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Vol. 5 No. 40

Saturday, September 19, 2015

CRIME

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National Mirror Online

Sport

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Curtain falls Pastor wanted for All Africa defiling teenage boys on Games

Kano gov urges caution on talks with B’Haram

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NEWS

Aisha Buhari flays male Commissioner for Women Affairs

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ASSETS DECLARATION:

TRIBUNAL ORDERS SARAKI’S ARREST

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Residents removing what remains of their properties from demolished shanties at Ijora Badia in Lagos State, yesterday.

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Top Stories Two Bank Manager arrested for robbery in Delta A

n Operations Manager with Enterprise Bank Plc, Effurun - Sapele Road, Warri, in Delta State has been arrested by the police for complicity in an alleged attempt to rob the bank on Friday, September 4, 2015.

The suspect, identified as Francis Enebeme, was arrested along with one Wilfred Akah, the bank’s dispatch rider for allegedly planning and executing the foiled robbery operation.

Security sources disclosed that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had acted on an intelligence report that a gang of armed robbers had finalised plans to rob the bank.

“Operatives of SARS mounted Surveillance around the bank and at about 5.23 pm on the said day, the hoodlums invaded the bank. But they were successfully repelled by a combined team of SARS operatives and mobile po-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

September 19, 2015

licemen on duty at the bank,” he said.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu confirmed the arrest.

She said, “The Operations Manager of the bank, one Francis Enebeme and one Wilfred Akah, the bank’s dispatch rider who were allegedly involved in the planning and execution of the foiled robbery operation were arrested and are undergoing investigation.

“Various sums of money hidden in the offices by the suspects were equally recovered,” she said.

Kalu also disclosed that two suspected kidnappers were shot dead last Monday at about 2 pm during a raid on their hideout where they kept their victim.

The suspects, she said, had kidnapped one Odaro David Iyawe and kept him at No. 18, Umueke Quarters, Ibusa.

Kalu said the police, acting on intelligence, gathered that a

gang of kidnappers were hiding in a place later identified as No. 18, Umueke Quarters, Ibusa, with a kidnapped victim and were demanding for ransom.

Based on this, the PPRO said the operatives of (SARS) in Asaba were immediately dispatched to the scene and the hoodlums, on sighting the policemen, abandoned their victim and took to their heels.

“Consequently, the policemen shot and arrested the two suspects who gave their names as Uche Nwadali of Nando, in Anambra State, and Austin Okolie of Ibusa.

The suspects confessed that one Collins Oligidi, the son of the owner of the house where the victim was kept and who is currently on the run, is their cohort.

“However, the suspects later gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital while the victim revealed that he was lured by the criminals to Ibusa through the Internet for a job offer.”

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Kogi teachers get secret service training

K Policeman in identity, certificate scandal in Ogun

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he Ogun State Police Command is currently investigating one of its officers, a police corporal, in connection with an allegation of certificate scandal.

A petition written by kinsmen of the police officer in his hometown, Ibogun-Alapoti, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, to the Force Headquarters alleged the cop of dual identity, claiming that his real name is different from his official name, Taiwo Kazeem.

Earlier, a copy of the petition had been forwarded to the national headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Crimes, (ICPC), claiming that the cop enrolled in the nation’s police formation with somebody else’s certificate.

The ICPC thereafter referred the petition to the police authorities to investigate, and the authorities as at the time of filing this report have commenced investigation.

The petitioners claim that his real name is Sunday Kehinde.

Taiwo Kazeem got into trouble when he got involved in land matters and told the court, as an applicant, that his name is Sunday Kehinde contrary to the one in police records.

The petition read inter alia:

Governor Ibikunle Amosun

“He is said to hail from Ibogun-Alapoti via Ifo, Ogun State and was born to late Mr. Francis Dademu Kehinde of Ibogun-Alapoti via Ifo. He is a member and representative of Kehinde family, IbogunAlapoti using the name Sunday Kehinde and signing landed property documents in the same name (Sunday Kehinde) and designation.

“He uses his position as a police officer to oppress and intimidate people in the community, as he is fondly referred to as Sunday MOPOL. Recently, his prank was discovered after a careful study and follow up that he has been us-

ing another person’s name (Taiwo Kazeem) in the Police Force.”

The petitioners alleged that the accused usually came to the community in police uniform with his name tag covered to avoid his trick being discovered by the people.

According to the petitioners, the cop answers Sunday Kehinde both at the Magistrate and High Court, Ota in the land case, while he earns salary from the Police with his other name, Taiwo Kazeem.

Competent sources disclosed that the command headquarters has begun investigations into the allegation. According to the source, the village head and notable members of the community as well as a female sibling of the accused have been invited for interrogation and have made useful statements.

Spokesman for the command, ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, has confirmed the matter, saying the command is well aware and investigations have commenced.

“Well, the command is aware of such allegation and the matter had been investigated by various departments in the police.

Recently, the command was directed by police headquarters to conclude investigations and bring up a report. So, the matter is still under investigation,” Adejobi said.

ogi State teachers, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, is set receive training from the Directorate of Secret Service to be mentally equipped following the spate of insurgency in the nation, especially in schools.

The chairman of the Nigerian Union of teachers, NUT, Comrade Suleiman Abdullahi, while speaking to news men in Lokoja, said the seminar is a welcome development in view of the fact that schools are becoming targets of insurgency attacks.

He said teachers must have to know what to watch out for by first securing themselves and the pupils.

“Those of us that will teach should be able to detect unusual movements around our schools as well as know what to do at various points, and even in our homes.

These are the tips the security is giving us so we can know what to watch out for,” he stated.

The NUT which equally organised a seminar on health said that at the age of 40, there are individual health challenges such as high Blood Pressure and the rest.”

The doctors are here with some nurses to give us health tips on what we can do. We are having blood sugar test and BP test to know our health status,” he added.

N111.2m fraud lands Diamond Bank employee in police net

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staffer of Diamond Bank, Obioha Okengwu, was yesterday arraigned before Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, over a nine count charge of fraud. He is accused of allegedly defrauding the bank of N111.2 million.

According to the prosecuting counsel, Obioha, a graduate of Abia State University, committed the offence between April and August 2014 while working at the e-Business unit of the bank, handling daily settlement entries of transactions done on Point of Sales (POS) and Automated Teller Machine.

Obioha unlawfully credited

huge sums of money into his family’s account instead of the bank’s accounts.

“At different times, N37 million and N41.4 million were lodged into two accounts owned by one Uchenna Okengwu. The accused also credited the sum of N10 million into the account of one Rosamund Okengwu and N9.5 million was paid into one Chukwuemeka Okengwu’s account,” the prosecuting counsel told the court.

Obioha, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has been adjourned to September 22, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.

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September 19, 2015

Are public schools going out of common man’s reach?

Fifteen years after free and compulsory education became national policy under the Universal Basic Education, UBE, in all public owned schools, state governors are beginning to rethink the idea with the reintroduction of tuition fees in schools, leading to pain and anguish for parents and stakeholders in the country’s education sector, writes NICK UWERU.

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or parents and pupils in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti states, South West of the country, education may well have begun a steep climb from the reach of the common man. What with the reintroduction of tuition and sundry fees to cushion cost of providing education in public CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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‘UBE law states that education is free, compulsory’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Aregbesola

schools, the fears being expressed by parents and relevant stakeholders is that education may well have reverted to the old tradition where prohibitive cost of learning force pupils of school age to stay back at home.

Afraid that this worry might become a reality, secondary school students in Osun State trooped to the streets on Tuesday to protest the recent decision of the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to re-introduce Development Levies payment by students.

In Osogbo, Osun State capiytal, secondary school students staged a protest against the government’s policy. The students, apart from protesting the new fees, claimed that government asked students to produce their parents’ tax clearance before being allowed to school.

They insisted that such requisition was unacceptable. Students of Osogbo High School trooped out in hundreds and trekked from their school, through the Ogo Oluwa area to the Governor’s Office singing antigovernment songs. Armed with leaves, the students were joined on the roads to the Governor’s Office by their colleagues in other schools. The Head Boy of Osogbo High School 1, Taiwo Oyewole, said the students were protesting because most of their parents who were government workers had not been paid for months, making it impossible for the parents to pay N4,500 for tax clearance. The students called on the state government to pay the salaries of their teachers and parents without further delay so that everything would go back to normal.

Addressing the students, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, the permanent secretary of the state ministry of education, stated that the tax scheme was introduced so that the parents could pay their taxes. ‎He urged the students to go back to their classrooms

Secondary school students in Osogbo protesting

the fear being expressed by parents and relevant stakeholders is that education may well have reverted to the old tradition where prohibitive cost of learning force pupils of school age to stay back at home with the assurance that the matter would be resolved. Parents and critical stakeholders are also miffed by the policy decision of the state governor. Aregbesola has been in dire strait over the state government’s apparent insolvency since last year. Huge tranches of salary arrears are being owed; most construction works, where it has not been halted are moving at slow pace.

For many observers, it was only a matter of time before the acute financial squeeze spirals into other critical social infrastructure like education. Though with a robust and ambitious education policy meant not only to drive schools enrolments bust also ensure quality education, Aregbesola’s plans, like other state governors, was hit by the global economic recession that saw to the slump in oil prices in the international market.

Like Osun, Ekiti State has had to reintroduce the same measure on the face of cash crunch crippling its economy. Attributing its decision to be a part of the resolutions arrived at during its recently held Education Summit, the Ekiti State government announced that students of public second-

ary schools would pay what it described as “a token” of N1, 000 per term towards educational development in the State. It added that that a sum of N500 proposed for primary school is yet to be approved.

The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Jide Egunjobi, in a press statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, said that all stakeholders in the education sector, including parents and teachers consented to the introduction of the Education Development Levy. But the commissioner insisted that the state government was only formalising what was already in practice. “Before now, secondary school students were paying N100 as PTA levy, N300 for Extra Lesson and N600 as Examination Fee while primary school students were paying N100 as PTA levy, N300 for Extra Lesson and N200 as Examination fee, making N600 per term,” said Egunjobi.

Apart from the Educational Development Levy (EDL) of N1,000, Secondary school students will pay N500 as Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy, N600 for Examination, N300 for Extra Lesson, making a total of N2, 400 per term while it is

proposed that Primary school students will pay N100 as PTA levy, N100 for Extra Lesson, N100 for Examination, a total of N800 per term.

There are 178,263 students in the 879 public primary schools; 48,960 in Junior Secondary Schools and 55,677 in Senior Secondary Schools in Ekiti State, in all, 282,900. The commissioner reiterated government’s commitment to the restoration of the state’s lost glory in the education sector, saying; “Ekiti State recorded 36.5 percent performance in WAEC this year as against 25 percent last year and that only happened because strict measures were introduced and teachers were greatly motivated and encouraged.

In Oyo, the scenario is similar. Ishaq Ajimobi, state governor, to the chagrin of most parents and other stakeholders cancelled government sponsorship of the final examination of the Senior Secondary Students. In its stead, it introduced N3, 000 levies for students desirous of writing the WAEC in Oyo State. The decision caught many parents unawares and expectedly, it drew anger. Opposition politicians have also been quick to use it to score political points.

Not only has the governor stopped WAEC fees, but also, the state governor reintroduced tuition fees in public secondary schools. These policies were last witnessed during the military administrations in Oyo State. In the new arrangement, primary school pupils will be paying N3, 000 Education Development Levy per session, which will be paid in three installments of N1, 000 per term.

The anger in the public stemmed from the promise the governor made on free and qualitative education during his campaigns CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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‘Economic crunch cripples governors’ ability to fund schools’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Ajumobi

for second term. The new policy has been a shock to many. This is because in Oyo, like many South West states, education is seen more as a right, not a privilege. More or less, the imprint of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, who introduced free education to the Western Region of the country, is believed to be the yardsticks with which to measure popularity of any education policy. Making Ajimobi’s policy decision more unpopular, the public is quick to draw parallel between his administration and that of his predecessor, Rasheed Ladoja.

Ladoja instituted the policy of 30 pupils per class and also built a number of new schools. These achievements, to many, now makes him stand tall in the eyes of many stakeholders in the state. Before now, many had rued Ajimobi’s stoppage of the schools running cost, otherwise called grant to schools. Also, when he came on board in 2011, the schools hitherto separated were regrouped and at least 80 pupils were receiving lessons in one class.

When announcing the new policy direction of the government in a terse release made available to the media, the Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, said, “With effect from the 2015/2016 academic session, the State Government would stop any further payment of WAEC registration fees due to the current financial status of the state.”

Responding to the backlash that followed it, the governor explained that the new policy indicates that promotion examination will be re-introduced while mock examination will also be conducted before final secondary school examination. The government said these would prepare the candidates for WASSCE and put a stop to the poor performance of candidates.

Describing his government’s new policy as an emergency and temporary one, Ajimobi said as soon as the state finance

Any hope for affordable education for all?

improves, his government will revert to the old order. The governor added that the decision to introduce levy was taken after it was discovered that parents no longer involve themselves in the education of their children. He also said that Parents Teachers Association, community leaders and individual parents were engaged in a discussion before arriving at the decision.

“The state government studied all the aspects of education and we asked ourselves questions on what could be responsible for the abysmal performance of our candidates in the WASSCE. We found out that among other things, many of the parents did not bother to look after their children.

“Training of children is not a sole responsibility of government or teachers, parents must play their role too. We discussed with the parents and realised that because parents were no in anyway involved in secondary education of their children, they do not bother about what happens to them.Parents should show concern over their children’s education.

“We set up a committee to discuss with PTA, community leaders, individual parents and so on. Interestingly, many of the parents felt that if they were also contributing by paying something, they would be more attentive to the education of their

children.

“With the paucity of fund for the state, we had to face the reality that we cannot continue to sponsor children without involving their parents in a way. This is why we introduced the developmental levy but it’s just for a period of time. As soon as things improve for the state financially, we will put it down. It is an emergency situation that we must address,” the governor explained.

However the explanation being advanced by the defensive state governors, not a few people believe that charging fees for education under whatever guise amounts to abdication of government responsibility to the public. Even more, as others argue, the policy contravenes the Universal Basic Education Act of 2004. Actually put in place as policy in 2000 but made into law in 2004, UBE was designed to tackle headlong the menace of illiteracy in the country.

At the time, over 60 percent of Nigerian adults were estimated not have reading and writing skills. The law makes compulsory education for ever Nigerian child for its first nine years. To facilitate funding for the project, the law provides that federal government must set aside 2 percent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund, CRF, to support states in the implementation of

Why can’t Nigeria borrow a leaf from the United Kingdom, for instance, which has a National Insurance scheme that provides funding for education, health and child support?

the UBE program. Money from the fund is provided for basic education that spans the first nine years of a child’s school life. The education is meant to be free and compulsory. The law provides that the federal government provides at least 70 percent of the grant which states must match on equal basis. When the money is provided, it is expected that 14 percent of the money is spent on addressing education imbalance among and within the state. Also five percent must be dedicated to the implementation of the home grown school feeding and health program, HGSF& HP. These are not all the conditions. Also, the fund provides for five percent of incentive to the state for good performance, two percent fund for the Education of the physically and mentally challenged children, two percent fund for monitoring of UBE programs; two percent implementation fund.

But before the state can access the money, they must replicate the UBE Act at the state level and set up a State Universal Education Board; they must provide matching grant to Federal Government intervention funds; draw up State UBE Action Plans; establish adequate Mechanisms for program implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Over the last decade, N423.4 billion money of the two percent of the CRF has been allotted for the scheme so far.

Understandably, the public has reasons to worry given the recent policy summersault by the state governors in Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and with many other states poised to join the fray. Two Ikeja, Lagos State, based lawyers, Mr. Tunde Popoola and Oyewole Olurin, say that the decisions by both state governments to introduce conditions for students to access education at those levels flouts the UBEC Act. “The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme is a continuCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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‘Out of school pupil population still high’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ous nine-year government policy meant to eradicate illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as well as stimulate and accelerate national development, political consciousness and national integration,” stated Olurin. According to Olurin, it is worrisome that both states belong to the two major political parties in the country. Ekiti is under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in power in Osun. “It means that both major political parties have no plan to find an enduring solution to the leadership challenges of the country. Why can’t Nigeria borrow a leaf from the United Kingdom, for instance, which has a National Insurance scheme that provides funding for education, health and child support? Why breach a national law to meet an atomized part of a bigger national challenge?”

The UBEC, the commission that oversees UBE, described the introduction of the levies as a contravention of its enabling Act which, as it puts it, denies state governments the power to do so. The assistant director, social Mobilization, of the Commission, Mr David Ape, told a national daily that that the action of the states in question is a major setback to the optimal realization of the mandate and set objectives that informed the setting up of the commission Ape maintained that the commission is helpless in checking the action of the government as the current law is not specific enough.

He said: “Since the federating states exercise some measure of jurisdiction, there is not much the commission can do for now. We have been calling on the National Assembly to expedite action in the amendment of the UBEC Act to give it more bite, yet nothing has been done about it”.

He said: “It is unfortunate that a state which is yet to access its counterpart funding is resorting to tasking poor parents on phantom levy charges’’.

Indeed, Ape may have touched on the core of the matter as to why government at the state level are increasingly finding it difficult to fund education. As at 2014, for instance, UBEC says it still has over N47 billion remaining un-accessed by state governors to fund education after states have accessed an estimated N376 billion of the UBE money.

This raises worrisome posers as to what the fund were used for if the state governors can no longer fund qualitative education any longer. Even more, with the country estimated to have 10.5 million children out of school, it appears that free and compulsory education is not even an option.

More disturbing, too, Saturday Mirror gathered that recent difficulty in accessing the fund may be as result of stricter enforcement in the mode of accessing the money from UBEC. For example, between 2005 and 2010,

Students in a classroom

We have been calling on the National Assembly to expedite action in the amendment of the

UBEC Act to give it more bite, yet nothing has been done about it most states, except Bayelsa and Ebonyi accessed their money. But for the two states, they had as much as N18 million and N622 million left in UBEC respectively. By 2011 strangely, many of the states started having difficulties accessing the money. Apart from the FCT not accessing the funds other states except Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto, have accessed their share of the money. According to details provided by UBEC, Ebonyi has the highest un-accessed funds at N3.4 billion. States like Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross Rivers and Enugu, have outstanding sums of N2 billion on the estimate each left to be accessed. The rest have at least N1 billion to be accessed.

“With the UNICEF report, it became clear that the state governors were putting the money into wrong use,” explained a director at the UBEC who chose to speak off record. According to him, the commission decided after 2011 to start enforcing the conditions for accessing the funds.

Apparently, from other reports, it appears that while money was being made available for states to run education, the parents and their wards still heavily subsidise education. Siyaka Zubairu, chairman, Parents Teachers Association, PTA, Junior Secondary School, JSS, Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, for instance, believes that education at this basic level is

not entirely free. Parents must do more if their children must have good education, says Zubairu. In the last one year, the PTA, JSS FHA levied a fee of N1, 000 per child on every parent in its association to provide basic amenities required for schooling.

The association, by its own record in the last one year provided 73 benches to seat 219 students; employed eight teachers to augment government provision of instructors and pays their salaries; provided electricity transformer to power the school; conducted geophysical survey as part of measures to providing water for the school; sank in a 65 meters deep borehole for portable water for the school; purchased water storage tank; printed stationary to assist administrative work in what is, otherwise, a government owned school where education should be free from primary to junior secondary school, JSS, level.

Explaining the rationale behind the donation, Zubairu said that government does not have the money to do everything. “In any case, JSS FHA is not the school where PTA’s provide infrastructure for the smooth running of schools,” added Zubairu. He is quite right on that score. At the Local Education Authority Primary School, Shetuko, a settlement behind Kuje Prisons, Kuje, Abuja, efforts at starting an Early Child Education Scheme, ECES, is currently suffering a set back after funding and as-

sistance from the school’s chapter of PTA has not been forthcoming. Explaining this, one of the applicants already shortlisted for employment as a teacher for the ECES program said that her appointment had to be put on hold because the association is not sure it can pay the teachers adequately.

“We were told that it is PTA project,” the applicant said.

Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, believes that PTAs in the FCT contributes about 25 percent of funding for basic education. This disclosure is quite ironical. This is because FCT, as the time all these was going on was yet to access its N1.3billion share of an accumulated N47 billion money meant to assuage this particular burden on schools which parents now take on themselves to alleviate.

By the breakdown of the money meant for Abuja, it meant that the FCT, in 2012 left N290 million un-accessed after federal government provided N563 million. Throughout 2013, the FCT could not also access the badly needed fund as its N1.03 billion share of the money was left untouched. The FCT scenario is a sad reflection of how, for inexplicable reasons, state governors have chosen not to access money meant to shore up basic education and their buy improving on the country’s human development index.

In 2011, UNECEF came out with a damning report that 10.5 million children in the country are out of school. The figure forms more than 10 percent of global out of school children. Though UBE has been on stream since 2004, the figure released by the global body indicates that the basic education program may not have been successful over the years.

With the recent cash squeeze occasioned by economic recession, the chicken may have come home to roost for the state governors.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Assets declaration: Code of Conduct Tribunal orders Saraki’s arrest

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ode of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to arrest the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and produce him before it on Monday to take plea in the 13 count charge preferred against him by Federal Government over alleged false declaration of assets.

The Federal Government had on September 11 filed a 13 count charge against Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and his arraignment was fixed yesterday.

Saraki, in the bid to stop his arraignment, approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on

Thursday with an ex-parte application seeking to restrain federal government, Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal from arraigning him.

The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, in a ruling in his chambers summoned the chairmen of CCB, CCT and a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, M.S Hassan to appear before it on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s application should not be granted.

When the matter came up at the tribunal yesterday, the Prosecution Counsel, Musiliu Hassan‎ noted that the accused was not in court despite the fact that he was served with

the summons. He then urged the tribunal to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused person for disobedience of court order.

Opposing the application, counsel to the accused Saraki J.B Daudu SAN and Mahmud Magaji SAN argued that the charge, as well as the prosecution lacks validity to come before the court on ground that there is no incumbent Attorney General of the Federation.

He further argued that there is a pending ruling of the Federal High Court which had summoned chairmen of CCB, CCT and Hassan. The presiding judge, Justice Danladi Umar in his ruling held

that the tribunal took notice of the fact that there is no AGF at the moment.

He further held that the absence of the AGF does not stop the filing of a criminal charge adding that in the absence of the AGF, the Solicitor General can institute such charge, knocking out the accused argument.

On the issue of a pending ruling, the tribunal held that the federal high court has the same jurisdiction with it adding that it is not bound by its ruling, holding that the Tribunal will go ahead with the trial.

Justice Umar ordered the Inspector General of Police to produce the Senate President before him on Monday to take his plea.

...as Senate President appeals order • Says it’s meant to rubbish him • Takes case to Appeal Court Obiorah Ifoh And Tordue Salem, ABUJA

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enate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has filed an appeal challenging the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal that ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest and bring him before the tribunal on Monday.

In his ground of appeal, Saraki through his counsel, J.B Daudu (SAN) submitted that the tribunal

erred in law and also acted without jurisdiction‎ by assuming jurisdiction over the criminal trial of the appellant at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for a charge, which is being challenged at the Federal High Court.

He further submitted that the appellant filed an application‎ dated September 17 challenging the jurisdiction of the lower tribunal to adjudicate on the charge brought before it.

In addition, he sub-

mitted that it is trite that when an accused files an application challenging the jurisdiction of a court/tribunal to adjudicate on the charge brought before it, the accused need not be in court.

Saraki described the order for his arrest by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), as vindictive and aimed at embarrassing him. In the statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu yesterday, the

Senate President said “the Tribunal chose to ignore the subsisting order of a Federal High Court by sitting.

“It is also a surprise to us that despite the application by the lead counsel to the Senate President that he will produce Dr. Saraki on Monday and the personality of the person involved as the number three man in the country, the Tribunal insisted on issuing a warrant of arrest as if its intention is simply to embarrass Dr. Saraki.” Olaniyonu said.

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Saraki: IGP yet to receive order of arrest Omeiza Ajayi

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ours after the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja ordered the arrest of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase said he has not received the order.

The tribunal had ordered Saraki’s arrest following his failure to appear before it yesterday as it commenced hearing of a 13-count charge of alleged corruption against him.

The chairman of the

tribunal, Danladi Umar, issued a bench warrant against Mr. Saraki, brushing aside a Federal High Court order seeking to stop Mr. Saraki’s arraignment.

Mr. Saraki had on Thursday obtained a Federal High Court order directing that the case against him be halted.

Force Public Relations Officer, Acting ACP Bisi Kolawole in a terse text message said the IGP is yet to receive the court order.

“Thank you for the question, the IGP is yet to receive the order,

SWF: Jonathan’s govt. can’t account for $700 million —Oshiomhole

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L-R: Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Karma; Governor, Willie obiano and FRSC Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi, during, the inauguration of 2015 ember months campaign in onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, says that the management of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) leaves so much to be desired because the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan has not been able to properly account for $700 million.

Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday night explained that out of the $1 billion seed money in the SWF, only $300 million was left in its account.

Oshiomhole who is the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) adhoc committee on the Management of the Excess Crude Account and Related Federation Account Issues said, “I reported to the media that the Sovereign Wealth people in their report to us, which I have in black and white, showed clearly that they

have only $300 million left in the Sovereign Wealth Fund account” However, Managing Director of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji had last week Wednesday disclosed to State House Correspondents after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa that the agency had made N15.7 billion profit from the investment of the $1 billion seed money by the government.

But Oshiomhole while speaking on the management of the fund said, “we have it in black and white and I can publish it if anybody wants to deny that because it was not submitted to me secretly. It was submitted at plenary of the committee. And then we asked, because I knew that the fund was $1 billion, what was done with $700 million.

And they said they have made some investments”

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GOC donates materials to orphanage, rehabilitation centre James Abraham, JOS

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t was a moment of joy, yesterday, at the Plateau state rehabilitation centre and Mrs Aisha Mana Orphanage homes in Jos when the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Armoured Division, Nigerian Army, Major Gen.Hassan Umaru visited the two centres with various material donations.

The GOC who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Civil/Military Cooperations, Col. Kayode A Ajibade and other officers who were received on arrival by the Secretary, Plateau Disability Rights Commission, Mr Bitrus Hosea and Head of the Orphanage,Mrs Victoria Chikat Represented by the Garrison Commander of the Division, Brigadier General Benson Akinroluyo, the GOC in a remark expressed concern over the alarming rate of Poverty in the society saying that the undesirable circumstances that surrounds many individuals , particularly the orphans and those that are suffering from one form of perpetual health deformity or the others, calls for passionate concern by the relevant government authorities , corporate organisations and well meaning individuals .

He said “In Our country, the less privileged including orphans abound in our society and providence has put us in positions of responsibility to care for them as a society that neglects this responsibility will only put itself in a difficult situation especially if orphans turn out to be social perverts to disturb its peace “.

NATIONAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Birom youths cry out over herdsmen killings James Abraham, JOS

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to intervene urgently so as to halt the series of killings in Plateau state as a result of attacks by gunmen.

Making the call yesterday in Jos, National Body of Berom Youth Moulder’s (BYM) expressed worry over the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and the Beroms which has led to the loss of many lives and destruction of property especially in Riyom, Barkin-Ladi and recently in Mangu Local Government Areas of State.

In a press statement jointly signed by BYM president, Chuwang Choji,

...asks Buhari to act quickly

and its publicity secretary, Jatau D. Gyang, the group pledged loyalty to the Buhari’s administration and pleaded with the President to break his long silence on the perpetual killings of innocent people in the state by taking stringent measures to curb the menace.

They also urged Plateau people to be aware of the deliberate steps taking by Fulani terrorist to pitch ethnic groups in the state against each other through persistent attack.

BYM condemned recent attack in Kudunung village in Mangu Local Government Area and refuted claims in some quarters that the attack was carried

by Beroms, adding that “it

is repulsive that the media reported the contrary, portraying the Beroms to be on the offensive.

“The Government cannot pretend not to be aware of the unrestrained attacks of these Fulani Herdsmen which has jeopardized the peaceful co-existence of the entire country, and so we call on the President of Nigeria, His Execellency, Muhammadu Buhari to break his long silence on these killings by taking stringent measures to curb the menace of insecurity in Plateau.

“It is expedient to mention that Four villages in Foron and Fan Districts of Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau

State were simultaneously attacked by Fulani herdsmen on Sunday 13th of September 2015, at about 21;30hours where over Fifteen natives (Berom) were gruesomely killed, Thirty houses including a church raised down by these bloodthirsty human beings.

“After accomplishing their mission in Fan and Foron axis, they proceeded to Kadunung in Gindiri where the Berom and Pyem are predominantly natives to continued their heinous acts, they succeeded in killing about Eighteen People, burning over 150 houses which rendered over 5,000 people homeless” The statement added.

The Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Dr. Suleiman Munguno (2nd left) cuts the tape to inaugurate the new anatomy complex at the Kogi State University in Anyigba, yesterday. With him are, Governor of kogi State, Idris wada (2nd right) and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hassan isah (left).

19 states get workers salary bailout facility

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n line with the decision of the National Economic Council (NEC), a total of 19 out of the 27 states affected by cash squeeze have so far benefitted from the workers’ salary bail-out package which is meant to enable them effectively pay the backlog of workers’ salary arrears. .This was disclosed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Mu’azu in a telephone chat over the weekend in Abuja.

He said that contrary to reports that Ogun state has accessed N20 billion, the spokesman confirmed that the actual amount is N18.9 billion.

On the tenure of the bail-out facility, he said that all the states are having 20 year tenure except Ogun which opted for a 10 year tenure.

Earlier, states like Kwara, Zamfara, Osun, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Abia, Adamawa, Ondo, and Kebbi had applied for and received various sums from the bail-out facility. Other states include Ekiti, Imo, Ebonyi, Ogun, Plateau, Nassarawa, Sokoto, Edo and Oyo which were granted in the week.

