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Vol. 5 No. 18

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N1.5bn lost to pipeline vandalism annually —FG

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Orekoya kids: Fake nanny names accomplices

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Ex-PDP chair, Ogbulafor, moves to dump party P. 7

...sneaks into APC national secretariat PDP saw polls defeat coming — Aliyu We’ll not insult Buhari, but can challenge rigging if detected — Metuh

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Dencia P.24

Hundreds of people taking part in a peace march after anti-immigrant violence flared in Durban, South Africa.

APC slams PDP over alleged plan to destabilise party P. 9

Offers Metuh free crash programme

Sealxk T

100 arousing facts about sex

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April 18, 2015

Orekoya kids’ kidnap latest:

Fake nanny fingers accomplices

• ‘Grandmother, her two sons, their wives, my husband involved’

P

olice in Lagos State on Thursday disclosed that a grandmother, her two sons and their wives were involved in the abduction of Mr. and Mrs. Leke Orekoya’s three children.

The operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos State also said the same family of kidnappers was behind the abduction of two children at Magodo area of the state a couple of months ago.

The suspects are the granny simply identified as Mrs. Kareem, Megida Akanni Kareem, Akeem Kareem, Ajoke Oseni (Akeem’s wife) and the dreaded maid, Fumilayo Adeyemi, popularly known as Mary Akinloye.

Adeyemi, now in police custody, confessed she was also behind the abduction of two brothers, Michael and Rafael Esharegaran, from their home at Magodo, Isheri, Lagos State while also posing as a maid. The Esharegarans were said to have paid N10 million, though the police denied knowledge of the payment then.

But Adeyemi, a mother of four, said her husband, also part of the syndicate, disclosed only N2.5 million ransom.

Although other members of the gang are on the run, Adeyemi was arrested on Wednesday with her housemaid, Henrietta Odili, 16.

Investigators said preliminary investigation showed that Odili was also a kidnap a victim. She applied to the family of kidnappers as a housemaid and when she got there, they seized her phone and refused her access to her father. Odili said: “I have not been able to speak with my parents for five months. They do not know whether I’m dead or alive.”

The rescue of the kids and Adeyemi’s subsequent arrest came barely days after the SARS team, led by the Officer-in-Charge, SP Abba Kyari, took over the case. The state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, said the police rescued the three kids on Tuesday at Shasha, Egbeda area of Lagos and the suspect, Adeyemi, was arrested on Wednesday by 9.20pm at Shasha, Lagos.

Aderanti advised people who want to employ housemaids to visit the nearest police station. Adeyemi, disguised as a maid, got a job with the Orekoyas last week.

Barely 24 hours after, she disappeared with their three kids – Aderomola (11 months old), Adedamola (4) and Ademola (6). The distraught parents later received a call, with the caller asking them to pay N15 million ransom if they ever wanted to see their kids alive again.

Adeyemi was picked at Coker Estate, Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos, but her husband, who was at the scene, escaped.

It took detectives more than five hours before she started talking about how her family had been celebrating each time a ransom was paid. Detectives believe that the family had been in the kidnap business for long, but Adeyemi said she started just last December and had only taken part in the abduction of Michael and Rafael Esharegaran and the Orekoya kids. She said Ajoke Oseni brought the idea and sold it to her husband as well as Adeyemi’s husband.

The police have also discovered that she used fake names on the OLX portal. A police source revealed how a trap was set for the kidnappers. He said: “Although the suspect and gang members were demanding N15 million, but I gathered that SARS detectives instructed the Orekoyas to pay a fraction of the ransom into the account of an unnamed bank. “The account was opened in Ibadan,

Adeyemi

Aderanti

Oyo State. Detectives discovered a link between the contact number on the account and that of the nanny.

The gang withdrew N400,000 from the account via ATM.” According to the source, detectives set up surveillance on the account and calls on the mobile phones of members of the syndicate. Aderanti explained that sensing that the police were closing in on them, the gang split.

Adeyemi and the gang evacuated their home in Coker Estate. She was, however, arrested along with her maid. Detectives have started trailing the fleeing members.

Leke Orekoya said the police had instructed them not to divulge the amount paid. He said: “Due to ongoing investigation and in line with police directives, we shall not disclose the amount paid.” Orekoya added that the kidnappers requested that the money be paid into the account of

an undisclosed bank, a ploy which the police asked him to comply with to track the kidnappers. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, denied knowing if any ransom was paid by the Orekoyas. Nwosu said: “We are making frantic effort to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

The police team, acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, tracked the gang with bits of information made available to them. “We encouraged the Orekoyas to maintain communication with the kidnappers. With the information gathered, the team was able to follow the link to where the nanny was arrested.

“We know that she did not carry out the crime in isolation.

Others are involved. I promise you that in a short while, they would also be arrested.”

Abdulgafar Oladimeji,

“Aliyu Tasiu,who is the second suspect is a brother to the grandmother of the kidnapped child, he blocked the view of the child’s grandmother, while the child was being taken away by Bello Wada, who handed over their victim to Fauziyya Bala, who conveyed their victim to Tarauni LG”, Ibrahim Idris stated.

The Kano police henchman disclosed that their victim was whisked away and hidden at allocation in Tarauni local government area in Kano metropolis.

Further disclosing that, the trio put a call through to the grandmother of their 4years -old victim demanding for N3 million as ransom.

He said, the three man gang threatened to kill their victim, if the grandmother fail to pay the 3 million demand.“The case was reported at Tudun Wada division, the two male suspects were part of those who accompanied the grandmother to the station to report the matter. “The police promptly started investigation and successfully arrested the suspects and rescued the victim without any harm or injury” Idris said.

Police arrest 18 year old lady 2 others for kidnapping 4 years

KANO

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he Kano State command of the Nigeria police force yesterday confirmed the arrest of an 18years-old lady, alongside two others who partake in the kidnap of 4-years –old last Tuesday in Tudun Wada Local Government Area. According to the police, the suspected female kidnapper, Fauziyya Bala, 18 years-old resident of Tudun Wada town, in Tudun Wada local government connived with two others and kidnapped 4 years-old Umar Aminu Ibrahim.

The State commissioner of police, Ibrahim K. Idris said, the kidnap victim was under the care of his grandmother, when he was taken captive by Fauziya and the duo who assisted her to hatch and carry out the criminal act.“On the 14thof April,2015, Bello Wada criminally conspired With Aliu Tasiu andFauziyya Bala to kidnap Umar AminuIbrahim of Tudun Wada town.

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April 18, 2015

When will election violence end?

As the 2015 generation elections approach, leading contenders in the two big political parties, Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC, signed a peace agreement, promising to eschew violence as the country decides its new leaders. Still, the governorship and state assembly elections witnessed major killings, intimidation and wanton destruction, raising questions as to when electoral violence will end in our polity, writes NICK UWERU.

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mmanuella Opara, an electoral officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, held her listeners spell bound as she narrated her ordeal on April 11, last week. Deployed to Oru, a local government area in Imo, to oversee the governorship and state assembly elections, Opara explained that she and her other INEC officers barely managed to escape from their duties after gun men CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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April 18, 20155

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‘Gun-weilding thugs seized election materials’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 held them hostage during the election.

Opara astounded stakeholders including the state Returning Officer, RO, and the State Resident Commissioner, REC, of INEC when she confessed that she and her colleagues were held hostage for several hours by elders, youths and thugs in the area, and were forced to write results of the governorship polls in favour of a party.

“We were held hostage by the elders of the area who took us to a house where we were forced to write the results of the governorship elections. I and the collation officer for Oru East local government had no choice but to do what they asked us to do in order to save our lives because the people were very aggressive and that was why we could not do the collation in the other wards and had to come back to our office in Owerri,” she narrated.

Unconfirmed report from Imo State has revealed that result sheets from areas won by one of the candidates were recorded on sheets with Sokoto serial numbers.

The Imo State Governorship election was declared inconclusive by INEC. But what happened in Oru in Imo is child’s play compared to the degree of violence that happened in other states across the country during the election last week.

For many observers, it was like the country descending to its previous ignoble status when elections were a do or die affair; where killings, barefaced intimidations and destruction of property held sway. Independent observers had a field day reporting electoral violence across the 29 and 36 states where governorship and state assembly elections were held respectively in the country.

Over 10 political parties participated in the election. But there are sufficient reasons to worry over the spate of violence that occurred during the voting process at the polling units, even though results of the outcome of the polls have been announced with some areas still designated inconclusive.

Although accreditation went on smoothly without incident in most polling units across the country, significant incidences of shootings, protests, arson and fatalities were recorded in most geopolitical zones in the country.

For example, election was suspended in Essan PU 004 in Dokota Ward, Gbako LGA, Niger State due to unrests. In Eku community, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, at least two persons were killed after violence erupted. Furthermore, in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State, thugs reportedly intercepted the transportation of sensitive materials in a polling unit in Oso Ward 2.

In addition, the Ogudu, Odi-Olowo (Mushin) and Osoroko (Ibeju Lekki) areas of Lagos State witnessed minor skirmishes between supporters of the two major political parties, namely the PDP and APC, with ballot boxes reportedly thrown into the lagoon in Osoroko. Gunmen were also reported to have taken over the Town Hall Polling Zone in Ilase-Ijesa, Obokun LGA of Osun state.

Election related violence reported as at the time of voting, Saturday April 11, 2015. Courtesy: Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD.

We were held hostage by the elders of the area who took us to a house where we were forced to write the results of the

governorship elections.

I and the collation

officer had no choice but to do what they asked us to do in order to save our lives because the people were very aggressive

Rivers state reportedly recorded the highest and most serious cases of violence in this election. Protests, violence and sporadic shootings over alleged non-availability of some electoral materials were reported in Buguma, Obio Akpor and Andoni LGAs. In Obio Akpor, for example, thugs reportedly snatched electoral materials meant for voting. Also in Gokana LGA, men in fake military uniform and identity cards were apprehended by the police. The house of the current Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Joeba West, was also reportedly set ablaze.

Clashes involving political party agents were also reported in Iyamoyom in Obubra LGA of Cross River State, leading to injuries. Independent Election Monitoring

Vandalised APC campaign office in Rivers State.

Group, IEMG, where perhaps more graphic in there description of what happened in Rivers State. The group described what happened in Rivers State as a “bloody election, a coup-de-tat against democracy.”

From its own findings, it may well appear that INEC itself is to blame for the ugly outcome.

Across the state, INEC officials were reported to have arrived late in most of the polling units across the local government areas of the state.

Observers noted that none of the INEC staff arrived before 9am while most arrived between 10 and 1pm. The late arrival also affected INEC materials. There were incidents of very late or non-arrival of INEC staff and materials in some polling units. For instance, by 12 noon INEC materials and adhoc staff had not left its RAC at the Primary School 1, Eneka covering

Eneka/Rukpokwu Ward 14 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Accreditation of voters also suffered tardiness leading to tension in the state.

It was gathered that accreditation did not commence on time where it actually happened. In most places it did not happen as materials never arrived, or when they arrived, they were carted away to unknown destinations by unknown gun carrying thugs, often times in company of uniformed security personnel, as reported.

Observers also noted that security was not adequate on that day. Generally, most polling stations reportedly had security presence. But there were also reports that security was either absent or insufficient in a number of places.

There are documented reports of killCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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April 18, 2015

‘Electoral offenders must be punished severely’

Adekoya Boladale, a political scientist and scholar on good governance, a social commentator and consultant on political and intra governmental affairs, says that electoral offenders must be severely punished with existing laws.

Again, violence has made its ugly appearance in our elections as witnessed in Rivers. What would you say is the biggest trigger of this development?

First, I must say that what we had on March 28 and April 11 were to a large extent not elections but the struggle of political parties to out rig one another, a scenario that is now responsible for the outbreak of unrest in some states in the country. For a state like Rivers, the government in power is embittered, not because the election was not free and fair but because there is an individual that has outsmarted the incumbent in the process of electoral manipulation. However, it will be unfair to say categorically that PDP didn’t win in the state as Governor Amaechi has already been labelled a betrayer by a vast section in the state who saw him as the obstacle against the reelection of their son, the President but under a free and fair system, the number of votes would have been less. For most states where electoral violence is prone, a critical look at those states shows that it wasn’t the electorates per se who were embittered but the politicians who feel the process isn’t transparent enough or they have been outsmarted.

How do we as people learnt to do without bringing violence into our politicking?

Is simple, first we must make public office less attractive to the people, it must not be seen as a place of luxury but rather a place of service. Secondly, a great deal of political education need to be taught. People must realise that serving the people is not a do-or-die affair. Power can only be legitimate when it is given by the people not through violence or mayhem. Any individual who sponsor, support or instigate violence shouldn’t be given a pat on the back, individuals like this must be used as a learning tool to others through appropriate punishment. Above all, the electoral institution must truly be independent as a failure to conduct a free and fair election is a call to anarchy.

Boladale

Do you think that this development more than makes a case for stringent law against electoral offenders in the country?

I think our laws against electoral offenders aren’t flexible, in all honesty, it is good but the major problem with it, is its application. Police do make arrest, during the last elections series of them were made but in a situation where these offenders are properties of a government official or

acting on the order of a politician, getting justice may be something out of reach. Lest we forget, the law enforcement agencies are subject to political institutions in Nigeria and no matter the graveness of the sins of an offender such person is just a phone call away from freedom. So for effectiveness of these laws, institutions that are truly independent of influence and interference must be saddled with the responsibility to make arrest and try electoral offenders.

In the last 16 years or so, violence has characterised our politics. A lot of people say that the trend would have been reduced if government had punished offenders in the past to serve as deterrent.

Do you agree?

I agree it would have reduced if offenders have been made to serve the punishment associated with their offence.

In my village for instance, when you steal and you are caught you get killed.

This may not be the best practice as it negates the doctrine of Audi alteram partem, however, it has proven effective over the years as rate of robbery has greatly reduced. I believe when people are punished for their sins others will think twice before doing it. However, we should also consider the reason why they commit these offences. If offenders are aggrieved based on the fact that the election wasn’t free and fair then we should ensure the process is acceptable.

‘There was barefaced intimidation of voters’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

ings across the state. Violence, intimidation, harassment of voters/observers and disruption and carting away of voting materials were rife. As a direct result, actual voting never took place in most units and wards and local governments in the state.

For instance, shootings were reported in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local government area. Voters as a direct result were scared of turning up to vote. This in turn enabled the shooters to have a field day with INEC materials without any let or hindrance.

There were other incidences too. Five men in fake military uniform were arrested while they took charge in the handling of INEC material and handed over to the Kpor Police in Gokhana LGA. A police

personnel was shot dead in the Rex Lawson Area of Borokiri in the Port Harcourt Township, Port Harcourt local government area.

Also three people were killed in Omagwa and several others sustained serious injuries. Omagwa is in Ikwerre Local government Area. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government were also not spared the killings. Fatal stabbing was recorded at Ward 15, Unit 10 of Khana Local Government Area. INEC material meant for Abonnema Local Government Area was hijacked and made away with by political thugs.

Generally the accreditation process did not go on smoothly in majority of the units as reported by observers. While in some places it went on smoothly. Political thugs

were responsible for the major disruptions witnessed.

INEC material was hijacked in Buguma, the Asari Toru Local government area. In same place, the INEC building was torched, material burnt, including vehicles. Accreditation did not happen because the materials were not available. No election happened either, but violence made the round and deaths were recorded.

In Okirika, election materials were hijacked and privatized by militiamen. They determined who voted under the nose of security personnel. They decided to abandon the card reader for manual accreditation contrary to INEC regulation/instruction/guideline for the election. The INEC adhoc staff neither had voice nor power, therefore, followed contrary orders.

Some party agents in all 5 polling units in Kalio-Ama (Ward 9), Okrika, were abducted from their units by unknown gun men, while policemen on duty watched helplessly. Spirited efforts were made by individuals to trace, locate and release them from where they were being held. It was alleged that their captors were rival party thugs.

By the time they were restored to their duty posts, electoral materials had been hijacked and taken away by political thugs. There was no security presence in Ward 7, Okrika, yet some politicians in the area were patrolling openly and with police escort.

Shocking cases of cold blooded killCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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April 18, 2015

Again, violence has made its ugly appearance in our elections as witnessed in Rivers. What would you say is the biggest trigger of this development?

I think the Rivers State situation is pretty straightforward. The dynamics of the state and the demographics do not really favour the APC candidate. PDP’s Wike is from the majority Ikwerre ethnic stock and APC’s Dakuku Peterside is from the Opobo axis. The spectre of cult violence in Rivers did not start today; even during the regime of Gov Odili when current governor Amaechi was Speaker, Rivers was the hotbed of violence, political assassinations, youth cult clashes and also the Niger Delta militant movement. The state has been heavily militarised and no party in the current contest can honestly claim not to have a role in the legacy of violence.

‘There is need for more enlightenment for voters’

Obed Awowede, Former journalist, policy analyst and CEO, Creektown Publishing, says that there is need for more educationa and enlightenment on political process if the spate of violence during election must reduce. of firearms possession and forensic investigative capability, so often the whole talk of prosecuting people for violence is like blowing hot air.

How can we learn to do without bringing violence into our politicking?

It will only dissipate with time if we can get the two important variables of education and enlightenment on the one hand and punishment on the other working together. There must be enlightenment and punishment to deter people from committing acts of violence.

Do you think that this development more than makes a case for stringent law against electoral offenders in the country?

The problem is not whether there is need for electoral offenders to face tough

There must be enlightenment and punishment to deter people from committing acts of violence

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Alawode

scrutiny and prosecution but whether the leadership has the capacity to enforce the law, given the fact that similar promises were made over the violence that followed the 2011 general elections but never en-

forced. It is also impprtant to note that the process of building a case against someone for electoral violence is also not as easy as it is presumed. First of all, where are the witnesses? We don’t have formal records

In the last 16 years or so, violence has characterised our politics. A lot of people say that the trend would have been reduced if government had punished offenders in the past to serve as deterrent. Do you agree?

Of course I do. But we also have to ask ourselves why politicians are desperate.

The reward attached to political office is like the booty — very lucrative and often mindboggling financial and corruptive rewards – and a social pecking order that celebrates wealth, even if inordinate. So we need to reduce the glamour of office, punish offenders and do more enlightenment.

‘INEC admits there were 66 violent incidents’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ings and beheading, obstruction of votes, arson, voters intimidation, ballot snatching, missing result sheet, presenting of fake ballot papers , multiple thumb printing, campaigning at polling unit, compromise of ad-hoc staffs, absence of level playing environment, violence against media personnel and impunity were witnessed in different magnitude across the length and breadth of the state.

According to IEMG, security agencies failed to effectively protect voters and the votes, making it absolutely difficult for votes to count in most units in the state.

Security should have been boosted following the experiences encountered during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“The mini war situation in Rivers State in the name of electoral process is most troubling and must not be allowed to continue. This denied voters the expression of their will. What was observed in the state cannot be said in any reasonable manner to be a near triumph to democracy, or an improvement on what INEC has set out to do with the electoral process in Nigeria,” IEMG wrote in their report.

According to Adekoya Boladale, a political scientist, what happened in Rivers State last week were to a large extent not elections but the struggle of political parties to out rig one another, a scenario that is now responsible for the outbreak of unrest in some states in the country.

“For a state like Rivers, the government in power is embittered, not because the election was not free and fair but because there is an individual that has outsmarted the incumbent in the process of electoral manipulation. However, it will be unfair to say categorically that PDP didn’t win in the state, as Governor Amaechi has already been labelled a betrayer by a vast section in the state who saw him as the obstacle against the reelection of their son, President Goodluck Jontahan.”

INEC admits to most of the incidents as reported. According to the commission, the election witnessed 66 reports of violent incidents targeted at polling stations.

Some of the attacks were aimed at the commission’s officials, voters and election materials. According to the commission, areas where there were violent attacks included Rivers (16 incidents), Ondo (8) incidents, Cross River and Ebonyi, (6 each)

Police officer killed in Rivers State during the election.

Akwa Ibom (5) Bayelsa (4), Lagos and Kaduna (3), Jigawa Enugu, Ekiti and Osun (2 each), Katsina, Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Imo, Kano and Enugu (1 each).

The commission said it was investigating these incidents and would do everything within its powers to bring the culprits to book. Governorship election were held in 29 states of the federation while state houses of Assembly elections where held in 36 states with none in the FCT. But IEMG tasks INEC to go further.

In its recommendation, the group asked

INEC to examine thoroughly the role of its Electoral Officers and adhoc staff to determine whether some of their actions which compromised the elections were deliberate or informed by the unimaginable level of intimidation, violence and criminality that ensued.

This is absolutely necessary because it was observed that in most instances, politicians and security officials controlled events at polling units, whereas INEC trained personnel remained subservient, sometimes scared..

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April 18, 2015

Ogbulafor moves to dump PDP

...Sneaks into APC national secretariat Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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ormer national chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, yesterday sneaked into All Progressives Congress, APC, national secretariat where he had a closed door meeting with national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, for nearly an hour.

Ogbulafor, a one time national secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, as well as the national chairman, was also a Minister for Economic Matters.

He also contested the

governorship of Abia State under the then All Peoples Party.

Speaking with journalists at the party secretariat, Ogbulafor said he came to congratulate the national chairman of APC for a job well done.

When asked if some of his members in PDP would not read meaning to his visit to APC secretariat, he said, “How can they feel offended? I am still in PDP.” Asked if he was considering joining APC, he said “Not yet. Even if I will, not yet.”

Ogbulafor who said that he was very happy with

the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari in the just concluded presidential election said that he meant it when he said PDP would rule for sixty years but was quick to assert that PDP’s problems started with the crisis in the Governor’s Forum.

He said, “Well, when they dismantled governors forum, what do you expect?”

Reacting to the visit, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Engr. Segun Oni, said “I saw him, but I think it is a private visit he came for. Don’t forget, the national chairman

is his friend and some of us are also his friends.

“He came to visit his friend and to congratulate us. That is the way politics should be played. Even if he were still the national chairman of PDP and he comes here to congratulate our national chairman and meets some of us his friends, that will be good politics. I am looking forward to our friend, the national chairman of PDP visiting us here to say congratulations.

“As politicians, we must salvage this process called politics, we must rescue it from charlatans. We must

give it a colour of decency, we must give it a colour of maturity. I will expect that even if he does not have time to visit us now, he should send us a letter.”

Ogbulafor’s possible defection will be one of the biggest in recent times after the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the APC as the presidentelect.

Shortly after the APC trounced the PDP in the general election, a number of PDP members have begun to defect to the APC. The development has drawn anger from major-

ity of Nigerians who have continued to describe the defectors as fair weather friends that should not be trusted.

Besides, political pundits have argued that it would have been proper for the PDP members to stay back and make the party a good opposition party as did the APC. The president-elect has also been quoted as saying that members of the PDP rushing into the APC should not think that they would be given ministerial appointment or any key position.

PDP’ll not insult Buhari —Metuh

...Says party will challenge electoral malpractices if detected Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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Senate President David Mark (right) and United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, during his courtesy visit to the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursrday.

Polls: PDP saw its defeat coming but was helpless –Babangida Aliyu

Priscilla Dennis MINNA.

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iger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday declared that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saw it ldefeat at the general election coming, but could not do anything about it.

This is just as he also described the emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a good omen for democracy.

According to him, the development had brought

the one party system in operation in the country to an end.

Aliyu, who spoke on Friday at a lecture during the 24th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, (FUT), Minna, said: “Many of us saw it coming before the elections, but nothing was done.”

Speaking shortly after a lecture delivered by Hon Justice Legbo Kutigi, titled: ‘The role of Law in the Enhancement of Socio-Economic Growth of the Nation’, he hinged the defeat of the party on

the one term agreement over which he was nearly crucified.

He said, however, that the outcome of the elections had proved his critics wrong.

Aliyu further stated that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation in different spheres.

He said, corruption was not only in government establishments, but even in homes.

The governor then noted the need for the devolution of powers, insisting that politics was about

bringing growth and progress to the society and not about self enrichment as witnessed in the country.

Also, the Pro-Chancellor of FUT, Minna, Prof.

Ahmed Alkali, in his remarks stated that the nation is currently at a crossroads because 2015 is a year of political transition.

According to him, “If Nigeria must fight corruption, we must all check ourselves to ensure that at all levels we kill corruption. Anything we do in excess is corruption”.

he National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has said that the party will provide a decent and credible opposition that will constructively proffer sound alternatives to the policies and programmes of the in-coming administration without recourse to insults, propaganda and deceit.

Metuh who stated this at a Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) political programme on Thursday evening said PDP would never insult or denigrate the office and person of the Nigerian President.

“The PDP is a political party built on values, tradition and utmost respect for democratic tenets. Our manifesto and ideology center on national peace, stability and prosperity and we shall uphold this at all times. In this wise, the PDP as always, will continue to work in the general interest of the Nigerian people.

“We will not resort to insults, blackmail and lies with the aim to distract or ridicule the person or office of the President. However, we must state in very

strong terms that we will not allow them to lead the nation astray. So we will firmly oppose any anti-people policy and programmes as may be introduced by the APC. “We will do this by presenting sound alternatives in such a manner that Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries especially on issues that will lead the nation in the path of national unity and development”, Metuh said while responding to questions at the programme.

Commenting on the conduct of the April 11, 2015 governorship and state assembly elections, Metuh lamented that the process was characterized by brazen irregularities against the PDP in most states.

He upbraided INEC and security agencies for the barefaced overzealousness on the part of some of their personnel to please the winners of the presidential elections.

Metuh said concerns were already on the rise regarding the fate of the nation’s democracy under the APC especially given fears that the impunity that characterised the local government elections it conducted in Southwest states might now be extended to other parts of the nation.

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NATIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

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Hopelessness partly responsible for insurgency, says CDS

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he Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, says hopelessness is partly responsible for acts of terrorism being perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

Badeh made the remark in Abuja yesterday while receiving 3,000 books donated to military libraries by the ``Support Our Troops Foundation.’’ ``What has happened with Boko Haram is a kind of revolution driven by hopelessness.

``I like to call it hopelessness. That is why they went the way they have gone because I cannot see why you should chose to die rather than to live. ``It is a kind of hopelessness. Very soon, we will overcome all the major problems happening in the North East.’’ Badeh emphasised.

The chief of defence staff, however, said that the issue of criminality would be there but assured that it would also be addressed.

``You live with insurgency once it starts in a country, It happens in every country. It is domestic terrorism. ``All these things happened because of poverty of the mind, poverty of education, poverty of the pocket, all manner of poverty and diseases. And it is like people feel life is not worth it’’, he said.

Badeh advised elected leaders, especially those at the grassroots, to focus attention on how to improve

the lot of the people ``otherwise the people will revolt against you.’’

He commended the foundation for the donation and called on Nigerians to continue to support the military to overcome the challenge of insurgency in the North East. ``Nigeria is saved when the troops are motivated, when they are urged on and supported to do their work. ``Nigerian troops are very brave soldiers; we have shown it all over the world’’,

he added.

Earlier, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, Founder and Chief Executive of the foundation, urged Nigerians to desist from campaign against the military but encourage them to defeat the insurgents.

Ogbue said successes recorded by troops in the last one month showed that they could do more if encouraged and promised that the foundation would do more to encourage them. ``We will not stop here.

We have plans to execute other activities in furtherance of our commitment to the armed forces and their families’’, she said.

Ogbue said the foundation would build recreation centres in military barracks for the welfare of officers and grant loans to their wives and widows of deceased personnel.

She also promised to donate desert camouflage shirts, medical supplies, as well as build monument in honour of the armed forces.

Chibok girls: Group holds rally in Lagos

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Civil Society Coalition in Lagos yesterday said it would be historical if the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was able to get the Chibok girls back before the end of its tenure.

Addressing a rally organised by the “Bring Back Our Chibok Girls Lagos,” convener of the Group, Mr. Wale Ogunade, urged the president to do everything possible to ensure that the abducted girls are returned before he leaves office.

Over 200 schoolgirls were on April 14, 2014, abducted from the Chibok Government Secondary School in Borno State and have since remained missing.

Ogunade said it would be sad if the Jonathan administration wound down without bringing back the girls.

“Whatever it is, those girls are still on this earth.

“We want to lend our voice to the call for the rescue of the girls,” Ogunade, a legal practitioner said.

According to him, Nigeria needs concerted efforts to put an end to terrorism.

“We will not give up until the girls are found,” he said.

The lawyer also urged Nigerians to be part of the project on the rescue of the girls by helping with any information that may be useful to security operatives.

“An attack on one they say is an attack on all. All hands must be on deck to end insurgency.”

Another activist and member of the group, Mr. Awoyinfa Amoro, said that

for the outgoing government to leave a lasting legacy, it should get the girls back.

“The Jonathan administration should seal their legacies with the returning of the abducted girls so that when they go, they will forever be remembered.

