watch the one in the living room with his son and Stella. He would be there till 2am not caring if I need him in the room or not. I called his mother on the phone to complain first and what she said was what I was able to achieve all those ten years her son had been sleeping with me.

That I should leave his son alone for once. I wasn ’t surprised to hear that from her. She stopped liking me when she felt I couldn ’t give her grandchild since ten years her son had been marrying me. I have complained several times to Theo and he only told me that he was trying to bond with his son and that if I ’m not comfortable with that, I ’m free to leave. That was a shocker. My husband is a different person all together ever since Stella and her son came in. He spends more time with them. They have lived six months in my house and with the way things are going, Stella is no longer interested in looking else where for accommodation. I ’m contemplating relocating to Sapele and live with my immediate elder sister until Stella leaves. But a friend told me that if I should do that, my husband may end up impregnating Stella again. That I would be the loser. Please what should I do? ” Readers, you have heard Philomena.

Please counsel her.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday November 8, 2015

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Understanding: Need for successful life General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, explains how to lead a meaningful life. Excerpts:

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nderstanding is the key to which a person could live a meaningful and successful life in this world. Whosoever is endowed with understanding owns the key to all things. The bible says in the book of Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...” What is knowledge or who is a knowledgible person? A knowledgible person is the one that understands the mysteries around him or her. A person that lacks knowledge will not understand how to handle his or her life because the bible say in the book of Proverbs 16:21 “Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it...” Also Proverbs 21:16 says “A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead” Some people never believe they are living an unpleasant life even when you try to enlighten and correct such people, they tend to be acting or behaving within the limit of their own personal understanding. Imagine a child that is being encouraged to acquire

education at early stage of his life but he is so engrossed in playing around and catching fun while his peers are busy going to school while some engage in one apprenticeship or the other. Being playful is what the child understands at that particular time. The child does not have the grasps of the value of quality education at that time. What preoccupy his mind is that there are so many people not educated but are successful. However, after some years later, his peers have now gone their seperate ways, he is now left alone without education or any apprentice skill. He discovers his irrelevance in this society and inferiority complex sets in his life while his educated Peers are successful in their chosen careers. He finds difficult to join them in any meaningful discussion because he

is not in the same level with his peers.

Later he realised how far he had played his time. What was missing in him was understanding of his playing days. Similarly, if everyone understands and have the knowledge about the job to choose in life, no one would not live above poverty level or average life. For instance, a person that is suppose to be an auto mechanic engineer by profession but works in a bank. A male member of my ministry was into clearing and forwarding business and always complain about his living in poverty. The spirit of God revealed to me that he had engaged in a wrong profession that he should go into selling of metal products preferable iron and steel materials. After six months, he came back to me in his own car, then I told him that he lacked understanding of what he was doing before. Furthermore, a lady seeking for the fruit of the womb came to me for prayers and prophetic consultation, again the spirit of God revealed to me that she had terminated several pregnancies when she was single. She lacked understanding because she believed was enjoying her life but the reality of life was down on her when she got any longer. After my persistence allegation that she aborted thirteen pregnancies, she bursted in tears and confessed she had the abortion. My candid advice for her was that no

man of God can provide children for her except God Himself so all she needs is to continually pray to God for forgiveness of her sins because it takes the grace of God for her to conceive again. In the Christendom, there are many pastors but some are not destined to be pastors. Before a person becomes a pastor, nobody will tell the person. He will have the in-depth understanding right from his mind and will be called

by God Almighty. His ministry will grow and flourish. It is imperative for all married women to k n ow t h a t a n y o f

that man will get to his own destination and not to heaven.

The way to heaven is unambiguously described by the Holy Bible. And all that aspire to be there at last are to renounce the devil and all his works, to give up the pomp and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, to keep God’s holy word and commandments and to walk in the same all the days of their life. For this is the road to heaven.

Heb. 12: 14- 17 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled 16. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears”.

If a person follows holiness, though he may not have peace, but he shall be in heaven and shall see God provided he pursues peace. Those aspiring to be on the road to heaven must be of peaceable as

well as of virtuous conduct devoid of any sin. A disposition of seeking peace with all, is eminently suited unto the doctrine and grace of the gospel. But a froward spirit, ready for strife and contention, who is easily provoked, and who retains long a sense of anger, is directly contrary to the spirit and temper of the gospel and thus shall not be found on the way to heaven.

Gal. 5: 20- 21 says, “Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.

Those that indulge in any of the sin above cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven nor is it desirable that they should.

What would heaven be if filled up with adulterers, and fornicators, and idolaters, with the proud and envious, and with murderers and drunkards? To call such a place heaven, would be an abuse of the word. No one could wish to dwell there; and such men cannot enter into heaven. We should rejoice that such men cannot be admitted to heaven. We should rejoice that there is one world

them that engage in extra-marital affairs lacks understanding. The spiritual truth is that it has repercussion on their children and the husband finds it difficult to progress in life. It is obvious that when such women attain old age and her children, that is when the children start experiencing difficulties and problem. Then the mother attributes these problems to principalities of the world instead of herself i.e. her past misdemeanor. Brethren, wisdom, knowledge and understanding are crucial to human existence in this life. These need to be applied in everything we do so that we live a meaningful and successful life. People encounter various difficulties and problems e.g. accidents, attacks and even untimely death. The bible says in the book of Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. If people know and have understanding of the impending dangers ahead they would not go out that day. That is why the bible says in the book of Proverbs 29:18 “where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law”. This being the reason why we prophets of God to prophecy to someone what is about to happen be it good or bad.

Wherever the vision of God is not acknowledged by the people, there is every tendency for people to get perished without solution.

•For more enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288; facebook.com/pastoroloruntimilehin

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

‘The road to heaven’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

ocrites do, whose practice gives their profession the lie; those who are the inventors of the doctrine of lies, which is no better than the doctrine of devils; all these, shall have their way on the broad way thronged by multitudes that leads to hell fire which burns with fire and brimstone, that is, in exquisite torments, and everlasting.

Behold the above are God’s martial law which will be executed upon cowards and renegades, whose fear makes them revolt from Christ in time of danger. All the fainthearted who refused to embrace the grace of God and accept Christ as the Lord and personal Saviour will endure to lie in a lake of fire and brimstone for disowning Him. Whoever lives in the habitual practice of any known sin, without converting from it unto God, is certainly in a state of damnation.

Anybody who wants to really make heaven at last must follow the road, for there is no other road that leads to heaven except the way of holiness. The Bible made us to understand that the ways of God are not our ways. And if any man wants to be in heaven but refuses to follow the way of holiness and decides to go on his own way,

where these vices cannot be seen, a world of perfect and eternal purity which is heaven.

Beloved, you that is reading this message kindly consider if you are among those on the road to heaven or are you expecting an eternal glory while living in sin? If so, you will be fearfully disappointed. Presuming on the mercy of God is as ruinous as deriding of His grace. For where God gives power both to will and to do, the individual should work out his own salvation with fear and trembling if he wishes to be on the narrow way that leads to heaven.

Matt. 6: 33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.

If you desire to be allowed to walk on the way that leads to heaven, your must first seek and promote the kingdom of God in this world, so that you can secure the permission to walk through the strait way to the kingdom of glory in the next. It is only on this premise that heaven shall be added in measure. So whatever challenges of life you are having now it is of no consequence to compare with the blessing of being in heaven at the end of this life.

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From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

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Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)

he Bible is said to be the MIND of God expressed to let people know the plan of God and how it is achieved. People study Bible for various reasons and some people believe that some bible passages can be quoted to convince God to answer their prayers. In some bible passages, it is clearly stated that people should not be ignorant of the plans of God for man because it is then that man can walk according to the plan of God. God once said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6. The knowledge God is referring to is not mathematics, physics, or chemistry but spiritual – God’s plan for eternal life of man. Christian is identified with Jesus Christ and as Jesus is, so every Christian should be in this world and also in the world to come. It is then clear that a Christian is like Christ.A Christian should be a man who will be ready to face evil, act righteously and fight to restore good.

It is unfortunate that many churches employ the services of graduates of secular universities and not trained Christian leaders and theologians. These people have liberal education and are not spirit – filled. They may hold degrees in secular disciplines but spiritually, they are illiterates. They are not trained to handle spiritual matters. Many Christian leaders are ignorant of the power of the Word of God in transformation of man. They study the Bible, teach and preach it without the help of the Holy Spirit.

They see the need for the church to compete with the world, so, they encourage their followers to live a life devoid of the presence of God. All the apostles of Jesus Christ including Paul were properly trained and prepared for the work of God. They all preached Christ. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of every-

Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

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Lanre-Oke

ompared to the power we have access to and we potentially carry, the enemy of our lives is not strong, he’s a toothless lion who completely lost the power over mankind at redemption. However, he does what every weak enemy does; he sharpens his strategies and constantly looks for the loopholes and the vulnerable moments of the strong. I will say this; do not be afraid of the power of the devil against you because he will not prevail. Not by your strength but by the power of Jesus at work within you.

The bible says when the enemy comes as a flood the Spirit of God will lift up a standard against them. The scriptures say, gather they will gather but because it is not of me, it shall not stand. Isaiah 59:19 and Isaiah 54:15, But, be weary of the strategies of the enemy and I will tell you why. Sir/Ma as you read this I want to make an educated guess that you are less than a hundred years and I pray for you that you will fulfill your days in Jesus name. I have a word for someone, the verdict given you spiritually, medically or in whatever form, that says you will not see the end of 2015 is cancelled in the name of Jesus. You will testify to the goodness of God in the year 2016 by His special grace.

Going back to what we were saying; you are probably less than a hundred years on the sur-

Sunday November 8, 2015

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Problems of spiritual illiteracy one who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in this gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith” Romans 1:16.

A new atmosphere has developed in the whole life of Christianity in Nigeria in particular. Churches have become “super markets” where people, this time not Christians alone can go to “purchase” their needs and wants.

The spirit in Christianity now is that every Christian leader wants to convert everyone to his own particular church. It is clear that teachings in many churches do not conform to the truth established by Jesus and preached and taught by the first century apostles. Every leader develops what makes him “distinctive”.

Many of us who observe the change in Christianity are worried about what we see not only in the uncontrollable growth of churches but absence of Christian reality in all. The major problem of the modern church is the spiritual illiteracy in Christian leadership. The church that Jesus bought with his precious blood has become a “separated church” and Christians are now “separated brothers”.

Jesus prayed that they (the church) may be one …. Jn. 17:11b. The present situation as separated Christians is the consequence of spiritual illiteracy and there is no solution to this separateness until Christians and their leaders understand the plan of God. Pride, selfishness, greed and the spirit of triumphalism are other hindrances to Christian unity. True theologians do not agree that the Word of God is open to change to meet changing circumstances. What I find out is that the changes and developments in the changing world should not affect the unchanging truth of the Bible. The promises of Jesus Christ and the presence of Holy Spirit are essential matters in Christianity. The inspired teachings of Scripture remain the actual facts of Christian history.

Every organized system of religion in this world is an attempt to rebuild what Jesus has established. Christians are not called to comfort

and pleasure but to go into the world which is a place of rejection and reproach. The Bible said, “he (Jesus) went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil… .’’Acts 10:38. The most important thing is for all Christians to find themselves where Jesus places them. We live in a day of much willfulness where the Word of God does not govern many people because they seek personal benefits and they are there to please themselves and enforcing their will.

Jesus instructed his followers of all generations of man to “Go into all the world and preach the good – news to all creation” Mk. 16:15.The present Christian leaders are building auditoriums that will take millions of their followers. Christians are no more encouraged to be on the road spreading the gospel rather they are encouraged to attend man – made programmes. Jesus suffered on the Cross so that many will be set apart to God. He trained his disciples and later sent them into the world.

Church programmes today are organized to meet the practical needs of people hence Christian services are attended by both Christians and non – Christians.

What we observe now is that many Christian leaders want their names to be heralded all over the world as the most successful leaders. To these leaders, the Bible does not govern control what they do. They do not think of submitting to the authority of the Word. They reason only of the results they will benefit by giving what they produce out of lies and deceit. They forget that Christianity is a living reality and not a set of dogmas, a number of principles put together by some professors and called systematized divinity which people are compelled to study and practice. Christians are to be a living expression of Christ by the power of Holy Spirit.’’ The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because any one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” Romans 14: 17-18.

We learned that many Christian leaders

were prayer contractors to some of the politicians that lost at the last election in this country.

If they were truly Christians, they would have known that “God does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” Dan. 4:35. These leaders were covered with “shame” because their prayers were not answered and their prophecies never manifested. They are not only fake leaders but spiritual illiterates. We have many of them in Nigeria who are either retirees or unemployed but now make church work their source of income when they are neither called nor trained. They are former professionals but now spiritual illiterate leaders in the church of the living God. The task ahead true Christians is enormous and it is necessary to set out their minds in achieving unachievable and note that there is no limit to what they can achieve. Christianity is a religion of knowledge. It is educative, real and practical. Jesus said, ‘’ You shall know the truth…’’Jn8 : 32.Paul talking to the Romans about winning souls said, ‘’How then,can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without somebody preaching to them?’’Romans10:14.

Christianity is about preaching, teaching, learning, hearing and doing. It is an intellectual religion. True Christians are not ignorant of the plan of God because they do not only study the Bible, they practice what they learn.

The modern pulpit has no place for illiterate leaders; therefore, Christians must encourage their leaders to go to accredited Bible college.

Moreover, Christians must discourage the romance of their leaders with people in the corridor of power.

•Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1

Finish strong in 2015

face of the earth but the enemy who is a strategist has spent millennia which is thousands of years studying, investigating and experimenting mankind to know what limits, what vulnerabilities and what strength possessed in order to know how to attack. So you deal with an experienced strategist, a veteran at exploiting weaknesses but he will not succeed over you in Jesus name.

However, irrespective of his active years of service, this enemy loses entirely when you submit yourself to the leading of the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God, the Ancient of Days, the Lord Almighty who not only created the strategist, but also existed long before him.

He not only knows all his strategies, he sees the past present and future and can therefore foil all attempts against your life. I decree that in the name of Jesus all last minute strategies to make you cry this year are foiled in the name of Jesus. That impending shame that makes you bite your fingers and stay awake all night is converted into an instant testimony for you in Jesus name.

Now, if the Almighty and most experienced ‘ArugboOjo’ is with you then you are ensured of victory. However, you need to be weary of the strategies of the enemy. One particular strategy I want to emphasize today which I also want you to take seriously is the strategy to attack the children of God towards the end of a year. How does the enemy do this?

The end of the year is more of a festive period and a period when people try to attain and actualize goals they have not gotten since the beginning of the year. People are much busier at this period and although they are physically

busy, the spirit man is not as alert as it should be. The strategist understands that the best time to attack a giant or a strong man is when he is at his weakest.Spiritually, this is one of the weakest periods. How? A lot of persons know that January automatically marks the beginning of a new year and therefore they will fast and commit all that concerns that year to God’s hands in January.

Based on this perception, people tend to get carried away with merriment in November and December and just enjoy the festivities of the period but this is the most dangerous period.

Physically you are awake but spiritually sound asleep. The Bible says while men slept the enemy came and sowed tares and went his way. While men were busy, the enemy kept away but when they thought they can relax, he came and corrupted the good seeds. I pray that nothing will corrupt the good things God has brought your way in 2015 in the name of Jesus.

What am I advocating by the injunction of the Holy Spirit? Make this period less festive and more spiritual, be alert Sir/Ma and counter the strategies of the darkness. Isaiah 54:17; you have the right to stop every tongue that wants to stand up against you. Therefore be sensitive.

Why do you engage most spiritually at a period such as this?

1.

You engage in thanksgiving, thanking God for the year and then expecting perfection and multiplication from God. Thanksgiving brings perfection (Luke 17:11-19) and multiplication; Jesus gave thanks and the fish

and bread multiplied (John 21:13) 2.

When you engage prayers spiritually you forestall and cancel the concluding and last minute plan of the enemy to corrupt your blessings, testimonies and the reward of your labour. Remember while men slept. Isaiah 54:17; it is your responsibility to forestall the plans of the wicked over you and all that are yours 3.

When you engage spiritually at the end of the year, you receive instructions early on the New Year and run expectantly with God’s word. You have ample time to receive prophecies and begin to war them into reality.

You become an early starter for the New Year.

Habakkuk 2:1 Remember, God wants you to end this year in testimonies and He wants to shower upon you the dividends of service. Do not let the strategist of hell catch you asleep, his plan is to strike once and cause sorrow but I see God destroying his plans over your life in Jesus name. This year you will not cry in the name of Jesus. God bless you.

We are approaching the festive period and just as cows, chickens and turkeys will lay down their lives so also are the unredeemed instruments of play in the hand of the enemy.

Come to Jesus now and be safe from the plans of the wicked over your life.

•For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

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The banner of truth with Evangelist Chibuzor

Ukaonu

Continued from last week vi. Were you baptized in the Title of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, instead of the singular NAME of our Lord Jesus Christ?, know it that you have not baptized rightly, Look up: Rom 6:1-7; They have forsaken the old path Jer. 6:16; Prov. 22:28; once a man sincerely repents, he may be taken to water baptism which is to be done by immersion Acts 8:35- 38. The title of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, is one of the hidden mysteries of Christ according to Matt.

13:16-17; Mk. 4:9-12 which was only understood by His disciples, that is why all scriptural baptism was done in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST by them (The Apostles). The Name of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost in Matt. 28:19, Is Jesus Christ see all the scriptural baptism Acts 2:36-41; Acts 8:12-16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:1-6; Col. 1:1-17,…Not even one person was baptized in the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Every father, son, or spirit must have name. vii. What Should I Do?: This is the honest question they asked Peter and the rest of the Apostles in Acts 2:36-38.