Be change ambassadors, HoS urges public servants

Aisha Buhari flays appointment of man to head Women Affairs Ministry in Adamawa M

Livinus Menedi, YOLA

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pparently miffed by the appointment of a man to head the Women Affair ministry in Adamawa, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, raised concerns of women group in Adamawa state to the state government’s curious appointment.

Aliyu Tola was appointed by the governor to head the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Aisha Buhari made the call in Yola while flagging off her pet project, the Aisha Buhari Women

Health Initiative, which saw over 2,000 women being screened for various health challenges including breast and cervical cancer.

Aisha Buhari who used the occasion of the launch of her pet project to give voice to the concerns of the women in the state, expressed the misgivings of the women.

“Your Excellency the women are protesting.

They have asked me to pass their wishes to you that they want to have a woman as their commissioner for women affairs. They say, you should understand that they are women and they are gender sensitive, especially when it borders on

women issues “Aisha Buhari said.

Her protest was routed through the deputy governor Hon. Martins Babale who represented, his principal governor Jibrilla Bindow.

It is not yet clear whether the open appeal made

by Mrs Buhari will bring about any change in the gender of the current holder of the office.

Tola who was asked to deliver his speech before the comment of the wife of the president seemed to have sensed the women protest towards him and tactically uttered just a few words of welcome before inviting the Permanent Secretary

of the Ministry who is a woman, Hajiya Maisaratu Bello, to come and address the occasion.

The appointment of Tola as the first Commissioner of Women Affairs in Adamawa has sparked debate in the state with some criticizing it and others supporting it.

Those against it argued that the ministry was meant to carry women along hence the need to make it exclusively for them, while those in support said the full name of the ministry is Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development making it open for male and female to be made commissioners.

r Danladi Kifasi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has charged public servants to be change ambassadors and a point of reference in effective service delivery.

Kifasi gave the charge on Friday in Abuja, when he formally declared closed the pilot Structured Mandatory Assessment-Based Training Programme (SMART-P) for public servants.

The programme, launched on Sept. 7, was an initiative of the Office Head of the Civil Service of the Federation designed to build the skills of public servants and enhance service delivery.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Buhari condemns coup in Burkina Faso ...Calls for restoration of civil transitional authority Rotimi Fadeyi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday condemned last Wednesday’s detention of the Interim President, the Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d’etat.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari and Nigeria align with ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations in rejecting the brazen contravention of the constitution and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements

of the Presidential Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere.

Buhari urged the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were due to be held in the country on October 11, in support of which Nigeria has donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso.

While welcoming the news that the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando has now been freed, Buhari also demanded the immediate release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.

Naira value firms against dollar, others

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he Naira on Friday appreciated by one point against the U.S Dollar at the parallel market .

The development, according to Mr Abubakar Audu, a trader at the parallel market, follows the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s sale of dollar to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

The Nigerian currency

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Rights violation: NHRC probes Nasarawa governor Tordue Salem, ABUJA

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n allegation that a lady-motorist was manhandled by security personnel on the motorcade of Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, a few days ago on Lafia-Akwanga road, is being investigated by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The NHRC disclosed this yesterday through a statement by its Chief Press Officer, Fatimah Agwai Mohammad.

According to the state-

ment from the Commission yesterday, the Nasarawa State government has also reviewed the charges earlier, but the Commission was also looking into the allegations.

“Earlier, the Nasarawa State office of the Commission had received a complaint on the matter and a team of investigators have since interrogated the complainant and her sister who was driving along with her when the incident occurred.

The Commission is presently expecting response from the alleged violator

and the Nasarawa State Governor’s team any moment from now.

“The Executive Secretary of the Commission Prof. Bem Angwe has assures that the incident will be given prompt and thorough attention adding that all parties involved will have an opportunity to state their case.

Prof Angwe called for restraints from all parties stating that the Commission is in the position to address their complaints in line with its mandate”.

The statement quoted Professor Angwe as saying “the Commission will be firm and fair in resolving the issue”, and that “witnesses including the police and passers-by will

be invited to assist in the Commission in the investigation”.

The Commission also urged the citizenry to always follow legal channels in addressing rights’ violation.

Recall that one Ms. Lois Iorvihi and members of her family were allegedly attacked along the LafiaAkwanga road by security men from the motorcade of the governor of Nasarawa State for allegedly running into the convoy of the governor.

The incidence went viral and Civil society organisations and citizenjournalists, took the matter up, protesting to the Inspector General of Police and the NHRC.

traded for N225, N345 and N248 on Friday afternoon against the Dollar, Pounds and Euro respectively.

This is as against Thursday when Naira traded for N226, N345 and N248 against the Dollar, Pounds and Euro respectively.

Meanwhile, the official interbank rate remained at N197 to a Dollar. (NAN)

President’s wife partners organisation on maternal, child health

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ife of Nigeria’s president, Aisha Buhari, is all set to partner development partners for the mobilization and promotion of mother and child health in the country. Her recent intervention and support for many nursing mothers across the country especially those in rural areas point out Hajia Buhari’s new found passion.

Without doubt she is already giving the needed support to reproductive, maternal, newborn child and adolescent health as well as improving nutritional standards in the country. She is extending a hand of help to these mothers who sometimes are ignorant of the nutritional needs of their children.

For now, she has begun championing the mother

and child vision with the help of local and international donor agencies and development partners within and outside of Nigeria. This is because simply believes that the health of women and children goes a long way at providing a measure of development for any country and the world at large.

In Africa, Nigeria accounts for the highest number of internally displaced persons in the continent with more than three million in various camps and places spread across the country.

Some international donor agencies say it is necessary to push a new plan of nutrition forward h at a time when the country is dealing with poor health care standards.

Director-General, National Centre for Women Development, Lady Onyeka Onwenu (left), presenting certificate of participation to Aisha Bila, at the close of the train-the-trainers on technology and entrepreneurship workshop for women in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kano governor urges caution on talks with B’Haram

K

ano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday said that any negotiation by the Federal Government with the Boko Haram sect should be carried out with caution in order not to negotiate with the wrong people.

Speaking with State House Correspondents at Presidential Villa, Ganduje said, “I hope when we negotiate with them, we are negotiating with the correct people. Experience has shown that they have so many factions and if we are not lucky, we may be dealing with the wrong fac-

tion” President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit to Paris, France disclosed that the federal government was ready to negotiate with the sect with a view to secure the release of over 200 schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State abducted since April 14, last year.

But speaking on the negotiation option yesterday, Ganduje said security agencies should have intelligence information to know the people government should negotiate with.

The Kano State Governor, however, stressed the importance of community policing in the fight against insurgency in the country.

According to him, communities should be interested and people should be alert about the whole security situation, saying that a lot of information can be received from the local people which would assist the security agencies.

Ganduje expressed optimism that the sallah celebration coming up next week would be peaceful as the President has done a lot in controlling insurgency in the north eastern part of the country which normal-

ly flows to places like Kano.

The governor said, “sallah is a few days away and we pray to almighty Allah so we have a successful celebration. Already we are expecting a peaceful sallah because the Nigerian President has done a lot in controlling insurgency in the north eastern part of the country which normally flows to places like Kano especially during sallah celebration” “We believe that with the efforts of Mr. President, the insurgency is down and we are expecting a hitchfree sallah celebration”, he added.

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Contractors appeal to FG, states to pay

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ontractors in the nation’s construction industry have appealed to federal and state governments to pay debts owed the firms to enable them to return to project sites across the country.

Acting under the auspices of Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), the contractors claimed that in the last two years alone, debt owed them by various governments was N600 billion.

President of the group, Mr Solomon Ogunbusola, said in Abuja on Friday that delay in payment of the debt had grounded operations of most of the companies.

According to him, many of the companies have closed shops while thousands of workers have been retrenched.

Ogunbusola said that no fewer than 8, 000 workers in the industry were laid off in the last six months.

He admitted that the governments in the country were currently facing challenges, saying ``we appreciate efforts towards paying salaries of civil servants’’. ``This is a step in the right direction, but we appeal that government should look into our problem soon as they conclude intervention in the civil service,’’ he said.

He assured that the group would resist confrontation with government at any level ‘’because we remain partners in progress.’’

Ogunbusola said that the association recognised the downturn in the nation’s economy and commended the government for its determination in addressing the situation. ``We will not fight the government or go to the streets with placards, because we remain partners in progress for the development of the country.

(NAN)

NATIONAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police deploy experts to NMA pledges to tackle vandals eradicate

...as IGP assures on water -tight security during festivity Patience Ogbo

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n a bid to stem the growing spate of violent crimes in Lagos and Ogun, the Nigerian police may have deployed high level experts in crime tracking and busting into Lagos and its environs. Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Ballah Hassan has stated that the Nigeria Police Force has engaged experts to check the activists of vandals and kidnappers.

Mr. Hassan stated this while reacting to the recent killing of seven DSS operatives at the Ishawo Ikorodu

area in Lagos state and following the kidnap of Toyin Nwosu, the wife of the Deputy Managing Director, DMD, Sun Newspapers in Lagos . Mr. Hassan stated that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has ordered the deployment of experts to the Zone to track the vandals operating from the creeks and those operating on the waterways.

The AIG said the team of experts are already on ground and will be working with the police from the Zone to arrest the vandals. He said “There was a meeting between the police and the Director of the SSS

so that this issue can be addressed headlong. As a responsible police unit, we will not seat and fold our hands so that these boys will continue to operate with impunity. We are working hardto nip this crime in the bud and very soon the result will be felt.”

With the forthcoming festivity too, the IGP has ordered water tight security during the El- del Fitr celebration. The Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of Zone 2 police command Mr. Ballah Hassan stated that the IGP has ordered massive deployment of policemen

to protect lives and property during the forthcoming Sallah festivity.

AIG Hassan said “Plain cloth policemen and other security personnel have been mobilised to provide water tight security during the festivity. In every important event, we usually prepare an operation order on what to do during this event. It is our duty at the Zonal headquarters to ensure that all the plans of the Lagos and Ogun state police command are implemented. We are sending our men to ensure that all the policemen posted to various beats are on ground.

L-R: Student Activist, Miss Zuriel Oduwole; Founding Partner/Publisher, ‘Those Who Inspire Nigeria’, Ms. Delphine Baret, and Mr. Gordian Gaeta from United Arab Emirates, during Launch of the book titled: Those Who Inspire Nigeria, in Abuja on Thursday Night.

Insurgency: Welfare staff ordered to relocate to IDP camps in Borno

Inusa Ndahi, MAIDUGURI

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he newly appointed Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs in Borno state, Hon. Usman Zannah, yesterday, read the riot act to the staff of his ministry to redouble efforts at making life conducive for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by regularly visiting their camps and monitor the situation of the victims.

The commissioner disclosed this after affairs of the ministry were handed

over to him by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Enet Mohammed Kois, in a colourful ceremony held at the Musa Usman Secretariat complex in Maiduguri.

Zannah said that the lingering crisis of insurgency which has forced over 1 million people from the 22 affected council areas is very worrisome, adding that, the ministry which is directly being affected need to identify with the displaced persons by giving them a sense of belonging and make them feel at home pending when they

would go back and be resettled in their liberated communities.

“We just visited some IDP camps this morning with our Governor Kashim Shettima, and some of the things needed by the victims can be addressed at the ministry level if our staff is always there to monitor the plight of the IDPs”. He said.

The commissioner, while thanking Governor Kashim Shettima for appointing him as Commissioner for the ministry, solicited support and cooperation from all staff to

work as a team. “I assure you that I will do my best devoid of any tribal, ethnic, religious or political considerations. The lingering crisis of insurgency has led to destruction of many government and public structures such as schools, hospitals, clinics, offices, markets and business centres, it will require billions of naira to rebuild and resettled our destroyed local Government areas, therefore the task is enormous on all of us as government to put hands on deck in order to confront these challenges.”

measles from Nigeria by 99%

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r Kayode Obembe, President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), says the association would eradicate measles by 99 per cent from Nigeria as it had successfully kicked out polio.

Obembe said on Friday in Ilorin that the Physician Week slated for Oct. 2015 would focus on total eradication of the disease from the country.

He lamented that measles usually occur in epidemic proportion and is highly infectious to people, adding that this condition could be preventable with commitment and support from all tiers of government.

Obembe disclosed that the disease was draining a high toll in the lives of Nigerian children, adding that it is among the disease with highest infant mortality rate in the country. ``Measles is next to malaria and those who get the disease have neurological problem, where the nerves are damaged. ``About 60 per cent of coverage in fighting measles had so far been achieved but for this year we want to achieve 99 per cent. ``We are set in promoting the propaganda, talking to mothers, the government. ``We want to reach out to them and educate them on everything about measles and prevention,” he said.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

OPC condemns killing of DSS operators Ayo Esan

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he Pan–Yoruba Group, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC has condemned the gruesome killing of 10 members of State Security Operatives by pipeline vandals in Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

In a release issued by Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin on behalf of the group and made available to Saturday Mirror in Lagos, OPC described the action of the vandals as “highly condemnable.”

He lamented that ‘it is sad that some miscreants who are being financed by a sinisterly powerful and deadly oil mafia have put paid to the lives and brilliant carriers of 10 wondrous well trained members of the Department of State Security Services.

Barrister Oguntimehin pointed out that the death of these men of honour at the point of service in such a gruesome circumstance is a pointer to the fact that the war against pipeline vandals is not a tea party’s affair which can be taken or approached with kid’s glove “The death of the bright 10 SS operators though sad and sorrowful is a testimony to the fact that the war against pipeline vandals and protection of our common wealth should not be localized within the confine

of the regular security agents alone “ Barrister Oguntimehin suggested that “this unfortunate event should kindled our sense of perception and reasoning and task patriotic feeling in us to always treat national issues without sentiment.”

“The government must realized that oil pipeline vandalism has grown from being a past time of petty and tiny miscreants of the society , it is has assumed an organized high level criminality dimension being controlled by powerful and blood tasting mafia who cannot not be dislodged solely by the regular security agencies,” the release said He suggested that “it is high time for the Federal government to stop being mono focal in its effort at putting a stop to the activities of the vandals with the regimentation to the belief that only the regular trained security agencies can do it.”

He pointed out that “The recent three months monitoring of the pipeline by private groups has proved to all that the engagement of the so-called irregular or the socio – cultural groups brought modicum of stability and sanity to pipeline vandalism. This is a pointer to the fact that the war against pipeline vandalism should not be restricted to the regular armed forces.”

SOUTH WEST

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Ambode mulls collaboration with Kebbi on rice production

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agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said the state government will consider the possibilities of collaborating with Kebbi State to explore the economic opportunities in the production and distribution of high yield quality rice and other ventures.

The Governor spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Annual National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

He recalled that his Kebbi state counterpart, Alhaji

Atiku Bagudu, had during the opening ceremony of the conference on Wednesday, sought the cooperation between women in Kebbi and Lagos States in the production of high quality yield rice, saying that it is one area the state will seek to explore.

“I am sure the leadership of COWLSO has taken note of this and would work towards creating the platform for this cooperation to work and further show the economic relevance of women.

“I am sure the communiqué that has emerged at this conference will encapsulate a blueprint for the economic engagement of our wom-

enfolk, not just in Lagos State but across Nigeria,” Governor Ambode said.

He said his administration will be keen to receive the recommendations of the conference and see how they can be implemented to improve the lives of Lagosians.

“This conference marks a new beginning for COWLSO. We will remain partners in progress and also welcome your constructive criticisms to help us improve in our duty to deliver good governance to the people of Lagos State. This administration counts on your usual support and cooperation,” he said.

Declaring the conference

closed, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made case for women to be empowered, stressing that, “there is no society that shackles more than half of its population that can develop or progress.”

He also appealed to government at all levels to invigorate efforts in educating the girl child in the North and women empowerment all over the country.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori, said recent studies have shown that women through their various businesses have contributed immensely to the employment rate in the nation.

Group urges NJC to throw out petition against Osun judge Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo

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n Osun based group, Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State ,CSCEO, yesterday told National Judicial Commission ,NJC, to disregard petition written against Justice Olamide Oloyede by the Osun Civil Societies Coalition ,OCSO. In a 34-page counter-petition signed by the Chairman CSCEO, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman and submitted to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmond Mohammed and the Secretary of the NJC in Abuja on Thursday, the human rights group stated that Justice Oloyede is “an upright, a no-nonsense and a courageous daughter of Osun state.”

Sulaiman noted that the fresh query issued to Justice Oloyede based on the

petition written by OCSO was unnecessary, saying the Osun judge was one of the country’s hope of sanitizing the judiciary and the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He referred to the signatories of the said petition, Messers. Waheed Lawal, Adebayo Bello and Ismael Uthman as “activists were working for Governor Aregbesola’s interest.”

According to him, Lawal was the leader of Osun contingent going to Anambra in 2013 state during the state governorship but were arrested by the police in Imo state.

Sulaiman, in his affidavit, stated: “The personalities that signed the petition were leaders of the unaccredited Osun contingents that were sent to disrupt the peaceful November 16th, 2013 in Anambra and were arrested in an hotel in Owerri, Imo state capital”.

L-R: Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi; Dean of Students’ Affairs, University of Lagos, Prof. Tunde Babawale; President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Dr. Olateju Somorin; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler and Prof. Peter Fogam, at the 2015 National Tax Debate 2.0 in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Lagos tribunal dismisses Adewale’s election petition Matthew Irinoye

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he Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja yesterday dismissed the petition brought before it by Lagos West Senatorial candidate, Segun Adewale of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Solomon Adeola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Sylvanus Oriji had said that the Adewale had failed to prove his allegation of electoral fraud.

The tribunal held that “The petitioner had failed to discharge the evidence of proof of corrupt practices or non compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. This petition is hereby dismissed.”

The tribunal also noted that the petitioner did not give evidence by calling witnesses.

“The evidence of the petitioner was not backed by witnesses. This fact which would have helped the tribunal was not available. The evidence of the only prosecution witness

was devoid of any meaning and there were no facts to support paragraph one of the petition.”

It would be recalled that Adewale, had challenged the declaration of Adeola by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Mar. 28 senatorial elections.

Adewale, who scored 372,421 votes against Adeola’s 429,765 votes, insisted he was the winner of the election.

He had requested that the tribunal should nullify the declaration by INEC

of Adeola as the winner of the polls.

Adewale alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election, adding that the results submitted by wards did not correspond with the card readers. He also alleged that election did not hold in some wards among others irregularities.

Adewale had filed his petition based on three grounds; that Adeola at the time of the election, was not eligible and validly nominated by the APC and that unlawful and invalid votes were cast during the polls.

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PDP meets to strengthen party in North East Ezekiel Titus Bauchi

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he North East Zonal Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has held a meeting in Gombe State to streghten the party ahead of the National Convention of the Party and re-strategise ahead of the 2019 general election.

Speaking with National Mirror at the end of the meeting, Zonal Publicity Secretary of the Party, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Al’amin, said the meeting held under the Zonal Chairman, Senator Girgiri Lawan, discussed the preparation of the Zonal Executive Council ZEC meeting in which over 100 members will attend and it will be held before the National Convention of the Party.

Sani said the meeting discussed the way forward on how the party will re-strategise and capture the states they lost in the last election back to PDP. He said, the meeting reiterated the commitment of the zone to ensure that North East is allowed to produce a candidate that will contest for the seat of the National Chairman of the party.

Al’amin said the seat of the National Chairman belonged to North East constitutionally and going by the constitution, any office which the officer on the seat died or resign from the party, his deputy will take over in acting capacity for three month and the zone will be allow to produce another candidate for the seat.

He said the three month allowed by constitution for the person who holds the office of the National Chairman has expired and extended to the fourth month.

Sani hopes the leaders of the party will allow the zone to produce next chairman even if it remain one week before the expiration of the tenure in 15th March 2016.

NORTH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Missing aircraft: PDP chieftain backs EFCC probe of Yuguda Ezekiel Titus Bauchi

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Bauchi State PDP chieftain, Alhaji Bibi Dogo, has backed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for probing former Governor Isa Yuguda over missing craft that was tracked in Morocco recently.

Dogo, who made the state-

ment in an exclusive interview with selected journalists in Bauchi said, the move is a milestone towards the fight against corruption.

The PDP chieftain added that Yuguda administration was marred by perpetual corruption as if the government had legalized impunity.

He expressed support

for the current steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari in his crusade against corruption and APC’s determined efforts to rekindle Nigeria’s socio, economic development.

Similarly, Dogo challenged the incumbent governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar to explain how he was able to

save N1 billion naira from 2015 hajj operation without further delay.

He stated that the governor should know that those sponsored for hajj 2015 are less compared to last year warning Abubakar to stop deceiving the electorates.

It wouldl be recalled that the EFCC last week, moved to grill former governor Yuguda following petitions involving Bauchi missing aircraft that was said to have been tracked in Morocco

Bauchi State overland jet that was bought during former Governor Ahmed Muazu’s tenure arrives in Bauchi State from Morocco, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

...As aircraft lands in TafawaBalewa air strip T he Bauchi State missing aircraft which was recently traced to Morocco, has finally landed at the Tafawa-Balewa air strip and received by the deputy governor, Engineer Nuhu Gidado including top government officials.

The Captain of the Aircraft Captain Edward Boyo, took the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Shehu Ilelah, the State Head of Civil Service, Mr Abdon Dalla Gin and other top government functionaries, round the fifty- sitter aircraft.

Addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the plane, the State Deputy Governor Engr. Gidado, said, the state government will meet with officials managing the aircraft with a view to coming up with the next line of action on the aircraft.

The deputy governor said the present administration did not spend anything on the aircraft contrary to insinuation that the administration had spent huge sum of money on its maintenance.

He said the focus of the state government after the arrival of the plane to Bau-

chi will be how it will generate revenue for the state.

In his remarks, the Captain of the Aircraft Captain Edward Boyo, debunked the rumor going round alleging that the aircraft was missing from officials of the immediate past administration.

Captain Boyo said contrary to the rumor, the plane was taken to Morocco for routine maintenance which is normal for any aircraft.

He expressed optimism that the aircraft will be of immense benefit to the people and government of Bauchi State, particularly in the

area of revenue generation.

The chairman assets and recovery committee constituted by the present administration of Mohammed Abubakar Air commodore Ahmed Tijjaji Jidda had said, since the aircraft was leased out by Yuguda’s administration, it has been never been of any economic value to the state.

He express regrets that the past administration of Yuguda could not save any anything as a proceed from the aircraft in eight years saying government will manage the aircraft in conjunction with overland

Lafia NNPC mega station denies diversion of Kerosene product Igbawase Ukumba Lafia

A

uthorities of the Nigeria National P e t r o l e u m Corporation, NNPC, Mega Station, Lafia yesterday, denied allegation that the mega station diverts kerosene consignments allocated to it to black marketers.

Recently, authorities of the mega station were accused in a national daily, (not Saturday Mirror) of diversion of 23,000 out of the 40,000 litres of the product used to be allocated to it and sale to black marketers which situation led to the beating of its sales representative, Kennedy Idoko.

But at press briefing in Lafia, the state capital, the manager of the mega station, Zubairu Bala Adamu, said, the allegation was fictitious and aimed at smearing the good image of the station by some selfish individuals who could not dictate to the authorities of the mega station to dance to their tune.

He continued that on the fateful day, some hoodlums invaded the station with multiple containers, demanding that the commodity be sold to them through black market which they resisted resulting into a scuffle but nobody was beaten as claimed in the media report.

The station manager added that they have been following due process as enshrined by the NNPC for dispensation of petroleum products allocated to the station knowing well that any contradiction of the NNPC rules would lead to the lost of their dealership.

Consequent upon that, Adamu noted that authorities of the station have made it a rule not to sell kerosene to any customer who comes with multiple containers in order to allow the product to reach the final consumer.

Politics

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

September 19, 2015

Tukur quits politics, PDP quakes

Bamanga Tukur

Lekan Adejuwon

T

he rank of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, was last Tuesday, depleted by one of the founding fathers of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who not only dumped the party, but announced his final resignation from partisan politics.

Tukur, the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, who chose the occasion of his 80th birthday to announce his glorious exit from politics, was until recently, the chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation under the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

By this singular act, the former governor of the old Gongola State would be joining the ranks of elder statesmen from PDP family like former President Olusegun Obasanjo who quit the political stage when the ovation was loudest.

Recalled that it was an enraged former President Obasanjo who, late last year, stirred the hornet’s nest when he publicly tore his PDP membership card while declaring his resignation from the umbrella party as a mark of registering his protest through a list of PDP’s alleged many ‘sins’ against Obasanjo’s status as a founding member of the party.

In a swift reaction 30 minutes later, the Ogun State chapter of the party called a press conference announcing the expulsion of the former president from the party.

Although, for obvious reasons, Tukur could not have taken such extreme position to a party which he had served and equally benefitted generously from, the circumstances of his exit from the PDP, in the eyes of many observers, were far from altruistic.

Checks at the Abuja residence of the former PDP chieftain, venue of the birthday bash, revealed that no single PDP National Working Committee member who served under Tukur chairmanship were in attendance with the exception of the PDP Acting Chairman, Ambassador Waid Jibril, who may have graced the occasion on perceived personal relationship with the celebrant.

This appears incongruous to modern ethical standard of celebrating an elder statesman who had contributed immensely to the berthing of the acclaimed Africa’s largest political party.

The development however, was believed to be a fall out of the frosty relationship between Tukur and the present NWC members of the party who, at the peak of the battle for the soul of the PDP, suspended its national chairman from the party only to be recalled during President Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign in Adamawa State, Tukur home state.

However, Alhaji Tukur, while announcing his retirement from active politics during a lecture to commemorate his 80 years birthday, said, he is quitting to give younger politicians the opportunity to showcase their experience.

“I deem it fit’, he said ‘to use this opportunity of my 80th birthday celebration to announce my retirement from partisan politics. It is time to say goodbye to formal politics” He however said he has used several political platforms to serve his country, “It is time to rest. I leave partisan politics for the younger generation. I want to be statesman and an adviser ‘At 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure”. He remarked.

He advised politicians to play the game according to the rules and to take the interest of the country at heart.

According to him, politics should be seen as avenue for rendition of service to the country and not a bread and butter affair Though, PDP was not represented at the ceremony, the party later issued a statement describing the former chairman as a quintessential democrat and humble statesman, who has contributed immensely to the development and stability of the nation.

The party in a birthday message to Tukur, said: “It remains proud that the octogenarian, who is one of its founding fathers, has made indelible marks in business and politics within and outside the country”.

Ironically too, the birthday message was signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the party remains grateful to Tukur for his leadership roles and sustained selfless contributions since its formation.

It is no longer news that the former PDP national chairman’s tenure witnessed an unprecedented running battle with the party’s NWC and governors over the control of the party where the embattled Tukur lost out in controversial circumstances, but the aftermath of the party squabbles left the party the biggest loser during the 2015 general election after losing its 16 years unbroken rule to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The crisis, for many watchers of politics in the country, laid the foundation for the current sorry state of the PDP as five of its governors dumped the party for APC under Tukur’s chairmanship.

Reminiscing on the ugly development, the former Minister of Industry boasted that if he was not forced out by strong forces in the party, there was no way the APC could have won the 2015 general elections especially at the presidential level.

Tukur who stated this in an interview last Sunday noted that “Some powerful forces within the PDP forced me out” adding that if he was still in PDP, his party would not have been defeated.

He had earlier claimed that the ‘forces’ that forced him out of the party’s chair were after imposition of candidates whereas he had always stood for election and party supremacy.

However, the glorious exit from the murky waters of Nigerian politics by Tukur at 80 has continued to raise some

13

fundamental questions such as would the elder statesman have took similar decision if the PDP had won the 2015 presidential election?.

Many have suggested that the former PDP chairman should have followed the path of honour by leaving the party after he was booted out of office last year but he tarried after being compensated with a board appointment by former President Jonathan.

They argued that the former PDP chair’s removal from office early last year was done to spite the old man even as allegations of destroying the party were levied against the embattled Adamawa-born politician by many of the party’s apparatchiks.

For instance, the former Jigawa State governor Alhaji Sule Lamido blamed the former chairman for creating unnecessary divisions within the party and causing image problems for it and Nigeria in the process.

The governor said that the party should not assume that all was well with the removal of Tukur but should make genuine move to reconcile aggrieved governors, members and other stakeholders so as to stabilise the party and make it to win in future polls.

The governor said, “Unfortunately, Tukur embarked on destroying the various organs of the party. For instance, for a whole year, he never held a NEC meeting. People are aware of this and the fact that he took several profound decisions all by himself.

“So the party was being run as Tukur’s personal estate, as he systematically estranged other stakeholders. So there was impunity on the part of Tukur. He was creating divisions and a serious sense of disunity among the party members.

“And we began to wonder if the ruling party in Nigeria becomes reckless and irresponsible by way of doing things then Nigeria is in trouble. So the damage has been done already and easing Tukur out under pressure is a little bit late.

It would be recalled that the embattled PDP chairman, prior to his removal on January 24 2014, had boasted that President Goodluck Jonathan is not in a position to remove him from office.

He said since he was elected at a convention, he could only be removed through a properly conducted national convention.

He said, “I am an elected national chairman; I have my certificate of return and I cannot resign. A convention brought me; so it has to take the convention that brought me for me to resign.

“So, not even the President can ask me to resign.

Remember, some members of the National Working Committee were asked to go recently because the election that brought them was flawed. So, Mr. President cannot tread that route again.”

Tukur also maintained that he had not been accused of breaching PDP’s constitution and that no one had successfully proved any allegation of wrongdoing against him.

Meanwhile the former PDP chairman, contrary to the position of his former party, has drummed support for President Buhari saying that the President was on course.

“When Buhari came, he said he wanted to confront corruption, insecurity, unemployment and power; he set an agenda, the nation is working and is going on. To me, they are going the right way, they are not deviating from what they said they will do.”