“Freedom is never given but fought for. If those girls are not with us, we are all in bondage.

“Anyone who is anxious about being happy must realise that it is only when you fight for your right that you can be happy,” he said.

AMAZING BENEFITS FOR GLO CUSTOMERS: Globacom’s Head ,Business Support, Yomi Ogunbamowo flanked by Brand Specialist,Ijeoma Ngodo(left), Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Ashok Israni(right) and Brand Specialist, Chidinma Ojiawu(far right) addressing the media at the launch of 200% Recharge Bonus, Bounce and Bundle Offers for Samsung S6 and iPhone 6 in Lagos on Friday.

APC drags Jang to tribunal over Plateau North James Abraham JOS

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he candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded Plateau North Senatorial election, Mrs. Eunice Sambo, yesterday stormed the Election Petition Tribunal in Jos to file a petition challenging the election of Governor Jonah Jang at the poll.

The APC candidate lost to Governor Jang who was the Peoples Democratic Party PDP flag bearer during the March 28 senatorial election.

While Jang scored a total of 234,455 valid votes, Sambo polled 221,274 valid votes to cave in for the former in a keenly contested political battle.

She had immediately cried out that the elections results had been manipulated, adding that she would contest the results in the tribunal to claim what she called her stolen mandate.

It is not surprising therefore when she filed a petition against the senator-elect yesterday at the tribunal’s premises and was confirmed to our Correspondent by the secretary to the tribunal, Elsie Akpabio.

The counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Garba Pwul (SAN), granted restive journalists who besieged his office a brief interview as the petition had not been filed even after 4.00pm yesterday.

According to Pwul, they had filed a case at the election petition tribunal chal-

lenging the return of Governor Jonah Jang as the Senator-elected for the Plateau Northern Senatorial District.

On why no member of the staff was found in at the registry, Pwul explained that the first step was to pay deposit of costs in the bank which he said was being done while the APC officials were waiting for the paper to be filed.

“The deposit, of course, is the first step you undertake before the registry will receive your process.

That as I am talking to you now is being done in the Zenith Bank Plc by my colleagues who are working with me in the team as lawyers handling this election petition for the APC

candidate for the Plateau North Senatorial District whom, we believe, without doubt, won the election by majority of votes cast.

“In a matter of hours from now, the process will be complete and you can have available copies of the election petition filed on behalf of the candidate for APC, Eunice Ayisa Sambo,” Pwul added.

On the rumours going the rounds that Sambo had been pressurised by some interest groups to drop her petition, Pwul said that that was quite natural in matters of politics where all manner of rumours was always heard, pointing out that some of those rumours turn out to be true while some are unfounded. “Some of them

are mere creation of the imagination of people who want to talk,” he noted.

He said, “As I am talking to you now, he election petition is being filed. There is no going back. It will be tantamount to a responsible candidate throwing away the mandate of the people who trooped out en masse across all the six local governments and toiled for her to abandon the election petition without filing it.

“As it is with elections, there are human errors here and there, some are deliberate, some are not so deliberate. These are matters that will be ventilated and demonstrated before the court that she is the rightful person to have been elected.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

APC slams Metuh over alleged plan to destabilise PDP

…Offers him free crash programme

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied having any hand in the crumbling of the PDP as alleged by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, while offering him (Metuh) a free, six-week crash course on his new role as the oppo-

sition spokesman.

Reacting to the allegation by Metuh that the APC had been working to destabilise the PDP, the party (APC) said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday, that during the training, Metuh would be

given free lessons by his APC counterpart, in the spirit of cooperation and for the advancement of the nation’s democracy. ‘’Metuh will need the training to effectively carry out his new, tough task. It is now obvious that he needs to understand that for him to succeed in his new role,

he must be credible, empirical, more sophisticated in language use and very passionate, in addition to being able to operate on a lean or zero budget,’’ it said.

APC said it was ludicrous, to say the least, for anyone to suggest that the APC was seeking to destabilise the PDP, when the erstwhile ruling party had done such a great job of crumbling under

A group of foreign nationals threatening to defend themselves as police get between them and South Africans after a peace march in Durban.

Court stays execution of judgement on monthly sanitation Wale Igbintade

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ustice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court yesterday suspended the enforcement of a judgment which stopped the Lagos State government from imposing movement restriction on citizens during the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.

Consequently, anyone found moving between 7am and 10am on the last Saturday of the month, either on the state or federal road in Lagos, while the sanitation exercise is being observed, would be arrested.

Justice Idris had, on March 16, 2015, in a judgment, declared uncondi-

tional, the power of Lagos State and its agents to arrest anyone found moving during the sanitation exercise.

But, Lagos State Government, through its Solicitor General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), filed an application for stay of execution and urged the court to summarily suspend the enforcement of his judgment.

The state, in a further affidavit, had insisted that the judge did not consider or exhaust all the relevant provisions of the law before arriving at his judgment.

Pedro made reference to and read Section 28 (1) and (2) of the amended Enviromental Sanitation Edict of 1987,

which empowered the police, a sanitary officer or a member of the then Military Task Force to arrest without a warrant any person “found roaming about without lawful excuse within such specific period,” when any normal communal or other civic obligation directed by either the state or Federal Government was supposed to be observed.

He further likened the movement restriction policy to what obtains during the general elections period, saying though he was not aware of any specific law that said movement must be frozen during elections, peculiar circumstances necessitated the policy.

In opposition, the re-

spondent/applicant, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, had asked the court to refuse the application for stay of judgment execution, saying Lagos State had a penchant for disregarding court judgments.

He said the state had been known for undermining the authority of the court and accused the state of deliberately delaying hearing in its own appeal against Idris’ judgment.

Justice Idris ruled in favour of the application for stay of execution.

Adegboruwa had obtained the court judgment after arguing that the movement restriction policy in the name of sanitation was “an illegal and an obnoxious” policy.

its own weight. ‘’Really, it beggars belief to say that the APC is seeking to lure away members of the PDP’s NEC with ‘phantom promises and threats’, with a view to destabilising the party, when everyone knows the rate at which PDP stalwarts have been rushing to jump off the sinking ship called the PDP before it finally tips over. ‘’Our National Chairman and our President-elect have even spoken out publicly on this issue, encouraging the eager PDP defectors to stay back in their party so they can provide a formidable opposition to the new ruling party. How then can anyone accuse the APC of either luring away PDP members or seeking to destabilise a party that has done itself in?’’ the party queried.

The party advised Metuh to take a little time off so he could engage in some introspection against the backdrop of the total repudiation

by Nigerians of the brand of politics that his party, the PDP, played in its days as the ruling party. ‘’There is no doubt that Metuh is in a hurry to do his work as an opposition spokesman. He should not worry. He should save his energy because he would

need it, in addition to the crash course which has been offered to him freely, if he is to function effectively in his new role. Having been in opposition for so long, we can tell Metuh that it is not a cakewalk. ‘’Lies by themselves never travel far enough for the truth not to catch up with them, as the PDP must have now realised when its strategy of muckraking, distortion of facts and blatant falsehood - under the guise of electioneering campaign - failed to turn the tide in its favour during the last elections. But it seems the lead actors in that failed strategy, Metuh included, have not yet learnt their lessons, hence they have continued to engage in their despicable pastime. ‘’The APC has no time to waste on luring away members of the PDP. We have our hands full as we seek to clear the mess that the PDP has made of Nigeria and the state of hopelessness to which its 16-year rule has plunged the citizens.

Because Nigerians wanted change, they voted for our party. How then can the party of change allow itself to become populated by the same folks whom Nigerians have rejected?’’ APC said.

Experts seek solutions for agro food, packaging problems Olusegun Koiki

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n a bid to properly address the challenges in the Nigerian agro food and packaging industry in the country, the trade fair ‘agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015’ is bringing professionals from all over the world to discuss and show a way forward in the sector.

The event will be held between 28-30 April at the Landmark Centre in Lagos and more than 1,500 professional trade visitors are expected at the free-entry event.

The organisers of the event told journalists dur-

9

ing the week in Lagos that over 80 notable international technology leaders from 26 countries are expected to display latest technologies and proffer solutions for the Nigerian agrofood and packaging industry.

Supported by the Institute of Packaging Nigeria, IOPN, President, Mr. Mike Adekola, said that exhibitors come among others from Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and, of course, Nigeria.

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NATIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

N1.5 billion lost to pipeline vandalism annually —FG

…Jonathan set to inaugurate power projects

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

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he federal government yesterday said about N1.5 billion is spent annually on the repair of vandalised pipelines in the country.

Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this at the end of the meeting of the Board of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, government was losing N120 million monthly and N1.5 billion yearly to the repair of vandalised pipelines.

Nebo explained that a pattern of deliberate vandalism of the pipelines ev-

ery two weeks was responsible for the loss of about 1,600 megawatts of electricity at a particular time.

The minister urged the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to intensify security surveillance of the petroleum pipelines in the country and consider digitalising the surveillance system.

He also disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan‎ would soon begin inauguration of completed power projects across the country.

Nebo stated that four power plants had been completed and would be inaugurated in the next couple of weeks.

The minister said, “Sapele is one of them,

Ihobor is another one. And hopefully and by the grace of God, we intend to do the commissioning very soon so that Nigerians will enjoy even more the benefits of what the current administration has done in the power sector.”

Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, told State House Correspondents that the board resolved to inaugurate some of the numerous projects under the National Independent Power Project ( NIPP) programme.

He disclosed that government also completed more transmission lines but would not be able to complete some sales transactions because of complications in the bid process.

Drama as INEC refuses to issue certificate to Enugu Rep-elect Dennis Agbo ENUGU

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mild drama played out yesterday at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Enugu office as the REC could not issue the certificate of return to winner of the Nsukka/IgboezeSouth Federal Constituency.

Mr. Iyke Ugwegede was declared elected during the March 28 National Assembly election but Mr. Pat Asadu later got a judgment from an Abuja High Court pronouncing him the valid Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the constituency which Ugwegede appealed.

However, neither Ugwegede nor Asadu was issued with the certificate of return by INEC. But other winners of the election including the Governor-Elect, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, were presented with their certificates by INEC

National Commissioner, Mrs. Gladys Nwafor.

Ugwuanyi who expressed appreciation to God and people of the state for the opportunity to govern the state from May 29 promised to take the state to the next level.

Both Ugwuegede and Asadu had stormed the INEC headquarters in Enugu but we’re disappointed when none of them got the certificate of return.

No reason was given by the commission for refusing to present Ugwuegede with his return certificate but it was gathered that the legal fireworks were responsible.

A source close to INEC said that the commission decided not to present either of the two claimants with the certificate pending the resolution of the matter possibly by the appellate court.

“How do you expect us to present any of them the certificate when the case is pending in court. As it stands, nobody will get it until the court decides

the case,” the source said.

In her speech, while presenting certificates to other winners, Mrs. Nwafor praised the people of Enugu state for conducting themselves properly during the elections, describing the state as the most peaceful in the south-east zone.

On his part, the Governor-Elect praised INEC for conducting what he described as a credible election in the state, assuring on behalf of others who emerged victorious that they would not disappoint the people.

Others who received their certificates include, Senator Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East), Senator-Elect Chuka Utazi (Enugu North), Rep-elect, Dennis Amadi (Udi/Ezeagu), Dennis Agbo (igboeze North/ Udenu), Chime Oji (Enugu North/South), Emeka Ujam (Nkanu East/West), Princess Stella Ngwu (Igboetiti/Uzo-Uwani) and Kingsley Ebenyi (Isiuzo/Enugu-East).

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

KOGI STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION P. M. B. 1033, ANKPA (Office of the Registrar/Secretary to the Tenders’ Boards)

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The College hereby invites competent and reputable contractors to

submit pre-qualification documents for the under-listed projects

under the 2013 and 2014 TETFund normal intervention: LOT 1: Construction and furnishing of 1 no. storey building

comprising 20 nos. academic staff offices LOT 2: Construction and furnishing of Agricultural laboratory complex LOT 3: Construction and furnishing of Fine Arts complex LOT 4: Construction and furnishing of Physical and Health

Education (PHE) complex LOT 5: Construction and furnishing of French laboratory LOT 6: Rehabilitation and furnishing of Students Hostel 1 LOT 7: Rehabilitation and furnishing of Students Hostel 2 LOT 8: Rehabilitation and furnishing of Students Hostel 3 LOT 9: Rehabilitation and furnishing of Students Hostel 4 LOT 10: Landscaping/external works for lecture halls LOT 11: Landscaping/external works for science laboratory LOT 12: Rehabilitation of sports complex LOT 13: Procurement of 1 No. Toyota Hiace standard roof ambulance,

petrol engine, AC ARS CD player, SRS air bags including ambu

lance accessories locally built LOT 14: Supply and Installation of office furniture Type A, including

60 No. executive tables and extension, 60 No. high quality

chairs, 120 visitors’ chairs, 200 window blinds complete with accessories LOT 15: Supply and installation of office furniture Type B, including 60 No.

executive tables and extension, 60 No. high quality chairs,

120 visitors’ chairs, 200 window blinds complete with accessories LOT 16: Supply and installation of laboratory equipment LOT 17: Procurement of furniture and equipment for Integrated

Science Department LOT 18: Procurement of furniture and equipment for Biology Department 2.0 PRE – QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Mandatory (Without which companies will be disqualified): a.

Expression of interest b.

Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) c.

Evidence of tax clearance for the last three (3) years d.

Certificate of compliance issued by the National Pension Commission, PENCOM e.

Evidence of VAT registration and VAT remittance f.

Evidence of payment of training contribution to Industrial Training

Fund (ITF) g.

Reference letter from bank h.

Evidence of successful execution of project(s) of similar scope and

completion certificate i.

List of equipment to be deployed for the project j.

Comprehensive company profile showing Management team k.

Comprehensive company profile showing technical team for the project 3.0 SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS Completed documents addressed to the Registrar/Secretary to Tenders’ Board, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, should be enclosed in an envelope marked ‘prequalification’ with appropriate LOT at the top left hand corner of the sealed envelope and must be deposited with the Registrar not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication, that is, on or before 12.00 noon, 28th May, 2015. Pre-qualification documents shall be opened at 12.00 on the same day.

PLEASE NOTE: a.

The company’s full name, address, GSM numbers and e-mail are

required for ease of communication b.

The participation process in the bid does not guarantee any company the right to be selected or given the job. c.

The College will not entertain any correspondence from any

unsuccessful bidder. d.

The College reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to terminate the selection process at any time, in public interest, without incurring any liability. e.

Any bid document submitted after the closing date shall not be considered. f.

Only successful pre-qualified companies will proceed to the financial tender stage.

All enquiries should be directed to the Registrar/Secretary to Tenders’ Board, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa.

Signed DRISU OKAI

(Registrar/Secretary to the Tenders’ Board)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

11

SOUTH WEST

Group slams Lagos government over multiple taxation

Gboyega Adeoye

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he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has accused the Lagos State government of corruption, saying the present regime has little or nothing to show for the huge amount of Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), it realises every month.

The group which had incessantly picked holes in the governance of Lagos state, said that the reiteration of its earlier position is necessitated by the declaration by the Lagos State Government, (LASG), its average monthly IGR, had soared from N20bn in 2013 to N23bn in the first quarter of this year.

The Special Adviser, taxation and Revenue, Mr. Bola Shodipo, and the Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Tunde Fowler, during a ministerial press conference to mark the fourth year second term in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola in Alausa, Ikeja, noted that taxpayers increased from 3.8 million in 2013 to 4.5 million as of first quarter of 2015.

“As a responsible Coalition, we do not object to people paying taxes but a case of multiple taxation, as it is evi-

dent in the case of Lagosians, is highly reprehensible.

“More so, it is no news that many of the Lagos State government’s projects are elitist in nature. Some of the projects are sighted where users have other options whereas the areas where the mass of Lagosians reside are groaning under the burden of infrastructure development. A ready example is the LekkiIkoyi cable bridge which was constructed for about N29bn whereas, areas like AyoboIpaja, Aboru, Agboyi-Ketu etc are still making do with makeshift bridges.

“Aboru dwellers, for instance, are usually cut off from other areas once there is rainfall because of the bad access roads. Same is the story for Ayobo-Ipaja where residents have been at the mercy of a private investor who constructed a make-shift bridge with planks and collect toll from anyone that would make use of it.

CACOL also condemned the education standard in Lagos State just as it berates the facilities provided by government.

“Likewise, schools in Lagos State are not spared. Many of the schools are in one state of disrepair or other. With the

90 million US Dollars World Bank Eko Project Fund, one would have thought that the schools would be heaven on earth, but a closer look shows that many of the schools, even the ones with comely outer structures, are mere facade to cover up the rot in them.

“For instance, many pupils in Lagos State schools still sit on window sills and

bare floor while many of the schools have leaky roofs and the classes are overcrowded.

“Even in the areas where government used the taxpayers’ money to construct roads, such roads are tolled. This neo-capitalist stand of the Lagos State government is not only preposterous, but highly condemnable,” the group stressed.

CACOL maintains that La-

gos State should provide all the necessary amenities for Lagosians, noting that anything short of this amounts to the people not getting anything from the government they voted to care for their social needs.

“Low income housing should be provided, tolls should be removed from Lagos roads, potable water should be provided, roads should be

fixed, schools should be upgraded to standard befitting a mega city, to say the least.

“We must reiterate that the poor people in Lagos are really suffering from the heavy burdens the present regime has placed on them.

It is evil for government to just take from its citizens without providing them the basic infrastructure,” CACOL said..

Winners of 2015 General Election in Lagos State: Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola; Lagos Central, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor –Elect, Mr. Akin Ambode and Lagos East, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the Issuance of Certificate of return to the winners in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Ogun APGA candidate accepts defeat, congratulates Amosun Lekan Adejuwon

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arely one week after the governorship election in Ogun State had been concluded, one of the contestants and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), Professor David Olufemi Bamgbose, has congratulated Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the winner of the keenly contested election.

In a press release made available to Saturday Mirror yesterday, Bamgbose said his decision to congratulate the incumbent governor was borne out of magnanimity and to let peace reign in the state.

He however pointed out few cases of what he described as ‘anomalies’ that characterised the exercise.

According to him, “After a careful review of the last gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in

Ogun State, we have come out with reasons why we made this announcement at this time.

“It’s our decision to congratulate the incumbent for magnanimity in victory and to let peace reign in Ogun State even though we noticed some anomalies previous to the electioninter-party and intra-party which led to the defeat of APGA during the election.

“We want to state unequivocally that the election was heavily monetised and it was done brazenly and for us in APGA, this brazen monetisation of our political process will not help the growth of our nascent democracy.

Continuing, Bamgbose, who faulted the discrepancies in the use of Card Reader urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to review it.

He also hinted that the

party lost the election as a result of false alarm by mischief makers to distract APGA teeming supporters “There was dissemina-

tion of rumour that APGA has formed an alliance with a new party in the wee hours to the election.

This is coupled with the unfortunate incident where

many of our party agents were not on their posts on the suspicion that they had been induced” On the question about the way forward for the

party, Bamgbosesaid, “Its a lesson for us; we are going to the drawing board to restructure and strengthen the party as we are not contemplating defecting to another party”

Shodipo assures of Amosun’s completion of ongoing projects

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he National President of Ogun Patriotic Forum (OPF) and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ogun State, Mr. Seyi Shodipo, has assured the people of Ogun State that the future of the state under Senator Ibikunle Amosun would not only witness the completion of all ongoing laudable projects spread across the state’s senatorial districts but also a greater level of development in all areas.

Shoipo, who made this remark in an interactive session with newsmen in Abeokuta, expressed satisfaction with Senator Amosun’s implementation of people-oriented programmes during his first term, which had, no doubt, impacted in an unprecedented manner on the lives of the people.

He noted that the people of Ogun State were proud of Senator Amosun’s initiatives in putting in place all necessary mechanisms aimed at making Ogun State an envy of other

states of the federation with the construction of flyovers bridges across the state’s three senatorial districts, the re-introduction of free-education and construction of worldclass model schools for children of public schools, construction of first-ever six-lane international standard roads across the state with modern features such as drains, medians, greenbelts, walkways, street-lights and the distribution of over 500 brand new transformers to bring

back to life the hitherto comatose Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the state.

Shodipo, who felicitated with Senator Amosun on his re-election, described the people’s clarion call on him to continue steering the ship of the Gateway State for another four years as resounding and welldeserved, adding that the people’s wish will only take the state to the next level of sustainable socioeconomic and human development.

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REGIONAL NEWS

April 18 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Al-Makura, Adamu, others receive certificates of return from INEC Igbawase Ukumba Lafia

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over nor-elect and incumbent governor of Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and Senator Abdulahi Adamu, alongside other elected members of the National Assembly from the state yesterday, received their certificates of returns from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The occasion took place at the Investment Conference Hotel, Lafia, the state capital, where the INEC national commissioner for North Central zone, Abdulkadir oniyangi presented the certificates to the recipients.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Al-

Makura said he has extended his hand of fellowship to all those that contested with him in the just concluded elections to join him in the task of moving the state to enviable heights.

According to the governor, “The task ahead is a collective one. We all, therefore, must join hands to deliver on the high expectations of our people.

“As we set to embark on yet another phase of service to our people, we must not leave any stone unturned towards the accomplishment of the objectives for which our State was created.”

He noted that on his honour, he wished to point out that he shall not deviate from the noble path of growth, de-

velopment and progress to which the administration is committed with a view to promoting Nasarawa state to join

the league of developed states in the country.

“It is imperative to state that the votes you cast on April 11, 2015

had no colour, no religion, no tribe, no section and no social status. They were votes freely cast in pursuance

of our common dreams and aspirations, as well as a guaranteed future for our children yet unborn.”

Reviewing Officer, AVM James Gbum, inspecting parade during the passing out parade of Nigerian Air Force Basic Military Training Course for recruits in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

APC support groups endorse Jagaba as House of Reps Speaker • Say North West must retain speakership A za Msue Kaduna

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he National association of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups, yesterday said the coalition has thrown its weight behind the emergence of Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba as the Speaker of the House of Representatives for equity and fair play.

The group maintained that, the fact that the President-elect, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari is from the major tribe in the North West zone and a Muslim, it is logical for any leadership position in the House of Representatives allotted to the zone to be conceded to the minority Christian tribe.

They said their support for Jagaba was because the law maker has always stood firm in the interest

of northern region.

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, National Coordinator of the group, Hon. Musa Zonkwa, said, Hon Jagaba who has been a third time member of the House from Southern Kaduna under north west zone was one of the sup-

porters of Hon. Ghali Nabba as Hon Speaker and defended him so that he can protect Northern interest, even when forces mounted pressure on members of the House to abandon him.

“For the fact that the President elect is from

the major tribe in the North West zone and a Muslim, it is logical for any leadership position in the House of Representatives allotted to the zone to be conceded to the minority Christian tribe.

“It is no longer news that Southern Kaduna

Senatorial District was hitherto predominantly PDP zone and a no- go area for the opposition, but as a grass root politician, Hon Jagaba, did not only win his election under the new opposition, he also ensured that his party scored the highest

votes during the presidential and gubernatorial elections. “ Given this leadership position, we are very optimistic that Hon Jagaba will bring the entire senatorial district under the APC before 2019,” he said.

Bauchi gov- elect, others collect certificates, promise to unearth missing funds Ezekiel Titus Bauchi

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he newly elected Executive governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar and members of the elected national assembly members have yesterday received their certificates of return just

as Abubakar vows that the new administration is not leaving any stone unturned to recover all funds siphoned or looted by his predecessor under the PDP administration Presenting the certificates to the elected political office holders, Resident Electoral Commissioner for , Bauchi State, Professor Sa’adu

Hamman Tukur said, it is in conformity with the free and fair election conducted by the INEC According to the REC, “the election of 2015 is a historic and milestone in global perspective especially with the use of card reader and Permanent Voters Cards PVC He charged the elected representatives to consol-

idates on the gains of democracy, saying failure to do so may force the voters against them.

In his acceptance speech the elected governor had vowed not to leave any stone unturned to recover funds looted by the PDP administration determine to revamp the status of the state economy Abubakar regretted

PDP’s plans to disrupt the election and cause mayhem with the recruitment of hoodlums from neighboring states in their desperation to win election by hook and crook The governor promise to carry people along irrespective of any difference to move the state forward from the shackles of poverty

Politics

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April 18, 2015

13

Of election, victory, defeat and defection Lekan Adejuwon

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ontrary to pre election predictions of a possible return to the state of anomie if the country failed to get its act right this time, the outcome of the recently concluded 2015 general election has proved many sceptics wrong as the exercise not only came and went with relatively few incidents, the exercise ended in re-writing the political history of Nigeria positively in the comity of nations.

The massive turn out of voters across the country on March 28 was seen as a resolve by resolute Nigerians to chart a new cause in the journey of nation building despite the politicians’ initial divisive tendencies and beating of war drums.

Perhaps, the 2015 election would go down in history as one election where the two major candidates - President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari - had to sign two peace accords in a row even as both had repeatedly flouted the content of the peace pact.

Also, as the nation anxiously waited for the final result of the presidential election penultimate Tuesday, President Jonathan, in a rare display of sportsmanship and democratic strength, called his main challenger, Buhari, to congratulate him on his victory at the March 28 presidential poll.

President Jonathan was reported to have put a call to Buhari about 5.05 pm before the final results were eventually announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Jonathan had, in a statement, expressed appreciation to all Nigerians who participated in the polls and expressed satisfaction that he had expanded the democratic space in the country, wherein a free and fair election could be held.

“I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process.

That is one legacy I will like to see endure.”

The president’s gesture has since been replicated by other losers in the governorship election held last week as some PDP governorship candidates who lost to the opposition had congratulated the winners. They include Teslim Folarin, Oyo; Jimi Agbaje,Lagos; Ramahlan Yero, Kaduna and Nuhu Ribadu, Adamawa among others.

But in a dramatic twist, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appears to have suffered the toughest challenges in its over 17-year history as the loss of political power at the centre is now threatening its existence as party stalwarts and their supporters are leaving in droves to the opposition.

Buhari

Jonathan

The party also lost its 16-year stranglehold on the National Assembly, unable to retain enough seats to retain the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In the past weeks, the APC has received key members of the PDP, including deputy governors of Jigawa, Ahmad Mahmud; Ondo, Alli Olanusi and Niger, Ahmed Musa Ibeto. Tele Ikuru of Rivers State also joined the party.

But in what appears a warning signal to the new defectors, the President- elect, General Buhari had, during the week, said the defectors would only play roles in their constituency. He further warned the defectors not to expect government appointments when he assumes office next month.

His words: “I have no fears of PDP defectors. The people who are defecting will only have influence in their constituencies. Since their constituencies are now controlled by the APC their influence is therefore limited.

“I hope the people that are defecting will accept the fact that they are joining the people who succeeded. So, I don’t think they will just come and say they want to be ministers next month simply because they were ministers before.”

The former military Head of State may have corroborated an earlier advice offered by former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Umar.

In a statement issued last Sunday, the former governor, urged the presidentelect to be mindful of those he described as mere fair weather friends as he takes over government in May 29.

He further admonished Buhari to ig-

nore what he described as the treacherous actions of those opportunists who were presently dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) barely two weeks after the presidential election.

According to Umar, “A famous political scientist once warned that the career of a politician is too uncertain to make any firm commitment to him. Although I find this warning immoral and distasteful it truly represents the attitude and behavioural pattern of most of the so called friends and loyalists of men in power. Most are mere fair weather friends. Come 29th May 2015 President Jonathan will hand over power to the winner of the 28th March 2015 presidential election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

“With this seeming loss of political power he will also lose a large retinue of friends and loyalists; people who would swear by his name a couple of weeks ago. The president like most of his predecessors will suffer the pain of betrayal. I however assure him that there are still genuine friends who will be by him through life’s challenges out of power,” he said.

The retired army officer, also in the statement, advised Jonathan to ignore the treacherous actions of those opportunists who are defecting from his party, the PDP, to APC, at this late hour.

In a similar vein, chieftain of Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, Hon. Wale Oshun expressed worries at the spate of defections to the ruling party in recent time.

He says, “The essence of democracy for me is that we must have a strong par-

ty in government and also a strong party in opposition. That is why I am worried with the spate of defections. Is it only at the federal level that people can make a living which is to say that many a Nigerian elite is parasitic of government.”

He asked: “Why is it that we are having the defections now? Why is it that all these people defecting knowing full well, why their party failed? Why is it that they cannot stay behind to restructure that party; to reform that party so that it becomes a credible opposition party and work towards another time of taking over the government legitimately? Why is it that they cannot do that?

“I am worried because they will also create the kind of problems that beset PDP at its own crisis moment ab initio.