They were sincerely given the right answer and the people repented honestly. They did not consider the name of their church, the degree of the Pharisees, their position as assistant pastor, deacon, treasurer, etc. They wanted to make heaven. Eternity meant much to

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Sunday November 8, 2015

The banner of truth (1)

them. They knew they had been in error and therefore they made all wrongs right. John 12:42-45 Viii. God Head: Little children, it is the last time and as ye have heard, that anti-Christ shall come, even now, are there many anti-Christ, whereby we know it is the last time (Last age), they went out from us, but they were not of us, for had they been from us, they would have, no doubt, continued with us; but they were not all of us”, 1John 2:18-19. No scripture teachers that there are three God or three distinct persons in one God. This is an ERROR. NONE of the Apostles preached or practiced this error. This teaching came into the church as early as 325A.D, through the city of Rome with their system of idolatry. They knew the truth, but decided to work contrary to the truth and establish their own righteousness, like the children of Moab against the Israelites. It is Man’s interpretation of the scriptures that breaks God head into three, no Jew can believe such an idolatrous teaching, for they have been rightly taught by Moses their prophet in Deut. 6:4 “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord. (Not two, or three in one). See God in manifestation to His children. ix. Abraham: He had three visitors; he recognized one to be The Lord (JEHOVAH), and the other two as Angels. Gen. 18:1-7 x. Jacob: He saw the Lord God stand above the ladder in Heaven, Gen 28:10-17. One God, not three Gods xi. Micaiah: Saw The Lord sitting upon throne in Heaven. (ONE THRONE,

for ONE GOD, not three thrones for three persons.) 1Kings 22:19 xii. Isaiah: He saw the Lord God sitting upon a throne in Heaven, not three thrones Isaiah 6:1. xiii John: The beloved, saw a throne in Heaven, and the ONE that sat on it is JESUS CHRIST, receiving worship, bringing down the old and new revelation to ONE personality, JESUS CHRIST, (Read Up: Rev 1:17-11; Rev 4:2; John 14:1-10; Deut 6:4-9.) If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15; Mark 12:29.” And Jesus answered him, first of all the commandments is: Hear O Israel; the Lord Our God is One God”. xiv. God’s Calling: While men were building the city and the tower of Babel, God came to call men to return to His original purpose. God is calling you by His Gospel, through this tract; this gospel message is to correct men’s wrong conception of placing emphasis on good works. Accept God’s election, which is God’s salvation made free through Christ Jeus. Unbelief (sin), separates man from God and Leads Him to go astray to worship false gods. What on earth can you give in exchange for your life? This present life is but for a moment, Christ Jesus bore our sins on the cross; therefore He said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” God forsook Christ at that moment for Christ was bearing all our sins that moment, he was pored out like water Psalm 22:1-7. His body was hanging down, all His bones were out of joint.

They pierced His hands and His feet.

How would you feel, if after you have suffered greatly for someone, in return,

that same person ignores your pains and suffering, even the cause for which you went through such.? Remember, your cars, beauty, house, company, wife, husband etc are vanity Eccl. 12:1-5. Others may not tell you the truth, because of the fear of losing you or other members, but I cannot. They may, because of the titles, position, popularity, fame etc but I cannot, because the blood of the Lamb, The Lord Jesus Christ is so precious to me.

They may allow all manner of rubbish into the house of God, because of their belly Romans 16:16-18; 2Cor 11:12-16.

They can afford to start and end in the gospel of prosperity, without reminding you of eternity. I cannot, because I know the wages of sin is death.

Conclusion: This is the lamp-trimming time Matt. 25:1-7, the old Bible Days are here again, Jer. 6:16-19.When only the sincere worshippers will worship God in truth and in Spirit John 4:24.

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? Acts 19:1-5 is there oil in your lamp? Prov. 22:28. This is the voice of God, calling you back to the original path, to the unadulterated Word of God. The teaching of our Apostolic Fathers, the Elect of Christ gathering.

Save yourself and the rest of your household from this ERRORS. This words did not come to you by mistake, God has directed it to you. You can locate us at RESTORED BIBLE CHURCH (The Ministry of Perfection), 3, Vicky Akhabigime Drive, off Pastor Ojediran Street Opposite NIPCO Filling Station by Adide, Orilowo, Ejigbo, Lagos. 08035750415, 08174820536.

The

Chorister’s World

People should encourage choristers –Adebambo Olalekan Folashade Oguntade

A

debambo Olamilekan Adeola is a choir master at the Celestial Church of Christ Testimony Parish Egan Igando, Lagos and a gospel singer and he is fondly called Halleluiah by his church members and fans. According to him, he joined the choir at the age of 12 and since then has not looked back.

Speaking on that experience, he said: ‘‘I know that I have the gift and the anointing and I identified with it early that it is my ministry and calling;I love singing a lot.’’

Adeola grew up in Ijebu, Ogun State, he attended Queen Maris College and he is a student of Moshood Abiola Polythenic Ogun State.

I was appointed the choir master of the church about three years ago because of my dedication to the choir ministry. I just love praising God and worshiping him,’’ he said.

He however said that his second love is evangelism. ‘‘I love evangelism too. I love to win souls for the Lord Jesus.

“We have a very active prayer ministry in my church and the prayer department was inviting me to come and join them but that is not my ministry.

It is very important to indentify one’s ministry and calling and to stay there. God does not want a jack of all trades, master of none in the house of God. This best way to be effective.’’

On how he had been able to combine his commitments in church with his academic pursuits, he said: ‘‘I manage my time and education well by putting God first. That’s what the Bible says we should do. We should seek God’s kingdom first and every other things will fall in place.’’

Speaking on what the church should do to build the choir ministry, Olalekan said ‘‘The church should encourage the choir by speaking to them. They should give them

adequate and regular training because that way the choir will be developed and they will serve the church better. Such training should be focused on voice, music compositions, musical instruments and the word of God. Such training will equip the choir immensely and will lead to church growth thereby fulfilling the Great Commission.’’ Speaking about the challenges in his church, he said, ‘‘there is a shortage of musicians who can play musical instruments well.

The choir is supposed to practice with the band but in our church we are having that challenge because we do not have enough instrumentalists to handle the church equipment.

This is why training and retraining is very essential in the house of God. “The leadership of the church should be careful about what they say to the choir.

Many people say negative things about the choir, that is not encouraging they should stop saying negative things about the choir,

Adeola

instead they should pray and advice them,’’ he said.

When asked whether he will like to release an album, he said “I want to release an album and pursue a career in the music industry” he said.

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From the Pulpit

The voice of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

L

ast week, we began this two-part series with the understanding that every child of God has a glorious, enviable, royal, prosperous and mountain-top destiny in Christ Jesus. We also learnt that God’s plan for our lives is locked up in the Bible. All we need is to engage the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Blood of Jesus for continuous access.

Furthermore, we discovered that one of the scriptural pictures of our destiny in redemption is to walk in dominion over any life situation and circumstance. This week, we shall conclude this teaching by exploring more Scriptural Pictures Of Our Destiny In Redemption, which are as follows: We are redeemed as priests and kings to reign on the earth: The Bible says: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10).

Every child of God has a royal destiny in redemption; however, it is by wisdom that kings reign. For instance, the Bible records that all the kings on the earth in the days of Solomon gathered to listen to his wisdom (1 Kings 4:34; Proverbs 8:15-16).

It is important to note that wisdom in the Kingdom is the application of the Word of God. As it is written: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

Y

Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

ou kept on complaining that your spouse is not behaving the way you expected him/her to. He/she is living an adulterous, deceptive or dangerous life and there seems to be nothing you can do about with. He/She is busy and freely afflicting, mocking and torturing you in the house and you couldn’t make him to stop.

However you went about complaining and saying that your spouse is not good, seating with friends, neighbours or families talking against him/her and looking for your own way of stopping him/her.

I want to tell you today that what most of us are busy doing is that we are busy shifting blame on another. We tend to look at it that all that is happening is not your fault but the fault of the other person.

Well, it all began from the beginning, when God came and was asking Adam why he disobeyed him, immediately Adam shitted the blame to Eve and immediately Eve too shifted the blame to the serpent. But no matter how much they tried to avoid blame, God went ahead to issue out his judgement. And because you are always pushing the blame on another you can never get the right solution to the problem.

Genesis 3:9-19,

Sunday November 8, 2015

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Catching a vision of God’s plan for your life! (2) them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock (Matthew 7:2425).

Thus, wisdom is putting God’s Word to work as a lifestyle. Our royal destiny will never be realized except we put God’s Word to work in our lives. It is walking in the light of scriptures that empower the believer for enthronement. Therefore, our destiny is absolutely at the mercy of our obedience to the instructions of scriptures (Deuteronomy 28:1; Psalms 27:8-9, 119:98; Isaiah 60:1-3).

We have been redeemed as stars to shine on the earth: We have been redeemed to so shine in this dark world so that people can glorify our Father in heaven. Jesus said: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16).

He also said: …As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21). Based on the above scriptures, everyone who is born again is redeemed a star after the order of Christ.

But, what does it take to shine?

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (Daniel 12:3).

Our shining demands that we engage in turning many to righteousness (soulwinning). No wonder the Bible says, he that winneth souls is wise. Supernatural wisdom is one of the key benefits of genuine engagement in Kingdom advancement, which includes engaging in Kingdom-focused prayers and reaching out to the lost with passion and love (soul-winning). This culminates in the making of stars. That means to emerge as

stars, we must engage in tireless commitment, devotion and addiction to soul-winning (Proverbs 11:30; Ecclesiastes 8:1).

It is important to understand that soul-winning is not a gift or a calling; it is an instruction for everyone who is redeemed. Jesus said: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16).

When we are ‘on the go’ for Christ, we have committed Him to establish partnership with us, thereby making us more than conquerors.

Remember the Bible says: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20; see also Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:15-20).

When we are walking with Christ, Who is the wisdom and the power of God, we become supernaturally smarter than the circumstances of life.

This launches us into the struggle-free realm of life and our dominion is unquestionable. That is, things others struggle with become a walkover for us as a result of our partnership with God (Psalms 114:1-3).

It is impossible to find a star in the Kingdom without passion for souls. Kingdom stars are soul hunters. As we all know, all sports stars are seasonal stars; as soon as the record is made, it is laid aside and forgotten. However, God-made stars don’t go down; for whatsoever the Lord doeth shall be forever (Proverbs 11:30; Ecclesiastes 3:14).

In conclusion, we must recognize that every destiny in the Kingdom is at the mercy of obedience. The pictures of our redemptive heritage are real but we must take responsibility by engaging the Word, to make them a reality. It is not enough to catch God’s vision

for our lives from the Word, it is important to know what to do to realize it. Often times, the picture fails because we do not respond to what is required to make them manifest.

Our future places specific demands on our lives and until we subscribe to those demands, destiny is reduced to a daydream. This is why we must match every revelation of our redemptive picture from scripture with responsibility. When we see our redemptive picture and respond to its demands, we commit God to make it a reality. Therefore, receive grace to engage the Word of God as a lifestyle, thereby leading to the fulfilment of your glorious destiny in Jesus’ name! Remain ever Blessed!

Are you born again? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner.

Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met, Exploring The Riches Of Redemption, Understanding Your Covenant Rights and Possessing Your Possession.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

•I know this teaching has blessed you.

Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@ lfcww.org

Stop apportioning blame for marriage woes “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou re-

turn unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Stop apportioning blame, stand up, take up the blame so that you can go for the right solution.

Two main solutions I will lead you to today.

First and foremost, the only way you can get out the best of your spouse is to arrange a meeting between him/her and God . If he/she is an unbeliever stop taking his/her name all around rather take him to Jesus.

Preach the gospel to him, that’s the only way out. If you’ve tried and it seems as if all you are saying is falling on deaf ears, don’t get tired or frustrated, keep telling him.

Keep preaching to him, the devil will do everything to stop you because he knows that this is what will save him. He can even manipulate the man, to the extent of making him to start beating, harassing or even send you packing. Don’t start looking at it as if God has neglected or rejected you. No! It is just what you have to do.

If direct preaching is not really working, use indirect methods. You can slot in music or ministration tapes in d house audio set or even in the car. You can put in a Christian movies when all family members are seated and some other ways but you must definitely expect some great reactions. Just hold on, it might look as if it’s taking years and nothing

is happening, it even look as if he/she is getting worse, it’s just temporary, it will get better.

Many couldn’t exercise great patience that is why they opt for divorce or separation. As a child of the most high, you can’t do that for divorce is a big sin before the Lord. Our God hates divorce.

The second solution is your knees. The fastest and easiest solution is to take everything to God in prayers. Be a woman/ wife or a man/husband that prays. When you pray you will be able to take authority, the authority given to you by Jesus over those that are after the fall of your spouse and of your marriage.

The Bible says in Ezekiel 12:2, “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.”

This is their situation; the only thing that can change this is prayers for the devil has seen to it that they refuse to listen. Prayer is the key and the only key that can get the situation right. If you’ve not been praying start now. Command his/her eyes to be open to see and the ears to be open to hear, let God effect a change in him/her.

•You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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N

From the Pulpit

Sunday November 8, 2015

45

Destroying the coverage of darkness

o man loves darkness. No sane man embraces darkness for any reason.

Darkness is not a friend to any man as its symbol upon one’s life depicts failure and provides room for despicable happenings in the person’s life. Darkness symbolises the devil and all other activities that are influenced by him. Darkness is who the devil is and what the devil does. Darkness is the definition of the devil’s nature. The devil is the king of the dark kingdom and he uses darkness as an arsenal or weapon to perpetuate his nefarious mission. The way out of darkness is to be in the light.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8 Before the coming of Christ, the entire mankind was in chaos. Darkness was all over humanity. Besides, mankind was not only in darkness but he was darkness himself as seen in the above scripture.

It was when Christ came that humanity could taste the light of salvation by simply accepting Him as one’s Lord and Saviour. Christ is the solution to the problem of darkness. In Him is life and that life is the light of the world.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

For, behold, the darkness shall the cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His Glory shall be seen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:1-2 Principal Causes of Darkness 1.

Parental Curse: Some people are cursed by their parents either intentionally or by mistake. When parents curse a child, such curse has the potential to introduce darkness into the child’s life.

For instance, when Noah was drunk and became naked, one of his children, Ham went out and discussed the nakedness of his father with his brothers. This he did in mockery which infuriated his

Bishop Opayinka

father and gored him (Noah) into raining curses on him (Genesis 9:21-27).

There are other instances that parents pronounce curses on their wards because of the misdemeanour of their children. A typical example of this is in Genesis 49:1-4, when Jacob laid a curse on Reuben because of the evil he did by sleeping with his father’s wife thereby defiling the sanctity of his father’s bed.

It was said that, Reuben would be as unstable as water, a curse which made him fruitless all through his life as well as those of his posterity. Reuben, despite being the first child of his father, lived an unpopular life in the land of Israel as he was made to serve his siblings.

2.

Witchcraft pronouncement: We need to be strong in prayer. The only way to break witchcraft pronouncement

is to speak of the light of God as seen in Zechariah 1:17-21. The mind of God for the people of Jerusalem was that they should prosper but the witches sowed an evil seed of pronouncement over them.

3.

Judgement: Any positive judgement over a life brings light while negative judgements bring darkness into a life (2 Kings 5:25-27). The master of Gehazi brought a judgement against him because of the evil he did. Wherever there is negative judgement, darkness takes advantage (Acts 5:3-5). Forces of death work in concert with darkness. Some people that are involved in doing evil things and never hold up are product of evil judgement.

4.

Evil Mark: Some people are having evil mark on their body and it is promoting darkness to operate in their lives.

No matter the good of that evil mark, its

disadvantages are more dangerous.

5. Covenant: When you are into certain covenant of evil, it brings darkness into your life. If your family has ever entered into evil covenant with any power of a sort, it is just a matter of time, if such covenant lingers, the family will face destruction. Many are not blessed because of evil covenant.

6. Evil Siege: Evil siege are evil coverage over a life, when a host of darkness siege over a life, community, they take the good of that life and community.

7.

Keeping Any Accused Things in Your House: When you keep an accused thing in your house it promotes darkness in your house and make the enemy defeat you. It was only Rachael, the wife of Jacob that died during childbirth in the Bible because she kept an accused thing in her house. Recall that, Rachael stole her father’s idol and hid it when her husband was returning home from his sojourn in a strange land.

How to Come Out of Darkness

Coming out of darkness is akin to freeing a prisoner from a prison yard.

The road out of darkness is in the redemption of Christ. Christ is the light that terminates darkness and anyone that is in Christ is in the Light. Jesus is the Light of the world and in Him there is no trace of darkness. When you are in Christ, darkness will not understand you.

All you’ve got to do is to submit yourself to redemption grace (Colossians 1:12-14; Colossians 2:14-15). The blood of Jesus will wipe out evil handwriting and darkness from your life. Shalom.

Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka is the presiding Bishop of Glorious Tabernacle International located Behind Ondo State Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State capital. Share your testimonies and prayer points with me at: O8060297831 joshuakolawoleo@yahoo.com

News

Citizens urged to pray for Nigeria …as DCC marks anniversary

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he General Overseer of Destiny Christian Center (D.C.C), Bishop Dan Nnani has urged Nigerians to pray for the country, as he claimed that what the nation needs to move accordingly is the prayer of its citizens.

Nnani who gave this charge during the church’s fifth anniversary celebration tagged “Celebrate the king”, held recently in Lagos, claimed that God’s love for Nigeria is the reason she does not experience natural disasters as is the case with some countries.

He further urged Nigerians to move closer to God, their creator whom he claimed possessed unlimited power which He could use to destroy or create as He wished.

He advised them to be patient and shun every act that could be detrimental to the peace of the nation.

“There is no gain in violence, rather it would only put the nation in chaos, penury

and further dwindle our insufficient resources. Nigerians need to give democracy a chance; patience should be their watchword. They need to live in peace and love with one another, in order to further unify the country and the body of Christ”, he admonished.

The event paraded prominent men of God including the General Overseer of Vineyard International Church, Apapa, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, the General Overseer and Senior Pastor of Oliveeth Bible Church, Festac Town, Rev. Muyiwa Maku, Pastor Tunde Joda of Christ Chapel and a host of others who were on hand to richly bless the people with the word of God. Also in attendance were the Managing Director of Marshal Paints, Joe Nnani, MD/C.E.O, Ugo Worldwide Ventures, Ugochukwu B. Igbolinwa, among others.

Stop lamenting, cleric tasks Nigerians

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he Pastor in Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bethel Zone, Lagos Province 50, Pastor Yomi Ijietemi has urged Nigerians to stop lamenting about problems confronting the country and look unto the brighter side of life which awaits citizens and the nation.

Ijietemi gave this charge at the three-day programme of the ministry tagged “From lo-debar to the palace” held recently in the church in Lambe, Ogun State.

“As citizens of the country and Christians in particular, we should not be found in situations of lamentations, rather, we must be up and doing in a way that each individual would raise ideas that would bring both spiritual and financial liberation to our lives and that of the country”, he admonished.

Speaking on the theme of the programme, Ijietemi explained that the word Lodebar describes a place that is devoid of pasture and be termed as total desolation, and can as well mean people finding themselves in a state of despise.

“Lodebar describes a place devoid of pasture, total desolation, and the despised one”, he said.

He added that one of the ways one can leave Lodebar is when there is wealth transfer as reflected in Proverbs 13:22, first Kings 10 and in the case of Jacob and Laban. He however stated that in order to move to the next level, Christians should be faithful in paying their tithes, working diligently, be generous givers and be faithful in their monetary dealings.