When asked if he will join All Progressives Congress like other PDP members, Tukur said he cannot change his character at 80 saying, “at 80 what do you want somebody to do. You want to change somebody’s character at 80? Is it possible? At 80 you remain who you are because you cannot bend anymore. If you do it by force, you will break.”

In a related development, President Buhari has described the former national chairman of the PDP as political leader and elder statesman of Nigeria.

This he said in a congratulatory message to Tukur as he clocks 80 last Tuesday Buhari said; “Tukur is one of Nigeria’s foremosr entrepreneurs, political leaders and elder statesman who would be marking his 80th birthday with another notable milestone in a very worthy and fulfilled life and his contributions to Nigeria’s political and socio economic development for many years “

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POLITICS

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari should learn from Jonathan’s mistakes –Lekan Balogun Senator Lekan Balogun holds the traditional title of Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland and is a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He shared his views on burning national issues in this interview by LEKAN ADEJUWON

T

here has been criticism on recent appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Many say it favours a section of the country. But he says he has the right to appoint those he thinks he can work with. What is your position on this?

I think Mr. President is both right and wrong. He is right because he will appoint from the circle of the people he knows especially when they are personal staff.

But he is wrong because that ignores the constitutional nature of our society, the federal character dispensation in our system, and the geographical spread requirements of our constitution.

President will say he is doing what he did constitutionally but he is doing it at the expense of some sections of the constitution as well.

So a man can’t be both right and wrong at the same time. I am just saying that in one respect he is right but in the global constitution respect he is very wrong. He can’t just appoint the people he likes without giving respect to the national character of the constitution.

His aides have said that they will correct this in future appointments and that is more sensible to say not insisting that you can pick anybody you feel at the expense of the constitution.

But when you say he has the right to appoint those he knows are you saying Buhari as a former Head of State do not know qualified Nigerians in all the sections of the country?

I am not saying he is right to have done what he did but I say he is right to be saying what he said. But constitutionally he is not right, he is wrong. Thirty of the 37 appointments came from the north and in a country like ours it is clearly wrong.

Only seven appointments came from the three southern states, the three northern zones 30. And even of the three northern zones you probably find out that North East alone carries about 15 to 20. That is wrong. He should be president of all Nigerians. He should have people across the country. He should have his people across the zones. There are people he knows in all the zones who can appoint or nominate for him. So I said, logically he is making a point but constitutionally he is wrong.

Let’s look at his anti-corruption crusade, some PDP senators said he concentrated on prosecuting only the PDP members and former members of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. They said the anti –corruption drive is discriminatory. How will you react to this?

It is not only discriminator, it is mali-

cious. I don’t want to deal with that subject now. There is a lot of malice going on even at the lower levels of the governance in the country. I want to study my discoveries very well and be sure of my facts before I start speaking.

The president should be careful and should not be seen to be malicious. Like I said, he is the president of all Nigerians. He has won the election and is everybody’s president. He should behave as if everybody voted for him. He should behave as if all Nigerians nations are one nation and all Nigerians are one people watching his performance. I hope with time he will learn, he will acquire the global focus we think he should have as Mr President.

As he is ready to constitute his cabinet this month, what is your advice to him?

He should be careful. Whoever becomes a minister will become a minister on his goodwill. They should be people who will recognize and respect and reciprocate his goodwill. In other words they should be mindful of his interest as Mr. President, be mindful of his interest as the president, not those who will come to serve themselves. One of the things that was responsible for the failure of the PDP president is this factor I am mentioning now. He brought in some people, who were working for themselves and were not working for the nation. They were not working for his interest, and yet, his goodwill makes them ministers in the first instance. It could happen to President Buhari too, he should be careful and take a cue from what has happened to former President, Goodluck Jonathan. He is a decent person, he is a good intellectual, but he brought in a few people who were not mindful of his interest , how much mindful of the country’s global interest.

He should be careful of such people. He should draw a lesson from that and be very mindful of the need to appoint those who are desirous of serving the Nigerian nation and not serving themselves.

The governors especially those from the APC fold are saying they may not follow the open declaration of assets has done by President Buhari and his vice. How do you see their thinking?

Let us see how it develops. What is wrong with declaring your assets? They haven’t stolen your assets. You have worked for it in how many years of your lives before you become what you are now .

What they are saying is that they will just go to the Code of Conduct Bureau and fill forms and will not make it public

Lekan Balogun

May be they don’t want us to know what they are worth. There cant be other reason but democracy is an open government. It is an open system. If you don’t want to be that open, then don’t go into politics. But Nigerian nation and our leaders strange animals.

Recently there was a report that quoted you as saying that with what is happening in PDP there is the likelihood of some group coming out of the PDP to form another strong political party ?

I was talking dialectically. I was talking about the law of dialectics. It is almost inevitable. Even some people will break away from the APC and join the breakaways from the PDP and bring out something new. I was forecasting dialectically.

I wasn’t as subjective as people were quoting me to have said. People everywhere are not happy across party lines and the like-minds are talking together. They will probably end up coming together to form another party, across party lines it is not just only the PDP. Some people are feeling miserable in APC even now. And they are talking with those who are miserable in other parties. I would imagine something new will come up very soon . Lets give ourselves another year, something new will come up.

Are you saying before 2019?

Yes, long before 2019.

Then the issue of the emergence of new PDP Chairman seems to be causing agitation among some members. How do you think a new chairman will emerge without necessarily causing problem within the party?

We need more time to study all the data. These changes are inevitable.

Then the issue of economy how do you think this government can drive the economy of this country to a sustainable one

The government should tackle the issue of the continuous crashing of the naira. Once upon a time, it was N81 to a dollar today it is two hundred and something to one dollar. That is disastrous. It is a tragedy. To tackle that they should tackle the issue of unemployment, they should tackle the issue of non- payment of salaries, that is causing a national problem. Once upon a time people called you f or help they were talking of hospital bills, school bills and all that , today nine of ten of such callers are talking about food, what to eat and yet they are employed people. That is serious. Couple of the months after the President said they were giving them bail out, they still have not paid people. People are still suffering. You will stagger if you know the extent of poverty in the land now. Government should take this seriously and look into it. Federal Government should compel the states to pay the bailout given to them. If they stocked the bailout fund and they are looking for interests, who is the owner of the interest the money will yield overtime ?

It is the believe of many Nigerians that the problem we have had in the past is the inability to assemble a good team to manage the economy .

How will you advise the present government on assemblage of experts to manage the economy?

I will advise the government to assemble notable expertise. It is taking him so long to bring them together. I will expect him to make a good job of it. He should assemble people with expertise to run the economy and correct all the anomalies in the system. What is worth doing should be done well. We expect that he will assemble the right calibre of people, intellects, he needs it very badly because there are so many problems on ground.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

September 19, 2015

Talking Politics

‘Ministers are noise makers’ ‘You are —President Muhammadu Buhari

“T

he ministers are there, I think, to make a lot of noise; for the politicians to make a lot of

noise. But the work is being done by the technocrats. They are there; they have to provide the continuity, dig into the records and then guide us, [those of us] who are just coming in.

“They have been there, some of them for 15 years, some for 20 years. So I think this question of ministers is political.

People from different constituencies want to see their people directly in government, and see what they can get out of it.

“As for the cabinet, I said we will have one by the end of the month, and time flies. The end of the month is coming too quickly for my liking.”

‘Saraki’s trial will affect Nigeria’

— Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, PDP chieftain and former Works Minister

“A

situation whereby the Senate President keeps making trips to court will not only put Nigeria in a bad light but will slow down activities at the National Assembly which would, in turn, affect the nation.”

“Was Saraki the only person that was a governor all through the period?

Why is it that it is only Saraki that is being targeted now?” he said..

“Removing a Senate President is never an easy process. Now that Saraki will be facing the tribunal, if he is found guilty, he has the right to appeal the verdict and then the matter will be taken to the High Court.

“If he is found guilty again, the case will be taken to the Appeal Court and then to the Supreme Court. Imagine

“P

resident Buhari is being unfair to Ministers who work hard and don’t make noise. The civil service is broken and it needs to be fixed.”

‘N78m too little for Fashola to steal’ —Ben Akabueze, Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning

“W

e ran an annual budget of over N400bn. I think that if he (Fashola) really wanted to steal money, it wouldn’t be N78m out of over N400bn that he had access to. Of course, every kobo of public funds must be accounted for and I hope in the future, we can get the full facts and it will be made available to the public.”

“Unfortunately, by the time this thing came up, I was no longer in government.

So, I don’t have access to the paperwork which is the basis on which this project was justified.

“But as far as I know, I believe that it

must have followed the same process of independent evaluation. I think it would be useful for people to look at the full scope of the project and then make a determination about whether or not it did not represent value for money.”

­­— Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC National Publicity Secretary

the amount of time that would be wasted and the effect it will have on legislative work within the period?”

— Senator Domingo Alaba Obende. former Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Government Affairs.

“F

— Omobola Johnson, former minister of communications technology

‘Why people voted for Buhari’

‘Buhari should limit his probe to Jonathan govt’

or me whether it is APC, PDP, anybody irrespective of your religion, as long as you are corrupt, the person should be brought to book. I do not see the President having a different body language.

“He is somebody who has developed over the years with the kind of aura he carries. I think that his commitment to

unfair to ministers’

fight corruption should not be choked up.

It should be encouraged by every Nigerian and there should not be any hiccup on the way. He should continue to fight corruption.

“A good government deals with all the segments of the economy, the fight against corruption is just one part and I don’t think that Mr. President is going to spend all his years fighting corruption. It is believed that any government that was in place ought to have checkmated the previous government before it.

“For me I think it is the last government that he should just have the time to deal with because, whatever that might have been covered in the other governments how is he going to uncover them?.

“But let me say one thing that the moment you see a fresh trail and you are trailing the trail and still getting trail even up to 1979, so be it. For now, I think that he should just limit himself so that he will be able to perform.”

“T

hose who voted for Buhari voted because they saw in him an incorruptible leader. And I think it is a good beginning.

And hopefully as time goes on, we will be able to see people look more at what people stand for.

“Again, the war against corruption, I believe is going to help us. Because this time last year, we were cerebrating corrupt people. Today, they have all been lying low. Somebody was caught in Niger with about 1billion naira.

And that is probably the money that was stolen.

“I believe that gradually when this ethical revolution catches on, Nigerians will now attach more importance to integrity and character than resources.

“I think political parties should now start consciously, to encourage people of integrity to come out and assist them. I believe that elections in 2019 will not be as expensive as that of 2015.

“Gradually I believe that integrity and probity will become the yardstick.”

‘Why we suspended PDP National Conference’

­­—Olisa Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary

“W

e felt that if we are going to do it, all interests will be accommodated in terms of the leadership of the National

Assembly and the Governors’ Forum.

“We will take nominees from state Houses of Assembly, nominees of youth leaders and the youth forum, because we want the party to go back to the youth. ‘’We want the youth to be involved in whatever we are doing,” he said.

“Immediately the advertisement was aired, the NWC was bombarded with lots of complaints saying that why should we spread the membership of the committee to include some of those who have left the party.

“They also complained about why we should exclude a lot of people whom they felt should have been involved and not those who walked out on this party.”

16

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Living

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

September 19, , 2015

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Electric power: Vital but dangerous

Oluchi Anekwe

Death from electric cables are mostly caused by human error. Concerned citizens are calling on the authorities to improve the nation’s facilities for power transmission, distribution and implement laws on human habitation near them, writes JULIET UMEH

H

er birth was joy, her life promising, but her end sudden and painful.

Until her sunset, Oluchi Anekwe, a 300 Level student of Department of Accounting, University of Lagos (UNILAG), was hopeful of surviving an early morning

shock consequent upon a fateful drop of live electric cable on her body while returning from a campus fellowship and heading towards her hall of residence, Sodeinde Hall.

Like a Christian soldier, she fought to survive the emergency; fellow brothers and sisters

of her evangelical camp also embarked on long bouts of violent prayers, while friends tried to turn her back and check for debris.

Maybe, some good Samaritans with fair skill at first-aid, applied mouth-mouth ventilation for additional supply of oxygen, but when orthodox health officials of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), checked her pulse and heartbeat, they became tongue-tied and scared stiff; they later announced the worst had happened to her.

Anekwe’s death, Wednesday, September 8, sparked off fury and anger of UNILAG students who in the Aluta fashion overruled law and order in the 54-year-old tertiary institution, embarked on riotous march to the institution’s power house first before putting to total lock the institution’s main entrance.

A statement issued and signed by the institution’s students’ union government led

by Abiodun Martins regretted the loss of the brainy undergraduate, who until her death was a prospective first-class graduate. “The event that led to her death is in its entirety avoidable, we hereby call on all concerned to swing into action, so as to prevent future occurrence,” the letter said.

Since the bleak, dark day, which was rent with wailing and gnashing of teeth, Anekwe’s family, relatives and colleagues, have been thrown into uncontrollable lamentations over her demise. Moreover, the grief they feel over her passage has continually opened fresh drops of hot tears that course over their hapless faces any time they reflect over their irreparable loss

Just as UNILAG students and the family of Anekwe were thrown into bereavement, a trailer driver, the same dark Tuesday, was also electrocuted after his long vehicle hit an electric pole at Jakande, Oke Afa, Isolo Lagos, and live cables touched his body. Also, a day after, it was death on active service for an Ikeja Power Distribution Company technician who lost his life while trying to rectify a fault on a power pole.

Some towns and cities outside Lagos, in recent times, also have not been spared of sudden deaths by electrocution. Recently, a resident of Kano, Musa Lalaji, 39, of GadunAlbasa quarters, was sent to the great beyond when high tension wire at Kano Zoological Garden Shopping Complex dropped on him. Not too long ago, Agba Abor Isu community in Onitsha Local Government of Anambra State, was thrown into mourning, when the life of a middle-age man, identified as Jonathan Agwu, was terminated by lethal electric cable. Report has it that the late Agwu suffered his fate when he jumped over a high tension KVA line.

A cocktail of reactions have continued to trail the recent deaths from electrocution.

Most people are of the opinion that they were avoidable deaths if government had responsibly done the right thing at the right time. Mike Babalola, a Lagos resident, in an emotion-laden voice said: “The Government has killed one more person. The high tension electric cables in most countries are

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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LIVING

September 19, , 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘They wait until someone dies before fixing faulty cables’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

underground or raised high. But in Nigeria, NITEL poles and electric wires still dot our streets. High tension wires fly over people’s backyards and buildings,” he declared sadly referring to the news about the driver’s death. However, he added that government should make electricity power supply run in underground tunnels instead of poles like the Global System Mobile, GSM, networks systems, because this would end tragic incidents like those witnessed recently. He also believes that such arrangement would make power supply stable as the wires are now insulated from changes in the weather.

Also in agreement with the Babalola, Stanley Okonkwo, a civil servant in Lagos, said, University of Lagos and other universities should not have electric poles in the 21st century, saying that there are no such things in modern towns and cities. He also added that there should be no overhead power lines on campuses, villages, small towns and cities. According to the public servant, “The level of administrative incompetence in Nigeria is among the worst in the world, even in academic institutions. Any campus without regular power and water supplies is run by incompetent administrators; because solar power is enough for regular power supply and water supply from bore holes in every office and hostel on campus.

“Underground cables are a replacement of overhead cables that provide electrical power or telecommunications. This is typically performed for aesthetic purposes, but also serves the additional significant purpose of making the power lines less susceptible to outages during high wind thunderstorms or heavy snow or ice storms. Undergrounding can increase the initial costs of electric power transmission and distribution, but may decrease operational costs over the lifetime of the cables,” he averred.

Just like fire outbreaks, which are mostly caused by human error, electrocution results from carelessness on the part of the corporation responsible for power supply or irresponsibility by consumers. The story of 11-year-old Kola Kido, a Form 5 pupil of ODC Primary School, Ota, Ogun State, who died some years ago after treading on a live electric cable that parted from the main in front of his Idi Iroko Road home, may explain this sentiment. According to a neighbour, Aderemi Adegoke, “The death could have been avoided had the electric authority promptly reacted when reports of the cable felled by a Republic of Benin-bound truck laden with a mountain of goods was lodged at its office,” he recalled. But the plausible defence of Ota branch of National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, as it was then known, was that the complaint was not properly lodged.

It said when it conducted an investigation, it discovered that the deadly cable was a neutral, which was absolutely harmless, but could become dangerous if an improperly installed generator transfers electric current into it. Also, the case of Anekwe’s death was an avoidable one, according to her colleagues, because the pole from which the power cable fell had been faulty for a while and that the wires attached to it often sparked, but were left unattended to by the school management.

While fuming with rage, a student said: “I guess they wanted to see the damage before thinking about fixing it. Who knows, maybe it’s even something as cheap as getting new wires.” However, an employee of the

Another victim

Electricity cables dangling dangerously

university swiftly reacted saying, “The wire that snapped belongs to PHCN/EKEDP. It only happens to be passing through UNILAG to Onike. It was an unfortunate incident that coincidentally happened in UNILAG. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.

However, another Lagos resident, have blamed carelessness of the citizens to some of the deaths recorded especially on the driver’s death saying that it’s actually negligence that kills most Nigerians. “He must’ve been trying to cross a high tension wire overhead with his towering truck which he thought is made of plastic. The same negligence comes into play when they toy with the centre of gravity of an unclamped freight container.”

Another worried Lagos resident said, “Over the years, Nigerians have been used to not having electricity power supply and people are careless thereby taking the electricity infrastructure for granted. When rain is falling, we still pass under it with a little care. But now with power improving steadily, people are not careful at all. If care is not taken, given the recent improvement in power sector, the death of Oluchi via high tension might just be the start of more electrocutions if care is not taken. He urged Nigerians to ensure that anything that might lead to danger was properly taken care of.

“Take extreme caution when cooking, turn off all electrical appliances before going to

If a cable from a 33kv power line falls on the earth, the effect will be as shattering and devastating as nuclear holocaust or earthquake, because it will bulldoze the earth and burn houses and the lives inside them to ashes in a second

bed, ensure that mobile phones are not left plugged and close to the pillow or foam around where you are sleeping or close to anything that is inflammable,” he advised.

An electrical engineer, Femi Owolabi, thinks it high time Nigerians realised that electrical appliances used at home such as pressing iron, micro wave oven, hot plate, water heater, air conditioners, radio, television, microphone, clipper, dryer etc depend on electric current to function, “therefore they can produce electric shock if they are faulty, wrongly installed or if a wire from their control drops on a body or on a wet floor where a human being is standing,” he explained. He added, “Even if a live wire of maybe a full conduit drops on the wall or some inner part of iron railings of a staircase, it may result in electric shock, because steel or iron is a good conductor of electricity.

Generally, electrocution generally results from faulty appliances, therefore if any that is used at home is bad, the best thing is to get a new one, don’t try to repair. Also, users of electrical appliances must always wear sandals or shoes when putting an electric plug into the power point, but for a person standing on a wet floor, there is no way he can escape electric shock.”

What then are the causes of electrocution outside the home? “When an electric technician gets electrocuted, it may be because of carelessness, loss of concentration or failure to observe safety rules such as wearing gloves and safety shoes, using pliers instead of hands to tie cable and fastening oneself with belt to the pole and the ladder.

But most reason why live cables snap and fall on the ground is that they are perfunctorily tied to the D-iron or pin insulators by careless technicians, use of old cables instead of new ones and closeness of the four lines (yellow, blue, green and red) to one another. If they are not separated by dry planks, any contact maybe by force of winds can result in sparks and drop on earth,” Owolabi stated.

But like sitting on a keg of gunpowder are houses that are directly underneath 33 kilovolt electric cables and structure by the side of transformer because it distributes power transfer to from the source. According to Iyanda Babaleko, “If a cable from 33kv power line falls on the earth, the effect will be as shattering and devastating as nuclear holocaust or earthquake, because it will bulldoze the earth and burn houses and lives inside to ashes in a second,” he highlighted.

He therefore warns builders to stay clear of lands under 33kv cables or near transformers.

Babaleko, however berated the three tiers of government for their inability to enforce the law on building under power line. He however urged the new government and power distribution companies (DISCOs) to improve on the power transmission and distribution facilities because many transformers are not only old, but their capacities are too incapable of servicing the communities they are supposed to serve while many power poles and cables are improperly erected posing as potential electrocution agents.

Electrocution occurs as a result of contact with naked electricity source which causes massive dangerous overstimulation of the nervous system. It results in pains and involuntary muscular contraction or convulsion as electric power or current passes through the body. When a shock kills, it is described as electrocution.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

September 19, 2015

19

Billion naira timber market under threat

...From criminals, arsonists

Patience Ogbo

M

akinde Ajao has been a timber dealer at the Oko-Oba sawmill market at the Ebute-Metta area of Lagos state since 1985.

Dealing in timber has been Ajao’s life since he took over the family’s business after his father died but the father of five is facing a hard time continuing with his business due to threats from criminal elements who are invading the market at will, stealing and looting logs of wood and other equipment Twice Mr. Ajao’s life was targeted by the criminals but he had managed to escape by the whiskers.

Mr. Ajao stated that his life and that of other saw millers are in danger due to incessant attack from criminals .

“My father was one of the saw millers at Oko-baba more than 50 years ago. I took over from him after his death in 1985. When My father and others started the sawmill , there were bushes around ,no residential building but as development got to the area,houses started springing and today

we are faced with the result of negative development. We were sleeping in the sawmill then because there will be work to do overnight but since after the civil war, criminality has taken over everywhere. We cannot sleep in our shops anymore and our equipment are being stolen with impunity.

Several times they have raided my shop but they did not find any valuable thing to steal. It is so bad now that these criminals come during the day. They come in their 50s armed with guns and dangerous weapons and they attack us. I have escaped death twice due to arsonists burning down the market. Recently, in July they attacked the Vigilantee we employed to guard our market. , it was a fierce battle . We are appealing to the police and the Lagos state government to relocate us”.

Another saw miller who simply identified himself as Baba Dayo said he was attacked by criminals when he came to his shop recently .

Narrating his ordeal,Baba Dayo said ‘‘we are faced with serious criminal gangs in our market and the executives decided to employ the Vigilantee Group of Nigeria.

We had employed several security outfits

but these boys always chased them away.

I decided to come to the sawmill in July on a Sunday. When I arrived, I saw three men moving ply woods into a canoe. I was shocked and I went to them. I know they cannot be our members because it is a rule that no member should work on Sundays .

So I question the men. They told me that they bought the woods but I knew they

We

wood and stabbed my hand. They would have killed me that day if the vigilantee did not show up. Thank God I called them before coming. That was my saving grace.

The criminals however fled with the stolen woods. We arrested one of the criminals two day later after they came back to steal wood and stabbed somebody in the process . The criminal one Olatunde popularly

have lost millions of naira due to the

theft and vandalisation and our customers are also scared to patronise us. We are

appealing to the Lagos State government to relocate us and also provide adequate security for our market, which has been existing for more than 90 years

were lying. The next thing I heard was that I should leave or be ready to die. One of them brought out a knife,and brandish it in my face. The other man picked a wood and they ran after me. They hit me with the

known as Ole confessed that the criminals come from Ago-Egun slum a riverine community. He was handed over to the police. These criminals cut our cables,steal CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20

LIVING

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘These criminals are threatening our 90-year-old market’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 our equipment and woods. We are losing millions of naira from these theft and government should assist us with patrol vehicles. The market is porous so anybody can come in. We prefer that they relocate us to a more conducive environment”.

While the saw millers said they have been employing private security personnel they are also appealing to government to relocate them to their permanent site at Ikosi.

Grace Mumuni a female saw miller said she has suffered great lost as a result of criminals causing fire at the sawmill.

She said “ I started business in the sawmill since 1991. Back then,the sawmill was very safe. You can leave your shop and your goods were safe but criminals are upon us and the insecurity at the sawmill is growing worst by the day. My shop has been looted several times. On July 13th, I reported to the police the theft of three of my machines. On April 21st, my shop was burnt by arsonists and property worth millions of naira were destroyed. These criminals also in 2014 raided my shop and other shops were they cut our cables and stoles equipment like heavy duty machines and others. Also last year ,these criminals vandalised and stole my cables.

Each time I replace them,they will come back to steal them. Each cable cost about N24,000 and I have replaced more than ten of these cables. I am working while others are vandalising and stealing from us. It is not fair because our market is porous.

Anybody can come in and these boys are bent on ruining us. They have refused to work. I have offered jobs to some of them but they prefer being criminals. They are lazy and wicked. They have turned our market into their hideout where the hide and commit all sort of crimes. I am yet to recover from the arson I suffered. These criminals also stabbed a woman stealing rice. We are appealing to government to come to our rescue. They should relocate us to a safer place. Our customers are caught in the criminal acts. Some of them have stopped patronising us. Our business is suffering due to the insecurity and the whole thing is depressing. We need urgent security presence to wade off these criminals and arsonists” Other stakeholders at the sawmill also appeal to the government to secure life and property.

Christian Emeka a dealer in ply wood at the market said. “ I bring my wood to the sawmill to be processed but the insecurity is discouraging me and other businessmen and women. The problem is serious. Some of these criminals disguise as government officials. They come up with various levies and they want us to pay. They are criminals and extortionists and they operate with impunity. Some of our members have been attacked, our woods stolen and doing business has been hard. Some of our members have stopped coming to the sawmill due to the insecurity .Government should find a way to stop the illegality being committed or else millions of naira will continue to be lost to criminal

elements and people can be killed. They need heavy security presence here “ The insecurity in the market degenerated to heavy shooting on July 20st when criminals disguised as Area boys attempted to set the market ablaze but were prevented by the vigilantee guarding the market.

The Saw millers said the Area boys numbering about fifty stormed the Sawmill on July 20 and 21st threatening the lives of members and vigilantee employed to protect the market .

It was learnt that the Area boys led by one Ogolo a wanted suspect opened fire at the vigilantee and shot one of them.

Narrating what happened , a Saw miller who does not want his name published said “The Area boys stormed the market on July 20th and they attacked the vigilante guarding the market . They abducted one of the vigilante and they beat the man up mercilessly and shot him . They broke his leg and left him thinking he was dead but he was rescued by other vigilante who had mobilized their members to the scene. The Area boys were chased away and prevented from setting the market on fire. However, we were shocked when the Area Boys mobilsed themselves from all over Lagos state and they stormed the Saw Mill on July 21st. We were going about our business when we saw them with cutlasses , guns and other dangerous weapons . They chased us out of our shops and they said they were looking for our executives and the vigilante members. We had to run for our dear lives. The police later came and chased them away. We have been living in fear because of these Area Boys. They

have threatened to come back . These Area boys are responsible for the theft of our machines and cables and other valuables .

The Area boys also use our market for the initiation of their cult members . We need government protection urgently” Saturday Mirror learnt that following the incident, suspected Area boys in a show of supremacy stormed, Kano, Jebba ,Freeman and Borno streets in the area and stabbed three persons to death to retaliate the killing of their members.

Following the incessant attacks, the Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association wrote a Save our Soul petition to the Lagos State commissioner of police urging the police boss to come to their rescue .

The petition titled “Threat to lives, persistent theft of machines and damage of goods and valuable property ” signed by the president of the Association, Alhaji G. Onikeku is appealing to the police authority and the Department of State Security Service to arrest those behind the killing and destruction of property at the Sawmill .

The petition also urged the Lagos State government to relocate the Saw mill Market to Ikosi following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and the Saw millers eight years ago.

The petition read in part “ Area boys have turned our market to illegal offices and kiosks which they use as hideout for criminals. They have also turned our market to initiating ground for their cult members. Following our complaint and employment of vigilantee group, the Area Boys have been attacking our vigilantee in a bid to send them away so they can

Our market is porous. Anybody can come in and these boys are bent on ruining us.

work.

They have refused to

I have offered jobs to some of

them, but they prefer being criminals

come back to cause havoc and intimidate our members. These Area boys are also threatening the lives of our executives for employing the vigilantee. We resorted to employing the vigilante because of the incessant harassment and theft of our machines, cables and other crimes being committed in the market and all our appeal to the police have not yielded any positive result. We have lost millions of naira due to the theft and vandalisation and our customers are also scared to patronise us. We are appealing to the Lagos State government to relocate us and also provide adequate security for our market which has been existing for more than 90 years but is being threatened out of business.

Our executives and their families are being threatened as these boys have visited their homes. ” Agbodemu Musbau, the secretary of the Mainland Vigilantee Group of Nigeria, condemns the incessant attacks on innocent residents and security operatives as he calls on the federal government to stamp out cultism in the country The VGN also sent a letter to the police , the State Security Service and the federal government to stamp out criminals gangs disguised as cultists and area boys in Ebute-Metta Agbodimu said “The Saw millers employed the vigilante Group of Nigeria Mainland branch to protect their machines and other valuables from thieves and other hoodlums who want to use the place as a criminal hideout but these Area boys are cultists who have been operating with impunity. We are collaborating with the police to ensure that we protect lives and property but our members are also being targeted by these cultists. We are appealing to the government to see cultism as a crime worse than Boko Haram and a crime that needs urgent attention especially in the South Western part of the country. Cultists have become a menace to the society and government must address it like they are addressing Boko Haram before it consumes us in this part of the country.

We hail President Buhari for the security moves he had made to address Boko Haram but he should not stop in the north, he should bring the fight against insecurity to the Western part of the country because failure to halt cultism will breed criminals worse than Boko Haram”.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Fatia Owoseni while reacting to the attack at the sawmill stated that the police will patrol the market and its environs , assuring that no criminal will be left to cause havoc in the area.

Following the petition, a combined team of policemen from the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti Yaba and policemen from the Denton Police Station at Ebute-Metta alongside policemen from the Area C police Command have raided Criminal hideouts at the Ebute Metta area of Lagos following attacks on the Okobaba Sawmill market and cult related killings in Ebute- Metta and arrest seventeen suspects.