What you now have is people who don’t even believe in the ideology of the party but they are swarming in because they know that is where the icing is now; so, they want to cut the cake, they want to ice it, whereas reasonable men and genuinely nationalistic people should have called themselves together, stay with their own political party and start the rebuilding process and that is where you have democracy. But they have all gone now. They have so depleted the PDP that in the next 15 to 16 years, it would be practically impossible to create any virile opposition, and if APC really does its job very well, we may also end up having a one-party system which may at the end not help in sustaining our democracy. “ Former Police Commissioner in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, is also not impressed by the sudden love being shown the APC by notable PDP chieftains across the country.

“The mass defection to APC is dangerous and should be a matter of grave concern and need bother all persons of honesty and good conscience. Most of these defectors are like feathers that can be blown towards any direction by the wind. They have no ideology.

“In civilized countries being used as examples, defections are about ideologies and convictions. It is not so here.

What we are witnessing is a struggle for survival by defeated politicians. While British politicians will shift camp based on ideological convictions, our politicians are decamping just to remain relevant.

“I am not saying all those who joined APC are the same. We had some true defectors and heroes of change like Admiral Murtala Nyako, Governors Kwankwaso, Wamako, Amaechi etc. Some were in the struggle but chickened out as a result of treachery and cowardice. Some of them are falling back into APC today.

Those are the ones we must be cautious of. Some Nigerian politicians are mercenaries and money mongers. Many of these defectors are unreliable and slippery,” Tsav said.

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April 18, 2015

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I’m worried by the spate of defections –Wale Oshun Wale Oshun is a chieftain of Afenifere Renewal Group.

A frontline politician and statesman, in this interview with LEKAN ADEJUWON bares his mind on the recently conclude general election, why President Goodluck Jonathan lost and the spate of defections by politicians in the country

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he 2015 elections have come and gone against all odds. What is your opinion sir?

I think one must appreciate the competence that INEC brought into organising that election. Generally the election has been peaceful in spite of the hiccups here and there which essentially are localised when you talk of a country of thousands of kilometers that we have and then the localised uprisings that we have. I think we will need to be fair to ourselves, to INEC -the organizers - to the political class and to the security agencies. I acknowledge that.

Essentially, this election has been held peacefully. I think we can also, speaking in general terms, acknowledge the fact that it has been free and it has been fair. Nothing in life except God is perfect. So, I think one can make those submissions even from the beginning of this interview and say that Jega really has delivered on his promise to hold a reasonably free and fair election.

There have been initial apprehensions and tension in the build up to the election. Many have argued that this particular election will go down in history as one with such phenomenon.

What, in your opinion, is responsible?

(Cuts in) No, but every election must take its own dynamics. There would be tension. You will also define the kind of tension that we have on our hand in terms of physical tension that may lead to violence and all that.

Especially in the areas of electioneering campaigns, hate speeches and advertorials?

Well, we must admit also that the campaigns have been fought strenuously and with measures of bitterness. That is true, we cannot run away from it. But then if you are talking of a party that had spoken of remaining in power for 60 years with leaders of that party who are determined to be in power whatever the cost, you can expect that any aspiring opposition political party must work double times to be able to clear the depth, to weaken the structure that enables them to make claims to invincibility. Because the truth also is that if their arrogance as to wishing to hold on to power were merged by performance, it would have been a different story entirely but we have had a situation, talking seriously in aggregate terms, unemployment has increased, insecurity has increased, monetary policies have really not enabled the growth of industries and the growth of commerce. So, when you take all of these into consideration you have had a populace that was groaning and are still groaning under the burden of governance. This is coupled with the fact that the ruling elite is not showing the kind of discipline that can enable the ordinary citizens to bear the burden with any form of equanimity;

something like, okay, if you are suffering we know that those who are ruling us are also not living in absolute opulence. But what you find around you is real opulence.

Can you explain sir?

Imagine a House of Reps member with an out-rider and three to four policemen.

There was a time in this country even when a minister goes about with just one police orderly and you find an out-rider, same with policemen all over the place, and they are taking this security from the need of the society. It becomes an instrument of oppression even on the governed and people see all these because they can place governance now in relation to the opulence that they see, the kind of life that they live and the secrecy that surrounds the legitimate earnings of their representatives. A situation where a National Assembly member earns more than the president of the United States of America then, you know something must be wrong. And these are the real issues. That is why the opposition must work hard to ensure that it is able to bring down government and a leadership in government that is clinging to power at all cost. Certainly the pre election interaction must be tense. There is no way we can run away from that.

From the scenario you have just painted, you will agree that the reality has always been there since the outgoing government assumed power 16 years ago. What made this particular election year such that it produced a change of power at the centre?

May be the sharpness of it that people can feel it much more and then you have scandals that break out that ordinarily government should have allowed the court to clear so that if they are not true, the court would clear them or if found guilty those involved should be punished. We have major scandals like, for instance, the purchase of two cars for N255 million. When you have that, any ordinary citizen is bound to say, wait a minute, is it this same country where majority of the people are living under abject poverty? So, it is easy to touch the failings and of course, if you look at the spate of kidnappings and Boko Haram issue which is almost happening on a daily basis, you would not be happy.

The government that is meant to protect the ordinary citizens has not taken much more transparent steps that would save the ordinary citizens. That is why even if these problems had manifested itself or themselves since 1999, we are talking of the share size of manifestations.

How do you feel seeing an opposition party taking over power at the centre for the first time since Nigeria’s independence?

The essence of democracy, for me, is that we must have a strong party in gov-

Oshun

ernment and also a strong party in opposition. That is why I am worried with the spate of defections. Is it only at the federal level that people can make a living which is to say that many a Nigerian elite is parasitic of government? Why is it that we are having the defections now?

Why is it that all these people defecting, knowing full well why their party failed?

Why is it that they cannot stay behind to restructure that party, to reform that party so that it becomes a credible opposition party and work towards another time of taking over the government legitimately?

Why is it that they cannot do that? I am worried because they are coming in because they will also create the kind of problems that beset PDP at its own crisis moment ab initio. What you now have is people who don’t even believe in the ideology of the party but they are swarming in because they know that is where the icing is now. So, they want to cut the cake, they want to ice it whereas reasonable men and genuinely nationalistic people should have called themselves together, stay with their own political party and start the rebuilding process. That is where you have democracy. But they have all gone now.

They have so depleted the PDP that in the next 15 to 16 years, it would be practically impossible to create any virile opposition and if APC really does its job very well, we may also end up having a one-party system which may at the end not help in sustaining our democracy.

Many people have lauded President Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulated the President-elect.

What is your take on these especially when such act is regarded as a norm in other civilised democracies?

You said it is a norm but it was never a norm here. But we must also appreciate that gesture. Let me put it this way; people jubilated because the result is out and it is what they like to see and we still recorded death. Imagine if the elections had been manipulated in a way and he had stuck to his guns. Imagine the number of deaths

that would have occurred. So, in a way, he has also helped in saving lives. I will not underestimate that contribution and that gesture will soon become something acceptable to Nigerians. Jimi Agbaje has also done the same here. Alao Akala has done it in Ibadan, Ribadu has done it in Adamawa.

Supposing Jonathan did not do it, all these gentlemen may also have stuck their necks out and did other things. We must acknowledge that politics is about inter-relationship and you will be deceiving yourself if you don’t acknowledge the positive contribution that people make.

Recently, Afenifere was enmeshed in deep controversy over the endorsement of President Jonathan, a development which led to open disagreement between the ARG and Afenifere speaking in different tongues. What in your view was responsible for discordant tunes within the Yoruba groups?

All we have been speaking about since morning was about democracy which means that every society will always have a majority view and also a minority view.

You will not expect that as educated as we are that we will all wake up one day and say this is the direction we all go to. Even in a family of five, we will see a young girl one day saying Daddy, this is not right. But if the majority says, this is the way we do it, then they all go that way. In the particular case you have mentioned, the majority has spoken eloquently. You can see in Oyo, you can see in Ogun and in Lagos. You know who is speaking for the majority of our people. The other people also know that they are not working for the people. That might make them to change their minds but if you say no, don’t speak, you will be taking their fundamental rights from them. They have spoken. I am sure they realised now that they might have been wrong and even those of us now that say yes we are right, we will always remain right if we remain positive to the ideals of humanism, welfarism that our people loved and that is when we remain relevant even to the people.

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POLITICS

Opposition politicians should be patient, steadfast’ — Bello Masari, former Speaker of House of Representatives and Governor-elect of Katsina State

‘Win or lose, our dear “I state ‘ll be better for it’

Mr Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate for Lagos State in an address to his supporters

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o my fellow Lagosians, especially those who stood by our campaign every step of the way, I want to thank you. The passion that you have brought into this democratic process and your participation has not been in vain. On the contrary, because you have made your voices heard in this election, in the final analysis, win or lose, our dear state will be the better for it.

“To my team – my friends, my supporters, donors and volunteers- your extraordinary work over the last four months gave us more than a fighting chance. Your intellect, passion and motivation kept the engines running. I sincerely thank you for all the long hours, sleepless nights and immense sacrifice that you have all made towards this cause.

“Not minding the outcome of the elections, I can guarantee that your contribution to this campaign has helped expand

the wider narrative of democracy and good governance in Lagos. You can hold your heads high knowing that you have all done a great job as citizens of this great state and country.”

‘Ladoja is free to go to court’

t is really an experience for somebody to contest election in a party that is in the opposition, especially because of the way we see opposition in this country. I believe that the opposition should partner in the development of the democratic process in a country.

“Unfortunately, in some quarters, people in opposition party are seen as enemies and not as partners. So, my experience, since I joined the opposition in 2009, is that for you to be in the opposition, you have to be very patient, persevere and also to be steadfast.

“Once you have an idea which you believe in, you should remain constant and consistent and in the end, God will definitely be with you in terms of succeeding.

So, my experience has really been mixed in the sense that the ordinary person wants change all the time, but the powers-that-be always want to maintain status quo.

“The worst situation is the lack of level playing ground. But we have seen how the simple introduction of card reader made it

PDP ‘ll bounce back’ — Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, PDP governorship candidate for Adamawa State in the just concluded general elections

“P

DP will bounce back in full force and will take back its power from the ruling party (APC), PDP will clinch victory in 2019, “A journey of one million miles starts with one step, so let us continue the journey we started and not despair as nothing can be achieved without perseverance,” “I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart. We must accept our destiny in good faith and we must console each other because we had good intention to serve this state”.

“What spurred me to throw my hat into the gubernatorial race was to use my vast experience to develop Adamawa State and ensure unity between the diverse cultural and ethnic groups in the state.”

“We had Adamawa people in mind when we set to contest the gubernatorial seat. Our aim was to entrench peace, development and progress. Now that we are in the opposition, we shall still strive to achieve that,”

— Governor Abiola Ajimobi, newly elected governor of Oyo State, reacting to former governor Rashidi Ladoja’s decision to challenge his election victory in court

“S

urprisingly, the Accord party has been complaining that it will go to court. No problem.

If you look at the results of the election

almost impossible to inflate votes, and this has made a little difference. Really, with the right leadership in the right place at the right time, Nigeria will get it right”.

and the conduct, it was the freest and fairest election ever held. Everybody said so. All it agents signed at the polling units. It was only at the final collation center that they declined to sign. Let him go to court.”

“We brought peace and security to Oyo State. We have established that and we’ll not fold our arms and allow any individual to destroy it. Senator Ladoja’s administration was replete with violence.

“Some people are sore losers and some are very sportsmanly. If he says he will resort to violence as reported, we will not tolerate it. Oyo state is a state where nobody is above the law. If he has complaints, let him go to the police. But if he wants to lead some people to resort to violence in the state, we will deal with him.

“I guarantee that, should anybody lead any group to cause violence, the law will take its full weight to deal with that person. I assure them,”

‘APC plotting to deplete our ranks’

­— Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP commenting on the spate of defections of party members

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he NWC has noted some divisive comments and statements by certain elements within the party, who are being enticed by extraneous factors and other parties to cause disharmony in our ranks”, Metuh “while cautioning against such com-

ments, we urge our members with genuine grievances to direct them through the appropriate channels within our party in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.

“We are aware that some elements within our party have been co- opted by the APC to destabilise our party in the

aftermath of the outcome of the results of the 2015 general elections.

“While some have defected to the APC, others have been asked to stay behind to be used to execute the plot, but the NWC will not allow this to happen.

“We reassure all our members that the NWC has put a machinery in place to re-

engineer and refocus our great party in keeping with our collective determination to consolidate our support base in all states of the federation with a view to regaining power at the centre in the next four years since it is obvious that the APC lacks what it takes to effectively lead our dear nation”.

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Living

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April 18, 2015

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Children at the mercy of Boko Haram

• Abducted, abused and exposed to shocking violence, children’s suffering at the hands of Boko Haram revealed... a year after the world asked them to #BringBackOurGirls

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his time last year, the world was shocked by the abduction of 276 schoolgirls who were kidnapped from their school by Boko Haram militants.

Nigerians across all walks of life and global A-listers from Michelle Obama to Angelina Jolie lent their support to the #bringbackourgirlscampaign in the hope the children could be saved.

Sadly, a year later, more than 200 of these girls remain in captivity while scores of other children have gone missing since.

Children as young as four are reportedly being used within the ranks of Boko Haram as cooks, porters and look-outs.

And those are the lucky ones. Others are trained to fight, forced to be suicide bombers or used as sex slaves.

According to accounts by escapees, young women and girls who have been abducted have been subjected to forced marriage, forcible religious conversion from Christianity to Islam, physical and psychological abuse and forced labour and rape.

Thanks to the violent conflict, about 1.2m people have been forced to flee their home, displaced inside Nigeria or crossing into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Many have had to run away in fear as their homes and villages were attacked

by Boko Haram militants, causing a large number of children to be separated from their parents amidst the violent chaos.

One of them is 15-year-old Ahmid who is the subject of one of UNICEF’s latest campaign films.

He fled his home during a horrific Boko Haram attack and travelled for a week without his family across Lake Chad.

He said: “I ran away by myself as they were cutting people’s throats as if they were rams.

“We had to eat grass from the lake. I worried most about hunger there was nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep. I worry about my parents.”

Ahmid has been supported at a UNICEF Centre where children are encouraged to express their grief through art and given access to education.

He said: “It was a policeman who urged me to go to school. At first, I couldn’t be bothered because I was thinking about my parents.

“I have nobody here but he told me to go to school. He said one day I will see my parents again if they are still alive. So now I go to school every day.”

Ten-year-old Sani was also witness to horrific scenes when he was forced to flee his home.

He recalls: “We were at the Koranic school when we first heard the gunfire. The teacher told us that Boko Haram was here and he told us to run to the river. So we ran

Girls who have been exposed to abuse and violence and forced from their homes getting access to education in Bauchi State.

away.

“Our teacher started to cross the river and then he stopped to make sure that we could also cross. But we could not cross, it was too deep.

“Then a man came on a motorcycle. He said he wasn’t from Boko Haram and he was looking for help. He asked us to come with him to look for food. When we got out of the water, he took out his gun and pointed at us saying he was Boko Haram. Then he took us.”

Sani was freed thanks to his father paying for him to be released and his family is now at a UNICEF-run refugee camp outside Diffa city in the Southeast of Niger.

He remains psychologically scarred by his experienced, which he has been encour-

aged to express through art.

UNICEF and COOPI (a UNICEF partner in charge of managing a child-friendly space in Diffa) are working hand in hands with the Government of Niger to find a way to reach all children in need of help and give them support and education “I did this drawing to show what Boko Haram did to us,” Sani said describing one of his pictures. “They came, shot people and cut the throat of others. Here it’s a member of Boko Haram burning a vehicle.

Here it’s someone who had his throat cut.

There burnt cars and here a burnt phone antenna.”

Like Sani, many children saw terrible things during the attacks. While it is often hard to talk about the days they left their

Children, many of them separated from their parents, in a school at a refugee camp for people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict.

home to run for their life, drawing is an easier way to address what took place.

Children participate in group activities to help them express themselves. They can also channel their trauma through song, and games. These recreational events also give them a sense of normalcy during this tenuous time.

This much needed child protection programme was established and implemented in eight locations in Diffa region: Bosso, Tam, Krikri, Chéri, Kilakam, Nguelkolo, Kabelewa, and Adjiri.

Many have seen parents, siblings, relatives or neighbours killed, tortured or abducted. Many have had to run for their lives and walk for days to reach safety. Others have been exposed to extreme violence and abuse.

“Some children are very shy,” said Marzia Vigliaroni from COOPI. “They won’t speak or participate in our activities; they need psycho-social support.

“We ask them to make drawings of their experiences during the attack. They draw people with slit throats and people drowning in the river. This shows us how deeply affected children are. We work with them individually; we try to help them forget the traumatising events they have experienced and continue their lives like other children and forget what they had to live through.”

As well as helping children through the refugee camps, the charity is also working to return abducted children to their families and demobilise children involved in fighting.

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When mother’s milk fails to flow

Breast feeding, first natural food for new born babies, is equally an important bonding experience, which allows a mother to relate with her child intimately.

However, while some mothers are lucky to lactate easily after delivery, it’s a herculean task for others. Why would a woman’s breasts dry up after child birth?

What is the way out? asks JULIET UMEH

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he story of Oluyomi Osunfisan’s birth underscores the importance of breast milk to nursing a new born baby. Born on a Good Friday decades ago, he detests celebrating his birthday because he was told the traumatic circumstances that surrounded his arrival.

As he was told, in his first seven days on earth, Adeoti Osunfisan, his mother, could not lactate. For that period, he could not experience profound maternal bonding for no intentional cause of his mother. His mother was to be delivered

of twin babies; fortunately Oluyomi was first to arrive but it took several hours before his twin sister could be out, which eventually came as a stillbirth. The long arduous labour apparently took its drain on Adeoti and she could not physically take care of her baby as she was unable to lactate and feed the surviving child. It took seven days before she could lactate and feed him.

The harrowing experience of his mother informed why Oluyomi never celebrate birthday. In later life, when re-

minded of the need to celebrate birthday, he would jokingly answer: “I was born on Good Friday and had to suffer with Jesus Christ at the time of my birth as I was abandoned for hours and without food (breast milk) for days because my mother could not lactate for a week.”

Adeoti isn’t the only one who had suffered delay in lactation. Dupe Olalere in a similar scenario also gave birth to her baby girl in March; three days after her delivery, there was no sign of milk flow.

Instinctively, women around her came up with all manner of suggestions to alleviate the situation. There was introduction of pap and palm wine and all manner of things to help make the breast milk flow.

While some women lactate naturally without any stress after childbirth, some others go through a lot to have breast milk flow. In some cases, when the milk eventually flows, it comes in a little quantity thereby leaving the baby undernourished. Medically, not all mothers can make milk after childbirth but what is required is the willpower and resources to determine the causes of lactation failure and develop appropriate treatments so that all mothers can reach their breastfeeding goals.

With all the investments of time and

resources on the campaign for promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and its inestimable benefits, why then are failures in the milk flow after deliveries? Is it not something that is supposed to be a natural process?

In a chat with Saturday Mirror, Dr. Onaolapo Nurudeen, consultant obstetrician & gynecologist at Ajeromi General Hospital, Lagos, admitted that a lot of women experience delay in lactation after delivery, adding that “before lactation could take place, there are some processes breasts must undergo before it could be ready for milk flow. Generally there are three phases of breasts development, when a woman is about to start her menstrual period, during pregnancy and towards the end of pregnancy when the woman is about to deliver, which of course make the breasts ready for lactation.”

From the above explanation, as soon as a woman delivers, ideally, it is expected that the milk production starts but what remains is for it to be let out and that is what is called lactation.

On why there are failures in lactation in some cases, medical experts listed a number of factors that can withhold CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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‘Appropriate diet will aid milk production’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 breast milk from flowing. One, the problem could be psychological. Two, stress of labour could be another reason, especially for first-time mothers. First-time mother may not adapt quickly to the fact that she now has to take care of a baby together with other things demanding her attention. Such factors, experts argued, could delay the process of lactation. A practical example is that of Oluyomi’s mother where the strenuous labour delayed lactation for complete seven days.

Another point is the delay in putting baby to the breast. “It is advisable that as soon as the placenta comes out, baby should be put to breast because the milk processes have started already but just for it be let down. The baby needs to suck the breast; the mother needs that suckling reflex to bring about ejection.

It is the sensation of the sucking that can stimulate the breast to release the milk. When that is not done in time, the lactation can be delayed,” Dr. Nurudeen added.

Esther Onyekam, a midwife in Umuihi Ihitte Uboma health center in Imo state, also gave more insight why delay occurs after delivery. “It all depends on body biochemistry. There are some people that start their menstrual period late, others start early. If it is a woman that started menstruating late more than usual, there will be a delay in production of milk after childbirth. In most times, they don’t give birth at all.”

Mrs. Onyekam also blames the delay on poor dieting during pregnancy. “If the mother is not placed on the appropriate diet that will aid the production of milk, delay will be experienced. If a well fed mother gives birth, within six hours after delivery, the breast milk will flow. But if a malnourished mother gives birth, it will definitely take the mother several hours or days even though the mother was placed on a palm wine and other measures, it will take up to two or three days for the breast milk to flow,” she explained.

In some cases, when the milk eventually flows, it comes in a little quantity thereby leaving the kids undernourished. Commenting on why some mothers never achieve a full milk supply, Mrs. Onyekam said breast size and hormonal imbalance could be some of the reasons. “Some mothers have small breast size and if the hormones that produce the milk are not in good functional status there will be no production of milk even if the woman engages herself in fluid interest, it will do nothing so far the hormones are not normal,” she said.

Nurudeen, however, explained some factors that could lead to delay in putting the baby to breast. “May be the woman has surgery or some issues and she has to be separated from the baby, so by the time they want to breast feed the baby, the milk may not release in time,” he said.

Another cause of delay could be when a woman bleeds so much after delivery.

“There is what is called postpartum hemorrhage and that is the commonest cause of death in women. When a woman delivers, there are some drugs we will give to her that will enable the womb to go back to the normal position because placenta is too big. Placenta occupies about one quarter of the uterus, so there is direct blood supply from the hearts. So,

A baby enjoying the mother’s milk

if it doesn’t go back, the blood will just continue to pump out. Hence, the uterus needs to go back to the normal position and by so doing the blood that gets to the womb will be reduced. The blood loss affects the part of the brain that stimulates the release of the pituitary gland. So if the woman bleeds so much, there will be shortage of blood to that area and that area will now tell the milk to shut down,” he said. Apart from the milk, he added technically, there are some other hormones that are shut down too and milk ejection will be affected.

Explaining further, Dr. Nurudeen said: “When a woman has what is called a retractile nipple, it could cause failure in lactation. Under normal circumstances, women have what is called the areola; that is the black part of the breast and then the pointed nipple. But for some people, the nipple is either absent or goes inside that’s what is called retractile nipple, with that the spaces through which the milk supposed to come out is absent so the baby will not be able to grasp the breast very well.”

He was quick to offer a solution to women with such nipple. “Such women, during pregnancy, are encouraged to be pressing the areola so that the nipple can come out. Expect the women that have early stage of cancer and in that case there is nothing you can do about it. In the case of cancer, you will now use the other breast and if it is on both sides, probably, the person may have to use breast pump to let it out to feed the baby,” he said.

Some diseases have also been identified as some of the causes in lactation failure. “Example is what is called thyroid disease, one of the commonest. When you see women’s neck being enlarged, if the woman has what is called hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Whether the hormone is too high or low, it could suppress the process of ejection of milk,” he said.

Also, use of drugs indiscriminately could cease milk flow. He said: “That’s why we don’t encourage women to use any kind of herbal drugs. Herbal drugs contain agents that affect the system because lactation is controlled by the brains. The milk is already there but the process of letting it out is that suckling reflex by the baby, when he now sucks, it sends signals to the brain to release milk. But those

herbal drugs that some women take cut short the system and that delays lactation. In modern medicine, we don’t encourage the use of herbal drugs some of them you don’t know what they contain.

“There are some other orthodox medicines that can equally delay breastfeeding, one of it is estrogens. It is common in contraceptive pills. That’s why we encourage women who are postpartum to use family planning especially after six weeks of delivery because a woman can get pregnant while lactating. They can use other methods but not the use of pills except for those that don’t breastfeed like those that have hepatitis, Human Immuno-Deficiency (HIV) Virus and some other diseases. We don’t encourage them to breastfeed unless the baby has been immunized. In that case they use infant formula.”

Another drug that can cause lactation failure, said Nurudeen, is called promocripine. According to him, some people produce much milk; if peradventure the drug is prescribed, the drug can cut short the milk. The drug is used for women that lose their babies or has miscarriage or whose baby died before time.

“In short, when milk is ready sometimes it may even start coming and if it is not stopped it may give the woman pains.

But for doctor that doesn’t know and pre-

I was born on Good Friday and had to suffer with

Jesus Christ at the time of my birth as

I was abandoned for hours and without food

(breast milk) for days because my mother could not lactate for a week

scribe the drug for the woman that needs to breastfeed, it can delay and even stop the milk flow,” Dr Nurudeen explained.

The health benefits of breast milk cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, as a way of preventive measure, Dr Nurudeen advised: “As soon as the woman delivers and the placenta is out you put the baby to breast because you need that sulking reflex for the milk to be released.

We also try to prevent excessive loss of blood, when the woman delivers; there are some drugs we give to encourage the womb to go back to its normal position which is called retraction. With that it will reduce blood loss, if the woman did not bleed too much there will be no problem of lactation.”

“Also as much as possible, during labour we also encourage for companionship by way of the nurses or the husband being present to encourage her. Most patients that are well-supported in the labour are likely to start lactation spontaneously and early than those that are left alone during labour. For women that have retracted nipple we encourage them to press on the areola so that they will see if the nipple can come out so that baby can easily grasp on to the areola for easy lactation.”

“Then for patients with disease like thyroid gland, we treat them during pregnancy because if it is not treated, it delays lactation. But a doctor needs not wait till the woman delivers,” Dr Nurudeen asserted.

However, in a case where these methods failed, for women that have retracted nipple or that were separated from their babies, they also encourage expression of the milk. “Apart from the sulking reflex, you can stimulate the breasts manually. The more you express it, it will be as if baby is sucking it and the more milk will be formed. You press the breast with a clean hand washed with soap and water. You can also use pump to suck out the milk with an apparatus,” he advised.

Deductively, one could submit that with better understanding of hormonal responses arising from health education and enlightenment, better dieting, nonuse of unprescribed drugs during pregnancy and better management of labour room-related stress, breast milk would flow naturally and instantly as a mother is delivered of her baby.

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INTERNATIONAL LIVING

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A

n impoverished father has revealed that he plans to sell his own kidney to fund life-saving treatment for his three morbidly-obese children.

Sisters Yogita Rameshbhai Nandwana, five, and Anisha, three, and their 18-monthold brother Harsh, are among the world’s heaviest young children.

Weighing 34kg, 48kg and 15kg respectively, the food they eat in a week is enough to feed two families in a month.

Now their father Rameshbhai Nandwana, 34, of Gurjarat, India, is planning to sell his kidney to earn the money needed to see top specialists.

He says, “If my kids continue to grow at this rapid rate, they will have major health issues. We’re terrified they will die.”

Yogita and Anisha eat 18 chapatis, 3lbs of rice, two bowls of broth, six packets of crisps, five packs of biscuits, 12 bananas and a litre of milk daily.

And their extreme hunger means their mother Pragna Ben, 30, spends most of her day making their meals.

She says, “My day starts with making 30 chapatis and 1kg vegetable curry in the morning. After that I am again in the kitchen preparing more food.

“Their hunger never stops. They demand food all the time and cry and scream if they’re not fed. I am always in the kitchen cooking for them.”

The couple have one older daughter, Bhavika, six, who weighs an average 16kg, and do not know why their other three children are so big.

Mr. Nandwana says, “When Yogita was born, she was extremely weak and weighed just 1.5kg. We were worried for her health.

“So we fed her a lot during the first year of her life to build her strength. But by her first birthday, she had bloated to 12kg.

“Our third daughter, Anisha, also gained weight in similar fashion and by her first birthday she was 15kg.

“But we only realised they were suffering from a disorder when our son Harsh was born as he too gained weight quickly during his first year.

“We started looking for medical help and consulted many doctors, but they would just refer us to bigger hospitals that I couldn’t afford.”

Mr. Nandwana earns just Rs 3000 (£35) a month - but usually has sufficient money to buy enough food to fulfill the large appetite of his children.

He says, I am a daily wage labourer and I usually get paid Rs 100 a day but there are times when there is no work at all.

“I work in fields, dig wells, and do whatever menial job I can find to earn money.

And I’m constantly worried about finding the money to feed my continually hungry children.”

Despite his paltry income, Mr. Nandwana spends about Rs 10,000 (£110) a month on food for his children and said he “cannot leave them starving.”