Pastor Arogundade, guest pastor, who ministered at the commencement of the programme, admonished Nigerians to remove the garment of self pity, and see themselves as eagles that would fly again.

Also ministering on the occasion, another guest pastor, Pastor Adetona claimed that there is just a thin line existing between one level and the next, adding that God took Mephiboseth form grass to grace.

“Mephiboseth’s level changed and God restored everything he lost as he began eating at the table of David the King”, he claimed.

The progarmme which commenced with night vigil featured drama by the youth as the choristers rendered melodious songs to the glory of God.

From the Pulpit

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SSunday November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The heart of worship

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he gospel singer, Matt Redman, wrote and sang in 1999: “I’m coming back to the heart of worship. It’s all about You, Jesus! I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it. When it’s all about You. It’s all about You, Jesus!” God searches deeper within, looking into our hearts! Worship is not about the paraphernalia and the ambiance, but about a heart open and lifted up to God, the “King of endless worth!”

Total surrender of the whole of heart, mind, and soul is required for true worship. God prescribes: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5). “Worship is meant to integrate faith and life. The more of our lives we bring into worship, and the more our faith spreads into all areas of our lives, then the more vital our worship becomes” [Gilbert et al, The Work of the People: What We Do in Worship and Why, 13].

The only worship that God accepts is the worship that the Spirit inspires. Self, our human nature, intrudes into our worship experience as it does into all other spheres of life. Even when we seek to earnestly serve God, we still long to win credit for ourselves. Such worship is not acceptable to God! God is seeking worshipers who worship in the Spirit, and who have “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil 3:3). In utter self-abnegation, self-abasement, and helplessness, we must cast ourselves upon the Holy Spirit to lead, teach, and enable

us in true worship. In humble contemplation, subjugation, awe, and adoration we approach His presence through the Holy Spirit.

“The only living that is acceptable to God is living in the Spirit, the only walk that is acceptable to God is walk in the Spirit, the only service that is acceptable to God is service in the Spirit, the only prayer that is acceptable to God is prayer in the Spirit, the only thanks that are acceptable to God, are thanks in the Spirit, and the only worship that is acceptable to God is worship in the Spirit. Would we worship aright our hearts must look up and cry, ‘Teach me, Holy Spirit, to worship’ and He will do it.”

Jesus insists: “The hour is coming and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Mere outward form or profession or pretense is unacceptable worship. It is not enough to bow the head or prostrate, one’s soul must bow in true adoration before God. Worship can be ignorant like the worship at Athens hill in Acts 17:23. God despises pharisaical righteousness (Matt 23:1-36). The Spirit alone leads us to worship in truth.

Worship empties us of pride, and reveals our weakness and vileness. Power belongs to God, and the coming into contact and remaining in contact with God in worship fills our souls with spiritual power.

As we worship God, His power flows into us. His glory robs on us. When we bow to God, people and situations cannot but bow!

Make His presence your dwelling place, His heart your resting place, His love your

embrace.

Worship leaders should not base worship services on popular culture, personal enjoyment, entertainment, oratory, or creating a mood, but on Christ, Scriptures, and truth (Anderson, 2012). We must worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (1 Chron 16:29; Ps 29:2; 96:9). “Worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil 3:3).

Disobedience to the word and law of God makes worship to be in vain (Matt 15:9).

A disobedient heart cannot connect with divinity in true worship. You cannot take orders from the devil and expect God to accept your lip service. Worship and obedience to the Word must go hand-in-hand.

Truth is the very foundation of worship (2 Tim 2:19; 1 Cor 3:10-11). The Scriptures are the divine source of truth (2 Tim 3:1517; 2 Pet 1:16-20). The foundation and great essential of true worship is a honest appreciation of God’s character as enunciated in the Bible (Ps 99:3; 111:9; John 17:17; Dan 10:21). We must worship God in purity of heart, which is dependent upon knowing and obeying the truth (Matt 22:29; 1 Pet 1:22; John 5:39; 8:32).

A truly spiritual person lives by the words of truth (Rom 7:14; John 6:63). True worship is based upon pure and sanctified affection for God. Examples of true worshippers include Jesus Christ, our greatest Example among humans (Matt. 3:17; John 12:28). Solomon learned to worship from childhood (1 King 3:5-15; 8:10-11). He proved that worship involves great sacrifice just like Abraham exemplified (Gen. 22:1-12). David blatantly refused to offer cheap worship to God (2 Sam 24:13-25). “Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that

which doth cost me nothing” (v. 24). The poor widow gave all her living (Mark 12:44) while Mary gave her best (Luke 7:37). All these abhorred cheap worship, which is the result of a narrow concept of God and a depreciation of His love sacrifice for us.

Blessings for true worshippers include access to the heavenly council (Gen 18:17; Ps 15). In God’s presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psa 16:11).

While worshipping God, your enemies must self-destruct (2 Chron 20:17-30). When we worship first, healing is bound to take place. Jairus worshipped and her daughter got healed (Mark 5:22-24, 35-43). The Canaanite woman worshipped and her daughter became demon-free (Matt 15:2128). The mentally derailed Gadarene man worshipped and became well balanced (Mark 5:1-20). The man born blind also worshipped and received his sight (John 9:38).

God shall eventually receive true worshippers into glory (Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5; Rev. 14:1-5). If you are not a true worshipper of God here on earth, heaven would be boring to you! Up yonder, we shall worship God throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity and never get weary. Could that blissful worship be the secret of our eternal youthfulness in the earth made new?

I think so! True worshippers down here literally breathe the air of heaven on this terrestrial shore. Join the chorus!

•Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/SMS 08058299434/08060376577.

Overcoming calamities, storms via instrument of praise Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-time Evangelical Ministry, AbuleEgba, Lagos, in this exhortation, teaches on praise to God. Excerpts:

W

hat do we mean by the word praise?

Praise means showing appreciation for the acts of God.

Psalm 150 vr 6 says -”Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord, Praise is comely. Every time you praise him, he will raise you and when he raise you, he erase your enemies. In the book of Psalm 34:1, the bible says I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

When you praise him whole heartedly. The bible clearly explained in the book of Psalm 100:1-4 says “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands, serve the Lord with Gladness, come before his presence with singing, Know ye that the Lord he is God, it is he that made us, and not we ourselves, we are his people, we are his people, and the sheep of his pastures, enter his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

According to the biblical analysis of what we read there, it has shown that we must first of all be joyful, when we are coming unto him [God’s Presence] After coming with a joyful heart, for us to get to his gate, we must thank him i.e thanksgiving, if we want the gate of our prayers to be answered, then we must enter with the heart of thanks.

We must learn to show the heart of gratitude unto God. We must learn to show appreciation over what he has done and even what he

is yet to do. That is why if you want him to give you what you are asking him for, you must go before him with Joy in your heart. Until you are joyful you cannot be grateful, until you are grateful you cannot be praiseful, and until you are praiseful you cannot be thankful, and until you are thankful your thanksgiving cannot be full. It is your level of appreciation that determines the level of you Celebration. Even in the midst of whatever you are going through you must appreciate him.

It is your heart of gratitude that determines the level of your attitude in life. Even when you are going through some situation that is not pleasant, you must appreciate him and praise.

The wall of Jericho fell when the children of Israel praised him. In the book of John 6:512, the bible says when Jesus wants to feed over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fishes only. The first thing he did was that he gave thanks unto God, the moment that was done, what became so small was into excess, according to the bible with only five loaves and two fishes, he had 5,000 people and the still have left over of baskets of bread and fish. Remember the bible says “God habit the Praise of his people”. One of the greatest instruments that David used to become one of the greatest King that reign in Israel was that David was a man of Praise. No matter what happen around David, he will still Praise

God. Even when he has lost a battle, David will still show appreciation unto God. How many believers today will lose a battle or loved once and still appreciate God? Let me give you a brief illustration of myself, About 17 years ago when I lost my fifth child, before the incident I was on a missionary work to Oturpo in Benue state, from Kano, the moment I was approaching Abuja I got a message from the holy spirit that I should turn back that my attention is needed in Kano, I know quite well that the voice I heard was the voice of God, as I was approaching Kaduna I got a message that my fifth son is on emergency at the teaching hospital in Kano and that my attention is urgently needed. I told him that the Holy Spirit had already spoken to me and am on my way back to Kano. The moment that happened, the voice God came solemnly to me again that “My Servant how about if I decided to take the last of your fifth child away, what will you do, since I knew it was God speaking to me, I quickly responded that no matter what became the end of the boy, I will celebrate you and celebrate your faithfulness that was my response. Getting to Kano, I found out when I got to the emergency ward that my son has been taken to the mortuary, when I got there and I saw him, the same voice came to me that now my servant since I’ve allow thing’s to happen like this, what will you do? I again answered that I will praise you at all time.

Pastor Bamidele

The following day I went to the mortuary to pick his corpse, remember that is the fifth child I will be losing to death in the journey of my life, I never knew God was using the incident to test me. The following morning I went and pick his corpse from the mortuary to the burial ground in company of my colleagues.

All these things were happening between me and my maker, I never discussed with anybody not even my wife. When we got to the burial ground, the same voice came, now that you are here what will you do? I answered that I will praise thee. There and then I brought his corpse beside the grave that was dug and I total people that gathered that I went to praise God for an hour. Everybody at the burial ground was amazed.

•Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, OshodiApapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses

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Alu

ast time, I spoke of somebody who sent me a text saying that from his very young age, he has been a fornicator. He asked me that I should preach a message on fornication. I said he was not serious and I deleted the text. He is the reason I am preaching this message now. He said I should preach it hard so he can repent. But I am saying it now that there is no hard message that can make you repent if you are not ready to repent. Man has the will power to stop anything he wants to stop. God gave us strong will power.

I told you several times. I stopped smoking before I became a Christian. I started smoking from the age of 15 while in secondary school. I was also smoking marijuana. We were the bad boys in the school. But one day, I saw a glimpse of what smoking marijuana was going to do to my life. I was not a Christian and I was a very stubborn young man. The only thing is that God helped me with a very strong will power to stop going on that road to self-destruction and that is why I always like to talk to the young ones. I had an ambition and I knew that if I continued on that road I was travelling, I won’t arrive at my destination.

There was a night we were going to sneak from the school into the town

Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard

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Ojemeni (JP)

rethren, in today’s write up we are going to look into what the Holy Bible teaches concerning Heaven and Hell Fire. In the account Jesus gave us in Luke 16:19 – 31, it was not a parable as many people would want us to believe, it is a true story of what happened to two sets of people who lived on earth.

One was a child of God, though he was poor and a beggar. But he had the fear of God and was known by God. No wonder Jesus gave us his name - Lazarus. In John 9:3 Jesus said the good shepherd calls his sheep by name, God will call you by your name if you are a child of God. The rich man in the story did not know God. He is not a child of God and that is why Jesus referred to him as a certain rich man.

This man lived in pleasure of sin. God was not in his program whatever he likes, he does because he has no regard for God. It is true that God created everybody but everybody is not a child of God. Lucifer who became Satan was created by God. Since Jesus Christ came into the world and died on the cross of Calvary for nearly 2000 years, the criterion for anyone to be a child of God is by believing that Jesus Christ is the son of God who died on the cross to save you and then you receive Him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour. This is for people of all races including the original

From the Pulpit

Sunday November 8, 2015

47

Homosexuality: An abomination (9)

to watch films at the cinema. I smoked marijuana heavily. Our plan was to pick our girlfriends. As we were going, I found myself floating in the air under the influence of the marijuana I had smoked. It was serious. I forced myself to start walking normally on the ground because I actually thought I was floating. We continued and the same thing happened. I instantly knew something was wrong with me and that if I continued with smoking marijuana, I would end up a mad person.

Once I recovered from that experience, I cautioned myself that I could not use my hands to destroy myself. I was an intelligent young man and the only son of my mother. I packed the remaining marijuana, went to the toilet and flushed them. From that day, I vowed never to smoke marijuana again. That is why I find it funny when I hear people say they cannot stop taking drugs.

I continued smoking cigarettes. I could smoke more than a packet every day. I was still in secondary school. One day, I coughed and blood came out. I was shocked. I coughed again and blood still came out and I shouted, ‘Na only me my mama get o! na so I go come use my hand kill myself ?’ That was in 1979. I use to buy cigarettes then in rolls. I packed the remaining rolls and destroyed them. I knew friends could influence me to go back to smoking so I didn’t tell any of my friends. I remember now, I was now in the cadet training school. So if they

come and ask if I have cigarette, I will tell them I just finished the last one. If I had told any of them, they would have tried to convince me that they had even left smoking before for six months but still came back.

I was fortunate and continued like that until we left the cadet school and I left them. I made up my mind that nobody will know me as a smoker in my new station. I have maintained it. And I was not a Christian! So which habit do you have that you will say you can’t stop?

Don’t tell me you cannot stop lesbianism; you will see another woman and burn after her! Abomination! Repent! If it were possible, I would have said let all homosexuals and lesbians come to the altar today but I can’t say it. I don’t want to destroy you. I want you to repent.

That is the purpose of this message.

Why would you carry the Bible and end up in hell? Why are you forsaking the world and not forsaking the things of the world? Why do you want to be a saint and not stop sin? Why do you want to come to Christ and still hold unto satan?

The evidence that God loves you is that you have not died in that estate. What if after hearing this, you go out and you don’t repent and you die? Those that died in that air crash, did they plan it?

Those who died by accident on the road, did they plan it? A head of state collapsed and he did not survive. What if something happens and you die? What

will you tell your maker; homosexuals and lesbians?

Let us stand up. Hymn 51: GLORY TO HIS NAME Down at the cross where my Saviour died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried; There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to His name!

Chorus: Glory to His name!

Glory to His name!

There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within, There at the cross where He took me in, Glory to His name!

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin!

I am so glad I have entered in, There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean, Glory to His name!

Come to the fountain so rich and sweet, Cast thy poor soul at the Saviour’s feet, Plunge in today and be made complete; Glory to His name!

The reality of heaven and hell fire

Bishop Bernard Chukwuma Mbamalu Ojemeni, General Superintendent of Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc, in this piece, gives an insight into the reality of heaven and hell. Excerpts: people of God – the nation of Israel. Without Jesus Christ in your life today, you are on the side with the certain rich man who died and found himself in hell fire.

When he was on earth, he had every opportunity to do good and help others Lazarus a child of God who was poor and his body full of saves came to seek help from the rich man just food to eat but he failed to help him instead his dog would be licking Lazarus sores and one day death came knocking at the door of Lazarus and as he died he was carried by an angel to Abraham’s bosom – a place of rest for the righteous ones.

It is also referred to as Paradise, (Luke 23:42-43) the abode of the saints for now until the fullness of time when those in Paradise will be ushered into New Heaven and New Earth. Revelation chapters 21 and 22. And those in hell fire will be ushered into the lake of fire and both is for ever. Revelation 20:10 – 15.

When Lazarus died, there was no mention of burial. His body could have been abandoned to rotten on earth but the angel of God carried his spirit man to Paradise.

When the rich man died, the body was buried in what is commonly known as befitting burial among the rich while his spirit man was cast into hell – fire where he was in torment in flames of fire when he looked up he saw Lazarus resting in the bosom of Abraham and cried out to Abraham.

He said father Abraham send Lazarus to come and dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue for he is tormented

in the flames of fire of hell. Abraham answered him that he enjoyed sin and now he is tormented there is a gulf between them and so the request was not possible and besides Lazarus is resting and does not have to do any job as such. That is a big lesson for the Roman Catholics who are asking Virgin Mary to pray for them.

There is no such assignment for Mary in Paradise Jesus is our mediator who is interceding for us before His father in the 3rd Heaven.

The Virgin Mary and other saints are in a different location and have no such access to the father.

It is only Jesus. That is why even moulding the statute or image of Virgin Mary or any of the saints dead or alive and bowing down to them is a negation of the teachings of the Bible. Exodus 20:4-5. And when the rich man saw that his case is over, he started to plead for his five brothers who are still on earth, that somebody or people should be sent to earth from Paradise to warn his brothers concerning the life of sin they are living, the need for them to repent so that they will not end up in hell-fire.

The reply father Abraham gave to him is that they have Moses and the prophets let them listen to them. In other words, they have preachers and teachers of the word of God, they should listen to and repent, otherwise they will meet him in hell-fire when they die.

Abraham also said that even if people are sent from the dead, the brothers will still not

believe. From this discussion we learn that there is consciousness in people’s lives after death.

The rich man still remembers his five brothers he left behind and knows the type of life they were living together before he left them and knows that if they continue with the same life style they will also come to hell-fire when they die and he does not want it.

The same thing is applicable to many people still living on earth. Some of our loved ones who have died and are in hell-fire are feeling the same way the rich man felt.

They do not want us to come and suffer what they are suffering in hell-fire. And then what are we doing to avoid going to hell-fire and adding more sorrow to them. Please my brethren, let every one of us from today repent totally and surrender our live to Christ and fight against sin with every part of blood. SIN is defined as Simple Instruction Neglected.

The simple instruction God gave to human beings in this dispensation is to give your life to Christ and many people are still holding unto their religion which does not save. Only Jesus can save. If today you are still living in any kind of sin, repent and give your life to Christ.

•For further information, contact us at: Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc.16/18, Johnson Street, off Kajola Street, Yakoyo, Lagos. Tel: 08023261219, 09095268897, 08036116881; Email: bishop.bernard@yahoo.com

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From the Pulpit

Hour of Change with Primate

Oyelowo

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ast week this article stopped with human resource development. This week other attributes of a servant leader will be treated adequately. Empathy it is capacity to understand another person’s point of view or the result of such understanding. It is also the intellectual identification of thoughts, feelings or state of another person. Jesus was at the sea Tiberias where he went to preach to multitude of people who thronged to him to listen to the word of God. But he discovered that for the period they were with him, they did not taste anything. This prompted him to ask Philip if there was bread with which he was to feed them. The few they got was blessed by him and it was it was enough to feed five thousand people with a leftover of twelve baskets.

(John 6:1-13) Nothing short of that is expected of current day leaders.

It is not a figment of one’s imagination that millions of people in this country are without means of livelihood thereby being subjected to

Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

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Bona

here has been numerous unanswered question on matters bothering familiar spirits. In the school of deliverance many students are interested to know more about familiar spirits as a deliverance subject. For many years gone, familiar spirits as a deliverance subject have not been given proper attention, because the materials attached to it have not been revealed by the Holy Spirit.