CP Owoseni said “ I am aware of the situation at the Okobaba sawmill and in Ebute- metta. I went there and we had a show of force that the police is fully on ground . I have also deployed policemen from the Special Anti-robbery Squad to the area to arrest any criminal and ensure peace in the area”

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Relationships

Why do men stray?

P.32

Sex talk Why do men watch porn?

P.32

Fashion Catch the adventure bug

P.28

Mercy

... pregnancy blues

22

ENTERVAGANZA

September 19, 2015

Celebrity

very shy and could not summon the courage to tell my parents. I wanted to venture into acting. So I had to do something that I also like, which is accounting. However in my final year in university, someone reminded me how much I loved acting and the need to do something that would make me happy in future. Hence I was encouraged to speak with my father again.

What was your father’s reaction?

He wasn’t surprised because everyone knew that I loved acting. He, however, encouraged me to at least get my masters first, which I did and today I am really enjoying myself.

How was your first experience acting?

My first experience was in a movie titled, The Good Wife, which role I got into through a friend. However, I was really nervous. Later, in my second movie, my own productio), I began to gain more confidence.

Then I shot Code Of Silence and started acting with top acts like Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, Patience Ozokwor and the likes.

Your movie One Fine Day is about rape.

Why that topic?

Code Of Silence is about rape too and someone wondered whether I have been a rape victim. I said no, it’s just a coincidence.

Regardless, I was happy when the plot in One Fine Day encapsulated rape. Most of our movies talk about rape. It’s something that happens on daily basis and it brought me there.

Your movies are superb. What inspired this storyline?

I didn’t come up with it. I merely told my producer I wanted a great story and she did her research. She presented a couple of scripts and I chose that one.

a t o ’I m n tim c i v rape

—Bimbo Peters

What was your growing-up like?

It wasn’t all that fanciful. Like I said, I went to Nigeria Navy School, and it wasn’t easy or funny at all. Also my family was quite reserved, and I don’t recall having much fun in childhood.

What actors have you a crush on in the course of your acting career?

Presently, I don’t have a crush on anyone in the industry. But I like Don Jazzy.

What is your philosophy of life?

Life isn’t that serious. Again, I feel we should always live a happy life and a life full of thanks and enjoy it to the fullest.

What challenges did you face putting your movie together?

Initially I wanted to use Rita Dominic as my sister but she wasn’t available and I made do with Funke (Akindele) who was the second person that came to my mind.

Getting the money and logistic together wasn’t easy; my parents helped a lot in financing the movie. Getting my parents to finance the film was a big challenge for me.

I mean, dropping such a huge amount for something they don’t really like.

With One Fine Day, a movie that premiered recently at Silverbird Galleria, Lagos, Bimbo Peters, one of Nigeria’s finest actresses, cut her production teeth. Your film is already in the cinemas; how do She spoke with Victor Udoh about the movie youI feel? try not to feel so excited about it beand her Nollywood journey. cause it can get to my head, but it is a dream Tell us about yourself.

I am a regular girl, a reserved person but can be loud when I’m with my family.

I am shy but fun to be with. After attending secondary school in Nigeria Navy and Crystal College, I went to UK for my ‘A’ levels and then University of Bedford for my degree in accounting and finance. Later,

I got masters in marketing management from Houston in America and also studied acting and producing in New York.

Why did you venture into the movie industry?

I have always loved acting right from when I was in SS 2. Like I said earlier, I am

come true. I started it all in December and it’s not even up to a year now. So it’s a big achievement and I am just thankful.

Aside movie production and acting, what other things are you into?

I want to live a very selective life. I don’t want to be the type that appears in movies 50 times in a year. And to be honest, acting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

in movies does not attract a lot of money.

In fact, I am so grateful that I am a producer. I mean, I can’t live on the money I make from acting. So I am thinking of going into laundering and fashionable wears.

When thinking comfort, what is that dress that you can’t do without?

I love night wears and have a lot of night gowns. I love to wear slippers a lot, so generally I love things that are free on me.

What is that fashion item that takes more space in your wardrobe?

I am a big fan of sun glasses and love to wear rings a lot. I am also passionate about wearing white clothes. As you can see, I am wearing one now, so 80 percent of my get-ups are white.

What fashion item can’t you be caught wearing?

I don’t like things that are loud or byebye things.

What kind of books do you read?

I celebrate novels. I love emotional books, but presently I am trying to be more open. Hence I have been reading thrillers, books with a lot of drama and comedy too.

Who is your ideal man?

That is a man that is God-fearing. By that I mean a man who loves God and who would then have the capacity to love me. If he really loves God he would follow God’s leading in his entire decision-making.

Also, I love a man that is jovial because I love to laugh, and someone I am really comfortable with. I am considering his looks, but he should not be ugly or shorter than me. Before now, I was concerned about my man being tall and handsome.

Now that I am older, I understand that you can’t have it all. I equally love a guy to dress well like 2face; I mean dressing simple and modestly.

What part of the body do you cherish most?

My face because people always say I have this nice smile and because it is the first part of the body one looks at.

If you were in government, how would you tackle piracy?

Firstly, I would deal with the hawkers (of pirated items) on the streets by assigning security personnel to arrest them. Secondly, they should invest in DVD stores, where you can get choice DVDs. Some people believe piracy helps to promote actors and actress?

It helps them a lot because your movie is out there when the hawkers are selling them for you. But it does more harm to the producers because they invest more in the movie product and in the long run, the money goes to the hawkers.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Married probably with two kids and definitely be seen as a very important and serious actor. That is the most important thing I want to achieve in the movie industry. I am not so concerned about fame or whatever. I also want to grow in my other businesses and make money.

What projects are you currently handling?

I am looking to set up a business and to film another movie before the end of the year. I am trying to put my script together.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

September 19, 2015

P-Square versus media L

ast week, it was a shock to everyone when Peter P-Square disclosed to the world through a number of tweets that top urban music and lifestyle satellite TV channel, SoundCity, was no longer airing their videos.

Peter made the disclosure in reaction to some P-Square fans who were enquiring from him why they were not seeing their videos on SC. And in answering the fans, Peter didn’t mince words. He told the fans that SC wasn’t a reliable channel and that P-Square fans should instead watch their videos on reliable channels like MTV Base and Trace.

Though Peter didn’t explain why SC isn’t showing their videos, there’s no smoke without fire so SC must have a reason for banning their videos.

And since Peter was just painting them in a bad light, SC came out to justify itself. According to SC, they approached P-Square to do a show for them last December and when P-Square charged them a certain amount, they asked how much they could be discounted, and P-Square’s manager’s reply was that of what use had SC ever been to P-Square.

So they stopped showing P-Square’s videos since they felt P-Square does not appreciate the air play they’ve given them over the years.

And from every indication, P-Square don’t like the fact that they are not getting rotation on SC.

But instead of them to eat the humble pie and go and beg SC, they are trying to bluff instead, as their manager further reacted to the issue by saying that they’ve played several free shows for SC, SC doesn’t pay them royalties and they’ve every right to play or not play a show for someone who needs them.

The only problem about this issue though is that it’s not SC who has made this issue known to the world, but P-Square, so P-Square must be the one feeling the brunt of their beef.

But more information has now come to light on P-Square’s dealings with the media. Successful entertainers are successful only because the media supports them. But it seems P-Square after becoming successful through the media no longer want to respect the media.

It has now come to light that SC is not the only media organization that has requested for PSquare’s services and P-Square declined.

According to a staff of SUN newspaper, they also requested P-Square to come and perform at their event and P-Square charged them N6m. They said they would pay N5m but P-Square rejected it.

And according to the SUN staff, their own reaction too was to blacklist P-Square in their extremely respected paper.

So the question now is, can P-Square hope to fight the media and win?

P-Square

More controversy for Timaya

Jahbless involves him in copyright infringement issue

I

t’s almost like controversy and Timaya are birds of the same feather who flock together. This is because controversy is never far from this singer who is one of the most successful in the country presently.

This year already, he has been alleged of having raped a lady. And in the past, his controversies have ranged from being arrogant to his elders in the music industry to maltreating his then girlfriend, Empress Njamah.

Right now, the controversy that has come his way is one that might turn out to be quite a nasty one. It’s a controversy based on one of the most controversial issues in entertainment: copyright theft. And the person making an allegation of his copyright being infringed is someone who wouldn’t do so without good reason.

The person in question is a colleague of Timaya, being a celebrity

Timaya

Jahbless

music artist like Timaya. He’s none other than Jahbless who is currently promoting his latest album, IAMME,

and he has now alleged that the beat Timaya sang his latest single, Halleluyah, on, actually belongs to him.

Through Instagram, Jahbless posted a message (reproduced below) in which he made his allegation, accused Halleluyah’s producer of theft and absolved Timaya of blame.

“Hey bro, @timayatimaya, who ever produced that your Halleluyah jam should be jailed! He lifted the instrumental off my album, #iamme, track 2, Jeje ft @oristefemi, and gave it to you. I want to believe you know nothing about it cos with your years of experience in this game you should know the consequences of copyright infringements. Pls avoid such producers in future cos they might tarnish your image. And for you Mr Producer, see you in court.”

One thing is certain. Though Jahbless feels Timaya is not to blame for this copyright infringement, if the this issue becomes a really nasty one, Timaya’s image will suffer for it.

24

September 19, 2015

CLASSICAL LYRICS

E-NEWS

Project Fame update

Geoffrey launches EP, as judges unveil finalists

A

fter emerging the winner last season, Geoffrey returned with loads of success stories as he launched his 7-track EP, Bursted.

Apart from the mind blowing performances of some of his hit tracks, he also took a moment to appreciate the platform that has contributed greatly to his success story.

Geoffrey is not the only testimonial of Season 7. Ugo and Emeka also showed how much they have been making the best use of all they learnt when they graced the stage to perform. Emeka’s performance particularly filled the air with nostalgia when he was joined

on stage by some of the Season 7 finalists, namely Christian, Ugo and Geoffrey.

The remaining seven contestants this season, who are also hoping to join these ones in the Hall of Fame got a pleasant surprise when the judges announced that they have all made it to the final lap of the competition, hence no one was eliminated.

These final seven contestants then went ahead to thrill everyone with performances of some all-time best reggae songs. The judges, including Cobhams Asuquo (guest judge) and faculty spoke highly of each of the contestants for how much they have grown.

… Top artists, producers to collaborate with finalists

The finalists

M

eanwhile, in collaboration with 960 Music, Ultima Productions, PFWA’s producer, is launching a contestant/artist collaboration segment to the competition.

In this new segment, contestants are paired with an established artist to remake his/her song, as well as create a new song together with renowned producers and songwriters.

The hit producers selected to work with

the contestants are Password, Shizzi, Sarz, Del B, Selebobo, DJ Coublon and Cobhams Asuquo. Password will also double as a songwriter with Monica Ogah.

The idea behind this new initiative is to give the contestants a feel of the real world, before they exit the Academy. This is similar to Geoffrey’s partnership with 960 Music, which helped him launch his professional career after winning Project Fame last year.

Geoffrey

I’m Nigeria’s Caitlyn Jenner —Denrele

E

Denrele

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ver since American athlete, Bruce Jenner, underwent an operation to convert his gender from male to a female known as Caitlyn Jenner, he/she has become a talking point and an inspiration to entertainers, comedians especially, who portray themselves as Jenner to entertain audiences.

Now, Nigerian MC and on-air personality, Denrele Edun, who hasn’t really been in the news of late, has jumped aboard the train of those mimicking Jenner and gotten himself trending thereby.

He released some pictures of himself looking like a woman and declared that he’s Nigeria’s Caitlyn Jenner to really drive his point home.

He further drove his point home with the following message: “As I have been fondly tagged ‘Nigeria’s Caitlyn Jenner without transgender money’ for months now, I present to you, Nigeria’s Caitlyn Jenner with NO NEED for transgender surgery.”

Oh well, we only hope Denrele won’t end up having transgender surgery some day.

Ijekuje Artist: King Oogbodo featuring Pelumi and Shocker Intro So So (4x) Chorus 1 O r’omo to pupa O fe je’nbe Ki lo fe je Ijekuje O r’eto dudu O fe kakadu Ki lo fe je Ijekuje Eto lepa O fe register Ki lo fe je Ijekuje Eto sanra na O fe la mo Ki lo fe je Ijekuje, eh (5x) Ifakufa (4x) Olojukokoro (3x) Ojukokoro Olojukokoro (3x) Ojukokoro Verse Olojukokoro Alaseju Alasete, te, te Olojukokoro Alaseju Alasete L’oto ejo dun O dun gan At same time Gbogbo ejo Ko ni Jije Sugbon L’odo ti’e Gbogbo ejo Ni jije Kikiru Giga Sisanra Lepa Akata Mulatto Oyinbo Chinko Dulawo O fe egbon Ati aburo O fe iya Pelu omo Ore ati ore O p’awon Je (2x) Je (4x) La (4x) Mi o le s’ope Ko ma se nkan to fe se oh Nkankan ni mo ko le so oh Gbogbo nkan lo l’eyin oh (3x) Gbogbo nkan lo l’eyin se Chorus 2 O r’omo to pupa O fe je’nbe Ki lo fe je Ijekuje O r’eto dudu O fe kakadu Ki lo fe je Ijekuje Eto lepa O fe register Ki lo fe je Ijekuje Eto sanra na O fe la mo Ki lo fe je Ijekuje, eh (5x) Ifakufa (4x) Olojukokoro (3x) Ojukokoro Olojukokoro Alaseju oh Olojukokoro Alasete oh Outro So so It’s ur boy King Oogbodo Representing Blood Entertainment Eje Shocker on this dope beat Beatbox mix

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-NEWS

September 19, 2015

25

Ali Baba reveals shocking entertainment secrets

‘I collected N1.5m from Satzenbrau while Fela got N500,000’ … advices upcoming musicians on how to become successful

Ali Baba

I

t’s not for nothing that Ali Baba is regarded as the King of Comedy. Presently, however, he’s more than just the King of Comedy. He’s a pillar in the entertainment industry, and without him, the industry will just not be developing the way it should.

So when NuffNoiz Entertainment decided to hold a boot camp for upcoming artists to educate them on how to become musically successful, Ali Baba was one of the people they approached to come and educate the greenhorn artists with his wealth of knowledge about the industry.

And because of his status as one of the industry’s frontliners, he accepted to speak at the camp, despite his busy schedule, for one basic reason: he likes to support new entertainers.

That character is already known of him in the comedy sector where he carries his fellow comedians, both the established and the upcoming, along through every necessary way he can support them.

The boot camp held at Swe Bar, City Mall, Onikan, Lagos. Its kickoff time was scheduled for 10am. Ali Baba got there promptly. He got there before many of the upcoming artists who were to benefit from the camp.

And because he got there on time, the organisers had no choice but to begin the camp as soon as possible with the few artists, artist managers and other music industry people who were present.

And so Ali Baba began to mentor the upcoming artists. He expressed disappointment at the fact that entertainers don’t like to develop themselves. He said he once orgainsed a training seminar, just like the boot camp, to educate entertainers, and it wasn’t well attended.

But when he held a party, more than the number of people invited came, and that was when he told them that they preferred to come to the party, rather than the training.

So he adviced the boot camp attendees that they’ve to keep developing themselves, have to keep getting more and more education related to their field because talent

is not enough and it has to keep being developed.

Just in case some of the upcoming musicians were wondering if he was qualified to speak on music, since his area of speciality is comedy.

According to him, all his years in the industry, over twenty-five of them, have made him have a sound knowledge of the music sector more than most musicians even, and he regularly carries out research on the entertainment industry just to keep himself abreast of its trends.

“There’s no luck in this entertainment business,” he declared. “People think those who blow were lucky. No. In order to blow, you must package your talent as a service, and when you do so, people will pay for it.

“To ensure that your talent becomes sought after, you must sing songs to entertain and draw people to the dance floor. You must develop your talent as there’s no talent you have that cannot be made better.

“Some people are waiting for people to come and pick them up and help them become successful. It doesn’t happen like that. You have to develop yourself and then present yourself in the right manner in order to get noticed and then picked up.”

With his advice connecting with his audience, he began to outline what an upcoming musician must do to become successful.

“The selling points of a musician are his lyrics, the production of his song, its mixing and mastering, the type of language used in the song, the song’s rhythm and melody, live performance of the song, radio air play of the song, the quality of its music video, movies, night clubs and DJs playing it, stores, online promotion, fans and followers, awards, mixtapes, live events, interviews, music competitions, ring tones and other factors, even piracy, that an artist must engage in to ensure that his song and his brand will become successful.

“But how many of you engage in all the promotional tactics I’ve mentioned?” he asked the aspiring musicians.

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

Continuing, he said, “If those things I just mentioned are what will help a song become successful, these are the ones that will kill the song. Government ban, poor production, artist himself, no air play, greedy on-air personalities, beef/swear words, absence of live performances, piracy, lack of music videos, and no radio air play.

“You see, most artists don’t understand the industry.

They just want to blow. They don’t think of the market which they must understand first. Part of understanding the market is that you must do songs that are for specific occasions like weddings.

“If you do a wedding song, it’ll ensure that you are always able to get one wedding or the other to perform at.

The same thing with a birthday song. In understanding the market, you must learn from the people before you.

You must listen to your competition and do songs that will outlive the trends as showbiz is dynamic and if you stick to the same style, you’ll get lost.”

He then explained that his ability to evolve is what has kept him relevant for over twenty-five years in the game.

“When I started, I was able to realise fast that people didn’t have the patience for long jokes so I started giving them quick, short jokes, basically yabis, that I’ll yab someone, everyone laughs and I’ve moved on fast to another joke.”

Concluding, he added that humility is very important for success. “You have to be very humble at all times to make it in this game and stay successful. I remember that when I started making more money than many other entertainers, I didn’t start being arrogant because I knew I was making more money than them.

“For instance, there was a show by Satzenbrau back then that I was paid N1.5m and Fela was paid N500,000.

Fela was bigger than me and I got more money than him, but I didn’t let it go to my head. So, humility is very important.”

26

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cossy Orjiakor embarrasses herself … posts insulting visa online

N

igerian celebrities really know how to let themselves down.

Though they see themselves as celebrities, and they are celebrities actually to Nigerians and in Nigeria-andAfrica-related circles, they don’t really know what it means to be a celebrity so they really let themselves down badly.

A very good example of a so-called celebrity who should be ashamed of herself right now is actress and singer Cossy Orjiakor.

She’s definitely a celebrity in Nigeria.

She’s a household name, albeit in a salacious manner because she has a very big bosom and she flaunts it brazenly.

It’s therefore shocking that considering her celebrity status, she was so ecstatic at being issued a visa to enter Germany that she posted a picture of

the visa online, making it seem as if being issued a visa is such a big deal.

Frankly, such an action is unbecoming of a star. An American star would definitely not post a picture of his visa to another country online because he would see it as only his due to be granted the visa of any country he or she applies for.

To make matters worse, the German embassy insulted her by issuing her with a visa for just 25 days permission to be in their country, and if Orjiakor really thinks about it, she should just realize with her celebrity status, the German embassy should have issued her with a long-stay visa, so she shouldn’t be flaunting a visa that makes it obvious that her celebrity status is not respected by the German embassy.

Mercy Johnson defiant over baby No. 3

I

t’s said that everything that has a good side must have a bad side.

The above adage applies to popular actress, Mercy Johnson, right now, as she’s receiving a lot of flak for being pregnant for the third time when her second child is not even a year old yet.

Children are very important in our society, and people are encouraged to have children. That’s the good side for Johnson.

The bad side for her, though, is the timing of her latest conception.

Johnson is not however ready to just take the flak which should be making her feel ashamed and defensive. She has therefore chosen to be defiant and return fire for fire to all those on her case.

Speaking with Goldmyne TV, “I am expecting my third child and I’m a married person so I don’t think people should ask me why. I understand the ethics of spacing kids but I’m a married person and an adult. I can decide the way I want to live my life.

“So yes, I’m having my third baby very soon. Thank you so much for the good wishes, thank you so much for the hate speeches but save some of the hate speeches because the fourth will soon come to round it up then you can show your anger then but for now it’s good news let’s celebrate.”

Orjiakor

Dakore trends

Dakore

P Johnson

opular actress, Dakore Egbuson, who has adopted a low profile since her marriage to Olumide Akande, is back in the news again.

She’s currently trending over her appearance at an event in Lagos over the

weekend because of her outfit.

The mother of two, who was one of Nollywood’s busiest actress before her marriage, hasn’t lost any bit of the beauty and shape that made her into a star.

If anything, she’s better looking.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A

s the indigenous Ankara fabric continues to rule the fashion scene both at home and abroad, African designers all over the world are also set to be at their best as they keep experimenting with it.

One of their latest creation that turns out so uniquely is this one tagged Kitenge by a designer called Evelyn Rugemalira. With just a deep look at the fabric and many designs that her counterparts have come up with, she decided to create an uncommon collection that combines the Ankara fabric with our dear denim material. “ The denim s a strong fabric that we discovered very friendly and uplifting with other fabrics especially the Ankara fabric. All we need to do is to get them in their different colours and add a touch of the colourful Ankara in our own way to make a unique outfits for our dear clients,� she said.

Just take a look at some of the designs and have a feel. What do you say? We are simply waoed by this collection.

Kitenge love from

Eve

27

September 19, 2015

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

28

STYLE & GLAM

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

E

veryone wants to tell a sweet, fairy tale with her appearance anytime she steps out for an outing. Such stories they wish to linger on in their beholders’ minds for a very long time. This is why each day is a new day of adventure for a stylish lady. If you are yet to catch this bug but you aspire to do, here are ways to add a little sizzle to your look.

Wear an exotic look. Adding unexpected touches to whatever you choose to wear and making your little essentials very glamorous makes you look sexy and irresistible any day. This may be an unusual touch on your outfit by your designer and a red or one colourful lipstick and other accessories as much as possible.

Consider your skin Pick fabrics that feel great against your skin.

Be bold to show some skin, either on the upper side or the lower side. Just be sure it is the area where your endowment is more pronounced.

Accessorize with shoulder-duster earrings. Skip every other piece of jewellery, pull your hair back and make sure your makeup stays soft. This look goes great with bare shoulders and updos, too. Definitely an after-dark look.

Wear shades. Perhaps the single sexiest item you can own are a great pair of sunglasses. They add tons of mystery, look cute even on top of your head and actually serve the practical purpose of protecting your eyes.

Make a grand exit. Sexy is all about surprises, so a deceptively simple dress from the front can be a showstopper in the back.

Open backs, lace-up backs, great dress trains all make for dramatic effects.

Stay soft with touchable fabrics. Forget everything you’ve ever heard about hardcore leathers or sparkly sequins being heat-inducing. Cashmere, silky satin, buttery soft suedes are the real scene-stealers.

Touchable fabrics not only invite another’s touch, they have the added bonus of feeling great against your skin so you feel pampered.

Be suggestive.No need to bare your breasts, even with lace.

Nude linings, camisoles and slips all keep you covered while the lace itself stays really suggestive.

h c t a C

d a e th

Fashion

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

n frenzy

September 19, 2015

STYLE & GLAM

g u b e r u t n e v d

n frenzy

29

B

Fashion Guest

30

STYLE & GLAM

‘Dressing nude portrays recklessness’

Gbadebo Motunrayo is one model with a big dream.

She says, “Those who pose nude have no belief in and value for themselves; they have no regard for their tomorrow. They are reckless and desperate.

Only a reckless lady will attempt nude posing”, she told YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview.

Isn’t it strange to find a political science student in modelling?

I don’t think it is any strange. I have always loved modelling as a child. I love to do pageantries during my primary and secondary days and it had always given me fun.

After a while, I took interest in watching Nigeria’s Next Top Models from where my inspiration and motivation got prompted. This has nothing to do with the course I’m studying in the university at all.

Modelling is a career I’m strongly passionate about and I plan to make a big success out of it. It is what I love to do and it comes easier for me.

I am definitely not the only person that is into something totally different from what his or certificate reads.

We all have our dreams, this is mine and I intend to follow it to a logical conclusion.

Are your parents in support of this?

Yes, they are fully in support.

What are the challenges you face on this job?

Going for auditions and not being picked. Besides, we face lots of sexual harassment.

How have you been handling this?

There’s no job that doesn’t have its challenges. I took it as my own challenge and made up my mind not to waver because of that. I have my dream to realise and nothing, no one can stop me.

What exactly is this dream about?

My dream is big and I believe that soon my success story will be on the lips of everyone around the globe.

That sounds huge. Would you attempt posing nude to have this dream realised?

No amount of money can prompt me to do that, I just can’t.

I am determined to make it big via hard work and God’s support.

What’s your opinion about those who pose nude?

They have no focus. They have no belief and value for themselves, they have no regard for their tomorrow. They are reckless and desperate. Only a reckless lady will attempt nude posing.

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nine counterintuitive health tips that work

Many methods to improve your health are pretty straightforward. Others, however, are totally counterintuitive. The following nine tips really do work -- but they may leave you scratching your head.

Drink coffee to have a better nap. In a Japanese study that examined how to make the most of a nap, people who took a “coffee nap” -- consuming about 200 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in one to two cups of coffee) and then immediately taking a 20-minute rest -- felt more alert and performed better on computer tests than those who only took a nap.

For healthy teeth, don’t brush after eating. Don’t brush your teeth immediately after acidic meals and drinks.

Citrus fruits, sports drinks, tomatoes, soda (both diet and regular) can soften tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth at this stage can speed up acid’s effect on your enamel and erode the layer under neath.

Wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing.

To eat less, eat more. Grabbing a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies may seem virtuous, but it’s more likely to make you hungrier than if you ate something more substantial, Eating small amounts of carbohydrates does nothing but spike your blood sugar and make you hungrier. But protein and fat help you get full faster and stay full longer -- and you end up eating fewer calories overall.

Skip energy drinks when you’re tired. Energy drinks contain up to five times more caffeine than coffee, but the boost they provide is fleeting and comes with unpleasant side effects like nervousness, irritability, and rapid heartbeat. Plus, energy drinks often contain high levels of taurine, a central nervous system stimulant, and upwards of 50 grams of sugar per can (that’s 13 teaspoons worth!). The sweet stuff spikes blood sugar temporarily, only to crash soon after, leaving you sluggish and foggy-headed -- and reaching for another energy drink.

Drink water when you’re bloated. When you feel bloated, drinking

water sounds as if it would only make matters worse, but it can often help. If you’re on a high-fiber diet, for instance, then your body needs more water to work more efficiently. Water mixes with water soluble fiber and makes it into a gel like substance. This affects the motility of the gut and reduces the symptoms of bloating. Drinking more water also relieves bloating caused by dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body clings to the water your body does have, causing you to puff up.

Ditch diet soda to lose weight.

You should ditch all soda, including diet, if you are keen on loosing weight. A University of Texas study found that diet soda drinkers had a 70 percent greater increase in waist circumference than non-drinkers over the course of about 10 years.

In addition, many people think ‘low-fat,’ ‘low-sugar’ or ‘light’ means fewer calories, but that’s not always true. Typically, when manufacturers cut something out and the end result tastes just as good, they’ve added something like additional sugar.

Drink a hot beverage to cool off.

When you sip a hot beverage, your body senses the change in temperature and increases your sweat production. Then, as the sweat evaporates from your skin, you cool off naturally.

Exercise when you’re tired. After a long, exhausting workday, exercising sounds like the last thing you’d want to do, but getting your sweat on will actually energize you. Everything we do uses oxygen, so when you exercise it helps you work more efficiently and you don’t tire as easily.

Ditch antibacterial soap to prevent illness. Reaching for the soap bottle labeled “antibacterial” won’t necessarily reduce your risk of getting sick or passing illness to others -- in fact, there is no evidence that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular ones. What’s more, long-term exposure to some ingredients in these products, such as triclosan, may pose health risks like bacterial resistance or hormonal effects.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

September 19, 2015

Male Essentials

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

Should you shave your armpits?

Thousands of guys say it’s completely normal (and necessary)

I

s it manly to have a full mane under your arm? Readers of Men’s Health US voted, and the answer was clear: yes, men should absolutely shave their armpits. At least sometimes.

Of the 4,044 men surveyed, 68 percent said they trim their armpit hair; 52 percent said they do it for aesthetics, and 16 percent said they do it for athletic reasons.

(Interestingly, only 1 in 10 guys surveyed said they never trim their armpit hair.)

Five or ten years ago, the answers to this survey would be very different, speculates Craig Whitely, Hollywood’s leading expert on all things male grooming. Whitely (who goes by Craig the Barber) says that the manscaping push in recent years isn’t contained just to pubic hair.

“If you’re already doing some form of manscaping and you’ve got your shaver out, why not keep going?” he says.

Now, you may not think it’s manly to trim your armpits, and that’s all good. But humour us and take an objective look at your pits: if you have giant tufts of hair emerging from under your arms, you may want to reconsider.

While we didn’t survey women, we did informally ask several, all of who said heavy armpit hair is “disgusting.”

Interestingly, science isn’t certain why guys have armpit hair. It’s possible it was once used in attracting a mate, says Dan-

iel Lieberman, Ph.D., professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University.

Your underarm has a lot of apocrine glands, which produce sweat. This perspiration is made up of steroids, lipids, proteins, and other chemicals that can communicate “information.”

So, for example, your ancestors might have needed that armpit hair to trap their sweaty scent for attracting a mate. But that’s almost definitely not working for you today. Here are three steps to groom-

ing your armpit hair with ease.

Trim it wet You can cut it dry, but Whitely recommends that you use a waterproof body hair trimmer and do it in the shower. Hot water softens the hair and reduces the risk of pulled hair or nicks, he says.

Keep it short If you have hair on the straighter side, Whitely recommends cutting down to an inch or a little less, but keep at least threefourths of an inch left to prevent prickly, scratchy hair.

If you have curly hair, Whitely says you can go as low as one-eighth of an inch. Using a Number 1 comb guard will do the trick, giving you smooth hair that won’t irritate your skin.