He adds, “If I don’t have the money, I borrow it from my brothers and friends. But I make sure I feed my children when they need.”

The father has spent Rs 50,000 (£540) on seeing doctors and treatment over the last three years – without any improvement in his children’s condition.

He says, “No one in our family has a giant frame. Only my children are overweight. As parents, it pains us immensely to see them unable to move.

“They cannot walk; they cannot do anything on their own. Selling my kidney is a desperate measure. But I’m now desperate

Nandwana siblings

Dying of food!

• Sisters Yogita Rameshbhai Nandwana, five, and Anisha, three, and brother Harsh, 18 months are among world’s heaviest young children - weighing 34kg, 48kg and 15kg respectively • Food eaten by the three in a week would feed two families in a month • Father Rameshbhai Nandwana is planning to sell his kidney

to earn the money needed to continue feeding them and see top specialists. Says he ‘cannot leave them starving’ to get the right help for my children.”

Their mother cannot pick up her children, so she has to watch them roll around when her husband is at work - or use a trolley to pull them around.

She says, “They need me to help them bath or when they need the toilet. I’m only 40 kg, so it’s impossible for me to pick them up. It’s a struggle when my husband is at work. They are usually restricted to the same place for the whole day and because of that, they cannot go to school. All they do all day is eat and play and giggle with each other.

“I want my daughters to get an education and play like other kids. I want them to have a life. This is no life.”

Local doctors believe the children are suffering from Prader-Willi Syndrome, but do not know how to treat it.

The rare genetic condition causes various symptoms including constant hunger, reduced muscle tone, restricted growth and learning difficulties.

Dr Akshay Mandavia, a paediatrician at Mandavia Children’s Hospital in Gujarat, says, “There is an abnormal accumulation of fat in these children.

“They’re not able to breathe properly, and they wheeze. Their condition could be due to endocrinal disease or Prader-Willi syndrome. But we can only ascertain the right treatment after a proper diagnosis at one of our top hospitals.”

I work in fields, dig wells, and do whatever menial job I can find to earn money. And I’m constantly worried about finding the money to feed my continually hungry children. If

I don’t have the money, I

borrow it from my brothers and friends.

But I make sure I feed my children when they need. I cannot leave them starving

WHAT IS PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME? Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition that causes a wide range of problems.

These include: • a constant desire to eat food, which seems driven by a permanent feeling of hunger and can easily lead to dangerous weight gain • restricted growth, leading to

short stature • reduced muscle tone • learning difficulties • lack of sexual development • behavioural problems, such as temper tantrums or stubbornness It is caused by a genetic defect on chromosome number 15, which happens purely by chance, and is usually diagnosed by carrying out genetic tests.

Sadly, there is no cure for the condition.

If the child has restricted growth, treatment with an artificial version of the human growth hormone (HGH) is usually recommended, as it can increase their final adult height by around 10.5cm (4.1 inches).

Most adults with Prader-Willi syndrome are unable to live fully independent lives, such as having a full-time job and living in their own home.

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

a i c n e D

Relationships Sex talk Does being married mean joint privacy?

P.33

100 arousing facts about sex P.32

Fashion What’s in a lady’s bag?

P.28

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ENTERVAGANZA

Celebr ity

April 18 , 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Most Nigerian artists don’t understand music —Sifter

Sifter is a Nigeria-born America-based music sensation. He left Nigeria for the United States of America to pursue his education but found out that music was his calling. Now, he tells OSEYIZA OOGBODO that music is all he thinks of and that his passion for music is why he’s succeeding in it.

Your song, Ololufe, which features 9ice, is already gaining some momentum in Nigeria despite the fact that you are yet to drop it.

I learnt you will be dropping the video and the audio same day. Could you tell me what is going on with you and the song?

The song was produced by Smoothkiss, Bugatti Records in-house producer. Ololufe is one song that I really like and I am proud to have featured 9ice on it. The song was composed and written by me. After recording the song, I felt like who could complete the work for me and the thought of 9ice came to my mind. I knew some people were saying 9ice had passed his time, but when we got into the studio and I listened to him sing, I changed that mindset. 9ice is a phenomenal musician, no doubt about it.

Why 9ice?

I felt he is the person that will be able to relate the story well, though there are other great artists in Nigeria. But I think 9ice is a legend. He knows his game and has been very consistent.

What was it like in the studio with 9ice?

It was great. 9ice is a cheerful person. He is a great person. He is a friendly someone you would love to be around with. I would say he is my mentor. After I met him and did a couple of things with him, I would say I have learnt a lot from him. The video and was shot by Unlimited LA and It was dope.

I won’t reveal much now. I want my fans to listen to the song and watch the video before we open the conversation on them.

How much did you pay 9ice to have him on your song?

I don’t think that is necessary. I think that should be between myself and him. The most important thing is that we did a collabo and everybody loves the partnership.

Nigerians like concentrating on money a lot instead of working hard to make money.

Whatever amount my management might have paid him, I will not reveal that to you because it is not professional.

What has been happening to your music career?

My career has been very good. Things are working fine for me. Despite the fact that I am based in the United States, I have been able to keep my fan base and my relationship with my fans has been awesome.

Staying outside the country has also opened my eyes to see the industry from a very broad view and I very comfortable with the way things are working out for me. Though, I am not based in Nigeria, I have never lost touch with my people down there. Don’t forget that I grew up in Nigeria before I left Nigeria. I have performed at major gigs in the US and even beyond. Apart from working with 9ice, there are other top artistes that I am currently working with but I don’t wish to reveal much now. The fact is that I am ready to shake the music industry. The big guns should just watch out for Sifter.

With the level you are today, how has the story been so far?

I have changed a lot in the past few years.

The transformation has been good. You know I started with gospel music and now I sing secular music. Now that I sing secular music, thing have changed and I am coping very well.

You dumped gospel for secular music?

I wasn’t a gospel artist in the real sense of it. I was just a chorister. The fame, the name, the promo and having a record label, those things don’t come overnight. Basically, the changes have been good. To God be the glory.

What do you see in your record label that has given you the motivation to stay?

We have a very good management team and within a year, if you Google my name, I already have over ten pages with my name.

The publicity is working fine at the moment. BRG is a group of motivated people that are striking towards the same goal.

Bringing something cool and unique to the listening of Nigerians. I have seen something great coming and I am glad to be part of the dream that will transform Nigerian music industry.

You signed the deal in the US. Are you planning to come back to Nigeria?

Well, I have more of my audience in Africa, probably later in future I plan to move back, but I’m not ready to come back permanently right now. However, I’m still working on some new stuff that will keep me here for some time.

•Sifter

For me, I don’t see any competition. With due respect, most Nigerian artistes don’t understand music. They don’t have a deep understanding about music lyrics and it is very sad. If you listen to my songs, you will feel the connection and the professionalism. I am not trying to blow my trumpet but I feel that being exposed to the Western world has helped me a great deal. God be praised for that.

Do you think you have what it takes to break into a very competitive music industry in What are your challenges as an artiste? this part of the world?

I don’t see any challenge. I am sorry

if I am sounding strange. I don’t see anything as a challenge but a phase I need to pass through. Facing the crowd is no problem. I don’t see that as a challenge, I can carry a crowd of over 1 million people if they are here. I will carry them along and everybody will have fun.

What motivates you as a musician?

God is my motivation. Every day I wake up, I thank God for His blessings and the grace to write and produce good songs.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

April 18, 2015

Namkul returns from India with love

O

gungbo Lukman, otherwise known as Namkul, has hit the airwaves with a new single entitled Pyar, an Indian word that means love.

Produced by Sunny Dee, Pyar is inspired by the love Namkul received while studying at the University of Mumbai, India.

Namkul started his musical career in 2006 as a member of the now defunct Sraeli Sect. The group had a hit single entitled Galatian before each member moved on to pursue their solo careers.

Namkul’s debut album, featuring artistes like Bukzy, Xcaper, Emeorla and Denny Zee was released in 2012. This was promptly followed by the video of Beach Party, one of the cuts in the album.

The video of Beach Party was directed

by Oluyinka Davids’ Ifocus Media.

E

verything that has a beginning must have an ending. Twenty children cannot play together for twenty years.

The above proverbs apply aptly to one of Nigeria’s most successful music groups, PSquare. For some time now, breakup tales have been trailing P-Square. Tales which got to fever pitch last year when family and professional crises engulfed P-square to the extent that they should have broken up.

But they didn’t because the two guys who actually make up P-Square are siblings, and not just siblings, but identical twins, and it’s that bond which binds identical twins that’s still keeping P-Square together.

However, that bond keeps being tested every day and it’s only a matter of time now before it will reach breaking point.

And right now, the bond is being tested again as one of the P-Square twins, Paul that is, has come out to say that he is wholly responsible for several of their smash hit songs and even their biggest song ever, Do Me. Whether this disclosure will be the straw that will break the camel’s back, that we cannot say yet. But one thing is obvious from Paul’s sudden revelation.

The cracks in P-Square’s wall are not yet mended and yet another one has appeared in it. And that only means it’s truly just a matter of time before P-Square will indeed break up.

P-Square

Namkul

Adesuwa Onyenokwe forges ahead with TWBS G

Onyenokwe

olden girl of Nigerian TV, Adesuwe Onyenokwe, added another feather to her cap recently with the successful hosting of the latest edition of her Today’s Woman Brunch Series.

The event, held at the serene ambience of the Clear Essence Spa, Ikoyi was an avenue for women to not only network and inspire one another but to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of key female leaders, chief executive officers and entrepreneurs across various industries.

Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola, was the amazon hosted, and other notable personalities who honoured her with their presence included Azuka Ogujiuba, Modele Sarafa Yusuf, Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta, Ifeyinwa Ojekwe, Ono Bello, Fade Ogunro, Funke Babs Kufieji, Ebele The Flutist and Wana Udobang.

The event provided Adesola an opportunity to share her corporate experiences as well as the giant strides she has achieved in positioning Standard Chartered Bank as a major player in the banking industry. She further mentored the ladies on issues such as developing a road map to getting their desired jobs, combating challenges in gender sensitive environments, indices needed to balance career, marriage and motherhood, identifying the right partner, savings and investing.

Sponsored by Etisalat, TWBS is an inspirational quarterly event that celebrates female icons that have made giant strides in their fields of endeavour with integrity, passion and consistency. Etisalat had in the past hosted previous editions which featured philanthropist and entrepreneur Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and acclaimed politician Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

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April 18, 2015

CLASSICAL LYRICS

E-NEWS

South Africa Xenophobia crises

Dencia lashes out at South African who blasted her

E

ntertainer and entrepreneur, Dencia, who is more popular for her social media comments and skin cream business than her singing, has waded into the Xenophobia crises in South Africa and got blasted for it.

But in true Dencia fashion, though, she gave it back as good as she got to the South African who put her down for daring to comment on the crises in SA. Trouble began when, Dencia, reacting to the unpalatable news out of Mandela’s country, said, “Late #NelsonMandela is somewhere weeping for our people. I can’t believe my eyes. How do you fight against apartheid and end up with this, years later? If it’s not Boko Haram in Nigeria, it’s Al-Shabaab somewhere in Kenya or Somalia and I can go on and on. What happened to just loving one another? What is my beloved continent, Mother Africa turning into? Where did parents go wrong with their kids?

“Last week I told Nick Cooper who told me his friends where trying to move to SA that he might not believe it, but America as bad as it is, might be safer for a black man than SA, then this happens smh. Who starts this nonsense?

Why oh why, Lord Jesus where thou art?

Please heal our land, hear our cry, Lord we need your mercy and we need your grace today, hear us as we pray, we pray for world peace, we pray for love ,we pray for our brothers and sisters, we pray for unity #Xenophobia #SouthAfrica #love #peace.”

A South African, Zoncath, was however pissed off at Dencia and she pounced on her, saying, “You know nothing about SA and you’re in no position to be dishing out advice like that. We’re sad about this as a country, but much can be said about America too. Concentrate on your creams rather. We shall continue to fight out the hooligans in our country and preserve the culture of making SA a home to those who reside in it.”

Dencia wasn’t ready to take the reaction lying down, though, and she came out waxing hot.

“In my previous post, as an African and as a human being who feels the pain and suffering of others, I put up my previous post about what’s happening in SA. Here’s the meaning of xenophobia intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.

“In case you didn’t know, let me school you. Don’t let the glitz and glam fool you. I am very much an African who was raised in an African country not as developed as SA. I moved to America in December 2006 for college and yes I do reside in America and I am a naturalized citizen of America from the day I came here but I am still an African Queen, I don’t have to be a South

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Super Girl Artist: : Dencia Bobo u gotta luv me oo Eh eh eh hey Bobo u gotta luv me ehh Brand new swag brand new song Fresh an clean guys where you @ Where you @, where you @ Oh I’ve been waiting all this while For a guy who’s gonna treat me right In my life, in my life Oh boy please treat me right My heart is beating fast I can’t go anymore oh oh

You know that am a diva Luv me and I’ll love you back It’s gonna be 50/50 If you wanna be with me You know that am a diva Love me and I’ll love you back Cuz am a super super super

Super Girl AMA AMA super girl Bobo you gotta love me oohhh Super girl AMA AMA Super Girl Bobo you gotta love me Eh Eh Super Girl AMA AMA super girl Bobo you gotta love me oohhh Super girl AMA AMA Super Girl Bobo you gotta love me Eh Eh

Knocking at your door Knock knock knock Bobo you need 2 open wide Am coming into your heart If you love me jeje I go love you tender If you hold me jeje I hold you tender If you touch me jeje I go touch you tender And if you kiss me jeje I go kiss you tender

You know that am a diva Luv me and I’ll love you back It’s gonna be 50/50 If you wanna be with me You know that am a diva

African citizen or live in South Africa to be worried about what’s happening there.

“My mom who is a UN worker works in that country every now and then. My brother lived there for years and guess what, these people losing their lives could have been my direct family members but because they aren’t doesn’t mean I can’t speak of the issues happening in my continent. Don’t think because you live in Africa makes you more of an African than I am or will ever be.

“I studied enough about SA history

when I took African history classes. I probably know more about SA than your dumb ass. I travel to African countries for work and charity purposes (something you might not know about because you could never do it in other countries because it’s not SA. I hope you raise your kids to think better and be better individuals. Until then, b***h, have a seat on a volcano in Mandela Square. #YouJustGotServed.

“PS: I am definitely facing my creams cuz, chile, they make me millions.”

Oh well, that’s Dencia for you.

Love me and I’ll love you back Cuz AMA Super Super Super Super Girl AMA AMA super girl Bobo you gotta love me oohhh Super girl AMA AMA Super Girl Bobo you gotta love me Eh Eh Super girl AMA AMA super girl Bobo you gotta love me oohhh Super girl AMA AMA Super Girl Bobo you gotta love me Eh Eh

All ma super girls all around the globe Rock diamonds and pearls take over the world It’s Dencia reppin Africa

The scourge that is music piracy Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-NEWS

April 18, 2015

A

problem misunderstood is a problem that will never be solved. This is exactly the case of music piracy in Nigeria. People just scream ‘piracy’ and criticize pirates for their insensitivity without really understanding what piracy is all about. Most of the music industry stakeholders themselves don’t really understand it, and this further compounds the problem.

But even as piracy continues to be shrouded by an aura of mystery that seems impenetrable, those that are really affected by it have taken time out to study it.

It’s not everyone in the industry that’s affected by it, severely or otherwise. Several of the big artists and record labels also feel its heat, but because they are surviving in music through shows and endorsements, they are able to weather the storm and so don’t really feel they should go out of their way to tackle the menace, since it is even a hydra-headed monster that makes you wonder which of its heads to cut first.

So it is the struggling artistes who are bearing the full brunt of piracy. Phemz, an upcoming artist who is finding it difficult to promote his singles, Bunmi, Telemi, Mu Jo Jo and Babie Okwu, spoke in depth on the piracy issue and his knowledge of it.

His revelations on the issue are shocking, to say the least. His initial words: “The actual pirates are not the real pirates who sell the bootleg CDs to the public. The real pirates are the radio stations who refuse to support upcoming artists and Nigerian music thereby. They are the ones who encourage piracy and they are the actual pirates.”

Explaining, he said Nigerian radio stations prefer to play foreign music, and they also don’t play Nigerian musicians who don’t bribe them, and it’s their stance that actually leads to piracy.

“The refusal of Nigerian radio stations to play Nigerian music adequately is what led to and still encourages piracy. If we had the support of these radio stations, the listening public would be able to listen to our music through them. But because the radio stations don’t support us, boys become desperate and resort to other available means, like internet promotion and especially piracy.”

According to him, it is psychological trauma for an artist not to hear his song being played on radio or not to have a hit track when other artists are having hit tracks and smiling to the banks. He disclosed that when the radio stations don’t support an artist by playing his music, but the artist needs his music to be heard all over and everywhere in order to become successful, piracy becomes an option for the artist.

“Pirating your own music is degrading and humiliating, but these radio stations don’t leave you with any other choice. And despite all the negative sides of piracy, there are actually some merits in the pirated CDs,” Phemz revealed. “A pirated CD will spread your music all over the world and allow the

D’Banj

Phemz

public access to it anytime they want, unlike waiting for it to be played on radio and not being sure it will be played as what is played is dependent on the presenter or DJ’s choice.

“It’s very frustrating being an artist in Nigeria,”

25

he lamented further. “Can you imagine that these radio stations that keep praising American artists and playing their music demand money from us before they can play our songs? But my question is, does R Kelly settle them? Or Black Eyed Peas? So if the foreign artists don’t settle, why do they expect same from us in our own country?”

Worse, in his opinion, is that they sometimes settle radio DJs and presenters and the DJs, presenters stop playing their songs after two or three times because they want more money. “I wonder why we can’t celebrate our own,” he blasted. “In Cuba, it’s only their music they play on their radio. But here, you’ll hear all these radio people eulogizing R Kelly, Usher and other American stars who don’t know them and don’t give a damn about them.”

Still venting his frustration, he dropped another bombshell. “They keep blaming pirates, pirates, pirates. Maybe the pirates are not really to blame. Are you aware that the pirates can’t make the music compilation themselves? Oh yes, it’s DJs who make it for them.”

As far as he is concerned, DJs don’t have any right to compile music for pirates, especially as they themselves are professionals in their own sector of the music industry, so it is ethically wrong.

“These are the problems of piracy that people don’t understand. So how will piracy go away when radio stations and DJs, two core elements of the industry, are working against artists? In America or Europe, you can be sure that your music will get quality air play on radio. But here in Nigeria, if you don’t have money like D’Banj and P-Square to settle radio DJs, don’t waste your time with radio, you might as well go to the pirates yourself.”

He also divulged the best way to get rid of piracy, saying that it will only be eradicated when the government steps into the affair like everyone is agitating for, but not by government coming into the issue in the way people are demanding.

“It’s not about the government arresting pirates.

That won’t really achieve anything. Piracy will only be truly eradicated when the government firstly promulgates a law that only Nigerian music, or mostly Nigerian music, should be played on Nigerian radio.

And if anyone wants to kick against such a law, it will be pointed out to the person that Nigerian music is not played on mainstream radio in America, Europe and Asia so there’s no need for us to be playing their music here at the expense of our own music and musicians.”

He gave maximum kudos to Nigerian TV stations and praised them effusively, saying that they are the ones who truly support Nigerian music. He recalled that when a colleague of his, Achiever, was able to scrape money together to do a music video for his song, Ask Question, he got maximum airplay on TV for it, unlike on radio, and he said he could still mention many more of his colleagues that have never had real radio support “and yet, radio should be the basic promotion avenue for musicians.”

Continues next week

26

April 18, 2015

Yemi Sodimu seizes October 1 pirated copies

N

ollywood has been in a state of frenzy since acclaimed producerdirector-actor Kunle Afolayan cried out last week that pirates want to release bootleg copies of his latest movie, October 1.

Since his comments which some regarded as tribalistic, there have been several reactions with some rising to his defence and some lambasting him.

Anyway, the latest reaction to his tirade against pirates has galvanised one of his colleagues, Yemi Sodimu, into action.

Sodimu has taken it upon himself to seize pirated copies of October 1 and 30 Days In Atlanta that he sees on sale and having seized some already, he posed the pictures of his efforts on social media.

He also urged other Nollywood stakeholders not to wait for government intervention again but to start seizing pirated movies as well.

All good oh, Yemi, but don’t forget it’s said that no one should take the law into their own hands.

Children win millions on WWTBAM

Nimi, Paul, Omiete

P

opular TV game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, held its children’s special edition recently, and two siblings, Nimi and Omiete Owanga, won N1m and and N500,000 respectively.

Speaking afterwards, Paul Owanga, Nimi and Omiete’s father, told the story of how his children got to be on the highly acclaimed show.

“My name is Paul Owanga. I am a public servant. I am the father of Omiete and Nimi Owanga who just won N500,000 and N1m respectively on WWTBAM. Honestly I feel so excited. I was with them in the sitting room when the children special was advertised.

“Omiete took my phone while Nimi took her mother’s and they sent the texts almost immediately. For all of us as a family, we have been watching WWTBAM a little over six years. So they played at almost the same time.

“When the questions came, they both

Sodimu

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

answered, then we got the calls later that they have both been shortlisted and that if they qualify eventually, they would be invited to the studio. Lo and behold, they were called.

“I said to myself that at last I will see Frank, I mean on one-on-one basis. In fact, coming here has been enlightening because when you see things people write on social media, you will think it’s not real. But having come here today, I can attest that Ultima Studios and MTN are doing excellently well and it is good to encourage the children at this age.

“When Omiete won N500,000 at first, I was excited and I praised God. I was a bit scared for Nimi though because the game became tougher as she progressed but God saw her through and she won N1m in scholarships too. I am so grateful to God. I am also grateful to MTN and Ultima Studios for a job well done. This is a big relief, I tell you.”

Clarion Chukwurah bounces back after botched AGN leadership attempt

L

ast year, the major news about veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah was that she was locked in a battle for the presidency of the Actors Guild of Nigeria with Ibinabo Fiberesima.

She wasn’t successful, however, and this year, she has turned her focus to another project which might just yield great dividends for Nollywood: a notable partnership with respected director Aquila Njamah.

They hosted their friends and industry personalities recently at a where they un-

veiled the signing of the partnership deal between Chukwurah’s Jade Productions and Njamah’s Eagle Eye Productions.

The party also celebrated Aquilla’s birthday which the duo had marked at a charity home on March 25th.

Some of the top stars in attendance at the high octane ceremony were Empress Njamah, Lillian Amah, African China, Majek Fashek, King Wadada and Rosemary Ingbi.

The show was compeered by Lin Chung, while MC Passion was the come-

dian who kept cracking the guests’ ribs.

The show was also spiced with music rendition by legendary reggae artist Majek Fashek, King Wadada, African China, Chawa Khalic, and upcoming acts Prince and Don Leo. The peak of the event was when Aquila did a rendition of P-Square’s Ifunnanya to Clarion which made the audience roar in applause.

So will these two be able to come up with a production that will change the face of Nollywood forever more?

Chukwurah

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

StyGlleam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(080378011

58) ydiran@

yahoo.com

Go eth nic in

27

a s i L y b s l e w e J

A

nother great way to wear an Ankara outfit is by mixing it up with either a plain coloured material or a different design of the same fabric.

It does not only stand you out at occasions as a stylish lady, it gives you the privilege of making both your formal and informal outings. But if you want to make a super short dress, make sure you’ve got some straight legs or you are set to pair it up with a fitting leggings.

One Nigerian designer that is smart at doing this best is Lisa Folawiyo, the glamour lady behind (JBL), Jewels by Lisa.

“With a little touch of accessories here or there on your favourite Ankara fabric, it can pass for a really sexy outfit. This may even be the Ankara itself, either at the tank top, the sleeve or making a wonderful combine of two similar but different fabrics into a cute o u t f i t , ” she says.

28

STYLE & GLAM

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

What’s in a lady’s

Fashion

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STYLE & GLAM

April 18, 2015

n frenzy

s bag?

n frenzy

A

re you one of those curious people who wonder why women carry big bags around? Stop worrying yourself, the answer is right here. Beside the fact that no trendy woman is complete without a handbag, women go about with a lot of stuff and a big carry-all bag is just one bail out that is necessary. But if you really must know the details of what she has in her bag, they include cosmetic bag that houses her lipsticks of different colours, powder, mascara, make-up kit, eye pencils of different colours and sizes, lip gloss, eye shadow, perfume, combs, hair brush and mirror. In another corner, she has her diaries, complimentary cards, handsets and other office materials. Within this same bag are her toiletries and other items for her convenience.

How else would a woman have survived without this helpful accessory that offers such comfort?

29

Fashion Guest

30

STYLE & GLAM

‘Wanna have me?

Be yourself’

Aside modelling, Adegbite Adennyke Hip, as she is popularly called by her friends and close associates, loves music and rapping especially. But weird and pretty as she may appear, there is bridge to cross by any man who desires her, ‘Be yourself,’ she declares to YEMISI ADENIRAN in this close up.

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

10 erection protection tips

elling also but this is not really big in Africa.

How do you marry this with your academic demands?

Well, there is always a way around it. Besides, I have not been involved in any major work for now, I have just been moving about trying to show agencies the stuff I’m made off, I mean, just connecting here and there and this has been working for me. Yes, it has been eating into my educational activities but like I said, I cannot afford to allow it reflect in my performance negatively. So, I make sure I make coping my top priority because I would not want to disappoint my parents.

What attracted you to modelling?

Curiousity and desire to showcase God’s special gift for me drove me into modelling. As you can see, I am an undergraduate, so, I’ve got quite a lot on my hands. But you see, I know from a long time ago that there is a passion for something like this in me though I could not give it a definite explanation. I come from an academic and very strict background where all attention is dedicated to education and nothing less. It is just primary that you go to school and your first degree is not even enough, be you a lady or not. All the same, I knew I always love to be seen, to be outstanding and beautifully for that matter. I didn’t get to give an expression to this yarning in me until I began to model.

What is your area of specialisation in modelling?

My special area in modelling is runway, photography, magazines, commercials and I think i can do glamour mod-

How accommodating is the industry especially for those of you just coming up?

Competition is stiff but the industry, I will say, to a large extent, is receptive.

There are people to put you through, people to learn from, people to see as mentor. The sky is wide enough for birds to fly and because of the exposure that is available to everyone and the industry particularly, climbing up the ladder is not going to be any big deal.

How do you cope with your male admirers?

I do that very well, at least to the best of my ability and I think it is the duty of every lady to do that, be you a model or not. Men or guys will always come, even when you fence them out one way or the other. Basically, however, my kind of man should be bold, confident and be focused. And I really mean that, if you wanna have me, you gotta be yourself.

A

re you a man reading this? You’ve just won the ultimate lottery, that is if you can soak in and use these tips. And if you are a woman, one way or the other, these tips are definitely in your interest. According to experts, erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more common as men age. But it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. How can men avoid ED? 1. Watch what you eat A diet that’s bad for a man’s heart is also not good for his ability to have erections.

Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. The blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body. Simply put, anything that is bad for a man’s heart is also bad for his penis!

2. Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight can bring many health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, which can cause nerve damage throughout the body. If the diabetes affects the nerves that supply the penis, ED can result.

3. Avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol High cholesterol or high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, including those that take blood to the penis. Eventually, this may lead to ED. Make sure your doctor checks your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You might also want to check your blood pressure between doctor visits, as pressure monitors are also sold for home use. If your cholesterol or blood pressure is out of whack, get it treated.

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

4. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all There is no evidence that mild or even

moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function. But chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions -- such as interfering with the normal balance of male sex hormone levels -- that can lead to ED. 5. Exercise regularly Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED. But watch out for any form of exercise that puts excessive pressure on the perineum, which is the area between the scrotum and anus. Both the blood vessels and the nerves that supply the penis can be adversely affected from excessive pressure in this area.

Experts say bicycle riding, in particular, can cause ED. 6. Keep a tab on testosterone Even in healthy men, testosterone levels often begin falling sharply around age 50.

Every year after age 40, a man’s testosterone level typically falls about 1.3%. Symptoms like a low sex drive, moodiness, lack of stamina, or trouble making decisions suggest a testosterone deficiency, as do lackluster erections.

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

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

9. Steer clear of risky sex Believe it or not, some cases of erectile dysfunction stem from penile injuries that occur during sex. Taking your time and avoiding certain positions can help. It may be uncomfortable, but consider talking to your partner about what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.

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

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

April 18, 2015

Male Essentials

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

Button-down shirt basics

F

or many of us, choosing a shirt is just like selecting a pair of running shoes, jeans or even a T-shirt. We either like it or we don’t, and it’s usually the price that dictates whether we’ll buy it or not. That said, the next time you’re planning on purchasing a shirt, keep a lookout for these details: quality, type of collar, fit, and versatility.