However, in this new millennium, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, deeper knowledge of familiar spirits, and all the hidden facts concerning them have been acquired. Such facts as:

i) Who are these familiar spirits? ii) The source and foundation of familiar spirits iii) How do they operate? iv) Their mode of possession v) The characteristics of those under their attacks vi) Characteristics of them that have been possessed vii) The danger of been possessed by familiar spirits viii) Medium of escape ix) Rules you must follow if you want to be free from the attack of familiar spirits Anyone who has been possessed or is under the attack of the powers of familiar spirits may not possibly live a life of victory on earth. The presence of familiar spirits is not only felt in the black continent, but in the generality of all human race irrespective of culture, colour, language, race nationality or creed. The attack of familiar spirits is universal.

It is an universal challenge. It is not a fight that requires human ideology, it is rather the fight which the gospel of Jesus Christ has provided us with the weapons. In 2nd Corrinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedi-

Sunday Mirror Sunday November 8, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

A servant leader: Jesus way of life

severe hunger on a daily basis.

Healing. It is physically and psychological process of dealing with a problem or problems. This arises because of the inability of the masses of people to be gainfully employed, and those who had the opportunity to secure jobs too much time beyond measure in their respective places of works. Some of them do the works meant for two or three staff. The horrible traffic situation especially in Lagos is not friendly to health. If all those factors are summed up, it has debilitating effects on the residents of capital and other large cities in Nigeria. Current efforts of the three tiers of government are commendable in the provision of health care delivery but their best is not yet enough as countless number of people do not have access to this facility due to their poor financial condition.

Jesus narrated the story of a Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. In this story was a man attacked by armed robber. A priest and Levite saw him in his agony but they by passed him. Bear in mind that both of them were religious leaders in Israel. However, a Samaritan considered infidel extended his hand of fellowship to the victim by taking him not only to the hospital, but also paid the medial bill.

Jesus himself healed those who were afflicted with blindness, leprosy, paralysis and those being tormented by the devil (Matthew 11:1-5,

Acts 10:38).

Awareness. Jesus Christ was aware that the world was desperately in need of a savior to set them free from the bound age of Satan (john 8:44; 10:10) He left his comfort zone (heavenly abode)to start the work of salvation on earth.

(John 10:4) this he did for about three and half years; and when it was time to depart from this sinful world he handed over this assignment to his disciples to continue after him Matthew 28:19-20. The church has deviated from this command, rather focus is now on how to make money at all cost. Salvation of the lost souls has been relegated to the background or is now secondary assignment.

Persuasion has to do with the intent of changing people’s mind or convincing them of a certain point of view or course of action. It is disheartening to observe that some church leaders employs measure rather than persuasion to resolve crisis that arises.

We see in Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus was persuading people to come to him with the assurance that he would give them give them rest.

To do this successfully, he showcased his other attributes such as meekness and lowliness.

Parents, church and national leaders should imbibe these attributes instead of developing highhandedness to resolve an issue. This will endear to them repulsion.

ence is fulfilled.”

Who are these familiar spirits Familiar Spirits are a department of satanic kingdom, who are based in the bodies of water.

They are another wing of marine spirits. Just as there are other wings of marine spirits all based in the water. Among all the departments of satanic kingdom, familiar spirits are the most wicked. They are very deceptive, subtle and highly illusionary. They attack to kill, waste, destroy and consume. They are unrepentant when they are attacking. They do not stop, until their victims are destroyed. Which is why you must hate them and fight them with perfect hatred.

Different wings of marine spirits - Ogbanje Spirits - Evil associations or party spirits - Familiar spirits - Satanic children - Marine witchcraft - Religions spirit - Natural witchcrafts. Both black witches and white witches - Age grade spirits - Occultic powers - Ogboni powers - Evil babies - Cult powers and many others All these separate departmental powers of satanic kingdom, are an offshoot of marine spirits powers. Devil has an organized kingdom.

The headquarters of the prince of darkness here on earth is in the water. Which was why Jesus assuming supremacy over the devil here on earth walked upon the water. Matthew 14:23-31 “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come

down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Jesus walking on the water is sign to proof to us that the stronghold of the kingdom of darkness based in the water is under his feet. He had taken dominion of the prince of this age. All those who believed the work of salvation God did through his Son Jesus, have all received power to tread the kingdom of darkness under their feet.

In Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Dear child of God, if you are truely a child of God, there is a power inherent in you, through the Holy Spirit to defeat the kingdom of darkness, no matter their name. Which was why in 2nd Corrin. Chapter 10:3-6. The Bible says, though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. Which means though we have flesh and blood, our weapons of warfare against the devil are not fashioned with flesh and blood. Rather these weapons are fashioned in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, made available for our use in Christ.

These spiritual weapons are so strong and effective that they can pull down satanic stronghold, casting down imagination and every high thing that exalted its self above the will and plan of God for our lives. Such weapons are: i) The name of Jesus ii) The Blood of Jesus iii) The power of the Cross of Calvary iv) The word of God v) The Holy Ghost fire vi) The power of resurrection vii) The power of anointing Do you see, all these satanic powers, in their categories and departments operating from the bodies of water they are all subject to every true child of God. At the mention of the name of Jesus, they all submit. This is the very accomplishment of the plans of God in Christ which were all consummated on the Cross of Calvary. This is the good

Conceptualization. This is the idea of nursing a project from the beginning to the end.

Pro and con are carefully weighed to ensure the idea is not abandoned half way. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to give consideration to the cost of an intended project before it is commence. Luke 14:28-31. While elephant projects are embarked upon on a daily basis because of pecuriary interest of the promoter rather than the benefits of such a project to the society. Foresight is the ability to foresee or prepare wisely for the future. When Paul was on board ship taken him to Rome for his trial, he warned the ship-owners of the impending danger of the voyage, but he was ignored which eventually caused them serious damage of good sand.

(Acts 27:10-14). Another good example was when Joseph appeared before pharaoh to interpret his dram. Based on his interpretation Joseph was promoted to be the king’s prime minister which gave him opportunity to use his managerial skill to store abundant food for the famine period (Gen 41:46-54). Stewardship is the act of giving account of one’s action or deed.

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

Familiar spirits

news were share, this is the song we sing everyday, that Jesus was made manifest to destroy all the works of satan. Beloveth, you are stronger than satan, you are more powerful than that witch or wizard boasting against you in the yard.

That witch doctor that is making mouth with his fetch powers will simply bow before you. All you need to do is to stand on the part of righteousness, to avoid the enemy pointing an accusing fingers on you. In Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” condemnation will only be on a child of God, who walk after the flesh. Walking after the flesh is living a life of worldliness.

A life of worldliness is a life lived after the flesh. You know that, the Bible says flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Prayer point - Let the fire of the Holy Spirit destroy and condemn every foundation of familiar spirit in my blood lineage in the name of Jesus.

Testimonies Ten years stomach pains disappeared For ten years now, I have been having constant stomach pains. I have gone to hospital, done a lot of laboratory test on it, but I did not get solution.

This is not menstrual pains. I have lived on this stomach pains for a long time now. Later somebody invited me to this church. During Bethsaida healing section, the man of God came to where I was and touched me, I fell down, I did not know where I was but I knew that immediately I fell down there were sharp movements in my stomach. When I regained consciousness, I discovered that the pains were gone. However, I waited for a long time, since that time I have not experienced the pains again. Praise the Lord!

Sis. Chinenye •Address: Pastor Kingson I. Bona, General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries, No. 6, David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos.

08023404926, 08038206508 wwwchapelofholiness.org

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Business

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FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday November 8, 2015

Transcorp Hotel raises N10bn in bond Johnson Okanlawon

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ranscorp Hotel has issued a seven-year bond raising N10bn naira at a yield of 16 per cent to help finance two new hotels.

The subsidiary of local conglomerate Transcorp said the issue was part of a N30bn debt programme.

The Group Chief Executive of the company, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom said in Lagos on Friday that it planned to issue a five-year

bond to raise another N10bn via a book building process and would raise the remaining N10bn in 2017.

He explained that the proceeds of the issue will be used to finance the upgrade of the company’s Hotel, Transcorp Hilton Abuja,

and construction of a multipurpose banquet centre.

According to him, the new bonds will carry a gross coupon of 16 per cent per annum (amortised) for a period of seven years. The redemption on maturity, expected to be 2022, will be at

Lagos fair: exhibitors employ strategies to woo customers

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xhibitors at the ongoing 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair on Saturday employed various marketing strategies to woo customers to their stands.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the strategies included products sampling, discounts on products, free hairdo, free makeovers, gifts and price slash.

Mrs. Eme Ugwuegbu, the Chief Executive of Sa-

hara Sunrise, exhibitors of beauty products, said that giving free samples of her products to visitors was a form of products promotion and recognition.

“The usage of natural products for maintaining our skin is very important to health; we give out free samples of our products to visitors to show that we care, promote sales and for continued usage.”

Mrs. Jumoke Epulemechi, the Sales Manager,

Bicu & Sons Ltd., said that every customer that purchased hair care products would get free hairdo and promotional items like Tshirts, pen and notebooks.

She said that the company was not only advertising the quality of its haircare, but also demonstrating the efficacy through professional advice and styling of hair.

Mr. Oriyomi Falomo, the Assistant Manager, Chi Nigeria Ltd., said that the company had reduced pric-

es of its products by three to five per cent discount on cartons purchased at the fair.

“We are offering an unbeatable price slash to encourage patronage of our products,” he said.

Mr. Tony Okwuba, Chief Executive of Somac Nigeria Ltd., said: “we are at the fair to create awareness for our new cosmetic products by giving samples to visitors so that they can embrace the products when it finally gets to market.”

100 per cent of the nominal amount of the fixed income instrument.

The management of the company explained that the bonds are available in denominations of N1,000, and will be listed on the main market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and also the FMDQ OTC platform for enhanced tradability.

FSDH Plc is the lead issuing house, while United Capital Plc and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited are joint issuing houses. FSDH and United Capital Plc are the joint underwriters on the Transaction.

“This transaction represents part of our financing of the upgrade of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the development of a 5,000-seater multipurpose Banquet centre. The availability of funds enables us to enhance our financial flexibility by diversifying our sources of fund-

Skye Bank donates N20m relief materials to displaced people Johnson Okanlawon

S L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Biyi Mabadeje; Country Manager, OLX, Lola Masha; MD/CEO, CR Services, Jameelah Ayedun and CSP Charles Okafor, during the OLXMomo press conference in Lagos recently.

Nigeria not losing revenue under auto policy, says official

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n official of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC,, Mr Luqman Mamudu, says the country is not losing revenue under the automotive policy contrary to speculations in some quarters.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria,NAN, in Abuja at the weekend, that the speculations were the handiwork of those still opposed to the policy for their selfish interests.

Mamudu, who is the council’s Director of Policy and Planning, said that the policy would boost govern-

ment revenue, especially with the recent hike in vehicle import tariff.

“Before the NAIDP, the duty on vehicles below 3000 cc was 20 per cent and most vehicles imported into the country fall under this category.

“In the past, only cars above 2000 cc attracted 35 per cent. But with the policy, the duty on all cars is now 35 per cent.

“Commercial vehicles attracted 10 per cent before the policy, but now, all fully built commercial vehicles attract 35 per cent.

“The so called conces-

sionary import granted assemblers is 20 per cent for commercial vehicles and 35 per cent for cars. So, where is the loss of revenue?’’

The director argued that even the duty on semiknocked-down (SKD) kits imported by assemblers for commercial vehicles were in some cases as high as 10 per cent.

According to him, only completely-knocked-down (CKD) kits with very high employment potential along with equipment imported to build vehicles attract zero per cent.

Mamudu said that the

concessions granted to assemblers under the policy were carefully selected to make the industry fairly attractive to local and foreign investors.

“This is a point that the NADDC has tried to explain to other stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, especially some individuals in its past management. “`The concessions granted to assemblers were carefully selected to ensure that local and foreign investors find it fairly convenient to invest in a very capital intensive industry.

ing while significantly extending the maturity of the Group’s funding and ensuring optimal capital mix. We are delighted by the investor reception for Transcorp Hotels in the bond markets.

“We have a strong brand and success story in Nigeria as well as good long term relationships with established suppliers in Nigeria. These, coupled with our partnership with the Hilton Worldwide for management of our facilities, opens up a large opportunity for our proposed developments in the high density areas of Nigeria to attract a considerable portion of business travel and tourist traffic which should translate to adequate guest patronage,” he added.

Transcorp Hotels Plc had raised N4.2 billion from an initial public offering, IPO. The IPO was made to the investing public between September and October 2014.

kye Bank employess have donated relief materials worth N20 million to the displaced people in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.

The bank employees under the aegis of the of its ‘Employees Volunteerism Initiative’, distributed relief materials to over 120 families consisting of about 800 individuals in New Karshi, Nasarawa State, in addition to reaching out to another 100 families of Chibok people at their camp in Kuje, Federaal Capital Territory.

A statement from the bank on Friday said the relief materials include 2000 bags of rice, 2000 bags of Indomie noodles, beverages, blankets, tooth paste, pampers, semovita, sanitary pads, among others.

The statement quoted the bank’s Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Directorate, Mr. Idris Yakubu, as saying that the bank staff took the noble initiative to positively af-

fect the lives of the displaced people who have gone through tough times and trauma.

According to him, the employees’ compassionate gesture demonstrated their love and empathy for the less privileged people in society and urged other associations and organisations to emulate the gesture.

He urged the workers not to end their philanthropic gesture but to continue to give until there are no more distressed people.

The bank’s Head of Human Capital Management, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka, explained that the employees embarked on the ‘giving’ initiative in order to help the needy in the society and put smiles on their faces.

He added that the harrowing experiences which the displaced people have passed through over the years called for public support, emphasizing that the ‘Employee Volunteerism Initiative’, in its fifth year, had supported various causes ranging from public education, youth empowerment.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gombe government assures FRSC of support

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he Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo, has assured the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, of the support of the state government in its efforts at saving lives and property of road users in the state. Dankwabo gave the assurance while receiving

the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi who was in the state on advocacy visit in continuation of his ongoing public sensitisation programme.

According to Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, the Governor said, the Gombe state government sees the

need to join hands with the FRSC in its campaigns against the menace of road traffic crashes, considering the fact that the efforts are in harmony with the safety and security needs of the people of the state. He pointed out that his administration is committed to reforms that

could lead to the actualisation of his policy on safety and security of the state.

Dankwabo commended the efforts of the FRSC personnel in the state towards maintenance of safety and security and restated the commitment of the state government to saving lives and prop-

erty of road users. He commended the Corps Marshal for his aggressive public enlightenment programmes, noting that his presence in the state is a further testimony to his concern for the safety and security of the people of the state, saying the government and people of the state appreciate the gestures.

“Your aggressive public enlightenment across the country is evidenced by your presence here today, ” the Governor stated.

“Your staff here have been diligent in conducting themselves towards performing their statutory responsibilities of keeping the roads safer, and their contribution to the safety and security of the state is most commendable.

“Let me assure you that we would continue to partner with you to ensure that the state remains peaceful, safe and secured, ” Dankwabo further stated.

The Governor stressed the need for all relevant stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC in its efforts to enlighten members of the public on the need to be safety conscious, noting that the campaign for safer road environment by the FRSC at this critical period of ember months is most timely, considering that the period is always dreaded by the people doing to pervasive cases of road traffic crashes recorded in the season.

Dankwabo disclosed that in order to save the people of the state from vulnerability to death from road crashes, his administration has been putting in place measures such as construction of bypass road for trucks as well as introduction of traffic lights at strategic locations within the city centre which have led to effective traffic management, urging members of the FRSC in the state to monitor and ensure compliance by the people.

Association urges training of more anaesthetist nurses L-R: Executive Secretary/CEO, National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe; Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri and Director, Admin/Human Resources, Mr. Ado Solomon, during an advocacy visit to the commission in Abuja, recently.

Social workers demand involvement in hospital management KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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overnment at all levels in the country have been called upon to ensure the involvement of medical social workers in the management of tertiary, secondary and primary health centers.

The the newly elected National President of Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria, (AMSWON), Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan Bichi, who made the call in his acceptance speech, at the Annual General Meeting of the association, said it is an antidote to the array of psycho-social problems confronting many Nigerians.

Other elected officers of the association include Thomas Ibe; National Vice

President, Ogedengbe Kayode; National Secretary General, Arinze Nwakwo; National Public Relations Officer, Chinyere Robinson; National Financial Secretary, Barbara Bwownson; National Welfare Officer, Olaonipekun Lanre; National Auditor, Adeyemi Fatai; National Assistant Secretary General and Adegbola Gbeminiyi; National Editorial Secretary.

Bichi said the engagement of the experts in the area of social work will go a long way to help the affected patients and those who would need professional advice, while it would also reduce the rising cases of psycho-social problems; divorce, poverty, malnutrition, juvenile delinquency, rape, examina-

tion malpractices, cultism, violence and prostitution among others.

He maintained that most of these problems does not require medication but professional advice of trained and certified medical social workers.

While insisting that one of the requirements of an ideal hospital be it tertiary, secondary or primary, is the availability of medical social workers, he decried the shortage of professional medical social workers who will be willing to provide psychosocial succor to patients because “not all illnesses requires drugs or medication ”.

He added that one of the factors responsible for the mass failure, examination

malpractices and cultism in Nigerian schools from primary to tertiary levels, is the misplacement of priorities by the governments, parents, teachers and students.

He blamed the problems on the absence of social workers who can help to discover students ’ potential and guide them based on their uniqueness.

The communique issued by the Chairman and Secretary of its drafting committee, Olatunde Victor and Abdul Mohammed respectively, after the conference read: “the conference agreed that professional social workers should be employed in our hospitals in order to put the square peg in a square hole.

RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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ational Chairman of Nigeria Association of Nurse Anaesthetists, NANA, Mr Saidu Abugi Ibrahim, yesterday charged health institutions in the country to expedite action in the sponsorship and training of more nurses for effective service delivery.

Ibrahim gave the charge in Calabar at the close of a two-day conference organised by the association, stressing that during the outbreak of epidemics like Ebola, yellow fever and cholera, practitioners in the area of anaesthetic were always needed to play a crucial role in combating the scourge of these epidemics and called for training of practitioners to become conversant

with latest trends in the industry for effective service delivery.

“There are contemporary issues in the qualitative and quantitative health care delivery for all in our society and the anaesthetist plays a formidable role combating diseases like ebola, yellow fever and cholera among others so we have to update our knowledge regularly to be conversant with trends in anaesthetics in order to be effective ”, Ibrahim said.

The association ’s chairman stated that the call became imperative given the fact that often times health institutions do require the services of anaesthetics nurses adding that there was need for more nurses to be sent for training to enable these crop of nurses acquire more skill in the area of anaesthetics.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday November 8, 2015

The scam called Osun coalition Amitolu Shittu

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emocracy, and by extension, the society, is better served when the marketplace of opposing views is very wide and robust.