You could shave it completely, but now you’re asking to be attacked by your gym buddies. And frankly, it’s more hassle that you don’t need.

Don’t skimp on aftercare After trimming, use an unscented shave balm. (Make sure it’s not alcoholbased, since underarm skin is sensitive.)

Wait two to three minutes before you apply deodorant.

32

September 19, 2015

Male

Relatio

Angle

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

T

Why do m

Plenty of reasons!

his is the perennial question which women have tortured themselves with since time immemorial. Truly, why do we cheat? To prove something? To boost our ego or because we can?

Boredom? Thrill of the chase, Sex? Companionship? Affection?

There are a thousand and one reasons why people cheat and men are no exception. Some, when they no longer feel satisfied or stimulated in their current relationships, will opt for cheating because they are too cowardly to end the relationship. Some men cheat because they think they can get away with it. Some will stray outside the confines of long-term relationships to remember what it was like to be desirable and to feel free. For some, it is that the woman’s sex drive is not what it used to be when the relationship first started. Also, lack of good communication and commitment with the spouse or girlfriend can lead a man to cheat.

Let’s try not to forget, cheating in any relationship is not just the forte of men alone. Both gender cheat. It is only that the society is more accepting of men when they cheat.

I’ve found out that when men cheat, it’s either one of two things; either a mistake, something that happened in a moment of weakness or, they are unhappy in their current relationship and either want out and have decided to take the easy way out, or are having a hard time communicating about the problem with spouses who they feel are not listening or ready to change in their ways. A man’s self image is largely attached to his sexual prowess and he often will feel betrayed when his spouse’s early, expressed desires for him in the bedroom is replaced with indifference and boredom due to child birth or domestic chores which have replaced the affections initially shown during courtship. A man might cheat in this scenario.

Some men may cheat as part of a pattern of self-destructive behaviour due to a lowered self-esteem.

This may come about as a result of what that man may have seen while growing up. Dad cheated and got away with it, so can I. At times it may even be that their value system may have been influenced while growing up by yet another person with poor and selfish or tacky nasty judgement.

How can this be reduced or

stopped? The solution, from my perspective is true and timely communication, not just talking. If a woman feels that she is becoming emotionally indifferent to her man, she should be ready to search her mind to know what may be the problem. As pointed out above, stress reduces libido for a lot of people, especially women. In this scenario, she should try to reduce what is causing the stress and be communicative about it with her man. A lot of women will say that not all men understand their problems. Yes we don’t and pretending otherwise is foolish. What we ask is that you make us understand. We are not mind readers. If a woman wants something different from our usual bedroom antics, she should also come out to say it. Keeping it from us to spare us embarrassment, or to spare our feelings, is poison. It takes courage, commitment, and quick and timely effective communication to work things out.

It is a myth to think that all men cheat. Contrary to popular belief there are some successful relationships, but the bad apples are spoiling the names of the others in the bunch. We are living in a society that has been permissive of this for men for a long time. People are no longer trying to make things work anymore. It is easier to sulk, get angry and find any excuse to leave a spouse or girlfriend and go after new conquests.

Not all cheaters are in it just for the sex. Methinks a lot of the time; what is actually happening is that cheaters are looking for something ephemeral that they aren’t getting at home or while in the company of their other halves, such as love, the need to feel wanted, friendship, companionship or even the need to feel appreciated.

To me, the time spent trying to hide the affair and the thoughts involved with making up lies and other excuses can be spent investing in the relationship and trying to make it better. Most times women even encourage the cheating because they pretend that things are alright in the relationship, even when they know otherwise.

The fear of what may happen after the confrontation, what family and friends will say and also the feelings of inadequacy are all factors women unconsciously have to deal with.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Why do men watch porn?

What’s with men and their porn addiction? Are you a woman who wonders why men watch porn the way they do? Well, here’s an explanation that’ll put your mind at ease.

M

ost women have a problem with men and their interest in pornography. Somehow, realising that their man ogles other women in the nude seems to piss them off. Well, any normal woman would be pretty pissed off by this.

While men think porn is sexy, women think it’s obscene and tacky. Men think porn is a way to see many more naked women without really being unfaithful. Women think watching porn is infidelity! Now, not all men and all women feel this way. But certainly, most of them do.

a few that could help you understand his interest in all things naked.

A man could sit up in bed and stare at the beautiful woman sleeping in bed with him, and he may do that too. But he could do that anytime he wants, so really, where’s the novelty in that?

Women should know that most men don’t watch porn every single night. They do it now and then, most often when they’re feeling bored. And even when they watch naked women online or in tapes, they don’t always see the same girls again and again.

He thinks it adds to the pleasure of masturbation

Why can’t a man just watch his woman in bed?

Why do men like porn?

Men like porn for a lot of reasons. Here are

He gets to see more boobs

A man can never see enough of boobs. All breasts may seem like the same for women, but those subtle dissimilarities between one pair and another make the men want to see all of them.

He gets to learn new things in bed

Most of the time, men watch porn only to satisfy themselves. But every now and then, men watch porn because it’s funny or completely unique. It’s a fun pastime that men enjoy.

Almost all men have spent a big part of their single life with the little boy in their pants. And every now and then, he misses the times he’s spent with the little guy. Hanging out with his hands in his shorts can at times, even feel a lot better than sex. There’s no stress, and the fun time can stretch on for hours. And the best part, he gets to see so many naked women while having fun at the same time.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

RELATIONSHIPS

September 19, 2015

onships

Female

M

He is curious Every time a man sees an attractive and desirable woman, one of the first things he does is wonder how she looks beneath her clothes. With so much curiosity, it’s easy to imagine why men can’t wait to see and learn about different women’s body parts.

Will your guy watching porn affect your relationship?

No. His interest in watching porn has nothing to do with the relationship status.

To a man, porn isn’t his way of cheating on you or fantasising about other women.

It’s just one of his favorite pastimes when he’s feeling restless or bored.

But will he ever compare you to a porn star he likes? It’s obvious he will. Has he ever asked you to try something new or kinky in bed all of a sudden? It’s probably an inspiration from pornography. But whether he compares you or not, a man’s mind is developed enough to realise that what he sees in porn isn’t real, at least to him. It’s just a fantasy girl stripping herself off and moaning at everything she sees. And men like it!

Will he love you less because he sees other naked women?

No. Somehow, watching porn doesn’t seem to affect most men, unless they’re addicted to it and can’t live without it.

No research or scientist has been able to conclusively prove the real reason behind why men like porn just yet. Perhaps, it’s just his desire to see more naked women

This column is x-rated and feel good about it. After all, no man is ever satisfied with the number of naked women he sees in his lifetime.

Should a woman be bothered by his curiosity?

Don’t be. Men hardly ever think their interest in porn qualifies as cheating.

Instead, cuddle up with him and watch a few movies yourself.

Think of it this way: A woman watches romantic movies all the time. And she would definitely be able to relate to the feelings of love and affection the actors share on screen. A woman may enjoy the movie, but does that mean she’s falling for the actor in the movie because she felt all those emotions?

She may even wish her man was more like the romantic actor in the movie. But does that really change anything in real life? No! And that’s the same thing with men and porn. They may watch women flaunting their assets in pornography, but they soon forget all about it.

Now that you know why men watch porn, relax and stop worrying about it. It’s just a movie and those boobs are just another pair of several breasts that he’ll admire in his lifetime. At the end of the day, you’re the beautiful woman he sleeps with and he likes his life just the way it is!

Well…hopefully!

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

men stray?

This column is x-rated

33

For no good reason!

en are polygamous by nature, according to many schools of thought. People even quote the Bible verse that talks about seven women clinging to one man, as a justification for men’s propensity to have intimate dealings with more than one woman. However, is this ‘scientifically proven’ propensity enough justification for a man to make his wife/fiancé/girlfriend just one of the many?

There are lots of men who have lovely wives and children (every man’s dream), yet these men fish outside their ponds.

Sometimes, one wonders whether the lovely wife and children are just a façade or that the man is just plain crazy. The sad thing is that in most ‘cheating games’, ‘the other woman’ is no match for the main woman’s beauty and brains. How do you think a woman will feel when she finds out that ‘the other woman’ is her housemaid, her husband’s secretary or just one little campus girl?

Another heartbreaking angle is the cheating game which involves the woman’s friend, colleague or relative. You’d want to conduct a surgery to verify if these women actually have hearts! Let’s identify some of the reasons that have been given in some attempts to explain why men cheat.

1.

It’s natural for men to cheat – I call this the number 1 fib. People claim that by a man’s biological make-up, he is wired to ‘flow’ with more than one woman simultaneously. The ‘hunter’ in every man makes him want to move to a ‘new’ woman when he is done with the ‘old’. My opinion? This lame excuse is for immature men who don’t understand love and commitment.

2.

Men crave sexual ‘variety’ – Its annoying, but some men actually talk about women as if they are describing different flavours of ice cream or types of wine. It is so bad that men have as many women as the ties in their closet. They marry the favourite or most faithful tie, and then they keep the rest for occasional use. Nasty!

3.

Men like to play with fire – Some men just like treading on dangerous ground. They like the hide and seek that cheating entails. It excites them. How crazy!

4.

Love and sex are not the same thing – Researchers say that men tend to separate love from sex in their brains.

Some men claim that they still love their wives, and all they go out to get is sex, not love. What a joke!

5.

Their women don’t give them what they desire – Some men stray because they are unhappy with their partners. Its either their women don’t give them the emotional or sexual satisfaction they desire, or they are unable to bear children (Hmmmm! In most cases, it’s the men that are the cause).

6.

Some women seem to lose their

‘spark’ after a while – Every man wants an attractive mate. They tend to lose interest when the women gradually lose the looks that got the men chasing. Some women blow up after childbirth and never make efforts to bounce back to shape, while some just don’t bother with the way they look or smell (especially after cooking!). Women, please don’t let this be.

7.

Their women nag a lot – Remember the Bible verse which says it is better for a man to dwell on a rooftop than to live with a nagging woman? It is very true! When a man avoids his home because he wants peace of mind, it is very easy for him to find a ‘peaceful woman’ with whom he can share his intimate moments. Nagging women, please repent.

8.

Men are lured by what they see – It is true that you attract a man through his eyes, but you win woman’s heart through her ears. The miniskirts and low tops don’t help matters these days.

9.

There are lots of ‘cheap’ and ‘willing’ women out there – True, some men don’t set out to cheat; instead, they are ‘led astray’ by cheap seductresses who are willing to remain concubines for life.

The list is endless, but I doubt that any of the reasons given can be strong enough to justify the escapades of a straying spouse. Sometimes, the victims (women whose men cheat) end up blaming themselves for the flings or affairs.

They ask themselves: What did I do to make him cheat? Does he still love me?

Can we still work things out?

No doubt, a woman can increase a man’s temptation to ‘drink from another woman’s well’ by her unattractive looks, bad attitude, or her reluctance to create a romantic and peaceful atmosphere at home.

However, I strongly believe that the final decision to cheat is entirely under the man’s control, and no man should blame his ‘fall’ on anyone but himself. I have heard some people say that some flings ‘happened so fast’ and I wonder whether it makes any sense.

What can be too fast for a man to exercise his will power? Why should anyone equate the speed of seduction or temptation with the speed of lightning? Even in the heat of passion, a man can still exercise his will power. Imagine if a woman tells a man she has HIV in the heat of passion? Even if it is a joke, his eyes will clear and he will run faster than Mary Onyeali.

If we put the blame on men’s natural tendency to cheat, then we dare not criticize robbers for stealing. The temptation to steal is only natural. The bottom line is this: cheating is the result of a decision which one has enough time to make, and a man is truly strong and responsible when he can stick to one woman.

So, can there ever be a good reason for men to cheat? Absolutely not!

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Woman

‘Polygamy is not good for children’ Dr (Mrs) Comfort Olawumi Adeniyi is a lectu rer in the Mathema tics Depa rtment of the Un iversity of Lagos, A koka, Lag os.

She spok e with YE MISI ADENIRA N on poly gamy and why women s hould avoid bein g full-time housewiv es.. Exce rpts:

Where did you grow up and what are some of the fond memories you would love to share?

I grew up in a village called Aba Rabiu in Osun State. It used to be a small settlement, very close to Ifetedo, I don’t know how big it is right now. We lived a kind of routine life. Once we woke up in the morning, we would quickly prepare to go to school and when school closed for the day, we would come home, ate whatever food that was available and leave again for the farm. We

used to have uniforms for farming time, so, immediately we come back from school, we promptly put on our farm uniforms and go the farm where we would have the remaining lesson of the day.

Was there another school on the farm?

Not the regular school session that we are all used to. What I mean by that is that we were exposed to two kinds of school.

The regular school session and the farming school. The morning period was for the former where we studied the white

man’s lessons while the evening time was spent on the farm where we were taught the practical aspect of Agriculture. I come from a very humble background, my parents were farmers who knew nothing but farming and they made up their minds to show us this particular way. As far as they were concerned, the knowledge of book is not complete without the knowledge of farming. Whether their child was a man or a woman, they believed he or she must be able to till the ground and found a means of

feeding or livelihood by it.

Did you enjoy the experience especially as a girl?

Why not? I did. It was what I knew, it was what I found even my mother and other females in the family did, so, I saw farming as part of me and followed suit. I must tell you that this has a great effect on my adulthood and my general perspective about life.

Can you tell us some of the ways this has influenced you up till today?

Like I said, my parents were not discriminatory about their children’s sex.

They rated us the same way and had an equal expectation from us all. This was unlike the general belief of an African man.

As far as an African man believes, a male child is better and is worth a million more than a female child. An African man, therefore, would go the extra mile if not to the extreme, to have male children so as to help him on his many farm lands and also carry on with his name after he might have died.

My father, though uneducated or illiterate because he was not exposed to westernization in any form, saw beyond this belief. He saw and related with all his children equally. If you were better on the farm or you impressed him in any way, he would commend you and compensate you in his own way which would not only encouraged you to do more but would make you the envy of others. As I grew up, I saw myself not as a second class person as women are generally made to see themselves. I believe so much in myself and what I can do for myself to stand out and be a child to be proud of and that is why you will discover that I am always found in the business of men. In school, I would compete with boys so much that it was only my features that could give me up as a female. I gave boys the stiffest push of their lives such that I was one of

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September 19, 2015

Polygamy is not good or healthy for children. it breeds hostility, envy, suspicion, hatred, strife and all kinds of wickedness them whenever it was time to make decisions. When it was time to choose a class, I refused to choose arts subjects or go to the arts class because I saw arts as for girls. I never saw myself as a weakling. In any case, I never saw myself in the arts class all those while. I knew the science class is for the tough and the brilliants and I had eyed it, made up my mind to be a scientist and I thank God that I did not disappoint myself.

You know I would have been the laughing stock of my female counterparts and even the males who believed there were some things I did that should have been left for the boys. To the glory of God, I passed all my papers with upper grades and I was admitted into the University. I decided to love mathematics because I saw that a lot of people always run from the subject. I never saw it as any big deal and faced with the way I faced other subjects. It was made for man and not the other way round. Today, I am the Head of the Department of Mathematics at the Kwara State College of Education; Oro which I believe wouldn’t have been possible if I had been in other fields. In those days, a lot of people run away from Mathematics for other subjects that they believed were easier, so, those subjects, of course, got flooded with people and the opportunities therein became very limited. I thank God for this and the efforts of my parents at raising me up to be tough.

Besides this, generally, I don’t also see any difference in the sex of my children. I am blessed with four kids, boys and girls and I see them all as equal. I believe strongly in the saying of what a man can do, a woman can also do. So, I allow them all the same opportunity while I await an equal feedback.

Other things I learnt from my parents are hard work, honesty, discipline and selflessness. We were taught to put others first in whatever we do and these are part of me.

Is there anything you hate about your parents?

Yes. They were too strict, they beat us at will.

How large was your family when you were growing up?

It was a bit large because my father kept a polygamous home. He had two wives and eleven children. I call it not so large because there were monogamous homes where a man and his wife had 12 children.

How would you describe your polygamous experience?

It was not very palatable. Although we all lived together, our relationships was not as smooth and free as it would have been had we all been born by one woman. Polygamy is not good or healthy for children, it breeds lots of havoc. Hostility, envy, suspicion, hatred, strife and all kinds of wickedness are abound. I will never advise or encourage any sane man or woman to be involved in any no matter how juicy it feels. I do not support polygamy because it does promote love among the children and entire family.

How contented are you with this lecturing

career?

My dream in life is to build the younger generation and I thank God that my teaching life has offered me the maximum opportunity of doing this. Before I became a lecturer, I had taught in some secondary schools before and the joy of contributing to a child’s positive future is incomparable.

Teaching has been my long term ambition. I am a fulfilled teacher, I am proud to be one any time.

What’s your experience been with your male contemporaries?

It’s not been funny but it’s not been any big deal too. Generally, you know men usually don’t like women to lead them but if the leading woman is competent, friendly and hardworking, she will definitely be successful in leading both men and women counterparts.

Why do you think many students don’t like mathematics?

The reasons are numerous, most people are misinformed about the subject and this has made them concluded that it is a difficult subject, whereas it is not.

Mathematics demands constant practice which some people cannot afford to do.

There is also the problem of incompetent mathematics teachers. Some mathematics teachers just know it but they cannot teach it. Some take delight in scaring their students with talks like, Maths is not an easy subject, if you fail maths, you cannot get anywhere and so on. This usually plants a negative perception of the subject in the mind of the learner which is not good.

Lack of adequate text books is another reason why people run away from the subject.

Maths is very easy if we will have the right mindset, it is a subject that you don’t have to read or write voluminous things. Very straight forward and wastes no one’s time.

If parents and teachers will take their time to work on the minds of their wards, more students will be in love with the subject.

What advice do you have for the younger generation?

They should be more active and dedicated to their work. The youths of today, unfortunately, are lazy and seek the cheapest way to enrich themselves. This is why we have a high level of crime. They don’t want to study hard, they want to be at special centres where they will freely cheat and get into the universities. They should believe in themselves, there are potentials lying within them to take them to the top.

This, they must know and invest in. They should do the right thing at the right time, they should focus on what they want to become in life and work towards achieving it.

Why do you think most female lecturers don’t have a settle home?

It is nothing but laziness and pride. I see no reason why a woman will say because she is well read and lectures will not give attention to her home. I have been married for over fifteen yeras and I don’t pray for a broken home. Work has an expiry date but your home and immediate family remains yours and with you until you die.

What’s your opinion about full time housewife?

I do not support it because the wife is supposed to lift up the husband’s hands in all areas including in finances. What if the man dies suddenly, how does she run the home without being ridiculed? The sudden death of a husband whose wife is not working can put the whole family into a life of suffering, it can destabilise the entire future of the children and even the wife.

What advice do you have for parents generally?

They should create time for their children, give them solid educational background, sound moral teaching and live a life that is worthy of emulation.

Keeping ABREAST A girl’s best friend!

Flawless blue diamond set to fetch £35m at auction

• Blue Moon Diamond - a 12.03 carat jewel, becomes world’s most expensive gemstone • Sotheby’s estimates the cushion cut diamond will sell for up to $55million • Current world record is $46.1million (£29.7million) for a pink

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flawless blue diamond is set to become the world’s most expensive gemstone when it goes up for auction.

The Blue Moon Diamond – named for its colour and extreme rarity – is a 12.03 carat jewel which is expected to sell for up to £35million.

It has been assessed as internally flawless and gem experts say its extraordinary clarity, combined with its vivid ocean blue colour, make it one of the world’s rarest stones.

Sotheby’s estimates the cushion cut diamond will sell for up to $55million (£35million) at auction in November.

That price would smash the current world record of $46.1million (£29.7million) paid for a pink diamond, the 24.78 carat Graff Pink, in 2010.

Natural coloured diamonds are known in the jewel industry as fancy diamonds and have commanded some of the highest prices ever reached for loose gemstones.

They are so rare that only one in every 10,000 diamonds has a fancy colour, which can include red, orange, green, blue and pink.

The Blue Moon was discovered in January 2014 in the Cullinan Mine in South Africa, which has produced some of the world’s best-known diamonds.

As a rough, uncut diamond of almost 30 carats, it was bought for $25.6million (£16.5million) by diamond company Cora International.

The firm spent six months cutting

and polishing the gem, which now measures 15.57mm by 13.47mm (0.61 inches by 0.53 inches).

The intricate process was fraught with difficulty as a single mistake could have shattered the gemstone.

Now 12.03 carats, it is not one of the largest diamonds ever cut but is said to be remarkably vivid in colour and has been on display in the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.

David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s international jewellery division, said: “The Blue Moon diamond is a simply sensational stone of perfect colour and purity.

“Blue, for me, is the most mysterious and magical of all the colours of diamond, and the Blue Moon will now take its place among the most famous gems in the world.”

The diamond will be sold at the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva on November 11.

Are you interested? And why not!

Parenting

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September 19, 2015

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

Ten ways to love your ten-year-old girl M

anaging kids is a taxing job any day no matter the age of the child involved. When they clock ten particularly, the job gets tougher.

For girls, the responsibility is more enormous. However, you shouldn’t worry your head so much about this because all you need to do is love her. Here are some ways to love a 10 year old today and everyday as she enters a new chapter of her growing up adventure.

1. Put her at the head of the table. Your girl has things to say and she needs an audience.

By making sure she gets a turn now and then at the head of the table, you let her and your family know it’s totally okay for your girl to command the attention of a room. You’ll be surprised at how savvy she is and how much she has to say about things that matter to you, too.

2. Ask her to tell you her dreams and take notes. Inside every mother is a ten year old girl trying to get out. Now is the time to give her hopes and aspirations full airtime--these tender dreams hold the keys to the truest version of her best self. Don’t be scared if she says she wants to be the next Hannah Montana touring the globe--little girl rockstar dreams have more to do with the deep wish to be seen and respected

than anything else.

3. Let her glory in every single moment of inflated selfconfidence. Did she make the honour roll? Discover she can swim the length of the pool after all? Let her run with her happiness and pride as far as it will take her. Too often we encourage our girls to be demure and modest when a healthy dose of uberconfidence will take her so much further.

4. Ask other people to be quiet so she can finish her story. She’s chatty, yes, but wouldn’t you rather know every last thing on her heart instead of watch her sulk in the back of the car?

Turn off your need to get her in line and take a turn listening to the twists and turn of her drama-loving life.

5. Indulge her promiscuous love of books. Turn her curiosity about grown-up things into a sophisticated knowledge of good literature. Now is the time to introduce her to the tried and true favourites of your own girlhood along with some new titles that will stretch her mind 6. Turn up the music.

Though her kind of music is far different from yours, you need to play along to get the best out of her. There’s a certain kind of joy for her in this that you just can’t duplicate anywhere else.

7. Remind her she doesn’t have to be in a hurry to grow up. She’s trying out her power moves, I know--groaning and moaning when you ask the simplest thing or waiting to see if you’ll lose it if she dares give you the eye roll. Don’t forget that underneath all that attitude is a little girl who probably still needs to sit on your lap, to have you brush out her hair or hold her every once in a while as she drifts gently off to sleep. Be bold in asking for hugs and insisting on tenderness between you in quiet moments. She needs it and you do, too.

8. Institute girls’ night out.

Admit it, there’s a part of you that is dying to see the latest, greatest girl movie with all the cheese whiz and over-the-top acting. Here’s your chance to do girlhood all over again, so do it right by giving your girl all the things you missed the first time around-time alone with your mother learning what it means to be a girl from her unique perspective.

9. Be her best cover. She’s keenly aware of where your family rules fall in the continuum of lenient to strict in the kid stratosphere. Help her navigate the differences by being her best excuse when the invitations on the table feel inappropriate for your family’s sense of sensibility. The

same works in reverse when she knows your invitation will be met with reserve by more cautious parents. Let her know you’ll help

her not be embarrassed by the inevitable disconnects.

10. Dance with your girl like you are her mate. She’ll love laughing at your moves and you’ll be delighted to learn as she shows you a thing or two. Let her see it’s okay to be silly, to not do it right and to let your heart go-especially for the sake of goodhearted fun.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Oyindamola Olanrewaju BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs. Olanrewaju, AGE: 8 days old BIRTH WEIGHT: 4.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

linked with ParentingUpdate Caffeine miscarriage – Study

H

igh doses of daily caffeine during pregnancy -- whether from coffee, tea, caffeinated soda or hot chocolate cause an increased risk of miscarriage, according a new study .

The study controlled, for the first time, pregnancy-related symptoms of nausea, vomiting and caffeine aversion that tended to interfere with the determination of caffeine’s true effect on miscarriage risk.

While previous research showed a link between caffeine consumption and miscarriage, this is the first study to thoroughly control for morning sickness, which typically causes many women to avoid caffeine, explained the lead researcher.

“This study strengthens the association between caffeine and miscarriage risk because it removes speculation that the association was due to reduced caffeine intake by healthy pregnant wom-

en,” he said.

To address that speculation, the study, which looked at 1,063 pregnant women, examined the caffeine effect among women who never changed their pattern of caffeine consumption during their pregnancy.

Women who consumed 200 mg or more of caffeine per day (two or more cups of regular coffee or five 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda) had twice the miscarriage risk as women who consumed no caffeine, said Li. Women who consumed less than 200 mg of caffeine daily had more than 40 percent increased risk of miscarriage.

The increased risk of miscarriage appeared to be due to the caffeine itself, rather than other possible chemicals in coffee because caffeine intake from non-coffee sources such as caffeinated soda, tea and hot chocolate showed a similar increased risk of miscarriage.

“The main message for pregnant women from these findings is that they probably should consider stopping caffeine consumption during pregnancy because this research provides clearer and stronger evidence that high doses of caffeine intake during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage,” said the lead author.

The reasons that caffeine can harm a foetus have been suspected for some time.

Caffeine crosses through the placenta to the foetus, but can be difficult for the foetus to metabolize because of the under-devel-

oped metabolic system. Caffeine also may influence cell development and decrease placental blood flow, which may lead to an adverse effect on festal development.

Women in the study were asked about their intake of caffeinated beverages as well as the type of their drinks, timing of initial drink, the frequency and amount of intake, and whether they changed consumption patterns since becoming pregnant. Sources of caffeine included coffee, tea, caffeinated soda and hot chocolate.

“If you definitely need caffeine to get you going, try keeping it to one cup or less a day. Avoiding it may be even better. Consider switching to decaffeinated coffee and other decaffeinated beverages during your pregnancy,” said the lead author. “Learn to perk up instead with natural energy boosts like a brisk walk, yoga stretches, snacking on dried fruits and nuts.”

Culled from www.healthlink.com

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LIVING

September 19, 2015

37

Fear reigns as robbers write residents

Eric Elezuo

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ometime in the 80’s, even before the turn of the century, stories have made the rounds of how dare devil armed robbers, had brazenly written to homes, streets and most of the times, an entire community, telling them to expect a visit, even as unwanted guests. Such letters are punctuated with a defined threat of what might likely follow if the so called victim had the effrontery or temerity to report to the Police.

One interesting thing that characterized the threats or self invitations is the fact that the armed robbers never failed to actualize the said threat, sometimes, on the very day promised, and sometime, after some days, supposedly or erroneously known as grace days. And when they do, they operate without disturbance, and disappear just as they appeared.

In Aba, Badia, Okokomaiko, Orile, Ijora, Mushin, Onitsha, Kano, and many other parts of the country, the menace had occurred, but seemed to have died out.

However, today, the threat had reared its ugly head again. This time, in the sleeping town of Mebamu, a community situated off the Badagry Expressway.

In what looks like a repetition of many thinks is a foregone development, alleged robbers were said to have sent a missive to residents of Mebamu, intimating them of a possible attack, or rather visitation. Since them life has not remain the same for the community that was hitherto known to bask in the euphoria of night life, and bus stop bubbling.

The turn of events, according to a resident, who is also a member of the Community Development Association (CDA), but who only wish to be identified as Mike, started at the end of last month when a letter was supposedly sent to the community,

saying that there was an imminent visitation from the men of the underworld, urging every resident to ‘co-operate’ to avoid the use of force which might lead to injuries or lost of life.

According to Mike, who said he saw the letter, but could not produce it as at the time of this interaction, the said robbers did attack, on the first weekend of September which was the night of Saturday, September 5, 2015. Their choiced area was one of the streets in the Community called Owoseni Street.

“This community has been living in peace before now, not like we have not had armed robbery attacks before, but they have never come with this kind of notification, which send jitters in the hearts of residents. When the news made the rounds that robbers sent a missive to the community stating their desire to pay us a ‘visit’, many people waved it aside, many people waved it aside because it is unprecedented.

But like a bolt out of the blues, we woke up Sunday morning of September 6, to behold and hear what havoc they did to a neighbouring street, then everybody became alert - fearfully alert,” he said.

The attack on Owoseni Street restored the fear of God in the resident of the community in general. However, not only did the attack woke the residents to their senses, the letter sent to another street, Adebayo Egbebi street, the next day, removed the last vestiges of manliness in the people.

Respondents who spoke to Saturday Mirror said that most residences are locked just before 9pm out of fear, and wives are always on their toes when the husbands stay away from home beyond 9pm.

But instead of being completely cowed, the residents through the CDA resolve to declare ‘code red’. The declared emergency situation in the area, and began a process of safe guarding themselves.

According to Mr. Muibi Makinde, a se-

nior officer of the CDA, the community has mobilized its youths into a vigilance group, where they take turns in the night to keep watch, burning tires at random in apparent display of courage to scare the wouldbe robbers.

“Since this threat started, the community has not folded its arms. The bale has recruited local, licensed security operatives, who had taken position to offer whatever protection they can while we leave everything to God. Not only that, the youths of the community has been constituted into vigilance group in various to assist in this all important task of security,” Makinde said However, a member of the community, who pleads anonymity has decried the whole set up as unfounded, saying that there may be a letter, that security operatives may have been hired and that youths may have been into vigilance group, but there is something untoward about the whole thing. He believes that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are still the same persons who had taken up the mandate to provide security.