Quality Designer brands aren’t always synonymous with quality, but for the most part, if a brand name has been around long enough, then odds are that the quality is up to par.

Brand name or not, a quality shirt should be made of the finest quality fabrics. Look for 100% cotton, silk and other fine natural fabrics.

Delicate stitching also says a lot about the quality of a shirt. A fine quality shirt should have solid yet discreet stitching around the seams and buttons. Manufacturers often try to cut corners by using insufficient or cheap thread.

Also, make sure to look out for the smaller details. Cuffs and collars are the most important details of any man’s shirt.

A shirt that boasts nice cuffs and a welldesigned collar is usually of higher quality.

As well, a shirt with cufflinks and a heav-

ily starched collar is often seen as more formal than one without the aforementioned extras.

Collar Choosing the shirt’s collar is an important step in the selection process. Your collar should sit evenly on your neck, without choking you. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to slip in your fattest finger without feeling choked.

For more precise proportions, measure your neck size right below your Adam’s apple with measuring tape.

Here are the most common collar styles you can choose from: The turn down collar Also called the straight point collar, this is the collar type you’ll see on most men.

Most corporate style shirts consist of short turn down collars. On the other hand, long turn down collars are normally seen on more casual and trendy shirts.

The tab collar The tab collar is a stubbier version of the turn down collar. It normally features a small strip of lined fabric, which helps to button both wings of the collar at the front of the shirt.

The button down Again, the button down is similar to the turn down collar. The only difference

is that it has buttons at each of its points.

These buttons help fasten the collar ends to the shirt.

The rounded collar The rounded collar is also called the club collar. Both collar points are rounded and have small pinholes at their tips.

The English spread The English spread collar is medium in width and has flared points. Some English spread collared shirts have extremely wide spread collars.

The mandarin collar Finally, a mandarin collar comes up one or two inches from the collarbone and doesn’t turn down.

Style Each collar type has its own character; the way it looks depends on how and what you’ll be wearing it with. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable with the look and feel of the particular collar.

Generally, a higher collar that is not too wide will complement a narrow face, while one with a lower collar will help exaggerate the length of the neck, and therefore complement a wider face.

Fit On a more general level, a shirt should fit nicely around your shoulders and back.

You should feel comfortable while stretch-

ing forward and avoid feeling as though your shirt is going to rip off your back.

While your arms are well rested to your sides, your sleeves should end where your thumbs begin.

Finally, if you’re planning on tucking in your shirt, make sure it’s long enough because having to re-tuck it into your pants all day long can become quite annoying.

Sexual issues & solutions

Experimenting with new forms of sexual play V

L

ets take a look at Bondage and Domination as another way of experimenting new sexual play. Bondage & Domination Once thought of as “advanced” sexual play, formerly “mainstream” couples are beginning to experiment with light forms of bondage and domination. Think about it -- have you ever tied up your lover with furry cuffs? You’ve tried B&D! Many people also enjoy slipping a blindfold over their lover’s eyes during love play, or even lightly spanking their partner’s rump with a slapper , feather whip, tickler or hairbrush. . When your play is finished for the night, take a few minutes to talk about what you and your partner just experienced, what worked and what didn’t, what you loved and what you hated. This used to be called “pillow talk.”

An excellent time to discuss boundaries, acceleration, or escalation of your fantasies.

Sir, I am a 50 year old man and I have been suffering from weak erection or the past few years.

Its usually very difficult to penetrate and IF I’m able to penetrate, I will ejaculate in less than one minute of penetration and this is making my wife very sad; please I need your help seriously and urgently – Bayo I will advice you take Volume pills or Vimax that will help correct all the erectile problems. Due to the fact that you have been encountering this problem for sometime now, I will advice you don’t expect an automatic solution; you can start taking either Vimax or Volume pills. They are both herbal and also work for erection on demand, but because your erection problems have persisted for some years now, it might take a while or better still can work instantly; it all depends on how fast your body accepts the ingredients of the supplement.

I have a serious case of high blood pressure and the drugs im using to treat it has really affected my erection system. A colleague of mine who is also hypertensive and diabetic used Vimax and the Noto Tea he got from you and it worked well for him, can I also use it? Will it work for me? Is it safe for me? Chuks

Chuks, these are too many questions at the same time, but its all good cos I understand what you are going through. And we are here to help you. Just as your friend had a positive result from Vimax and the Noto Tea , I will also recommend you take it cos it is very safe for hypertensive, cardiovascular patients & the diabetics and it also gives a very strong erection within minutes of usage. Vimax has proven to be more effective than the chemical viagra and cialis and safe to use without any side effect and the Noto tea helps fights hypertension and diabetis.

I read your article last week about how Vimax pills helps correct premature ejaculation and I must confess that within 5 days of usage, I have started noticing a good result, I lasted about 15 minutes longer than usual and can go more than one round, im so happy. I want to order another pack so as to totally correct the premature ejaculation - AY AY its great to hear you have started noticing good result from Vimax pills.apart from the fact that Prosolution gives very strong erection on demand, it also corrects premature ejaculation and helps you go more than one round and im so happy you got these results. Yes ,you can get another pack anytime.

Im an inquisitive prospective buyer, I want to know some other top four erection aids in your store apart from Rhino 7, want to try some other just to have varieties – OC Apart from Rhino 7,other very potent erection enhancers that gives strong erection on demand include Vimax,Xzen 1200, Vigrx plus,Prosolution and Libigrow. You can lay your hands on any or all of these if you want. They are very potent and herbal; very safe for use by all.

After using Vigrx plus and Plump cream for about 6 weeks,I have started noticing increment in the length and width of my penis, . I want to order another set till I get the desired size I want- Brian These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs any of these aphrodisiacs can cal 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com.

For further enquiries,send an email to us at: vieweden@ yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com.

Kemi Fawole (MD )

VIEWDEN PRODUCTS (RANGE OF LOVE PRODUCTS)

32

April 18, 2015

Male

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Relatio

Angle

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

Does being married

Shouldn’t be automatic

A

lot of people believe that with marriage comes the loss of individual privacy. They say that with marriage comes openness and I agree, yet I believe that there can be what is called being “too open” and loose with words and deeds which may lead to loss of mutual respect and or even divorce if care is not taken to nip problems that may arise when couples are too opened in a relationship or marriage. There are valid reasons for keeping a secret from your spouse and you shouldn’t have to defend not revealing embarrassing or hurtful moments from your past. It is possible that the secret involves someone else who asked that the story not be told. There are many couples who have been married for a long time who have personal secrets that they haven’t shared with their spouse.

The sense of space and the sense of a private “Me” is important to many individuals.

Secrecy is a thorny issue in relationships. Couples often struggle with knowing what can be held back and what should be revealed between each other.

There can be confusion between a desire for a private time and a feeling that one’s partner is hiding something from us. Not all secrets are created equal or of the same magnitude because while some are small and innocuous, others can rip the fabric of a relationship to shreds.

Planning a surprise birthday party for one’s spouse or hiding the destination for a special evening out are secrets that enhance a relationship and build connection. These secrets show our partner that we are thinking about them and care about their happiness and the well being of the relationship. Some secrets seem small but slowly erode trust.

The fear of a spouse’s reaction can cause us to begin to hide certain things that we may have purchased or to say that we were at the office when we were with friends. A distance will begin to grow between us and our spouse bit by bit until we are looking across a huge chasm at him or her. Being

honest with each other doesn’t mean you must share every single thought, dream, fear, or fantasy with your spouse. Honesty may be a double-edged sword in your marriage. Knowing what to share and what not to share is an important communication skill for couples to learn and use in their marriage. It’s certainly really a common thing these days for a husband and wife to share bank accounts and there’s honestly nothing wrong with that.

Also, if I need my spouse to look something up for me in my email, sure I’d give up my password with no problem. It is the idea of just magically passing off every single code just because we’ve been together for a certain amount of years or there’s a ring on our fingers that really doesn’t make any sense to me or most of the male ilk. Why does my wife need to have access to my Facebook, email or any social network I may belong to? Whoever is contacting me there is contacting only me and not her so what reason does she need to read any of my personal dealings with anyone? If she needs to be updated on my activities, the onus is on me to gist her if I want to do so and not because we are married.

I think every relationship should exist on three social levels in your life which can be categorized as things that have happened in my life, your life and our life. From my experience, balancing out your personal time and space from your lover’s is essential to maintaining your sanity and your own identity. So on the subject of privacy in a relationship; I feel there should be some things that are solely for you and you alone. On a very serious note for me, even though you chose to share your life with someone you are still an individual. That doesn’t mean I have anything to hide, so why does my woman need to know my PIN number and passwords for my personal accounts unless I want to share them? It shouldn’t be automatic is my position here.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

100 arousing facts about sex 1.

During 30 minutes of active sex, the average person burns approximately 200 calories.

2.

On average, adult men think about sex every seven seconds.

3.

Having sex at least once per week can lower a man’s risk of heart disease by 30%, stroke by 50% and diabetes by 40%. It has also been shown that men with an active sex life are more likely to live past 80 years.

4.

The average size of an erect penis measures between 5 and 6 inches, while the average size of a flaccid penis is about 3.5 inches.

5.

The sperm count of the average male in 2008 was down nearly 30% from the sperm count of an average male 30 years ago.

6.

Viagra, the well-known blue pill designed to help with erectile dysfunction, made $411 million in profits within the first three months of its release in 1998 before going on to make $1.8 billion in 2003.

7.

Use of the condom was first noted in published literature in the early 1500s. The device was originally made of linen, and historians believe the legendary lover Casanova used linen condoms.

8.

Historical records show that even in 1850 B.C., women attempted to practice birth control. The most common method was a mixture of crocodile dung and honey placed in the vagina in the hope of preventing pregnancy.

9.

Just a decade ago, only 25% of women reported experiencing orgasm as a result of intercourse. In recent years, this number has ris-

en to about 45%. In contrast, over 80% of women report experiencing orgasm though oral sex.

10. The vibrator, a common sex toy for women, was originally designed in the nineteenth century as a medication to combat the anxiety-related symptoms of hysteria.

11. Homosexuality was listed as a mental illness with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) until 1973. It has since been removed and is now considered an orientation by the APA instead of an illness.

12. Approximately 1% of people worldwide identify as asexual (having no strong sexual attraction to either sex).

13. Statistics suggest that approximately one in every five persons has indulged in sex with a colleague at work.

14. During 2007, more than 2.5 million people worldwide became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. With these new cases, there are now 33 million people living with AIDS throughout the world.

15. Since AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981, more than 25 million people have died as a result of the virus. Two million people died from AIDS in the year 2007 alone.

16. The average male produces several million new sperm daily. Conversely, a female is born with a finite amount of eggs and will produce no more than that throughout her lifetime.

17. Statistics show that approximately 90% of men and 65% of women masturbate from time to time.e

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

RELATIONSHIPS

April 18, 2015

onships

Female

33

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

mean joint privacy?

Definitely not!

S

This column is x-rated 18. Worldwide, 27.5% of women report that they felt pressured into having sex for the first time compared to 15% of men reporting the same feelings.

19. According to a 2007 worldwide sex survey, the average age when people first have sex is 19.25.

20. Outside of the bedroom, the most common place for adults to have sex is the car.

21. The average couple spends about 20 minutes engaged in sexual foreplay prior to intercourse.

22. Worldwide, sexually active adults report having sex an average of 103 times per year. This number is down from an average of 127 times per year in 2003.

23. One report states that 48% of women have faked an orgasm at least once in their life. Interestingly, an identical 48% of men also report faking an orgasm at least once.

24. Throughout the world, approximately 25% of sexually active persons report having had only one sexual partner.

Conversely, 21% report having more than 10 sexual partners in their lifetime.

25. One survey reports that 53% of sexually active persons claim to have sex at least once weekly. However, only 48% report being satisfied with their sex life.

26. Many of the ingredients in chocolate are proven to cause arousal similar in effect to sexual foreplay. In fact, some experts believe chocolate may be even more effective than foreplay for sexual arousal.

27. Both men and women can be turned on by the aromas of wine. The scents of many wines are believed to replicate human

This column is x-rated pheromones, the chemical substances that cause behavioural responses in humans.

28. Endorphins released during sexual activity create a euphoria similar to that produced by opioid drug use. These same endorphins also act as extremely effective pain killers.

29. A woman is more likely to want to commit adultery during ovulation than at any other time in her cycle.

30.

Telling a convincing lie to someone is much more difficult when you find them sexually attractive.

31.

Minute quantities of over 30 different substances have been identified in human semen. These include nitrogen, fructose, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, inositol, cholesterol, glutathione, creatine, pyruvic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, urea, uric acid and Vitamin B12, along with various salts and enzymes.

32.

Women who have given birth have darker labia minora than women who haven’t.

33.

The majority of women experience a peak in libido just before their period.

34.

The point at which the average man reaches his sexual peak is between the ages of 17 and 18.

35. The earth could be re-populated to its current level using the number of sperm that could fit into an aspirin capsule.

Next week…

36. Almost a third of all women over 80 years of age still have sex.

ome people believe that once two people are married, they practicaly must share everything without giving each other some breathing space. I totally disagree on this because this hardly brings peace in the family. I call this –invasion of privacy! The fact that two people agreed to live together for the rest of their lives does not give each of them the power to be snooping around and always wanting to know the intimate things the other person do.

When we talk about joint privacy, i mean the most private activities of each other like wanting to know whom each other speaks with on phone, private baths, metime invasion etc. Infact i feel couples should try to have seperate bedrooms if they can afford it financially. There are times when couples just want to be alone not because, they hate each other but the fact that , they just need to sort out certain personal problems without bothering the other person. Sure, you do not expect your wife/husband to give you all the silly details of his or activities daily. You will be drowned and this could create friction between both of you. The worst part of always wanting to know everything your spouse do is when he/she opens up and you are totally angry and have absolutely no clue on how to solve the problem. So what was the need telling you?

A woman overheard her husband of ten years talking on the phone one night. The man was actually talking with a woman who was a foriegn partner who just came into Nigeria for the first time and was asking the man to join her for dinner meeting. The husband thinking that the wife would understand was so loud with the phone discussion asking the woman what she would like to eat so he would know the right restaurant/hotel to book for their dinner meeting. The man was also excited because, this was supposed to be a very crucial meeting for his company and career.

You know what the woman did after he dropped the phone? She went inside the bedroom, changed into one of her best lingerie, locked the

bedroom door and warned the man never to step out of this room.

Long story cut short....the woman thought she was going out with a girl friend. At the end of the day, that man never left the house because the wife hid the bedroom key where after the whole drama, she could not recall where she kept the key and that man ended up missing the dinner meeting with a vital business partner. Did i tell you she also siezed the man’s phone? I can hear some of you saying, the man would have beaten the hell out of her? The man was a weakler by allowing the woman to manipulate him?

Let me tell you something folks....there are events that unfold right before your eyes and you simply cannot believe it is real. Again, if in the spite of anger you act/react to some annoying actions, you could kill someone for something you know nothing about. If you ask me, at that particular time, most African men would have broken that door, beat the woman to pulp but the man simply remained calm because he did not want to make a terrible mistake of either killing the wife or destroying the marriage. One of those few sensible men we have around huh? Such men are very few!

The following morning, the man quietly left the house, went to the hotel where the foriegn partner was staying to explain what happened the previous night. Sadly, he lost the business deal because, not only that the man never showed up , the foriegn Partner could not reach him on phone to know what was happening and was left stranded that evening without seeing or hearing from the man.

Ofocurse trust me, oyibo people have no time for stupid drama when it comes to good business deals.

Joint privacy!! The wife of the man felt she had all the right to know everything the man does, where he goes, whom he sees blabla-bla...

Give your partner some downtime because both of you are two different people with different mind-set!!!!

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April 18, 2015

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Woman

n a g n i e ‘B s i n a h p or ’ l a e d g i no b

Mrs. Victoria Obakoya is the first child and Chief Executive Officer of Ijamido Motherless Home in Ota area of Ogun State. She tells YEMISI ADENIRAN how she took over the mantle of leadership of the home from its founder, Madam Virginia Willoughby, what it feels like being an orphan, how life has become pleasant with her despite all odds and what it takes to run a successful orphanage like the one she comes from.

Excerpts:

You are the first child and Chief Executive Officer of Ijamido Motherless Home. What has it been like managing the home and for how long have you been at it?

I have been at this for about 21 years now. This is because I have been at it even when Mummy (Madam Virginia Willoughby) was alive. You know, when she became old, she could not stand so much rigour again and I had to take charge of so many things. I can recol-

lect that I started managing the home around 1991. I must say that it has not been easy managing the home. There is nothing as hard as managing children from different background. However, with the help of God, corporate bodies and some good Samaritans around, we have been able to cope with the situation. Of course, there have been some ups and downs, yet we have been able to scale through our hurdles. We have our happy moments and we have times when

we are sad, but that is just life.

God has been on our side and we have been able to scale through.

How do you get the children in the home?

They are abandoned children who are picked and taken to the Juvenile Welfare Centre at the Police Station.

Then, we have the state Special Welfare Oflfice that over sees our daily activities. They have an area office around here and the head office is at the ministry in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

How do you handle the issue of adoption?

We don’t do adoption here. The founder of the home is against it. According to her, the home is designed to help the less-privileged in the society

and since she did not have a child of her own, every child brought to the home automatically becomes her own.

What does it feel to be an orphan?

Except for the stigma attached to being an orphan, whereby people feel that you are a less-privileged, I would say there is nothing to it. The only thing is that you are not with your family. But here, our kids have seen one another as siblings and one family. Life is just normal. We have time of sadness, and we have time of joy. Well, we lack some things because ours is a large family and that affects our needs.

What is your population like?

172 kids.

That’s quite large. How do you keep tab on all of them?

We know our children! Some are in private universities and other higher institutions; we have those in secondary schools; some are in boarding houses; some are in different vocations. The minimum level of education here is secondary school education. Most of our children are computer literate. In each of the rooms are aunties and elderly ones taking care of the children.

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Orphans are not to be toyed with.

If you take good care of them, God will reward you. Just let us leave those taking advantage of orphans to

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April 18, 2015

God because He compensates all according to what they truly deserve

How would you rate the response of Nigerians in general to taking care of orphans?

I would rate them 50 per cent. There are many people that truly care. We have many people that have money and reach out to the needy. Also, we have those who would only give to those who will only pay them back. Generally speaking, help has not been regular, but God has been good to us. In 1991 when I took over the mantle of leadership of this home, I was very young, but I took up the challenge. I was in my 30s then. It takes the grace of God to succeed. I must tell you that it is not easy running an orphanage. It takes the grace of God to run a place like this. There are times you feel like running away when it comes to paying bills like school fees, food and so forth and so on. I was not the only one in the home, but I was chosen. I have my siblings and we all get together on December 25 of every year at the home.

How many female members of the home have married?

I have given out in marriage, eleven of my children here. That is not to talk about people of my set and sets after mine. Six of my male children here have also married. The issue of who would they pay their bride price and other things too does not arise. We collect everything at the home here and it is usually a happy moment well celebrated.

Do you have cases of children brought in here and they run away?

It depends on where such a child is coming from and that person of course, would have grown to a certain age before he or she is brought in to be able to think about that in the first place.

Such children would be those from very terrible backgrounds. For instance, a child that grows up with area boys in motor parks cannot be comfortable with our arrangement here. Such a child would not want to stay except if he is truly not pleased with where he is coming from.

Now, let us talk about yourself, Mrs. Victoria Obakoya. How did you get married?

I got married in Year 2000. I met my husband in a bank – Gateway Bank where he was working. I was there to receive my salary and he tried to chat me up, saying that I must be richer than my colleagues because I did not come to collect my salary at the end of the month like others. He said I should

see him after I had collected my salary, but I refused. I went my own way, but he would just not let go. He persisted and it took me a whole year before I could say ‘Yes’. Despite my reluctance, he kept coming and made friends with the children who soon became very comfortable with him.

Keeping ABREAST

First black woman fronts Vogue Paris Magazine in FIVE YEARS! • Liya Kebede, who was born in Ethiopia, graces the May issue • Last black model before Kebede was Rose Cordero in March 2010

But why did it take you that long to accept him?

You know that when you have gone through a lot of disappointments in relationships, you find it hard to love.

That was just the case.

How many disappointments have you suffered in your relationships?

Let us not go into that at all. You know the stigma of having no one to refer to as parents puts men off. But with time, my husband proved himself and we got married. No regret ever since.

How big is your immediate family?

I don’t differentiate. If you ask me, I have well over 100 kids. All the children in the home are my kids and my husband is their father. I don’t have a special child.

Is running the home your full time job or you have something else doing?

Running the home is a full time job.

But you must know too that I am a retired teacher. Anyway, I still find time to do some private business. I travel to the US to buy things, bring them home and sell.

What does love mean to you and how do you keep its fire burning?

Love means total commitment; being of good behavior and humble; it means being able to give and take. It means not keeping records of the wrongs of the other person; it is also about trust and confidence in your spouse.

Some have been accused of using orphanages as profit making ventures and for some terrible practices. What is your comment on this?

Some are said to use orphanages as profit making ventures and it is sad.

Honestly, I don’t judge. What I always say is that God be the judge and do the right thing to them. Orphans are not to be toyed with. If you take good care of them, God will reward you. Just let us leave those taking advantage of orphans to God because He compensates all according to what they truly deserve.

S

upermodel Liya Kebede has become the first black woman to grace the cover of Vogue in five years.

The 39-year-old Ethiopian-born stunner fronts Vogue Paris’s upcoming May issue. Before Kebede, the last black woman to cover Vogue Paris was model Rose Cordero in March 2010.

In January of this year, British Vogue ended a 12-year run of failing to use a single woman of colour on its cover when it gave Jourdan Dunn the prized accolade.

Kebede, who posed for Vogue in a colourful geometric ensemble amid a crimson backdrop, was discovered in Ethiopia as a teen, and moved to Paris and then New York, where she carved out a successful modelling career.

In part, she has Vogue Paris to thank for her meteoric rise to fame, after it put her on its May cover in 2002 and dedicated the entire issue to her.

Kebede has been married to Ethiopian hedge fund manager, Kassy Kebede, for 15 years, and has two children with him, Suhul, 14, and Raee, ten.

American Vogue has been leagues ahead on pushing diversity at the newsstands, having featured more black cover stars in 2014 than it ever has before in a single year.

Four stars - Rihanna, Lupita Nyong’o, Joan Smalls and Kanye West - appeared on its covers last year out of a total of 15 overall, the rest of whom were white.

It’s certainly an improvement.

In 2010, when Halle Berry fronted Vogue’s most important volume of the year - the September issue - she became the first woman of colour to do so since Naomi Campbell in 1989.

Earlier this year, The Fashion Spot assessed 44 major print publications across the globe to determine which magazines did and did not feature models from a minority background on their cover at some point in 2014.

White models were found to appear 567 times out of 611 total covers, while people of colour made the cut just 119 times, nearly five times less overall.

Harper’s Bazaar U.S. and UK, Vogue UK, Vogue Netherlands, Vogue Paris, Vogue Ukraine, Vogue Russia, Teen Vogue, Numéro, LOVE and Porter all failed to use a single woman of minority on their covers at all in 2014.

Only time will tell whether Vogue will continue to lead the way in including a wider range of ethnicities on its covers in 2015, and whether the rest of the fashion world will follow.

Parenting

36

April 18, 2015

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

Dealing with your thumb sucker

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humb-sucking is normal in babies and young children. Most babies and toddlers suck their thumbs.

They may also suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers.

Little by little, most children stop on their own at age 3 to 6 years.

Why do babies suck their thumbs?

Babies have a natural urge to suck. This urge usually decreases after the age of 6 months. But many babies continue to suck their thumbs to soothe themselves. Thumb-sucking can become a habit in babies and young children who use it to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or bored.

In rare cases, thumb-sucking after age 5 is in response to an emotional problem or other disorder, such as anxiety.

Does thumb-sucking cause any problems?

Thumb-sucking in children younger than 4 is usually not a problem. Children who suck their thumbs often or with great intensity around age 4 or 5, or those who are still sucking their thumbs at age 6, are at risk

for dental or speech problems.

Prolonged thumb-sucking may cause the teeth to become improperly aligned (malocclusion) or push the teeth outward. This usually corrects itself when the child stops thumb-sucking. But the longer thumb-sucking continues, the more likely it is that orthodontic treatment will be needed.

Speech problems caused by thumb-sucking can include not being able to say Ts and Ds, lisping, and thrusting out the tongue when talking.

When does a child need treatment for thumb-sucking?

Many experts recommend ignoring thumb-sucking in a child who is preschool age or younger.

Children who suck their thumbs may need treatment when they: uContinue to suck a thumb often or with great intensity around age 4 or older.

(A callus on the thumb is one sign of intense sucking.) uAsk for help to stop. uDevelop dental or speech problems as a result of sucking their thumbs. uFeel embarrassed or are

teased or shamed by other people.

How is problem thumbsucking treated?

Simple home treatment measures stop most children from sucking their thumbs. But if your child has a sucking habit around age 4 or older, schedule a visit with your child’s doctor or dentist.

At home, treatment includes parents setting rules and providing distractions.

It may help to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child associates with thumbsucking. Putting gloves on your child’s hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may help remind your child not to suck the thumb.

Offering praise, positive attention, and rewards for not thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. For example, put stickers on a calendar each day that your child doesn’t suck his or her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a celebration for your child.

Don’t shame or punish

your child for thumb-sucking. This will only lower your child’s self-esteem.

If home treatment doesn’t work and you are concerned or feel frustrated about your child’s thumb-sucking, talk with your child’s doctor.

There may be other treat-

says their doctor, Dr. M. Jawad Javed, a neonatologist. The condition can occur in one eye or it can cause very small, underdeveloped eyes.

“But to have no eyes develop is extremely rare. I can safely say 95 percent-plus of physicians have never seen this, even the ophthalmologists we’ve talked to have never seen a case like this.”

Nothing in Brania Jackson’s sonograms or other prenatal care hinted at problems. Even more unusual, according to Dr. Javed, genetic tests and an MRI of Jordy’s brain show nothing out of the ordinary, though he will have to be monitored.

A gene abnormality, SOX2 Syndrome, is one of the major causes of anophthalmia and re-

lated disorders. But that didn’t come up in early tests.

“I just think it’s a mutation — a strange, unexplainable mutation,” says Dr. Javed. He and other doctors plan to submit a case study for publication in medical journals.

Jordy’s family however, calls him a blessing.

His face has the content expression of a baby doll with close-stitched eyes. His father named him after a Green Bay Packers receiver, though his father’s favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks.

Kyle Jackson and a doctor’s kind words dissolved his mother’s initial fear and sadness at the birth of a baby with no eyes. Jordy himself melted his

grandmother’s initial displeasure with the idea of a pregnant, teen daughter.

“At first, I thought ‘Why me?’

Then I thought, ‘Why not me?’” says Brania Jackson, the mother who is a junior at Peoria High School who also works at McDonald’s.

She says she’d probably still be crying if it weren’t for her boyfriend’s support and the doctor who told her he’d rather have ears than eyes. With ears, he could enjoy the beauty of listening.

The couple say Jordy’s other senses are noticeably strong.

They are already thinking about school, reading and putting bumpers around furniture when he begins crawling.

ParentingUpdate

J

ordy Jah’meir Jackson was born without eyes on November 10, 2014 at Saint Francis Medical Center, Illinois, USA. At first, doctors thought the baby just wasn’t ready to open his eyes. “Everything seemed perfect to me,” says his maternal grandmother, Niatese Giles.

“I fell in love all over again. I wasn’t alarmed until the next day.”

By the next day, extended family members took to Internet searches and doctors sent the baby to the neonatal intensive care unit and began searching for clues. The baby’s family soon discovered the same genetic disorder doctors diagnosed, bilateral anophthalmia.

“It’s extraordinarily rare,”

ment options, such as behavioural therapy, thumb devices, or devices for the mouth.

But remember that thumbsucking usually isn’t a problem in children at preschool age or younger. Most children will stop on their own if you give them time.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Caleb Abe

BORN TO: Pastor and Mrs Abe AGE: 3 months old BIRTH WEIGHT: 4.2 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Parents of baby born with no eyes say he is a blessing

Jordy

The baby may be blind, but it’s the family that’s “feeling our way along,” Giles says.

Culled from www.healthlinks. com

People

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

37

Niran Moyosola Oladunni Waiting in the wings Gboyega Adeoye

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ateline was Friday, 10th April, 2015. Spotting a white T-Shirt and jeans with sneakers to match is Niran Moyosola Oladunni, a gubernatorial aspirant in the last Ondo State governorship contest.

Oladunni is the CEO of I-Cube Nigeria Limited, the concessionaire that handles the toll gate at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMA) in Lagos and he is still consulting to have a second trial in politics, come 2016.