And just as any authority requires the conducive atmosphere to thrive and deliver on its assignments for which it is constituted in the first place, those who come to equity must also come with clean hands when they put the authorities to task on issues of accountability, transparency and good governance. There is an ongoing trend in Osun, South-West Nigeria which is at best a tragic abuse of the basic tenets of democratic environment.

In recent times, there has been an orchestrated campaign against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his government. At the forefront of these campaigns is a group that goes by the name itself Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun.

This was the group that claimed responsibility for disrupting the peace and tranquility of the state capital on July 4th with its now failed and politically motivated protests ostensibly in support of a misguided judge who went the way of the opposition and outside the norm to write a petition against the Governor with a barrage of allegations not in any way different from the same spurious ones amplified repeatedly by the opposition in the state.

The group has also caught in on the national wage crisis in which Osun is one of

the states owing salaries to claim to be fighting in the interests of the workers. It is instructive that the leadership and members of the labour in Osun have dissociated themselves from the violence unleashed on the state capital few weeks ago, accusing those behind the protests of opportunistic use of the workers’ strike to fan the embers of discord in the state.

And what is the character of this group? A cursory look at its emergence just seven days before its failed protests in Osogbo shows that it is no more than a motley crowd of bellyaching individuals whose selfish expectations from a government that is committed to collective (rather than selfish individuals) aggrandizement knows no limit.

By its own admissions especially through a press statement it sent out on July 8th, 2015, the fake group (for want of any other name to call it) had exposed itself by confessing that it was less than a week old.

“For your information, CSCEO is just a week old today. We have no allegiance to any political party in opposition to Osun state government nor financiers as being wrongly insinuated by the ruling APC regime, rather, we are together as men and women previously slumbering but have all been woken up by the realization of the doldrums in which we now find ourselves as a result of the recklessness, cluelessness (sic) and wanton disregard for time-tested principles of public management and international best practices of those who we have trusted with our

collective destiny in the last four years.” That was part of a mail sent out by Seun Adeoye, a former reporter of The Guardian who left in an inglorious manner and whose current assignment is to send out such malicious messages in the name of the coalition.

While the group lies to unsuspecting members of the public it enjoys no affiliation with and sponsorship or romance from any political party or politician in Osun, discerning minds must demand from Seun Adeoye, the gains and reasons for the anti-Aregbesola errands he runs for the defeated candidate of the PDP, Iyiola Omisore, that of the Accord Party, Niyi Owolade and Social Democratic Party and, Mr. Segun Akinwusi.

Media platforms become terribly abused when charlatans like these hide behind the credibility that civil rights activism can provide to inflict anxieties, falsehood and concoctions on unsuspecting members of the society. The daily purveying of falsehood in forms of emails to media houses to confuse people, malign the government and curry undeserved sympathy are not only condemnable but also immoral.

Need we say anything else especially when the group of very credible, notable and known civil rights and pro-democracy organisations in Osun came out to put a lie to the activities of this group to unveil the scam behind it?

In Osun, the story of pro-democracy and human rights struggles are incomplete without ample mention of the likes of Comrade

51

Amitolu Shittu, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Wale Adebisi, Waheed Adediran, Saka Waheed, Bashir Oduwole, Abbas Onaolapo, Barrister AbdulFatai Abdulsalam and others.

These are integrated and identifiable with the struggles of the indigenous people.

When their names are mentioned, the indigenous people easily recognise the activities of groups such as the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People, Climate and Environmental Development Initiatives, CEDI, C3G, Coalition of Groups for Good Governance, the Caring Heart Foundation, many of these with as many as 50 affiliate smaller groups operating in partnership with groups to jointly review and take actions on issues bordering on the collective interests of the Osun people.

None of those emergency civil rights activists and masquerading as coalition of groups for the emancipation of Osun comes near the credentials of those who recent history has recorded as having rendered selfless services for the promotion of an egalitarian society in Osun. Men and women of goodwill must ignore the antics of these few elements who only abuse media privileges to disseminate lies on behalf of politicians who have no longer have any legal means to challenge the Aregbesola mandate but have now resorted to violence, falsehood and misrepresentations to slow the government down. * Shittu, Executive Director, Committee for the Defence and Rights of the People, lives in Osun

Boosting employment opportunities for lawyers Tunde Olofintila

(TUNDEOLOFYN@GMAIL.COM)

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hen Lawyers gather, be it in the hallowed bowels of the court and tribunals halls where they slug it out to resolve the mystery of legal cases or at workshops, seminars or learned conferences where they dig deep into the foundation, practice and interpretation of Law, the attitude, colour and character of their gathering are always the same: some serious business. The recently concluded 48th Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) was no exemption to this norm and time-tested practice.

It was serious business right from the opening ceremonies when the frontline legal icon and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and the Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad of the Supreme Court addressed the Law Teachers and wittingly or unwittingly set the agenda for this year’s Conference. As it were, majority of what the duo said at the opening ceremonies later formed the pith of the deliberations of the Conferees and the meat of their communique.

In tandem with the theme for the Conference “Mainstreaming Interdisciplinary Approach to Legal Education: Imperatives for the Development of Nigeria”, Babalola, a man who roars where angels tremble to whisper, frontally tackled such contentious issues as the place and import of Law Teachers as experts and specialists in Law, funding of quality Education, admission into Colleges/Faculties of Law, the running of the Law School, Interdisciplinary Approach to Legal Education and appointment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria

(SANs) as well as Extension of Funds to NonProfit Private Universities. Such weighty issues could not have escaped the powerful rays of his searchlight.

For example, Babalola would not fathom why it is difficult for Nigeria to step up the current allocation of about 7% of its national budget to fund education to meet the UNESCO recommendation of at least 25% of the national budget of every country should be dedicated to education, the fact that it has to grapple with other matters such as health care delivery, security and infrastructural development as well as funding of education notwithstanding.

He would not be taken in on why the annual budget of $7,130,137,243 which translates to N1,212,123,331,310 for North California State University in 2012 could be more than the Federal Government of Nigeria’s budget of N495,456,130,065 for 50 Federal Universities and UBE (Universal Basic Education) which translates to 40.88% of the budget allocation of American University within the same time frame.

As for the Hon. Justice Muhammad who stood in for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Hon. Justice Mahmoud Muhammad, he counselled all lawyers, Judges, Law teachers and indeed all stakeholders in the legal profession to play significant roles in sanitizing the legal profession by identifying and flushing out all the bad eggs in order to restore the dignity and honour that had been the hallmark of the noble profession in yester years.

According to Muhammad, the legal profession has been facing a lot of challenges from within and from without as a result of “bad eggs amongst (some) practicing lawyers, (some Judges) and even from Academics” and therefore implored the Law teachers, whom he described as “a collection of great minds who have the onerous responsi-

bility of moulding the character and minds of students, for positive contributions to the political development of this country”.

After four days of rigorous and painstaking sessions and copious drinking from the fountain of experience and knowledge of some erudite Judicial Officers of note, seasoned Legal Practitioners and Legal Academics from all over the world, the Law Teachers, through the communique at the end of their 48th Conference, returned a unanimous verdict that a lot still needs to be done to make the wheel of justice run faster and smoother in the overall interest of the administration of justice in Nigeria.

Determined to insulate Law graduates from the ever expanding unemployment market, the Association advocated for an immediate expansion and reformation of the curriculum of legal education in Nigeria to accommodate new areas of market economics and developmental studies such as Agriculture, Medical Science, Physiology, Nursing, Sociology, Psychology and Marketing among others, reasoning that such immediate expansion and reformation of the curriculum will guarantee rapid development of the different spheres of the society and make law graduates employable in different fields of human endeavor.

In addition to the above, they advocated that a new curriculum with respect to cyber-law should be developed for Nigerian Universities in keeping with the practice in other jurisdictions, such as the United States and the United Kingdom to enable Nigerian trained lawyers handle the increasing legal challenges thrown up by the fast growing cyber technology.

Considering the importance of Information and Communication Technology in the 21st Century and the concomitant phenom-

enon of rapid globalization, it is imperative for Nigeria to facilitate the development of information and knowledge-based economy through the instrumentality of law. Consequently, Information Technology law should be carried out as a law course to be taught in the penultimate law of the basic law programme in all Faculties/Colleges of Law in Nigerian Universities.

To make Nigerian lawyers really relevant in the competitive global market, there is the need for Nigerian Universities to ensure that undergraduate students, especially in Law, undergo entrepreneurial training to endow them with skill and competences that can empower them to be self-employed and sharpen their capacity to have legitimate sources/streams of income. Legal education in Nigeria must strive to achieve synergy between the law graduate and the society in such a way that our universities will not just be turning out job seekers who become stranded when there is no vacancy in both the public and private sectors.

In addition to the above, there is an urgent need to re-evaluate and re-engineer the Nigerian postgraduate education in Law in terms of designing more suitable research methodologies with a view to accommodating new frontiers of knowledge, Information and Communication Technology as well as entrepreneurial studies.

This would in turn ensure response to current realities, global competitiveness and relevance.

With multi-disciplinary training, Lawyers can be gainfully engaged in Advocacy, as Solicitors or in Educational and Research Institutes where the likes of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Prof.

Itse Sagay, Prof. G. A. Olawoyin, Prof. I.O Agbede and Prof. P.A. Oluyede as well as Prof. Ayo Ajomo among many others have made indelible marks.

Olofintila wrote from Lagos

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Corruption fuelling insecurity in the country –Ojo Mr. Jackson Ojo is the National Leader, Yoruba Youth Alliance, Ojo. The Osun State-born security expert in this interview with newsmen says corruption is at the root of many social vices in the land.

BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA brings excerpts: Since the kidnap and eventual release of former secretary to the government of the federation, Chief Olu Falae, activities of Fulani herdsmen in South-West region have come under scrutiny. How do you think this kind of occurrence can be prevented?

It is necessary to preach and imbibe the spirit of one Nigeria and all ethnic groups should learn how not to underrate others. I think NOA has a lot to do in this direction. Also, we should learn how to accommodate one another in Nigeria after all, these herdsmen had been around since 60s but why is it now that we are experiencing these happenings?

If we are united and respect one another irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion, there would be peace in Nigeria.

Do you think the military can defeat Boko Haram by December as directed by President Buhari?

Yes, the military, going by the way they are working now, the ranks of Boko Haram can be depleted by December in line with the directive given by the President.

War against terror is different from civil war or war by freedom fighters, called militants. Civil war fighters are known, their grievances are well understood, the region or ethnic group they belong to are known and it makes it easy for negotiations, so also the militants like we had in the South-South region. I believe the December deadline target as given by the President is motivational.

To forestall attacks on the region, would you say residents of the Southern part of the country are vigilant enough to prevent Boko Haram invasion?

Here in the south, intelligence is still very weak and porous. People are still depending on government forces alone. Nobody cares to know who his or her neighbour is, where he is from and what he does for a living. People still enter our various towns unchecked, beggars are still moving freely unchecked and unchallenged on our streets. The highway hawkers are increasing on a daily basis without proper check by security agencies. Going by this development, we are not prepared to prevent attacks on the region.

The race for 2018 and 2019 polls in Osun State appears to have commenced undercover. Is it true you are plotting to vie for National Assembly seat of Obokun/ Oriade Federal Constituency?

I am a very busy person doing business, reading to acquire more knowledge, trying to enlarge my business coast and become a very versatile entrepreneur. I have never dreamt of contesting for any office or political position. During the last election, my people called me to contest for the House of Representatives and

Ojo

HIGH LEVEL CORRUPTION BROUGHT ABOUT POVERTY, POVERTY GAVE BIRTH TO SELF HELP AND SELF HELP GAVE BIRTH TO CRIMINAL

ACTIVITIES PREVALENT IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND SOCIO-POLITICAL SYSTEM OF NIGERIA TODAY my refusal then kept some people away from me till date. I founded Obokun/Oriade solidarity forum and I can boast that this group worked for Mr. Wole Oke, the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Reps. Oke won the election and my group is still continuing their radio programme and as a result of this, some lazy politicians started peddling rumours that I have intention to contest election in the future.

Are you planning to contest against Oke as being speculated?

Contesting against Wole Oke is not the issue come 2019. We have two local governments in Ijesa North (Obokun and Oriade). Oke is doing third term now from Obokun axis and automatically, Oriade should be freely given the chance to represent the constituency come 2019

without any argument. Oriade has array of good people that can make us proud and they should be given the chance on a platter of gold in 2019 to represent us and that remains my stand.

How do you think the police can avoid recruiting criminals into their ranks during the recruitment of 10,000 men the force is planning?

Police institutions are saddled with internal security of our country and semi literates, school dropouts are never the best candidates for police job. In a situation where policemen cannot read vehicle particulars, this kind of men will be detrimental to our policing system.

Those recruited must be trained to be civil and friendly but stark illiterates will always lack in manners and decorum required to relate with the public. A situ-

ation where they recruit criminals and give them guns will pose threats to our country. Such misfits would engage in renting out guns to colleagues in crime.

I recommend a very sound ordinary national diploma (OND) as the minimum qualification for police recruitment.

There is no way you can train an unteachable person if recruited.

Do you agree with the view that corruption is fuelling insecurity in the country?

High level corruption brought about poverty, poverty gave birth to self help and self help gave birth to criminal activities prevalent in socio-economic and socio-political system of Nigeria today.

A situation where individuals provide electricity, water, build hospitals and fund education for their families whereas a single ‘kleptocrat ’ is having billions of dollars of public funds is appalling.

Is President Buhari selective in his anticorruption war?

What I see now is just an overzealous EFCC and ICPC that want to satisfy Mr. President by fighting his political enemies in order to save their jobs. President Buhari is not fighting anybody now and I believe he must design a policy framework that the whole country will see. So far, so good, 90 per cent of the arrested and interrogated politicians now are members of one party. But I believe Mr. President will not limit the search for treasury looters to one party.

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53

nd Wike ’s chances in a rerun

Pete ersid de

card reader, ” Wike said.

As expected, while the main opposition political party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the verdict of the Tribunal had vindicated it that there was no election in the state, the ruling PDP reacted that the judgement had obvious lapses.

The cause and effect, like it is in a typical

comedy plot where one action leads to another, media aides of the two rival parties are doing what they know best: defending every action and inaction of their principals. Call it trading of words if you like, but it is political razzmatazz and it is quite understandable.

Since the nullification of Wike ’s election by the Tribunal, hardly a day passes without Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Simeon Nwakudo, Jerry Needam, Special Adviser to the state PDP, chairman, their counterparts, Publicity Secretary of the state APC, Chris Fynebone, as well as Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, Special Adviser to the State APC chairman, churning out press statements concerning the issues at hand, even as vituperations, tirades and uncomplimentary remarks have been the lot of their releases of late. After all, a certain school describes politics as a dirty game. Already, opposition parties in the state are divided on the Tribunal verdict which annulled the April 11 governorship election. Recently, precisely on Wednesday October 28, 27 of the 29 registered political parties that contested the last general polls in the state have declared support for Wike in the event of a rerun election.

Under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, the parties stated at a press briefing on Wednesday October 28 that they were strongly behind the candidature of the governor should the Supreme Court nullify the April 11 gubernatorial election and order a rerun in 2016.

Though the ruling PDP and its major rival, APC, were not represented at the event, Rivers State Chairman of the LP, Favour Reuben, who spoke on behalf of the parties described the April 12 poll as free, fair and credible, adding that they had congratulated Wike on his victory afterwards.

Reuben said should the Supreme Court order that the Rivers State governorship election be held afresh, the governorship candidates of all the other parties that participated in the last governorship election, other than the APC would step down for Wike of the PDP. ” While faulting the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal, the parties said the judgment goes against the ruling of other petition tribunals that dwelt on the use of the card-reader during the governorship polls.

In the same vein, over 200 market women from various unions in the state recently protested the nullification of Wike ’s election by the tribunal in Abuja. Corroborating the opinions of IPAC,

o everyone, something THE TWO MAIN GROUPINGS IN THE SENATE, I.E. THE SENATE UNITY FORUM AND THE SENATE LIKE MINDS WERE EVENLY ACCOMMODATED IN THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEES

Lawan

fatai, ICT and Cyber Crime, Abubakar Kyari, INEC; Bayero Usman Nafada, Inter Parliamentary Affairs; David Umaru, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Olugbenga Ashafa, Land Transport; Abdullahi Gumel, Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Media and Public Affairs, Abdulsalami Ohiare, Pub-

lic Procurement; Marafa Kabir, National Identity and National Population and Musa Rabiu Kwakwanso, National Planning and Economic Affairs.

The rest are Isah Hamman Misau, Navy, Peter Nwaoboshi, Niger Delta; Abu Ibrahim, Police Affairs, Mao Ohuabunwa, Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, Robert Ajayi Boroffice, Science and Technology, Joshua Dariye, Solid Minerals, Murtala Nyako, Special Duties, Abdullahi Gumel, States and Local Government; Binta Masi Garba, Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Fatima Raji Rasaki, Trade and Investment, Mohammed Shittu, Water Resources and Ali Wakili Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare.

The new spokesman, Senator Abdullahi, while fielding questions from newsmen on the committees explained that the composition was carried out carefully by the selection committee to ensure

that all the contending interests were taken care of. He stated that the two main groupings in the Senate, i.e. the Senate Unity Forum and the Senate like minds were all evenly accommodated in the chairmanship of the committees.

The lawmaker also dispelled what he described as the misinformation about juicy committees, stressing that as far as the leadership of the Senate was concerned, all the committees are equal and there are no special or juicy committees.

Perhaps, one of the innovative strategies that Saraki adopted, which enabled him to accommodate everyone in the sharing and navigated out of trouble waters was the increment of the number of the standing committees. From the existing 57, Saraki upped the number to 65 this time round.

He may have also taken after the House of Representatives, which also raised the number of the House ’s standing commit-

the women insisted that elections took place under a peaceful atmosphere in the state on April 11, describing the tribunal judgement as bias.

Speaking to newsmen at the state PDP secretariat, the Organising Secretary of the Market Woman, Madam Julie Omie, described the nullification of the election that brought Wike to power as sad, saying ‘everyone knows election took place in Rivers. ” Omie expressed surprise that in some parts of the North-East, election results were declared without cancellation despite the killings and violence being perpetrated by members of the Boko Haram sect, unlike Rivers, she said, where elections were conducted peacefully.

She stressed: “We want peace and justice in Rivers State because we voted for Wike. If the Federal Government wants to fight corruption, let them start by giving justice to Rivers people. ” Also speaking, a woman leader, Mrs. Evelyn Nweke, said within three months in office, Wike offset the salary arrears of civil servants, including teachers, footballers and cleared the backlog of payments owed pensioners.