“Let’s face the fact; there is really nothing about the whole scene. I am not saying that armed robbers have not written, neither am I saying that there are no measures put in place to checkmate the rascalities, but the truth remains that that the perpetrators are the saviours at the same time.

‘Na them be armed robbers, na dem dey guard’. It’s only God who will visit them.

In the community presently, neighbourhoods, compounds and families have resolved to personal security bordering on prayer. In one of the compounds Saturday Mirror, the residents, in an emotional laden voice said that they had nothing to fall back to other than prayers, because according to them, ‘security belongs to God’.

“Which security measure are you expecting us to put in place? It is only God

that adequately secure because security belongs to him. Do we put more security lights or spike the walls and gates? The robbers had visited people who had better security equipment, or do we join in the burning of tires every night at the expense of our sleep? One day we would run out of tires, and if not, we will be forced to sleep on particular day, then what happens? We just have to commit the whole thing to God in prayer, and sooner or later, the perpetrators, whoever they are, will be brought to book,” one of the residents philosophized.

On the allegation that the boys of the community are responsible for the atrocities, posing as innocent community members in the afternoon and hoodlums in the night, Mr. Makinde has this to say.

“Well, a thief has no tag, and there it is not written on the face. But we try as much as possible to know exactly the people we subject to guarding the rest of the community. However, if we find out that somehow any of them is involved, the punishment will be drastic” Night in and night out, young men of the community are forcefully dragged out and made to stay up all night with the sole purpose of keeping away an intruder whom many believe is phantom.

“In a community like this, anything can happen. Most people are of the opinion that these boys in the community, most of whom are jobless or outrightly lazy to engage in any form of job, are the ones who are perpetrating the evils for which they are also called upon to solve. The truth is that whenever they have exhausted their money or means of getting more money, they raise dust of this nature so that the community will hire them. All these could be camouflage,” another resident, who do not want his name in print said.

Yet another respondent told Saturday Mirror that the local paid vigilance group is also not totally clean in matters of this nature, because that is one of the ways they demand increase in salary from the community.

“The vigilante people are also liable.

Sometimes they use means such as this to let the community know they require salary increment. It is a very method though, but nothing is impossible,” the woman who called herself Kemi said.

At the moment, the streets of Mebamu town have turned black, following the constant burning of tires. Again, it is known so far how many people are being infected with cold and other related lungs diseases as the emission of carbon-monoxide from the burning tires every night permeates the atmosphere, and it is available for inhaling by the residents.

Mrs. Yomi Mustapha is a medical laboratory scientist who runs medical lab. services in the community. She explains that the people would not know the damage they are doing both to people’s health and the environment.

“The inhalation of smoke, especially from burning is very dangerous to health, and can cause varieties of diseases including common cold, lung infection and many others,” she said.

The effort made to speak with the Baale of the community was not fruitfully however, but Mr. Makinde informed that reports have been lodged with the Okoko Police Station, and they are walking under cover, and soon a big catch will be made.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘My wife refuses to bear my surname’

• She always tells me that she is comfortable with her father’s name, and that she cannot change it ­—Husband

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n Igando Customary Court in Lagos State has dissolved a three-year marriage of a civil servants over the refusal of the woman to bear her husband’s surname.

The court president, Mr R. Adeyeri, held that Mr Johnson Munago and his wife Helen, both aged 35, were tired of their marriage, as all efforts to reconcile them failed.

“The court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the woman’s claim that she loves her husband,’’ he said.

Adeyeri referred the custody of the two-year-old child produced by the marriage to the Family Court.

‘My wife is pregnant for another man’

• As I speak with you, she is carrying another man’s child. All I want is for the court to dissolve this marriage and grant me custody of my children —Husband • I want this court to dissolve the marriage. I am tired —Wife Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

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ortyseven-year-old Captain Kliffy Madueke told the Ikeja Customary Court that he wants his fifteen year marriage to Mercy, a banker dissolved on the grounds of adultery and disrespect to him.

According to the flight captain, his wife has been cheating on him with several men. He said, “I want this honourable court to dissolve this marriage because this woman has been so ungrateful to me.

She cheats on me with another man and as I am speaking with you, she is carrying another man’s child. I want this court to dissolve the union and grant me custody of my two children who are 15 and 13 years old respectively” Madueke further disclosed that he had tried to cope with her laziness for years, hoping that she would change, but that has not been the case.

“She is extremely lazy. I will return home after flying for hours and sometimes for days and will have to start cooking what to eat. She would even join

me in eating the food without batting an eyelid.

She is so insensitive. This has caused several quarrels between us over the years. Precisely a year ago, she packed her things and left the house, saying she could not stand our quarrels anymore.

She, however, left with very important documents, including my international passport, my children’s international passport, my flight licence and other

vital documents and my SUV vehicle because I was not at home when she left. “When I noticed the absence of my documents and my car, I went to her father’s house where she went to and collected my stuff from her.

She was not willing to let go until I threatened to ensure that she lost her job, because I was the one who got the job for her in the first place. After sometime, because of the children, I went back to her to plead that

she should come back home so we could start our lives on a new slate.

She refused and said she was through with me. I did this for over three months with no result, only for me to discover that she was actually seeing another man.

As I speak with you, she is carrying another man’s child. All I want is for the court to dissolve this marriage and grant me cusCONTINUED ON PAGE 39

The president also ordered Johnson to pay N50, 000 rehabilitation cost to Helen.

Johnson, it was gathered, had filed a suit for the dissolution of the marriage over Helen’s refusal to change her surname.

The petitioner told the court that since he married Helen in 2010, she had refused to bear his name.

“She always tells me that she is comfortable with her father’s name, and that she cannot change it,” Johnson said.

He also submitted that Helen was too demanding, adding that she insisted that he should rent a flat for her and be giving her N10,000 weekly for upkeep.

“When I tried to explain that I didn’t have money to rent a flat, she told me that she agreed to marry me just to solve her personal problem.

“She said that she was diagnosed of a womb ailment and that the doctor advised her to get pregnant as soon as possible.

“She told me that she had got what she wanted, and thereafter packed out of our apartment on January 16, 2011 with my son to an unknown destination,” he said.

The petitioner also said that the woman regularly returned home late in the night.

Responding, Helen told the court that she still loved her husband, although he was a drunk and had refused to care for his family.

“He spends his salary on drinks and comes back home drunk,’’ she said Helen told the court that she sponsored their wedding ceremony in 2010 and that Johnson failed to reimburse her as he promised.

She added that her husband abandoned her and the child for eight months and returned to seek divorce.

‘She leaves her breasts, buttocks naked’

“I

am not angry with my wife for not having kids but with the way she dresses provocatively, leaving her breasts and buttocks virtually naked. Anytime I complained, she will say that is what is in vogue.

She brought a concubine to my mother’s burial but I didn’t catch her then”.

With these words, a 42-yearold man pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 7-year marriage over the wife’s alleged wayward life.

The petitioner, Mr Owoseni Benson, a carpenter, who lives at

• Anytime I complain, she will say that is what is in vogue —Husband

10, Lucas Street, Obawole, Isaga, Lagos, told the court that his wife, Adenike Oladeru, was troublesome to extent that the house they currently live in is the third house they rented. ”She fights everybody in the house, possesses all kinds of bad habits one can think of. There was a time she attempted suicide claiming that I rebuked her for being childless. I only advised her to stop being troublesome with people”, Benson said.

”I had a child when I was in secondary school. She asked me to bring the child home so that if she lived with us, I would not be able to marry the mother, but when the child came to live with us, she didn’t give her rest of mind. ”There was a day we went to settle a rift in my sister’s place, she stood up and gave me a hard slap because I complained she goes after men.

“I caught her with a man late in the night, she did not come home

that night, she went to stay with her aunt for a week. ”In 2011, she called me and said she was fed up with the union and gave me a month ultimatum. Two weeks later, she started parking her bags and left to re-marry.

“I came to court to dissolve the union because she has come to beg me that we should continue, but I don’t want her anymore”.

Meanwhile, Adenike, a hairdresser, refused to come to the court for the fourth time since the proceedings started.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DIVORCE COURT

September 19, 2015

39

‘My wife uses Juju’

• I am afraid she will harm me with her charms. I am not ready to die now; separate us before she kills me —Husband • I used charm for prayer, not to harm him. —Wife

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n Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 40-year-old marriage between Kareem Adesina (65) and his estranged wife, Memunat, 56, over the woman’s infidelity.

The court president, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile the couple had proved futile, as the petitioner insisted on the divorce.

“The court has no choice than to dissolve the union, in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband.

“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” he said.

The court ordered that the petitioner should allow the respondent to pack her belongings in the presence of police officers and court officials.

Adeyeri also ordered the petitioner to pay N50, 000 as rehabilitation cost for the respondent.

Kareem had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of his marriage.

He said he could no longer tolerate his wife’s regular visits to witch doctors.

“My wife is very fetish and uses juju (charms). I am afraid she will harm me with her charms.

“I am not ready to die now; separate us before she kills me,” he said. He also told the court that Memunat had become uncontrollable.

“She goes out and returns home late, sometimes, she does not even come home,’’ Kareem said. Above all, Kareem said he no longer loved his wife.

However, Memunat, 56, said that her husband abandoned

‘My wife is pregnant for another man’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 tody of my children.”

Mercy, on the other hand, denied all the allegations levelled against her by her husband, adding that she also wants the union to be dissolved because she was tired of the constant quarrel. “I am not pregnant for anybody and I am not dating anybody.

But I want this marriage dissolved because I am tired of the constant quarrels and pain.” “He is adulterous. He sleeps with everything in skirt. I stopped hiring house helps because he sleeps with them. He cheats on me even to my face. I want this court to dissolve the marriage, I am tired.”

After listening to both parties, the case was adjourned for further hearing by the court president, Mr. Sam Aluko.

her and their five children for another woman.

“There was strong love between us, but when my husband married another woman, things turned upside down.

“He has deserted us for the past nine years, I have been the one responsible for the upkeep of the children,” she said.

The 56-year-old trader said that she used charms for prayers and not to harm the petitioner.

Memunat pleaded with the court to save the marriage, saying that she still loved her husband.

‘She is a disgrace to my pastoral calling’

• He is a promiscuous night crawler who fails to carry out his marital responsibilities of providing for his family —Wife

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pastor, Tunde Adekunle, has urged an Akure Customary Court to dissolve his 15 year marriage to his wife, Agbeke for alleged frequent nagging.

Adekunle, founder of Christ Living Church, Owo, Ondo State, said that his wife was hell-bent in making life unbearable for him.

The cleric also told the court that some of the scars on his body

were caused by the constant fisticuffs between them, adding that there was no more affection existing in the marriage.

He said that the respondent was a “disgrace to his pastoral calling’’, noting that she had once torn his cloth in front of his congregation when he was preaching.

Agbeke, in her response, denied the allegations, but said that

she was ready to part with the petitioner.

He said that the union had produced four children.

She accused her husband of being promiscuous, night crawling, failure to carrying out marital responsibilities of providing for the house and the upkeep of his family.

The President of the court, Mrs Olayinka Falodun, in her rul-

ing urged the petitioner to take care of the welfare of the children.

Falodun also advised the respondent to intensify efforts in ensuring the bright future of her children.

He, therefore, ordered the parties to come to court with two witnesses each on the next adjourned date.

(NAN)

‘My wife abandoned me for her career ’ • My wife is too stubborn and just too materialistic. I was the one who got her the job she is doing presently. But after we got married, I told her it will be better she becomes self employed so that she will have enough time for herself and the children —Husband • He is lying against me just because he is jealous of me and wants to render me useless, which was why he is insisting on my resigning from my place of work —Wife

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38-year-old engineer, Abimbola Adebayo, has told an Ikeja Customary Court in Lagos that his wife packed out of their home two months after they had a quarrel.

Abimbola was responding to a divorce suit filed by his 35-year-old wife, Omoniyi.

He said that his family was living in peace until last year when he lost his job.

“My wife is too stubborn and just too materialistic. I was the one who got her the job she is doing presently.

But after we got married, I told her it will be better she

becomes self employed so that she will have enough time for herself and the children.

She refused to listen to me.

I even promised I was going to open a big supermarket for her to manage but she insisted on continuing with the job.

This was the cause of our quarrel. I returned from work one day only to find out that she had packed her things and left with our seven-yearold boy without my consent.

“When I called her, she told me she was no longer interested in the marriage and that she could not continue to cope with me and my unnec-

essary demands. All attempts to reach her again proved abortive as she had changed her telephone number.”

Omoniyi told the court that he was taking good care of his family until he lost the job. He submitted that he gave her all the comfort he could afford, yet she was unyielding. Abimbola also accused Omoniyi of infidelity, saying that she was secretly dating another man.

He consented to the dissolution of the 10-year marriage, saying that he was no longer interested in being married to Omoniyi. Omoniyi, a tele-

com engineer, had filed a divorce suit, claiming that Abimbola was irresponsible and a womanizer.

“My husband is a womanizer and goes after anything in skirt. I even caught him with my niece in a compromising situation in our matrimonial home” she said.

She added that Abimbola’s allegations were just a tissue of lies, saying, “He is lying against me just because he is jealous of me and wants to render me useless, which was why he is insisting on my resigning from my place of work.”

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EVENTS

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stars add shine to modelling competition Last Sunday, the Aquafina Elite Model Look competition held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. With a lot of hype preceding it, the event was sure to be a surefire success, and it was. It drew tons of stars who added their shine to it to make it glitter even more. Eku Edewor, Omotola Jalade and Omowunmi Akinnifesi were some of those stars.

Dolapo Oni Agbani Darego

Dorcas Shola Fapson

Eku Edewor

Funmi St.Matthew Daniels.

Elohor Aisien

Idia Aisien

Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi

Meraiah Ekeinde

Omowunmi Akinnifesi

Toni Tones

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

September 19, 2015

Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions

Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)

Foreign bodies in children’s nostrils

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hildren are naturally curious.

In their bid to play and explore their surroundings, they tend to, amongst other things, insert various objects into their body cavities, such as their noses, ears, throats or even eyes. In some cases, these insertions occur when the parents and care givers are not around, hence they may not be aware of the strange objects lodging somewhere within the body spaces of their children. Either in the presence of their parents or otherwise, putting objects into body cavities is a past time of children under the age of five. Of course, older children and full grown adults with psychiatric issues have been known to do same.

The effect of these foreign bodies on the health of the victims range from mild to severe and could actually be life threatening, especially when the airway is obstructed. Today, foreign bodies in the nose will be explored.

What are foreign bodies?

A foreign body in the nose as the name implies is an object present in the nose which ordinarily is foreign to it. That is, when an object that is not to be found in the nose naturally is found lodged in the cavity of either or the two nostrils.

Common objects placed in the nose by children include Grains such as Beans, Corn etc Other food items Beads Small toys Pieces of crayon Erasers Cotton and papers etc Symptoms In the instance where foreign body was inserted unknown to the parent or guardian, symptoms may be late in appearing and not specific, therefore

diagnosis may be delayed sometimes for months. High index of suspicion is then necessary on the part of the parent and the child or nanny may have to be questioned sometimes to get the history. Where the insertion is witnessed by an adult however, diagnosis becomes easier.

Common symptoms of foreign body in the nostril include Discharge from one nostril which may be smelly Sneezing Bleeding from the nose(epistaxis) Snoring unusually Nasal pain Fever In the presence of witnesses, presentation at the hospital may precede symptoms, as the victim is taken to the hospital immediately

Treatment Here is where a note of caution should be sounded. This is because the common reaction to foreign body insertion is for the adults around to attempt a removal. More often than not this only succeeds in pushing the object farther in and worsening the situation in the process. Therefore, care should be taken while attempting to remove a foreign body, and after the first failed attempt, further attempt should be avoided as the likelihood of success diminishes significantly.

One thing you can do is to press and close the second nostril while asking the person to blow gently through the other nostril. This may dislodge the object and push it out.

But you must not: Try removing an object that is so deep in the nose that you cannot easily see it Use tools to remove objects deep in the nose Search around the nose for foreign objects with tools, as this may push it in further Fail to get medical help as soon as possible Generally, the treatment of foreign body in the nostril is done in the hospital by using specialized

instrument to remove the foreign body, depending on whether it is organic or otherwise. This is usually done by your family physician or in some cases by the ENT surgeon.

Furthermore, in cases where diagnosis has been delayed and the object has damaged or infected the inner wall of the nose, antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection in addition to proper nose cleaning Prevention It is the responsibility of every parent to keep their children safe and this must be ensured even when the child is under the care of a babysitter or Nanny.

For one, mothers should avoid hairstyle with tiny beads attached, for non-discerning young girls who might just be fascinated with the beads and swallow them or push them into their nostrils . Then Teach children as early as possible to avoid inserting strange objects into their body openings.

And keep such objects out of the reach of small children to make it easy for them to obey.

You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng.Every Wednesdays and Fridays(4-8pm)

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September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shere Hills: Scenic heap of boulders T

ucked in Jos, the capital of Plateau state in the middle belt region of Nigeria is Shere hills with its undulating rocks and rock formations with peaks and dips that would please the most ardent rock/mountain climber.

Plateau state as the name rightly connotes us peppered with scenic ranges of hills, rocks and valleys.

According to history, Jos was established in 1915 as a tin transportation camp, during a time when the mining industry was one of the major sources of commerce in the town.

With a population of about 1,000,000, Jos is regarded as one of the multicultural cities in Nigeria and is situated at the northern edge of a pear-shaped upland known as the Jos Plateau.

Situated 10 kilometres east of the Jos metropolis, Shere Hills with its numerous peaks reaches a height of about 1,829 metres of 6,001 feet above sea level.

The hills make up the highest point of the Jos Plateau and form the third highest point in Nigeria after Chappal Waddi on the Mambilla Plateau.

Several rivers and hillocks are scattered among the highlands which adds more to the already striking landscape and backdrop with its cluster of hamlets and villages.

Lovers of adventure will enjoy this rugged and rustic tourist spot as the altitude and location of the hills offers prime view of the city below.

Like stacks of freshly-baked bread loaves, massive boulders of granite pile at a corner of the Jos Plateau, bedecking the skyline with the perculiar rugged semblance of North-Central Nigeria.

Some Kilometers away from the heart of Jos City, taking a turn from the main road, one is confronted by the pictursque Liberty Lake, beyond which lies the famous Shere hills.

The tarred road shoots across the spill way of the dam and winds through a small settlement until its

halted by the magnificent pile of weathered rocks sprawling across the entire landscape as far as the eyes could see.

The interesting poise which the boulders assume as they stand balanced on one another, constitutes the main attraction by which the Hills have held her visitors continually spell-bound, for decades since they had been discovered and opened up to the public.

One cannot but get amazed at the scenic heap of massive boulders climbing up to a height of about 1,829 meters above sea level- Gog and Maggog, the highest point on Shere Hills. These highest points have constituted great challenges to visitors who have flares for rock climbing. Located within the area is the Mountain School of citizenship and leadership Training center (Man O’ War Bay) where visitors are provided with Military typeadventure. The hills hosted the First All African Scouts Jamboree in 1976.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

September 19, 2015

LEISURE

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44

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service Bureau to coordinate network of statisticians to track SDGs T

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is to coordinate network of statisticians from over 90 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to map data for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the network was formed after the a two-day Stakeholders’ Workshop on Data Mapping for SDGs in Abuja on Thursday.

It was gathered that tracking progress under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had been hampered by data gaps, discrepancies and reporting delays globally.

Hence, the aim of the workshop was to identify each MDAs role, data gaps, sources, existing data sets and make recommendations on appropriate methodologies for the production of SDGs indicators.

The 17 SDGs are expected to replace the eight MDGs at the end of 2015 and the UN General Assembly is expected to ratify the SDGs later in September in New York.

The participants from the MDAs were divided into six syndicate groups to discuss the 17 goals of the SDGs and identify their roles in tracking the goals.

Some of the participants who spoke said they had identified the indicators to track in monitoring the SDGs from the MDAs. A participant from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who preferred anonymity, said he was able to identify key areas on data mapping. ``The areas are access to finance by the poor, foreign direct investment into key sectors of the economy and sectoral allocation of credit. ``CBN is expected to track development on the indicators enumerated as a way of measuring achievements to meet the SDGs.’’ According to him, the

SDGs are bottom up approach involving a wide range of consultations from the grassroots while MDGs are top down approach.

He said his group discussed how to map data to achieve the goals 7, 8 and 9 SDGs namely economic growth, industrialisation, Infrastructure and energy.

Another female participant said that the workshop had helped her to identify problems of data gathering and reporting of economic growth.

Similarly, a participant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture who also asked for anonymity, said with the knowledge acquired from the workshop,

the ministry would identify the gaps in terms of data gathering and monitor the progress of SDGs.

FRSC to collaborate with TRACE to reduce gridlock in Ota

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ota unit in Ogun, said on Thursday that it would collaborate with Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) to reduce gridlock in Ota and its environs.

The new Commander of the FRSC in the unit, Mr Leye Adegboyega, said after a visit to TRACE office in Sango-Ota. Adegboyega said that there would be joint operations between the two agencies to reduce traffic jams that had been the major challenge confronting the people in the area.

He also said that there would be no conflict of interest between the two agencies, because they were both working toward achieving effective road traffic management. ``The two agencies are working toward reducing traffic jams and ensuring

sanity on the roads; so, there should be no clash of interest, instead they should disseminate information among themselves to achieve the desirable results,`` Adegboyega said.

The unit commander appealed to the people to

see the FRSC as an agency set up to educate the public on road safety and not just to generate revenue for the Federal Government.

Adegboyega, however, warned motorists to desist from indiscriminate parking of vehicles to pre-

vent crashes on roads.

Earlier, Mr Adekunle Ajibade, the Zonal Commander of TRACE said that the decision to collaborate with FRSC was a good step in the right direction, adding that it would drastically reduce gridlock in Sango-Ota.

Ajibade also said that the joint effort would check the excesses of motorists fond of driving against traffic and parking indiscriminately in the area.

He said that TRACE officials would not hesitate to tow any vehicle parked indiscriminately, adding that several stolen vehicles had been recovered through this process. (NAN)

L – R (Chams Plc – PIX 0136) shows Prof. Afolabi, Director, Chams Plc, Mr Olufemi Williams, Managing Director Designated, Chams Plc, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Damola Aladekomo, Managing Director, Chams Plc; and Mrs. Titi Aladekomo, at the closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange.

NIPOST shuts down two illegal courier companies in Lagos

T

he Courier Regulatory Department (CRD) of NIPOST on Thursday closed two companies, allegedly operating courier services without licences in the country.

Dr Simon Emeje, the Senior Assistant PostMaster-General of NIPOST, told newsmen in Lagos that the two illegal operators

were based in Lagos.

The illegal companies are OJ Transports, located at Jibowu and Happy Family Motors, situated at Ojuelegba.

He said that the clampdown on the courier services was a national assignment and essential for the sanity of the courier sub-sector.

According to him, the

companies have not gone through the CRD’s licensing process; hence, their operation is detrimental to the sector.

The senior assistant postmaster general said that there was the need for the clampdown because of the critical nature of the sector to the nation’s economy.

He said that the courier sub-sector also needed to be

sanitised in the interest of investors.

Emeje said that the licensing fee for indigenous courier company was N2 million, while multinational licence was N10 million.

According to him, the sector is very viable, but only 20 per cent of the market has been tapped,

while 80 per cent remained untapped. ‘’The asset worth of the industry is about N300 billion and there is need to protect and boost it. ‘’We are saying this to encourage investors both at national and international levels to tap into the industry,’’ Emeje said.

(NAN)

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

September 19, 2015

45

AAG: No apology for U-23, Falcons’ losses ...gold miss portends danger for Nigerian football

Action recorded during the third place match between Nigeria and Congo.

Ifeanyi Eduzor

N

igerians were taken aback last Tuesday when the country’s U-23 team and their female counterparts, Super Falcons, were denied a chance of fighting for the gold medal at the ongoing All Africa Games (AAG) in Brazzaville, Congo.

The Nigerians were beaten 3-1 by Young Stallions of Burkina Faso while Cameroun got some sort of revenge over the Super Falcons, beating them 2-1 in Tuesday’s semi-final contest. The defeats for the Nigerian teams were somewhat surprising as the two sides had pledged to settle for nothing less than gold in Congo.

Prior to their ouster, the U-23 team beat their Ghanaian counterparts 2-0 before playing a 1-1 draw with Senegal while the Falcons white-washed host nation Congo 5-1 in their first match before beating Tanzania 3-0, but failed to fellow West Africans, Cote d’Ivoire by 1-2 to book the semi- final ticket.

Nigeria’s U-23 team were hoping to clinch a second All Africa Games football

gold, having won it on home soil in 1973.

The closest they came to winning it was at the COJA 2003 Games in Abuja, but Cameroun dashed the hopes of the hosts, with a 2-0 win in the final.

Falcons on the other hand, have won the championship in 2003 when Nigeria hosted and 2007 but failed to qualify for the 2011 edition hosted by Mozambique.

Going into the competition, Nigerians expressed high hopes because of the pedigree of the country in football especially in female football but their hopes were dashed following a shoddy performance by both teams.

It is on record that since “Dream Team 1” surprised the World by winning gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, subsequent Nigerian U-23 teams have struggled to find their feet at both the continental and international level, prompting many football fans in the country to question the continuous use of the word Dream team to describe the squad.

A critical look at the performances of both teams at the AAG indicates that they not only lacked cohesion but tactical approach to the game. While the attackers

were wasting glaring chances in front of goal, the defenders did not help matters either as they were not in good shape to check strikers from opposing sides.

The poor performance of the teams did not come to many Nigerians as a surprise because prior to the Games, the weaknesses of the Super Falcons was exposed by Equatorial Guinea during their last Olympic qualifying match which denied Nigeria the chance of being part of the women football event at the upcoming 2016 Rio de Janerio Olympics, while the U-23 team did not perform at its optimal best in some qualifying matches ahead of the games as it took the invitation of Taiwo Awoniyi in the game against Zambia for the team to book a ticket to Brazzaville.

The implication of the above scenario is that most of the players in the Falcons are not up to scratch and need replacement while Coach Samson Siasia of the U-23 team need to inject fresh blood into the team.

While some football analysts have argued that the Super Falcons camp was in disarray ahead of the games because of unpaid allowances and unfulfilled promises, the same cannot be said of the U-23 team

who were even promised monetary reward once they clinched the ultimate medal.

What this means is that Nigeria’s gradual slide in continental football is increasing every day at an alarming rate and unless something drastic is done to arrest the situation, the country’s football will be facing a serious crisis. The loss though regrettable, came at the right time as it will enable stakeholders in the country’s football to chart a new course for the country’s football development.

Although Coach Siasia has come out to apologise to Nigerians over the 3-1 defeat of the team by Burkina Faso in the semi-final match of the 11th Africa Games football tournament in Brazzaville, blaming the loss on his boy’s profligacy in front of goal and the defender’s failure in their duties but the ugly situation goes beyond apologies by both the technical crew of the teams and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) especially now that Nigeria was given a tough draw in Group B where they will play Egypt, Algeria and Mali for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations Championship, which is the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

SPORT

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September 19 , 2015

Wenger eyes double over Chelsea A

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger, while keen to play down his rivalry with Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho ahead of today’s meeting, claimed on Friday that his players may have overcome a “mental block” by defeating the champions at last in August.

Wenger has still never beaten Mourinho in 10 previous Premier League matches and his team has not overcome Chelsea in the league since October 2011, when Andre Villas Boas was in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Last month, however, Arsenal won 1-0 at Wembley in the annual pre-season game between the FA Cup winners and league champions.

“What’s important is that Arsenal wins games and it can sometimes be a mental block for the players when one team doesn’t manage to beat a team”.

The Frenchman declined to shake hands with his opposite number after that match but was reluctant to discuss whether he would do so at Stamford Bridge today.

“Look, too much attention is paid to it,” he said. “People come to football to watch football; everything else is secondary.”

Asked more questions about Mourinho and Chelsea’s poor start to the season, he would only add: “It can happen. I take care of my team and my own problems.”

Ronaldo seeks to extend scoring spree

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Wenger

Moses needs continuity, says Bilic

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Moses

est Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic is full of respect for Victor Moses but believes the 24-year-old needs to establish himself at one club to really achieve his potentials.

Moses has spent the last two seasons on loan spells at Liverpool and Stoke City. He is expected to spend the 2015/16 season at West Ham United.

“Moses is a good player. He is a wellknown name here and if people say he didn’t make it, it is because he is not getting the chances because the big

SPORT NEWS

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s controversy continues to trail the resignation of Daniel Amokachi as the Chief Coach of Glo Premiership side, Ifeanyi Uba Fc, soccer ambassador and renowned FIFA Licensed agent, Friday Nwankwo Kujah has come to the defence of the club, insisting that Amokachi never resigned from the Nnewi based club even as he dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the club is in crisis.

Kujah who is a strong supporter of the club, told Saturday Mirror that Amokachi never submitted any letter of resignation to the club’s management neither did the club give him any letter of disengagement.

“As a person who is very close to the chairman of the club, I am in a better position to tell you the state of things in the club.

“I am surprised when I read on the pages of newspapers that Amokachi has resigned from Ifeanyi Uba Fc. The truth of the matter is that he never submitted any letter of resignation to the club management neither did the management gave him any sack letter.

According to him, Amokachi is still with the club and is scouting for players that are capable of helping the club improve their position on the league table.

On the recent poor run of the club, he stated that efforts are being made to inject new players that will enable it get a continental ticket next year.

“I want our numerous supporters to exercise patience because efforts are being made to bring the club back to winning ways. They should remember that when we went for the Super Four, we won it against

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

clubs buy big players and it is hard for you to do it.