Sandwiched by three friends who gaped at him with a kind of bewilderment you see in the face of a child who suddenly discovers a wasp that has just stung him, Niran offers almost impeccable solutions to the myriad of problems besetting the nation today.

From politics to sport and entertainment, the Akoko born politician took his audience through the lapses of some early politicians and the military which has brought us to the sorry state the nation now found itself.

“We are a people without past. We have forgotten our glorious past as handed down to us by our founding fathers. Today the education sector is in shambles. And unfortunately, when a nation fails in getting the education sector moving, there is bound to be substantial developmental lull.

We missed it the moment we could not sustain the old primary school order where discipline, hygiene and academic work went hand in hand and with serious commitment and dedication on the parts of teachers and the students respectively. That is where you learn to cut your nails, barthe early in the morning and ensure punctuality. This is followed with dogged monitoring by teachers and you can be assured that same standard is maintained across board with utmost dedication.”

Niran bemoans the lingering societal decadence and youths’ gradual sink into the abyss of emptiness and academic nonchalance. He attributes the inability of some governors, particularly in the south west, to key into the legacies left behind by Late Pa Obafemi Awolowo to lack of commitment, vision as well as administrative incompetence. “It is difficult for a person who is not an administrator to be a governor and govern well.” An

Oladunni

administrator, according to him, is a person who has once held a position of authority before becoming governor, a person who will not lose sleep in connecting with the masses, “because he sees himself as part of them and as such always identifies with them.”

From politics to sports and from sports to entertainment, Niran dis-

We

played a rare talent and mastery of the society. He convinced everybody under his voice that he would make a good leader if he could be given a chance to prove his mettle. With a very soft voice laced with humility but so rich in humour and confidence, Niran convinced his audience that all hope is not yet lost for the country

are a people without a past .

We

have forgotten our glorious past as handed down to us by our founding

fathers . in

T oday, the education sector is shambles . A nd unfortunately , when

a nation fails in getting the education sector moving , there is bound to be substantial developmental lull

to be revived and put back on track.

As he speaks, the Asun (roasted goat meat) served his audience lost steam and went cold while the chilled beer and soft drinks on the table suffered attention.

Time out. Niran who seems to have noticed the dullness of his table, compared to others where talks were going on, yet with activities, eating and clicking of glasses, disengaged and beckoned at a waiter in a white and black uniform to change the drinks and also replace the snacks.

Merry making began with light reactions and comments on the day’s epistle according to Moyosola Niran Oladunni, MNO, as he is fondly called by friends, political followers and other admirers.

From one table to the other, it was one interesting topic that engages all, leaving one to deliver the talk while others listen with rapt attention.

Niran was asked to comment on why he chose a relaxation joint for such serious busness. His tacit answer was, “This is a quiet place where you see people of high moral standard and discipline, converge to unwind after a hectic day’s work. We relax here to ease off the hustle and bustle of Lagos. For me, I come here once or twice in a week and I do come early so that I can also leave early to go and relax with my family.”

Bunmi Akomolede, another guest at the joint has this to say: “Lagos is a place where you need to plan your time because there is always something to do. If you are not careful and you allow life to go without proper planning, you are likely to misplace priorities and get things muddled up. After work, relax.

And in trying to relax, it is pertinent to look for a place where like minds and decent people patronize.”

Wale Aregbesola, CEO of Reliable Travel and Tours in Opebi, Ikeja, who was also at the joint that evening had a different reason for coming.” I am over 50 years old and I will only be deceiving myself if I say I can absorb the rigours Lagos entails. I have my office in Opebi and the traffic there is much towards the evening. I have no closing time, so on days when I realize I have closed at a time the traffic towards my route would be tough, I chose to come here and relax over a bottle of wine till around 10:30pm when I know the traffic would have calmed down,” he said.

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April 18, 2015

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‘He knew that I had four children before he approached me for marriage’

• I have had a child for him. After the naming ceremony, he hardly comes home —Wife

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‘The last time we had sex was in 2011’ • I saw a strange man bringing my wife home in his car. I called our children out to come and see the man and they confirmed that the man regularly brings her home —Husband • I want the marriage sustained. I sent text message to him with loving words but he refused to bulge —Wife Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

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he Iyana Ipaja Customary court, Lagos has dissolved the 19 year union between a 42 year-old man, Mr. Samson Oladele of 16, Idowu Rafia street, Akinola Aboru and his 40 year-old wife, Mrs. Grace Kemi Oladele.

The marriage which was which was contracted under the native law and customs on April 17, 1996 has produced four children namely David Oladele(17), Solomon Oladele(14), Erifolashade Oladele(10) and Smart Oladele(7) The petitioner, Mr. Samson Oladele told the court that he could no longer continue with the relationship because of the troublesome nature of his wife saying his wife constantly fight with his mother and her co-wife.

Aside this, the petitioner accused his wife who is the respondent in the case of not being alive to her marital responsibilities of caring for him and her children.

“She constantly fights with my mother and my other wife. She does not cook for our children.

The last time we had any sexual

relationship was 2011”, he said He also accused the respondent of infidelity saying there was a day he saw a man dropping her in front of their house in his car.

“I called our children out to come and see the man and they confirm that the man regularly brings her home”, he added But in her testimony in court, the respondent denied all the allegations that the petitioner leveled against her saying she has been doing all within her capacity to make the marriage work.

According to her, despite the fact that the petitioner does not provide enough money for her and their children’s upkeep, she does not complain saying she tried her best for the children.

“Sometimes he gives me and our four children N500 as daily upkeep allowance”, she said She further informed the court that she spent all the money meant for her education on the petitioner so that he could be successful wondering why he has now decided to end the relationship On the allegation that she constantly fight with the petitioner’s mother and her co-wife, the re-

spondent said it was the other way round. “It is my mother in law that constantly fights me. She usually says any wife that leaves any of her children behind when she goes will be sorry” She told the court she had done everything humanly possible to convince the petitioner not to go ahead with the divorce adding that all her effort was to no avail.

“I want the marriage sustained.

I sent text message to him with loving words but he refused to bulge”, she added I her ruling, the court President, Mrs. Salewa Banjoko said the after mediation; the court had observed that marriage between the duo had broken down irretrievably. She therefore dissolved the union with effect from April 15, 2015.

The court however ordered the petitioner to be paying N10, 000 monthly for the upkeep of the children directly to the respondent bank account. “He should also pay a rent of N120,000 to resettle the respondent and the children as well as a payment of compensation of N180,000 to the respondent within 30 days”, Banjoko ordered

rince Olufemi Aro, a Real Estate Consultant has dragged his wife, Mrs. Rukayat Aro before the Iyana Ipaja Customary Court over threat to his life describing the latter as a very violent woman who constantly fight with their neighbours “Wherever we live, she fights with everybody in our apartment and all of them have left the house for her. As a result of this, I have not eaten her food for over four months and I have not had sex with her. She had four children before I married her but she did not tell me” Aside this, the petitioner accused his wife of not been a prudent businesswoman. “I gave her N180, 000 for her business and she refused to go to shop. We usually leave the house together in the morning, and when we depart, she either returns to the house or go to her mother’s place. It was one of my ‘boys’ around her shop that informed me about the development” He added: “She has even threatened to send thugs after me if I go ahead with the divorce. Please I want the court to separate us before anything bad to happen to me” However, in her testimony in court the respondent debunked

the allegations leveled against her by the petitioner saying the latter was economical with the truth.

We met four years ago and we started living together two weeks later. “When we met I told him I had four children and he said he liked me and approached me for marriage. I have had a child for him. After the naming ceremony, he hardly comes home and does not give me and the child feeding allowance”, she explained On the accusation that she was not a prudent businessman, the respondent said it was the petitioner that was to blame. “He packed the drinks in my shop and took it to his senior wife’s shop. He brought two freezers for me in the shop and later took them to his senior wife. Before he met me I was selling paraga and everybody in our area knows me as a hardworking woman” In her remarks, the court president, Mrs. Salewa Banjoko urged both parties to maintain peace even as she warned the petitioner not to send the respondent out of the house pending the determination of the suit. The case has been adjourned till Wednesday May 6, 2015 for further hearing

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DIVORCE COURT

April 18, 2015

39

‘My husband’s family members are evil’ • His family members are threatening me with charms that I must leave his house —Wife

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n Ode-Oba, Iseyin Grade C Customary Court in Oyo State on has dissolved a five-year-old between Abibat and her husband Akeem Oladokun, for lack of care and threat to life.

The President of the court, Chief Raimi Oyegbenle, in his judgment decried the absence of the respondent in court in spite of several hearing notices served on him.

Oyegbenle, however, held that the evidence before the court was sufficient to dissolve the marriage to avoid loss of live.

He ordered that the five years old marriage be dissolved, and granted custody of the two children to the petitioner.

Abibat, 27, had told the court that her husband’s family members were evil.

The housewife, who is also a trader, told the court that her marriage was blessed with two

children, aged five and three.

She said that Akeem’s family had earlier objected to the relationship, adding: ``they did everything possible to separate us but our love was just getting stronger and they had no choice than to let us be. ``Until last year when they started charming my husband and he started misbehaving, he no longer care for his family anymore. ``All efforts to bring him back to his senses did not yield any result, worst still, his family members are threatening me with charms that I must leave his house. ``My own family is worried about the development and they are in support of my plea to get dissolution from these devilish people,’’ she said.

The petitioner urged the court to dissolve the five-old union for alleged lack of care, abandonment and threats. (NAN)

‘She built a house without my knowledge’ • My wife is very violent, I never abandoned her. But she is the one who has gradually been removing her personal belongings from our matrimonial home to a house she built without my knowledge —Husband

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middle-aged woman, Florence Adeoye, has pleaded with an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage, over threats to her life.

Florence told the court that her husband, Nelson Adeoye, whom she had two girls for, often threatened her life by employing the services of his girl friends.

She told the court that the husband, a level 15 officer in a public school in Lagos State, was fond of constantly beating her up after he would have been drunk to stupor.

“My husband has turned into something else since 2003. ``He keeps girl friends and beats me up using his girl friends. The last one happened was reported to the Ojo Police Station.

“Whenever my husband gets drunk, he strips himself naked before my daughters; he had sometime in the past abandoned us and instructed the landlady to eject us.”

She told the court that Nelson had never shown any concern over his daughters’ education.

Florence pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage so that she would not lose her life, following the alleged maltreatment by Nelson.

The accused, however, debunked his wife’s claims, saying he neither touched nor recruited any lady to beat up Florence.

“My wife is very violent, I never abandoned her. But she is the one who has gradually been removing her personal belongings from our matrimonial home to a house she built without my knowledge.

“I wanted our daughters to attend schools close to us because of their health condition,’’ he said.

The President of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, advised the couple to desist from bringing in a third party into their marriage.

Oyekan also cautioned the parties to desist from engaging in violent acts against each other.

He ordered Nelson to allow his wife to remain in her matrimonial home, pending the determination of the case. (NAN)

‘My husband sleeps with anything in skirt’ • I cannot deny that I have women friends, but she is exaggerating the situation to make me look like an irresponsible man because she has made up her mind to leave me —Husband

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Grade `C’ Customary Court in Iseyin, Oyo State has dissolved a 10-yearold marriage between Yemi and Wasiu Olusola, on grounds of infidelity.

The President of the court, Mr Raimi Adegbenle, said it was obvious that the estranged couple could no longer stay together anymore.

He, therefore, dissolved the marriage to avoid what he called possible bloodletting and anarchy in the home.

Adegbenle awarded the custody of the three children of the marriage of ages six to ten to their father, while the custody of the fourth child, aged five, was

awarded to the mother.

The court’s president ordered Wasiu to pay N5, 000 for the upkeep of the child with Bose through the registry.

Yemi, had approached the court in July seeking the dissolution of her union with Wasiu.

She alleged that her husband had virtually slept with all the women in their compound and in the neighborhood, adding that the situation had brought disgrace to her and the entire family.

“He sleeps with anything in skirt, his infidelity knows no bound, Wasiu is a disgrace to me and his children.

“The other day, he was caught red-handed having immoral act

with a housewife at carpenter’s workshop close to our house, you can imagine my lord, ‘’ she told the court. The 35-years-old urged the court to dissolve the marriage, saying that all efforts to change Wasiu had failed.

But Wasiu, a 40-year-old mechanic, who denied the allegation of infidelity, said: ‘I cannot deny that I have women friends, but she is exaggerating the situation to make me look like an irresponsible man because she has made up her mind to leave me. ``She is free to go and I will not stand in her way at all, but she must not go with any of my children to another man’s house.

(NAN).

‘My husband is irresponsible’ A 35 year-old housewife, Mrs. Lateefat Amodu of No 36, Isa Street, Agege, Lagos has begged the Agege Customary court to dissolve the union between her and her 38 year-old husband, Mr. Sulaimon Amodu over the allegation that the latter is an irresponsible man who does not cater for his familyApart from this, Lateefat, a petty trader accused her husband of violence saying he constantly beats her at

the slightest provocation.“He beats me too much and he is not responsible. He does not pay the children’s school fees.

He is not responsible and his family members are also not responsible. Even he finds it difficult to pay N5,000 which is the school fees of our youngest child. Even his family members cannot raise the money on his behalf. I am tired of the relationship”, she lamented However, the defendant who works as a security man has

reportedly urged the court during the mediation between the couples’ families not to dissolve the union insisting that he still loved his wife dearly.

In his remarks, the court president, Mr. P.A. Williams appealed to the petitioner to allow peace reign because of the innocent children and the fact that the defendant still love the petitioner. He thereafter adjourned the cast till May 7, 2015 for possible reconciliation

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EVENTS

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

Ghana Music Awards holds in glory The Ghana Music Awards held last weekend, and it was a grand affair as usual with top Ghanaian celebrities in attendance. Nigeria’s Patoranking won the category of African Artist of the Year. Yvonne Nelson, Lydia Forson and Joselyn Dumas were some of the celebrities at the event.

Joselyn Dumas

Stephanie Benson

Bassey

Becca

Chritian

Nathaniel Attoh

Together forever

Christian

Bisa Kdei

– Feyisayo weds Olugbenga

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he payment of dowry between the families of Ogunsanlu and Arotimi to ask for the hand of beautiful Oluwafeyisayo, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bayo Arotimi in marriage to Olugbenga Ogunsanlu a Quantity Surveyor by profession and a missionary took place yesterday at the family house of the Arotimis in Iyana Ipaja Lagos.

Olugbenga a graduate of Lead City University expressed joy to see today become real and with a grateful heart he appreciate God for steady flow rate of fulfilment of His plans and purposes for their lives.

Nana Ama

Four years ago they met in a core distance, but concrete relationship started last year. Her spiritual life coined with wealth of wisdom of God drew us together with the helped the Holy Spirit. She is cool, calm with well readymade answers in all situations.

No more loneliness and boredom my strength is renewed, because I now have an help mate.

I feel great and favoured.

My advice to young ladies and gentlemen seeking for lasting marriage is to first build a relationship with God, then ask God for His Will and patiently wait until you are been directed. Remember that you cannot deceive God with seasonal relationship in the name of leading you in marriage. Start building relationship with him today.

Lastly Marriage is honourable in all, bed undefiled, the whoremonger and the adulterer God will judge.

Lydia Forson

Yvonne Nelson

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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April 18, 2015

Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions

Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)

Male Menopause (Andropause) T he first question would be: how is it possible for men to become menoupausal? They don’t menstruate!! True, men are not known to menstruate,at least not the few I know. However, Andropause, as controversial as it may seem,is becoming increasingly recognised in the medical world as a treatable condition. It is perhaps not as popular as female menopause, because unlike the female menopause where the drop in hormonal level is sudden,andropause occurs over a long period of time .Not only that, its symptoms are so subtle and non specific that men who suffer from it may actually think they are ill from an entirely different disease condition or regard it as a normal part of the aging process .What’s more,it doesn’t occur in all males.But if as a man, you have been finding it difficult ‘getting it up,’ bad enough to warrant your wife complaining,and you seem to be getting unusually tired, while your belly is getting more pot-like,you may be experiencing the male version of menopause.

Definition: Andropause is the emotional ,physical and pshychological changes that some men go through as a result of a significant fall in male hormones also known as androgens,chief of which is testosterone.Naturally,hormones produced by the male testes reduce as men get older.From a very high level of testosterone in men younger than thirty years,a decline of about 1% is experienced yearly until the sixth decade when it approaches about half of its original value.As a result,while andropause incidence in middle aged men is less than 5%,almost 40% of men 60yrs and above experience andropause.But variations is the rule; and it is not unusual to find a 70-yr-old performing in bed what a 20-yr-old cannot , due to a normal testosterone level in the former and ridiculously low level in the latter.

Therefore, medical attention should be sought at any age if the quality of life is being affected Causes: The most recognized cause of male menopause is decreased level of androgens ,especially testosterone ,hence the condition is also commoly refered to as ‘androgen decline in the aging male(ADAM). Other possible causes include, uDiabetes

uPoor diet and lack of regular exercise Symptoms: The symptoms of andropause varies widely in men and the types and degree of symptoms also depends on the individual.In addition, some of the symptoms of andropause are shared with other diseases.It is therefore important to visit the hospital for a proper diagnosis when you think you have symptoms suggestive of andropause.Testosterone is an important hormone which helps in regulating the mood,body fats and sleep amongst other functions,hence symptoms of male menopause are usually that of reduced action of testosterone. These symptoms include: -Sexual dysfunction: leading to reduced libido,and poor erection especially a reduction in those erections that occur at night while men sleep.

- Mood changes: this may lead to depression,low self esteem,short memory,anxiety, irritability and poor sleep -Change in virility: causing fatigue,weakness,low energy and decreased muscle size and strength uReduced bone density:this leads to osteoporosis and fractures uBreast enlargement

uExcessive intake of alcohol and over indulgence in smoking

uLoss of body hair uIncreased body fats especially of the abdomen and around internal organs uHot flushes and sweating As earlier said some men with andropause may not experience more than one or two of the above listed symptoms ,while some of the exhibited symptoms may be due to an unrelated illness,hence proper testing and laboratory investigations are needed to make a definitive diagnosis.

Treatment: The main treatment of andropause is hormone replacement therapy .This has been life changing for some men as it brings about great improvement in symptoms and individual quality of life.The note of caution here is that hormone replacement therapy is not without some complications of its own,especially in the presence of other medical conditions.Your doctor will be in the best position to determine if hormone replacement therapy is the best for you.

It is good to know that testosterone supplements are totally contraindicated in men with prostate diseases.

This is because while the hormone may not cause prostate cancer,it can worsen one already in progress.

Other possible treatments for andropause are u-Counselling and health education

on lifestyle modification uControl of diabetes And uMedications to treat specific symptoms such as antidepressants for cases with Depression.

Prevention: The good news is that andropause doesn’t happen to all males.Therefore to keep your testosterone up and reduce your chances of experiencing andropause,here are some preventive tips uEat a healthy diet always uExercise regularly uLimit smoking and alcohol consumption uReduce stress uGet enough sleep AND… uRegular medical check up Conclusion: So when next you hear the mention of “ADAM”, don’t just think of the first man created!

You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng. every Wednesdays and Fridays(48pm)

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April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Enjoy nature at Ikogosi warm springs

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here are many tales told explain away the natural phenomenon of a warm and cold springs flowing side by side in Ikogosi, a small quiet town in Ekiti West Local Government area of Ekiti State.

One of such story is that the springs were wives of the same husband, whom, after much rivalry and fighting, were turned into water springs.

The first wife, being fieryill tempered wife, became the warm spring. The cool tempered wife became the cold spring. It is also said that the surrounding hilly areas is what is left of the husband. Another myth has it that a powerful hunter, who was hunting for animals in the bush, discovered the warm spring.

After the discovery, the people living close by discovered that the warm water had curative properties, healing them of diseases.

The people began to worship the water. This was the situation until the 1960s when the late Nigerian educator and author, Tai Solarin, heard about the spring and brought his students to the place for excursion.

Today, the spring is known as the Ikogosi Warm Spring. The spring is a source of life for the people of the town and a source of revenue for the Ekiti State Government. It has catapulted the sleepy town to national and international limelight.

Solarin started the publicity for the warm spring before Rev. MacGee of the Baptist Church arrived to establish a student camp near the area. It was Rev. Macgee who built a chapel (now the Conference Hall) and hostels (now Macgee Camp chalets) at the resort.

The volume of water coming from the springs remains constant and warm from morning till evening. A strong steam is noticed when one pays a visit to the warm spring source early in the morning.

During the Harmattan period (a dry period which

palm growing from the same source at the meeting point area of the warm and cold springs. Another attraction of the Ikogosi Warm Spring

is that it is believed to be curative. Therapeutic powers have been reputed to help in treating rheumatism and guinea-worm.

Ilashe, home of bewitching beach resort

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he far flung, unspoiled beach nestles on the sandy beach of Ilashe Island. It is biggest attraction is the Manga Luxury Beach Villas. It is a little piece of paradise located in Lagos, bordering the Badagry creek and surrounded by luscious and towering coconut palm trees. The beach is just 15 minutes boat ride from Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

La Manga beach villas are Spanish architectural designed villas with four tastefully furnished beachfront bedrooms with large sliding doors that opens to private balconies.

Each villa has lavished suite with rooftop Jacuzzi and private lounge, sizable swimming pool, massage room, beachfront living room with open lounge, furnished kitchen, bar and

Ikogosi Warm Spring

occurs usually from November to late March, including the period of dry, dusty Harmattan winds in December), a fog is also noticed at the source of the spring.

Scientifically, the reason for the hot and cold springs is that the further water travels underground the warmer it becomes. If by chance the water is pushed through an earth fault creating a spring, the flow will remain relatively high. The cold water comes from an adjoining hill.

The warm and cold springs of Ikogosi flow parallel and meet somewhere down to form a confluence, with each maintaining its thermal quality. This is the first of such

an occurrence in the world.

The warm spring has a temperature of 70째c at the source and 37째c after meeting a cold spring. The meeting point of the warm and cold springs is a unique attraction to tourists.

The whole environment of the area is left untouched by the government for ecotourism appeal, while the source of the warm springs have been provided a canopy so that tourists and visitors can relax underneath. The Ikogosi warm spring, according to tourism experts, is one of eight of such warm springs discovered in the world.

Adding to the natural beauty, there is a tree and a

Ilashe Luxury Beach

poolside barbeque grill area.

La Manga beach villas has all the amenities you would expect from an exquisitely luxurious home away from home where you can relax, listen to the uninterrupted sounds of the breeze and the gentle waves on the beach.

The tasteful fittings and furnishing surrounds you with the comfort and convenience that will enable you to fully savor the relaxing atmosphere of the beach setting.

La Manga facilities include open-air gazebo for dinning and lounging, beachfront bamboo canopies for relaxation, minigolf course, beach volleyball court, and quad bikes. Water sport activities such as jet ski and boat cruise can be arranged upon request.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

LEISURE

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April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

Customs releases Obasanjo’s My Watch container

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he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Watch container.

The NCS ComptrollerGeneral, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, made the disclosure to newsmen when he inaugurated two new patrol boats of the service in Lagos.

Abdullahi said that the container was released following the vacation of an FCT High Court order restraining the former president from publishing, printing or offering for sale, his autobiography: My Watch on Tuesday. ``Customs got the initial order of the court to stop the container and now that the court asks us to release the container, so be it,’’ he said.

Justice Valentine Ashi had ordered the release of

the books which had been in the custody of customs.

Ashi, in a ruling, upheld the argument by Obasanjo’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), that the court was misled into granting the orders on Dec. 5 and Dec.10, 2014.

The court had granted the orders on December 5, 2014, restraining Obasanjo from publishing his book in the country pending the determination of suit against him by Mr Buruji Kashamu.

Despite the order of December 5, 2014 Obasanjo proceeded to launch the book on December 9 in Lagos, a development that prompted the court to make the orders of December 10.

Ashi also restrained the comptroller-general from charging demurrage on copies of the book already confiscated.

Abdullahi described the new patrol boats acquired

by the service as equipment needed to perform its exemplary functions in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda for the service to excel.

He said it took two years to build the boats, adding that the customs supervised the construction of the boats to

of salary.

It states that such employers, in addition to making the remittances already due, must pay penalty of not less than two per cent per month for the benefit of the Retirement Sav-

ing Account (RSA) holder.

The source said that in pursuance of the statutory responsibility of ensuring compliance, the commission had deployed an application, Risk Management Analysis System, for

meet it specification. ``We have two boats for now. We will watch their performance and see if there is need to have more. ``With the performance of the boats government will not hesitate to give us more money to buy more,’’ he said.

He recalled that one of the

boats was named after nine customs officers killed some years ago by smugglers of petrol on the high sea while they were on official duty. ``It is a bad memory.

Nine of my officers were really killed on the high sea by smugglers who were carrying petrol. ``My officers tried to intercept in between and they

turned their boat against customs and they jumped into water, the two patrol boats went into flames. ``We tried to rescue them, unfortunately, we could not.

These are officers who died on official duty. ``I am proud to say that today we have remembered them,’’ Abdullahi said.

L-R: Mrs. Florence Oguntuase; Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mr. Toyin Ayinde; Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofik Tijani and Governor Babatunde Fashola, during the inspection of the ongoing Ilubirin Lagos Homes Ownership Mortgage Scheme Housing Estate in Lagos Island, recently.

PenCom begins recovery of unremitted funds

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he National Pension Commission (PenCom) has put in place a framework to recover the pension contributions not remitted by defaulting employers under the Contributory Pension Scheme nationwide.

A competent source told the newsmen yesterday in Abuja that PenCom had developed compliance measures on all employers under the new scheme.

The Pension Reform Act of 2014 is clear on consequencies of contravention of Section 11, sub section three by employers, who for any reason, fail to remit workers’ monthly contribution to the Pension Fund Administrators.

The act provides sanctions for any employer who fails to remit pension contributions within 7 working days of payment

monitoring remittance of pension contributions by employers.

The Tide source learnt that the application enabled the commission to monitor the status of the monthly remittance of

contribution by all employers where employees had opened RSA. According to the source, the structure, amongst others, also provides for the appointment of Recovery Agents (RAs).

It stated that PenCom had identified and assigned over 15,000 employers to Recovery Agents to review their records and recover any outstanding pension contributions and the penalty fees.

NIMASA seamen training boosts Nigeria-Philippines ties

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dministration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expanded the scope of seafarers’ training in faraway Philippines, where more than 1,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing training.

The training is a component of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), an intervention programme designed to address the manpower requirements in the country’s maritime sector.

NIMASA has spent about N20 billion to train 2,500 seafarers under the programme from 2011 to 2015.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi, confirmed the expenditure after the payment of the 2015 training fees of the cadets in various maritime institutions across the world.

He said that the amount included training fees, allowances, cost of laptops, books and other learning gadgets.

In 2009, NIMASA initiated the NSDP with the aim of developing human capacity and bridging the manpower gaps existing in the maritime industry.

The NSDP is a scholar-

ship scheme, which is jointly funded by NIMASA and state governments in the ratio of 40 per cent to 60 per cent.

Recently, some NIMASA officials and journalists undertook a tour of three universities in the Philippines, which are handling the training of Nigerian cadets under the NSDP. Observers are quick to point out that the Philippines is home to 28 per cent of the total population of seafarers in the world.

Mr Calistus Obi, NIMASA’s Executive Director, Marine Labour and Cabotage

Service, who led the delegation to the Philippines, said that the training had boosted the bilateral relations existing between Nigeria and the Philippines.

At the Lyceum of Philippines University (LPU), Batangas City, 325 Nigerian cadets are undergoing maritime training, while 153 others are undergoing similar training at the University of Perpetual Help, Las Pinas City.

Besides, 350 Nigerians are currently receiving training in University of Cebu, Cebu City, also in Philippines.

Obi said that President Goodluck Jonathan had mandated NIMASA to continue with the NSDP. He urged the students to be disciplined, adding that their commitments would determine government’s willingness to continue sponsoring the scheme.

Obi, however, said that Nigeria had started building a maritime university, the first of its kind in West Africa.

“We, the staff of NIMASA, are making sacrifices to ensure that you (cadets) continue to enjoy the benefits of the training.

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

45

Warri Wolves players in group photograph

… ambush Etancheite in Warri Ifeanyi Eduzor

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igeria’s only club still in contention in this year’s CAF club competitions, Warri Wolves FC, will today play host to MK Etancheite of Democratic Republic of Congo in the second round, first leg match of the CAF Confederation Cup. To get to this stage of the competition, Wolves edged out Dedebit of Ethiopia on a 2-0 aggregate while their Congolese counterparts recorded an emphatic 6-3 aggregate win against Al Ahyl Shendi of Sudan to seal a ticket for this stage of the competition.