“We know that the tribunal has given its judgement, but only God has the final say. Rivers people are peace-loving.

“Elections took place here (Rivers) CONTINUED ON PAGE 54 tees from 89 to 96.

Even though the strategy may have worked in Saraki ’s favour, it at the same time attracted public odium to the Senate.

For instance, following the release of the list last week, some members of the Civil Society Organisations promptly came out to criticise the Senate and the House of Representatives of insensitivity, regarding the agitation for the reduction of the high cost of governance, which incidentally, the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been championing.

The groups argued that by their actions, the leadership of the National Assembly had demonstrated that they were working at cross purposes with the APC government headed by President Buhari.

For instance, one of the foremost civil society organisations and a parliamentary watchdog, Friends in the Gap Advocacy Initiative (FGAI) was the first to criticise the two chambers of the National Assembly on the increment. The group in a statement decried the action as not reflective of the stance of the Buhari Government, which has been pushing for the reduction of the structures of the civil service as a way to cutting down on the recurrent component of the nation ’s budget, which incidentally has accounted for over 70 per cent of Nigeria ’s annual expenditure in the past five years or so.

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and we voted for Wike. Nobody can stop him, ” Mrs Nweke said, even as she expressed happiness that the governor completed a number of meaningful projects in his first 100 days in office.

But the state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, dissociated itself from the position of IPAC, according to its Chairman, Minaibi Dagogo-Jack.

While reacting to IPAC ’s declaration of support for Wike, DagogoJack who is also the state chairman of Fresh Democratic Party, FDP, said CNPP is not part of IPAC, adding that the former is ready for a rerun election in the state.

“Let me put it on record that CNPP is not part of IPAC and we dissociate ourselves from any declaration of support for the governor by any group. We of the FDP know that what happened in Rivers State in the name of election was a disgrace. So, we support the judgement of the Tribunal which annulled Wike ’s election, ” he said.

However, embattled Wike has told the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 governorship election, Dr. Peterside, not to delude himself on the possibility of a rerun of the poll in the state. Wike, who said Peterside embarked on an illegal campaign on Saturday, explained that the APC leader ’s action could heat the polity.

On the possibility of a rerun election in the state, the state APC chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said there was no way Wike can win it ’ governorship candidate, in an election, insisting that the April 11 election was a sham, a view which the latter (Peterside) has reiterated on several occasions.

Peterside, while reacting to the nullification of Wike ’s election by the Tribunal said it would afford Rivers people an opportunity to vote, unlike what happened on April 11, urging the governor to prepare to test his popularity.

But reacting to Peterside ’s statement, Wike ’s media aide, Simon Nwakudo charged the former not to delude himself that there would be a rerun poll.

“The defeated Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, should desist from self-deceit and unnecessary political campaigns as there will be no rerun of the governorship election in Rivers State. We understand the desperation of Mr. Peterside as he is merely dancing to the tunes being played by external forces who want their filthy hands on the resources of Rivers State like they did under the failed administration of Rotimi Amaechi.

“The people of Rivers State voted overwhelmingly for Governor Wike on April 11 and 12. The earlier Mr. Peterside comes to terms with this fact, the better for him and his political party. The use of falsehood and propaganda will not take Peterside any-

Metu uh

Mohamm med

RIVERS IS KNOWN TO BE A PDP STATE AND THAT IS WHY IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THE

APC TO WIN HERE

where near the Government House, Port Harcourt. Governor Wike has the mandate of the people of Rivers State and this will be reaffirmed in the appeal process.

“Governor Wike will complete his first term on May 28, 2019 as endorsed by the people of Rivers State, ordained by God, which will be reaffirmed by the appellate process. ” Reacting, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said Wike should stop playing God, adding that the governor should allow the Appeal Court to do its work.

Finebone explained that Wike had been boasting that he would win the governorship election even if it was held a hundred times, adding that the governor appears to be afraid of a rerun.

“If he (Wike) says that Dr. Peterside is deluding himself on the possibility of any rerun, it shows that Wike is unstable because it is he, Wike, that said that he would win the governorship election even if it were conducted a hundred times.

Commenting on the political situation in the state and the likelihood of an election, a Port Harcourt-based businessman, James Ehule, said that a rerun in Rivers would be interesting because INEC would concentrate on the state alone, since other reruns would not hold the same day.

He maintained that it would be difficult for anyone to engage in ballot snatching or other forms of electoral fraud because security personnel would be everywhere. According to

Ehule, if there is a rerun, anybody that emerges will be the authentic governor and there will be no need for anyone to challenge the outcome in court. “But it will be interesting because the whole nation will now focus her attention on Rivers State, ” he added. On the likely outcome of the rerun, Ehule pointed out that Wike stood a better chance of winning if the courts called for a rerun.

He said his argument was based on the governor ’s performance since he was sworn into office. According to the businessman, the people of the state are still not happy over the way Jonathan lost the presidential election to President Buhari.

According to him, “The people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region are still angry over the way they lost the presidency to the APC and that is why Wike may enjoy the sympathy of these people when it comes to a possible rerun of the governorship election.

“Rivers is known to be a PDP state and that is why it will be difficult for the APC to win here, ” he added.

But a public commentator, Douglas Onyenwe, disagreed with Ehule, pointing out that there was “an open external interference ” during the last election that was nullified by the tribunal. Onyenwe further said that the APC may want to take its pound of flesh using the same alleged tactic allegedly adopted by the PDP in the state during the April 11 election.

According to him, “We cannot be unmindful of the fact that the APC is

at the centre and occupying the position of the Federal Government. That was not the case when the last governorship election was held in Rivers.

It is very easy to notice that the APC candidates here, including the governorship candidate, were like orphans because nobody listened to their complaints of brazen election malpractices against them.

“INEC was allegedly involved; some security agents were involved and nothing happened to address the situation, even when Amaechi cried to high heavens that the elections were far from Nigerian standard, much less of international standard.

But today, take a look at what is happening; the possibility of a rerun where INEC will know that it must do its job well. “I do not belong to any of the political parties but I love the guts of the former governor. ” Onyenwe, however, maintained that Peterside would win a possible rerun if he and his party prepared well for the exercise, even as he urged INEC and other security agencies to shun the temptation of doing the bidding of the Federal Government and allow people ’s vote to count.

On his part, National Coordinator of Niger Delta Peoples Mandate Forum, Mr. Ifeanyi Dike, differed, saying should election be held today, Wike would win fair and square. He explained that the embattled governor had been able to capture the attention of the people with the completion of some road projects in the state within the past five months.

His words: “INEC will give 90 days for everybody to prepare for the election. But if a rerun is held today, Wike will win. If it is done within three months, it will be a 50-50 chance between Peterside and Wike. Don ’t also forget that Wike has more foot soldiers than the APC in the state. ” A lawmaker in the state ’ Assembly, Mr. Evans Bipi, said he was not expecting a rerun of the governorship election. Bipi, who represents Ogu/ Bolo State Constituency, however noted that Wike would emerge victorious if the courts called for a rerun.

Describing the governor as “a grassroots man ”, Bipi boasted that a rerun election would afford the PDP the opportunity of showing the world that Wike ’s victory in the last ballot was no fluke. He said the people of the state were ready to come out and vote again for the governor.

A lecturer in one of the tertiary institutions in the state, Dr. Paul Kennedy, however, described Peterside as a household name in the state. He stated that the unwritten agreement on rotation of the governorship position would give the APC candidate an edge over Wike.

Kennedy added that the riverine areas in the state would begin to mobilise for Peterside based on the principle of rotation of power in the state.

He explained that Peterside remained “generally acceptable ” to the people, adding that a free and fair election would prove him right.

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‘State police is necessary to resolve security issues ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

and most of the justices there are elderly people. Why? We have land matters, we have criminal matters, we have litigations in different angles and one Supreme Court, how can we attain justice in this kind of a country?

Some states don ’t have Appeal Court till now; a good example is Ekiti. Maybe Ekiti State would now have an Appeal Court.

When you file a case to Appeal Court in Ekiti, you have to go to Ilorin. I am not a soothsayer, there is no way Buhari can move this country forward without approving and implementing the recommendations of the National Conference.

We will be deceiving ourselves, how many thieves can Buhari arrest, how many people can he jail?

By November 29, Buhari will be six months in power and that is one eight of his four-year tenure. Some of them in office now, including those in the Senate and House of Representatives want to make money, so if he doesn ’t change the system through implementation of the National Confab report that would touch on the institutions of government, there is no way individual efforts can make any meaning to move this country forward.

Fulani in Nigeria did not deny that those arrested are not Fulani herdsmen.

If Chief Olu Falae had been kidnapped in the 1990s, what would have been the reaction of the Yorubas then?

Well, I think the reaction would have been the same. The Yorubas have a way of fighting their cause; our way of fighting our cause is different from the way other ethnic nationalities fight their cause.

When you are fighting a cause and you fail to carry your people along with you, they might go against your cause and not support you. By the time you sensitise your people, they will back you up. Olu Falae is a former SGF and it is unfortunate that he was kidnapped.

We believe in diplomacy in fighting our cause because we cherish the lives of our people. We have to be careful in engaging in a violent struggle, you must do it in a tactical and intelligent way.

So definitely, a region like that has to be very, very careful in involving itself in a violent struggle. A struggle is in sequence, by the time you are pushed to the wall, you can now overreact, but if they are still pushing you gradually, you fight gradually, not by saying you bring guns, how much are they selling guns? You can get guns everywhere but the consequences are very grave, so we have to be very careful, we have to do it tactically and intellectually, because it is not only Yoruba that are living in the South West. What of other ethnic nationalities living with us who may not even share our ideology. So we have sensitise them to share our ideology so that we can have tactical support from them even though they may not join us directly. We have them in the media; at least, 70 per cent of the war is being won through propaganda. We have a lot of Ibos, Niger- Delta as editors, so when you don ’t sensitise them, they won ’t support you. They support you in the media without joining you as an organisation unlike the cultural promotion and OPC, we have a lot of non- Yoruba who are even more sympathetic to us than even Yoruba and by the time we send our stories, they celebrate them. And we have some Yoruba who do not believe in our cause and they are Yoruba, and because of one political reason, will play down our stories. Definitely, you have to move and sensitise them and gain their support because no matter what you do, anything the media pushes to the public is what the public would understand, no matter how powerful you are, all over the world, the Fourth Estate of the Realm is very, very important to be your partner.

The issue of Fulani herdsmen destroying farmers ’ farms is not peculiar to Yoruba race, but in this situation, what do you think is the lasting solution?

So I think, to solve the problem, the Federal Government has to look into the recommendations of the National Conference. I think the recommendations of the National Conference is about providing good security arrangement for the country because when you are talking of State Police, it is one of the factors out of several factors that would solve insecurity in the country.

I think going by the recommendations of the National Conference, if Buhari means

Adams

WHEN YOU SEE THE CONTENTS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE FELL BACK TO JUST THE WAY WE TOOK THE FEDERALISM FROM THE UNITED STATES very well for this country as he is mouthing anti- corruption war, he should implement those recommendations; we are watching.

You have corrupt people, including former governors, some in the board of parastatals, who have been in the system for a long time and yet you shout anticorruption.

You have some people in the Senate, who are former governors; some of them have ruined their states. We have some people in the House of Representatives who are of questionable character and you are saying anti- corruption. We have some people in the Judiciary who want to make money at all cost, so you will ask yourself, where would this man start? Where will he start to fight corruption? The aides surrounding him, they don ’t have the same mindset that Buhari has. A tree cannot make a forest. I, as Gani Adams, if I have an ideology and Segun (his aide) does not have the same thing, I am in trouble. So definitely when you are talking of anti-corruption, the first thing you should try to change is the system, so that the institution can work better.

Then the institution would shape most of the bad products in the system. But by the time you want to use the same system that drove them to corruption, there is no way

you can make any headway. I have never seen the angel that would stop corruption in this country.

The institutions are the structures.

When you see the contents of the recommendations of the National Conference, you will see that we fell back to just the way we took the federalism from the United States. That is not the way it is being operated in Nigeria now; what we are operating in Nigeria is completely unitary system of government.

I am living in Omole here, hardly do we have 10 hours of electricity supply in a week, you can see my two generators. What is electricity generation and distribution doing with the Federal Government? Why can ’t we allow Lagos State Government handle electricity matter of its state? What is the Ministry of Water Resources doing with the Federal Government? What is the Ministry of Agriculture doing with the Federal Government? Why can ’t we have Federal and State Police and even Local Government Police? Why are we having only one Supreme Court with all these Tribunals that we have in different places?

We have only one Supreme Court and we want to have quick dispensation of justice

Buhari ’s admirers would say he has done very well within the time limit and that solving the nation ’s problem requires gradual approach, even as they laud him on anticorruption war which they say is not lopsided while citing Senate President Bukola Saraki ’s case with CCT as an example, what do you say?

What do you expect of politicians? Politicians are the greatest liars in any sector.

Most of the things they promised before the elections, do they follow them now?

Buhari told us that technocrats would be his ministers, how many technocrats can you find out of the 36 ministers he nominated? He said there would be free meals in the schools; does he talk about it again?

He promised that he would give those who don ’t have jobs N5,000 monthly, do you hear about it again? And at the same time, he said he would reduce the pump price of petrol. A lot of things were said and he promised that within two months, they would do them. They brought video clips; we watched all these promises made on You- tube in their campaign.

Although I did not support or canvass for Buhari as president, but I respect him in certain aspects. But when (President Goodluck) Jonathan was there, do you know how those who had patronage in PDP were praising him, it is the same way they are praising Buhari now. So what do you expect from APC? Their own interest supersedes those of other people ’s. For instance, look at the people that did not support Saraki as the Senate President, when they realised that Amaechi is their interest, they united together to make sure they confirmed him. So after they had confirmed Amaechi, they would now go to different camps again to fight Saraki. So that is the way they operate. They can ’t think about Nigeria ’s interest, it is their own interest first before any others. Once they get to Abuja, they have a different mentality; they can ’t think the way Lagosians think anymore. They think about themselves only.

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praising Buhari, they would praise him.

After Buhari would have served two and a half years, you will now see different colours in them, maybe because the government is unable to meet their expectations.

You will now see them decamping and praising PDP or another party. You can ’t judge with their tongues now, just wait for two and a half years after Buhari must have been in power, you will now see the real colour of those who are talking.

Is it not those people in PDP who even committed a lot of atrocities against PDP and were abusing PDP when they got to APC? About six to seven powerful governors left PDP for APC. Some others were in PDP working for APC like the former Niger State governor and they have rubbished him now. You can imagine g what happened in the North, some of them worked against Jonathan.

When it now came to governorship election, some of them to tried fight back to restore their interest and the people t h a t t h e y h a d made to embrace A P C couldn ’t go back

Adams

again to vote them or their cronies in office. That is what is working against Sule Lamido, look at the way they rubbished him. He tactically went for Northern Agenda and forsook the interest of his party; he thought he owned that state. Immediately the APC won, they put him on trial. I don ’t think Sule Lamido has ever gone to detention in his life, he and son were detained- one of the most sophisticated politicians in the North. You can see what has happened to him. The same thing happened to former Katsina State governor, look at him today. The lesson is that when you are digging a hole for your enemies, don ’t dig it too deep because you don ’t know, maybe you will fall into that hole at the end of the day, be very, very careful.

It is unfortunate that our politicians don ’t play their politics on the basis of ideology and manifesto of their parties. Most of them do not believe in their parties, they just use the platforms to get to where they are. By the time the interest of the party conflicts with theirs, they jump ship.

And that is what has happened. So when they are talking, look at the people in the change circle, those are the people we knew before in PDP and those who were not PDP but overran their states under the party they belonged to. That was one of the reasons my mind could not be changed, my mind was not changing, that I don ’t trust these people. I trust Buhari based on his fight against corruption but Buhari cannot fly a plane alone. You need air hostesses to take care of the passengers; you need some crew to work with you. If you don ’t have the same mindset, it would be very, very difficult and in a situation where we recycle those who destroyed

THE REAL ENEMY OR PROBLEM OF

RESTRUCTURING IS SELFISH INTEREST.

EVEN WHEN WE WERE AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE WE REALISED THAT ABOUT

80 TO 90 PER CENT OF THE NORTHERN

DELEGATES WANTED STATUS QUO TO REMAIN this country, you can ’t have any meaningful thing done.

I still commend him on certain aspect that he tried to whittle down the influence of some powerful people in APC by not picking their nominees for ministerial and other positions, but not withstanding those he picked, how is he sure they would not join the bandwagon at the end of the day.

From your position and with your experience what do you think is the real enemy of restructuring?

The real enemy or problem of restructuring is selfish interest. Even when we were at the national conference we realised that about 80 to 90 per cent of the northern delegates wanted status quo to remain. I was surprised after we left conference that most of them were talking about change.

Those who did not want change in the constitution, those who did not want change of policy , those who didn ’t want change of institutions, after we left confab last in August some of them now become APC and they were now shouting change and I said are these not the people that we were together at the confab . Some of them are senators now. Two of them are now governors; these are delegates who were against change in the content of what makes a country. They didn ’t even want to hear anything about change in the constitution. And politicians were not the people that wrote the constitution. The military wrote the constitution, the Armed Forces Ruling Council under General Abdulsalam Abubakar . Luckily for us we have the person that drafted that constitution,

a professor as a delegate at the confab.

He fought tooth and nail that we should not touch that constitution. And one of the impediments to our progress as a nation is our constitution, because the constitution does not allow the states to develop at their own pace. The constitution has so many important things that would have been controlled in the states at the Federal level. A president can easily punish a governor through over influence in security, through over influence on police; he can easily destroy a state. But in most of the countries where we have democracy something of that nature did not happen. Nigeria ’s president is the most powerful president based on our constitution. In most of the developed countries that practice democracy, the power is divided. Even in Britain, the House of Lords and the House of Commons are even more powerful than the prime minister. They used to summon prime minister every two weeks to come and defend different issues.

And by time they tell the prime minister ‘don ’t do that ’, he must not try it.

Look at what is happening in America too, the Senate and the House of Representatives checkmate the president at the right time but in Nigeria for our president, the hard way is the only way.

So what we are saying is that one of the reasons why some of them do not believe in the recommendation of the national conference is that they believe that the recommendation is part of the revolution that will change Nigeria.

Senate Committees: To everyone, something CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

tees ’, FGAI stated that it considers the bloating of the standing committees in both chambers of the National Assembly at this point in our national development, “unnecessary, irresponsible, superfluous and out of tune with the present economic reality in the country ”.