“Last season he played at Stoke and he was one of their best players. He has the quality to make a difference in the Premier League. His first game was very good for us. He had composure, linking the play and his work-rate was very good,” Bilic said at a press conference.

Moses has previously played for Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic netting 24 league goals since beginning his professional football education in 2007.

Kujah denies crisis in Ifeanyi Uba FC

ristiano Ronaldo, who has hit eight goals in two games playing more centrally for Real Madrid, aims to add to his tally against Granada on today with Coach Rafa Benitez saying his forwards are given flexibility to move freely.

The striker put five past Espanyol in La Liga last weekend and followed up with a hat-trick against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, leaving him two behind Real’s all-time top scorer Raul who netted 323 goals.

Real has won their last three games with 15 goals and none conceded following a 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon in the opening match of the season.

“I speak with Ronaldo all the time during and after training. We talk about tactics and about different ideas,” Benitez told a news conference in Madrid on Friday.

“The forwards know that they can move further forward or to the sides when they want so as to be more effective for the team.

It is most important for the team to be balanced and also that defensively we work hard.”

Ronaldo

Kompany ruled out of West Ham game

M Proprietor of Ifeanyi Uba Fc, Ifeanyi Uba (M) acknowledging cheers from fans during a Premier League match.

bigger teams and by the time our stadium at Nnewi is completed and we pick a continental ticket, Nigerians will appreciate

what the club can offer”, concluded Kujah who is planning a youth football development programme.

Golf: Corporations jostle for Ikeja Challenge Afolabi Gambari

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he 2015 Corporate Challenge Cup at the Ikeja Golf Club is billed to tee off today at the 10-hole course and will end tomorrow.

Captain of the club, Commodore Tokunboh Ajomale, who described the event as a premium on the club’s calendar, said it would also provide platform for participating organisations to showcase their brands to the golf community.

“The event is a huge traffic driver for the club and the entry so far has given the hint of a bigger representation,” Ajomale said yesterday.

“Like in the past, we believe it will usher in stronger ties between the participating

organizations,” he said.

Some of the corporate bodies that have raised the four-member team include ICMA Services, Alpha Pharmacy, Adeco Project Engineers, Berger Paints 7Up Bottling Companies, Jungle Film Works and Grand Treasures.

Others are Consolidated Hallmark Insurance PLC, Sterling Bank Plc, Digital Media Limited, Ubosi Eleh and Co, Prime Prime Metro Properties, Oak Pension and Prime Metro UK. Competition Secretary of Ikeja Club, Victor Enosegbe, said the cup would be contested for over 36 holes in Stableford playing format as about 30 teams tee-off today.

“About 120 players will compete and we look forward to a great competition,” Enosegbe said.

anchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed Vincent Kompany will not play against West Ham this weekend because of a calf injury.

The central defender was substituted after 75 minutes of City’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Juventus on Tuesday.

Samir Nasri is also an injury doubt.

But Pellegrini was boosted by the news that striker Sergio Aguero, who came on for the final seven minutes of the Group D opener at the Etihad, had fully recovered from the knee injury picked up against Crystal Palace last weekend and will be fit for clash.

“It is important to try to play in the same way. We have a squad and we need to replace the captain. I never complain about injuries and the players that cannot play.

“I think Pablo Zabaleta needs one more week with the physiotherapist. I hope from the end of this month he will be okay

Kompany

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

September 19, 2015

47

MirrorGolf With Pius Anakali

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Nigeria Cup begins Sept. 26

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he 2015 edition of the Nigeria Cup will tees off at the golf section of the Ikoyi club 1938, on September 26, 2015, the chairman of the events organising committee, Lanre Kalejaiye has revealed.

Disclosing this at a pre-tournament media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Kalajaiye said the weeklong competition is one of the programmes put in place to mark the 2015 national Independent day anniversary celebration.

Backed by Premium Beer, Heineken, the weeklong competition will involve Caddies, Women, Professionals, Amateur golfers among others.

While reeling out the programmes of activities, Kalejaiye, said the Caddies will take the first shoot on Monday, September 28 will lady golfers will take turn on the course of Tuesday, September, 29.

It will be the turn of professional golfers on Wednesday, September 30. The professional

would be playing for N3m prize money.

On Thursday, a special Independent kitty has been linedup. Saturday October 3rd is the grand finale. Expected to be on the course are those who scale though the pre-qualifiers, handicap 0-5, past captains and clubs committee members.

Kalejaiye who thanked the event sponsors, especially Heineken beer for their support said Ikoyi club cherished the relationship.

This year’s theme is titled “7 Shades of Green”.

Each of the 7-days of the event will focus on a target group within the golf community, show case a key value that defines who we are, and celebrate a different shade of our national color.

The Nigeria Cup is the most prestigious amateur golf tournament at Ikoyi Club 1938 and on the Nigerian golfing calendar. The 2015 edition would be rounded at a gala night fixed for October 3rd.

Golf’s star trio renew rivalry at BMW Championship

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y e n r u o t f l o g t a H

e is accustomed to life on the football pitch.

But Real Madrid star Gareth Bale returned to Wales recently where he swapped the shin pads for golf clubs as part of a charity game.

The sportsman was joined by girlfriend Emma Rhys-Hones for the two-day tournament; Celebrity Cup golf tournament at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resorts, which saw a host of others stars take part.

The handsome 25-year-old and his partner cosied-up on the resort’s plush green, which saw them appear anything other than ‘teed off ’. In fact, they looked inseparable.

Wearing a pair of blue chinos with a red branded T-shirt, Gareth kept his cool with a white hat and matching shoes, which gave him an authentic look.

Meanwhile, Emma ampedup the glamour with an offthe-shoulder top, high-waisted trousers and leopard-print shoes.

Laughing and joking as they made the way around the course, the couple certainly seemed to be having a good time in their day out.

Sporting a golden glow and wearing her hair down, Emma cut a casually glam figure who Gareth was no doubt proud of.

Carrying a burgundy-coloured handbag, she also injected tome high-street fashion into the rural site.

Bale seemed to be enjoying the support as he tweeted about the ‘amazing atmosphere’ on the first tee.

If his golf skills are anything like his ability on the football pitch then Team Wales can expect to take off with the title for

the first time.

The tournament consists of a round robin format of ninehole matches with a grand final and third place play-off, pitting four-piece all-star teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England against each other.

It was the third staging of the Celeb Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, all culminating in the glittering, starstudded gala evening in the resort’s exquisite ball room.

Also at the event was former Westlife singer Brian McFadden.

The star was barely recognisable in his golfing gear, which saw him hide under a cap and display a new, fashionable beard - an essential accessory in hipster circles.

Embracing after a hole-inone, the men were on good form and had plenty of boy power.

ory McIlroy knows his grip on golf ’s number one world ranking is tenuous at best, and there’s just one way to keep Jordan Spieth and Jason Day at bay.

“It’s just about playing well,” McIlroy said as he prepared for Thursday’s start of the BMW Championship, the penultimate event in the US PGA Tour’s fourtournament FedEx Cup playoffs that will end with the Tour Championship.

McIlroy goes into the tournament at Conway Farms Golf Club with a narrow lead over Spieth atop the world rankings, having regained the summit on Monday even though neither played last week.

It was the fourth straight week that he and Spieth traded the top spot.

“It’ll be like that until one of us separates ourselves a little

bit,” McIlroy said.

But Day has made it a threehorse race, and the Australian said his own week off had left him rested and ready for “crunch time” on the US PGA Tour.

Jordan Spieth watches his shot during round two of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on S …

“I feel refreshed, I feel good to go,” said Day, who said fatigue contributed to mental errors that cost him a chance to contend at the Deutsche Bank Championship two weeks ago -- where he had his first crack at world number one.

Although he said gaining the summit would be “fantastic,” Day and his rivals have plenty more to think about this week as they jockey for position going into the Tour Championship -- where a $10 million bonus to the FedEx Cup series winner will be up for grabs.

Clarke looking forward to Italian test

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uropean Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke is hoping to find some consistency this week at the 72 Open D’Italia, although he admits next year’s clash against the United States is already at the forefront of his mind.

The Northern Irishman heads to Golf Club Milano without a top ten finish this season and no win since his sensational victory at the Open Championship in 2011.

But he has shown glimpses of his best in recent weeks, with rounds of 69 and 68 at the Made in Denmark catching the eye before he fell back into the pack, and Clarke is looking forward

to one of the most prestigious events on The European Tour.

“There has been some good and some bad golf recently – a little more bad than good to be honest but it’s great to be back in Italy and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“The golf course is in unbelievable condition considering they have had the hottest summer on record here in Milan and then there has been so much rain recently that it’s very soft.

“But The European Tour have done a great job to get the course in good condition despite all that and hopefully the weather can improve and we can see this great club at its best.

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September 19 , 2015

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Parole board meets over Pistorius release

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Action recorded in the semi- final match between D’Tigers of Nigeria and their Egyptian counterparts at the All Africa Games

Curtain falls on All Africa Games Ifeanyi Eduzor

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he 11th All Africa Games which kicked off on the 4th of this month at Congo Brazzaville will be rounded up today after a colourful closing ceremony at the 60,000 capacity Kintele Stadium.

First held in 1965, this edition marked the 50th anniversary of the Games, as well as their return to Brazzaville, which hosted the first edition in 1965.

As with previous editions, the

championship brought together thousands of youths from various African nations who competed among themselves in various sporting events and apart from competing among themselves, athletes build up lasting relationship which the games has been known for since its inception.

It has been mixed feelings for Team Nigeria at the games; while sports like boxing, wrestling, table tennis and special sports showed a strong presence in Congo, the country for the first time in 50 years failed to dominate the athletics event, especially the 100

meters for both men and women.

Another area where Nigeria failed to re-enact its dominance was in football where a consolatory bronze medal was all the U-23 team could win with their female counterparts losing their third place match to Cote d’Ivoire.

Basketball was another area where Nigerians expected to grab a gold medal especially after D’ Tigers exploits in Tunisia where they were crowned the African champions but could not re-enact the same form against emerging basketball powerhouse, Egypt who narrowly defeated them 61-

60 in a closely fought semi- final match.

Although, Team Nigeria is currently behind Egypt, South Africa and Algeria on the medals table, but it is expected they will improve their standing on the table when some games are decided before the closing ceremony.

As the curtain falls on this year’s games, athletes will be leaving Congo Brazzaville with good memories while looking ahead to a more memorable game in 2019 when it will be officially known as African Games.

AAG: Nigeria power lifters set new world records

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hree new set of World Records were set on Friday by Nigerian Power Lifters at the ongoing All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

The outstanding trio who engraved their names in the record books are; Bose Omolayo, Loveline Obiji and Precious Orji who simply held spectators spell-bound with their brave performances on Friday.

Omolayo, competing in the Women’s 79kg, made a lift of 137.5kg, while Obiji in the Women’s 86kg lifted 149kg.

On her part, Orji in the Women’s Over 86kg, lifted 164kg to complete a hat trick of records and gold medals as Team Nigeria targets a strong finish at the African Games ending today in Brazzaville.

Before Friday’s heroics, Nigeria’s Yakubu Adesokan on Tuesday had set the tone with his record making performance in the Men’s 49kg category as he lifted a massive

182.5kg to win the first gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Para Lifting event.

A day later, another Nigerian power lifter, Esther Oyema followed suit with a new

world record in the Women’s 55kg category when she lifted 133kg to win the gold.

Chinedu eyes Guinness World Record Ifeanyi Eduzor

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rrangements are in top gear by the Rafiu Oladipo Sports Foundation to organize a Guinness World Record event in Nigeria.

The event billed for November 7 will enable a Nigerian professional footballer, Harrison Chinedu attempt to break the world record of the most distance travelled with ball balanced on the head.

Disclosing this to the media during an interactive session ahead of the event, Chairman of the foundation, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo noted that the foundation which was formed two years ago with the sole aim of assisting sportsmen to get to the peak of their career as well as rewarding outstanding ones decided to support the project as part of its little way in telling the world that Nigeria is

Oladipo

blessed with abundant talents.

“Oladipo foundation is embarking on this project to help a young and talented Nigerian who wants to make history and break the record set by Bangladesh Abdul Halim in 2011 as the most distanced traveled with the ball balanced on the head.

“The present record stands at 45.74km but Harrison under strict supervision had on three

occasions covered over 50 kilometers and there is no doubt he can surpass the existing record, noted Oladipo who also doubles as President General of Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters club.

Secretary of the foundation, Effiong Nyong noted that that the former Beunket Rubber Fc of Cambodia central defender will start trekking from Kilometer 46 Abeokuta Expressway with the ball balanced on his head and terminate the journey at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos even as he announced that the foundation has contacted the Guinness World Record office who has promised to send their adjudicators to monitor the event.

Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Deji Elumoye while commending the foundation for the project, promised that his union will partner with it to ensure a successful hosting of the event.

parole board review panel which will decide whether to free Oscar Pistorius from prison has started meeting.

South Africa’s justice minister blocked the Olympic athlete’s early release in August in a surprise move.

Pistorius has served 11 months of his five-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The review board, which is meeting in the eastern port city of Durban, comprises a panel of legal experts chaired by a judge.

Under South African law, Pistorius is eligible for release under house arrest; having served a sixth of his sentence. A court convicted him of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, over the killing of his girlfriend in 2013.

The double-amputee shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his home in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial.

Anosike charges All Stars FC on unity

Anosike

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he newly elected President of All Stars International Football Club of Lagos, Kingsley Anosike has sued for co-operation among members of the club to enable it achieve the goal of its founding fathers.

He stated this, during the swearing in of the newly elected executives of the club held at the Eagles’ Club, Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking shortly after the swearing in ceremony conducted

by Barrister Ayo Ola Julius and former President of the club, Amanze Uchegbunam noted that each time the club gathers to inaugurate a new executive, they bear witness that what binds them together is not the language they speak, tenets of their faith or the tribe they hail from but allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made many years ago to According to him, the club can only achieve greater heights when there is unity among members, urging members to always offer a helping hand to each other especially when they are in need.

“Our founding fathers have done their bit, our successive leaders have made their contribution, they have bestowed on us a legacy and it is therefore our responsibility and our pledge beginning from today to keep safe our founding creed.

Other members of the executives are Muyiwa Olaofe, vice President, Uduak Evans Udoupong, General Secretary, Amagu Obafemi, treasurer, Festus Ojinanaka, financial secretary, Bolaji Eko Odegale, PRO, Kyrian Ukah, social welfare officer and Francis Joe Tandoh, provost.

Crime Watch

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49

September 19, 2015

Nigerian indicted in US for husband’s murder

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Nigerian-American, Uloma Walker-Curry, on Monday was indicted in the 2013 murder of her husband, William Walker, alongside her daughter’s boyfriend and two others.

Over the years police in Cleveland city in Ohio in United States have been pursuing a false lead after Uloma told the police that her firefighter husband may have been killed by drug dealers in the neighbourhood.

But it turned out that 44-year-old plotted his husband’s murder after she committed financial fraud in her husband’s name.

It was also reported that the suspect incorrectly assumed that she could get money from his life insurance policy to pay for her debts.

Reports have it that Uloma recruited Chad Padgett, her daughter’s boyfriend, who recruited his cousin, Christopher Hein, who in turn hired Ryan Dorty to perform the hit, according to the statement.

The four face charges of aggravated murder, murder, conspiracy, and felonious assault.

William Walker, 45, a lieutenant in the fire department, was shot to death in the driveway of his home on Lampson Road on Cleveland’s East Side on the night of Nov. 3, 2013

Late Walker

Uloma

PCN shuts 244 medicine shops in Ilorin

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harmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Thursday said it had closed down 244 patent medicine and pharmaceutical shops in Ilorin, Kwara, for operating illegally.

The State Officer of the council, Mr Bayode Emmanuel, who disclosed this in Ilorin to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the shops were shut for operating without registration with the council in the state.

According to Emmanuel, every patent medicine shop must pay a sum of N5, 500 to the PCN as registration fee to enable them operate.

He added that medicine shops which engaged in the sale of unauthorised drugs were also closed down.

“We have so far closed down 222 patent medicine shops and 22 pharmaceutical shops in the state to deter the sale of unauthorised drugs to unsuspecting members of the public,” he said.

Emmanuel said that some of the

shops’ owners were illiterates, adding that some often cooked their meals inside their shops with the heat emanating from the stove affecting the potency of the drugs.

“All patent shop owners must have a minimum of secondary school leaving certificate qualification to operate. ‘’The pharmaceutical shop owner

must be a qualified pharmacist or must employ a pharmacist before it can be officially recognised,” he said.

The PCN officer said that owners of the closed shops would pay some charges before the shops would be reopened.

“We gave them tellers to pay the administrative fee to the bank, and once the fee is paid, we will release their keys to them.

“We are doing this in order to correct them and not to punish them,” he said.

Reacting, Hajia Hauwa Lawal, a patent medicine shop owner in Tanke area of Ilorin, told NAN that her shop had been closed down for more than one week.

She said that PCN had directed her to pay N40, 000 before the key to her shop would be released.

Woman arraigned for assaulting man

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32-year-old woman, Grace Aruya, who allegedly assaulted a man, Martins Inalegwu, with the help of six men believed to be soldiers, was on Thursday charged before an Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin City.

Aruya, a resident of No. 15B, Emagba St., off S & T Uselu Road in Benin City, is facing a three-count charge bordering on assault and abduction.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Osar-

entin Ogie, the accused committed the offences on Sept. 15 at Inalegwu’s house. ``The accused brought six men, suspected to be soldiers, to beat Inalegwu, who eventually escaped from them. ``The men, who were armed with guns, had threatened to kill him. ``They also took away his 16-year-old son to an unknown destination, thereby making people living in the compound and the neighbourhood to flee,’’ he told

the court.

The offences contravened Sections 86, 249 and 351of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State, 1976 as applicable in Edo. The accused pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Alfred Iyoha, granted the accused bail in sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Further hearing has been fixed for Oct. 6.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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CRIME WATCH

September 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pastor wanted for O defiling teenage boys

Police nabs man who defrauded retired US army officer

ne Audi Shehu Usman has been arrested by the police in Lagos State for allegedly defrauding a United State based Nigerian Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna. According to Mr. Ezekwenna, he met Usman in his office at 3677 White Plains road Bronx New York 10467 on 24th November, 2008 and told him he has a Toyota Camry with laptops to send to Nigeria and Usman told him it will take 30 days for the goods to get to his relatives in Lagos through his Lagos manager one Mrs. Aishat Ibrahim Suleman.

Ezekwenna a US veteran Army said he paid $709 dollars to Usman for clearing and delivery with another $1600 dollars for the container adding that after 30days he called Usman to find out if the goods have gotten to Nigeria and he said he should give him a week that he was having some problem.

After several weeks of postponement, Ezekwenna decided to go to Usman’s office in Bronx, New York, USA but he was shocked to find out that Usman had fled.

Narrating his ordeal Ezekwenna said “Usman claimed runs and a company in U.S.A with the name Plain Air USA. He advertised in a newspaper that he was into clearing and forwarding of goods from USA to Nigeria which attracted many Nigerians residing in the USA. I traced Usman to Nigeria and on getting to Nigeria and I got his phone number. I called him, he told me to come and meet him in Abuja. On getting to Abuja, he informed me he had travelled to Kano and I stayed in Abuja for 3 weeks before a friend told me that Usman was in Lagos and I tracked him to Ikeja area of Lagos where Usman was eventually arrested

by SARS operatives.

During interrogation, Usman told the police that the goods were in Cotonu Benin Republic but that Ezekwenna is to pay the sum of N80,000 for the trip to Cotonu for Investigation.

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he police and a Lagos community have declared a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Assistant Pastor, Oyedeyi Oyebola John wanted for engaging in illicit sex with impressionable teenage boys.

Oyedeyi Oyebola John until two years back resided at Alafia street in Mushin with his wife and was an assistant pastor at a parish of Redeemed Church in the neighbourhood.

Then he preached the word of God in the open but in the dark secretly engaged in same-sex act.

Sources told revealed that it came into the open that Pastor John is a homosexual and was luring impressionable teenage boys and some of his friends into homosexuality in 2013.

It was then that he was caught in the act with a partner.

While the police have been on Pastor John’s trail following his escape from arrest, his partner was apprehended and has long been arraigned before a Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi.

It was gathered that Pastor Oyedeyi Oyebola John’s loved ones are growing worry about his safety fearing he may be hurt by the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) following the release of the suspect’s photo by the police.

In Nigeria, homosexuality and lesbianism are outlawed and offenders are liable to 14 years imprisonment, a fate that awaits Pastor Oyedeyi Oyebola John if found guilty caught.

Oyebola

Police arrest Indian national in Lagos over visa scam

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he Nigeria Police have arrested a Dubai-based Indian national, Mr Mohammed Shazul, for allegedly procuring a Dubai visa using a Nigerian man’s name without his consent.

Sources close to Federal Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (FCIID) Annex, Alagbon Close, Lagos, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

The source said that operatives from the FCIID arrested Shazul after a petition by the Nigerian, Mr Ayodotun Babalola, to the police authorities.

It said the Indian, Vice-President of Fast Logistics Solution Group, an air cargo company based in Dubai was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday on arrival from Dubai. ``When the Inspector-General of Police got the petition dated Aug. 19, 2015, he sent it through the DIG, FCIID to the ``X’’ Squad Annex, La-

gos for investigation. ``The operatives have been on the trail of the suspect and others involved in the crime. ``After his arrest at the airport, he put up a call to the EFCC operatives, who after speaking with police told him to follow the operatives to Alagbon,’’ the source told NAN. A copy of the petition, made available to NAN, alleged that the suspect, the President of the company, one AlAmeen Kerala and others, used his International Passport data page to obtain visa without his consent.

The petition indicated that they allegedly used his name to obtain the visa and held on to it to prevent him from travelling to Dubai to transact his business with other companies. ``I am still being intimidated and my rights are being abused by depriving me from travelling to Dubai for business. ``This has cost me lot of breach of contract and defamation of character internationally. ``I am pleading with the police to

help me to retrieve my visa and also stop them from causing harm to my personality and my family in future,’’ the petition said.

The petitioner, Babalola, said Al-Ameen Kerala was his business partner, adding that the relationship turned sour when he demanded for 49 per cent shares in the company.

Babalola said he was shocked when he attempted to obtain visa to Dubai but was told that he had earlier obtained one.

He said that after his investigation; he was able to trace the visa scam to one Citadel Toss company. ``I applied for a visa to Dubai only to discover that my name has been used to obtain a visa without my knowledge. The company is Citadel Toss Company. ``When I contacted Citadel Toss Company, they told me they have strict instruction from their client, (the suspect) not to hand over the visa to anybody even if the owner comes until further instruction from him.

``Their plan was to ensure that I don’t get visa to Dubai to do my business. ``I see my visa as my personal document and on that note I couldn’t travel again because I was restricted. ``I had to petition the InspectorGeneral of Police to complain officially to seek redress on the matter,’’ the complainant said.

Babalola said that currently, one of the directors of the company, who is also an accomplice, had been arrested in Lagos. ``He is currently under questioning by the police. There was a meeting scheduled for both parties by the police on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and was at FCIID, Alagbon Close,’’ he said.

When contacted, the Police spokesman at the FCIID Annex, SP Achibong Asukwor, confirmed the arrest, saying that the Indian was released on bail on Monday night after questioning.

Asukwor said that the police had begun investigation into the matter.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Crime Watch

September 19, 2015

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Man, 73, arrested over attempted rape of daughter Ojo O yewamide Akure

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73-year-old man, Agidi Omolola, has been arrested by detectives from Ondo state police command for attempting to have canal knowledge of his daughter. The incident occurred at Ijare in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

Saturday Mirror learnt the suspect

invited the victim into his room and reportedly removed her underwear, attempting to defile her.

But an elder brother of the little girl caught their father in the process and quickly raised the alarm.

The case was immediately reported at the Ijare Police Station where a team of detectives was mobilised to the scene.

The suspect was moved to the station where he was interrogated and

subsequently detained.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident, disclosing that the victim’s brother identified as Muyiwa was the one who saw the suspect while he was about defiling the innocent girl.

Ogodo said the suspect quickly rushed inside the house and drank a substance suspected to be poison before the arrival of police.

He explained that the suspect was

writhing in pains when he got to the police station and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, having taken a poisonous substance.

The police spokesman described the incident as unfortunate, advising parents and guardians to take care of their children.

He warned randy men in the state to be careful or be ready to face full wrath of the law.

Vigilance group kills kidnap suspect, arrest colleague

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wo kidnap suspects were intercepted by members of a vigilance group in Kogi State, who killed one of them and arrested his colleague.

The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday in Lokoja, said the suspects met their waterloo while escaping with their victim, Mary Ocheje.

Ojukwu said that on September 16 at about 8pm, the suspects forced their way into Ocheje’s residence at Owele area in Ankpa, blindfolded and took her away in her Honda car.

He added: “While escaping, the car developed fault.

“The suspects abandoned the car and

Ojukwu

Court remands 18-year-old for allegedly escaping from police custody

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n Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday remanded in prison an 18-year-old, Sunday Akpan, who allegedly escaped from police custody with handcuffs while being transported to the court.

Sunday, who resides at Agboye Estate, Oduntan Street in Ketu area of Lagos, is facing a four-count charge bordering on escape from lawful custody and assault.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, ordered that the accused should be kept behind bars until the next date of adjournment.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie told the court that the accused had on Sept. 12 at about 8.30 a.m., knowing full well that he had been

charged to court, escaped with handcuffs from lawful custody. ``Sunday and the Investigating Police Officer were in a taxi on Akilo Road on their way to Ikeja Magistrates’ Court when he committed the offence. ``He pushed the police woman and jumped out of the moving vehicle to an unknown destination,’’ the prosecutor said.

Ihiehie said all efforts to locate him that day proved abortive until the next day when the brother of the accused came to the police station to see him. ``When the police told Emmanuel Akpan, the brother of the accused that Sunday had escaped from custody, he burst into tears. ``After interrogation, Emmanuel

finally confessed and disclosed the hideout of the accused which led to his re-arrest.’’

The prosecutor said the accused had previously been charged to court for assault. ``On Sept. 7, the accused with another man still at large, assaulted one Mr Alex Alumona of Agboye Estate. ``Sunday hit the victim with a plank on the head and he fainted,’’ Ihiehie said.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 106(a), 106(b), 170 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 106(a) stipulates the highest punishment of seven years imprisonment for escape from lawful custody.

snatched a motorcycle from its owner.

“But unfortunately for them, the owner of the motorcycle alerted his fellow villagers through his mobile phone that he had been robbed of his motorcycle.”

Ojukwu said the youths of the village, Imere in Igalamela Local Government Area, had gathered to discuss the incident when the suspects and their victim suddenly appeared.

He said the youths, who were mostly members of the village vigilance group, pounced on the suspects and beat them up.

The commissioner said one of the suspects, Ibrahim Yakubu, died in the process, while his accomplice, Wada Mustapha, was arrested.

He said the villagers later called in the police who took charge of the situation.

Their victim, Ocheje, described her encounter as “shocking”.

She said the suspects from their conversation knew her, her husband and other members of her family.

Ocheje, who claimed to be the Chief Agricultural Officer in Ankpa Local Government Council, said the suspects collected five mobile phones, including her own, before kidnapping her.

She said her abductors made her to walk bare footed over 20 kilometres when the car developed fault before they decided to snatch the motorcycle.

The surviving suspect, Mustapha, who said he was lured into the operation, told the police that two other members of their gang were on the run.

He said his junior sister and one of Ocheje’s children were classmate.

The Commissioner promised that the other members of the gang would be arrested and charged to court.

September 19, 2015

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Earn your daily bread ...from bread

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read has gradually become a staple food item in Nigeria. It is consumed by all and sundry- old, young, poor, rich- everyone eats bread practically on daily basis. This makes investment into bread an attractive business option. Nigeria investors are therefore advised to invest into bread production. Bread is regarded as a food for the masses. It is taken as breakfast in many houses.

As at 2006, the population of Nigeria was placed at 140 million by the Nigeria Population Commission. By 2013, Nigeria’s population had climbed to about 180 million. The increase in population results in increase in demand for bread.

With the increasing population of Nigeria and migration to the urban areas from the rural areas, there is need to increase the number of bread producing firms in the country. Despite the increase in the price of bread, the demand for bread keeps rising. And despite the rising cost of flour and the other raw materials for bread making, investment into the bread industry is still very lucrative.

According to the Nigeria Bakers Association, the price of bread has risen in the last three years by about 25 percent from between N80 and N120 per family size loaf to between N200 and N250 because of the increase in the prices of baking materials. In January, 2011, the prices of all sizes of bread were increased by 10 per cent. Although the rise in the prices of bread have been associated with sundry baking materials such as sugar, butter, flour and fat, consumers are willing to pay any amount to get the essential commodity for the family table.

One good thing, however, is that the high demand for bread is consistent. The supply of bread is still very low in comparison to demand. There is therefore need for more investors to come into the industry to increase the production base of bread.

Modern trends in the bread industry Bread making is no longer an all comers affair. Quality, size, packaging and operational/marketing strategies should be given a thorough consideration for one to remain in the business. There is need to address the level of technology application to ensure that standard is maintained. Professional hands are also very essential for any investor to make

profits in the industry. Advertisement has become very necessary to thrive in the industry. There is need to use professionals in the management and marketing of the project.

Starting the Project For any prospective investor to be successful, consideration should be given to location. This is very important because location determines class of customers. It is advisable to locate the project in areas of high population density. To start the business, there is need to consider the type of technology to apply in the project. Investors need to consider type of machines to use, capacity of the machines and other basic infrastructure such as distribution vehicles, power generators and other such related issues?

The operational environment is also very important. For easy approval by NAFDAC and SON, there is need to site the project in a very clean environment.

Marketing Strategies Though bread can easily be sold in any part of the country, there is need to have well articulated structures and marketing strategies. It is appropriate to structure effective marketing management and financial control.