While Wolves who are appearing in the competition for the third time namely; 2010 where they were eliminated in the first round of 16 as well as 2012 and 2014 where they could not go beyond the second round respectively, will be trying to improve their record in the championship, the Congolese who have won their country’s cup twice in 2013 and 2014 and boasts of one appearance in the Confederations Cup where they could not go beyond the first round in last year’s edition, will try to show that their four place finish in the 2013/ 2014 DRC League was not a fluke.

The seasiders will be going into today’s encounter with the hope of recording a comprehensive victory over their visiting opponents to enable them have chance of

qualifying for the money spinning group stage when they visit Kinshasa in two weeks time.

In order to achieve this, Wolves need to score goals without conceding any in Warri considering that the Congolese team has a very good home record which they replicated in their last match against Al Ahyl of Sudan who managed a slim 2-1 victory over then in Khartoum but fell 6-1 to the superior fire power of the Congolese in the reverse fixture in DR Congo.

It is expected that the Nigerian representatives who are still battling with some financial problems that prompted the players to threaten a boycott of today’s encounter over unpaid three months salary and match bonuses will put their internal problems behind and post a good result in today’s cracker.

Although Coach of the club, Paul Aigbogun, has played down the strike threat by assuring Nigerians that the team will not disappoint when they file out against the Congolese today at the Warri Stadium, but the visitors can capitalise on the low morale of the players to run away with a point at the end of full 90 minutes which accounts to why the club’s management led by Davidson Owumi should ensure that the players are pacified to avoid inflicting another injury on football loving Nigerians as was the case when the country’s two representatives in the CAF Champions League; Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC of Aba were elimi-

nated from the elite championship.

Speaking on today’s encounter, Coach Aigbogun noted that his players are in high spirits and will not give any chances as they host MK Etancheite in Warri.

“My players are aware of what is at stake at this level of the competition because the dream of every player is to play in the group stage of the championship and we are not going to allow anything to distract us.

“It is true that the tea is facing some financial crisis of late but the management is doing everything within its powers to ensure that all outstanding salaries and allowances are settled and I believe the players will reciprocate this gesture and put in their best so that at the end of the game we will get a good result that will make us not to be under undue pressure in the decisive second leg.

Also speaking on the match, MK Etancheite top striker, Dark Kabangu noted that his team mates are going to give Wolves a run for their money.

Kabangu who scored a brace against Al Ahyl Shendi of Sudan in their last game stated shortly after the team’s arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Tuesday said his team making their second appearance in the championship is going to give a good account of themselves in Nigeria, saying their plan is to get at least a draw in Warri which will give them advantage when they host the second leg in Kinshasa in two weeks time.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles forward, Gbolahan Salami, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, 15th, April has urged his team mates to brace up for the challenge and give him a befitting birthday gift which is victory over the visitors. ” I celebrated my birthday on Wednesday and I want my team mates to brace up for the game and use the victory as a gift. I will cherish it if we win by a wide margin,” he concluded.

The second leg of the series is billed to hold at the 80,000 capacity Des Martyrs de la Pentecote, Stadium, Kinshasa in a fortnight with the overall winner, progressing to the group stage of the second tier continental showpiece.

The Fixtures CF Mounana (Gabon) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa) ASO Chief (Algeria) vs Club Africain (Tunisia) Young Africans (Tanzania) vs Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) Onze Createurs (Mali) vs ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) Royal Leopards (Swaziland) vs AS Vita (DR Congo) AC Djoliba (Mali) vs Hearts of Oak (Ghana) Zamalek FC (Egypt) vs FUS Rabat (Morocco) Warri Wolves (Nigeria) vs FC MK (DR Congo)

46

SPORT

April 18, 2015

Lagos open athletics championship holds April 24 Ifeanyi Eduzor

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n continuation of its efforts to promote sports at the grassroots, Lagos State will host the maiden Easter open athletics championship scheduled for April 24 to 25 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Already 42 schools and 20 clubs within and outside the state have confirmed their participation in the two-day event to be competed for in both the junior and senior categories.

According to the organizers, Lagos State Athletics Association, the championship also serves as qualifier for the forthcoming World Athletics

Ogba

Championship holding later in the year.

The junior category is open to all secondary schools in Lagos and they are expected to compete for honours in 4x100metre, 4x200m, 100, 200, 400, 800 as well

as Swedish relays in 100, 200, 300 and 400metres while the senior category is open to states, clubs, tertiary institutions as well as military and Para military organizations who are expected to participate in 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and sprint events like 100, 200, 400 and 800metres. Also events like 1200, and 1600 meters will also be competed for while corporate relay in 4X100m will be competed for by corporate bodies.

Top three athletes in the junior event will get N50, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 respectively while their senior counterparts will go home with N120, 000, N80, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.

Abia state agog for South-East cricket tourney Ifeanyi Eduzor

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ll is now set for the 5th edition of the SouthEast cricket Championship tagged “Chuma Anosike” cup scheduled for Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th of this month at Government Secondary school, Umuahia, Abia State.

Sponsor of the tournament, Barrister Chuma Anosike told our correspondent that the tournament was initially slated for March but was moved to April due to elections.

“We have had a lot of experience from the four previous editions and we hope to improve on that in this year’s edition.

“The format of the tournament is that each state will produce a team which will be either club, school or university team depending on their capability.

According to Anosike, the idea of the tournament is to have a round robin tournament which

N

igerians have been called upon to support motorsport and tap into the enormous attendant economic and social benefits associated with the sport.

President of the Nigerian Automobile Sports Club of Nigeria, Abdul Agunbiade made this at a media briefing which held at the Bay Lounge in Lekki, Lagos yesterday.

Glo League Update With Paul Erewuba

NPL: ‘We are mentally strong to face Enyimba’

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eigning Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars, will host Federation Cup holders and league runners-up, Enyimba, tomorrow in a Week 4 game in Kano.

Both teams crashed out in the first round of the CAF Champions League and they have now, as it were, shifted their attention to the league as they aim to restore lost pride.

Pillars left back, Isaac Loute, has told whoever cares to listen that they have put behind them the sad memories of the champions League exit, arguing that they are mentally and physically ready to face Enyimba, to amass the vital three points at stake.

“We are now refreshed for the game against Enyimba. We were given four days off to freshen up and that we have done.

“We have removed the bad memory of our loss in the CAF Champions League. And we hope to beat Enyimba in order to convince our fans that we have bounced back to business. We

want to bring back joy and smile on the faces of our fans again. We will surely go for victory.”

However, Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji, has dismissed Loute’s threat with a wave of his hand, saying, “It will be a fight to finish in Kano on Sunday.”

“Our mind is also set on the league shield now, after losing out in the Champions League. We are going to approach the game like a championship decider,” Udoji said.

Udoji

Heartland seeks to consolidate on points

H Members of Nigeria Cricket team celebrate after a match.

will require each team to play at least three games in both group ‘A’ and ‘B’ and that gives all players involved in the tournament opportunity to learn the rudiment of the game.

The former first vice President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation hinted that the winner of the tournament would automatically represent the zone at the Cricket National league pointing out that there are cash prizes for the win-

ners, first runners-up, best player of the tournament and batman of the series. “ The NCF has been gracious enough in the national format in the last three years now ,whoever wins this championship automatically represents the zone in the national league and we have cash prizes for the teams and individual prizes for the best bowler, best fielders, best wicket-keeper amongst other individual prizes.

Agunbiade, Iroro make case for Motorsport Paul Erewuba

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The conference was centered on Nigerian motorsport youngster, Ovie Ross Iroro who is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at University College London and is also active in the sport.

Agunbiade said for the young driver to achieve his dream, Nigerians ought to rally behind him and support him in whatever way they can, noting that his association would do all within its powers to support him.

“We, on our part, will push him as hard as we can to see him com-

pete in international championships and expose him to the best races in the world,” Agunbiade said.

Ovie, who is the first Nigerian to compete in the British Formula Ford Championship, said he has set his sights on a higher level just as he noted that he has made a smooth transition into Single Seater racing cars as part of his plan to work his way towards the highest levels of Motorsport, saying that he wants to move to GP 3, GP 2 and ultimately Formula 1.

eartland striker, Jolly Osas, believe the team’s impressive run so far since the 2014/15 Glo Premier League commenced will put them in a good stead to continue their impressive performance, especially as they confront Kwara United.

The Naze Millionaires will attempt to consolidate on their six points as they play guests to the Afonja Warriors in Sunday’s Match Day 4 clash at the Kwara State Stadium, llorin.

Osas said they are in a fantastic shape and are seriously looking

forward to tomorrow’s encounter as they hope to maintain 100 per cent mark in the ongoing league season.

“We’re going to llorin to maintain 100% record; so it’s going to be outright victory at Kwara United.

“We’re not going to settle for draw as the target this season is to maintain a clean slate in our matches,” he said.

“We know that Kwara United will come all out at us as they aim for a win to please their home supporters. But we are determined and will fight them with all our might.

NNL new season kicks-off May 2

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he Executive Board of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and Clubs Chairmen, during the week, rose from their Annual Congress in Abuja with the resolution to kick-off the new season on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

In a 10-point communiqué released after the congress at the prestigious Ajuji Hotel in Gudu District, Abuja, the congress unanimously expressed its appreciation to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its support for the successful hosting of the 2014 Annual Congress of the League and pledged loyalty to leadership of the NFF. The congress also appreciated

the contribution received from the League Management Company (LMC) towards the payment of indemnities to clubs while looking forward to a better working relationship in the new season.

After a review of the current situation of things, the NNL Congress endorsed a new kick-off date for the 2014/2015 league season from 18 April to 2 May, 2015.

It also approved the abridged League system for the 2014/2015 league season as against the traditional format.

The Congress mandated the NNL Board to approach the NFF for the release of substantial part of the Glo funds due to it to enable the NNL pay match indemnities.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

April 18, 2015

47

MirrorGolf With Pius Anakali

17th CMCL Open: Smokin Hills golf resorts get May18-24th date

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he 17th in the series of the CMCL Open Golf Championship; a tournament put in place to mark the birthday celebration of Chairman of CMCL Golf Tours Limited; Otunba Olusola Adekanola has been scheduled to tee off at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State from May 18th to 24th as confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of CMCL Golf Tours Limited, Frank Igbene.

He informed that the decision to move the competition which is already generating lots of excitements across the country to Smokin Hills was to give golfers the feeling of playing on a world class course was, explaining further that CMCL Open Golf championship, which is the oldest national Professional and Amateur is the first Championship Golfing Event to take place at Smokin Hills.

SMOKIN Hills Golf Resorts is without doubt a World Class Golf Course and Owned by Chief Michael Ade Ojo who is the Chairman Toyota Nigeria Ltd and Founder of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin.

It is also on record that the annual CMCL Open golf Championship had been played in other golf courses around country; including Benin golf course, Ilorin golf course, Shagamu Golf Course and severally at IBB international Golf and Country club, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the 17th edition will see the touring professional golfers taking to the course from Tuesday, 19th till Friday 22nd.

They will be playing for price money while the invited amateurs will have their days on the course from mid day 22nd of May which is practice round and Two Days Amateur Championship on 23rd and 24th of May.

Kaymer, Donald, Reed set for Irish Open

Lampard enjoys a day off with fiancée

H

e’s a Chelsea legend after 13 trophy-laden years at the club and it seems that Frank Lampard can’t keep away from that part of west London.

The 36-year-old was pictured walking down the English capital’s iconic King’s Road, enjoying himself with fiancee Christine Bleakley on Thursday.

The couple were all smiles as Lampard enjoyed a day off from training with current club Manchester City ahead of their weekend Premier League clash at home to West Ham United.

Till date, the midfielder has made 32 appearances for City in all competitions on loan this season from MLS outfit New York

City - scoring seven goals.

Lampard will be joining his parent club in July, as New York currently continue play their debut season in the MLS without their marquee signing.

And looking ahead to Lampard’s arrival in America, former Everton and Manchester City midfielder Adrian Heath believes Lampard and LA Galaxybound Steven Gerrard are in for a few culture shocks when they move stateside.

‘They will have to get used to the travel for an away game. Six hour flights leaving on Thursday and not arriving back until Sunday night. The time difference, sleep patterns,’ he told Sportsmail.

‘I think they’ll be impressed with the athleticism in the league. Six years ago coming here in your mid thirties you could get away with coasting but those days are gone. Frank will be fine and so will Steven because they’ve got great football brains.’

And Heath, who is now manager of fellow new MLS team Orlando City, believes they will find a much more level playing field.

‘The great thing about the MLS is because of the salary cap there is parity and you don’t know who is going to win the league,’ he added.

‘The Premier League is exciting in many ways but you know only three or four teams can win it.’

• Donald

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eigning US Open Champion and Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer, fellow former World Number One Luke Donald and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed have all added their names to a truly international field for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation.

Following the addition of Dubai Duty Free as title sponsor, the prize fund will increase by 25% to €2.5 million with the 2015 champion taking home €416,660 compared to the €333,330 which Mikko Ilonen received last year.

The addition of two ex-World Number Ones in Kaymer and Donald, along with former WGCCadillac Championship winner Reed, will further enhance the strongest field assembled for the event from May 28 – 31, when at least five of the top 20 players in the world will battle it out over one of golf’s most famous links courses, Royal County Down.

The field now includes five current or former players who have reached the pinnacle of the World Ranking – current Number One Rory McIlroy, Donald, Ernie Els, Kaymer and Lee Westwood – and eight Major Champions in McIlroy, Els, Kaymer, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie and José Maria Olazábal.

Between them, those eight players have shared no fewer than 16 Major titles. The event now carries the most Official World Golf Ranking points since its inception while the holders of three of the four ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments will be in the field – Kaymer (US Open) and McIlroy The importance of the event on The Race to Dubai schedule is further signified by the presence of seven current or former European Number Ones – Donald, Els, Harrington, Kaymer, McIlroy, Westwood and Robert Karlsson.

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SPORT

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Guardiola will join City’

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Action recorded during the first leg match between Chelsea and Manchester United.

Chelsea vs Man Utd

My players don’t need motivation — Mourinho C

helsea manager Jose Mourinho said he has no need to motivate his players before a match against Manchester United, labelling his side’s next opponents as “one of the biggest clubs in the world”.

The Blues take on United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Mourinho believes the fixture is a special occasion.

Mourinho said he hasn’t needed to find extra motivation for his players in training this week as the game is one which the supporters want to watch and the players are desperate to play in.

He said: “To play Manchester United is to play against one of the biggest clubs in the world and the best teams in the Premier League and I think this is what everybody wants.

“This week I was not worried about motivating players, or players to be focused on the game and the opponent because there is no need. It’s an easy job.

“It’s a big match. You have to play against everyone home and away. Our fight is to have the same motivation and ambition, no matter what opponent.

“But the reality is that these matches

are the easy ones – the ones where every player is desperate to play. They are the matches everybody likes.”

Manchester United have injury worries ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge with Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo all missing out.

Chelsea largely have a clean bill of health, with Mourinho saying Loic Remy is rated at better than 50-50 to play.

The Blues boss also said that Diego Costa is “progressing well” and will start training with the rest of the squad next week.

Balotelli is the most abused player

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iverpool striker Mario Balotelli is the most abused Premier League footballer on social media - and Chelsea are the most abused club.

That is according to research which shows for the first time the true extent of the number of abusive messages sent to players, clubs and fans on the Internet.

The statistics collated for anti-discrimination body Kick It Out show there was an estimated 134,400 instances of direct abuse aimed at Premier League teams and players between August 2014 and March 2015. It is also estimated there has been an abusive

and discriminatory post every 2.6 minutes this season.

Director of Kick it Out Roisin Wood, is calling for an expert group to help fight the rise in discrimination towards clubs and players across social media.

Director of Kick it Out Roisin Wood, is calling for an expert group to help fight the rise in discrimination towards clubs and players across social media.

Balotelli received by far the most abusive mentions of a Premier League star analysed. More than 52 per cent of the 8,000 abusive posts directed at him were racist according to the findings.

The Italy international was banned for one match and fined £25,000 in December after he posted a picture on his Instagram page which contained racist and anti-Semitic language, for which he apologised.

EPL FIXTURES C/ Palace

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West Brom

Everton

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Burnley

Leicester

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Swansea

Stoke

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Chelsea

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ormer Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes Pep Guardiola will move to Manchester City once his contract with Bayern Munich expires.

The Premier League champions have been linked with a move for Jurgen Klopp following his surprise announcement that he will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

While Scholes feels Klopp would be a success in the Premier League he believes that it is Guardiola who will take over at City once the 44-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2016.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he [Klopp] would be a success in English football, the only question is at which club,” he wrote in his column in The Independent.

“Manchester City is the destination that has been mentioned more than once but all the information that comes back to me in Manchester is that Pep Guardiola will take that job when his contract at Bayern Munich expires in one year’s time.”

Despite Guardiola already having won the Champions League twice as a manager, Scholes feels he would find success in Europe difficult at Manchester City.

“As for Guardiola, establishing Manchester City as European champions would be bigger than any of the challenges he has faced so far in his career,” he added.

Pellegrini fears Kompany´s season may be over

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anchester City could be without Captain Vincent Kompany for the remainder of the season, manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed.

The Belgium international hurt a thigh during the 4-2 derby defeat at Manchester United last Sunday and a prognosis on the defender’s recovery is not yet forthcoming.

“Kompany has a muscle injury - we don’t know how long he’ll be out for. We don’t know if he will be fit before the end of the season,” explained the Chilean.

Pellegrini has a number of other injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham. “It’s more important than ever to have the fans, the players and the staff together as one. We are one club.”

Southampton Man Utd

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Balotelli

Man City

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West Ham

Newcastle

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Tottenham Kompany

Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

April 18, 2015

SARS arrest Lebanese nursing mother over robbery

•Other gang members also in police net

Amira Abdullahi, second from left with members of her gang.

Patience Ogbo

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he arrest of a suspected female robber Amira Abudallahi, 32, is one rare case of women involvement in armed robbery.

Amira who hails from Lebanon is a divorcee and mother of five.

According to the police, Amira though a nursing mother of a six month old baby, allegedly belonged to a gang arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad attached to the Lagos State police command for allegedly robbing bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos.

The police operatives recovered $13million cash from Amira’s gang members.

Other items recovered from them include exotic cars and cash in both local and foreign currencies.

Narrating how she got into crime,Amira said. “I am an interior designer. I just had a baby, my baby is six months old. I got into crime while I was still pregnant. This is like a year but I became an active member

six months ago after I had my baby. What I do for the gang is that I converse with prospective victims on the phone. The leader of our gang known as Senator gave me the numbers to call. He told me what to say and then I call the victim.

“I have not built any house; I have made over N12 million since I joined the gang. I used part of it to buy a car and the other to pay my children’s school fees. I take care of my five kids alone since I am divorced and my husband abandoned me. I still live in a rented two-bedroom apartment in Lekki area in Lagos,” she said.

Amira who said she regretted her involvement in crime said she became desperate to fend for her children and her business was not making profits.

She said “I am not proud of myself neither am I proud of what has happened, I just hope I can make a positive change on the society, I pray God will give me the opportunity to do so in the future, I believe no one is above mistake and I believe God will grant me grace.

“Like I said what I did was wrong no-

body is above mistake, it was my financial responsibility and the economic situation of the country that led me into the gang”.

The Lagos State Police commissioner of police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, said Amira belonged to a gang that specialised in impersonating operatives of EFCC to rob bureau de change operator in Abuja and Lagos state.

The CP gave the names of the suspects as Princewill Eze, aka senator Nwobodo, 55; Amira Abudallahi, 32; Daniel Okpara, 30; Paul Irior, 37; Bassey Williams Ekpenyong, 39; and Royal Nwabuike, 32, were arrested in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja respectively.

CP Aderanti said Amira was arrested following the confession of other members of the gang.

He said, “February 25, 2015 at about 5p.m., I received information about a gang of armed robbers who use EFCC uniform, handcuffs to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos States of foreign currencies including dollars pounds sterling and Euro.

“As soon as we got the information, I immediately directed the OC Special AntiRobbery Squad, (SARS)SP Abba Kyari to launch a massive manhunt. The manhunt paid off as they detectives tracked and arrested the kingpin, one Princewill Eze, aka senator Nwobodo, who lives in Ajah on February 27, 2015 at about 4pm. His confession led to the arrest of a female member of the gang, a Lebanese nationale, one Amira Abudallahi and other members of the gang”.

According to the Lagos Police boss , “the suspects who were arrested in Delta, Abuja, Ogun and Lagos states have all confessed to have carried out several robberies in Lagos and Abuja. Also during the follow up, One Bryco59 pistol with serial no 930945 with six rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, single barrel pistol cut to size with four live cartridges, Toyota highlander ash colour with registration number, No LSR 110 DB, Toyota highlander Maroon colour with registration number No LSR 671 DK, Toyota highlander ash

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

Continue on Page 50

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CRIME WATCH

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘I got into crime while pregnant’ Continued from Page 49

colour with registration number Toyota highlander jeep Maroon colour with registration number No KTU380 DK, Toyota Sienna 2012 model, with registration number JJ424CQ, Toyota Forerunner with registration number KRD 449 DG, one Toyota Camry Saloon car unregistered four million naira (N4,000,000) cash and thirteen thousand US dollars (S13,000) cash) have been recovered”.

Saturday Mirror learnt that one of the suspects, Corporal Bassey Williams Ekpenyong is a dismissed police man who was charged to court by SARS operatives for kidnapping in 2012.

Other members of the gang narrated how they got involved in crime.

The suspected gang leader said, “My name is Princewill Eze. I am from Nkanu LGA in Enugu state. I am married with five children. I was into hospitality business before I ventured into robbery.

My gang members know me as Senator. The senator name is an appellation. I don’t hold a political position. I live in a rented apartment at VGC. I do not own the house. Some of my daughters are in school abroad.

“I didn’t recruit anyone of them into the gang; they all joined the gang on their own freewill because they are all adults.

We have made about N15m. I have used the money to buy different property, but the police have seized them all. I bought different vehicles too” Narrating their modus operandi, the dismissed police corporal said, “We don’t use guns. I was serving with CMS Mopol 2, Lagos. I built a house in Benin. I met the senator in 2014. My role was to act as a policeman. I wear uniforms and pose with my gang members who are fake EFCC officials. Any time they have a deal, they invite me. Sometimes, I get a million naira after an operation.

“They usually pretend to be EFCC official and we will tell the victims that we have cases against them.

“The victims would bring the money to us in convenient places like hotels and banks so we can drop the borgus allegation against them. I also run a hotel.

I have been in this gang for about five years. I was arrested by the police four years ago for a similar issue, but got bail from court.

“The police gadgets like the Walkie Talkie recovered from me were obtained during the Anambra elections. I was not into politics, but I was part of that election.”

Another suspect Royal Nwabuike, said, “I am 32 years old. I went to Auchi Polytechnic, from there, I went to Delta State University. Upon graduation I got a job as a real estate and property manager in Onistha. Later the company closed down.

After the company closed down, I went to a marine school that enabled me to work in the sea, unfortunately the company was sold to an Indian who retrenched all the workers and we weren’t paid any gratuity.

“It was at this point my friend called Bassey introduced me to the Senator who is the gang leader. Senator promised to

Cash and other eqipment recovered from the robber.

help me secure employment in a company.

When I called senator he told me to meet him at Eko Meridian hotel in Lagos where he lodged. After explaining to him, he said he will get back to me the next day but he didn’t. About three weeks later, he called me and asked me to meet him in a secured location.

“When I got there, he asked me to enter his vehicle. He told me that there was someone he wanted me to meet that will give me a large amount of money. He said I should tell them that I am from EFCC. At the time, we had not started using the EFCC vest. Senator is the one that told the victims that they were from EFCC, and that they have charges of corruption.

Most of the victims would prefer to settle rather than go to EFCC office.

I have gone to about seven operations I have made close to ten million naira; I used part of the proceeds to buy a Forerunner, 2004 model, N2.4 million. The remaining money is in my account and my wife’s account. I also rented and furnished the house where I live in Lagos. I also built a house in my village. I am married with a kid,” the suspect narrated.

Fleet of cars seized from the gang.

Headmistress arrested for allegedly thumb printing ballot papers in her office Patience Ogbo

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here was tension at the Salvation Army Primary School, Ayobo, Lagos State, when policemen stormed the office of the headmistress of the school and arrested her.

The headmistress, identified simply as Mrs Adelaja, was arrested during the April 11th gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections at Ayobo for allegedly being in possession of three smart card reader

machines and she was accused of thumb printing on several ballot papers while elections were on going.

Security sources alleged that they found INEC jackets in her office and several election ballot papers already allegedly thumb printed.

The headmistress was subsequently arrested and detained at the Ayobo police station. Our correspondent gathered that the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, at Panti Yaba on Monday for further investigation.

A security source who requested anonymity said, “The Divisional Police Officer of the Ayobo Police station and a team of policemen got a tip off that some unauthorised persons were in possession of INEC materials in the Salvation Army Primary School.

The policemen stormed the office of the headmistress and they found three card reader machines, several ballots papers printed in favour of APC candidates. The police also found INEC jackets when they searched her office”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State assembly orders arrest of Accountant General

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he Enugu State House of Assembly has directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to arrest the Accountant-General, Paschal Okolie, for failing to appear before it for the third time.

The Leader of the assembly, Sunday Ude-Okoye (PDP-Awgu North), moved the motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest on the accountant-general during plenary on Wednesday in Enugu.

Mr. Ude-Okoye said the arrest became imperative because of his consistent failure to appear before the assembly.

“We are all from Enugu State and every time he pretends to be sick, but we keep getting information that he attends to his duty.

“This is the third invitation to him and there is no sign or reason why he is not here. As of today, he is in Enugu State.

“Maybe as one of us said yesterday that we have no powers, he feels that we have no powers indeed and he will continue to fry us like `akara’ in the frying pan.

“So because of his continuous failure and neglect of this honourable House, l therefore evoke the powers bestowed on us to order the Commissioner of Police to issue a warrant of arrest on the accountantgeneral,’’ he said.

Masked cultists kill two in Lagos

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wo people were hacked to death over the weekend after some suspected cult members clashed at the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

One of the persons killed was identified as Ayodele Adefiwaji. Lateef Ogunsanya was the second. Ogunsanya, 34, was also shot to death.

Police said those who killed Ogunsanya wore masks. A police source said the deceased’s wife told investigators that the cult group had been on her husband’s trail for some time.

The grieving widow told the police that she and her husband were living at Ogijo area before, but relocated to Odogunyan due to the cultists’ threat to her husband’s life. The widow added that when the cult group came on that fateful day, they stormed into the house after breaking down the gate.

They sighted Ayodele and shot him point blank and then proceeded to start hacking him with a machete. The cult group stormed Olaleye Street and Market Street and unleashed terror on the residents.

Residents, who recounted tales of the incident, said the cultists were sighted wielding dangerous weapons. One of the residents said: “The cult group had a field day. “Two persons were killed.” A police source at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State said: “The first victim who was hacked to death by the cult group was identified as Ayodele Adefiwaji.

“Ayodele was murdered at the front of his apartment at night while he was relaxing. “Immediately the deceased was killed, his wife, Adeola Adefiwaji, went to Sagamu Road Police Station to lodge a complaint.”

CRIME WATCH

April 18, 2015

Man caught voting with mother’s PVC

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oting at a polling Unit in Constituency 02 in Alimosho local government area Lagos State during the last general election was almost marred following the arrest of a man over allegation that he came to the Polling Unit to vote with a Permanent Voters Card that does not belong to him.

It was gathered that voting had commenced for the 2015 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly election in Alimosho area when trouble broke out after it emerged that the man was discovered to have used his mother’s PVC to vote.

It was gathered that the man was handed over to the police manning the polling unit. But angry electorates came for the suspect wanting to lynch him.

Though the name of the suspect is being withheld for security reason, our correspondent gathered that the suspect was almost lynched by angry electorates but policemen came in a patrol van and whisked him away.

Professor Attahiru Jega

A resident, Akin Olumide, said “We were on the Polling Unit at Oke-Orobe Constituency 02 in Alimosho area when

51

this man walked up and cast his ballot.

He was leaving the venue but some people were whispering that the man does not have voter’s card.

“The PDP agents went after him and they told him to show his voter’s card. He hesitated but they grabbed it from him.

The agents started shouting that the PVC had a different photograph. The party agents handed the man to the police at the Polling Unit and the man confessed that the PVC belonged to his mother.

“He was subsequently detained but the party agents began to complain to INEC that they are allowing fraudulent people to vote. This almost caused disruption as people felt that such has been happening and they wanted to descend on the man.

But Police men came in a patrol van with registration number APP 373 BS and took him away”.

Calls and text messages made to the Lagos State Police Spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, were not replied as at press time.

Poverty made me ingest cocaine —Suspect

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ne of the four suspects who ingested 100 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine has confessed that poverty compelled him to take the risk.