It describes the increment as unfortunately, “coming at a time the present executive arm of government is concerned about the increasing cost of governance and in line with President Buhari ’s philosophy of reducing the recurrent expenditure component of our nation-

al budget, government has embarked on measures aimed at reducing the number of existing ministries, departments and agencies of government ”.

According to the group, “The least we expect from our elected representatives is to key into the philosophy of the present executive arm of government and seek ways of drawing down on the high cost of governance, especially recurrent expenditure, in response to the current dwindling resources of our economy. ” It said a comparative review of what obtained across other parliaments globally showed that

while the rest of other jurisdictions of the world are thinning down the size of their parliamentary committees for effectiveness, in Nigeria, the reverse is unfortunately the case. While condemning the current increment of the number of committees by the two arms of the National Assembly, the group urged the leadership of the parliament to have a rethink on the matter.

“We urge that the increment be reversed because our national economy can hardly sustain the increase, ” stressing that, “it is our opinion that what our elected lawmakers should presently be

concerned about is how to join efforts with the executive to seek ways of lifting our economy from its present near comatose state ”.

“A comparative review of what obtains across other parliaments globally shows that while the rest of other jurisdictions of the world are thinning down the size of their parliamentary committees for effectiveness, in Nigeria, the reverse is unfortunately the case. ” It stated that in the United States of America, where Nigeria borrowed her presidential system of government from for instance, the Senate with 100 membership has only

20 committees (16 standing committees and four select committees), while the House of Representatives with a membership of 435 has only a paltry 21 congressional committees (20 standing committees and one select committee).

In the United Kingdom, committees are broken down to two; select and legislative committees.

While the select committees embark on investigative activities, the legislative committee engages more in debate of bills.

The House of Lords, with a membership of 745 has a small 16-select committees, while the House of Commons has only 47 of

such committees.

In France, the situation is not any different. With a membership of 577, the House of Representatives otherwise known as the National Assembly has only six standing committees, about the same number with the Senate comprising 348 membership.

The case of Canada also conforms no less to what is obtainable in the rest of other advanced democracies of the world.

With a population of 105, the Senate of Canada has only 18 standing committees while that country ’s House of Commons with a population of 338 members has only 23 committees.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, November 8, 2015

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lawmaker slams Adamawa govt over poor IDPs welfare LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

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he lawmaker representing Madagali in the Adamawa State House of Assembly Hon. Emmanuel Tsamdu has decried the state government failure to intervene and address the needs faced by victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the state despite donations he said the government has continued to receive from individuals, government

and other aid agencies.

Tsamdu who bared his mind about the plight of his constituents to journalists yesterday, also noted that over 500 Boko Haram sect members had been killed by local hunters within the last two months alone while decrying the growing shortage of food in the area occasioned by the upscale in military activities ahead of the December deadline given by the Presidency.

The lawmaker while la-

menting the problem faced by his constituents in Madagali by sharing border with Sambisa forest regretted that the upsurge in sporadic attacks by the insurgents in the area were spurned by escaping insurgents in search of food and shelter.

“We are running short of food supply, you know food which is a necessity remains the greatest need of the people of Madagali for now, ” he said.

But he however stressed

that the state government which ought to be responsible for the welfare of the returnees, was yet to come to their aid, despite the N150 million donations at its disposal, which he said the government had received from the Lagos State government and Alh. Mai Deribe a renowned philanthropist from Borno State.

Tsamdu while arguing that the state government has no excuse whatsoever to shirk from its responsibility

in view security votes and other releases meant to support the victims of the insurgency, queried the state government use of the N50 million donations received from the Lagos State government and an influential Borno business man who also donated N100 million to assist IDPs in the state.

“As I speak to you there has not been any intervention by the state government. We have not seen and we have not heard anything

about these funds. Because nobody has come to their aid except Red Cross, the UNHCR and other aid agencies.

He also added that the health centers built by the government in the area, which is over 50 years old has been completely destroyed by the insurgents. According to him the only functional health facility serving the returnees is the health center operated by the Catholic Church in Shuwa.

Six persons detained over attacks on Benue LG ofcials HENRY IYORKHASE

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L-R: Corps Marshal of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi; Mai of Kaltungo, Alhaji Saleh Muhammed (OON) and Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, DCM Adei Abu, during a working visit to Gombe State, recently.

Prisons ofcials urge revision of recruitment exercise HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

S

ome dust is being raised over the appointments made into the Nigerian Prisons Service with allegations of lopsidedness and failure to adhere to the principle of federal character.

Investigations in the Benue State formation of the NPS shows that the recent deployment of about 50 Junior officers cadre to the state is generating ripples among the hierarchy of the service in the state .

Sunday Mirror investigation revealed that the formation in the state gathered that those whose appointment were backdated were the last set to be recruited towards the tail end of the last administration without recourse to due process.

It was further gathered that the appointments into the junior cadre appeared to have been skewed in favour of a particular ethnic group.

Sources told our correspondent that this type of imbalance in the ap-

pointment, which did not reflect federal character and consequent backdated in their appointments to appear as if they were recruited before the end of last administration which is unacceptable and urged the federal government to revisit the case.

When contacted Benue State Controller of the Nigerians Prisons Service, Mr. Oyigoecho Ogbole, has confirmed the backdating of employment particulars of the junior staff stressing that the ambiguity is unfortu-

nate.

However, efforts to ascertain the federal character quota regarding the appointments of nationalities in the formation were not successful.

It would be recalled that crises had been brewing for some time now over lopsidedness of one particular tribe dominating the formation insisting that federal character must reflect with view to address imbalance among ethnic nationalities in the country.

Nasarawa tertiary institutions suspend three weeks strike IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

T

ertiary institutions owned by the Nasarawa State Government yesterday suspended the three weeks strike they had embarked on due to the inability of the state government to meet their demands.

The tertiary institution workers embarked on strike on October 19, demanding seven items to include first the 2013 promo-

tion arrears, 2014 and 2015 promotion arrears and implementation.

They were also asking for the downward review of their taxes and we for the visitation of their academic programmes, as well as not only for the autonomy of the higher institutions, but also asking for the five years domestication of their academic programmes.

The suspension of the strike was contained in a press release signed by the

chairman of Joint Union of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions, JUNSTI, Ariks Samuel Bashayi, and made available to Sunday Mirror in Lafia, the state capital.

The release stated that the strike was suspended to pave way for the amicable resolution of the matters raised within the period of plea by the state assembly standing committee on education, science and technology.

According to the release:

“Following the intervention of the Nasarawa State Traditional Council to resolve the lingering crisis between the government and the union on the union ’s demands, the union resolved to honour the royal fathers ’ plea. ” The release therefore called on all its members to resume work tomorrow (Monday), assuring them that they would not be victimized in any way for partaking in the strike.

o fewer than six suspects were said to have been interrogated by law enforcement agents in connection with the recent attacks on officials of Bureau for Local Government in Benue during the ongoing verification exercise in Vandeikya Local Government Council a fort-night ago.

Speaking to Sunday Mirror on the development, the Vandeikya Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Akura, confirmed that six persons were apprehended and are undergoing interrogation over the assault on officials who were on official engagement to carry out staff auditing with a view to ascertaining the accurate staff strength of the council.

Akura frowned at the attitude of those who manhandled the officials and the subsequent destruction of their vehicles and equipment as well as grievous injuries suffered as a result of the assault.

“Owing to this dastardly acts we will however do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the offenders pays dearly for their action stressing that no stone would left unturned in dealing decisively with trouble makers. ” According to him, a petition has already been sent to Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon, Titus Dzam and Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom intimating them of the masterminds of the crises and their apprehension though the identity is still being withheld.

Several attempts to confirm the arrests of the suspect with the state command ’s Public Relations Officer Mr. Austine Ezeani on the development were futile as many calls put on his mobile line were not returned.

It would be recalled that a forth night ago officials of Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were manhandled and severely beaten while the official vehicle in which the team travelled was also destroyed.

Kogi NANS endorses Wada ’s second term bid WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Kogi State has endorsed the candidature of the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada for second term.

The student union body while addressing journalists in Lokoja yesterday stated that this followed the governor ’s giant strides in educational development.

NANS stated that stu-

dents had taken a critical appraisal and comprehensive stock taking of the achievement of Captain Idris Wada over the last three and half years.

“The student union Presidents and secretaries of the various higher institution in Kogi under the above named platform having toured round the schools and taken thorough oversight of the facilities we hereby wish to commend the governor for infrastructural and welfare development that have taking place in Kogi State University ”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Ekiti demolishes ancient Erekesan Market for N2bn mall ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

E

kiti State government yesterday began demolition of the ancient Erekesan Market in Ado Ekiti to pave way for the construction of N2 billion modern Erekesan Mall.

With the development, the market, which was set ablaze recently following crisis between Hausa residents and some commercial drivers in the state, is to be given a touch of

modernity.

Commissioner for Works, Mr Kayode Osho, told journalists at the scene of demolition yesterday that the demolition and excavation of the rubbles would last for two weeks following which work on the modern shopping mall would continue.

Osho assured that construction of the new market with its state of the art amenities would last for 24 months.

According to him, facilities that would be at the

new market would include over 1000 shops for different categories of traders, a clinic, a car park for 400 cars, banks, fire station, police station and other social infrastructure.

The commissioner assured former shop owners that they would be accommodated in the new market, saying: “We are going to have more than enough shops for former owners and even those that will seek shops there ”.

He lauded the governor for his efforts to develop

and transform the state, adding: “This administration will leave a legacy that people will appreciate for generations to come. ” He said over N140 million was paid as compensation to former owners of structures in the demolished market.

The government had before now asked all traders at the market to move to Awedele and Agric Olope markets.

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New Oluwo may emerge today BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

I

ndications emerged that the new Oluwo of Iwo, the headquarters of Iwo local government area of Osun state, may be announced today.

The immediate past Oluwo, Oba Ashiru Olatubosun Tadese, died on February 18, 2014 and since then, succession process has been slowed down by myriad of litigations.

Interested parties have also shown dissatisfaction with the gazette white paper to be used for nomination and selection of the next Oluwo from the available ruling houses.

Findings by Sunday Mirror revealed that seven princes from three ruling houses of Gbase, Ogunmakinde-Ande and Adagunodo, out of four in the town, are in the race to occupy the vacant stool.

Available records from Gbase ruling house showed that those, who wrote to the leadership

of the ruling house showing intention to be new Oluwo include; Canadabased arms contractor, Prince Adewale Akanbi; a retired teacher, Adio Adedapo and a former Chairman of Iwo Local Government, Prince Adegbite Ayoade.

From Adagunodo ruling house, the contestants include a Lagos-based industrialist, Prince Adio Azees Moranroola and an Account Officer with the Osun state Local Government Service Commission, Isiaka Azees.

Contestants from Ogunmakinde ruling house include a retired secondary school teacher, Prince Lekan Lamuye: former Bursar of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Jabar Kola, and the Provost College of Science and Engineering of the Osun State University, Osogbo, Prof. Wasiu Gbolagade.

Sources within government circle however hinted that formal announcement of new monarch for the town may be done on Sunday.

Osun NSCDC declares war on public utility vandals BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right), Chief Yetunde Oyewole (2nd right), former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akare (left) and others, during the official handing-over of renovated Comprehensive Health Centre to mark the 80th birthday of Mama Yetunde Oyewole, at Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo, yesterday.

Pain, anger trail collapse of Enugu bridge EMMANUEL EZEH ENUGU

R

esidents of Isi-Uzo Council Area of Enugu State and other neighbouring states, yesterday expressed pain and frustration over the collapse of Ikem bridge.

The bridge, which is across Ebenyi River, is the only access road linking several communities to the Enugu capital city.

The hanging bridge, built by the Nigerian Army shortly after the Nigeria civil war, finally succumbed to total collapse on Friday when a Dangote truck carrying 900 bags of cement rested on it.

Many communities in Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue and other Northern states

have been cut off, including Neke and Udenu, the home local government and community of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Residents yesterday quickly commenced putting up a makeshift bamboo bridge to trek across the river to get to their homes and neighbours.

“It is now a divided kingdom, ” said Mr. Frank Nnamani, who was cut off between his home and his block industry across the river.

“Buses plying EhaAmufu to Enugu now terminate at different ends of the river and travellers swim across to continue their journey just as the incident has divided the community ’s Orie market into two, with one at its

original market venue and the new one at Ikem junction across the Ebenyi River ”, he added.

Nnamani, who further lamented the plight said: “Now that there is nothing to manage again as we were managing, the best thing is for the state government to remoblize the contractor that absconded from the site to continue work on the concrete span bridge abandoned by the past state administration. ” Speaking on the matter, the Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, Augustine Nnamani maintained that his council had been spending money to maintain the collapsed bridge, adding that the council was still making monthly contribu-

tions to the state government for the Enugu-Ikem road project, which had gone to 90 percent completion.

Some other residents interacted with said “It is even good that the bridge has come to an end so that attention will be paid to the abandoned bridge contract. ” Reactions have also been expressed by the different people who learnt about the development: Mr. Chuks Nweze, a social commentator said: “We should pray for Nigeria. How can such a bridge be found in a country called giant of Africa? ” Another commentator, Mr Edozie Odunze suggested that the 900 bags of cement be used in constructing the bridge.

O

sun State command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has declared total clampdown on vandals of public utilities in the state.

The command said the move became imperative because of the untold hardships vandals of electricity equipment are inflicting on consumers and the implications of their activities on the economy.

Parading a suspected electric cable vandal at the state Command headquarters of NSCDC in Osogbo, Osun Commandant of the corps, Mr Tajudeen Balogun stated that the suspect was caught stealing cables belonging to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC. Balogun said the suspect, Taofeeq Waliu, had already scaled the fence of the central store of the IBEDC, located at

BCGA Area, Osogbo, but was arrested by the store ’s security officer, while trying to exit the premises.

He said investigation on the matter would soon be concluded and the suspect charged to court.

Speaking to newsmen, the suspect confessed to the crime and added that he usually sell the cables to some people for a token.

Reacting to the development, the Regional Communication Officer of the IBEDC, Osun Region, Miss Kike Owoeye, enjoined residents to see themselves as partners of the company by reporting strange movement around IBEDC property and sub-stations to the appropriate authorities.

Owoeye, who then appealed cooperation in safeguarding IBEDC equipments, assured that the suspect would serve as deterrent to others engaging in similar act.

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Sport

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Germany must stick to their playing style – Schurrle

Sport

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2015

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‘All African WC final good for football’

U-17 World Cup:

Nigeria, Mali in all African final Ifeanyi Eduzor

I

t will be an all African affair today in Chile as the Golden Eaglets confront fellow West Africans; Mali in the finals of the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 world Cup at the Estadio Saualito Vina Del Mar, Chile.

To get to the finals, Nigeria defeated Mexico by 4-2 in one of the semi-final matches through goals from Kelechi Nwakali, Orji Okonkwo, Osinachi Ebere and Victor Osimhen’s penalty while Mali reached their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final courtesy of a resounding come-from-behind 3-1 victory against Belgium. The Europeans had taken the lead through Dante Rigo, but Boubacar Traore’s swift response was followed by second half goals from Sidiki Maiga and Sekou Koita.

This is the second time two African countries will be playing in the finals of the petit World Cup; the first being in 1993 when Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 to lift the trophy.

Nigeria will be going into today’s encounter as not only the defending cham-

pion having won the trophy on four occasions namely; 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013 will be looking forward to make another history by becoming five time winner of the championship while Mali on the other hand who are African champions will be aiming to win their first trophy in the competition.

Today’s finals is expected to be explosive considering that both teams have maintained a good record since the commencement of the championship coupled with the fact that the football rivalry between the two countries will be at play till the full 90 minutes. Added to this is the fact that both teams play the same pattern and have good strikers, who have not disappointed since the championship began on October, 17.

As the two teams meet in today’s finals, it is expected that Coach Emmanuel Amuneke will rely on the strikers that have been scoring goals at ease to ensure they not only dominate their fellow West Africans to emerge champions at the end of hostilities while Mali who have shown consistency since the commencement of the competition will depend on their defensive network to frustrate Nigerian attackers to be led by Kelechi Nwakali.

It is expected that as the Golden Eaglets file out today at the Estadio Saualito Vina Del Mar, the coaching crew must ensure they correct some of the lapses discovered in their semi- final match against Mexico which saw Nigeria conceding an early goal in that match.

The finals which will be followed with keen interest from all over the globe especially in the African continent is expected to be full of suspense as the two teams try to make history not only for themselves but their entire countries.

Already, Nigeria head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said he is expecting “an interesting challenge” against Mali in today’s all-African Fifa U-17 World Cup finals.

The former Nigerian international said reaching the final of the U-17 tournament for a second successive time offers his country the chance to defend the title they won two years ago in the United Arab Emirates.

Amuneke, who was part of the coaching crew in UAE in 2013, acknowledged that the Malian are good since they are African champions but was quick to add that his players knows how to handle them.

“The match against Mali will be a difficult one because both teams understand themselves. While we are the defending champions, Malians are the African champion which goes to show how difficult the game will be.

“It is true that Mali is a good side with quality players but I have the players that can handle them and ensure we lift the trophy a record five times”, Amuneke assured.

Past Winners of FIFA U-17 World Cup 1985 Nigeria 1987 Soviet Union 1989 Saudi Arabia 1991 Ghana 1993 Nigeria 1995 Ghana 1997 Brazil 1999 Brazil 2001 France 2003 Brazil 2005 Mexico 2007 Nigeria 2009 Switzerland 2011 Mexico 2013 Nigeria 2015

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Knockout with

IFEANYI Eduzor

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Ottoh commends GOtv

W

‘All African WC final good for football’

C

oach Emmanuel Amuneke has said that the final match of the Fifa U-17 World Cup Chile between Nigeria and Mali is a good advertisement for African football.

On Sunday the two West African sides will clash at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar in what is only the second ever all-African final since Nigeria and Ghana clashed in Japan 22 years ago with the Eaglets winning 2-1.

Both Nigeria and Mali have flown the continent’s flag with

pride en route to Sunday’s final and Amuneke enthused it would be a great day for African football yet again in Vina del Mar. “African football has developed over the years and playing against Mali in the final of Chile 2015 shows that Africa is strong at this level,” said Amuneke.

The Golden Eaglets have in the run-up enjoyed favourable results at Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar where they crushed Chile 5-1 in their second group phase match, an-

nihilated Australia 6-0 in the second round and battered Brazil 3-0 in the quarterfinal.

“On Sunday we will give a good account of ourselves in Vina del Mar which has been a good venue for us.