Plants & Machinery The following plants, machinery and equipment are essential for setting up an ultra-modern bakery; Electric oven (3 Deck/4Deck are available depending on capacity), industrial burner, electric milling machines, mixer, bowl or dough mixer (of various capacities ranging from 3-10 bags of 50kg flour at a time), automatic slicing machine, paster roller, standard scale/measure.

There is also need to procure various sizes of baking pans. The machines can be sourced locally or imported. The power generator is very important and ranges from 25KVA and above, depending also on the capacity of the plant to be installed.

Raw materials applications and sources All the required raw materials for commercial bread production are locally available and include the following; flour, sugar, salt, yeast and edible or baking fat.

There is need to get a professional food technologist that will mix the inputs

properly to achieve a unique taste.

Production Processes The first step is to purchase the basic raw materials from dealers and maintain adequate stock. Other steps include measuring out the quantities required, mixing the raw materials using the mixing bowl, milling with the milling machine, putting the milled products into the baking pans, allowing for some hours to enable product to rise properly and transferring to the baking oven. After spending the required time in the oven, the baking pans are emptied and the product is set to cool for slicing. The bread is then wrapped and packaged for sale.

Packaging The packaging materials must be unique and attractive. This is very important in the modern bread industry.

Labour Requirement From our projection, about 16 people are needed for a start for production, marketing, management and auxiliary staff.

Financial Implications The estimated cost of setting up an ultra modern bread baking business is N27, 891, 000. The breakdown of this cost is as follows:-

Accommodation

Plants, machinery & equipment/other assets

N 9, 407, 000

Working capital (3 months) Other operating expenses

N 2, 500, 000

N13, 336, 000 N 2, 298, 000

Preliminary expenses (including feasibility studies) N350, 000 Total Based on our projections, a turnover of N121, 000, 000 would be made in the first year of operation as total income.

The expected Gross Profit in the first year is about N39 million, which will increase to N96 million within the first five years of operation. The payback period is within one year of operation if the project is well managed. The rate of return on investment is about 76% within

N27, 891, 000 the first three years of operation.

Implementation To handle the implementation of this project professionally, prospective investors should embark upon a detailed and bankable feasibility studies. Construction of the factory will take place, followed by procurement and installation of all the required machinery and other basic assets.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Customs impounds goods, fake drugs worth N219m

T

hese are really not the best of times for smugglers in the country as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has continued to beam its search light on the activities of smugglers and their collaborators.

These followed the recent seizure of a number of contraband goods by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Owerri within its areas of jurisdiction estimated at a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two hundred and nineteen million, three hundred and seventy-five thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine naira (N219, 375,479.00).

The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Dimka Victor David (fsi), who showcased the items at the Customs warehouses at both Owerri and Benin while briefing newsmen, listed these items to include one thousand, nine hundred and twenty (1,920) cartons of banned mosquito coils bearing a Duty Paid Value of N38,400,000.00. He said that the driver with his vehicle has been arrested, and might be prosecuted after necessary investigations by the court.

According to him, four thousand, four hundred and eighty (4,480) cartons of foreign Eva soap known in local parlance as “complexion care soap” with a DPV of twenty-three million, six hundred and

fifty-five thousand, seven hundred and twenty naira (N23, 655,720) was on the 11th of this month seized on the Aba/Eleme axis even as he entertained misgivings on the type of chemicals used in manufacturing the strange soap.

“You see people, both men and women, looking not yellow, but red. Most of them are as a result of using such soaps,” he observed.

The Customs Area Controller, who condemned the use of soaps manufactured without NAFDAC official registration numbers, disclosed that these products usually find their way into the country with Chinese language written on the leaflets, and warned that any consumable item manufactured within or outside the country must not only bear English inscriptions, but also the country of origin, manufacturing and expiration dates.

Other items impounded by the Unit, according to Dimka, were 596 pieces of used tyres on the OwerriPort Harcourt axis with a DPV of N3, 439,729.00, a truck load of 714 various brands of fake drugs on the Benin Express way without NAFDAC registration numbers, manufacturing and expiring dates, as well as six (6) brand new Toyota Hilux with DPV of N57, 769,470.00 impounded on the Asaba/Benin Expressway.

SOUTH EAST

PAGE

53

Enugu set to flush out ghost workers in 17 LGs

I

n its determination to stamp out suspected ghost worker-syndrome in the 17 local council areas of the state, and also resolve the riddle of non-payment of staff salaries in some of the councils, the Enugu State government has commenced a comprehensive audit of the local governments across the state.

This was sequel to the recent inauguration of an 11-man Local Government Audit Committee by the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly as its chairman, with the mandate to carry out com-

prehensive audit of all the local governments in the state in the wake of the nagging problems.

In line with the governor’s order, the committee commenced action with staff verification exercise across the 17 local councils, with Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South councils as the first port of call.

The audit committee became necessary following the prevailing inefficiency and inability to pay workers salaries by various council areas in the state, a situation which prompted the governor to peep into the manner in which the local councils are run to find lasting solutions to

their challenges and make them effective and resultoriented.

The governor had while inaugurating the committee, mandated it to take appropriate actions to capture the particulars of all staff of local government areas in the state biometrically including all categories of teachers, local government staff and pensioners.

Hence, in the two local government councils covered so far, those grilled in the audit exercise included thousands of primary school teachers, local government staff and pensioners, all of whom were required to personally ap-

pear in person with identification documents in line with their status as public servants.

Speaking at the Igbo-Eze North Local Government secretariat, chairman of the committee and Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, commended the workers for cooperating with the committee, and advised them to always be punctual and dedicated to duty after the exercise.

“I sincerely commend local government workers in Igbo-Eze North for coming out in large numbers and for their maturity in complying with government directives,” he said.

Aro begins 2015 Ikeji Festival Eric Elezuo

A

ctivities marking this year’s Ikeji Aro have since commenced in Arochukwu, Abia State, known as the cradle of Igbo civilisation.

The celebration will climax on Eke traditional market day, Sunday, September 27, 2015 in the ancient town with cultural displays. The theme of this year’s festival is “Ikeji Arochukwu: Nigeria’s Home of Tourism”.

In the past, Arochukwu was the abode of the supreme God, Chukwu, and because people always needed answers from Chukwu, Arochukwu became a pilgrimage centre, bringing spiritual succour to its patrons. With that kind of responsibility, every Aro man came to be regarded as a priest of Chukwu, and they travelled far and wide bringing pilgrims to the city of God,

for indeed that is what the word ‘Arochukwu’ means.

Indeed, Ikeji Aro festival has been celebrated in more than 350 Aro Diaspora communities in Nigeria, where Aro people lived and still live to date.

They include Aro Ndizuogu, Aro Okporoenyi, Aro Ikwere, Aro Ngwa, Aro Izombe, Aro Cameroun, Aro Ajalli, Aro Oru, Aro Ndike , Aro Ndiokpalaeke, Aro Ndiowu, Aro Orji and Aro Ohaozara amongst others.

Interestingly, all the Aro Diaspora communities still maintain ancestral bond with their kindred and villages in the Aro homeland.

Each key day of the 17 days of the Ikeji brings together different segments of the community in a re-enactment of events depicting Arochukwu history. The different peoples of Aro descent choose the period of Ikeji to return and pay homage to their ancestral homeland.

R-L: MD/CEO of Slot Systems Limited, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo; Bishop Humphery Erumaka and Nkechi Ezeigbo, during the late Dimgba Igwe’s Anniversary Book Launch recently.

Collapsed building: Imo govt seals premises, orders arrest of owner, contractor

Chris Njoku Owerri

T

he Imo State Government has ordered the sealing off of the premises where two storey building under construction collapsed in Umuoma Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area, because of alleged use of substandard mate-

rials.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, gave the order recently when he led a team of government officials to the collapsed building, to ascertain the extent of damage and effect.

The government also directed that the contractor and the owner of the premises be arrested immediately, as a committee

has been set up to determine the immediate and remote causes of the collapsed building.

Prince Madumere regretted the death of one man (name withheld) which occurred as a result of the collapsed building.

He stressed that hence forth, the community officials should ensure that any building being constructed in their commu-

nities follow the approved and certified engineering plan from professionals and other agencies whose job it is.

The Deputy Governor decried a situation where such buildings are constructed with cheap materials, adding that the government will not tolerate such carefree attitude either by contractors or owners of contracts.

PAGE

54

Delta Tribunal: PDP closes case without calling witnesses Theophilus Onojeghen Warri

T

here was a mild drama yesterday at the resumed hearing of the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, subtly closed it case without calling any witnesses.

PDP is second respondent in the legal battle involving its candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the election tribunal being challenged by All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor.

The party was expected to open defence at Friday’s hearing, but its Counsel Mr. Timothy Kehinde (SAN) in a deft move told the threeman panel that they have chosen to close their case without calling any witness.

Kehinde told the tribunal that rather than calling witnesses that have been listed to testify, it has chosen to adopt Okowa’s defence.

It would be recalled that at the hearing on Wednesday Okowa also closed his case after calling only three witnesses.

Dr. Alex Izyion, after calling the 3 witnesses who contradicted their position that Okowa won the governorship election free and fair adding that the Tribunal had no reason calling additional witnesses, as it would amount to flogging a dead horse.

Reacting to the development, an APC chieftain in Delta State, Dr. Cyril Ogodo, described the move as panic measure, because Okowa and PDP knows that the game was up, and have no defence for the massive rigging that characterized the governorship election.

He added that it is clear that Okowa never won the April 11, guber poll in Delta State. “If they won the election they should come out and show the world how they won, the game is up Deltans stolen mandate will be recovered.”

SOUTH SOUTH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Prepare to quit Govt House, APC tells Dickson Osahon Julius Yenagoa

T

he Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tiwei Orunimighe, has advised the incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Seriake Dickson to begin preparation to quit Creek Haven (Government House), saying that the APC is poised to win the December 5 governorship election in the state.

Orunimigbe who stated this in Yenagoa on Friday boasted that the APC would roundly defeat the PDP in

the election.

He also spoke ahead of the September 22 governorship primary of the APC, assuring that it is going to be a watershed in the state’s political history.

“On the September 22 primary of the APC, I want to assure the people of the state and Nigerians that Bayelsa will witness another success in the party. It is going to be a very peaceful primary where every aspirant will be given level-playing field to exercise their franchise and to aspire to their aspiration.

“So, we are confident that the APC is prepared

to win government and change all things that need to be changed. We will occupy Creek Haven soon.”

He urged the people to file out for the APC and be resolute in the quest to change the current administration in the stat as the party remained the only viable platform available to the people of the state to realize their political destinies.

He added, “When we came on board, I told Bayelsa people that in a few months from that time the APC flag was hoisted that the party would remain the only platform that would

be available for every Bayelsan to achieve their ideals.

“They were a bit skeptical then. But today, that statement is real because I know the Peoples Democratic Party would shut their doors against them as they believe in selection and godfatherism.

“But in the APC, we believe in internal democracy and level-playing field for all those who aspire to elective offices. Bayelsans have seen that in recent times that the APC is now the only party for them to dream if they want to dream, and aspire if they want to aspire.”

L-R: GM, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. Neil Comerford; Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker, Ms. Oyinade Olufemi-Osobajo; Head of Reserve, Mr. Joe Nazzal and Joy Ambassador, Don Jazzy during the launch of Johnnie Walker ‘JOY WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER’ Campaign, yesterday.

Stolen funds will be recovered –Wike Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration will recover embezzled public funds from contractors.

The Governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, made the declaration today in Port Harcourt, as he received the Task force report on the Renovation of selected state owned secondary schools.

He said, “In as much

as I am continuing with the important ongoing projects i inherited where Rivers State tax payers’ money have been misappropriated, I will not relent in ensuring that such funds are recovered” .

Wike assured members of the task force that the contractors who defrauded the state of N2billion in the immediate past administration will not go scot free.

He commended the taskforce for their hard work in compiling the report and thanked God that they did not record any ugly incident during their assignment.

Speaking earlier, the chairman, Taskforce on

Inspection of Government Secondary Schools, Eze (Surveyor) Otoma Eric, who informed the governor that the inspection was carried on selected secondary schools across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, said the entire project was mismanaged by the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

According to him, contracts were awarded in 24 out of 42 secondary schools and the contractors were given 30 per cent value of the contract as mobilization fees.

He said the contracts were awarded with disregard to the due process panel by a special three-

man committee made up of former Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, former SSG, Mr. George Feyii and former chairman of Senior Secondary Schools’ Board, Chief Allwell Onyeoso.

Eze Eric said that the awards defied the Rivers State Procurement Law of 2008 as there were no newspaper advertisement calling on interested contractors to bid.

The Taskforce Chairman further explained that many of the contractors got mobilized but did not visit the project site, while others did the job haphazardly and a few got money but were not assigned any project sites.

Navy nabs 30 illegal ships, boats Richard Ndoma Calabar

T

he Nigerian Navy has arrested about thirty illegal ships and smaller boats that often ply the navy bases of the Eastern Naval Command comprising of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State.

Outgoing Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, revealed this to journalists in Calabar, yesterday at the command’s head quarters, shortly after handing over to Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir as FOC of the command.

The navy stated that the arrest was carried out within a period of nine months, following consistent patrol of officers on the waters ways.

The out-going navy boss stressed that within the period under review, the navy had destroyed numerous illegal refineries that operated within the command. “it is to the glory of the command that during my watch we had hard working, loyal and capable officers that commanded their operational bases in Calabar, Ikot Abasi and Port Harcourt and day in day out, we tried that at least we keep a capital ship at sea and numerous patrol boats and in the process, we have arrested over thirty ships and boats “The major thrust of our operational achievements have been in the areas of destruction of illegal refineries, we do that on a daily basis, we get information and we proceed on arrest and destroy those refineries” According to him, “an illegal refinery is something you can easily put up so when you destroy, maybe in the next three days it is back again because it is just made of very simple distillation process,” Babalola maintained.

Speaking earlier, the new FOC Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir said the navy would not relent in her effort to carry out the fight of quelling down sea criminality and illegal refineries within the operational bases of the Eastern Naval command

PAGE

54

Delta Tribunal: PDP closes case without calling witnesses Theophilus Onojeghen Warri

T

here was a mild drama yesterday at the resumed hearing of the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, subtly closed it case without calling any witnesses.

PDP is second respondent in the legal battle involving its candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the election tribunal being challenged by All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor.

The party was expected to open defence at Friday’s hearing, but its Counsel Mr. Timothy Kehinde (SAN) in a deft move told the threeman panel that they have chosen to close their case without calling any witness.

Kehinde told the tribunal that rather than calling witnesses that have been listed to testify, it has chosen to adopt Okowa’s defence.

It would be recalled that at the hearing on Wednesday Okowa also closed his case after calling only three witnesses.

Dr. Alex Izyion, after calling the 3 witnesses who contradicted their position that Okowa won the governorship election free and fair adding that the Tribunal had no reason calling additional witnesses, as it would amount to flogging a dead horse.

Reacting to the development, an APC chieftain in Delta State, Dr. Cyril Ogodo, described the move as panic measure, because Okowa and PDP knows that the game was up, and have no defence for the massive rigging that characterized the governorship election.

He added that it is clear that Okowa never won the April 11, guber poll in Delta State. “If they won the election they should come out and show the world how they won, the game is up Deltans stolen mandate will be recovered.”

SOUTH SOUTH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Prepare to quit Govt House, APC tells Dickson Osahon Julius Yenagoa

T

he Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tiwei Orunimighe, has advised the incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Seriake Dickson to begin preparation to quit Creek Haven (Government House), saying that the APC is poised to win the December 5 governorship election in the state.

Orunimigbe who stated this in Yenagoa on Friday boasted that the APC would roundly defeat the PDP in

the election.

He also spoke ahead of the September 22 governorship primary of the APC, assuring that it is going to be a watershed in the state’s political history.

“On the September 22 primary of the APC, I want to assure the people of the state and Nigerians that Bayelsa will witness another success in the party. It is going to be a very peaceful primary where every aspirant will be given level-playing field to exercise their franchise and to aspire to their aspiration.

“So, we are confident that the APC is prepared

to win government and change all things that need to be changed. We will occupy Creek Haven soon.”

He urged the people to file out for the APC and be resolute in the quest to change the current administration in the stat as the party remained the only viable platform available to the people of the state to realize their political destinies.

He added, “When we came on board, I told Bayelsa people that in a few months from that time the APC flag was hoisted that the party would remain the only platform that would

be available for every Bayelsan to achieve their ideals.

“They were a bit skeptical then. But today, that statement is real because I know the Peoples Democratic Party would shut their doors against them as they believe in selection and godfatherism.

“But in the APC, we believe in internal democracy and level-playing field for all those who aspire to elective offices. Bayelsans have seen that in recent times that the APC is now the only party for them to dream if they want to dream, and aspire if they want to aspire.”

L-R: GM, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. Neil Comerford; Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker, Ms. Oyinade Olufemi-Osobajo; Head of Reserve, Mr. Joe Nazzal and Joy Ambassador, Don Jazzy during the launch of Johnnie Walker ‘JOY WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER’ Campaign, yesterday.

Stolen funds will be recovered –Wike Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration will recover embezzled public funds from contractors.

The Governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, made the declaration today in Port Harcourt, as he received the Task force report on the Renovation of selected state owned secondary schools.

He said, “In as much

as I am continuing with the important ongoing projects i inherited where Rivers State tax payers’ money have been misappropriated, I will not relent in ensuring that such funds are recovered” .

Wike assured members of the task force that the contractors who defrauded the state of N2billion in the immediate past administration will not go scot free.

He commended the taskforce for their hard work in compiling the report and thanked God that they did not record any ugly incident during their assignment.

Speaking earlier, the chairman, Taskforce on

Inspection of Government Secondary Schools, Eze (Surveyor) Otoma Eric, who informed the governor that the inspection was carried on selected secondary schools across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, said the entire project was mismanaged by the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

According to him, contracts were awarded in 24 out of 42 secondary schools and the contractors were given 30 per cent value of the contract as mobilization fees.

He said the contracts were awarded with disregard to the due process panel by a special three-

man committee made up of former Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, former SSG, Mr. George Feyii and former chairman of Senior Secondary Schools’ Board, Chief Allwell Onyeoso.

Eze Eric said that the awards defied the Rivers State Procurement Law of 2008 as there were no newspaper advertisement calling on interested contractors to bid.

The Taskforce Chairman further explained that many of the contractors got mobilized but did not visit the project site, while others did the job haphazardly and a few got money but were not assigned any project sites.

Navy nabs 30 illegal ships, boats Richard Ndoma Calabar

T

he Nigerian Navy has arrested about thirty illegal ships and smaller boats that often ply the navy bases of the Eastern Naval Command comprising of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State.

Outgoing Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, revealed this to journalists in Calabar, yesterday at the command’s head quarters, shortly after handing over to Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir as FOC of the command.

The navy stated that the arrest was carried out within a period of nine months, following consistent patrol of officers on the waters ways.

The out-going navy boss stressed that within the period under review, the navy had destroyed numerous illegal refineries that operated within the command. “it is to the glory of the command that during my watch we had hard working, loyal and capable officers that commanded their operational bases in Calabar, Ikot Abasi and Port Harcourt and day in day out, we tried that at least we keep a capital ship at sea and numerous patrol boats and in the process, we have arrested over thirty ships and boats “The major thrust of our operational achievements have been in the areas of destruction of illegal refineries, we do that on a daily basis, we get information and we proceed on arrest and destroy those refineries” According to him, “an illegal refinery is something you can easily put up so when you destroy, maybe in the next three days it is back again because it is just made of very simple distillation process,” Babalola maintained.

Speaking earlier, the new FOC Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir said the navy would not relent in her effort to carry out the fight of quelling down sea criminality and illegal refineries within the operational bases of the Eastern Naval command

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

September 19, 2015

Trump comes under fire over Obama Muslim question

D

onald Trump came under fire Friday morning for his handling of a question at a town hall about when the U.S. can “get rid” of Muslims, for failing to take issue with that premise and an assertion that President Barack Obama is Muslim.

Trump, who has shaken off several high-profile controversies that would have ended other presidential campaigns, faced an immediate backlash from advocacy groups, and members of his own party distanced themselves from the GOP front-runner. The incident recalls Trump’s 2011 quest to challenge Obama on where he was born, which ended with Obama releasing his long-form birth certificate. It also follows a debate performance Wednesday that garnered mixed reviews for the billionaire businessman.

“We have a problem in this country. It’s called Muslims,” an unidentified man who spoke at a question-and-answer town hall event in Rochester, New Hampshire asked the mogul at a rally Thursday night. “You know our current president is one.

You know he’s not even an American.”

A seemingly bewildered Trump interrupted the man, chuckling, “We need this question. This is the first question.”

“Anyway, we have training camps growing where they want to kill us,” the man, wearing a “Trump” T-shirt, continued. “That’s my question: When can we get rid of them?”

“We’re going to be looking at a lot of different things,” Trump replied.

“You know, a lot of people are saying that and a lot of people are saying that bad things are happening.

We’re going to be looking at that and many other things.”

The real estate mogul did not correct the questioner about his claims about Obama before moving on to another audience member.

His comments were quickly denounced by Democrats. Hillary Clinton, the party’s front-runner for president, person-

ally tweeted late Thursday that Trump’s remarks were “just plain wrong.”

“Donald Trump not denouncing false statements about POTUS & hateful rhetoric about Muslims is disturbing, & just plain wrong. Cut it out. -H” Fellow Democratic hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley condemned the remarks.

Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, called the incident a sign of “a lack of moral courage.”

“I don’t know if Trump is using dog-whistle politics to win support in the polls, or if he genuinely believes the racist things he says. Either way, he showed a complete lack of moral courage in that clip, and he has shown once again that he completely unqualified to be President of the United States.”

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz flatly called Trump a racist in a statement.

“GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s racism knows no bounds. This is certainly horrendous, but unfortunately unsurprising given what we have seen already.

The vile rhetoric coming from the GOP candidates is appalling,” Schultz said. “(Republicans) should be ashamed, and all Republican presidential candidates must denounce Trump’s comments immediately or will be tacitly agreeing

with him.”

After the event, several reporters asked Trump why he didn’t challenge the questioner’s assertions.

Trump did not answer.

But Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager, later told CNN that the candidate did not hear the question about Obama being a Muslim.

“All he heard was a question about training camps, which he said we have to look into,” Lewandowski said. “The media want to make this an issue about Obama, but it’s about him waging a war on Christianity.”

Trump announced Friday that he would cancel his trip to South Carolina,

citing “a significant business transaction.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Friday that he would not “lecture” Trump on how to respond to comments like that, but said that leaders are responsible for correcting voters on certain issues.

“I’ll tell you what I would do and I wouldn’t have permitted that if someone brought that up at a town hall meeting of mine. I would have said, ‘No, listen. Before we answer let’s clear some things up for the rest of the audience.’ And I think you have an obligation as a leader to do that,” Christie said on NBC’s “TODAY” Friday.

he girl known as “Baby Doe” -- who in June was found dead, wrapped in a trash bag on a rocky shoreline in Boston Harbor -- has been identified by authorities, a law enforcement source said Friday.

A suspect was taken into custody in connection with the case after a search warrant was executed in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood on Thursday, the source told CNN. The man being questioned by authorities is the boyfriend of the mother of “Baby Doe,” the law enforcement source said.

It’s unclear if the man -who has not been charged -- has a lawyer or if he’s cooperating, according to the source.

The child’s identity has not been released, according to the source.Authorities were to hold a news conference later Friday, the source said.

The case of the mysterious girl, whose adorable brown eyes and cherubic face -- as rendered by forensic artist Christi Andrews and distributed by authorities in Massachusetts -- caught the attention of millions.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office

told CNN that the “investigation remains very active” but that it had no update to share.

The tiny remains were found June 25 wrapped in a black trash bag, wearing polka dot pants lying next to a zebra blanket along the shore of Deer Island, a narrow peninsula just east of Boston’s Logan Airport. Police released photos of the blanket and the polka-dot leggings she was wearing.

Authorities previously said they believe that “Baby Doe” was about 4 years old at the time of her death. She was 3 feet 6 inches tall and weighed

Trump

55

U.S. hands fugitive over to China

T

he United States has repatriated a Chinese businessman on a list of the country’s most wanted fugitives.

Yang Jinjun, who is suspected of corruption and bribery, had been in the United States since 2001, according to a Friday statement from China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The repatriation comes days before President Xi Jinping embarks on a visit to the United States and suggests that Washington is willing to help Beijing in its corruption crackdown.

Since coming to power, President Xi has netted hordes of government officials and company executives suspected of corruption. Some critics say it’s merely politics and that Xi is removing his opponents, but the crackdown has continued to widen.

In April, China published a list of 100 most wanted fugitives and has launched campaigns dubbed “Operation Foxhunt” and “Operation Skynet.”

The “most wanted” list includes photos and identification numbers of former local government officials, police officers, accountants and more, who are suspected

of taking bribes, embezzling funds and laundering money.

Yang’s forced return marks the first time that China has succeeded in getting the United States to comply since it published the list.

Twelve others have been repatriated from other countries.

While the U.S. doesn’t have an extradition treaty with China, the State Department can still return fugitives to China.

“We must be satisfied that an individual extradited from the United States to another country would receive a fair trial and not be subject to torture or other forms of mistreatment in that country,” a department spokeswoman said in March.

According to Interpol, Yang is 57 years old and from Wenzhou, eastern China. It said he is wanted on charges of embezzlement.

China is also keenly seeking the return of another businessman, Ling Wangcheng, reported by The New York Times to be in the U.S. and on the list of targets.

Ling is the brother of Ling Jihua, a former presidential aide who stands accused of accepting bribes, stealing state secrets and keeping mistresses.

Baby found in trash bag identified T about 30 pounds.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children released the composite of Baby Doe in July. Massachusetts State Police posted it on Facebook and distributed it via Twitter.

More than 50 million people saw or shared the composite.

Her remains were discovered along the shore of Deer Island, which has a 2.6 mile recreational perimeter accessible to the public, according to the National Park Service.

The island is near the Port of Boston, one of the busiest on the eastern sea-

board.

It’s unclear how long she had been dead but there was some decomposition when her remains were removed from the trash bag.

Authorities analyzed pollen found on the girl’s pants and blanket and determined that it “came from trees and plants around Boston,” Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, said last month.

“This pollen analysis also suggests that ‘Baby Doe’ may have been placed on the shoreline, rather than washed ashore from

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“I have no doubt that this team would have blended perfectly when we resume AFCON qualifiers in March next year.”

—Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh

Wanted: A systemic solution for Nigeria (II) Saturday, September 19, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

N

o one can build Nigeria without building human capital, without democratic orientation of the mentality of change in a voluntary manner.

This cannot be by force or intimidation.

I keep telling people that Buhari has spent 10% of his four year tenure. Don’t be surprised.

That’s simple Arithmetic. 365 days multiplied by four years, minus eight months of election period. In the context of the first 100 days, a lot must be running through his mind on a daily basis.

I am sure he must have concluded by now that this is a new Nigeria beyond his initial contemplation!

And again, he must figure out a Nigeria of tomorrow.

There is no system to work with and creating a new one is probably a challenge. In the last 100 days, some have said he is an administrator. I am sure time is running out, for I do know that in the next 100 days, he cannot be an administrator. A lot of memos will come to him from some ministers with a framework of lies and it will be up to him to decode them. Again, some adjustments will take away time in terms of understanding the ministers.

The ministers may take another six months to understand the president and the ministries may take another six months to understand the minister. Getting to the agenda proper may take another one year or so.

What system will Buhari work with? Will 36 ministers plus the president and the vice president make up the system? Assuming they have all it takes, will that

CFR

What system will Buhari work with?

Will 36 ministers plus the president and the vice president make up the system?

Assuming they have all it takes, will that transform the system? The public service is too dangerous.

Where is Pa Ayida? transform the system? The public service is too dangerous. Where is Pa Ayida? Is the problem beyond us? To whom do we cry? Oh my God! Even with twelve disciples, Jesus did not stay beyond thirty three years. Not with Judas right behind him!

Buhari cannot do anything without innovation and appreciation of technology shift, which Jonathan was completely ignorant of. Buhari must use technology to create economic, social and political relationships. He must connect and develop. But who will do all these for him? Thank God the ministers are coming and I do hope Buhari must have done the Psychometric test and the 360 degree test, otherwise we may soon see a bishop as minister

of petroleum! God forbid!

Is the public service ready for Buhari’s innovation? Do they know it? Where is the integration? Can you blame them for what they don’t know? How long ago was their last training?

Where did they get the training?

ASCON? Can BABA SOYINKA still help in his 80s? Or is this another Trial of Brother Jero?

Those who want to innovate Nigeria with Buhari must be system builders and they must be ready to copy from Dubai and other great nations. They must show evidence that they can innovate and they must be super in managing people. Their cognitive intelligence must be right in confronting unsettled markets of the people and ready to revise

institutional void. Mere change will not bring innovation. But persistence and constant change will do. How do we integrate this into the system; from local government to state and federal civil service? Buhari has a lot of work at hand.

What innovation? Jugaad, Close or Open Innovation? The Exco will decide! Again, can Buhari do anything without acknowledgment of technology shift? How integrated is the public service?

Some who claim evidence of compliance with technology, like the passport office, are powered by private consultants working and providing data base for them.

With this situation of the passport service, how safe is the Nigerian passport? Is this the right approach and at what cost?

Does an average civil servant have a laptop to communicate with his ministry or other ministries that are relevant to his work?

Very soon, we will be back to Nasir el-Rufai’s class of the monetisation of the public service.

Where are we starting from? Will the Senate, during the screening of ministers, ask each minister to compose an email publicly and send to the president for us to see the kind of minster we are going to have? If a minister cannot open his email or compose an email, how helpful will such a minister be to Buhari’s Jugaad Innovation?

Jimoh Ibrahim writes from the MBA class of the University of Cambridge.

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