The suspect, Ejiofor Eliezer, 46, said he would have been paid a mere N200,000, if he had succeeded in smuggling the drugs to its destination. Ejiofor said: “I live in Brazil where I work in a supermarket and I’m married with four children. I attended Central School Ukpor. After my primary education, I could not study further due to lack of money.

“Life in Brazil is tough because I live from hand to mouth. I have no savings. In fact, it was poverty that made me to smuggle drugs. I took risk by swallowing 100 wraps of cocaine for N200,000 because of poverty.”

The other suspects are Obah Ifeanyi Francis, 30; Akpa Cornelus Sobuzochukwu, 27; and Ike Vincent Okechukwu, 36. The four suspects were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mitchel Ofoyeju, the arrests were recorded on the Brazil-Nigeria route, which had become notorious for cocaine smuggling. Ofoyeju said: “The suspects tested positive for cocaine ingestion and were placed under observation until the drugs were expelled.”

The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar, said that the suspects ingested 171 wraps of cocaine weighing 4.19kg. Umar further said: “Eliezer ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.155kg.

This is the highest single ingestion

since January 2015. Francis ingested 40 wraps weighing 740 grammes, while Sobuzochukwu ingested 26 wraps weighing 445 grammes. Another suspect, Okechukwu swallowed five wraps weighing 85 grammes.” Ofoyeju said Eliezer and Francis were caught during screening of passengers on an Emirates flight, while Sobuzochukwu and Okechukwu were nabbed during screening of passengers on Qatar airline flight.

Francis said he wanted to make quick money from cocaine trafficking but his friend disappointed him. His words: “I’m single and had been working in Brazil for two years. At present, I work in a bakery and my salary is meagre.

My plan was to give the drug to a friend in Dubai but he did not come to collect the drug as planned. This was how I had to come to Nigeria with the drug. I blame my friend for my arrest because I would have

made 15,000 dollars from the deal.” Sobuzochukwu, who holds a diploma in accounting, said he was frustrated working as a cleaner with poor salary.

He stated: “I hold a diploma in Accounting from Institute of Management Technology Enugu. I traveled to Brazil in search of better job but I ended up as a cleaner in a train station. My father is sick and I cannot afford return ticket to Nigeria let alone pay the hospital bill.

I know I made a big mistake but I smuggled cocaine out of frustration. I would have been paid 1,500 dollars.” Okechukwu said his arrest was a mistake from him.

He said: “My arrest was a miscalculation.

I thought that the five wraps of cocaine would not be detected. I regret my involvement in drug trafficking. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary School class two and I worked in a toy company in Brazil.”

NDLEA arrests 4 suspected drug traffickers in Lagos

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday said it arrested four suspected drug peddlers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

This is contained in a statement by Mitchel Ofoyeju, the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, in Lagos.

According the statement the agency is intensifying efforts in abating activities of drug peddler using Brazil-Nigeria route through the MMIA.

It stated that Mr Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA Chairman, said that the agency had deployed its surveillance team on 24 hours red alert to abate hard drug trafficking and smuggling.

The statement stated that the MMIA surveillance team had led to the arrest four suspected drug traffickers for ingesting cocaine.

It stated that the suspects were placed under observation until the many wraps of cocaine were expelled from them.

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April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Investment

Profiles with Godwin Uba

ubagodwin@yahoo.com

08034494437

Make it big with table wine production

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trategies for national economic survival dictate drastic economic reforms.

One of such reforms is to discourage mass importation of foreign products and looking inwards to producing those goods that can be easily made locally.

This measure will reduce pressure on the demand for foreign exchange. We all know that a nation that relies wholly on other countries for its needs will never grow. It is also a known fact that government cannot provide all the needed employment to school leavers and graduates.

But if industries are established by individual investors, more people would be employed. The only role government can play is to protect the local industries by passing favorable laws to that provide enabling business environment and offering adequate international relations.

From our detailed investment analysis, there are still some products that can be produced easily in this country, yet are still massively imported. One of such products is table wine.

Table wine production should fall in line with the above economic goals all the required inputs for its production can be locally sourced.

Importance and Uses of Product Wine is a non-alcoholic beverage popular among the upper and the middle class. It is served at ceremonies and social gatherings such as weddings,

outings, naming ceremonies, house-warming, parties and night clubs.

In recent times, table wine has gained wide acceptance owing to its low alcoholic content.

It is also a known fact that some brands have medicinal properties.

Thus owing to changing lifestyles, drinking habits and health reasons, wine is now generally taken in preference to beer and other spirits.

As such, it is now widely consumed by many households.

It is also served in hotels, restaurants, and aircraft among others.

From market survey carried out, there is an excellent local market, hence some businessmen in Nigeria have continued to import wine from the U.S.A and other European countries to the detriment of

An estimated sum of N21.1million will be enough to commence the project.

From preinvestment analysis carried out, the return on investment are about 72 percent

Corking machine and weighing scale

our national economy.

From all indications, wine can easily be produced in Nigeria since the raw material, manpower and other required inputs can easily be sourced in the country.

The only thing lacking in Nigeria is the standard machines and part of the equipment required for production. These machines can easily be imported from technologically advanced countries into this country.

Already there are some foreign manufacturers of these machines that are located in Nigeria that can supply these machines.

Although anybody can go into this business, but people into water and fruit juice/ drinks bottling are mostly favored.

Some of those importers can easily travel to overseas countries, procure the machines and install them in this country.

State and local governments can also set up this project in their areas to generate employment.

Raw material required Raw materials for table wine production include grains like maize or wheat and fruits such as sweet orange, citrus, grape, cashew, paw-paw, pineapple, mango and cocoa. Others include tubers such as carrot and potatoes and other additives.

All these are 100 per cent locally available. The choice of raw material depends on the envisaged brand of wine.

Water is a common input which accounts for up to 70 per cent.

Plants, machinery and equipment Machinery and equipment include the crusher, juice extractor, liquor digester, fermentation tank, strainer, filler, corking machine and weighing scale. Auxiliary equipment includes knives, hydrometer and Plastic/glass containers

and buckets. Again, all these are locally available. Most of these machines are manufactured by foreign companies based in Nigeria.

Production process Production process involves raw materials sourcing, selection, cleaning, peeling crushing and extraction. Other steps include digestion, cooling, straining, fermentation, ageing, clarification, pasteurization and bottling.

Production may be diversified to include three brands, one each for local consumption, special export and sacrament.

The envisaged machinery has a capacity for 1,250 liters of wine per day.

Operating at 50 percent capacity level, a total of 156,250 litters will be produced in 250 working days per annum. The capacity can also be increased if the promoter wants.

A smaller version of the plant which produces 500 liters per shift may be fabricated for small-scale investors.

Marketing strategies 60 per cent of which will be sold to the dealers while 10

per cent will be sold directly to religious organizations as sacrament wine for Holy Communion. The remaining 30 per cent can be exported to other African countries.

Estimated cost of project and funding An estimated sum of N21.1million (as shown below) will be enough to commence the project. From pre-investment analysis carried out, the returns on investment are about 72 percent. Total projected revenue will be N58.7Million in the first two years. This figure will increase to about N85.5Million in the 5th year of operation.

The project will yield a first year net profit of N25.3 million.

The payback period is about 2years with a very hard working and experience manpower. The project is very viable and highly profitable.

Project estimated cost The actual cost of establishing the project will be determined after conducting comprehensive feasibility studies on the project.

However, from our preliminary studies, the takeoff cost is seen in the table below.

N’000) Pre-investments

520

Space rent (variable)

1200

Plant and Machinery

8000

Fixtures and Fittings

250

Capital Utilities

2000

Project Vehicle

2500

Working Capital (start-up)

5000

Contingency margin

2000

Total Investment 21,470

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

SOUTH EAST

Imo Guber: Iwuanyanwu accuses Okorocha of voice cloning

Chris Njoku, OWERRI

P

eoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Board of Trustees member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has accused the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, of cloning his voice during the governorship election in a bid to deceive the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the state.

He said with this development, “the future of democracy is at risk with the new crop of politicians who would stop at nothing to as-

...It’s not true —Govt suming positions of power in the country.”

Iwuanyanwu noted that a lot of desperation and criminality were brought to bear in the last governorship election, particularly in Imo, adding that his voice was cloned in the state government-owned radio station to mislead people to vote for APC. “My voice was cloned last week by the All Progressive Congress and the Imo State Government; and used to mislead Imo people, tell-

ing them to vote APC. My voice was played every five minutes on the government owned Orient FM, soliciting votes for APC. When I called Orient FM, they said it was sent to them from the Imo Government House.

Former Governor Achike Udenwa’s voice was also cloned; I have never seen this level of fraud, dishonour and impunity in my political life.”

Iwuanyanwu lamented that Nigeria’s democracy would make no progress if

after more than half a century of Nigeria’s independence; ‘the governorship charade in Imo on April 11 is upheld.”

He said: “In this same state, an INEC official made the statement before cameras that she was kidnapped and forced to write election results at gunpoint and nothing has been said or done about this.”

The PDP chieftain further said, “I learnt over one thousand thugs had been trained and armed. I was

also warned to steer clear of the polls or risk assassination. With the arrests recorded by security agents during the election, we confirmed the information that police and army uniforms were freely issued and government vehicles repainted to bear police colours. I heard also the governor has threatened to retire me, but he tends to forget that he is not God. I have brought value to Imo State and have impacted life even on my personal capacity. I think it is absolutely unfair to want to rise to power by killing or retiring Iwuanyanwu.”

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Chidi Ibe said that Chief Iwuanyanwu was only crying foul. “Of course you know that the governor could not have said such thing as he is always conscious and selects the words he uses.

53

APGA chairman urges Ambode to protect Lagos residents

L

agos State Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Adeshina Olayokun, has urged the state Governor-elect, Akinwumi Ambode, to protect the interest of all Lagos residents.

Olayokun, who was also the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the April 11 election, said yesterday in Lagos that the governor-elect should promote people-oriented programmes.

He said ``this is democracy, let the continuity go on and let the electorate see dividends of democracy.

The governor-elect should listen to the complaints of people at all levels because democracy in the country has taken a new dimension.

“If you ignore the people’s complaints, the people may decide to vote you out in the next election. Ambode should consider the plights of the people and take their interests into consideration,” he said.

Actor urges govt to tackle piracy

FRSC Coordinator of Special Marshals and Partnership in Anambra, Mr. Ben Osaka (left) and Head of Department, Mr. Gabriel Akinola, during the Special Marshals’ facility tour of the FRSC Regional Plate Plant in Awka, Anambra, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Anambra polls: INEC issues certificates of return to winners Charles Okeke, AWKA

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) yesterday issued certificate of return to winners of the three senatorial and ten House of Representatives seats that were competed for during the last National Assembly elections The successful Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), candidates who got their respective certificate of return at a ceremony held at the INEC headquar-

ters in Awka,the state capital,yesterday were Princess Stella Oduah,who won Anambra North Senatorial seat and Hon.( Mrs) Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Central Senate seat and Princess Again the successful House of Representatives candidates who were also issued with their certificate of return

by INEC,yesterday were drawn from the PDP which got eight seats and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), which won two seats.

The certificate of return were released to the

thirteen successful candidates under the supervision of the INEC National Commissioner incharge of Anambra State, Ambassador Lawrence Nworuku and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner,Engr Nwatarali O. Edwin.

Speaking during the ceremony, Nworuku urged those who were winners and losers in the contest to behave well and “eschew bitterness and grudges as power comes from God.” In his own speech, the Resident Electoral Commissioner incharge of Anambra State,Engr Nwatarali

advised those who lost the election to go to court if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the election.

Nwatarali who congratulated the winners on their victory at the polls, gave a consolation message to those who wants to challenge the outcome of the elections at the election tribunal, when he maintained that INEC is ready to obey any court order, provided it is a valid one.

In his vote of thanks onbehalf of the entire candidates who got their certificate of return, Senator

A

veteran actor, Ken Odurukwe, has urged the three tiers of government to tackle piracy, so that practitioners in the Motion Picture Industry (MPI) could enjoy the fruits of their labour. ``The MPI is not paying us because of piracy by those who steal our intellectual properties, and that is why we are impoverished,” Odurukwe said.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, he said that people who did not know what artistes suffered from to create their works of art were stealing their intellectual properties. ``It is surprising that the three tiers of government are not discussing how they can help the sector scale up their activities and tackle piracy.

When governments begin to discuss with stakeholders in the sector on how

intellectual properties can be protected, then the money we make from it can pay our bills comfortably. We will also generate more employment opportunities for the youth because there are many areas they will be relevant in the sector,’’ the veteran actor said.

Odurukwe said that the entertainment industry had been giving the country a good image, but that various governments were not really encouraging it. ``That is why I said that the Federal Government and the National Assembly (NASS) should look seriously into how the sector can be made viable and attractive for all to enjoy from. Unfortunately, they are not discussing the industry in the NASS, they are not even looking at us and they are talking about employment.

54

REGIONAL NEWS

April 18, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Suspected assassins kill Ughelli NBA chair Theophilus Onojeghen Warri

M

r.

Austin Icheghe, Ughelli Branch Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has been reportedly murdered by gunmen suspected to be hired assassins on Thursday night at his residence in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Saturday Mirror learnt that Icheghe was murdered at about 9pm while returning from work in the presence of his family at Ekredjebor Street, Ughelli.

When our correspondent visited the home of the victim on Friday morning, stains of blood were still seen at the spot where was reportedly shot. Sympathizers were seen thronging the residence to console

members of his immediate family over the incident.

A niece of the deceased who managed to speak to newsmen revealed that her uncle was gruesomely murdered by gunmen numbering five.

The relative who identified herself as Egunor Uviesa said her uncle was shot in front of his apartment while alighting from his vehicle.

“As soon as he came down from his vehicle, they accosted him, and

shot him on the head with the bullet damaging part of his face. He was immediately rushed to a private clinic here in Ughelli were he was confirmed dead”, she revealed.

When contacted, the

state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police confirmed the incident to our correspondent on phone, saying that police were already investigating the killing.

Delta PRP warns against post election violence, urges losers to seek redress in court Amour Udemude Asaba

D

elta state chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has warned against any form of post election violence in the state.

Giving the warning yesterday in a press statement signed by the state chairman of the party, Comrade Emmanuel Odafe and its secretary, Joseph Erhuvie and made available to our correspondent in Asaba, the party urged aggrieved political parties and their candidates to approach the election tribunals to seek redress rather to resorting to violence.

“We have received various Reports and Protests arising from the April 11, 2015 General Elections conducted in Delta State.

The interesting fact of the reports is that majority of the political parties and their candidates that participated in the elections alleged amongst other, accusation of electoral frauds ranging from ballot snatching and stuffing, use of thugs, violence, falsification of results and declaration of false results.

“But despite this, we wish to highly commend the political parties and

some of their candidates for sustaining the relative peace during and after the elections in the face of alleged acts of provocations and electoral frauds. However, the allegations made by various political parties and their candidates confirms the fact that there were indeed cases of electoral frauds and offences in gross violation of provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“Such allegations if proved with facts are justified grounds for nullification of elections by the Electoral Tribunal and Courts. While calling on those who are convinced that the declared result(s) are a true reflection of the vote cast by the electorates, to accept such results as wish of the electorates rather than resort to recruiting people to embark on street protests in order to undermine the Peace and Security of the State.”

The statement stated.

In another development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday presented certificate of return to the Delta state Governor-Elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa at the commissioned headquarters in Asaba.

Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio receiving certificate of return as Senator-elect, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District from INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren at INEC office Uyo

House of assembly candidate rejects election result in C’ River Richard Ndoma Calabar

T

he All Progressives Congress APC, House of Assembly candidate for Obubra 1 state House Constituency in Cross River state, Hon. Alex Irek, has rejected the outcome of the just concluded April 11 state House of Assembly election which he lost to his Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP, opponent on April 11, claiming that he was rigged out by the Gov. Imoke and officials of INEC in favour of his opponent.

The APC candidate who doubles as THE Minority Leader in the House and seeking for reelection into the seat of Obubra 1 state constituen-

cy, made the claims while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar on the outcome of the April 11 State House of Assemblies Elections held nationwide last Saturday Irek claimed his failure in the elections was as a result of connivance by PDP and the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to rig him out in the contest.

Irek said he is rejecting the election result because the PDP connived with INEC to cancel original result that would have made him winner, saying he was shocked that initial election result was upturned in favour of his PDP opponent who was an un-popular candidate.

“We in the APC won our elections, it was in

the collation centre that the result was changed in favour of our opponent, Imoke used one Eko Atu and some cohorts to perpetrate the fraud I called it abracadabra” Irek queried.

The APC candidate maintained that he won the Obubra 1 state constituency election which INEC declared the PDP candidate as winner adding that he had blocked votes in Obubra Urban and several other wards before Governor Imoke connived with INEC to short change him of his well deserved victory.

Irek accused Gov. Imoke of having a hand in his woes and called for cancellation of the election result because the election was conducted

without the use of card readers.

Irek claimed that elections in some polling units in his area were done without card reader adding that organisers of the elections did so because the card reader machines failed to work particularly in areas were the APC had it strongholds.

When asked if he would resort to violent should INEC failed to upturn the election result in favour of the APC candidate, the lawmaker said he had no intention to resort to violent instead he was going to seek for redress in a very civilized manner and called on all those who feel short changed in the elections to go to tribunal rather than resorting to violent

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

April 18, 2015

Muslim migrants throw Christians overboard

M

uslims who were among migrants trying to get from Libya to Italy in a boat this week threw 12 fellow passengers overboard -- killing them -- because the 12 were Christians, Italian police said Thursday.

Italian authorities have arrested 15 people on suspicion of murdering the Christians at sea, police in Palermo, Sicily, said.

The original group of 105 people left Libya on Tuesday in a rubber boat.

Sometime during the trip north across the Mediterranean Sea, the alleged

assailants -- Muslims from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal -- threw the 12 overboard, police said.

Other people on the voyage told police that they themselves were spared “because they strongly opposed the drowning attempt and formed a human chain,” Palermo police said.

The boat was intercepted by an Italian navy vessel, which transferred the passengers to a Panamanian-flagged ship. That ship docked in Palermo on Wednesday, after which the arrests were made, po-

lice said.

The 12 who died were from Nigeria and Ghana, police said.

Thousands of people each year make the dangerous sea journey from North Africa to Europe’s Mediterranean coast, often aboard vessels poorly equipped for the trip.

Many of them attempt the voyage to flee war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

More than 10,000 people have arrived on Italian shores from Libya since last weekend alone, according to the Italian coast

guard.

Many die each year while attempting the voyage, often when boats capsized. Last year at least 3,200 died trying to make the trip. Since 2000, according to the International Organization for Migration, almost 22,000 people have died fleeing across the Mediterranean.

The IOM reported Thursday the latest boat to sink in trying to make the journey. Only four people survived from the original 45 on board, bringing the estimated death toll so far this year close to a thousand.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

55

Solar-powered plane on round-the-world flight gets stuck in China

T

he Solar Impulse 2, the experimental plane attempting to fly around the world without using a drop of fuel, has been grounded by the weather in China.

What was supposed to be an overnight pit stop in the southwestern city of Chongqing has now stretched into a two-anda-half week stay.

It’s an unexpected layover that is testing the patience of the pilots and more than 60 team members, just a quarter of the way along a journey that will cover some 35,000 kilometers (21,748 miles) over five months.

“You can believe that your will can influence the weather,” says pilot Bertrand Piccard, who comes from a long family line of explorers. But “then you’ll be really disappointed because it doesn’t work.

“Or you just know that it’s an adventure you do with the forces of na-

ture.”

Piccard, along with Andre Borschberg, a Swiss engineer, are taking turns flying the single-seater aircraft, which took off from Abu Dhabi on March 9 and has successfully flown through Oman, India, and Myanmar.

There is much at stake.

Their mission, which the pilots say is aimed at proving the power of renewable energy, and inspiring innovation, has been 12 years in the making. In many ways, it has become Piccard and Borschberg’s raison d’etre.

But so far, the Solar Impulse 2 has been spending a lot of time on the ground.

The latest setback came when a Thursday takeoff was canceled, because the cross winds in Nanjing, the plane’s destination, were forecast to be too strong around its expected landing time.

IBM warns Louisiana over ‘religious freedom’ bill

I South Africa xenophobia: Foreigners in South Africa fighting back against locals attacking them

Saddam Hussein’s deputy, al-Dour, killed

I

zzat Ibrahim alDouri, a former top deputy to Saddam Hussein and more recently a key figure in Sunni extremist groups battling the Iraqi government, has been killed in a security operation in that country, Iraqi staterun television reported Friday.

Al-Douri was the highest-ranking member of Hussein’s regime to evade capture -- the “King of Clubs” in a deck of playing cards used by

American troops to identify the most-wanted regime officials.

He also was a man thought to have led the post-Hussein Sunni extremist group Naqshbandi Army. Military analysis website Globalsecurity. org says the Naqshbandi Army supports ISIS, the group that has taken over parts of Iraq and Syria.

Al-Douri was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces and Shia militia members between Tikrit and Kirkuk, Iraq,

Shia militia commander Hadi al-Ameri said.

His death also was reported by the governor of Salahuddin province, Raid al-Jubouri, who spoke by phone on Iraqi television.

Al-Ameri said DNA tests would be performed to confirm Al-Douri’s identity.

Al-Ameri’s militia is a predominantly Shiite fighting group that worked with Iraqi troops earlier this month to liberate the Iraqi city of Tikrit from ISIS.

Al-Douri was a military commander and vice chairman of the country’s revolutionary command council in Hussein’s Sunni-dominated regime -- effectively Hussein’s No. 2 man.

Hussein’s regime fell during a U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The U.S. military had said that after the Iraqi leader’s fall, al-Douri helped finance a Sunni insurgency with money he transferred to Syria before the government collapsed.

BM has sent a letter to the governor of Louisiana warning that a pending religious freedom bill would create a hostile environment for the tech company’s employees.

“A bill that legally protects discrimination based on same-sex marriage status will create a hostile environment for our current and prospective employees, and is antithetical to our company’s values,” IBM vice president James Driesse wrote in a letter to Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“IBM will find it much harder to attract talent to Louisiana if this bill is passed and enacted into law,” Driesse said.

The letter asks Jindal to work with the state legislature to “ensure this legislation is not discriminatory.” IBM has made significant investments in Louisiana, including a technology services delivery center in Baton Rouge.

The letter is the latest warning from corporate America to states that are considering controversial religious freedom laws. In Indiana and Arkansas, an intense backlash has already forced lawmakers to make revisions.

Critics say the laws give businesses the ability to discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people on religious grounds. Louisiana’s “Marriage and Conscience Act” would prohibit the state from taking “adverse action” against a person who opposes same-sex marriage because of their religion.

Jindal, a potential Republican presidential candidate, said it’s a matter of liberty.

“I think we can have religious liberty without having discrimination,” he said earlier this month on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I think it’s possible to have both.”

Quote

of

the

day

By May 28, we are expected to have concluded our own government and we are welcoming the incoming government.

— The Minister of Information, Patricia Akwashiki, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Saturday, April 18, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

Paul Geroski on New Markets (2)

I

N 1973, according to the historical account of the evolution of the internet by the author, a breakthrough was recorded in the development of new technology by DARPA engineers making cone network to communicate in the exchange of data. This led to DARPA switching over to TCP/IT. Many people believed that the new technology glued the network together. The development of the web again required protocol that will help locate HTML documents. Mosaic was the first internet browser and, according to the author, that helped to solve these problems.

The early 1990s saw a revolutionary development of the internet and more importantly Internet Explorer, which development was claimed by Netscape, and which was widely acknowledged to have been an improvement on Mosaic’s earlier work in this area. The entire work was claimed to be owned by Microsoft in a prolonged legal battle. The development of the search engine further enhanced the attractiveness of the use of the internet in no small measure.

These developments led to various clusters and configurations of activities on the internet, which included buying and selling of products using Netscape browsing. This has led to many activities on the internet from various stakeholders, which in turn has led to many complaints. But the complaints are not about the net itself but about the activities of new entrants. Netscape shares were eventually listed in the market and this also led to many operators joining the internet. The entry barrier was very low and this led to the emergence of many dot. com companies, the author posited. And as the shares of Netscape rose beyond the average market, so also did the shares of some of the dot.com companies. The market enjoyed some reasonable level of boom, according to the author. This appears to be a good story, but where did it lead us?

The game of evolution is interesting to many people in different scenarios. For instance, everyone wants to know what is going on here. The suppliers want to take position in the market. They want to be competitive and know which way to drive cost, create demand advantage or develop customer’s willingness to buy their products. To the customers, it is about choice of product or investment. Who is going to remain in the market? Who is osculating? And who is going to make the money? Who will drive the market? Everyone is interested in what is driving the market and what will drive the market in future.

No one can provide an abstract answer to those questions. For instance, the haphazard development of technology does not envisage that there will be a time that the internet

CFR

Book Review

Book Title: The Evolution of New Markets Author: Paul Geroski Publisher: University of Oxford Press Reviewer: Jimoh Ibrahim. CFR. Post graduate student of Strategy and Innovation, Said Business School, University of Oxford. will ever take a very dominant position either between the software or the frame computer or the cluster of activities around the internet today. Who would have known that one could withdraw money, book his hotel or make ticket reservations using the internet?

No one had a master plan that linked the development of new client server relationship between users and main frame computers to the possibility of booking hotel rooms with computers from a mobile phone, posited the author.

The use of killer applications provided many possibilities that led to lots of activities that were not prepared for, which attracted vast numbers of new customers According to the author, we need to know in clear terms why those events occurred.

We need to know how we got to where we are today and where we are going tomorrow with the internet.

Geroski posed some questions for further studies: How was the technology developed and why? Why did so many different products and services emerge? And why did some-but not others-seem to have become dominant? Why did a huge flood of entry occur? There appeared to be a slow initial take off of the products and services associated with the technology at the initial development stage and a slow reaction of customers to the technology development. This huge gap requires some knowledge investigation –

for customer reaction has become explosive.

The evolution of events relating to ITC/IP, Netscape’s browser and the widespread use of HTML and HTTP protocol are significant events that invited more participation in the internet technology at the initial stage. The evolution will help in the understanding of the transformation that took place in the distribution and consumer pattern of the development in the market, for such event led to flurry of entry and product innovation.

The establishment, according to the author, tends to define or (redefine) the market and this leads to market growth and expansion. To Geroski, if those fundamentals are correct, “then we will probably want to focus our projection into the future around such fundamental transformations and working out when they are likely to occur.” These can be seen in the form of e-business. The challenge, as posited by the author, is in the driving of revenue and profit. For instance, the grocery shops are transforming to e-business.

The author made some few disclaimers at the end of Chapter One but gave a summary of the entire book in Pages 16 and 17, where he posited that “at the end, the dominant design shape, the nature of competition which occurs in the market in turn shape its future evolution. He strongly believes that the ‘first three minutes’ end with the creation of dominant design and the emi-

nence of mass market. The author adopted a strategy of waiting till the concluding end of the book to discuss by way of sketching the basic features and the events of market evolution that took place during those first three minutes.

Where do new technologies come from?

In Chapter Two of the book, the author appears to have commenced the work of the evolution of new markets by using the evolution theory to trace in specific terms, where the technology comes from. He started with the warning that not all new markets are created by new technology. His concern of tracing where technologies come from was born out of great interest in the ‘changing world.’ New technology appears to be replacing the new one and all at a faster rate.

And many new technologies create new markets meeting new demands, while others completely transform market desire in new ways.

Geroski commenced the great work by tracing the evolution of television and the claim of its discovery by Joseph May, the use of selenium to regulate light connectivity that brings about the transmission of photograph, the initial discovery in 1872 and the friends ‘Nine O Clock News.’ The author expressed the difficulties and concerns in identifying who exactly discovered a particular thing as arising from the substantial rewards to be claimed by those that can establish that they were somehow first responsible for it.

The evolving theory, from early television in 1876 to the present day, looks like the market reacting from non profit-encouraging interest to dominant market concern for profit according to the author in both Pages 23 and 24 – “The early television, when it finally appeared as a series of faintly flicking shadows on very small-shift screens, was not obviously a money making proposition. Aside from the inherently uninteresting nature of what was transmitted, if television is not for profit making, what then is the relevance of its existence and how does the market play out here?”

Things appeared to change as the market evolved. In Page 24, the author explained the development. “By the middle to the late 1930, however, it became evident that ‘broadcasting’ was the right way forward, and this of course meant that a range of technical standards needed to be set.”

This event led to the need for David Sarnoff to make some useful developments, which, one way or the other, informed new standards that were established to trigger boom. And by 1930, according to the author, eighty-five producers had entered the market in the United States.

TO BE CONTINUED

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