“The fans all over Chile have been friendly but we have a special feeling playing in Vina del Mar where we have many fans,” said the former Barcelona winger to www. thenff.com.

Golf: Las Vegas qualifier excites Abuja golfers Pius Anakali

W

ith the successful completion of this year’s International Pairs competition which held at the golf section of Ikoyi club 1938, attention now shifts to IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, where the 2015 edition of Transatlantic Golf Team Challenge, (TGTC) has been scheduled to hold.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Falcon Golf Development Company, the event’s franchise holder in Nigeria, Remi Olukoya who spoke

in a chat with newsmen during the week said over 150-golfers drawn from across the country will take part in the competition.

“This is a big one for our friends in Abuja and other parts of the country.

It will be a keenly contested event and we expect between 100150 golfers on the field”, Olukoya said.

The Transatlantic Golf Team Challenge started 14 years ago and has grown to become one of the most sought after event in the world.

“It was a concept that was devel-

oped 14-years ago to give amateur golfers the fun of representing their country in a thrilling five-day golf clash”, Olukoya explained further.

Launched 14 years ago, the Transatlantic Team Challenge was originally a competition between 24-amateurs from the UK and Ireland and combines them into a team to take on 24 U.S amateurs in Las Vegas in a Ryder Cup style challenge over five days.

The success recorded in the subsequent editions necessitated the need to make it a global affair that has now included Nigeria.

U-17 World Cup: Ladipo charges Eaglets to go for trophy Ifeanyi Eduzor

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resident General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo has charged the Golden Eaglets to go for gold when they confront Mali in today’s finals of the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 World cup in Chile even as he declared that members of the club will embark on fasting to enable the team win the trophy back- to back.

He told Sunday Mirror that there is the need for Nigerians to pray for the team as they meet their fellow West Africans in the al African finals with a

declaration that the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke led side has what it takes to win a fifth title for the country.

Ladipo reminded Nigerians that it was during the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari as Military Head of State that Nigeria won the maiden trophy in 2005, positing that the President will also bring luck this time around as they aim to make history in Chile.

“I am quite convinced that the Golden Eaglets’ will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians by retaining the trophy they won in United Arab Emirates in 2013.

“Nigerians should understand that President Buhari is a lucky person be-

cause it was during his tenure as Military Head of State that Nigeria conquered the World in 1985 and that history is waiting to be re- written this year.

Ladipo while agreeing that the game will be tough considering that Mali are African champions while the Golden Eaglets’ are defending champions, expressed confidence that the team will come home with the trophy.

He also appealed to Nigerians to pray for the Falconets as they prepare to face South Africa today in a World Cup qualifying match as well as the Super Eagles who have a qualification match against Swaziland in Mbabane.

inner of the N1million jackpot at the GOtv boxing night, Ottoh “Joe Boy” Joseph has commended sponsors of the fight for its efforts at repositioning professional boxing in the country.

He stated this when he received his cheque from Jenkins Alumona , Managing Director /Chief Executive of Flykite Productions, promoters of the GOtv Boxing Night.

Joseph, who knocked out National Lightweight champion, Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, in the fourth round of their eight round national lightweight challenges at the event last Sunday, is the second winner of the cash prize, the biggest amount ever paid to a boxer in Nigeria.

Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, the light welterweight

boxer, was the first winner.

Speaking at the brief ceremony at which the cheque was presented, Ottoh thanked GOtv for the cash prize and the opportunities boxers are being given to fight more frequently.

“I am happy at what GOtv is doing. I have to add that I did not think it was possible for boxing to provide this kind of reward in Nigeria. It is a pleasant surprise and it will motivate me to do better,” he said.

Alumona advised Joseph to spend the money wisely; as such an amount is capable of transforming his life.

“As a young man, there are many temptations and distractions. I will urge to remain focused, spend the money wisely so that it can deliver great value to you and your career.

Manny Pacquiao (R) and Floyd Mayweather Jnr. During their Mega fight last May.

Pacquiao reveals potential opponents

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anny Pacquiao has revealed four potential names that are in the frame for his scheduled final fight on Apr. 9 2016, though Floyd Mayweather is not among them.

A growing belief exists that Pacquiao could go for a rematch with Mayweather in the new MGM, Las Vegas Arena, which has a projected opening date of April 2016, although given the Filipino’s latest comments and Mayweather’s assertions he remains retired, a mega-money re-

match seems unlikely at the moment, and would admittedly be a tough sell after their disappointing first fight back in May. However, Britain’s Amir Khan does find himself back in the frame, although is again seemingly waiting only on that call in similar fashion to how he hung around for Floyd Mayweather, and it’s highly likely that he could again be frozen out, losing large chunks of his prime as he hangs around for the big-money opportunities he covets most.

Fury considers retirement

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eavyweight contender, Tyson Fury says he may retire after his world title bout against Wladimir Klitschko this month.

The undefeated 27-yearold will fight reigning champion Klitschko for his WBA, IBF and WBO

belts in Dusseldorf on 28 November.

The bout was due to take place last month but was rearranged after the Ukrainian, 39, suffered a calf injury.

“After this fight I won’t have anything else to achieve and I’m on to a new part of my life,” Fury said.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Germany must stick to their playing style

Andre Schurrle shifted into top gear on the left wing and, while still running at full pace, delivered an inchperfect cross on to the chest of Mario Gotze inside the Argentina penalty area. The rest is history. Since setting up this winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final, the Germany attacker has experienced his fair share of change.

Today Schurrle, who turns 25 this Friday, remains one of the world champions’ key players whose athleticism and pace mark him out as a symbol of the dynamic new playing style championed by Joachim Low. Nevertheless, the likeable blond’s fortunes have been somewhat mixed since that day in Rio de Janeiro.

FIFA.com spoke exclusively with the Wolfsburg man about fulfilling his dreams in Brazil, his lofty ambitions for France 2016 and Russia 2018, as well as Germany’s less-than-straightforward quest to remain at the summit of the beautiful game.

Germany managed to secure qualification for UEFA EURO 2016 but not necessarily in the dominant way you might expect from the world champions. What improvements are still required before France 2016?

We’ve just got to ensure that our key performers stay fit and that everyone finds good form on the way to France. If we can do that I’m sure we’ll find our true strengths again. We also lost three pillars of the team after the World Cup in Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose, so there was a bit of rebuilding to be done first. That’s why it’s so important for us to stay true to our playing style now.

–Schurrle

What was the first World Cup you were aware of as a child?

That was Korea/Japan 2002. I can still remember watching the Final between Germany and Brazil at home on the couch with my parents that day and how upset I was after we lost.

Back then, did you dream of playing at a World Cup yourself one day perhaps even in a World Cup Final? If so, did you dare to dream of winning it and setting up the decisive goal?

You dream of all kinds of things as a kid, particularly when you see your idols on TV and imagine everything you could achieve. My biggest role model back then was Michael Ballack. My dream was always to first make football my career and perhaps even play for the national team, but I certainly didn’t go so far as to imagine that I’d set up the winning goal in a World Cup Final.

Although you have long been a well-established star of the game in Germany, most people abroad know you first and foremost as the man who provided the assist for Mario Gotze’s goal at the Maracana. Do you often think back to that moment?

Of course! Without a shadow of a doubt, that moment and our subsequent World Cup victory were the biggest success of my career so far. The goal and assist are shown on TV quite often, so I certainly get

reminded about it frequently. I’ll never forget those few seconds.

How has your life changed since 13 July 2014?

There’s been a great deal more interest in me, including worldwide. People now recognize me immediately wherever I am, whether in Germany or overseas. That’s definitely is the biggest change I’ve noticed.

And how has winning the World Cup helped with your personal development?

Playing in a World Cup Final helps you tremendously when it comes to dealing with pressure. Although there’s plenty at stake in every match, you have the assurance of knowing you’re able to withstand and successfully overcome the pressure that comes with playing in the biggest game football has to offer. This means you’re able to concentrate fully on the task in hand and not let yourself be ruffled by anything, even at the very highest level.

Nevertheless, not everything has gone exactly to plan in your career since then.

How do you deal with experiencing lows again after such a major highlight?

The period after the World Cup certainly didn’t work out the way I’d hoped.

Although I had a very good start to the season with Chelsea, things weren’t 100 per cent after that. By that winter I wanted

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to return to Germany and took that step by joining Wolfsburg. While it hasn’t been easy mentally, I still know my strengths and I know that if I can demonstrate them consistently out on the pitch, everything else will come back too.

What are your targets over the medium term?

I noticed that I was only being used as an impact sub at Chelsea, so I took the opportunity to move to an extremely ambitious Bundesliga side in Wolfsburg. Now we want to try to be at the forefront of the league and play Champions League football every season. Although I think we’re on the right track, we still have plenty of work to do.

You are now familiar with both the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga It’s always difficult to compare leagues with each other. In England they play a more intense and robust brand of football and you get an absolutely fantastic match every second or third week because there are more top-quality teams battling it out at the top. The situation’s a little different in Germany, where we have one of the best sides in the world in Bayern Munich plus several teams who can challenge them, but generally we don’t have as many world-class clubs who can perform at such a high level as in England.

How does the character of the current team differ from the side that won in Brazil?

We still have plenty of players with big personalities. I’m thinking primarily of Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger, who have already been playing at this top level for ages, as well as Thomas Muller, who’s an incredible guy. Then we’ve got a whole array of other world-class players such as Mats Hummels and Toni Kroos.

I’m absolutely certain that when push comes to shove, we’ll show once again that we’re capable of playing top-class football.

Do you have the EURO 2016 title in your sights?

Of course! We’re world champions and we’ve got an excellent team. Winning the EURO title is realistic, not least because I don’t know many sides who can match our mental strength.

Looking ahead a further two years to Russia 2018, are you confident that Germany can become the first world champions to defend their title since Brazil in 1962, and establish a new era after Spain’s recent dominance?

There’s no doubt that the Spanish were sensational with their three major titles between 2008 and 2012, particularly as they didn’t have to deal with the departure of any crucial players during that period as far as I’m aware, but I think we’re on the right track. Other teams have immense respect for our qualities and the way we play. Although I can imagine it, we’ve got a long road ahead and, in any case, sometimes the smallest things can determine your fate.

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Sport

Sunday, November 8, 2015

63

Murray beats Ferrer to reach Paris Masters final

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ndy Murray progressed through to his 16th Masters 1000 final and his first in Paris after seeing off David Ferrer 6-4 6-3 with a consummate display of high-quality tennis.

The British No 1 delivered his fourth straight win against his Spanish opponent to move through and will next take on world No 1 Novak Djokovic or French Open champion Stan Wawrinka in Sunday’s showpiece.

If he wins the final Murray is set to finish the season as world No 2 - a feat he has never achieved, and with the Davis Cup final on the horizon the 28-year-old could be breaking new ground in his career.

Ronaldo is committed to Madrid –Benitez R

afael Benitez does not believe anyone knows what Cristiano Ronaldo said to Laurent Blanc after Real Madrid’s Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

The 30-year-old was pictured speaking into the Frenchman’s ear following Madrid’s 1-0 win on Tuesday, before being photographed winking at PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Reports in France suggested that Ronaldo told Blanc he “would love to work” with the 49-year-old, but Benitez believes there is no substance to the claims.

When questioned on the subject, the Spaniard called his press officer and whispered in his ear before stating: “What did I say? Nobody knows. There’s your answer.”

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has since stated that the Portuguese will finish his career at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Benitez insisted he is focused and ready to play.

“I have seen Cristiano hungry for goals and content, and I read that his agent said he will finish his career here,” the former Napoli boss said.

“If he is as happy and efficient as he was today then I’m completely relaxed. I hope he scores a lot of goals.”

Real Madrid sit ahead of second-placed Barcelona in La Liga on goal difference and travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to face Sevilla on Sunday.

Benitez acknowledged it will be a testing fixture but says his side will look to dominate.

LvG still wants attacking signings for United

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anchester United manager Louis van Gaal has once again underlined his desire to add more pace and creativity to his forward line.

The Red Devils have come under fire for scoring just twice in their last four games in all competitions and supporters at Old Trafford have become increasingly frustrated with the style of football on offer in recent weeks.

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Enrique: Barcelona not Messi-dependent

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Pires: Arsenal good for Premier League title

ormer Arsenal star Robert Pires believes Arsene Wenger’s men have “a lot of ingredients” to win the Premier League title.

Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday as they look to bounce back from Wednesday night’s 5-1 mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich – a third defeat in four outings this season in Europe’s top-tier competition.

It has been a different story domestically, with Wenger’s team level on points alongside leaders Manchester City ahead of entertaining their near neighbours.

French World Cup-winner Pires lifted the Premier League twice during a decorated spell at Arsenal – their last title coming in 2004, two years before his departure to Villarreal.

“Arsenal have started the season well,” said Pires in an interview with the Guardian. “Actually, since the game against Man United [Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium last month] they are doing very well,” he says.

“They have a lot of ingredients to win the title, because when you see the name in the paper the quality is there. The quality is very good.

“Of course, the Champions League is very important, but I prefer to see Arsenal win the Premier League this season and I know this is the objective for Arsene Wenger and all the players.

arcelona coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged the Catalans are a better team with Lionel Messi, but is adamant they are not reliant on the Argentina international.

The reigning Liga champions have been without Messi ever since he picked up a knee injury in the win over Las Palmas in September and have since won six out of eight games in all competitions.

Luis Suarez and Neymar in particular have stepped up in the 28-year-old’s absence and Luis Enrique feels Barcelona have shown they can cope without Messi.

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Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Jim Unah is Professor of Philosophy, University of Lagos

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with Jim Unah

he social media was, again, agog, last week, over the comments of the eccentric American Billionaire, Donald Trump, on Twitter, about his impressions of Africans, particularly South Africans, and African leaders generally. He was discussed extensively in the electronic media for his tweet @ realDonaldTrump.

In that “twitter storm of controversy” on Madiba’s South Africa, Donald Trump, stated in Johannesburg, that “South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode”; apparently reacting to the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa. This statement made on December 14, 2013 was reportedly repeated Monday night in The Apprentice tweet thus: “As I have long been saying, South Africa is a totaland very dangerous-mess; just watching the evening news (when not talking weather).”

Above all, Trump is said to have unleashed his venom on African leaders and leaders of African descent in the ongoing Presidential primaries in the

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- The amount of fake drugs

N5NAFDAC destroyed in Enugu.

Donald Trump on blacks and African leaders US as a Republican candidate; thus, using the occasion to attack the $7 billion Obama Africa Electricity project, claiming that such a huge investment would be a colossal waste because of the incompetence and corruption of African leaders.

When his tweet evoked rebuttals especially from his black African fans, Trump got angry and rained more abuses and insults on Africans and their worthless leaders who, according to him, steal public funds and launder them overseas for private use in personal bank accounts; only to return back to those same countries they had stowed away stolen money for loans to run government business on which they are charged interest—loans that are finally spirited away into private bank accounts; leading to a vicious cycle of laundered funds that are given back as loans with interest from foreign countries; thus, perpetuating regimes of infrastructure deficits, irresponsible social service delivery that perpetually impoverish the people and make them weak, lazy, incompetent and utterly corrupt.

What Donald Trump has said, without mincing words, in his unrepentant diatribes on black Africans and African leaders, is that poverty in post-colonial African states such as Nigeria is selfinflicted-- the product of mediocre, incompetent, nepotistic and irredeemably

corrupt regimes! Recourse to blame games such as colonial conquest, imperialist conspiracy, deliberate economic sabotage and outright theft of the rawmaterials of African states by foreign invaders, are worthless alibi.

Nothing can ever excuse the conspiracy of African leaders, in an endless daisy-chain of corrupt regimes, from the merciless plunder of the African commonwealth. It has put Africa far behind in the economic development chart of the world and made the African peoples laughable, pliant, manipulate-able and susceptible to all manners of duplicities and vices that turn representative democracy into the most corrupt, expensive and horrifying form of government.

We need more Donald Trumps to say it as it is to our African leaders; to help wake them up from slumber; to help prick their conscience; to assist in heaping shame on them to compel them to repatriate their stolen wealth back to Africa for the continent’s development and the empowerment of the African people.

No matter how insulting his diatribes have tended to be, the agent provocateur, Mr. Trump, will occupy a place in the development history of African societies. We need more and more people like Trump to help re-shape the convoluted psyche of African state actors who glorify everything banal and anachronistic

Buhari charges Eaglets against Mali

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I N

-The sum PDP, APC lavished on 2015 election campaigns.

igerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday had a live telephone conversation with players and officials of the country’s U17 team, the Golden Eaglets, ahead of a FIFA U17 World Cup final against Mali in Chile.

The live conversation was at the instance of NFF president Amaju Pinnick.

PMB, who was Military Head of State 30 years ago when Nigeria won the inaugural FIFA cadet World Cup in China, and actually gave the team the sobriquet ‘Golden Eaglets,’ tasked the players to win the Cup again and make the country proud.

The President, in chat with players and officials of the team via Skype aided with telephone, said Nigerians were behind them and expect that they will bring the trophy home yet again.

His Excellency took his turn to speak with each and every player and official, thanking them for a job well done so far

and urging them to do everything humanly possible to emerge victorious (against Mali) in order to set Nigeria on the path of glory.

Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke and captain Kelechi Nwakali assured Mr. President that the entire team were ready for the final

as traditional to Africa.

The law-making assembly of an African country such as Nigeria parade lawmakers who are husbands of 27 wives and scores of children; who contract marriages of under-age females; who arrogate a huge percentage of the national budgets to cater to their whims and caprices, whilst leaving the population in abject poverty; who steal resources allocated to health-care delivery, road, rail and electricity infrastructure, and the pension benefits of their retired citizens; who misappropriate funds allocated for the education delivery of the children, thus leaving millions of young people uneducated, untrained, and thus disempowered to fend for themselves and to contribute to national wealth generation.

The African youth population is left to its own devices—without adequate training, without functional education and skills, without basic social infrastructure and amenities, and without job opportunities to leverage for decent living. This is the narrative of a host of African states and the scenario of a ticking time bomb so angrily painted by the verbally brutal Donald Trump.

The people addressed by the eccentric billionaire’s tweet should be angry with themselves and their leaders, not with the man configured by nature to state it as it is and damn the consequences.

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS against their West African rivals, and promised to give everything needed to win the trophy in order to “bring smiles to the faces of our people.”

Bournemouth 0 - 1 Newcastl Leicester 2 - 1 Watford Man Utd 2 - 0 W/ Broom Norwich 1 - 0 Swansea Sunderland 0 - 1 Southampton W/Ham 1 - 1 Everton Stoke City 1 - 0 Chelsea CAF U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

Nigeria vs Mali Mexico vs Belgium

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